With global warming and climate change at the forefront of our news recently, the Catskill Mountain Railroad is helping to fight back. In an effort to reduce its carbon footprint and harmful emissions from the use of diesel fuel it is now running its locomotives on 100% biodiesel. The Catskill Mountain Railroad is the first tourist railroad in the U.S. to convert to 100% biodiesel and shows the CMRR’s commitment to Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger’s leadership to create the boldest climate agenda in New York State. 

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the use of 100% biodiesel reduces carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas) emissions by 74% compared to regular diesel fuel. Additionally, it reduces carbon monoxide and particulate emissions by nearly 50%, and hydrocarbon emissions by nearly 70%. Notably, the composition of the remaining particulates is much less adverse than that from normal diesel as they are biodegradable. 

The CMRR is being supplied the biodiesel by NetZero Biofuels, a Hudson Valley startup founded by local entrepreneur Dave Davenport and located near Newburgh. NetZero converts thousands of gallons of byproduct soybean oil from farms in Syracuse, New York, which are treated at their production facility in nearby Rock Tavern, New York. With the CMRR being NetZero’s first major commercial customer, it is a win-win for both businesses by supporting a growing Hudson Valley supplier of green energy as well as making the Catskill Mountain Railroad a leader in sustainability in the US railroad tourism industry.

The Catskill Mountain Railroad, named Best Tourist Attraction of 2023 by the Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce, is working hard to help achieve the green carbon neutral goals being encouraged by Ulster County in the environmentally safe operation of its tourist trains. More information on the CMRR and its Sustainability Program can be found on their website at https://catskillmountainrailroad.com/sustainability/