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Local History
Rails to the Catskills
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Railroading in the Northern and Southern Catskill Mountains of New York State.
RAILS TO THE CATSKILLS is a history of the dynamic railroad industry in the Catskills of New York State. Catskill railroads have roots in the canals of the 1820's and the post Civil War railroad boom.
RAILS TO THE CATSKILLS explores: For Love of Trains; Before Railroads — The D&H Canal; Canajoharie & Catskill Railroad; New York, Ontario & Western Railway; Electric Trolleys; Ulster & Delaware Railroad; Catskill Mountain Railway/Otis Elevating Railway; Wallkill Valley Railroad; West Shore Railroad; Delaware & Ulster Railroad; Catskill Mountain Railroad; and the Rails & Trails Conflict.
RAILS TO THE CATSKILLS uses original footage, contemporary and vintage photographs, postcards, rare films, railfan-movies, newspapers and historic archives. Music is by Dick Staber and Paul Lounsbury. The film includes historians Eugene Dauner, Dale Flansburg, Robert Haines, John M. Ham, William Helmer, Evan Jennings, and Bob Mohowski.
Press
“Romance of the Rails...”— Woodstock Times
“...an engrossing viewing experience.”— Chronogram
“...engagingly told. Highly recommended.”— Video Librarian
“Without the help of generous local historians, collectors, historical societies, and libraries, this film couldn't have been made.”— Tobe Carey, in Chronogram
Engine number 49 on the New York Ontario and Western Railway, taken around 1872. Photo courtesy of the Cornell University Library.
Volunteers working on the Catskill Mountain Railroad, west of the C9 bridge over the Esopus Creek in Kingston.
Rip Van Winkle train
Kingston Film Festival 2014 Selection