KINGSTON – The Catskill Mountain Railroad set a ridership record in 2023 with 51,610 passengers taking to the rails. The Polar Express, the railroad’s most popular themed ride, alone accounted for 31,589 riders with an average of 400 passengers per train.
The railroad was also named the Best Tourist Attraction of 2023 by the Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce and the great majority of riders, 86.5 percent, were visitors from outside of Ulster County. In addition to the Polar Express, themed train rides including the Easter Bunny Express, the Catskill Summer Flyer, the Twilight Limited, and Fall Foliage rides rounded out the year’s offerings.
According to Catskill Mountain Railroad officials, the 44,657 riders who came from outside the county yielded a significant economic benefit to the region totaling $5.3 million. In addition, the direct operation of the railroad produces $1.7 million of economic benefit to the region.
This year, the railroad hopes to work with county officials to obtain permission to extend the ride another 1.7 miles to the Ashokan Reservoir at Basin Road. The railroad plans to fund the expansion and has already signed a long-term lease with a local landowner for a future terminal at Basin Road. The lease includes the right to put a parallel bike trail next to the tracks which the railroad hopes eventually will become a bicycle trail.
