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87-673: CMRR currently operates on a 4.7-mile (7.6 km) section of track of the former Ulster and Delaware Railroad from Kingston to Stony Hollow, New York. CMRR's Kingston station is at Westbrook Lane, near the Kingston Plaza Shopping Center, and ends just east of the Route 28A crossing in Stony Hollow, New York. The station is a short walk from the Kingston Stockade District along Westbrook Lane or from Midtown Kingston along

174-570: A variance as Kingston's zoning code prohibits any new buildings in the Stockade District from being taller than the base of the Old Dutch Church's steeple , 62 feet (19 m) above street level. The city's attorney later decided that it would not need one since the parts of the proposed building that exceeded the height limit were outside the district boundary. The state's Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation warned

261-685: A $ 340 million annual operating budget, and an annual capital budget of $ 200 million. The current commissioner Rohit Aggarwala was appointed by Mayor Eric Adams in January 2022. Other former Commissioners include: The federal government began investigating the DEP in 1998. On August 29, 2001, the DEP pleaded guilty in federal court to criminal violations of the Clean Water Act and the Toxic Substances Control Act , and sentenced to probation. As

348-549: A condition of probation, the DEP was required to implement an environmental, health and safety compliance program to prevent future environmental law violations and to improve employee safety working conditions. In 2003, the Office of Environmental, Health and Safety Compliance (EHS) was formed to administer the DEP's comprehensive safety and compliance efforts, which included the EHS Employee Concerns Program. In 2006,

435-538: A devastating flood nearly wiped out the railroad, and caused much damage to the tracks and equipment in Phoenicia. After several weeks of volunteer effort, the line was reopened in summer 2005. Around this time, interest increased in using some segments of the rail corridor in Ulster County for a recreational trail. During the winter of 2006, the railroad reorganized its efforts as new volunteers came forward. A group from

522-554: A devastating flood washed out Campground Curve, between Phoenicia and Mt. Tremper. In conjunction with NYSDOT and Ulster County, this damage was repaired and service restored in 1988. Operations focused on Phoenicia to Mt. Tremper, with limited operations in Kingston. The railroad entered into a 25-year lease with Ulster County in 1991. Railroad operations ended at busy Route 28 in Mt. Pleasant. The crossing had been out of service for many years, and

609-538: A distinctive touch not common in New York. The block of Wall to the south is dominated by the old county courthouse and the Old Dutch Church, whose cemetery and yard is apart from the Senate House State Park, the only significant green space in the district. There are also many parking lots between buildings in this area. To the north and east the neighborhoods are primarily commercial. The city's football stadium

696-511: A flat car and caboose. Earl Pardini became president to help guide them through the transition. Pardini was with the D&;U at its startup, helping to train its engineers and conductors. He agreed to come aboard, and the CMRR embarked on a period of serious expansion. Pardini had been a member of the former CMCT, and was brakeman on the last freight train on October 2, 1976. In 1986, Ulster County reconnected

783-548: A refurbished caboose 675 (ex- PRR 477672); five ex- LIRR P72 coaches and former Norfolk and Western PM coach 1727. Ulster County is currently reviewing a railroad proposal to extend the line from Stony Hollow (MP 8.33) to the current end of track at Basin Road (MP 10.01) to facilitate a western station and event center at this location. This would enable regular shuttle service to the Ashokan Rail Trail, which continues along

870-465: A single siding in Kingston, making operations and switching quite difficult. CMRR plans to install a run-around siding in Kingston and near the new Basin Road terminal to allow engine-first operation on the entire line. In March 2024 the CMRR started using 100% Biodiesel in both of its locomotives in Kingston to reduce emissions. The Biodiesel is made from Soybean Oil and is provided locally by NetZero Biofuels of New Windsor, NY. The Soybean Oil feedstock

957-435: A storage capacity of 550 billion US gallons (2.1 × 10  m ) and provides over 1 billion US gallons (3,800,000 m ) per day of water to more than eight million city residents and another one million users in four upstate counties bordering on the water supply system. The distribution system is made up of an extensive grid of water mains stretching approximately 6,600 miles (10,600 km). The city's wastewater

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1044-419: A tour of the city's boundaries, he expressed appreciation for Stuyvesant's foresight in having the stockade built. In 1783, as the war was ending, New York proposed Kingston as a national capital. In the early 19th century, the area continued to grow. New commercial buildings were erected in the styles such as Federal architecture Greek Revival popular in the century's early decades. A new county courthouse,

1131-465: Is a short distance to the west, where the neighborhood is residential, as it also is on the south. It is a short distance from the two major approaches to the city of Kingston from the west and the New York State Thruway . Washington Avenue is a block to the west. Both Interstate 587 and NY 28 end at Albany Avenue ( NY 32 ) a short distance to the east. No major roads or streets go through

1218-448: Is an opportunity for DEP to take employee ideas and best practices from water utilities across the globe to achieve the agency's goal of being the "safest, most productive, cost-effective, and transparent water utility in the nation." Rather than responding to future financial pressures with budget cuts that might weaken critical services, the OpX initiative makes improvements that will increase

1305-426: Is collected through an extensive grid of sewer pipes of various sizes and stretching over 7,400 miles (11,900 km). The Bureau of Wastewater Treatment (BWT) operates 14 water pollution control plants treating an average of 1.3 billion US gallons (4,900,000 m ) of wastewater a day; 96 wastewater pump stations: 8 dewatering facilities; and 490 sewer regulators . The bureau has a staff of 1,900 employees, with

1392-481: Is currently requesting permission to renovate and operate on this segment with a proposed terminal at MP 9.95 near Basin Road. This proposed terminal could also be used by Ashokan Rail Trail (ART) users through access just west of MP 10.01. Proposed uses are: • ART Information • Ulster County Tourism information • Public indoor bathrooms • Commercial retail space (food and drink, bicycle repair and rental, or other convenience uses) • Covered area for events related to

1479-469: Is hoping that someone will be able to reopen the restaurant. The streets and sidewalks were also in need of repair. In 2008 Rep. Maurice Hinchey helped the city secure $ 1.3 million in federal grants to rehabilitate uptown and the Stockade District. $ 1.7 million had been set aside to restore the Pike Plan canopies, which were in need of repair. The following spring the city announced it would use some of

1566-487: Is limited to 62 feet (19 m), or the base of the Old Dutch Church's steeple. The commission may also require the use of bluestone in sidewalks where it considers it historically appropriate, and that any newer construction be set back further from the street than neighboring historic buildings and screened from view with trees, possibly evergreens . Five percent of the area of all parking lots must be used for plantings to screen it. Friends of Historic Kingston (FOHK),

1653-559: Is sourced from local farms near Syracuse, NY and treated at their facility in nearby Rock Tavern, New York. NetZero is a local startup founded by local entrepreneur Dave Davenport. According to the US Department of Energy , the use of biodiesel reduces Carbon Dioxide (Greenhouse Gas) emissions by 74% compared to regular diesel fuel. Additionally, it reduces carbon monoxide and particulate emissions by nearly 50%, and hydrocarbon emissions by nearly 70% compared to regular diesel. Additionally,

1740-616: The City of New York ) through a complex network of nineteen reservoirs , three controlled lakes and 6,000 miles (9,700 km) of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts . DEP is also responsible for managing the city's combined sewer system, which carries both storm water runoff and sanitary waste , and fourteen wastewater treatment plants located throughout the city. DEP carries out federal Clean Water Act rules and regulations, handles hazardous materials emergencies and toxic site remediation , oversees asbestos monitoring and removal , enforces

1827-513: The Glenford Dike at MP 11.1. Such track construction would require permission from the NYCDEP , as it is New York City land. CMRR has been isolated from the national network since Conrail removed its Kingston interchange switch in 1996. CMRR believes that reconnecting with the national rail network via CSX (successor to Conrail by absorbing former NYC trackage) at Kingston maximizes the value of

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1914-439: The 1970s, the roofs were added to the sidewalks on North Front and Wall streets, part of the "Pike Plan" (named after Woodstock artist John Pike, who designed and built them) to revitalize the area, which had begun to lose shoppers to malls outside of the city. Businesses on those streets pay a maintenance fee for them. Some have called for their removal. In the early 21st century, the county sponsored an archaeological dig at

2001-455: The 19th century. Late 20th century preservation efforts have led to some confrontations between the city and its residents in recent years. Kingston began as the Dutch village of Wiltwijck, founded by Thomas Chambers of Fort Orange (later Albany ) in 1652. The site, on a high plain near the drainage of Rondout Creek , was chosen for the ease with which it could be defended. Other colonists came to

2088-494: The 2009 Kingston Holiday Train. Repairs to Bridge C9 started in September 2011, and were completed on December 3, 2012. The bridge was certified on December 7, 2012, and the first passenger train ran across the bridge on December 8. On September 21, 2013, CMRR workers completed track rehabilitation up to NYS Route 209 (MP 5.42). The next day, work began on the next extension past 209 to Hurley Mountain Road (MP 5.94). In late 2014 track

2175-546: The 2016 termination of service from Phoenicia . The CMRR saw record ridership in 2023. / Christmas Based on credit card receipts, over 80% of passengers come from outside Ulster County , with 21.0% coming from NYC and Long Island alone. In 1973, the Catskill Mountain Transportation Corp. "CMCT" was formed with the goal of purchasing the former Ulster and Delaware Railroad for freight and passenger service. On October 2, 1976, freight service ceased on

2262-597: The ART and CMRR • A ticket office for CMRR. • A “North Pole” for the Polar Express. In March 2024, the New York State Department of Transportation awarded the CMRR a New York State Passenger and Freight Rail grant for $ 667,000 to develop a Terminal at Basin Road adjacent to the Ashokan Rail Trail . CMRR has lacked a secure area to maintain its equipment since a legal settlement with Ulster County forced it to vacate

2349-697: The Boiceville Trestle, were approved for $ 2.3 million. However, the County informed CMRR that it would not begin the projects unless CMRR agreed to terminate its lease from Kingston to the Ashokan Reservoir. On August 3, 2013, the CMRR started reconstruction work of track on Campground Curve as part of returning to Phoenicia. This was done assuming that the county would not initiate a FEMA-funded project for this repair. The CMRR completed repairs to Phoenicia on August 7, 2015. Ironically, these repairs made possible

2436-518: The British under General John Vaughan took the lightly defended settlement by surprise and burned it. A total of 326 buildings inside and outside of the stockade were destroyed, with only a handful, such as the Tobias Van Steenburgh House , remaining untouched. The city was rebuilt along the lines previous established by the stockade. Five years later, George Washington visited Kingston. On

2523-475: The Catskill Mountain Branch. In 1979, Ulster County purchased the portion of the former Ulster and Delaware Railroad from MP 2.9 to MP 41.4, a total of 38.6 miles (62.1 km), for $ 1.5 million, with the goal of resuming freight service and initiating a tourist train. The line had ceased passenger operations on March 31, 1954, and freight operations on October 2, 1976. In 1980 and 1981, members of

2610-592: The Cornell Street yard on April 30, 2016. CMRR believes that an all-weather engine house is needed to maintain its equipment year-round, and has identified a location adjacent to its permit area in Kingston to be used for this purpose. In March 2024, the New York State Department of Transportation awarded the CMRR a New York State Passenger and Freight Rail grant for $ 1,518,000 for engine house construction for an all-weather maintenance facility with connecting track . CMRR currently operates 4.7 miles of single track with

2697-769: The Kingston Midtown Linear Park. CMRR operates a variety of trains as of 2024. The season begins with the Easter Bunny Express in the spring, with regular runs until Christmas of each year. In the summer, CMRR runs its Catskill Mountain Flyer , Twilight Limited and Ice Cream Sundays Train , and in the fall Fall Foliage and Pumpkin Express trains. From Thanksgiving to Christmas it runs Polar Express trains. Trains are powered by Alco RS-1 401 (ex- GMRC 401), and consist of six flatcars converted to passenger use;

Catskill Mountain Railroad - Misplaced Pages Continue

2784-600: The Kingston Model Railroad club cleared brush on the line. In 1982 members of the CMCT and the Kingston Model Railroad club formed the Catskill Mountain Railroad "CMRR", with the purpose of operating freight and passenger service on the former Ulster and Delaware Railroad from Kingston to Highmount, NY, a total of 38.6 miles of track. In 1982, Ulster County leased its entire 38.6-mile (62.1 km) portion of

2871-512: The Lowe-Bogardus ruin and an interpretive exhibit with some of the original stockade at Frog Alley on the northwest corner. The total area is 32 acres (13 ha). The district is split between residential and commercial use. The former dominates the western half of the district, while the commercial properties are on the east. The densely developed block of Wall Street between John and North Front streets has flat wooden roofs over its sidewalks,

2958-522: The New York City Water Board appointed Veolia Water to partner with DEP in an effort to identify opportunities to make improvements in every aspect of New York City's drinking water, sewage collection, and wastewater treatment operations. Veolia teamed with McKinsey & Company and Arcadis to acquire additional analytical and technical expertise, respectively. The initiative, branded "Operational Excellence (OpX): The Best Always Do Better,"

3045-407: The Stockade District. From its founding in the mid-17th century to the creation of the modern city of Kingston in 1872, the history of the Stockade District is the history of Kingston. Most of its older buildings were restored and rebuilt in the years after the 1777 burning of the village by the British, and its historic character has been made diverse as significant buildings were erected throughout

3132-599: The Stockade began early in the 20th century. The Henry Sleight House on Crown Street had been used for many purposes since it was built around 1695, but by 1900 it was decrepit and in danger of demolition . The local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter paid for a complete restoration of the interior and exterior. Today it is their headquarters. A few years later, in 1908, George Clinton, long buried in Washington,

3219-461: The architectural spaces and cultural association of the past. The city's Landmarks Preservation Commission reviews applications for new construction, including significant alterations to existing structures, in the Stockade District. It may consider, and request modification of, many elements of the proposed construction, including roof shape, walls and paving, in the interest of protecting the Stockade's historic character. The height of new buildings

3306-419: The area despite regular Indian raids. Six years later, by 1658, Dutch colonial governor Peter Stuyvesant ordered all settlers to move to the village, behind the stockade whose construction he personally supervised. It was burned in 1663 and rebuilt, remaining until the early 18th century. By then it had established the street pattern along its boundaries which persists today. At its northwest corner, where

3393-471: The area. The Stockade District is parallelogram -shaped, with its boundaries defined as the rear property lines of lots on the far side of North Front Street on the north, Green Street on the west, Main Street on the south and Clinton Avenue on the east. Crown Street is entirely within the district, as are the intersecting segments of Fair, John and Wall streets. It also extends slightly along Frog Alley to take in

3480-465: The attempt to terminate its lease at a cost of $ 700,000. The litigation was settled in April 2016, and the CMRR was allowed to continue its former lease through its natural expiration on May 31, 2016. In August 2016, the CMRR signed a new permit with Ulster County for a five-mile segment from MP 3.6 at Chandler Drive in Kingston to MP 8.3 in Stony Hollow. It was extended on a short-term basis until 2023 when it

3567-534: The block between Clinton, North Fair, and John streets and Westbrook Lane, locally recognized as a historic district, the city's first listing on the National Register. Four years later it was expanded into the Stockade District. FOHK has worked to get other properties in the Stockade recognized as well, and renovated some others. It also maintains the Frog Alley area at the district's northwest corner. During

Catskill Mountain Railroad - Misplaced Pages Continue

3654-420: The caboose was taken out of service and replaced with a restored coach of Lackawanna heritage. This coach greatly increased the capacity of each train, and also helped offer "all-weather" service. In late 2004, service was extended to MP 22.7. It was extended further to Cold Brook Station, MP 22.1, on July 4, 2008. Kingston Stockade District The Kingston Stockade District is an eight- block area in

3741-533: The century the villages of Kingston and Rondout merged into the current city. Rondout had grown from being at the northern end of the Delaware and Hudson Canal since 1825 and its commercial center on the banks of Rondout Creek near where it flows into the Hudson River became known as "downtown" to distinguish itself from the Stockade District, which accordingly became "uptown". Historic preservation efforts in

3828-406: The city that such a towering building would have a negative impact on the Stockade District, and the state's Historic Preservation League put the Stockade on its "Seven to Save" list for 2007 because of the proposal. The city's mayor and proponents among the Stockade business community felt that the economic benefit the condo proposal would bring to the Stockade outweighed any effect it would have on

3915-560: The city's air and noise codes, bills and collects on city water and sewer accounts, and manages citywide water conservation programs. Its regulations are compiled in title 15 of the New York City Rules . NYCDEP manages three upstate supply systems to provide the city's drinking water: the Croton system, the Catskill system, and the Delaware system. The overall distribution system has

4002-463: The city's main western gateway into a commercial strip indistinguishable from others in the country. One city alderman tried to stop the project with a building moratorium along Washington, which received the support of the Stockade's business association. It was eventually passed, excluding the CVS proposal. The city's Planning Board eventually approved the project, and construction crews began clearing

4089-489: The composition of the remaining particulates is much less adverse than that from normal diesel as they are biodegradable. In March 2024, the New York State Department of Transportation awarded the CMRR a New York State Passenger and Freight Rail grant for $ 2,300,000 for for a Clean Diesel Upgrade to at least EPA Tier 3 locomotive for one of its existing locomotives . CMRR has stated that in order to run future dinner train service, tracks will need to be rebuilt from MP 10.01 to

4176-403: The current building, was built in 1818 on the site of the first one. The First Protestant Reformed Dutch Church of Kingston , the city's oldest congregation, dating to 1659, went through two buildings before the construction of its current home, the 1852 Minard Lafever edifice known as the Old Dutch Church. Its white tower rises over 200 feet above the district and is a city landmark. Later in

4263-458: The district's historic character. Eventually the developer began to reconsider the project due to the opposition, With the project stalled, the city decided to survey residents about what should be built at the site. The results indicated strong opposition to affordable housing or any kind of rental units being built on the site. The parking garage was finally demolished amid allegations of bid rigging . A temporary parking lot has opened on

4350-488: The district. New York City Department of Environmental Protection The New York City Department of Environmental Protection ( DEP ) is the department of the government of New York City that manages the city's water supply and works to reduce air, noise, and hazardous materials pollution. Under a 1.3 billion dollar budget, it provides more than 1.1 billion US gallons (4,200,000 m ) of water each day to more than 9 million residents (including 8 million in

4437-413: The east, the railroad rebuilt tracks up to the limit of Bridge C30 (Boiceville Trestle). This was a total of 6.4 miles of operable track at its greatest extent. On August 28, 2011, CMRR was devastated by flooding as a result of Hurricane Irene . Flood waters inundated the yard at Phoenicia, scouring the right of way and threatening the depot. A significant washout occurred at Campground Curve, similar to

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4524-680: The exterior. In 2003 the Rural Ulster Preservation Company (RUPCO), a local nonprofit organization devoted to housing, bought the hotel with the intention of completing the restoration. It spent $ 4.7 million over several years to restore the original porch and put in a geothermal heating system. The project won a 2007 Excellence in Preservation Award from the Historic Preservation League, and RUPCO has leased out space for commercial and residential use. It

4611-473: The foot of Bridge C9. For three years, the CMRR worked to complete the rehabilitation of Bridge C9 over Esopus Creek in Kingston. The bridge was opened for service on December 7, 2012, enabling track rehabilitation westward with Route 209 being the first destination. Route 209, MP 5.42, was reached on September 21, 2013, and MP 6.16, was reached on November 16, 2014. MP 6.45 was reached in November 2015 and MP 8.33

4698-516: The former U&D right-of-way west of Basin Road, in addition to the current themed services. In May 2024, Ulster County approved the reactivation of a committee to review this proposal: CMRR Proposed Extension to Basin Road As of 2024, CMRR operates service from Kington to MP 8.33 in Stony Hollow with plans to extend train service to Basin Road at MP 10.01 at the border of the NYCDEP easement. The tracks from MP 8.33 to MP 10.01 remain in place and CMRR

4785-452: The future new railbiking use for this segment of the railroad. At the end of its 25-year lease with Ulster County on May 31, 2016, the CMRR ran from Phoenicia at MP 27.5 to the washout at MP 23.3, as the FEMA funds were never released for the trestle and washout repairs. In 2013, Ulster County attempted to terminate the CMRR's lease three years before its expiration. The CMRR successfully litigated

4872-463: The group founded in the late 1960s to preserve the Senate House, has been a vocal defender of the Stockade's historic character. Its 400 members have actively opposed some recent projects that they believed would adversely affect the district, to the point that some critics have referred to the group as Friends of Hysteric Kingston or Enemies of Development. The group has also bought and restored some of

4959-652: The harassment and intimidation of co-workers engaged in such activities. - 24/7 confidential employee concerns hotline - contract management plan to quicken execution of safety-related contracts - risk management program Rates conditions by priority, enabling the agency to identify and address more than 44,000 specific workplace conditions Ensures DEP follows all federal, state and local environmental, health and safety regulations by developing written policies, conducting training, and by purchasing and distributing safety equipment. Since 2001, DEP has invested about $ 160 million in environmental health and safety programs. In 2011,

5046-427: The homes in the district, as well as elsewhere in the city. It operates two museums in the city and offers walking tours of the Stockade. Some of the Stockade's buildings have earned a place on the National Register in their own right. One, the Old Dutch Church, was designated Kingston's first National Historic Landmark in 2008. Other contributing properties are not separately listed at present but are important to

5133-433: The line to the CMRR. On August 9, 1982, CMRR initially began operations in Phoenicia, using track cars and trailers to haul tourists and tubers three miles along Esopus Creek to Mt. Pleasant station. The railroad was incorporated on March 7, 1983, as a railroad corporation in the state of New York. William Haysom was its first President. In 1985, the CMRR began running full-sized equipment consisting of CMRR No.1, "The Duck",

5220-583: The line with Conrail at Kingston. The railroad purchased a variety of second-hand locomotives, coaches and freight cars which were shipped by rail to Kingston. Some of the equipment was refurbished and used immediately, while the rest sat in storage until needed. Also in 1986, the CMRR signed its first multi-year lease with Ulster County, for five years, and began switching freight for the Kingston Recycling Center as well as operating tourist train service from Phoenicia to Mt. Tremper, New York. In 1987,

5307-523: The log palisade formed a bastion on a bluff that remains today, it was especially defensible. In 1777, it was chosen to host the constitutional convention that established New York State. George Clinton was chosen the first governor , and John Jay , later the first Chief Justice of the United States , opened the first term of the New York Supreme Court in Kingston. Later that year,

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5394-644: The mainline. In 2007 the railroad began track repairs in Kingston in line with the "ski lift" concept recommended in the ALTA Engineering study for railroad operation from Kingston to West Hurley. The railroad restored tracks in Kingston, with service opening to Washington Avenue in December 2008. In late 2009, the railroad opened more track west of Washington Avenue and offered additional seasonal service throughout that year. From 2007 to 2009, close to two miles of track had been rebuilt in Kingston, from Cornell Street to

5481-417: The money to reverse the direction of traffic on several of the one-way streets within the district to ease travel through and around it. Later that year City council debated whether to restore the traffic light at North Front and Wall or keep the stop signs. They ultimately decided in favor of the traffic light. Just prior to completion of the canopy project, graffiti artists painted red goats on eleven of

5568-417: The nearby Ulster & Delaware Railroad Historical Society were among the first to offer assistance. Brush-cutting and clearing the right of way took first priority. A high-profile activity with immediate results, the cleanup effort motivated more volunteers to join. By the end of 2006, the volunteer force had increased to 45 full members and 30 provisional members. They cleared nearly 20 miles of brush from

5655-517: The new sidewalk planters, raising a furor. The two suspects face up to four years in prison for felony criminal mischief. An entire section of Kingston's zoning code governs new construction in what it refers to as the Stockade Area. In its preamble the city council declares: it is in the public interest to ensure that the distinctive and historical character of this Historic and Architectural Design District shall not be injuriously affected, that

5742-427: The one in 1987. All operating equipment had been moved to safe ground at Mt. Tremper, east of Campground Curve. Additional damage had been incurred where damage from a previous washout was already underway. In the non-operating segment east of Cold Brook station, the most significant damage was the loss of three of the four spans of Boiceville Trestle (Bridge C30) to rising flood waters. There was no significant damage to

5829-623: The only intersection in the country where this is so. In 1970 the area in the vicinity of the Senate House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Clinton Avenue Historic District. Five years later, as the historic value of the entire uptown area became apparent, the larger Stockade District was created, subsuming the original one. The formal recognition of its historic importance has led to contentious battles in local government over proposals to redevelop

5916-412: The railroad inaugurated seasonal tourist runs between Downs Street (MP 3.2) and Washington Avenue (MP 4.37). A small ticket office and loading platform was constructed off Westbrook Lane (MP 3.78) opposite Kingston Plaza to support tourist operations in 2008. The critical Washington Avenue crossing was reopened for limited use in 2008, and the track was opened to Bridge C-9 (MP 5) on November 15, 2009, for

6003-509: The railroad maintained no agency there and there are no facilities to board or discharge passengers. In 2009, the CMRR repaired track another .8 miles to the Boiceville Bridge at MP 21.3, for work trains only. By 2010, the physical limit of track restoration was reached on the "western" end of the operable railroad. To the west of Bridge Street in Phoenicia is a major washout preventing any serious restoration work without outside funding. To

6090-457: The railroad needed to replace it if it was to continue east toward Kingston. The project received approval and after about ten years, public funding was provided to complete reconstruction of the crossing and installation of warning lights and gates. The new crossing was put into service in October 2004, offering the railroad its first significant expansion. Then tragedy struck CMRR. On April 1, 2005,

6177-497: The railroad to its owner Ulster County. Despite the fact rail was removed from MP 3.0 to MP 3.6 in 2018 to make way for the Kingston Midtown Linear Park Rail Trail, CMRR continues to advocate reserving a rail right-of-way in this section so that the line can eventually be reconnected to CSX for equipment moves, charters, and occasional freight movements. Ridership levels have varied with service changes and

6264-675: The raised ground. Within the area are many historic buildings from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, including the original Ulster County courthouse, the Senate House where the state of New York was established in 1777, and the Old Dutch Church designed by Minard Lafever , a National Historic Landmark . Some survived the burning of Kingston by British forces during the Revolutionary War . The intersection of Crown and John streets has Colonial-era Dutch stone houses on all four corners,

6351-447: The restored tracks in the Kingston area. The CMRR resumed operations on September 10, 2011, on a shortened length of track near Mount Tremper . The washout at Campground Curve was repaired in late 2011, except for reinstallation of track. Operations west of Mt. Tremper commenced on August 5, 2012. In November 2012, the County informed the CMRR that several repair projects had been approved by FEMA. Seven projects, including restoration of

6438-422: The right to build a trail parallel to the tracks on this property. Also in 2023, the CMRR signed a Letter of Intent and later a lease for a property adjacent to its permit area for a permanent equipment storage and maintenance yard. Since November 2006, the CMRR has re-opened track in Kingston. The passenger operable section stretches from Chandler Drive at MP 3.6 to Stony Hollow at MP 8.3. On December 6, 2008,

6525-440: The site in September 2009. The city and preservationists were able to work together on one project, the restoration of the 1899 Kirkland Hotel at Clinton Avenue and Main Street in the southeast corner of the district. A rare example of a wood-frame urban hotel, it had been vacant since the 1970s. Several owners since then had tried to at least reopen a restaurant in the hotel's basement, but had made no progress beyond repainting

6612-513: The site of the Persen House, one of the four at the Crown-John intersection, as part of efforts to restore it and make it a museum. It yielded a number of artifacts , including some misshapen apparent cannonballs . Eight years later, in 2008, after having spent $ 2 million on the project the county was still unsure what to do with the building. It was hoping to use federal stimulus money to finish

6699-430: The site. At the time the condominium project was failing, in 2008, CVS Pharmacy proposed a 12,900-square-foot (1,200 m ) store on Washington Avenue and Schwenk Drive. KingstonCitizens.org and preservationists collected 600 signatures on petitions opposing the development, saying a third chain drugstore in the uptown area would only drive an independent local drugstore on North Front Street out of business and make

6786-604: The term of probation was extended and the BWT was included under the federal monitor's oversight following a discharge of untreated sewage into the East River after emergency generators failed to operate during the August 2003 blackout. On December 25, 2009, probation and federal oversight of the DEP ended. Facilitates DEP employee reporting of observed environmental violations and unsafe employee conditions. Helps employees identify and prevent

6873-457: The value to the community of those buildings having architectural and historical worth shall not be impaired and that said ... [d]istrict be maintained and preserved to promote its use of the education, pleasure and welfare of the citizens of the City of Kingston, New York, and others ... This area contains the architecture of the past 300 years, and new development must not be allowed to erode the best of

6960-405: The western section of Kingston , New York, United States, commonly referred to as Uptown Kingston . It is the original site of the mid-17th century Dutch settlement of Wiltwyck, which was later renamed Kingston when it passed to English control . It is the only one of three original Dutch settlements in New York surrounded by stockades where the outline of the stockade is still evident due to

7047-430: The work. During the 2000s, preservationists and the city clashed over some projects slated for areas near or on the fringes of the district. A New Jersey developer's proposal for a 12-story condominium on the site of a closed parking garage the city planned to demolish on North Front Street drew objections for its height, as it would become the city's tallest building, dwarfing nearby historic buildings, and requiring

7134-524: Was subsequently renewed to December 31, 2028 . Before its lease expired in 2016, the line was reopened for work trains to MP 11 on the Glenford Dike at the Ashokan Reservoir. The track from MP 10 to MP 11 was removed in 2018 for the Ashokan Rail Trail. In 2023, the CMRR signed a lease with the owner of a 5-acre parcel at Basin Road for the purpose of building a permanent terminal there. The CMRR lease included 1000 feet of track from MP 9.8 to MP 10.01, and

7221-404: Was brought back to Kingston and reburied in the yard of the Old Dutch Church with full honors. Decades later, in 1965, Friends of the Senate House was founded to work to protect and preserve that building. It soon expanded its mission to all the city's historic architecture and became Friends of Historic Kingston (FOHK). In 1969 it got the original Clinton Avenue Historic District, consisting of

7308-440: Was expanded to MP 6.13, and in late 2015 to MP 6.45, over 1/2 mile west of Hurley Mountain Road. The operable section was extended to MP 6.67 in 2018 and to MP 8.33 in Stony Hollow in 2019. CMRR also had a yard in Kingston, referred to as "Cornell Street Yard." In 2009, a new siding was constructed to expand the yard facilities to allow for the storage and restoration of passenger cars for expanded tourist train operations. The CMRR

7395-525: Was forced to vacate the yard by the County on May 1, 2016. The CMRR operated a tourist excursion train from Phoenicia Railroad Station , Phoenicia , MP 27.5 to Cold Brook Railroad Station , MP 22.1 until October 31, 2016. Its trains originated from the former U&D station in Phoenicia, which is also home to the Empire State Railway Museum . Passengers boarded trains at Phoenicia or Mount Tremper Railroad Station, MP 25.2. Initially, service

7482-440: Was provided by track cars hauling trailers between Phoenicia and Mount Tremper. Realizing that the future lies in conventional railroad equipment hauled by locomotives, two flatcars were rebuilt as open air bench cars to accommodate passengers. A Porter 50-ton switcher was enlisted to haul the expanded consist. A 1922-vintage wooden caboose often (ex-D&H 35952) brought up the rear, and offered additional capacity. In early 2004

7569-471: Was reached in Stony Hollow in September, 2019. The first passenger train to Route 209 ran on October 19, 2013, and the first to Hurley Mountain Road on November 21, 2014. Through 2007 and 2008, work also continued on opening the .6 mile Cold Brook Extension. The first train arrived at Cold Brook Station on July 4, 2008: the first regularly scheduled passenger train to arrive at the station since March 31, 1954. Because Cold Brook station remains privately owned,

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