Arkville, NY
Delaware & Ulster Railroad
4.3· 304 Google reviews
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-14- TypeNonprofit Western Catskills scenic railroad and rail-preservation program
- LocationArkville, NY
- Rating4.3 ★304 Google reviews
- UpcomingSat, Sep 26
- Typical rideThe current scenic round trip is about 45 minutes
About Delaware & Ulster Railroad
Delaware & Ulster Railroad resumed public scenic service from Arkville on July 4, 2026 after a COVID-era shutdown and restoration period. Its current live catalog is intentionally simple: a 45-minute round trip west from Arkville toward Halcottsville, following the East Branch Delaware River, with a choice of historic coach or open-air seating. The official site and current FareHarbor listing show Saturday service through October 31; after August 14, twelve Saturday dates remain. The selected live ticket controls capacity, fare, departure time, seating choice, and any operating change.
Choose Your Delaware & Ulster Railroad Experience
Choose the visit that fits your groupFirst-time visitors, families, and railfans who want the current public ride
Scenic Train Rides
A 45-minute Arkville round trip toward Halcottsville with historic-coach or open-air seating. Twelve official Saturdays remain after August 14 through October 31.
Schools, clubs, coach groups, celebrations, and organizers willing to confirm a custom plan directly
Group or private-train inquiry
The FAQ offers an advance discount for qualifying groups of 20 or more, while the charter page invites larger private events. Because the charter copy retains older offerings, confirm the current consist, route, capacity, fare, food, and access terms before planning.
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
- SeasonCurrent official inventory lists Saturdays through October 31, 2026. After August 14, the remaining dates are August 15, 22, and 29; September 5, 12, 19, and 26; and October 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31
- Trip LengthThe current scenic round trip is about 45 minutes
- ParkingGeneral parking is in the lower field, a short walk from the station. A small number of closer depot spaces are reserved for visitors with mobility needs
- AccessibilityArkville boarding is step-free, but the historic passenger cars are not ADA-compliant and other railroad surfaces or steps can be difficult. Riders using wheelchairs or mobility devices must arrange their own helper or helpers and should contact the stationmaster in advance
- WeatherTrains normally run on rainy and early-season snowy days. Check the official site or call 845-586-3877 during severe weather or an announced operating change
- RestroomsRestrooms are available at Arkville Station. The current FAQ says there are no restrooms onboard the scenic train
- RouteTrains depart Arkville and run west toward Halcottsville along part of the East Branch Delaware River corridor before returning. The selected excursion does not reach every historic Ulster & Delaware town
- ArrivePlan to arrive at Arkville Station 20–30 minutes before departure. Groups and riders requesting mobility planning should use the larger margin
- Departure TimesThe live August 15 inventory showed four departures at 10:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3:45 p.m. Times can vary by date; use the selected FareHarbor ticket rather than treating that pattern as universal
- TicketsAdvance online reservations are strongly recommended because a departure can sell out. The official FAQ says booking ahead also helps the train leave on time
- PricingThe current FareHarbor item displays a $15–$25 price range. The selected date, fare type, and seating choice control the final price and availability
- SeatingCurrent tickets offer a historic enclosed coach or open-air car. Seats are not assigned; book together and arrive together if a group wants the best chance of sitting together
- ClimateOpen-air seating follows outdoor temperature and weather. Historic coaches should not be assumed to have modern climate control unless the selected ticket explicitly says so
- NarrationThe regular trip is not formally narrated. Crew members may point out scenes and answer questions, and the station or train crew may have a trip guide
- FoodThe current terms permit food and drink in small coolers on an excursion. Follow crew instructions and do not import older dining-car language into the regular scenic ticket
- PetsService dogs are accommodated on all trains. Other dogs are permitted only in open-air seating, on leash, and at the owner’s liability
- CancellationRefunds are subject to a 10% service charge and possible card fees. If the railroad cancels, it offers rebooking or a refund less ticketing fees; contact the stationmaster about a requested change
- GroupsThe FAQ publishes a discount for groups of 20 or more paying full adult fare with an advance group reservation. The charter page also invites larger private-group inquiries but retains older program copy, so confirm every current option and price directly
- ContactCall 845-586-3877 or email station@durr.org. For mobility planning, the terms page also publishes stationmaster@durr.org
Find the Depot
The Trains
The current public item promises a choice between a historic coach and an open-air car but does not publish a dependable 2026 locomotive or passenger-car roster. The operator’s older train and charter pages describe a 1940s streamliner, dining opportunities, a red caboose, simulated robberies, music events, and occasional coal-burning locomotives; those pages retain dated and future-tense material and are not evidence that any of those products or equipment assignments are included with the current scenic ticket. Gallery images are dated historical context, and the railroad can substitute equipment.
History
The Ulster & Delaware predecessor story began with a railroad founded to reach through the Catskills.
The last commercial train ran through this Catskills corridor.
The Delaware & Ulster Rail Ride began offering visitor excursions from Arkville.
Catskill Revitalization Corporation formally incorporated as a tax-exempt nonprofit.
During the 1990s, CRC converted the Roxbury–Bloomville portion into the Catskill Scenic Trail while preserving the Highmount–Roxbury railroad section.
Public train operation stopped amid COVID-19 and needed railroad restoration.
Scenic Saturday trains returned from Arkville on July 4.
See full history
The operator traces this corridor to the Ulster & Delaware, founded in 1866 and eventually running from Kingston Point through the Catskills to Oneonta with multiple branches and railroad connections. Passenger tourism, farms, creameries, coal, stone, ice, and wood products all supported the route. After the last commercial train in 1976, a local rail committee worked to save the corridor, launching the Delaware & Ulster Rail Ride in 1983. Catskill Revitalization Corporation formally incorporated as a nonprofit in 1986 and now manages both the 19-mile preserved railroad area from Highmount to Roxbury and the 26-mile Catskill Scenic Trail from Roxbury to Bloomville. Public operation ended in 2020 amid COVID-19 and restoration needs; Saturday scenic rides returned from Arkville on July 4, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Delaware & Ulster Railroad depart?
Current public trains depart Arkville Station at 43510 State Highway 28, Arkville, New York 12406.
Is Delaware & Ulster Railroad running in 2026?
Yes. Public scenic trains resumed July 4, 2026. After August 14, current official inventory lists twelve Saturdays through October 31.
How long is the ride and where does it go?
The current round trip is about 45 minutes, running west from Arkville toward Halcottsville along part of the East Branch Delaware River corridor before returning.
How early should I arrive?
Arrive 20–30 minutes before departure. Use the larger margin for a group or a mobility-planning request.
Should I reserve in advance?
Yes. The official FAQ strongly recommends advance booking because a departure can sell out and reservations support on-time departure.
Is parking available?
Yes. General parking is in a lower field a short walk from the depot. A small number of closer spaces are reserved for visitors with mobility needs.
Is the train wheelchair accessible?
Arkville boarding is step-free, but the historic cars do not meet current ADA standards and other surfaces or steps can be difficult. Contact the stationmaster in advance and arrange any necessary helper or helpers.
Are there restrooms onboard?
No. The current FAQ says restrooms are available at Arkville Station but not onboard the scenic train.
Can I choose enclosed or open-air seating?
The current FareHarbor item offers historic-coach and open-air choices. Availability and final fare depend on the selected departure.
Can I bring a dog?
Service dogs are accommodated on all trains. Other dogs are permitted only in open-air seating, on leash, and at the owner’s liability.
Is the ride narrated?
Not as a formal narration. Crew may point out scenes, answer questions, and provide a trip guide when available.
What happens if weather is bad or plans change?
Trains generally run in rain and early-season snow. Refunds are subject to a 10% service charge and possible card fees; an operator cancellation receives rebooking or a refund less ticketing fees.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 14, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official homepage for current every-Saturday 2026 service, public contact, nonprofit relationship, and trail connection
- Official FAQ for 2026 restart, arrival, duration, parking, restrooms, dogs, weather, booking, boarding, address, narration, and group discount
- Official About page for Ulster & Delaware history, 2020 shutdown, restoration need, and July 4, 2026 return
- Official directions for the Arkville entrance, driving approaches, parking area, and public phone
- Official contact page and site footer for the physical station, general email, phone, and contact path
- Official terms for nonprofit identity, historic-car limitations, mobility planning, seating, food, service dogs, weather, refunds, and substitutions
- Official CRC background for the 1976 last commercial train, 1983 visitor launch, 1986 nonprofit, preserved railroad, and Catskill Scenic Trail
- Official charter page for current inquiry path and the dated-program caution
- Operator-linked FareHarbor catalog for the sole current Scenic Train Rides item, live future Saturdays, selected-date times, fare range, duration, route, and seating choices
- Wikimedia Commons rights-cleared Delaware & Ulster excursion and Ulster & Delaware corridor media
