Catskill Mountain Railroad in Kingston, New York

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Kingston, New York · Updated October 19, 2026 · 11 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesThemed rides from spring through December

The Catskill Mountain Railroad is an employee-owned heritage railroad in Kingston that keeps trains running on the historic Ulster and Delaware corridor, the line that once carried bluestone, milk and summer vacationers between the Hudson Valley and the Catskills.

  • Running since 1982
  • Historic Ulster and Delaware corridor
  • Employee-owned railroad
  • Open-air flat car seating
  • Rides take about 90 minutes
  • No subsidies: tickets keep it running

Catskill Mountain Railroad at a glance

Hours
Departure times vary by event; many rides leave at 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm and 4 pm
Admission
Varies by event; Easter Bunny Express in 2026 was $25 adults, $19 ages 2 to 12, toddlers on a lap free
Train rides
Themed round trips from Westbrook Lane Station, about 90 minutes
Seasonal events
Easter Bunny Express, Catskill Flyer, Ice Cream Sundays, Steam to the Catskills, Catskill Fall Foliage Adventure, Pumpkin Express, The Polar Express
Plan for
About 90 minutes
Best for
Families with young children
Best ages
Ages 2 to 10
Accessibility
Tourism listings describe the railroad as accessible; call to confirm seating needs.

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Catskill Mountain Railroad? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Kingston.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Keeping the Ulster and Delaware rolling out of Kingston

The railroad's roots go back to the Rondout and Oswego Railroad, which started construction in 1868. The Ulster and Delaware took over in 1876 and pushed the line all the way to Oneonta by 1900. Its trains carried bluestone for New York City sidewalks and rushed dairy products from Catskill farms to the city, and as one of the first all-weather routes into the mountains, it brought vacationers by the thousands to grand hotels and boarding houses.

Between 1908 and 1912 the line hauled supplies to build the Ashokan Reservoir, and when the water rose, nearly 13 miles of track had to be moved. The New York Central bought the U&D in 1932 and made it the Catskill Mountain Branch. Passenger trains ended in 1954 after the last postal contract was cancelled, and the final Conrail freight ran on October 2, 1976.

Ulster County bought the tracks from the Penn Central estate in 1979, and the Catskill Mountain Railroad began running in 1982, leasing the line from the county continuously since 1983. Today it is owned by 69 current and former employees and their families. It takes no subsidies, so every operating dollar from tickets goes back into track, trains and the historic Kingston collection of equipment that keeps the corridor alive.

Flat cars, coaches and the run toward Hurley

Trains board at Westbrook Lane Station in the Kingston Plaza and run round trips through the Kingston and Hurley area on the former Ulster and Delaware route, out toward Hurley Mountain and back. You can sit in an open-air flat car, with the breeze and the view, or inside one of the coaches. The railroad leases a section of about 4.7 miles of the old Catskill Mountain Branch for its rides.

Most trips are themed. Spring brings the Easter Bunny Express with an egg hunt, summer adds rides such as the Catskill Flyer, Ice Cream Sundays and Steam to the Catskills, and fall and winter bring the Catskill Fall Foliage Adventure, the Pumpkin Express and The Polar Express. A typical ride takes about 90 minutes from boarding to return.

Don’t miss

  1. The open-air flat carsRiding outside on a flat car is the best way to see the Esopus valley country and hear the train.
  2. The Ulster and Delaware corridorThe rails you ride were part of the line that carried bluestone, milk and vacationers out of the Catskills for most of a century.
  3. The Catskill Fall Foliage AdventureRunning September through October, it is the railroad's leaf-season ride.
  4. The Pumpkin ExpressAn October family ride that runs on select fall weekends.
  5. The Polar ExpressThe railroad's November and December holiday ride, where kids are invited to wear pajamas.

Egg hunts, pumpkins and pajama trains

This railroad's calendar is built for families. On the Easter Bunny Express, kids meet the Easter Bunny and join an egg hunt before the train heads back to Kingston. In October the Pumpkin Express runs on select weekends, and in November and December The Polar Express invites kids to come in their pajamas.

Rides last about 90 minutes, a manageable length for young children. Toddlers under two ride free on a lap for events such as the Easter Bunny Express, and riders can choose a coach seat if the open-air flat car is too breezy.

Plan your visit: tips for Catskill Mountain Railroad

  • Board at Westbrook Lane Station, 55 Kingston Plaza Road, Kingston.
  • Choose open-air flat car or coach seating to suit the weather.
  • Allow about 90 minutes for the full ride.
  • Buy tickets ahead; they are sold online by event.

Fall and winter are the busiest seasons in Kingston. The Pumpkin Express runs on select October weekends, and The Polar Express follows in November and December, with kids invited to ride in their pajamas. For more family rides around the state, see our guides to New York Christmas train rides and New York Halloween train rides.

Employee-owned and ticket-funded

The railroad belongs to 69 current and former employees and their families, and it calls itself a community service organization dedicated to the old Ulster and Delaware. It leases its track from Ulster County, takes no subsidies and reinvests all operating profits in the corridor and its trains, so the simplest way to help is to buy a ticket and ride.

More rail history around Kingston

The Trolley Museum of New York is only about 2 miles away on the Kingston waterfront. Heading into the mountains, the Empire State Railway Museum in Phoenicia is about 18 miles, and the Delaware & Ulster Railroad in Arkville about 28 miles. See all New York train museums.

Every train museum in New York

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi dreaming about his toy turtle, green bone and yellow ball
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

The Polar Express here asks kids to ride in their pajamas, which made me laugh, because packing is a big deal in our house. In our book, Rally gets ready for his train ride by packing his turtle toy, his green bone and his yellow ball. My kids now insist on packing their own little bags for any trip, even a 90-minute one.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Catskill Mountain Railroad?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Catskill Mountain Railroad: 20 questions families ask

Where is the Catskill Mountain Railroad?

The Catskill Mountain Railroad boards at Westbrook Lane Station in the Kingston Plaza, 55 Kingston Plaza Road, Kingston, NY 12401. Trains run round trips through the Kingston and Hurley area on the former Ulster and Delaware Railroad line. Its mailing address is P.O. Box 1415, Kingston, NY 12401.

What is Westbrook Lane Station?

Westbrook Lane Station is the Catskill Mountain Railroad's boarding station, located in the Kingston Plaza at 55 Kingston Plaza Road, Kingston. Themed rides depart from here and return here, so this is the address to use in your GPS. Some older tourism listings mention other Kingston locations, so go by the railroad's own website.

How much are Catskill Mountain Railroad tickets?

Prices vary by event. For the 2026 Easter Bunny Express, tickets were $25 for adults, $19 for children ages 2 to 12, $23 for seniors, military and veterans, and free for toddlers under two on a lap. Check catskillmountainrailroad.com for current prices on each ride.

Are there Catskill Mountain Railroad ticket discounts?

The railroad offers a discount adult price for seniors, military and veterans on events such as the Easter Bunny Express, and toddlers under two riding on a lap are free. The railroad does not advertise coupon or Groupon deals, so check the railroad's site or call (845) 332-4854.

What is the Catskill Mountain Railroad schedule?

The railroad runs themed rides on a seasonal schedule rather than every day. Many events depart at 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm and 4 pm. As of October 2026, the Catskill Fall Foliage Adventure runs September to October, the Pumpkin Express on October 17 and 18 and 24 and 25, and The Polar Express in November and December.

How long is the Catskill Mountain Railroad ride?

Plan on about 90 minutes for the complete train ride experience, which is the time the railroad gives for events such as the Easter Bunny Express. Trains run from Kingston out toward Hurley Mountain and back, so you return to the same station.

Does the Catskill Mountain Railroad run The Polar Express?

Yes. The Polar Express runs in November and December, and kids are encouraged to wear their pajamas. It is one of the railroad's most popular rides, so buy tickets early through catskillmountainrailroad.com. For questions, email info@catskillmountainrailroad.com or call (845) 332-4854.

What do riders say about the Catskill Mountain Railroad Polar Express?

The holiday ride is one of the railroad's most searched events, and families often plan around it each winter. For the latest on what the ride includes, run times and seating, read the event page on catskillmountainrailroad.com before buying, and choose a time that fits your child's bedtime.

Does the Catskill Mountain Railroad have a fall foliage ride?

Yes. The Catskill Fall Foliage Adventure runs from September through October on the old Ulster and Delaware line. Open-air flat cars are a good choice for leaf watching on a mild day. Tickets and dates are on the railroad's website.

Does the Catskill Mountain Railroad have a Halloween or pumpkin train?

Yes. The Pumpkin Express is the railroad's October family ride, running in 2026 on October 17 and 18 and October 24 and 25. The railroad does not advertise a separate haunted ride, so check the website for any evening fall events.

Is there an Easter train at the Catskill Mountain Railroad?

Yes. On the Easter Bunny Express, passengers visit with the Easter Bunny and join an Easter egg hunt before returning to Kingston. In 2026 it ran March 28 and 29 and April 4, departing at 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm and 4 pm, with about 90 minutes for the full experience.

Does the Catskill Mountain Railroad have an ice cream train?

A tourism listing names Ice Cream Sundays among the railroad's summer rides, alongside the Catskill Flyer and Steam to the Catskills. Summer dates and details change each year, so check the events on catskillmountainrailroad.com or follow the railroad on Facebook for the season's lineup.

Does the Catskill Mountain Railroad run a Dinosaur Express?

The railroad does not currently list a Dinosaur Express, though people do search for one. The railroad's themed rides change from year to year, so check the upcoming rides on catskillmountainrailroad.com or call (845) 332-4854 to ask what is on this season's calendar.

Can I bring a bike on the Catskill Mountain Railroad?

The railroad does not post details about bikes on the train. The railroad says it is dedicated to preserving the Ulster and Delaware corridor for all-season recreational use, so call (845) 332-4854 or email info@catskillmountainrailroad.com to ask about bikes before you go.

Where do I park for the Catskill Mountain Railroad?

Trains board at Westbrook Lane Station in the Kingston Plaza shopping center, 55 Kingston Plaza Road. The railroad's site does not spell out parking rules, so check its directions link or call (845) 332-4854 before a busy holiday ride.

What kind of seats are on the Catskill Mountain Railroad?

Riders can sit on open-air flat cars or inside the coaches. The flat cars are great on warm days and for fall color, while the coaches are better on cold or rainy days. If you have a preference, check the seating options when you buy tickets.

Is the Catskill Mountain Railroad good for toddlers?

Yes. Rides last about 90 minutes, and events like the Easter Bunny Express, Pumpkin Express and The Polar Express are designed for young children. Toddlers under two can ride free on a lap at events such as the Easter Bunny Express.

What is the history of the Catskill Mountain Railroad line?

The line began as the Rondout and Oswego in 1868, became the Ulster and Delaware in 1876, and reached Oneonta by 1900. The New York Central bought it in 1932. Passenger service ended in 1954 and the last freight ran in 1976. Ulster County bought the tracks in 1979, and the railroad began running in 1982.

Who owns the Catskill Mountain Railroad?

The railroad is employee-owned by 69 current and former employees and their families, and it leases its track from Ulster County, which has leased the line to it since 1983. It receives no subsidies, so ticket sales pay for operations, track maintenance and the trains themselves.

What else is near the Catskill Mountain Railroad?

The Trolley Museum of New York is about 2 miles away in Kingston. The Empire State Railway Museum in Phoenicia is about 18 miles, and the Delaware and Ulster Railroad in Arkville about 28 miles, so a Catskills rail weekend is easy to plan from Kingston.

Keep exploring

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