The Arkville Station is considered a historic site. The plaque states the Ulster & Delaware RR Hub, spurred tourism, NYC trade also served Delaware & northern RR 1907-1942.
The lounge cart on the Delaware & Ulster tourist train ride which is open weekends for the summer months.
By Mary A. Crisafulli
ARKVILLE—After a four-year hiatus caused by the global pandemic, the Delaware & Ulster Railroad (DURR) will load guests again starting Mother's Day weekend. Offerings include a picturesque afternoon tea at 12 p.m. or a dinner ride at 5 p.m. with food and drinks provided by Mornings, a Korean café in Arkville. Scenic train rides are also available at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., where guests have the option of sitting in an open-air cart. The train, which takes off in Arkville, will travel along tracks into Fleischmanns and back, and will run every weekend for the summer season.
The tourist ride was once known as Delaware County's top attraction, and it has been a long road getting it back and running. The Catskill Revitalization Corporation (CRC), a non-profit that operates DURR, received a grant in 2018 to reactivate tracks between Arkville and Highmount near Belleayre Ski Mountain. This was the train's original route in the 1980s, said CRC President Todd Pascarella. "Due to Covid and other delays," said Pascarella, "We are finally finishing up this project this year so that the train will be able to travel from Arkville to Highmount again."
CRC hired Stephen Lane and his company to help restore the railroad. Lane, a train enthusiast and expert, has worked on several rehabilitative railroad projects. As a contractor repairing the DURR tracks, Lane offered to help in other aspects and took on the Conductor role.
"Stephen has helped tremendously in restoring the passenger cars and train station to usable condition," said Pascarella.
Lane has many plans for the tourist attraction, including swivel chairs and other updated items. He hopes to work with several local restaurants to serve new meal options weekly. For now, Lane is hopeful for a successful opening weekend. Adorned with his conductor's hat, Lane was clearly enthusiastic about the project. "I have loved trains since I was young," he noted.
Mornings' owners, Christina and Eric Kim, were also excited to support another local business and tourist draw. "We just would love to see another business thrive here," said Christina. They will be serving enticing options for the tea train, including Miso carrot cake cookies, honey butter scones, Korean egg apple salad on milk bread, and more. Dinner guests can expect a full three-course meal.
“It has been a far longer, more costly, and more challenging process to get the railroad back up and running than anyone imagined, and it would not have happened at all without the tremendously hard work of many people, and the generosity and support from our incredible community here in Delaware County," Pascarella concluded. CRC has also received support in the form of grants from the New York State Department of Transportation, Delaware County, Catskill Watershed Corporation, and the O'Connor Foundation.
For more information on the train or to purchase tickets, visit durr.org. For more on café Mornings' offerings, follow them on Instagram @cafe_mornings or visit their website at cafemornings.com.
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