Just found out that the CMSL is not running any trains in 2008. Tony Macrie the owner of the RR has fought long and hard to maintian some kind of rail service on this line but too much gov't red tape, worn trackage and the swing bridge, coupled with the reluctance of New Jersey Transit to rebuild the trackage have crippled operations and brought things to a standstill. One can only hope that the state of NJ will recognize the vital importance of this rail line and step in to save it. I'll b down that way next week and see if I can find out anything.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dennis LaGrua,

This is sad news indeed - one less reason to visit Cape May.

Dennis:

NJ Transit just issued new public timetables reflecting service cuts so I wouldn't get my hopes up for any help from the state. NJT looks to be having enough trouble running its existing network as it is. Unfortunately, I don't think the state is too concerned about the affairs of CMSL.

Anyway, thanks for the update. Regrettably, not all railroading news is good despite the industry's rapid growth in overall freight and passenger traffic volume.

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by CNJ 3676:
Dennis:

NJ Transit just issued new public timetables reflecting service cuts so I wouldn't get my hopes up for any help from the state. NJT looks to be having enough trouble running its existing network as it is. Unfortunately, I don't think the state is too concerned about the affairs of CMSL.

Anyway, thanks for the update. Regrettably, not all railroading news is good despite the industry's rapid growth in overall freight and passenger traffic volume.

Bob

I just don't get it. NJT ridership is at an all time high and they are cutting service???

Yes, they are cutting quite a bit of service. Starting this Sunday there will be a reduction in weekend service on the Bergen County and Raritan Valley lines. Monday will mark the elimination of several weekday Bayhead trains along with some Morris and Essex and Montclair Trains. Apperently the fault lies with state budget woes and ironically, what brought all that extra ridership, high fuel cost.

quote:

Originally posted by Glenn Fresch:
Yes, they are cutting quite a bit of service. Starting this Sunday there will be a reduction in weekend service on the Bergen County and Raritan Valley lines. Monday will mark the elimination of several weekday Bayhead trains along with some Morris and Essex and Montclair Trains. Apperently the fault lies with state budget woes and ironically, what brought all that extra ridership, high fuel cost.

That's understandable but I would believe that increased ridership creates higher revenue that would offset the effect of higher fuel prices. Let us not also forget that railroads can move 1 ton over 400 miles on one gallon of fuel or so they claim.

Refineries are getting hammered after higher gas prices resulted in lowered consumption so now the politicians are bowing to pressure to cut mass transit.
Or so the conspiracy theory goes.

---------------
how long does the chemical coast?

I am in Cape May right now and went out and walked a bit of the line yesterday. Things don't look that optimistic and much of the Southern part of the trackage is starting to get overgrown with weeds. While the CMSL contines to make a valiant attempt at slowly restoring the trackage, no trains are running on any part of the line at the present time. IMO the only way to save this line is for NJT to step in soon and I believe that in 2009 they just might. This part of S.NJ is just crying for train service. Shore traffic is heavy and parking is tight. Hope that the state wakes up soon.

Dennsi
Thank you for the update.
Maybe they need more volunteers, you would think they could have a robust tourest attraction like Straburg. Some think the Cape May Zoo is nicer attracion for childen that the Philly Zoo

quote:

This part of S.NJ is just crying for train service. Shore traffic is heavy and parking is tight. Hope that the state wakes up soon.

Gentlemen,
If you hold your breath waiting for NJT to pour money into the line down to Cape May, you'll turn blue, pass out and most likely die. The state of New Jersey is broke, and despite promising not to, is borrowing $4 BILLION dollars to pour down the drain of school construction... again. As Glenn points out, NJT does not have the resources to maintain schedules on lines that are much, much more heavily used than the CMSL route. If the day comes where the year-round population on the Jersey Cape really takes off, then NJT may consider financing improvements to the line. OR if it can be shown that significant summer time traffic will ride those rails to get to the Cape's communities, there may be some hope.

but then again, this is New Jersey, second in the nation in per capita income, second highest in taxation, and utterly and completely broke.

If there were a regional improvement authority on the Cape, they may be able to generate a funding stream or bonding for the improvements.

quote:

Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:
Just curious, but what exactly is the vital importance of this rail line and why should the state of New Jersey step in and save it?
Matt

Ever try to drive up the Parkway on Sunday evening?

KL

What is needed to restore train service to the CMSL is really just new ties and the canal bridge rehab. The trackage is all in place and intact.
NJT would not have to operate the line. It could be turned over to the CMSL for operation. I believe that the estimate to get the trackage up to FRA class 2 operatio is $25 million which sound pretty high. However, thats a drop in the bucket in the states transit budget.

Dennis, I thought the canal bridge had been fixed and that it was bi-weekly inspections being forced on the railroad as well as the dire need for tie replacement that was hindering operations.

Is the CMSL unionized?

quote:

Originally posted by PRSL Dave:
Dennis, I thought the canal bridge had been fixed and that it was bi-weekly inspections being forced on the railroad as well as the dire need for tie replacement that was hindering operations.

Any info that we get on the CMSL is second hand, gathered mostly from tourist offices and those that live in the areas near the tracks and an occasional newpaper article. The RR never issues any news releases and should get an F for public relations. IMO they should reach out to garner popular support from those that want train service restored to the shore and to Cape May.
I believe that the expense of the forced trackage inspections does play heavily into the recent complete termination of service. As for the swing bridge, the RR had it opening and closing OK last year ( I saw it) but the bridge is old and perhaps the bureaucracy is at work again requiring a total rehab. As for replacement ties thhe FRA won't certify the line without replacement along the entire 27 mile stretch.
Thats all the info that I have and I cannot attest to its total accuracy.
The whole scenerio down there is a complete shame. A private investor put many years into making improvements to the line, restoring the Budd RDC cars, upper township invested in restoring the switch tower and historic station at Tuckahoe, the switch tower and station at Cold Spring were restored and just a few years after trains were running, the state comes along and just makes it more and more difficult. This is a far cry from just a few years ago when the train made its maiden run loaded with politicians and prominent citizens from the area marking the occasion to restore service with fanfare. What a difference a few years can make. Except for Atlantic City the entire South Eastern Shore area of NJ is now completely without train service and few seem to care.... and to answer Chucks question, I doubt if a RR with about 15 employees has a Union!! NJ Transit does and they own the trackage os perhaps you have something there.

Great News!!!

Cape May Seashore Lines on track to return in 2009


(Published: Friday, August 15, 2008)
CAPE MAY - Passenger train service to the resort will return next summer and there may even be a few runs this fall for special events, Cape May Seashore Lines President Tony Macrie said Thursday.

"We'll be back. It's just not as fast as I wanted it to be," Macrie said.

City Council discussed future plans during a meeting Tuesday afternoon at the Cape May Transportation Center but was not sure of the status of train service. The trains stopped coming in 2005 due to problems with the swinging railroad bridge across the Cape May Canal.

City officials said they expected the trains to resume this summer and even cleared a bunch of downed trees off the tracks. If train service is not coming back, it would free up other uses at the center, including more parking spaces.

But Macrie said the railroad bridge was actually fixed at the end of 2006 and he would have returned service in 2007 but an April northeast storm that year damaged the tracks at four locations in Dennisville. He said the locomotives were stuck north of that area in Tuckahoe. There was no way to get to the southern section of the rail line, Macrie said.

That track work should be finished by next week. Unfortunately, with Labor Day fast approaching, Macrie said it is too late to start regular service this year. He did not rule out doing some special event runs in September and October, but plans on being ready for regular runs next June.

"We'll get the trains to the lower part of the county by next year. It doesn't pay to start now," Macrie said.

Mayor Ed Mahaney said the city would welcome the trains back. Besides being a tourist attraction, he said they could help relieve traffic congestion in town and provide a remote parking option for visitors not wanting to drive a car into the city.

The city had train service from 1863 until 1983. Back then, the trains were used mainly by tourists as a way to get to the resort. Cape May Seashore Lines resumed the service June 12, 1999, after a 16-year absence, but this time the main goal was to provide an excursion for tourists within the county. The operation stopped in October 2005 due to problems with the canal bridge that swings open and shut to accommodate both trains and boats. Macrie said there was no problem with business.

"We were doing well. It was good business for the railroad. We liked the people and they liked us," Macrie said.

If service resumes, Macrie said the trains would run from Cape May Court House to Cape May. The train can also be picked up at Cold Spring Village in Lower Township. Macrie hopes to eventually run from Tuckahoe to Cape May and has not ruled out running a train from Cape May out to Sunset Beach.

Council is discussing widening Elmira Street near the Transportation Center and making a number of other improvements involving parking, curbing, lighting and landscaping. The center mainly services trains and buses while housing a welcome center run by the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May.


http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/181/story/229955.html

I was at the bridge the day after they failed inspection over a limit switch. It is ready. No word on a speeder run there this fall yet. picture of the bridge

Pictures still won't post. Click on the link and then you can look at a album of Cape may shots I had back in 2006.

[IMG]<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/thehayslip/SGmLdqrmJSI/AAAAAAAADg4/D5TbNrvSy4o/s800/Cape%20May%20speeder%20trip%20082.jpg" />[/IMG]

Jamie

But for the hope and dreams of one man (Tony Macrie, owner); according to the article, the CMSL may be back on the rails next year. If there is anyone who has had bad luck it would have to be Tony. Bureaucratic red tape, a track washout, the Cape May swing bridge hit by lightning, construction in Cape May Court House that had the trackage apart for a while, RV riders putting "jumps" on the tracks, continuous vandalism, decaying trackage, and a landlord (NJT) that won't maintain the right of way correctly, and delays in installing new signals at grade crossings by the state, are only a few of the obstacles that needed to be overcome.

well, the CMSL is up and running with Fall Foliage excursions...
take a look-
CMSL fall excursions

Chris
Thank you for the alert.
I will have to support them.