January 20, 2018

The CMRR had its annual volunteer meeting in Kingston. Attending were myself, Harry Jameson, Pat Smalley, Peter Fluchere, Vince Guido, Art Vogel, Tom Whyte, Karin Vogel, Art Ferris, Bruce Tuchman, Jess Puccio, Harrison and George Balduf, Raphael Demeglio, Bruce Devorkin, Martin Elbrecht, Dave Heick, Dave Hilliard, Neil and Katherine Isabelle, Ernie Klopping, John Marino, Linda Marino, Marcia Roosa, Greg Peck, Fred Rasmussen, Todd Syska, Bryan Wade, Karl Wick, and Joe Wolff.

January 21, 2018

Vince Guido assembled a crew that moved the section house off of its long-time home in Shokan and located it at an intermediary property until moving permits are obtained for the move to Hurley Mountain Road.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Just something to read.

http://udrrcorp.com/wordpress/wp-conten ... 2.7.18.pdf

http://www.dailyfreeman.com/opinion/201 ... eel-guilty

LETTER: Ulster County Executive Michael Hein must feel guilty
POSTED: 02/09/18

Dear Editor:

I can see by his actions that Ulster County Executive Michael Hein is feeling guilty and worried about destroying our county’s history and disregarding the wishes of the majority of county residents by removing the railroad tracks alongside the Ashokan Reservoir and building a walking trail.

He could have saved a ton of money by putting a walking trail next to the tracks. His guilt has led to putting up fences, taking away our access to the property and our boats, and he has armed guards to protect the workers.

What is he afraid of?

I do not know why he thinks that taking away an income to the county and replacing it with a drain on the county budget is a good thing. He talks about bringing tourist dollars into the county and then throws them away.

Hein and all those who voted to remove our railroad and destroy our history should be voted out of office. They surely do not have the interest of the county and its residents at heart .

Doug Eighmey
West Hurley, N.Y.

With loose rail laying around plenty out there wanna grab and pickup some fast money at the scrapper, plus you don't know what looney tunes may be out there.

He will have to restore the rails at a cost and get something going to recover the money. The Revitalization group surely has some ideas flying. If they met heads earlier this issue would not happen.

More from the new company.

http://udrrcorp.com/wordpress/wp-conten ... -16-18.pdf

STB decision #1- county response to declaratory petition due by Feb. 23:

https://www.stb.gov/Decisions/readingro ... enDocument

On Saturday March 24th, we had a successful Easter Bunny Express - 797 passengers were carried on five trains.

Many thanks to our crew today: John Marino, Engineer, Karl Wick, Conductor, Art Vogel, Brakeman, Russ Hallock, flagger and brakeman trainee, Ernie Klopping, flagger, and Shawn Newton, flagger. In the box were Peter Fluchere, Marcia Roosa and Pat Smalley. Thanks also to Rob Gaston and his crew who put the event together. The Easter Bunny was picked up at the Best Western and entertained our customers on their way to the Easter Egg patch and back.

The generator in the 2949 was used to power the train - everything went smoothly. Its the first time the internal generator in any of the P72s have
been put back into service. Thanks to all who worked on the generator to get it in service.

We will be back for another run next weekend. Nice work to all involved!

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Saturday March 31st we again had a successful Easter Bunny Express - 1,260 passengers were carried on five trains.

Many thanks to our crew today: Tom Whyte, Engineer, Karl Wick, Conductor, John Marino, Trainman, Russ Hallock, flagger and brakeman trainee, Martin Elbrecht Flagger and Brakeman Trainee, Tony Bocchino, flagger, and Shawn Newton, flagger. In the box were Peter Fluchere, Marcia Roosa and Pat Smalley. Ernie Klopping also worked on Engine 42.

Thanks also to Rob Gaston and his crew who put the event together. The Easter Bunny was picked up at the Best Western and entertained our customers on their way to the Easter Egg patch and back. A few photos below:

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=243223

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=243224

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=243225

Also thanks to Earl Pardini, John Marino and Tom Whyte who replaced two ties at MP 5.3 earlier in the week.



Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

exCMRR operating location:

http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-new ... art-may-26

Rail bike rides between Phoenicia and Boiceville start May 26
By Freeman staff

POSTED: 04/11/18, 5:35 PM EDT

PHOENICIA, N.Y. >> Rail bike rides on the Ulster County-owned tracks between Phoenicia and Boiceville will launch on Memorial Day weekend.

The company Rail Explorers announced Wednesday that May 26 will be the kickoff date for its Catskills service.

“We are excited about starting operations in the Catskills,” Rail Explorers Chief Executive Officer Mary Joy Lu said in a prepared statement. “We look forward to becoming an integral part of the community and an important part of the local tourism economy.”

The 8-mile round-trip rides, along the Esopus Creek and through wooded areas, will take about two hours to complete, Rail Explorers said.

The company said the two- and four-person rail bikes have four steel wheels, hydraulic disc brakes, pedals for each seat, and “are comfortable, fun and easy to ride.”

And though the bikes require pedaling, electric assists will be provided, Rail Explorers said.

All rides will start at 70 Lower High St. in Phoenicia, and free parking will be available.

Reservations are recommended. Go to www.railexplorers.net or call (877) 833-8588.

The rail bike rides, which will be offered through October, will be on tracks west of the Ashokan Reservoir where the Catskill Mountain Railroad operated scenic train rides until May 2016. The railroad continues to offer rides between Kingston and Hurley.

Rail Explorers has a five-year contract with Ulster County to use the former Ulster & Delaware Railroad tracks. The company is paying the county an annual fee of $20,000.

Rail Explorers initially hoped to launch its Catskill service in 2017, but the start date was pushed back a year amid concerns raised by neighbors at the Boiceville end of the ride area.

The company did launch service last year along Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island.

Saturday, April 28th

Today we had several crews working. Earl Pardini, Al Schoessow and John Marino installed joint bars in the guard rails on C9.

Art Vogel and Ernie Klopping worked on engine 42 and the scarifier. They repaired the charging problem in the 42.

Jim Bruck picked up tie shards west of Washington Avenue.

Rob Gaston worked in the station area near Westbrook Lane.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Saturday May 5th

On Saturday May 5th, Rob Gaston and Peter Fluchere worked on the new CMRR office at 333 Wall Street.

Ernie Klopping and Martin Elbrecht worked on the generator for car 2962.

Earl Pardini, John Marino and Al Schoessow worked on laying out ties for insertion next week from the Thruway crossing to just west of C9.


Sunday May 6th

John Marino, Al Schoessow, Earl Pardini and Pat Connors removed OTM west of the thruway crossing and laid out ties from C9 to 209 for insertion.


Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Saturday May 26th

On Saturday, May 26th the CMRR ran its first Great Train Robbery from Westbrook Lane to Kenco where customers got off, went to a tent and entertainment at Kenco before reboarding the train:

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=244233

Many thanks to the CMRR crew who made this happen: Tom Whyte, Karl Wick, John Marino, Fred Ehren and Russ Hallock. Many thanks to Peter Fluchere and Marcia Roosa in the ticket booth, and to our Event Coordinator, Rob Gaston.

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Saturday June 2nd

On Saturday, June 2nd the CMRR ran its first Peace Train from Westbrook Lane to the JR crossing. There was great music on the train:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/CatskillMou ... 3510707386

Many thanks to the CMRR crew who made this happen: Tom Whyte, Karl Wick, Art Vogel, Martin Elbrecht, Harrison Balduf and Joe Wolff. Many thanks to Peter Fluchere, Pat Smalley and Marcia Roosa in the ticket booth, and to our Event Coordinator, Rob Gaston.

Also many thanks to Earl Pardini, John Marino, Tom Whyte, Vince Guido, Bryan Van Kirk and Al Schoessow who worked on track Saturday morning.

Ernie Hunt
Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Thursday, June 14th

Earl Pardini, Brian VanKirk, John Marino and Tom Whyte tamped and spiked the last of the ties inserted in May, and helped Scott Symans unload Viscose No. 6.


Saturday June 16th

On Saturday, June 16th the CMRR ran its annual Steam Train with Viscose No. 6 from Westbrook Lane to the JR crossing. There was great music on the train:

Many thanks to the CMRR crew who made this happen: Earl Pardini, Engineer, Tony Bocchino, Conductor, Karl Wick, Conductor, and John Marino, Russ Hallock, Al Schoessow, Ernie Klopping and Joe Wolff, flagmen. Many thanks to Peter Fluchere, Pat Smalley and Marcia Roosa in the ticket booth, and to our Event Coordinator, Rob Gaston.

http://photos.greatrails.net/s/?p=244524


Sunday, June 17th

Many thanks to the CMRR crew who made this happen: Earl Pardini, Engineer, Brian VanKirk, engineer trainee, Tony Bocchino, Conductor, Karl Wick, Conductor, and Fred Rasmussen, Harrison Balduff, Al Schoessow and Arthur Vogel, flagmen. Many thanks to Peter Fluchere and Marcia Roosa in the ticket booth, and to our Event Coordinator, Rob Gaston.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GayctNe0sdY


Ernie Hunt
Staff/Volunteer Coordinator
CMRR

Am I the only one extremely confused by the CMRR? After all that controversy with the county govt. over the railroad and then of ripping up some of the railroad line, where are they actually operating at now? This looks like the same track that they were operating over before.