KINGSTON AND BEYOND Catskill Mountain Railroad s Kingston operations have steadily grown since restoring passenger service in 2008. The ride was recently extended to Route 209 near Hurley.
OVERVIEW OF OUR KINGSTON OPERATIONS The CMRR s Kingston passenger service was initially run to Washington Avenue in 2008, and extended to the C9 Bridge in 2009. In 2012, service began across the bridge, and was extended by 4/10 mile to Route 209 in September 2013. Due to the short ride, the train is considered a theme train. With the addition of an allweather coach for Kingston in 2013, the service will be able to run year-round, which the CMRR plans for 2014. 74% of our Kingston Limited train riders come from outside Kingston, and 44% from outside Ulster County. The economic impact of bringing tourists into Kingston now adds over $400,000 to the City of Kingston, and is expected to reach $1 million or more by the time we reach West Hurley. Themed Trains From Memorial Day Weekend until the end of August, CMRR runs its themed trains including the popular Lollipop Express, Teddy Bear Train, as well as charity fundraiser events for the Ulster County SPCA and the Empire State Railway Museum. The CMRR runs Halloween Trains on both days of the last two weekends in October, with a harvest and Halloween theme. The CMRR runs its Winter Holiday Trains on weekends throughout December. This festive tradition continues to be very popular, especially among local residents. In 2014, we are also adding an Easter Egg Hunt Train and a special train for Mother s Day. RECENT RIDERSHIP AND REVENUE (KINGSTON OPERATIONS) Year Adult Fare Child Fare Passengers Revenue 2008 $6.00 $4.00 884 n/a 2009 $6.00 $4.00 1,546 $6,146.00 2010 $6.00 $4.00 2,044 $9,281.00 2011 $6.00 $4.00 2,618 $12,327.00 2012 $6.00 $4.00 3,065 $13,929.00 2013 $6.00 $4.00 4,575 $21,975.00 The greatest impact on the local economy will result from the CMRR hosting proven national marketing events such as Day Out With Thomas and Polar Express, which bring an average of 16,000 and 13,000 average riders, respectively. This will bring in tourists from the New York City Metropolitan area to Kingston in great numbers.
THE FUTURE OF OUR KINGSTON OPERATIONS Our Kingston operation has grown significantly in the past few years, with the track being extended across the C9 Bridge to Route 209 in Hurley in 2013. This increase of trackage has helped fill our trains as the ride now terminates in the cornfields outside of Kingston. The increased distance and view from the train will allow us to increase our fare to $20 per adult and $12 per child, which will result in an increase of revenue of over 20% not counting additional patronage. This type of destination will allow us to add new services such as a lunch or dinner train. Finally as we reach the reservoir at West Hurley/ Glenford Dike we can become the ski-lift operation envisioned in the 2006 ALTA report*, offering actual transportation services to customers who wish to reach the Ashokan Reservoir and stay and enjoy hiking and biking after they come up on the train. Rail service will be especially for Kingston to participate in the proposed Ashokan Reservoir trail, for without it tourists will likely drive directly to West Hurley and avoid Kingston altogether due to the five mile, 2% grade from Kingston to West Hurley. *Ulster & Delaware Railroad Corridor, U&D Rail + Trail, Trail Feasiblity Study, Alta Planning + Design, 2006. http://www.co.ulster.ny.us/planning/uctc/projects/rtrail/final_report.pdf PROJECTED RIDERSHIP AND REVENUE (KINGSTON OPERATIONS) With track rehabilitation and upgrade well beyond Route 209, we are rapidly expanding Westward towards the Ashokan Reservoir at West Hurley. We predict the following ridership, revenue, and economic impact due to this expansion: Year Terminal Adult Fare Child Fare Riders Revenue Impact 2013 Westbrook - Route 209 $6.00 $4.00 4,575 $21,975.00 $400,000.00 2014 Westbrook - Kenco $8.00 $5.00 5,500 $35,000.00 $500,000.00 2015 Washington Ave. - Milepost 7 $10.00 $7.00 6,600 $53,000.00 $600,000.00 2016 Washington Ave. - Stony Hollow $12.00 $8.00 7,900 $76,000.00 $700,000.00 2017 Washington Ave. - Milepost 9 $14.00 $10.00 9,500 $108,000.00 $850,000.00 2018 Washington Ave. - West Hurley $20.00 $12.00 11,400 $178,000.00 $1,000,000.00 This assumes a growth of 20% in passengers each year. This will come both from increased ride length, but also from operating more days each year, and providing additional services such as the ski lift. However, we believe that once the Ashokan Reservoir becomes the destination, the ridership numbers and economic impact could be much more extensive. This also does not include special events such as Thomas the Tank Engine, Polar Express, and a Dinner Train. These projections assume a lease renewal by Ulster County past 2016. SUMMARY Our Kingston operations have grown at double-digit rates since the service began in 2008. As we expand Westward and add more mileage to our run, ridership and pricing will allow the service to generate more revenue and more economic impact, growing from $400,000 today to over $1 million once we reach West Hurley. However, the special event trains we are planning in 2014 including PEANUTS and Polar Express, and also Day Out With Thomas in 2015 will generate huge crowds and revenues that will have a significant positive effect on Kingston s economy, generating over $2.44 million economic impact, with associated jobs and tax revenue for Ulster County. Finally, once we reach the Glenford Dike at the Ashokan Reservoir, we will be able to reach the full potential of our Kingston service, especially if the Ashokan Reservoir is opened to public use, allowing tourists to access the reservoir by rail from Kingston, either through a bike train or from a lunch or dinner train. However, without rail service, tourists are most likely to skip Kingston altogether and drive directly to West Hurley to access the Ashokan Reservoir.
LARGE EVENTS THE POLAR EXPRESS Inspired by the hit movie and the award winning book by Chris Van Allsburg, this holiday favorite comes to life as families have the opportunity to take a real-life ride on THE POLAR EXPRESS in coordination with Rail Events, Inc. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, families enjoy their trip to the North Pole, complete with onboard chefs, hot chocolate, treats, and a reading of the classic book. Upon arrival at the North Pole, Santa greets the children, who each receive their own sleigh bell to take home. Passengers experience the joy of caroling and holiday entertainment that will surely become an annual holiday tradition. Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride and join the magic of Christmas. The economic impact of Polar Express is expected to generate $1.0 million for the Kingston/Ulster County economy, with 14 jobs and over $37,000 in taxes to Ulster County. PEANUTS GREAT PUMPKIN PATCH EXPRESS The CMRR is hosting Charlie Brown and his friends for a train ride out to the Great Pumpkin Patch, where guests will be greeted with games, music and activities to celebrate Halloween and the Fall Harvest. We estimate 1,800 riders for this event. The economic impact of The Great Pumpkin Patch Express is expected to exceed $140,000 for the local economy, create 2 jobs, and yield $5,000 in sales taxes for Ulster County. DAY OUT WITH THOMAS The CMRR is planning to bring Thomas the Tank Engine to Kingston in 2015. Thomas will accommodate 16,000 riders over two weekends.this will be a major event for Kingston and we look forward to bringing Thomas to Ulster County for the first time ever in 2015. The economic impact of Day out with Thomas is expected to generate $1.3 million for the Kingston/Ulster County economy, with 18 jobs and over $45,000 in taxes to Ulster County.
FUTURE PLANS ASHOKAN RESERVOIR TRAIL Ulster County and the New York City DEP have come to an initial understanding to allow unfettered access to the public for the Ashokan Reservoir via a trail on the Ulster & Delaware Corridor. If consummated, either as a rail-with-trail or a trail only, this agreement will broaden the appeal of the reservoir to visitors from outside the County. However, in order for the City of Kingston to be able to participate in this new tourist attraction, keeping the railroad connection between Kingston and the eastern end of the reservoir at West Hurley is critical. This will allow tourists a dual experience of a railroad ride from Kingston to West Hurley combined with a visit to the Ashokan Reservoir. The train can carry bicycles as well as people. ACCOMMODATIONS FOR BICYCLES To fulfill the ski-lift concept outlined by Alta Planning, CMRR plans to dedicate a rail car to facilitate cyclists using the corridor. The car could be made from a modified passenger car, a baggage car, or a combine car. It would have passenger seating, secure bicycle racks, large door for easy loading/unloading, and a small work bench with tools for basic emergency bicycle repairs. Ideally, a bicycle shop and rental business could partner with the CMRR in this endeavor. PROMOTING ULSTER COUNTY We also envision several events specific to Ulster County, such as: DINNER TRAINS TO THE RESERVOIR Initially, CMRR would create a table car for dining services. Our intention is to utilize outside catering from local eateries to offer elegant breakfast, lunch, and dinner trains. Eventually, a full-service dining car with kitchen would feature local chefs and themed dinners. Our intention is not to enter the catering business, but to utilize our trains to highlight local ingredients, local products, local chefs, and local restaurants. A dinner train departing Kingston and reaching the scenic sunsets over the Ashokan Reservoir would be a spectacular success generating $250,000 revenue. Pumpkin picking/corn Maze trains Hudson Valley Apples Local Beer, Wine, and Spirits Krause s Chocolate Easter Train Live musical performers and dinner theaters. Local Artist Spotlights
NEW SHOP FACILITIES To facilitate the need for trail connectivity through the Cornell Street area, CMRR has applied for site plan approval from the City of Kingston to build an equipment repair, restoration, and storage facility elsewhere along the railroad. Our proposed location is in the vicinity of Kingston Plaza near the baseball field. This would allow us to open up the right-of-way for trail construction through the city. The facility would include an enclosed repair shop, which would greatly improve our equipment restoration efforts. EQUIPMENT RESTORATION CMRR owns a large collection of vintage rolling stock. As our ridership grows, volunteers restore this equipment to increase our capacity. Our restoration efforts will be accelerated once we have an all-weather facility. EQUIPMENT REPAIR Without a shop facility, all repairs and maintenance must occur in the open air. EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE To keep everything running well, we must perform preventive service to our equipment.
NEW PASSENGER STATION The Catskill Mountain Railroad plans to build a station in Kingston, which would serve as our main passenger terminal. As suggested in the 2006 Alta Planning corridor study, a new passenger station and trailhead facility could be constructed along Washington Avenue to board passengers heading uphill to enjoy the recreational opportunities of the proposed trail network. This would provide public amenities, such as restrooms and sheltered waiting areas for both rail and trail visitors. In addition, the facility would include office and meeting space for both the railroad and the non-profit entities responsible for the trail network. KINGSTON PLAZA STOP Train passengers will still be able to visit the Kingston Plaza, but at a location selected by plaza management and with consideration of neighboring property owners. We wish to continue this partnership in order to encourage riders to patronize the plaza businesses, and to assist Kingston CitiBus and UCAT riders in reaching the U&D corridor. SHARED RIGHT-OF-WAY We envision sharing the right-of-way with trail users. In most places, a trail can be located adjacent to the tracks, however, there are some locations where it would be difficult to do that. This situation is not unique to Kingston. Many solutions have been engineered to accommodate shared use and to maintain compatibility with wheelchairs and bicycles. ADDITIONAL STOPS Train passengers can patronize local businesses by creating flag stops along the rails. Potential locations may include the Garden Plaza Hotel, Boice s Dairy, Kenco, among others. One possible solution is to use FlangeFill, a flexible product that holds its shape until the forces of train wheel flanges deflect it temporarily as the train rolls over. Revised 04/22/2014
Rail-with-Trail east of the Glenford Dike, continuing towards Kingston. This rendering shows possible Rail-with-Trail in the vicinity of the Glenford Dike, continuing Eastward towards Kingston.
The Glenford Dike, an easy place to build Rail-with-Trail because a primitive road is already graded south of the Chinese Wall, which extends the length of the dike.
The area below the West Hurley Dike was used as a station by the Ulster & Delaware Railroad. Grading, an access road, and rail structure already exists and can be rehabilitated into a shared trailhead and rail destination.
The West Hurley Station is conveniently located near Basin Road and Route 28 for easy access by foot, bicycle, car, or train.
This rendering shows possible Rail-with-Trail in the vicinity of the Madden House where Route 28A crosses the Ulster & Delaware Railroad Corridor. This also suggests paying homage to the Ulster & Delaware Plank Road, which predates Route 28 and the construction of the railroad. The U&D Plank Road offers additional trail construction alternatives throughout the corridor.