RAILS TO THE CATSKILLS - DECEMBER 2013

The history of Rails to the Catskills goes on.  Although much of the activity on the rails in this area ended by the 1970's, two tourist lines continue to operate.  The Catskill Mountain Railroad is running their Christmas train from Kingston and from Mt. Tremper, and all the while rebuilding track and pushing forward to restore service west of Rt. 209 and to Phoenicia. The Delaware & Ulster runs from Arkville to Roxbury, and will be operating again in the spring of 2014.  The D&U has expressed interest in restoring service to Highmount and down the scenic double horseshoe curve to Pine Hill.  Both tourist lines are in the historic Ulster & Delaware rail corridor.

We are continuing to work on production of our history of railroading in the Northern and Southern Catskills, covering the historic lines that ran from the Great Lakes through the Borscht Belt to Weehawken, up through the Wallkill Valley into Kingston, along the Esopus to Phoenicia, north to the Catskills High Peaks and west to Oneonta. 

Rails to the Catskills is scheduled for a spring 2014 release date.  Here are a few photos of the Catskill Mountain Railroad from this December, including the Rt. 209 billboard and historic railcars, Campground Curve under repair, activities at the Empire State Railway Museum and tracks east of Phoenicia.

Seasons greetings to all.