2010 Progress Report released
September 12, 2011: We are pleased to make our 2010 Progress Report available as an Acrobat PDF file (you'll need the free Acrobat Reader software). Learn all about our accomplishments from the past year, and our immediate goals for the future. Thank you for your continued support!
Esopus Scenic Train, Mt. Tremper, New York - September 4, 2011
Catskill Mountain Railroad is back on track!
September 6, 2011: After suffering the devastating effects of flood waters caused by Hurricane Irene the Catskill Mountain Railroad has rebounded by restoring the Esopus Scenic Train service starting September 10. Due to a major washout east of Phoenicia the Scenic Train ride now travels along a modified 5-mile round trip between Mt. Tremper and Boiceville, New York. Kingston City Shuttle service will continue to operate on its normal schedule through the end of the season. See the Schedules and Fares page for complete details. Thank you for your support as we continue to recover and rebuild!
Phoenicia Yard, Empire State Railway Museum, looking east, August 29, 2011
Hurricane Irene causes severe damage due to catastrophic flooding of the Esopus
August 30, 2011: The Catskill Mountain Railroad has suffered severe damage as a result of the catastrophic flooding of the entire Catskill Region due to the effects of Hurricane Irene on Sunday, August 28. Starting from the Phoenicia end of the railroad, the rising Esopus flooded over its banks and washed out Phoenicia Yard (similar to our situation in 2005). The Empire State Railway Museum and Phoenicia Station survived, but will need repairs. Our trains were moved to safe ground at Mt. Tremper in advance of the storm, and were not damaged. Heading east, the location known as Campground Curve completely washed away, leaving the tracks in the river (similar to our situation in 1987). East of Mt. Tremper Station, there are some minor washouts until you get to the curve at MP 23.3, where we had been repairing damage inflicted from springtime storms. East of Cold Brook station, we have lost the Boiceville Trestle. Our in-service track from the east end of Bridge C9 to Cornell Street in Kingston fared much better. At this time, Phoenicia Station is closed until further notice. We are working hard to resume service from Mt. Tremper Station on Saturday, September 10. We expect our Kingston City Shuttle will continue to operate normally throughout the rest of 2011.
We thank you for your patience and support as we repair and rebuild Ulster County's only scenic railroad!
—Catskill Mountain Railroad
Bridge Street in Phoenicia, looking north, August 29, 2011.
Campground Curve, looking east, August 29, 2011.
Boiceville Bridge, August 29, 2011
News and Events
The all-volunteer Catskill Mountain Railroad has been busy working to expand their operating territory. Volunteers have restored track extending the Esopus Scenic Train ride to Cold Brook station in Boiceville. Right now the railroad is making long-term plans to extend the Scenic Train ride along the Ashokan Reservoir.
The railroad volunteers have also been active in Kingston as well. As a result of their hard work, CMRR is now offering an extended Kingston Shuttle ride! Expansion in Kingston is the first part of our long-term goal of reaching the scenic Ashokan Reservoir.
We post regular updates of Catskill Mountain Railroad volunteers hard at work on various projects to operate, maintain, and restore the Catskill Mountain Railroad to full operation from Kingston to Highmount, New York. Follow this link to the NERail Photo Archive to see new photos posted every week.
In May 2010, the railroad took delivery of an additional locomotive to handle heavier trains. Our Esopus Scenic Train continues to grow in popularity, creating the need for the new-to-us locomotive!
Annual Progress Reports
We are pleased to make our 2010 Progress Report available as an Acrobat PDF file (you'll need the free Acrobat Reader software). Learn all about our accomplishments from the past year, and our immediate goals for the future. Thank you for your continued support!
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