Delaware and Ulster Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Delaware and Ulster Railroad (DURR) is a heritage railroad
based in Arkville, New York
.
tracks was operated between Kingston and Oneonta by the New York Central on March 31, 1954. The tracks were then cut back to Bloomville in 1965 to make way for construction of Interstate 88
. Ownership of the tracks passed to Penn Central in 1968, and to the government-backed Conrail on April 1, 1976. The last westbound freight train over the mountains was operated by Conrail on September 26, 1976, with the return trip to gather up all remaining freight cars taking place on October 2.
The DURR is a subsidiary of the not-for-profit Catskill Revitalization Corporation, which owns the former Ulster and Delaware Railroad
right of way between Highmount, New York (MP 41.4) and Bloomville, New York (MP 86). The new railroad started operations in 1983.
The DURR operates in Delaware County, New York
on the former Ulster and Delaware Railroad
tracks from MP 41.4 in Highmount, New York, where it connects with the Catskill Mountain Railroad
, to Hubbell Corners, New York, MP 60.2. Currently the DURR's operations are limited to the portion between Arkville and Roxbury, New York
, as the line to Highmount is out of service due to a small washout east of Arkville, and the line from just west of Roxbury at Kirkside park, MP 59.6, to Hubbell Corners is not serviceable.
The washout east of Arkville has now been repaired, with service expected to return to Highmount in 2010. The line between Hubbell Corners and Bloomville was abandoned and now services as a rail trail
: the Catskill Scenic Trail
.
The DURR suffered a major washout at Kelly's Corner on August 28, 2011, as a result of flooding due to Hurricane Irene. The East Branch of the Delaware River undermined about a quarter-mile of track along Route 30, and caused minor washouts and scouring at Halcottsville and other locations along the line. As of this writing, operations have been suspended until repairs can be made.
streamline train used for charters. The train consists of:
The regular train is powered by former D&H
5017, an Alco
RS-36, and consists of two flat cars and three former PRR
MP-54
coaches (441, 444 and 447) lettered for the New York Central.
Other locomotives at the DURR consist of:
Currently under consideration for restoration is the "Red Heifer" a Model 250 Brill Gas-Electric doodlebug
, formerly NYC M-405. This piece of equipment was used extensively during the railroad's early days in 1983.
The railway also owns two flatcar
s.
The DURR's Roxbury Station is owned by the Ulster & Delaware Railroad Historical Society
and is called the Roxbury Depot Museum. Currently, the entire depot is covered by a structure that was put in place while it was used as a lumber and feed dealer. Volunteers are seeking funds for full restoration, as well as seeking to settle remaining issues with the estate of the former owner before work can proceed.
Heritage railway
thumb|right|the Historical [[Khyber train safari|Khyber Railway]] goes through the [[Khyber Pass]], [[Pakistan]]A heritage railway , preserved railway , tourist railway , or tourist railroad is a railway that is run as a tourist attraction, in some cases by volunteers, and...
based in Arkville, New York
Arkville, New York
Arkville is a hamlet of the Town of Middletown, New York, United States. It is located along state highway NY 28 a mile north of the village of Margaretville in the western Catskill Mountains. It has the ZIP Code 12406....
.
History
The last regularly scheduled passenger train over the former Ulster and Delaware RailroadUlster 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,...
tracks was operated between Kingston and Oneonta by the New York Central on March 31, 1954. The tracks were then cut back to Bloomville in 1965 to make way for construction of Interstate 88
Interstate 88
Interstate 88 may refer to:*Interstate 88 , a highway running west from Chicago, Illinois, USA to Moline, Illinois, USA*Interstate 88 , a highway running west from Schenectady, New York, USA to Binghamton, New York, USA...
. Ownership of the tracks passed to Penn Central in 1968, and to the government-backed Conrail on April 1, 1976. The last westbound freight train over the mountains was operated by Conrail on September 26, 1976, with the return trip to gather up all remaining freight cars taking place on October 2.
The DURR is a subsidiary of the not-for-profit Catskill Revitalization Corporation, which owns the former 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,...
right of way between Highmount, New York (MP 41.4) and Bloomville, New York (MP 86). The new railroad started operations in 1983.
The DURR operates in Delaware County, New York
Delaware County, New York
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of 2010 the population was 47,980. The county seat is Delhi. It is named after the Delaware River, which was named in honor of Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, appointed governor of Virginia in 1609.-History:When counties...
on the former 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,...
tracks from MP 41.4 in Highmount, New York, where it connects with the Catskill Mountain Railroad
Catskill Mountain Railroad
The Catskill Mountain Railroad , is a heritage railroad based in Shokan, New York, United States that began operations in 1983. It leases from Ulster County the former Ulster and Delaware Railroad tracks from Mile Post 2.8 in Kingston to MP 41.4 in Highmount, where it connects with the Delaware...
, to Hubbell Corners, New York, MP 60.2. Currently the DURR's operations are limited to the portion between Arkville and Roxbury, New York
Roxbury, New York
Roxbury is a town in Delaware County, New York, United States. The population was 2,509 at the 2000 census.The Town of Roxbury is at the eastern end of the county.- History :...
, as the line to Highmount is out of service due to a small washout east of Arkville, and the line from just west of Roxbury at Kirkside park, MP 59.6, to Hubbell Corners is not serviceable.
The washout east of Arkville has now been repaired, with service expected to return to Highmount in 2010. The line between Hubbell Corners and Bloomville was abandoned and now services as a rail trail
Rail trail
A rail trail is the conversion of a disused railway easement into a multi-use path, typically for walking, cycling and sometimes horse riding. The characteristics of former tracks—flat, long, frequently running through historical areas—are appealing for various development. The term sometimes also...
: the Catskill Scenic Trail
Catskill Scenic Trail
The Catskill Scenic Trail is a multi-use rail trail along the former Ulster and Delaware Railroad right-of-way in rural Delaware County, New York. It runs approximately from Grand Gorge, New York to Bloomville, New York. The western portion of the trail runs along the West Branch of the Delaware...
.
The DURR suffered a major washout at Kelly's Corner on August 28, 2011, as a result of flooding due to Hurricane Irene. The East Branch of the Delaware River undermined about a quarter-mile of track along Route 30, and caused minor washouts and scouring at Halcottsville and other locations along the line. As of this writing, operations have been suspended until repairs can be made.
Rip Van Winkle Flyer
The pride of the DURR is the "Rip Van Winkle Flyer" a five-car BuddBudd Company
The Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century....
streamline train used for charters. The train consists of:
- Observation Car: former NYC No. 61, built 1948
- Tavern Lounge: former Minneapolis & St. Louis No. 52, built 1948
- Dining Car: former ACL No. 5936, built 1950
- Vista Dome: former MP 891, built 1948
- Baggage/Generator
The regular train is powered by former D&H
Delaware and Hudson Railway
The Delaware and Hudson Railway is a railroad that operates in the northeastern United States. Since 1991 it has been a subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Railway, although CPR has assumed all operations and the D&H does not maintain any locomotives or rolling stock.It was formerly an important...
5017, an Alco
American Locomotive Company
The American Locomotive Company, often shortened to ALCO or Alco , was a builder of railroad locomotives in the United States.-Early history:...
RS-36, and consists of two flat cars and three former PRR
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
MP-54
PRR MP54
The Pennsylvania Railroad's MP54 class of electric multiple unit cars was their first and largest class of this type of car. They were initially built for the original Philadelphia-based network of electrified suburban lines and were eventually used throughout the railroad's electrified area...
coaches (441, 444 and 447) lettered for the New York Central.
Other locomotives at the DURR consist of:
- Alco S-4's #1012 and #5106,
- GEGeneral ElectricGeneral Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
44 tonner #76, - EMD NW2 #116
Currently under consideration for restoration is the "Red Heifer" a Model 250 Brill Gas-Electric doodlebug
Doodlebug (rail car)
In the United States, doodlebug was the common name for a self-propelled railroad car . While such a coach typically had a gasoline-powered engine that turned a generator which provided electricity to traction motors, which turned the axles and wheels on the trucks, versions with mechanical...
, formerly NYC M-405. This piece of equipment was used extensively during the railroad's early days in 1983.
The railway also owns two flatcar
Flatcar
A flatcar is a piece of railroad or railway rolling stock that consists of an open, flat deck on four or six wheels or a pair of trucks or bogies . The deck of the car can be wood or steel, and the sides of the deck can include pockets for stakes or tie-down points to secure loads...
s.
The DURR's Roxbury Station is owned by the Ulster & Delaware Railroad Historical Society
Ulster & Delaware Railroad Historical Society
The Ulster & Delaware Railroad Historical Society is a chapter of the National Railway Historical Society . It focuses on the history of the railroads and related social, economic, and cultural institutions of the Catskill and Hudson Valley regions...
and is called the Roxbury Depot Museum. Currently, the entire depot is covered by a structure that was put in place while it was used as a lumber and feed dealer. Volunteers are seeking funds for full restoration, as well as seeking to settle remaining issues with the estate of the former owner before work can proceed.
Management
The DURR is owned by the Catskill Revitalization Corporation.- G.V. Stevens, Chief Mechanical Officer and Operations Manager
- Ted Latta, Track Supervisor
- Ken Dodge, Jr., Signal Maintainer