- Delaware and Ulster Railroad
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Delaware and Ulster Railroad 
Locale Delaware County, New York, USA Dates of operation 1983–present Track gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) (standard gauge) Headquarters Arkville, New York Coordinates: 42°8′51″N 74°37′12″W / 42.1475°N 74.62°W The Delaware and Ulster Railroad (DURR) is a heritage railroad based in Arkville, New York.
Contents
History
The last regularly scheduled passenger train over the former Ulster and Delaware Railroad 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.
Rip Van Winkle Flyer
The pride of the DURR is the "Rip Van Winkle Flyer" a five-car Budd 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 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:
- Alco S-4's #1012 and #5106,
- GE 44 tonner #76,
- EMD NW2 #116
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 flatcars.[1]
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.
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[2]
References
- Delaware, Ulster & Greene County NY Railroad Information (website), courtesy of Philip M. Goldstein
- John M. Ham, Robert K. Bucenec (2003), The Old "Up and Down" Catskill Mountain Branch of the New York Central, Stony Clove & Catskill Mountain Press
- ^ "Delaware & Ulster and Catskill Mountain Railroad Equipment Rosters". http://members.trainweb.com/milepost51/durrcmrrrosters.html.
- ^ The Pocket List of Railroad Officials. UBM Global Trade. 2010. p. D-18.
External links
Categories:- Heritage railroads in New York
- Catskills
- Visitor attractions in Delaware County, New York
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