Catskill Mountain Railroad's Trouble With Its Neighbors

To quote Shakespeare:  "Ba***rds,  ba***rds all!"

Topic Thread Hijack; Question for Bob

Hiya. Some time ago, I mentioned The Model Railroad Shop in Piscataway. You stated that you've been going there for many years. I see on their website that they do custom painting, by a gentleman named Gerry Bernet. Have you ever used him for anything?

Its been years since I've been there. What a great place, nice people.

Thanks

Jim

Gerry had a business, Raritan Bay Hobbies, but trades as Double Take Productions. He sells railroad books and some editions of HO decals.

I met Gerry at our local post office and have made several purchases from him. I see him quite often, he's a terrific fellow.

Who owns the rail line?

I believe this portion of the railroad is owned by Ulster County. The CMR is a volunteer operation and leases the line from the county.

The CMR 401:

Bob

I hope to be visiting the area and riding the railroad on the weekend of June 1-2. I'll get photos.

And there's more than a hundred comments under the article lambasting the mayor's action. I'm getting some popcorn...

Edit: Another hundred or so comments and a previous article where the mayor threatened to block the tracks with city dump trucks. Apparently he's in cahoots with an organization that wants to rip up the tracks and make the right-of-way into a hiking trail, despite offers to bring about a compromise that combines the two uses.

---PCJ

Bob ..... I would love to join you at The Model Railroad Shop. Unfortunately, I'm stuck home recovering from a back injury. Maybe down the road a bit.

I'm going to contact the store about painting the engine. My son would hand deliver it to them. I wonder if it would be a bit cheaper if I dare remove the shell off of the modern diesel, and just give that to him.

I love that train store, too. I used to frequent it when I was doing HO years ago, when I lived in Scotch Plains. It was fun to go there! They had everything I needed. Whom I assume was the owner .... I guess that's "Jack" .... such a nice man.

Thanks again

Jim

Back to the original topic.   It always saddens me to see how so many Americans want to turn their backs to our history and heritage to embrace new and modern.   People should be embracing the chance to have rail stock restored and used for entertainment.    It's a shame so many people are in a hurry to tear down our past and put up something new or modern.  

Isn't blocking an active rail line a Federal offense?

More or less, yes. Needless to say, the mayor and his minions chose an ill advised course of action to promote their cause. The railroad has conducted its affairs with great restraint in response to this development and mangement is being very careful to do nothing to compromise its public image. The CMR generates a lot of tourist business for the local economy.

Maybe someone at the railroad should tell the mayor how nice the dump truck would look nice lettered for the CMR's MOW Department!

Bob         

49 CFR 200 would cover it.  Where?  Have no idea... but it would probably be there.  See link below.

Also, I suggest revving up the engine, get it going at 25 mph and voila - dump truck is cut like a piece of bread.   "Oops.  We did not expect a city dump truck to be parked on the right of way for the railroad.  Too bad they will have to pay to repair and repaint the engine - the whole engine has to now be repainted.  Ironic, since we were on our way to repaint it.  Now the city can pay for it.  Fantastic turn of events." 

http://books.google.com/books?id=aLzZB07raxwC&pg=PA81&lpg=PA81&dq=fra+right+of+way&source=bl&ots=my5VwTiCg1&sig=QC6WUyUHfAaAp5b5yRpJdrZRRBI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Z4WAUYrnIMqG0QHwqoCABQ&ved=0CFQQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=fra%20right%20of%20way&f=false