KINGSTON- The Catskill Mountain Railroad (CMRR) is beginning its 40th season of operation and last year the railroad carried a total of 46,745 passengers, making 2022 its busiest year to date.
The CMRR is one of the major tourist attractions in the area, and officials at the railroad report that 87 percent of customers come from outside of Ulster County, and the economic impact on the Kingston and Ulster County area is at least $4.7 million. The railroad is also a growing employer, hiring 74 people in 2022. Job descriptions range from track repair, train operations, ticketing, and gift shop employment.
For 2023, the railroad’s planning committee has recently released its newly revised 2023 Basin Road Plan. This proposed extension of the railroad’s operation will add an additional two miles to its present ride with a new train terminus and station to connect Kingston with the Ashokan Rail Trail. Customers will be able to ride the train from Kingston to access the rail trail and then return on a later train. The train will also accommodate bicycles on board for those who want to bike on the rail trail.
For more information visit catskillmountainrailroad.com.
