Catskill and Tannersville Railway
Encyclopedia
The Catskill and Tannersville Railway was a historic narrow gauge
railroad operating in New York
.
Also known as "The Huckleberry", the C&T operated tracks that were laid to a three foot gauge. The railroad commenced at the Otis Summit station in Kaaterskill at the top of the Wall of the Manitou, which was the terminus of the Otis Elevating Railway
, and ended 5.2 miles away at its headquarters in Tannersville
. The C&T faced competition from the parallel Stony Clove and Kaaterskill branch of the Ulster and Delaware Railroad
.
didn't always have the Catskill & Tannersville to connect the Otis Elevating Railway
to Tannersville. Instead, the Kaaterskill Railroad served that purpose, as it was the same gauge as the Otis Elevating and the Catskill Mountain Railway; three feet, and connected by a shorter C&T from the Otis Summit Station, too. But the C&T was also present in the area, and was very close to the Kaaterskill. In fact, the two lines were so close that the C&T ran trains on the KRR from 1893-1898. This stopped when the Ulster and Delaware standard-gauged the Kaaterskill Railroad in 1899, and the connection was no more. So the CMR president solved that problem by lengthening the C&T to Tannersville in 1899.
It was built on a tight budget, and used 3-foot gauge so it could interchange freight cars with the Otis, and because it was cheaper. It only had two locomotives in its roster, both eventually being replaced by outside-frame engines. This railroad was known to some as the Ulster & Delaware's annoying narrow-gauge competitor; it did offer an alternative route, but this "alternative route" was right next to the U&D, and most of the C&T stations were right across from the U&D stations. There were downfalls to using this railroad, and that included the fact that the railroad barely ever ran on time. This was probably due to the frequent stops to let passengers get out and see the Kaaterskill Falls, the Mountain Laurel in full bloom, and even to pick blueberries, which the locals called "huckleberries", hence the railroad's nickname, and was probably enjoyed by the fellow passengers.
The railroad was somewhat profitable, and managed to survive for quite a while, but one thing it couldn't stay away from was bankruptcy. It went bankrupt in 1918, and was torn up and sold for scrap, along with the rest of the Catskill Mountain Railway system in 1919. The two locomotives that were previously owned by the C&T were shipped to the Bellevue and Cascade Railroad in the State of Iowa.
Narrow gauge
A narrow gauge railway is a railway that has a track gauge narrower than the of standard gauge railways. Most existing narrow gauge railways have gauges of between and .- Overview :...
railroad operating in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Also known as "The Huckleberry", the C&T operated tracks that were laid to a three foot gauge. The railroad commenced at the Otis Summit station in Kaaterskill at the top of the Wall of the Manitou, which was the terminus of the Otis Elevating Railway
Otis Elevating Railway
The Otis Elevating Railway was a cable funicular railroad to the Catskill Mountain House in Palenville, New York. For the first 64 years of its existence, the Catskill Mountain House was accessible only by a long stage coach from Catskill Landing on the Hudson...
, and ended 5.2 miles away at its headquarters in Tannersville
Tannersville, New York
Tannersville is a village in Greene County, New York, USA. The village is in the east-central part of the town of Hunter on Route 23A. The population was 539 at the 2010 census.- History :...
. The C&T faced competition from the parallel Stony Clove and Kaaterskill branch of the Ulster and Delaware Railroad
Ulster and Delaware Railroad
The Ulster and Delaware Railroad Company was a Class I railroad located in New York State, headquartered in Rondout and founded in 1866. It was often advertised as "The Only All-Rail Route To the Catskill Mountains." At its greatest extent, the U&D ran from Kingston Point, on the Hudson River,...
.
History
The Catskill Mountain RailwayCatskill Mountain Railway
The Catskill Mountain Railway was a narrow gauge railroad, long, running from Catskill to Palenville in Greene County, New York....
didn't always have the Catskill & Tannersville to connect the Otis Elevating Railway
Otis Elevating Railway
The Otis Elevating Railway was a cable funicular railroad to the Catskill Mountain House in Palenville, New York. For the first 64 years of its existence, the Catskill Mountain House was accessible only by a long stage coach from Catskill Landing on the Hudson...
to Tannersville. Instead, the Kaaterskill Railroad served that purpose, as it was the same gauge as the Otis Elevating and the Catskill Mountain Railway; three feet, and connected by a shorter C&T from the Otis Summit Station, too. But the C&T was also present in the area, and was very close to the Kaaterskill. In fact, the two lines were so close that the C&T ran trains on the KRR from 1893-1898. This stopped when the Ulster and Delaware standard-gauged the Kaaterskill Railroad in 1899, and the connection was no more. So the CMR president solved that problem by lengthening the C&T to Tannersville in 1899.
It was built on a tight budget, and used 3-foot gauge so it could interchange freight cars with the Otis, and because it was cheaper. It only had two locomotives in its roster, both eventually being replaced by outside-frame engines. This railroad was known to some as the Ulster & Delaware's annoying narrow-gauge competitor; it did offer an alternative route, but this "alternative route" was right next to the U&D, and most of the C&T stations were right across from the U&D stations. There were downfalls to using this railroad, and that included the fact that the railroad barely ever ran on time. This was probably due to the frequent stops to let passengers get out and see the Kaaterskill Falls, the Mountain Laurel in full bloom, and even to pick blueberries, which the locals called "huckleberries", hence the railroad's nickname, and was probably enjoyed by the fellow passengers.
The railroad was somewhat profitable, and managed to survive for quite a while, but one thing it couldn't stay away from was bankruptcy. It went bankrupt in 1918, and was torn up and sold for scrap, along with the rest of the Catskill Mountain Railway system in 1919. The two locomotives that were previously owned by the C&T were shipped to the Bellevue and Cascade Railroad in the State of Iowa.
Stations
- Tannersville Station
- Clum Road Station
- The Antlers Hotel
- Haines Falls Station
- Laurel House Station
- Otis Summit Station
Locomotives
| Number | Name | Builder | Type | Date | Shop No. | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st #1 | Brooks Locomotive Works Brooks Locomotive Works The Brooks Locomotive Works manufactured steam railroad locomotives and freight cars from 1869 through its merger into the American Locomotive Company until 1934.-History:... |
2-6-0 | Sep. 1882 | 783 | Ex-Colorado & Southern Ry. Colorado and Southern Railway The Colorado and Southern Railway was a railroad company in the western United States that operated independently from 1898 to 1908, then as part of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad until it was absorbed into the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1981.The railway began as the... #20, previously Denver, Leadville & Gunnison Ry. #165, originally Denver, South Park & Pacific R.R. Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad The Denver, South Park, and Pacific Railroad was a historic narrow gauge railway that operated in Colorado in the western United States in the late 19th century. The railroad opened up the first rail routes to a large section of the central Colorado mining district in the decades of the mineral boom... #38. Purchased in June 1899. (The transfer from the C.&S. Ry. to the Otis Co. may have been via F. M. Hicks & Co. Hicks Locomotive and Car Works The Hicks Locomotive and Car Works was one of many small railway equipment construction companies operating in the United States at the dawn of the 20th century. It stayed in business for only 21 years.- History :... The photo of 1st #1 at Otis Summit, reproduced in the Helmer (1970) reference, identifies it as one of the D.S.P.&P. R.R. ##29-38 / 156-165 series locos, particularly the driver axle spacing, the location of the right boiler check valve, and the shape of the tops of the cab windows. C.&S. Ry. #20 was the only ex-D.S.P.&P. R.R. ##29-38 / 156-165 series loco to have left Colorado before July 1899.) Retired in 1907. |
|
| 1st #2 | Dickson Manufacturing Co. Dickson Manufacturing Company Dickson Manufacturing Company was a manufacturer of boilers and steam engines used in various industries but most known in railway steam locomotives... |
2-6-0 | Feb. 1883 | 411 | Originally Chateaugay Ore & Iron Co. #8 (Dannemora Dannemora (village), New York Dannemora is a village located primarily in the Town of Dannemora in Clinton County, New York. The population was 3,936 at the 2010 census. The name is derived from Dannemora, Sweden, an iron-making town where early settlers came from .... ). Purchased by the Kaaterskill R.R. from New York Equipment Co. in July 1893 (#3). Redesignated U.&D. R.R. # 4 in 1894. Resold to F. M. Hicks & Co. Hicks Locomotive and Car Works The Hicks Locomotive and Car Works was one of many small railway equipment construction companies operating in the United States at the dawn of the 20th century. It stayed in business for only 21 years.- History :... in August 1899. Acquired by the Otis Co. for C.&T. Ry. later in August 1899. Became stationary boiler at Otis Summit, New York between July 1, 1901 and June 30, 1902. |
|
| 2nd #1 | Isaac Pruyn | Baldwin Locomotive Works Baldwin Locomotive Works The Baldwin Locomotive Works was an American builder of railroad locomotives. It was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, originally, and later in nearby Eddystone, Pennsylvania. Although the company was very successful as a producer of steam locomotives, its transition to the production of... |
2-6-0 | Feb. 1908 | 32715 | Purchased new. Sold to Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific R.R. Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad The Milwaukee Road, officially the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad , was a Class I railroad that operated in the Midwest and Northwest of the United States from 1847 until its merger into the Soo Line Railroad on January 1, 1986. The company went through several official names... in March 1926 (CMStP&P #2). Became Bellevue and Cascade Railroad #2 in July 1933. Scrapped in 1934. |
| 2nd #2 | Alfred V. S. Olcott | Baldwin Locomotive Works Baldwin Locomotive Works The Baldwin Locomotive Works was an American builder of railroad locomotives. It was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, originally, and later in nearby Eddystone, Pennsylvania. Although the company was very successful as a producer of steam locomotives, its transition to the production of... |
2-6-0 | Apr. 1901 | 18884 | Purchased new. Sold to Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific R.R. Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad The Milwaukee Road, officially the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad , was a Class I railroad that operated in the Midwest and Northwest of the United States from 1847 until its merger into the Soo Line Railroad on January 1, 1986. The company went through several official names... in July 1928 (CMStP&P #3). Became Bellevue and Cascade Railroad #3 in July 1933. Scrapped in 1934. |
Rolling stock
| Number | Type | Capacity | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | combine car Combine car A combine car in North American parlance, most often referred to simply as a combine, is a type of railroad car which combines sections for both passengers and freight.... |
38 seats | Ex-Worcester & Shrewsbury R.R. Purchased in 1899. Sold to a South American in September 1919. |
| 2 | coach | 58 seats | Ex-Worcester & Shrewsbury R.R. Purchased in 1899. Sold to a South American in September 1919. |
| coach | 58 seats | Purchased used in 1909 or 1910. Sold to a South American in September 1919. | |
| 3 | freight car | 10 tons | Obtained as a flat car in 1899. Converted to boxcar in 1904 or 1905. |
| flat car | 10 tons | Obtained in 1901 or 1902. One of the two C.&T. Ry. freight cars may have been temporarily configured as an open observation car. |
Freight Car Interchange
In 1904, a freight car interchange was installed between the C.&T. Ry. and the Otis Ry. at Otis Summit. The Catskill Mountain Ry. built the following freight cars for use through this interchange, and through the interchange with the C.M. Ry. at the foot of the Otis Ry.| Owner & Car No. | Type | Capacity | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Otis Ry. 1 | boxcar Boxcar A boxcar is a railroad car that is enclosed and generally used to carry general freight. The boxcar, while not the simplest freight car design, is probably the most versatile, since it can carry most loads... |
8 tons | Built in 1904 |
| Otis Ry. 2 | boxcar Boxcar A boxcar is a railroad car that is enclosed and generally used to carry general freight. The boxcar, while not the simplest freight car design, is probably the most versatile, since it can carry most loads... |
8 tons | Built in 1904 |
| Otis Ry. 3 | gondola Gondola (rail) In railroad terminology, a gondola is an open-top type of rolling stock that is used for carrying loose bulk materials. Because of its low side walls, gondolas are used to carry either very dense material, such as steel plates or coils, or bulky items such as prefabricated pieces of rail... |
8 tons | Built in 1904 |
| Otis Ry. 4 | gondola Gondola (rail) In railroad terminology, a gondola is an open-top type of rolling stock that is used for carrying loose bulk materials. Because of its low side walls, gondolas are used to carry either very dense material, such as steel plates or coils, or bulky items such as prefabricated pieces of rail... |
8 tons | Built in 1904 |
| C.M. Ry. 15 | gondola Gondola (rail) In railroad terminology, a gondola is an open-top type of rolling stock that is used for carrying loose bulk materials. Because of its low side walls, gondolas are used to carry either very dense material, such as steel plates or coils, or bulky items such as prefabricated pieces of rail... |
8 tons | Built in 1906 or 1907 |
| C.M. Ry. 16 | gondola Gondola (rail) In railroad terminology, a gondola is an open-top type of rolling stock that is used for carrying loose bulk materials. Because of its low side walls, gondolas are used to carry either very dense material, such as steel plates or coils, or bulky items such as prefabricated pieces of rail... |
8 tons | Built in 1906 or 1907 |
| C.M. Ry. 17 | boxcar Boxcar A boxcar is a railroad car that is enclosed and generally used to carry general freight. The boxcar, while not the simplest freight car design, is probably the most versatile, since it can carry most loads... |
8 tons | Built in 1907 or 1908 |
| C.M. Ry. 18 | boxcar Boxcar A boxcar is a railroad car that is enclosed and generally used to carry general freight. The boxcar, while not the simplest freight car design, is probably the most versatile, since it can carry most loads... |
8 tons | Built in 1907 or 1908 |