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All aboard the autumn express: One of the Catskills’ most scenic train rides is bringing back a fan-favorite route just as the mountains prepare to break out their annual red-and-gold wardrobe.
For the first time since 2019, the Delaware & Ulster Railroad will carry passengers west from Arkville toward Halcottsville this fall. The 45-minute round-trip excursion follows the East Branch of the Delaware River, passing forested mountainsides, rolling farmland and the occasional bald eagle or white-tailed deer.
The route was the railroad’s signature excursion for decades before service went dormant seven years ago. When the Delaware & Ulster returned in 2025 following an extended closure, trains traveled east from Arkville toward Fleischmanns instead. Nearly 10,000 new wooden ties have since been installed, allowing the restored western stretch to welcome passengers again for the 2026 season.
Passengers can choose between several styles of vintage rail travel: open-air cars have wooden benches and unobstructed views, while enclosed coach cars provide wide windows and protection from less-than-perfect fall weather. Premium coaches, first-class lounges and parlor cars add cushioned seating and handsomely restored midcentury interiors.
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The railway itself has deep roots in the Catskills. Its predecessor, the Ulster & Delaware Railroad, was established in 1875 and promoted as “The Only All-Rail Route To the Catskill Mountains.” In addition to carrying vacationers from New York City to the region’s grand hotels, its trains transported Delaware County dairy products and Catskills bluestone bound for Manhattan sidewalks.
For 2026, trains are scheduled to depart Arkville Station every Saturday through October 31 at 10:30 am, 12:15 pm, 2 pm and 3:45 pm. Standard open-air and coach tickets start at $23 for adults, $20 for seniors and $18 for children; premium and first-class seats range from $25 to $30.
Arkville Station is located roughly one hour west of the New York State Thruway’s Kingston exit. Passengers should arrive 20 to 30 minutes before departure, and advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially from late September through mid-October, when Catskills foliage generally reaches its showiest phase.
The train has no restrooms, but facilities are available at the station. Dogs are even welcome in open-air cars when leashed, so your four-legged foliage critic can come along, too.