Delaware and Ulster Railroad facts for kids
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Arkville, New York |
| Locale | Delaware County, New York |
| Dates of operation | 1983–present |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
The Delaware and Ulster Railroad (DURR) is a special kind of train line. It's known as a heritage railroad. This means it keeps old trains and tracks working for people to enjoy. It's like a living museum on wheels! The railroad is based in Arkville, New York.
Contents
History of the Railroad
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The tracks used by the Delaware and Ulster Railroad have a long history. The last regular passenger train ran on these tracks in 1954. This was part of the old Ulster and Delaware Railroad (U&D).
Later, in 1965, some tracks were removed. This happened to make way for a new highway, Interstate 88. The tracks were also removed because there wasn't much freight business.
Ownership of the tracks changed hands a few times. First, it went to Penn Central in 1968. Then, in 1976, it went to Conrail, a government-backed company. The very last freight train left the mountains in October 1976.
Starting the Heritage Railroad
The Delaware and Ulster Railroad is part of a group called the Catskill Revitalization Corporation. This group bought 45 miles of the old U&D rail line in 1980. They paid $770,000 for it. The money came from a foundation called the A. Lindsay and Olive B. O'Connor Foundation.
The Catskill Revitalization Corporation is a non-profit organization. This means they use their money to help the community, not to make a profit. The new tourist railroad started running in 1983. It first operated between Highmount and Arkville, New York. Later, it expanded to the Arkville-Roxbury area.
Where the Trains Run Today
The DURR operates in Delaware County, New York. It uses parts of the old U&D tracks. The line goes from Highmount, where it connects with the Catskill Mountain Railroad, to Hubbell Corners.
Currently, the DURR mostly runs trains between Arkville and Roxbury. The section from Highmount to Arkville reopened in 2013. The part from Roxbury to Hubbell Corners is not currently in use.
Some parts of the old rail line have been changed. The section between Hubbell Corners and Bloomville is now a walking and biking path. It's called the Catskill Scenic Rail Trail.
Overcoming Challenges
In 2011, Hurricane Irene caused a lot of damage to the railroad. A quarter-mile of track was washed away near Kelly's Corner. Other parts of the line also had minor damage. But the railroad worked hard to fix everything. Train service started again in May 2012.
The Rip Van Winkle Flyer and Other Trains
The most special train at the DURR is the Rip Van Winkle Flyer. This is a beautiful five-car streamline train. It's often used for special trips and events.
Cars of the Rip Van Winkle Flyer
The Rip Van Winkle Flyer includes these unique cars:
- Observation Car: Built in 1948, it was once New York Central No. 61.
- Tavern Lounge: Built in 1948, it was Minneapolis & St. Louis No. 52.
- Dining Car: Built in 1950, it was Atlantic Coast Line No. 5936.
- Vista Dome: Built in 1948, it was Missouri Pacific 891.
- Baggage/Generator Car: This car used to belong to Santa Fe.
Other Locomotives and Cars
The regular train is pulled by a powerful locomotive. It's a former Delaware & Hudson engine, number 5017. It's an Alco RS-36 model. This train also includes two flat cars. It has three old Pennsylvania Railroad coaches. These coaches are painted to look like New York Central trains. Their numbers are 441, 444, and 447.
The DURR has other locomotives too:
- Alco S-4's, numbers 1012 and 5106
- A GE 44-tonner, number 76
- An EMD NW2, number 116
There's also an old "Red Heifer" train car. It's a Model 250 Brill Gas-Electric doodlebug. It used to be New York Central M-405. This special car was used a lot when the railroad first started in 1983. There are plans to fix it up.
The railway also owns two flatcars.
Roxbury Depot Museum
The DURR's Roxbury Station is a special place. It's owned by the Ulster & Delaware Railroad Historical Society. They call it the Roxbury Depot Museum. The old depot is currently covered by a structure. This was put there when it was used as a lumber and feed store. Volunteers are working to raise money to fully restore the depot.
Who Manages the Railroad?
The Catskill Revitalization Corporation owns the Delaware and Ulster Railroad. They have a team of people who help run things:
- G.V. Stevens is the Chief Mechanical Officer and Operations Manager. He makes sure the trains run well.
- Ted Latta is the Track Supervisor. He looks after the tracks.
- Ken Dodge, Jr. is the Signal Maintainer. He takes care of the railroad signals.
