Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad in Milford, New York

Written By Kelsey Cecil

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

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesSeasonal scenic and themed excursions; check the website for dates

The Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad is a volunteer-run heritage line near Cooperstown, where 1950s diesels pull Lackawanna, Norfolk and Western and Delaware and Hudson coaches through the upper Susquehanna River Valley from a restored 1869 depot.

  • Railroad built in 1869
  • Restored 1869 Milford Depot
  • Two MLW and two ALCO 1950s diesels
  • Crosses the Susquehanna twice
  • Volunteer-run nonprofit
  • D&H 160-ton Big Hook crane

Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad at a glance

Hours
Train dates vary by season; see Upcoming Train Rides on the website
Admission
Tickets sold online; a travel listing puts fares at about $22 to $37
Train rides
Scenic and themed excursions along the Susquehanna from Milford
Best for
Families and diesel fans visiting the Cooperstown area
Best ages
Ages 3 and up
Accessibility
Depot has wheelchair access; wheelchairs limited to 24 inches wide; historic cars are not ADA compliant.

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley 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 Milford.

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.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

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

An 1869 river railroad kept alive by volunteers

The Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley was built in 1869 to serve the upper Susquehanna River Valley, in a corner of New York where the railroad was once the main way to move people and goods. The depot at Milford went up the same year, and it has since been restored to serve as the line's home base and a small museum of railroad history.

Today the railroad is run by the Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society, a nonprofit educational corporation, and Wikipedia notes that the Leatherstocking Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society has operated it since 1996. Volunteers do the work, from answering messages to running trains and restoring equipment.

Much of what they care for comes from the Delaware and Hudson, the railroad that once dominated this region. The roster includes a 1907 D&H boxcar that was turned into a wooden cupola caboose in 1942, several D&H bay window and wide vision cabooses, a 1926 160-ton Big Hook wrecking crane, a 1956 Jordan spreader and a 1937 tank car. Several pieces are under restoration in Milford, and some, like a wooden boxcar damaged in a 2017 vandal fire, are waiting their turn.

Along the Susquehanna on 1950s diesels

Trips start at the restored Milford Depot, where you can look through exhibits and displays on railroad history before boarding. The train is pulled by one of the railroad's 1950s diesels, two MLW S-series switchers and two ALCO S4s, and the passenger cars come from the Norfolk and Western, the Lackawanna and the Delaware and Hudson, with standard and premium coach seats and seats at tables.

Out on the line, the train crosses the Susquehanna River twice on steel truss bridges and runs through forests, wetlands and rolling farms. The railroad offers both scenic excursions and themed rides. Around the Milford yard you can spot the line's cabooses and work equipment, including pieces that volunteers are restoring.

Don’t miss

  1. The Milford DepotBuilt in 1869 and beautifully restored, it holds the railroad's exhibits on local rail history.
  2. The two steel truss bridgesThe train crosses the Susquehanna River twice, the scenic heart of the ride.
  3. The ALCO S4 and MLW dieselsFour 1950s switchers keep the trains rolling and are a draw for diesel fans.
  4. D&H Big Hook crane 30021A 160-ton wrecking crane built by Bay City in 1926, the kind of machine that cleared wrecks on the Delaware and Hudson.
  5. D&H caboose 35707RBuilt as a boxcar in 1907 and converted to a wooden cupola caboose in 1942, it is being restored in Milford.

Bridges, cabooses and a ride by the river

Kids can watch for the two river crossings, spot cabooses in the Milford yard and ride in vintage coaches pulled by 1950s diesels. Table seating makes snacks easier on the train, and the depot exhibits give a short stop before or after the ride.

Some of the equipment is about 100 years old and cannot be made ADA compliant. The depot has wheelchair access, but wheelchairs must be no more than 24 inches wide for the depot access and on the train, so note your needs when you buy tickets.

Plan your visit: tips for Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad

  • Message the railroad on Facebook for the fastest reply; the office phone is not regularly monitored.
  • Note any wheelchair needs when buying tickets.
  • Choose standard, premium or table seating when you book.
  • Most public trains leave from the Milford depot on East Main Street (Route 166).

The Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society

The railroad is run by the Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational corporation, and its volunteers handle everything from Facebook messages to caboose restoration. Riding the train is the best way to support them, and you can also reach the society about membership or volunteering by email or at PO Box 681, Oneonta, NY 13820.

More Catskills and Hudson Valley rail

The Delaware & Ulster Railroad in Arkville is about 39 miles away, and the Empire State Railway Museum in Phoenicia about 48 miles. The Catskill Mountain Railroad in Kingston is about 65 miles. Browse every train museum in New York.

Every train museum in New York

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi looking out an arched train window at the ocean and a white bird
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

This little railroad crosses the Susquehanna twice, and I can picture kids pressing close to the glass on each bridge. In our book, Rally sits at an arched window watching the water and says hello to a white bird flying alongside. Rivers, oceans, it doesn't matter to a corgi. Any water outside a train window is worth a happy wiggle.

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 Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley 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.

Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad: 20 rider questions

Where is the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad?

Most public trains leave from the restored Milford depot at 136 East Main Street (State Route 166), Milford, NY 13807, south of Cooperstown. The railroad runs along the upper Susquehanna River Valley. Its mailing address is PO Box 681, Oneonta, NY 13820.

What is the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad schedule?

The railroad posts its upcoming train rides on cooperstowntrain.com and its Facebook page, rather than a fixed daily timetable. It runs seasonal scenic and themed excursions. Check the website for this season's dates and departure times before you plan your trip to Milford.

How much are Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad tickets?

Tickets are sold through the Book Tickets link on cooperstowntrain.com, where current prices are listed by trip. A third-party travel listing puts fares at roughly $22 to $37, depending on the ride and seating. Premium coach and table seats may cost more than standard coach.

What will I see on the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad?

The train runs through the upper Susquehanna River Valley, crossing the river twice on steel truss bridges and passing forests, wetlands and rolling farms. Before the ride you can browse railroad history exhibits in the restored 1869 Milford Depot. Give yourself a few minutes at the depot before the train leaves.

Is there a map of the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad route?

The railroad does not post a route map online. The line runs from Milford along the upper Susquehanna River, and equipment is also stored at Cooperstown Junction. Ask the railroad on Facebook or by email at contact@cooperstowntrain.com for a map of the current excursion route.

What locomotives does the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad use?

The railroad runs 1950s diesels: two MLW S-series switchers and two ALCO S4s. They pull passenger cars from the Norfolk and Western, the Lackawanna and the Delaware and Hudson. Diesel fans will want to check the website or Facebook to see which unit is assigned to a given trip.

What is on the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad roster?

Besides four diesels and its passenger cars, the roster lists D&H cabooses including wooden cupola car 35707R and wide vision cars 35794 and 35796, an Erie-Lackawanna bay window caboose, a 1926 D&H 160-ton Big Hook crane, a 1956 Jordan spreader, side dump cars and several boxcars.

What seats are on the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad?

The passenger fleet offers standard coach seats, premium coach seats and seats at tables. Tables are handy for families who want to spread out with snacks or a card game during the ride along the river. Pick your seating type when you book through the Book Tickets link on the railroad's website.

When was the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad built?

The railroad was built in 1869 to serve the upper Susquehanna River Valley, and the Milford Depot dates from the same year. That makes the line more than 150 years old. Today it runs scenic and themed excursions along the river.

Who operates the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad?

The railroad is operated by the Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational corporation run by volunteers. Wikipedia notes that the Leatherstocking Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society has operated the line since 1996. Volunteers crew the trains and restore the equipment.

How do I contact the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad?

The fastest way is to message the railroad on Facebook, where messages reach several volunteers at once. You can also email contact@cooperstowntrain.com, which is checked regularly during the week. The office phone, (607) 432-2429, is not regularly monitored. Replies come from volunteers, so allow a little time.

Is the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad wheelchair accessible?

Partly. Some equipment is about 100 years old and cannot be brought up to ADA compliance, but the railroad says it makes every accommodation it can. The depot has wheelchair access, and wheelchairs must be 24 inches wide or less there and on the train. Note wheelchair needs when buying tickets.

Is the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad good for kids?

Yes, especially for kids who like bridges, rivers and cabooses. The train crosses the Susquehanna twice, the coaches have table seating, and the Milford yard has cabooses and work equipment to spot. Themed rides are posted on the website and Facebook page.

Does the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad run holiday trains?

The railroad offers themed excursions in addition to scenic rides, but it does not name specific holiday trains online ahead of the season. Watch the Upcoming Train Rides section on cooperstowntrain.com and the railroad's Facebook page for this season's themed trips.

Is there a museum at the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad?

Yes, in a small way. The beautifully restored 1869 Milford Depot holds a variety of exhibits and displays on railroad history that visitors can view before or after their ride. Equipment in the Milford yard adds to the picture. It makes a good stop before boarding.

What is the Big Hook at the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad?

The Big Hook is D&H crane 30021, a 160-ton wrecking crane built by Bay City in 1926, the type of machine railroads used to clear wrecks and lift heavy loads. It is kept with two D&H gondolas that traveled with it.

Where should I park for the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad?

The railroad does not describe parking at the Milford depot online. Use 136 East Main Street, Milford (also listed as 136 Route 166) for navigation, and message the railroad on Facebook if you need parking details for a group or large vehicle.

Can I see photos of the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad?

The railroad's Facebook page, linked from cooperstowntrain.com, is the best place to see current photos of trains, the depot and restoration work. Its website also has equipment pages for the diesels, passenger cars and freight equipment. Volunteers there can answer questions about what you see.

How can I volunteer with the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad?

The railroad is run by volunteers of the Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society, who handle train crews, equipment restoration in Milford and visitor messages. Message the railroad on Facebook or email contact@cooperstowntrain.com to ask about membership and volunteering, and mention any skills you can bring.

What other train rides are near the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad?

The Delaware and Ulster Railroad in Arkville is about 39 miles away, the Empire State Railway Museum in Phoenicia about 48 miles, and the Catskill Mountain Railroad in Kingston about 65 miles. The Saratoga Corinth and Hudson Railway is about 72 miles away.

Keep exploring

More family train guides from Rally

Kelsey Cecil
Previous

Santa Fe Depot (Lawrence Station), Kansas
Next

Nashua Heritage Rail Trail, New Hampshire