Catskill Mountain Railroad facts for kids

The Catskill Mountain Railroad (reporting mark CMRR) is a fun tourist railroad located in Kingston, New York. It started running trains in 1982. The railroad uses a 4.7-mile section of old tracks that used to belong to the New York Central Railroad. These tracks go from Kingston to Stony Hollow, New York. Ulster County, New York, owns the tracks, and the Catskill Mountain Railroad leases them. Their current agreement with Ulster County lasts until the end of 2028.

What the Railroad Does Now

The Catskill Mountain Railroad (CMRR) currently runs trains on about 4.5 miles of track. This section was once part of the Ulster and Delaware Railroad. The trains travel from Kingston to Stony Hollow, New York. The main station in Kingston is on Westbrook Lane, close to the Kingston Plaza Shopping Center. The line ends just before the Route 28A crossing in Stony Hollow.

The CMRR offers many different train rides throughout the year.

• The season kicks off in spring with the Easter Bunny Express.
• In summer, you can ride the Catskill Mountain Flyer, the Twilight Limited, or the Ice Cream Sundays Train.
• Fall brings beautiful scenery with the Fall Foliage and Pumpkin Express trains.
• From Thanksgiving to Christmas, the popular Polar Express trains run.

The trains are pulled by a special engine called Alco RS-1 401. The passenger cars include six flatcars that have been changed into open-air seating. There's also a refurbished caboose (number 675) and several passenger coaches.

The CMRR wants to make its line even longer! It is asking Ulster County for permission to extend the tracks from Stony Hollow to Basin Road. This would allow them to build a new station and event center. It would also connect to the Ashokan Rail Trail, which is a popular path for walking and biking. You can learn more about their plans here: CMRR Proposed Extension to Basin Road.

Stations and Maintenance Areas

Kingston Station

The Kingston station on Westbrook Lane is the main hub for the Catskill Mountain Railroad. It's easy to get to from the Kingston Stockade District or Midtown Kingston.

Basin Road Station (Proposed)

The CMRR is planning a second permanent station at Basin Road. This new station would be a great spot for both train riders and people using the Ashokan Rail Trail. It could offer:

• Information about the Ashokan Rail Trail.
• Tourist information for Ulster County.
• Public restrooms.
• Shops for food, drinks, or bike rentals.
• A covered area for events.
• A ticket office for train rides.
• A special "North Pole" for the Polar Express during the holidays!

In March 2024, the New York State Department of Transportation gave the CMRR a grant of $667,000. This money will help build the new terminal at Basin Road.

Secure Storage and Engine House

The railroad needs a safe place to keep and fix its equipment. They used to have a yard at Cornell Street, but they had to leave it in 2016. Now, they need a new, all-weather building (an engine house) to work on their trains all year long.

The CMRR has found a good spot next to its current tracks for a new storage and maintenance yard. They are working with Ulster County to get permission to build it. In March 2024, the New York State Department of Transportation awarded the CMRR a grant of $1,518,000 for building this engine house.

Proposed Track Additions

The CMRR currently has only one short extra track in Kingston, which makes it hard to move trains around. They plan to add more sidings (extra tracks) in Kingston and at their future western end. This will make it easier for engines to switch directions and operate smoothly along the whole line.

Being Eco-Friendly

The CMRR cares about the environment! They have a program to reduce pollution from their train engines. In March 2024, they started using 100% Biodiesel in their locomotives. This helps cut down on emissions.

Also in March 2024, the New York State Department of Transportation gave the CMRR a grant of $2,300,000. This money is for a Clean Diesel Upgrade for one of their existing locomotives. This upgrade will make the engine much cleaner.

Future Plans

Kingston to Glenford Dike (MP 3.6 to 11.1)

Even though the CMRR can only operate to Stony Hollow (MP 8.33) right now, they hope to reach Basin Road (MP 10.01). The tracks are already there, and the railroad is asking for permission to fix them up and run trains. They plan to build a new station at Basin Road.

The CMRR also believes that to offer special dinner train services in the future, they will need to rebuild tracks from Basin Road to the Glenford Dike (MP 11.1). There's enough space for both the railroad and a walking path in this area.

Connecting to Other Railroads at Kingston (MP 2.9 to 3.6)

The Catskill Mountain Railroad has been separate from the main national rail system since 1996. The CMRR believes that connecting with CSX (a large freight railroad) at Kingston would be very helpful. Even though some tracks were removed in 2018 for a park, the CMRR still wants to keep the option open to reconnect. This would allow them to move equipment, run special charter trains, and even carry some freight in the future.

How Many People Ride the Train?

The number of people riding the CMRR trains grew a lot after they started the Polar Express and Thomas the Tank Engine events in 2014. Here's a look at how many people rode each year:

• 2008: 8,039 total
• 2009: 8,313 total
• 2010: 12,255 total
• 2011: 9,302 total
• 2012: 11,528 total
• 2013: 14,823 total
• 2014: 40,270 total (a big jump!)
• 2015: 39,359 total
• 2016: 38,743 total
• 2017: 36,513 (24,223 for Polar Express)
• 2018: 37,619 (26,631 for Polar Express)
• 2019: 41,115 (29,632 for Polar Express)
• 2020: 13,007 (lower due to events that year)
• 2021: 23,752
• 2022: 46,745 (28,845 for Polar Express)
• 2023: 51,610 (31,589 for Polar Express)

In 2023, the railroad looked at where its visitors came from:

• Kingston and Ulster County: 10.1%
• Long Island and NYC: 21.0%
• Rockland and Sullivan Counties: 4.2%
• Orange County: 10.1%
• Westchester and Putnam County: 11.0%
• Dutchess County: 10.6%
• Capital region: 10.7%
• Other NYS: 1.6%
• New Jersey: 6.3%
• Other US: 7.5%
• International: 0.1%
• Walk-ons (people who just showed up): 6.8%

History of the Railroad

Catskill Mountain Railroad Begins

The seal of the Catskill Mountain Railroad has been used as decoration on railroad equipment and structures

In 1973, a group called Catskill Mountain Transportation Corp. was formed. Their goal was to buy the old Ulster and Delaware Railroad tracks to run both freight and passenger trains. Freight train service on the Catskill Mountain Branch stopped on October 2, 1976.

In 1979, Ulster County bought a large section of the old Ulster and Delaware Railroad (about 38.6 miles) for $1.5 million. They wanted to restart freight service and create a tourist train. The line had stopped passenger service in 1954.

In the early 1980s, volunteers from the Kingston Model Railroad club helped clear the tracks. In 1982, members from the original group and the model railroad club formed the Catskill Mountain Railroad (CMRR). Their goal was to run trains from Kingston all the way to Highmount, NY.

On August 9, 1982, the CMRR started its first operations in Phoenicia. They used small track cars to carry tourists along Esopus Creek. The railroad officially became a corporation in New York State on March 7, 1983.

In 1985, the CMRR started using full-sized train equipment. Earl Pardini, who had experience with other railroads, became president and helped the CMRR grow.

In 1986, Ulster County reconnected the line with another railroad called Conrail in Kingston. This allowed the CMRR to bring in many second-hand locomotives (engines), coaches, and freight cars by rail. Some were fixed up right away, and others were stored for later. The CMRR also signed its first multi-year lease with Ulster County and began moving freight for the Kingston Recycling Center. They also ran tourist trains from Phoenicia.

A big flood in 1987 damaged the tracks near Phoenicia. With help from the state and county, the damage was fixed, and service returned in 1988. Operations mostly focused on the Phoenicia area, with limited runs in Kingston.

Growth and Challenges (1991-2005)

The railroad signed a 25-year lease with Ulster County in 1991. Train operations stopped at a busy road crossing (Route 28) in Mt. Pleasant. It took about ten years to get funding to rebuild this crossing with new lights and gates. The new crossing opened in October 2004, allowing the railroad to expand further.

However, a terrible flood on April 1, 2005, caused a lot of damage to the railroad, especially in Phoenicia. After many weeks of volunteer work, the line reopened in summer 2005. Around this time, people started talking about turning parts of the rail line into a recreational trail.

Volunteers Step Up

In 2006, new volunteers joined the railroad, and efforts were reorganized. A group from the nearby Ulster & Delaware Railroad Historical Society helped a lot. Clearing brush from the tracks was a top priority. This visible work encouraged even more volunteers to join. By the end of 2006, the volunteer team had grown to 45 full members and 30 provisional members. They cleared almost 20 miles of brush!

Kingston Operations Restart

In 2007, the railroad began fixing tracks in Kingston. They wanted to follow a plan to operate trains from Kingston to West Hurley. The railroad restored tracks in Kingston, and service opened to Washington Avenue in December 2008. By late 2009, more track west of Washington Avenue was opened, and more seasonal services were offered. From 2007 to 2009, nearly two miles of track were rebuilt in Kingston.

For three years, the CMRR worked hard to fix Bridge C9 over Esopus Creek in Kingston. The bridge opened for service on December 7, 2012. This allowed the railroad to continue fixing tracks westward. They reached Route 209 in September 2013 and Stony Hollow in September 2019. The first passenger train to Route 209 ran on October 19, 2013.

Hurricane Irene

Tracks being repaired after damage from Hurricane Irene

On August 28, 2011, Hurricane Irene caused major flooding that damaged the CMRR. Floodwaters covered the yard in Phoenicia and washed out parts of the track. Luckily, all the operating equipment had been moved to a safe spot. The most significant damage was the loss of three parts of the Boiceville Trestle (Bridge C30). The tracks in Kingston were not badly damaged.

The CMRR started running trains again on September 10, 2011, on a shorter section of track near Mount Tremper. The washout at Campground Curve was repaired in late 2011. In November 2012, the County said that several repair projects, including the Boiceville Trestle, were approved for $2.3 million in funding. However, the County said they wouldn't start the projects unless the CMRR agreed to end its lease from Kingston to the Ashokan Reservoir.

On August 3, 2013, the CMRR began rebuilding the track at Campground Curve themselves, assuming the county wouldn't use the funding. The CMRR finished repairs to Phoenicia on August 7, 2015. These repairs later helped make way for new railbiking activities on this part of the railroad.

When its 25-year lease with Ulster County ended on May 31, 2016, the CMRR was running from Phoenicia to a washout at MP 23.3. The funding for the trestle and washout repairs was never released.

Legal Issues with Ulster County

In 2013, Ulster County tried to end the CMRR's lease three years early. The CMRR fought this in court and won, but it cost them $700,000. The lawsuit was settled in April 2016, allowing the CMRR to continue its lease until it naturally expired on May 31, 2016.

New Permit

In August 2016, the CMRR signed a new permit with Ulster County. This permit covered a five-mile section from Kingston to Stony Hollow. It was extended until December 31, 2023, and has now been renewed until December 31, 2028. This new permit did not include their yard in Kingston or their old operations out of Phoenicia. Even with a smaller area, the CMRR kept fixing up the tracks and opened all its permitted track in 2019.

Where the Trains Ran Before

Phoenicia to Cold Brook (Past Operations)

Phoenicia Station, site of the Empire State Railway Museum

The CMRR used to run tourist trains from Phoenicia Railroad Station, Phoenicia, to Cold Brook Railroad Station until October 31, 2016. Their trains started from the old station in Phoenicia, which is also home to the Empire State Railway Museum. Passengers could board trains at Phoenicia or Mount Tremper.

At first, they used small track cars with trailers. Later, they rebuilt two flatcars into open-air passenger cars and used a larger engine. A 1922 wooden caboose was often at the back. In 2004, a restored coach was added, which greatly increased the number of passengers they could carry. Service was extended to Cold Brook Station in 2008.

In May 2010, the Phoenicia operations got a new engine, Alco S-1 407, which became the main engine for that area. A second coach was added in October 2010.

For the 2012 season, the train initially ran from Mt. Tremper west to a section needing repairs. After repairs, the passenger train started running further west. On August 6, 2015, service was fully restored to Phoenicia Station after a lot of track repairs by the CMRR.

On August 4, 2016, the CMRR was allowed to run trains on this section until October 31, 2016. However, the county decided to let a rail bike company (www.railexplorers.net) operate on this section starting in 2017. The CMRR moved all its equipment to its own property in Phoenicia in January 2017, where it remains today.

Shokan (Past Operations)

Under its old lease, the CMRR also had a base at Shokan, New York, where the old Ashokan Railroad Station was. They had a self-powered crane, a flat car, and a privately owned caboose there. Shokan was also a base for the CMRR's track car crews, who maintained parts of the line that big trains couldn't reach. The CMRR removed all its equipment from Shokan by rail on July 21, 2016. All tracks at Shokan were removed in 2018 to make way for the Ashokan Rail Trail.

Other Sections of Track

Phoenicia Station to Bridge Street (MP 27.5 to 27.85)

These tracks are currently leased to the Empire State Railway Museum. The CMRR hopes to share these tracks with the museum in Phoenicia someday.

Boiceville to Phoenicia Station (MP 21.59 to 27.5)

The tracks from Boiceville to Phoenicia are still there and are now leased to Rail Explorers (for rail bikes). The CMRR still stores some rail equipment on its land near the Phoenicia Station. This section has a big washout from Hurricane Irene in 2011, which stops trains or rail bikes from going all the way through. The CMRR believes that future rail or railbike operations should extend a bit further to the trailhead at Boiceville.

Kingston to Phoenicia (MP 2.9 to 27.85)

The CMRR's old long-term goal was to run tourist trains on the entire 25-mile route from Kingston to Phoenicia. However, this goal changed on November 14, 2017. The Ulster County legislature voted to remove 11.6 miles of tracks next to the Ashokan Reservoir to create a rail trail. The tracks from MP 10.01 to MP 21.59 were removed in 2018.

This decision means it's now very difficult and expensive to restore full passenger train service from Kingston to connect with the DURR (Delaware and Ulster Railroad) at Highmount.

Train Engines and Cars

Locomotives (Engines)

No. 29

The CMRR owns two American Locomotive Company (ALCO) RS-1 engines: No. 401 and No. 2361. Only No. 401 is currently working. In 2010, No. 2361 was repainted and given a new number, 400.

In May 2010, the CMRR got another engine, Alco S-1 407. This engine was the main one for operations out of Mt. Tremper and Phoenicia, but it's now in storage.

CMRR No. 29, nicknamed "The Goat," is a smaller 50-ton engine that used to be a backup and work train engine. It's currently for sale and in storage.

CMRR No. 1, called "The Duck," is an even smaller 38-ton engine. "The Duck" is working and is currently in Phoenicia, used by the Empire State Railway Museum for moving cars around.

In 2014, the CMRR got a 1942 GE 45-ton engine, number 42.

No. 42

It is used for work trains.

The CMRR is also helping the ESRM (Empire State Railway Museum) restore a steam locomotive for future use. This is a large steam engine, No. 23, that the ESRM has owned since 1985. The restoration project has been ongoing since 2003.

Passenger Cars

The passenger cars used in Kingston are mostly flat cars that have been turned into open-air seating. They have added side walls, benches, and a steel frame for a roof. In 2021, another flat car was converted, bringing the total to six open-air passenger cars in Kingston.

The CMRR has five working coaches in Kingston. Four of them are former Long Island Railroad commuter coaches. The CMRR also owns another coach (No. 1727) and is fixing it up for first-class service. A sixth coach is also being restored.

The CMRR also uses a caboose (No. 675) on its Kingston passenger trains for the crew.

The passenger cars used in Phoenicia (for past operations) were two old electric train trailers that were completely renovated. Another trailer is being restored.

Other Equipment

The CMRR also has other freight equipment used for storage and work trains.

In Kingston, they have two boxcars for storage. Work train equipment includes a dump car, flat cars, a ballast hopper (for carrying gravel), and a gondola (an open-top car). They also have a privately owned caboose (No. 674).

Additionally, in Kingston, the CMRR owns a self-powered crane (No. 991) and a flat car used as a tender.

In Phoenicia, storage equipment includes a box car. Work train equipment includes a dump car, a flatcar, and a transfer caboose (No. 697).

Phoenicia equipment also includes a privately owned steel caboose (No. 673). This caboose was used as a gift shop at Mt. Tremper for many years before it was put back on the rails in 2010.

The Ashokan Rail Trail Story

Turning parts of the CMRR's tracks into the Ashokan Rail Trail was a long and sometimes difficult process between people who wanted trains and people who wanted trails.

In 2006, a newspaper announced a "Trail Plan" that could mean the end of the railroad. People who supported trails wanted to turn parts of the county-owned railroad into a recreational path. An engineering company was hired to create a plan for a "rail-with-trail" (where both a rail line and a trail could exist side-by-side). Their report said that combining tourist railroads, museums, historic sites, and a multi-use trail would be great for tourism and recreation in the Catskill Mountain Region.

In October 2012, the Ulster County Executive announced a plan to remove 32 miles of rails in Ulster County to replace them with a trail. This plan would leave only the Phoenicia-Cold Brook section and end Kingston operations. He planned to start removing rails in 2013. However, the CMRR's lease was still in effect until May 31, 2016.

Three days after the 2013 budget was approved, the CMRR opened Bridge C9 in Kingston for passenger train service. This was the first time passengers had crossed the bridge in over 58 years.

In 2013, the CMRR shared its own "rail-with-trail" study for the Kingston area, but the county rejected it. The county then tried to end the CMRR's lease, but the CMRR went to court and won the right to keep its lease.

In December 2013, the New York City DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) announced support for a trail along the old rail line near the Ashokan Reservoir.

In December 2014, the Ulster County Executive announced that a little over two miles of tourist train service could remain in Kingston.

In December 2015, the Ulster County Legislature voted to make "rail with trail" the official policy for the Kingston area (from Chandler Drive to Stony Hollow), allowing the railroad to continue operations for 4.75 miles west. This gave the CMRR a potential long-term home in Kingston and could allow them to expand further west. It also confirmed that rail would remain from Boiceville to Phoenicia. This decision helped end the big debate between rail and trail supporters, with both sides agreeing to work together.

In April 2016, the County and the CMRR settled their lawsuit. The CMRR agreed to leave its yard in Kingston and end operations on May 31, 2016 (the end of its lease). The lawsuit cost the CMRR $700,000.

In July 2016, the Ulster County Executive announced that permits had been signed for the CMRR to continue operating in Kingston until December 31, 2020, and in the Phoenicia area until October 31, 2016. Service resumed on August 6, 2016.

However, on December 14, 2017, the Ulster County Legislature voted to remove all railroad tracks from MP 10.01 to MP 21.59. This permanently separated the rail line from Kingston to Phoenicia and ended the CMRR's plans to return to the Glenford Dike and Phoenicia with full passenger service.

In July 2018, a court dismissed another claim against Ulster County's plan to create a recreational trail. Ulster County removed 11.6 miles of track along the Ashokan Reservoir in 2018 and built a new rail-trail there. This means it's now very unlikely that affordable passenger train service will ever connect Kingston to Highmount.

In late 2018, track removal began between milepost 10.01 and 21.59. This section opened as the Ashokan Rail Trail in October 2019.

Images for kids

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  No. 29 in action

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  Car No. 701

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  Car No. 271

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  Phoenicia Station NRHP marker

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  Flanger Sign

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  Mile marker

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  Mount Pleasant station

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  Whistle post

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  Flanger Sign

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  Yard limit marker

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  Kingston Holiday Shuttle at Westbrook Station

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  Kingston Holiday Shuttle at Washington Avenue

See also

• Kingston, New York railroad stations