Catskill Mountain Railroad

What Catskill Mountain Railroad does

Catskill Mountain Railroad (CMRR) is a heritage tourist railroad founded in 1982 and headquartered in Kingston, New York, operating seasonal scenic and themed passenger train excursions along a leased segment of the historic Ulster & Delaware Railroad corridor owned by Ulster County. The company runs a portfolio of approximately 14 recurring branded events — including The Polar Express (licensed from Warner Bros.), Easter Bunny Express, Catskill Flyer, Fall Foliage Adventure, Pumpkin Express, Dinosaur Express, Ice Cream Express, Twilight Limited, Peace Train, Great Train Robbery, Rails of Terror, Pretty Little Princess Train, and Superhero Adventure Train — using two restored diesel locomotives (Alco RS-1 No. 401 from 1950 and Alco S-1 No. 407 from 1946) and a fleet of vintage passenger coaches sourced from LIRR, Norfolk & Western, and DL&W. In March 2024, CMRR became the first U.S. railroad tourism operation to convert to 100% biodiesel fuel through a partnership with NetZero Biofuels, and was awarded $4.485 million in NYSDOT grants for a Clean Diesel/EPA Tier 3 locomotive upgrade ($2.3M), an all-weather engine house ($1.518M), and a Basin Road terminal development ($667K).

Revenue is generated almost exclusively through direct-to-consumer ticket sales priced on a per-seat basis (typical range $14–$55 depending on event, with Polar Express commanding a $48–$55 peak price), supplemented by private charter rentals ($1,000 for up to 50 guests, $20 per additional person) and minor merchandise including a music CD. The company reported record ridership of over 60,000 in 2024 and operates with a paid payroll of approximately $400,000 annually plus a layer of seasonal staff (60+ hired for Polar Express) and ongoing volunteer labor. CMRR is structured as an employee-owned corporation with 69 current and former employees holding shareholder stakes, and reinvests 100% of operating surpluses into track, equipment, and corridor preservation.

Name

Catskill Mountain Railroad

Legal name

Catskill Mountain Railroad Co.

Website

https://catskillmountainrailroad.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Catskill Mountain Railroad is an employee-owned heritage tourist railroad founded in 1982 that operates themed seasonal passenger train excursions on the historic Ulster & Delaware corridor in Kingston, NY, serving families and Hudson Valley tourists with events such as The Polar Express.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Heritage Railroad Tourism Services

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation (487), Rail Transportation (482)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Tourist/Scenic/Heritage Passenger Rail Operators (TLAFADAG)

Keywords

• Heritage railroad tourism
• Scenic train excursions
• Themed train rides
• Passenger rail services
• Private train charters

Headquarters

HQ city

Kingston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Passenger Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from ticket sales for scheduled excursion trains including Catskill Flyer, Ice Cream Express, Twilight Limited, Fall Foliage Adventure, Pumpkin Express, Easter Bunny Express, Dinosaur Express, Superhero Adventure Train, Pretty Little Princess Train, and The Polar Express. Pricing varies by event type and season.
2. Rent-A-Train Charters: Private train charter services for events including birthday parties, family reunions, and weddings. Rates: $1,000 for up to 50 people, $20 per additional person. Also offers railroad car rental on scheduled trains for groups.
3. Polar Express Seasonal Operations: Major seasonal revenue driver during November-December featuring The Polar Express licensed experience with hot chocolate, cookies, Santa visits, and sleigh bells. Peak pricing generates premium ticket revenue.
4. Gift Shop and Merchandise: Music CD sales featuring original train-themed music available at ticket booth and online through CD Baby, Spotify, and Amazon.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Catskill Mountain Railroad operates seasonal, themed heritage passenger train excursions along the historic Ulster & Delaware Railroad corridor from Kingston, New York. Its offerings include family-oriented rides such as The Polar Express, Easter Bunny Express, Pumpkin Express, and Dinosaur Express, alongside scenic summer rides like the Catskill Flyer, Ice Cream Express, Twilight Limited, and Fall Foliage Adventure. The company also provides private train and railroad car charter services for events, and sells branded merchandise including a music CD.

Product overview

The Catskill Mountain Railroad is a heritage railroad that operates seasonal passenger train excursions on the historic Ulster & Delaware Railroad corridor from Kingston, New York. The core product portfolio includes themed train rides such as The Polar Express (holiday), Easter Bunny Express, Pumpkin Express, Dinosaur Express, Pretty Little Princess Train, Superhero Adventure Train, Twilight Limited, Catskill Flyer, Ice Cream Express, Great Train Robbery, Rails of Terror, Peace Train, and Catskill Fall Foliage Adventure. Additional offerings include private train charters (Rent A Train) and individual car rentals for events. The railroad operates a fleet of historic locomotives including Alco RS-1 No. 401 and Alco S-1 No. 407, along with vintage passenger coaches. The company is employee-owned and reinvests all operating profits into corridor preservation and expansion, including plans for a Basin Road terminal connecting to the Ashokan Rail Trail.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 74% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to regular diesel fuel through 100% biodiesel use
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NetZero BiofuelscoreOthers · 1 March 2024Local startup founded by Dave Davenport providing 100% Biodiesel made from Soybean Oil sourced from local farms near Syracuse, NY, treated at their facility in Rock Tavern, NY. CMRR is the first US railroad tourism operation to use 100% biodiesel.
• Ulster CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUlster County owns the former New York Central Railroad Catskill Mountain branch corridor from Kingston to Stony Hollow, leased to CMRR since 1983. County purchased the 38-mile segment in 1979. Ongoing partnership for rail preservation and tourism development.
• Ulster County Regional Chamber of CommercecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCMRR is a proud member. Awarded Tourism Business of the Year 2023 and Best Tourist Attraction for 2023 by the Chamber. Collaborative marketing and regional tourism promotion.
• Kingston Uptown Business AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCMRR is a member, supporting local business community and cross-promotional opportunities with Kingston Plaza merchants.
• Radio Woodstock (WDST 100.1)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity affiliate for Peace Train events. Independently owned radio station promoting local music and events. Multiple awards for innovative programming.
• Pine Ridge Dude RanchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Great Train Robbery event, providing Sheriff Robin and deputies for the adventure experience.
• Kenco KingstonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity affiliate for Great Train Robbery. Work and play outfitter providing outdoor gear and adventure equipment. Locally owned since 1982.
• Best Western Plus KingstonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLodging affiliate offering special room rates for CMRR passengers and Polar Express customers. Located at 503 Washington Ave., Kingston.
• Hampton Inn KingstonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner hotel offering special rates for CMRR passengers. Located at 1307 Ulster Ave., Kingston.
• Courtyard by Marriott KingstonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNewly renovated partner hotel destination at 500 Frank Sottile Blvd, Kingston.
• Trolley Museum of New YorkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNearby attraction at 89 East Strand, Kingston Point, offering trolley rides over former Ulster & Delaware rails. Cross-promotional relationship.
• Kingston Candy BarminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal business at 319 Wall Street serving as a physical ticket sales location for CMRR events.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Steamtown National Historic Site: National Park Service site in Scranton, PA operating heritage railroad excursions on restored equipment. Comparable as a heritage railroad operator in the Northeast tourism market, though federally operated rather than private.

Broad incumbents

• White Pass & Yukon Route: Alaska-based heritage tourist railroad operating vintage diesel and steam locomotives on scenic mountain routes. Comparable tourism/sightseeing rail business targeting cruise ship passengers and seasonal visitors.
• Strasburg Rail Road: The oldest continuously operating railroad in the Western Hemisphere, located in Pennsylvania. Operates themed excursion rides (including a Polar Express licensed event) targeting families. Comparable heritage tourist model with substantially larger scale and established brand.
• Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: Colorado heritage narrow-gauge tourist railroad operating vintage equipment on mountain scenic routes. Directly comparable tourism/excursion business with similar reliance on vintage locomotives, family themes, and seasonal peak demand.
• Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad: Colorado/New Mexico heritage narrow-gauge scenic railroad operating restored vintage equipment on mountain excursions. Comparable excursion-based heritage tourism model with similar reliance on vintage locomotives and seasonal peak demand.

Direct peers

• Conway Scenic Railroad: New Hampshire-based heritage tourist railroad operating vintage equipment on scenic mountain routes with themed family excursions. Closely comparable business model: vintage diesel/steam, themed events, summer/fall seasonality.
• Adirondack Railroad: Operates heritage tourist/scenic rail excursions in Upstate New York with themed events including Polar Express, similar to CMRR's model. Directly comparable as a NY-based for-profit heritage railroad targeting families and tourists with seasonal rides.
• Saratoga & North Creek Railway: NY-based heritage tourist railroad offering scenic Adirondack excursions with themed family rides. Comparable business model targeting upstate NY tourism with vintage rolling stock on a county/state-supported corridor.
• Delaware & Ulster Railroad (Catskill Mountain Railroad at Arkville): Operates seasonal scenic excursions on a segment of the historic Ultr & Delaware corridor formerly operated by CMRR. Same heritage rail/tourist model with similar themed family events and Catskill tourism positioning.

Emerging players

• Catskill Trolley Museum of New York: Located in Kingston, NY on former Ultr & Delaware rails and explicitly partnered with CMRR. Comparable heritage rail tourism operator in the same Catskill/Hudson Valley geography, offering trolley rides as a complementary experience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CatskillMountainRR
• Facebookfacebook.com/CatskillMountainRailroad
• Instagraminstagram.com/catskillmountainrailroad
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/catskill-mountain-railroad

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Catskill Mountain Railroad