Kingston, NY
Catskill Mountain Railroad
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-14- TypeEmployee-owned heritage railroad and seasonal visitor attraction
- LocationKingston, NY
- Rating4.2 ★1,178 Google reviews
- UpcomingSat, Sep 26
About Catskill Mountain Railroad
Catskill Mountain Railroad is an employee-owned heritage railroad operating round trips from Westbrook Station at Kingston Plaza. The current general FAQ says trains run from Kingston toward Hurley Mountain and return; current Catskill Flyer and Ice Cream pages describe the ride through Hurley Flats, across Esopus Creek on restored Bridge C9, and onto Hurley Mountain. Products differ: regular summer rides are about 90 minutes, fall trains are about 75 minutes and eight miles, Pumpkin Express is about 90 minutes and eight miles, while Polar Express uses assigned seats and a separate 45-minute arrival process. Every ticket is date- and time-specific, and the official live listing—not an old route description—controls availability, equipment, and boarding.
Choose Your Catskill Mountain Railroad Experience
Choose the visit that fits your groupFirst-time visitors who want the core scenic ride at the lowest regular fare
Catskill Flyer
A roughly 90-minute Kingston round trip through Hurley Flats and onto Hurley Mountain, with enclosed and open-air seating. Current future dates run through September 20.
Families who want the regular route with a simple included treat
Ice Cream Express
A roughly 90-minute Sunday ride with an individually packaged ice-cream treat. Four official dates remain after August 14.
Younger children who enjoy character stories, music, photos, and dressing up
Princess and Superhero trains
Two separate costume-and-story programs run August 15 and August 22. Each has three published departure times and family fare tiers.
Visitors who prefer an evening landscape and live music
Twilight Limited
The remaining 2026 Twilight date is August 28 at 7:30 p.m., with a roughly 90-minute evening ride and live local music.
Adults and families planning around the Catskills color season
Fall Foliage Adventure
A 75-minute, eight-mile round trip on September 26–27 and October 2–4 and 9–12, with canopied open cars and enclosed coaches.
Families seeking a daytime Halloween-season train
Pumpkin Express
A roughly 90-minute, eight-mile ride on October 17–18 and 24–25 with a pumpkin-patch stop and one take-home pumpkin.
Families who can arrive 45 minutes early and want the fully produced holiday event
The Polar Express
An assigned-seat holiday production on select dates from November 13 through December 30 with hot chocolate, cookie, story, Santa, and a keepsake bell.
Groups planning a birthday, reunion, wedding activity, or private rail event
Private train or railroad car
The operator offers advance private-train and selected scheduled-car rentals for celebrations and groups. Dates, special-event exclusions, capacity, and add-ons require confirmation.
Upcoming Events
Official schedule information
2026 special-event calendar
Schedule information was checked against the linked official source. Dates, availability, and operating conditions can change. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- SeasonThe published 2026 visitor season runs from spring through December. After August 14, the official calendar still lists Catskill Flyer, Ice Cream, Princess, Superhero, Twilight, fall foliage, Pumpkin, and Polar Express dates
- Trip LengthCatskill Flyer and Ice Cream Express are about 90 minutes. Fall Foliage is about 75 minutes and eight miles; Pumpkin Express is about 90 minutes and eight miles. Polar Express is just over an hour onboard and roughly 90 minutes overall
- ParkingThe operator says there is plenty of free parking at Kingston Plaza. Polar Express identifies free adjacent plaza parking and designated spaces near the station for guests with mobility needs
- AccessibilityGeneral trains can board wheelchairs by ramp, but some vintage equipment requires assistance. Polar Express has limited wheelchair and sensory seating and instructs guests to call 845-332-4854 rather than booking the wrong seat online
- WeatherTrains normally run regardless of weather. The operator posts cancellation information online and says an operator-cancelled weather trip receives an exchange for a future ride
- RestroomsPortable restrooms are available at Westbrook Station. The current general and Polar guidance both say there are no restrooms onboard the train
- ArrivePolar Express requests arrival about 45 minutes before departure and begins boarding about 20 minutes early. Other product pages do not publish one universal check-in time; follow the confirmation and allow margin for parking, ticketing, and boarding
- Departure LocationAll current public trains depart Westbrook Station at Kingston Plaza, 55 Kingston Plaza Road. The P.O. Box 1415 address on the contact page is mail only
- TicketsBuy date- and time-specific tickets through the official Etix venue page. The general FAQ says prepaid online sales normally remain available until the day before; remaining day-of tickets can be sold first come, first served
- PricingRegular Catskill Flyer fares are currently $20 adult, $14 child age 2–12, $19 senior/military/veteran, and $0 for an under-two lap toddler. Most themed fall and family rides publish $25/$19/$23/$0 tiers; Polar Express uses separate peak and off-peak fares
- FoodSmall snacks and nonalcoholic beverages may be used in outdoor open cars; food and drink are not allowed in enclosed passenger coaches. Coolers and outside alcohol are prohibited. Ice Cream Express and Polar include product-specific treats
- ClimateMost regular trains advertise both enclosed coaches and open-air cars. Dress for the weather, expect cooler temperatures in the mountains and valleys, and consider a jacket, windbreaker, or blanket
- ChildrenChildren 2–12 use the child fare and age 13+ uses adult pricing. Under-two lap riders are listed at $0 on current products; Polar requires a free infant ticket and a paid child seat if a seating device occupies space
- SeatingMost spring, summer, and fall trains use first-come general admission and try to seat groups together when they board together. Polar Express is assigned seating selected during checkout and cannot be casually rearranged
- PetsOnly service dogs are permitted. Non-service dogs are prohibited under the published safety policy
- CancellationSales are final and nonrefundable. In most cases the operator may issue a replacement ride with at least 48 hours notice, subject to availability; a missed departure does not guarantee re-accommodation
- GroupsPrivate trains and cars are available by advance arrangement, but specialty dates can be excluded. The official charter page publishes current capacity, pricing, and reservations@catskillmountainrailroad.com
- ContactCall 845-332-4854 or email info@catskillmountainrailroad.com. Polar and charter questions also use specialized public addresses on their official pages
Find the Depot
The Trains
The operator’s current equipment page identifies Alco RS-1 No. 401 as fully operational and says it has handled passenger and work trains since 2008. That roster dates No. 401 to March 1950, while current Catskill Flyer product copy calls it a 1951 locomotive; this guide uses the detailed roster date and flags the conflict instead of silently repeating both. The railroad also owns Alco S-1 No. 407, five former Long Island Rail Road P72 coaches—with No. 2918 listed under renovation—and former Norfolk & Western/Pullman coach 1727. Parts of the equipment page still describe the former Mt. Tremper operation that ended in 2016, so the photographed locomotive and cars are presented as roster context, not a current assignment guarantee.
History
The Rondout & Oswego Railroad was chartered to connect the Hudson River with the Catskills.
Construction began on the railroad that became the Ulster & Delaware corridor.
The Ulster & Delaware completed its line to Oneonta and a Delaware & Hudson connection.
New York Central acquired the Ulster & Delaware and renamed it the Catskill Mountain Branch.
Regular passenger service ended after the last mail contract was withdrawn.
The final freight train returned to Kingston on October 2.
Ulster County purchased the 38-mile Kingston–Highmount corridor.
Catskill Mountain Railroad was chartered for tourist passenger and limited freight service.
The Kingston City Shuttle launched the foundation of the current visitor operation.
Volunteer work reopened Bridge C9 and expanded Kingston mileage beyond Hurley Mountain Road.
The railroad ended Phoenicia–Mt. Tremper service when that segment’s lease ended.
The current Kingston catalog spans regular, treat, character, foliage, pumpkin, and Polar Express rides.
See full history
The Rondout & Oswego Railroad was chartered in 1866 and began construction in 1868, reaching Phoenicia in 1870 and Oneonta in 1900 under successor Ulster & Delaware. The route carried tourists, bluestone, dairy products, and Ashokan Reservoir construction supplies before New York Central acquired it in 1932. Passenger service ended in 1954 and the final freight return reached Kingston on October 2, 1976. Ulster County bought the 38-mile Kingston–Highmount segment in 1979, and Catskill Mountain Railroad was chartered in 1983. The present Kingston visitor operation grew from the 2008 City Shuttle and the 2012 reopening of Bridge C9. Service between Phoenicia and Mt. Tremper ended with the lease in 2016; current public rides depart Kingston rather than that former western terminal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Catskill Mountain Railroad depart?
Current public trains depart Westbrook Station at 55 Kingston Plaza Road, Kingston, New York. P.O. Box 1415 is the mailing address, not the boarding point.
Where does the train go?
The current general FAQ says trains run from Kingston toward Hurley Mountain and return. Current product pages describe Esopus Creek, Bridge C9, Hurley Flats, and Hurley Mountain; the exact itinerary can change.
How long is the ride?
Catskill Flyer and Ice Cream Express are about 90 minutes. Fall Foliage is about 75 minutes, Pumpkin Express about 90 minutes, and Polar is just over an hour onboard with roughly 90 minutes for the full experience.
Should I buy tickets in advance?
Yes. Tickets are date and time specific. The general FAQ says online prepaid sales normally remain available until the day before, while any day-of inventory is first come, first served.
How early should I arrive?
Polar Express requires about 45 minutes and starts boarding around 20 minutes early. No universal time is published for every other product, so follow the confirmation and allow parking and boarding margin.
Is parking free?
Yes. The operator describes plenty of free Kingston Plaza parking. Polar guidance also identifies designated spaces near the station for guests with mobility needs.
Is the train wheelchair accessible?
General trains can use a boarding ramp, but vintage equipment may require assistance. Polar has limited wheelchair and sensory seating and instructs guests to call 845-332-4854 before booking.
Are there restrooms onboard?
No. The current general and Polar pages both say there are no onboard restrooms. Portable restrooms are available at Westbrook Station.
Can I bring food or alcohol?
Small snacks and nonalcoholic drinks are allowed in outdoor cars, not enclosed coaches. Coolers and outside alcohol are prohibited. Product-specific treats are included on Ice Cream and Polar rides.
Can I bring a dog?
Only service dogs are welcome. Non-service dogs are prohibited under the published safety policy.
What happens in bad weather or if I cancel?
Trains normally run in bad weather. Sales are final and nonrefundable; with at least 48 hours notice the operator may issue a replacement ride in most cases. Operator weather cancellations receive a future exchange.
What future 2026 rides were source-checked?
The official site lists Catskill Flyer, Ice Cream, Princess, Superhero, Twilight, fall foliage, Pumpkin, and Polar Express after August 14. Passed Easter and Dinosaur dates and unsupported older products are not presented as upcoming.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 14, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official homepage for current 2026 product lineup, Kingston identity, seating choices, and official calendar path
- Official FAQ for current route, tickets, child fares, weather, seating, accessibility, service dogs, restrooms, food, and refund rules
- Official directions for the visitor address, phone, Kingston Plaza, and driving route
- Official contact page for mailing address, public email, phone, and correction path
- Official Catskill Flyer page for exact future summer dates, times, duration, route, seating, and regular fares
- Official Ice Cream Express page for future Sunday dates, included treat, duration, route, seating, and fares
- Official Princess, Superhero, and Twilight pages for remaining August character and evening programs
- Official Fall Foliage page for exact 2026 dates, departure patterns, eight-mile route, duration, seating, and fares
- Official Pumpkin Express page for exact 2026 dates, times, route, duration, pumpkin stop, and fares
- Official Polar Express page and FAQ for 2026 range, fares, arrival, assigned seating, access, food, parking, infant, restroom, and change policies
- Official equipment roster for locomotive and coach histories, operating claims, and stale-assignment caution
- Official history for the Ulster & Delaware corridor, county purchase, visitor operation, washouts, Kingston expansion, and 2016 terminal change
- Official organization page for employee ownership, lease relationship, reinvestment, and ticket-dependent preservation model
- Wikimedia Commons rights-cleared 2026 Kingston equipment and historical visitor media
