Craryville — The Pomeroy Family Railroad debuted at Taconic State Park at a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by more than 150 people from across the county, including representatives of Assemblywoman Didi Barrett, D-106, and state Sen. Michelle Hinchey, D-41.
The event was also attended by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Eric Kulleseid.
The Pomeroy railroad was constructed by volunteers, and will run on a 950-foot loop. The locomotive will pull two retrofitted cars carrying passengers interested in viewing the park’s natural beauty. The miniature train is expected to boost park attendance and give insights about history in Taconic.
The train is a replica of a historic rail conveyor that transported iron ore from a nearby mine to the blast furnace at the Copake Iron Works in the 19th century.
Taconic Region Commission Chairman Edgar Masters also assisted in the construction of the railroad.
“Today is the opening of the Pomeroy Family Railroad,” Masters said. ”The Copake Iron Works is probably the most complete 19th-century iron works in the state, Massachusetts and Connecticut. The importance of showing 19th-century industry is very immense, and is part of making this park a destination for people and to tell them about local history.”
Kulleseid said the railroad is a vital addition to the trail system.
“We are excited to add this new track at Taconic to our miles and miles of trails in the New York State park system,” Kulleseid said. “This train is a throwback to the railroad used in the 1800s during the Industrial Revolution. We thank the William G. Pomeroy Foundation and the Friends of Taconic State Park for choo-choo-choosing to roll this project through to completion.”
William G. Pomeroy, founder and trustee of the William T. Pomeroy Foundation, provided funding.
“Providing funding for the Pomeroy Family Railroad is an extension of my lifelong interest in trains,” Pomeroy said. “I’ve played with them since I was a boy, so it is truly special for me to be involved in this project. My ancestor, Lemuel Pomeroy, founded the Iron Works in 1845 and trains were critical to its success. I can’t wait for visitors to ride the railroad and take a step back in time with my family.”
Copake Supervisor Jeanne Mettler said the Pomeroy is the first railroad to come through town in more than 50 years.
“Copake has not seen a train pass through since 1972, so we are very excited to see the arrival of the Pomeroy Family Railroad in Copake Falls,” Mettler said. “This has been a labor of love on the part of Edgar Masters, and we applaud him for his efforts. We know that the railroad will be a great tourist attraction for the town, and residents and visitors alike will be delighted in this newest addition to the Copake Iron Works.”
Barrett did not attend the ceremony, but she released a statement about the new attraction at Taconic State Park.
“Beautiful Taconic State Park is a gem of my Assembly District and a tremendous asset to the region,” Barrett said. “The opening of the Pomeroy Family Railroad is an exciting new addition to this storied park. This historic railroad, which will include a replica of the train that navigated the Copake Iron Works more than 100 years ago, serves as a reminder of our region’s industrial roots, and is a fitting tribute to the legacy of Lemuel Pomeroy and his family. I want to congratulate Friends of Taconic State Park and the William T. Pomeroy Foundation on this long-anticipated launch and thank the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for their support of this innovative initiative.”
Hinchey couldn’t attend the ceremony, but she released a statement in support of the train.
“The Pomeroy Family Railroad at Copake Iron Works in Taconic State Park shows what can be achieved when a group of community-minded volunteers comes together to create a unique all-ages recreational attraction that both honors and educates on our region’s important industrial heritage,” Hinchey said. “I thank the William G. Pomeroy Foundation and Friends of Taconic State Park for their incredible work in stewarding this visionary project and making the visitor experience at Taconic State Park truly unforgettable with increased economic benefits for our small towns and Main Streets.”
The Pomeroy Family Railroad is the only one of its kind operating in all of New York state’s 180 parks. Friends of Taconic State Park built it entirely with private funding to enhance the historic Copake Iron Works and its visitor center, museum and blast furnace. Completion of the project was made possible by a contribution from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.
The railroad was constructed by volunteers including Masters, Logan Carroll and Jim Conklin, all Copake residents. Lemuel Pomeroy and other and family members are buried in the cemetery of the Church of St. John in the Wilderness in Copake Falls. In addition to the railroad, several individual components, including the locomotive and passenger cars, are named for family members.
Interpretative signage recently installed at the site will inform visitors of the Pomeroy family history. After years of planning and permits, construction on the railroad began in September 2021. The train will be open to the public on weekends and holiday Mondays from mid-June until late October.