Delaware & Ulster Railroad
4.3· 304 Google reviews
At a Glance
- TypeHeritage railroad & tourist attraction
- LocationNY
- Rating4.3 ★304 Google reviews
- UpcomingSat, Aug 15
About Delaware & Ulster Railroad
Scenic excursions depart from the Arkville depot, threading historic NYO&W right‑of‑way through the Catskill Mountains. The signature five‑car Budd “Rip Van Winkle Flyer” carries guests on Twilight Limited dinner trains, fall‑foliage tours, Halloween runs and the Polar Express, while the regular consist, powered by former Delaware & Hudson ALCo RS‑36 #5017, traverses the restored Highmount‑Arkville segment. Operations showcase restored vintage rolling stock amid the region’s rugged, forested landscape.
Plan Your Visit
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance · accessible restroom · accessible parking
- HoursMonday: ClosedTuesday: ClosedWednesday: ClosedThursday: ClosedFriday: ClosedSaturday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PMSunday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Find the Depot
The Trains
The Delaware & Ulster Railroad runs its scenic excursions from the Arkville depot westward along the former Ulster and Delaware line, now a 45‑mile (72 km) standard‑gauge corridor that stretches between Highmount and Bloomville and currently carries passenger trains east out of Arkville toward Fleischmanns. Its regular consist is pulled by former Delaware & Hudson #5017, an Alco RS‑36 built in January 1963, and includes two flatcars plus three ex‑Pennsylvania Railroad MP‑54 coaches numbered 441, 444 and 447 painted in New York Central livery. The railroad’s flagship five‑car Budd streamliner, the Rip Van Winkle Flyer, pairs the observation car (ex‑NYC #61, 1948), tavern lounge (ex‑Minneapolis & St. Louis #52, 1948), dining car (ex‑ACL #5936, 1950), vista dome (ex‑MP #891, 1948) and a baggage/generator car formerly of the ATSF, while additional motive power includes Alco S‑4 #1012 (ex‑Ford Motor Company, December 1954), Alco S‑4 #5106 (ex‑C&O, August 1953), GE 44‑ton #76 (ex‑Western Maryland, August 1943) and EMD NW2 #116 (ex‑NYO & W, June 1948).
History
See full history
The Delaware & Ulster Railroad begins operation in 1983 as a tourist line after the Catskill Revitalization Corporation acquires the former Ulster and Delaware right‑of‑way from Penn Central in 1980 for $770,000. The line’s heritage traces back to the last regularly scheduled passenger service over the former U & D tracks, which ran on March 31 1954, and to the final freight movements under Conrail on September 26 1976 (return trip October 2 1976) after Penn Central transferred ownership to Conrail on April 1 1976. Ownership of the corridor passed from the New York Central to Penn Central in 1968, and the track was cut back to Bloomville in July 1965 to accommodate Interstate 88 construction. A major washout caused by Hurricane Irene on August 28 2011 forced a suspension that lasted until service resumed in May 2012, and the Highmount‑Arkville segment was reopened on October 3 2013. The 2020 operating season is cancelled because of the COVID‑19 pandemic; although restrictions ease by early 2022, track conditions keep the railroad closed until an April 2025 announcement of ongoing repairs leads to the resumption of passenger excursions in September 2025.
Around the Depot
Rail City Historical MuseumMuseum·★ 4.6 (115)16 miView →
Empire State Railway MuseumMuseum·★ 4.6 (115)16 miView →
Ontario & Western Railway MuseumMuseum·★ 4.6 (13)20 miView →
Leatherstocking NRHS ChapterTrain Ride·★ 4.7 (32)32 miView →
Catskill Mountain RailroadTrain Ride·★ 4.2 (1178)34 miView →
The Trolley Museum of New YorkTrain Ride·★ 4.3 (143)36 miView →Catskill Water Discovery CenterMuseum<1 miDirections →Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
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Tours & Activities Nearby
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
Browse nearby tours →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Delaware & Ulster Railroad located?
Delaware & Ulster Railroad is located in NY.
How do I get tickets to Delaware & Ulster Railroad?
Tickets and current schedules are available on the operator's official website at https://durr.org/.
When is the next event at Delaware & Ulster Railroad?
The next scheduled event is "Scenic Train Rides" on Saturday, August 15, 2026. See the full upcoming-events list on this page.