Delaware & Ulster Railroad: A History and Photographic Study

September 26, 2026 • Leave a Comment

The Ulster and Delaware Railroad had its founding roots with the Rondout and Oswego Railroad, chartered in 1866 by Thomas Cornell in order to provide a route for goods from mid-state beyond the Catskills to the Hudson River. By 1872 the Rondout and Oswego was bankrupt, but was reorganized as the New York, Kington and Syracuse Railroad. This railroad, in 1875, also went bankrupt. It was then reorganized yet again as the Ulster and Delaware Railroad.

The Ulster and Delaware Railroad proved to be very successful, opening up the central Catskills region for expanded tourism and providing easy access to the numerous boarding houses and hotels along the line. It also operated as a freight line, supporting the local agricultural, timber and bluestone industries in getting their products to market.

At its greatest extent, the railroad originated at Kingston Point, on the Hudson River, and followed much of what is today’s Route 28, passing through four counties (Ulster, Delaware, Schoharie and Otsego), ultimately connecting to its western terminus at Oneonta. The Ulster and Delaware Railroad was advertised as “The Only All-Rail Route to the Catskill Mountains.” At its peak, in 1913, the railroad carried 676,000 passengers along with a substantial amount of freight.

Eventually the rise of the automobile and changing vacation patterns led to a slow, steady decline in the Catskills railroad business, and by 1932 the Ulster and Delaware Railroad was acquired by New York Central. The line was then operated by New York Central until 1954, when passenger service ended.

Today, the spirit of the region’s great railroad era lives on with the Delaware and Ulster Railroad (DURR), based out of Arkville. Operating along a section of what was the Ulster & Delaware line, the tourist oriented DURR is a wonderfully scenic trip with the trains, rails and depot station all evoking memories of yester-year. Visit the DURR website at www.durr.org for more information.

Rip Van Winkle Flyer

The Rip Van Winkle Flyer is a charter train used by the DURR for special occasions and large tour groups. Travelers can take a scenic ride through the countryside as they feast on a delicious three course meal in one of the fully restored dining cars.

The Rip Van Winkle Flyer, with its unmistakable art deco appearance, consists of five cars including a 1948 Budd observation car (New York Central #61), a 1948 Budd Tavern Lounge car, a 1950 Pullman Standard dining car (known as East Branch), a 1948 Budd Vista Dome car (known as Olive Branch) and a Budd baggage/generator car.

Photograph of the Rip Van Winkle Flyer at the Delaware and Ulster Railroad in Arkville, New York.

Photograph of trains at the Delaware and Ulster Railroad in Arkville, New York.

DURR #5106

DURR #5106 was manufactured by the American Locomotive Company in August 1953. The locomotive was originally built as the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway #5106.

Photograph of trains at the Delaware and Ulster Railroad in Arkville, New York.

DURR #5017

DURR #5017 was manufactured by the American Locomotive Company in January 1963. The locomotive formerly operated as the Delaware & Hudson #5017.

Photograph of train 5017 at the Delaware and Ulster Railroad in Arkville, New York.

DURR #14

DURR #14, a saddle-tank steam locomotive, was manufactured by the H. K. Porter Company in 1920. It operated at the Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal (BEDT) for many years, and is one of five surviving BEDT locomotives. It was retired from service in 1966 and eventually made its way to the DURR at Arkville.

Photograph of trains at the Delaware and Ulster Railroad in Arkville, New York.