Ken Karlewicz 176 pages hardcover
In 1981, Ron Crowd turned a dream into reality when he purchased
the Washington County Branch from the Delaware & Hudson,
establishing the Batten Kill Railroad. Over the next four decades, this
colorful short line evolved through changing times, while its dedicated
railroaders kept the trains — and traditions — rolling. Nestled between
the Taconic and Berkshire mountain ranges in rural eastern New York, the
Batten Kill Railroad continues to serve its agricultural customers much
as its predecessors Delaware & Hudson and Greenwich &
Johnsonville did more than a century ago.
While
the railroad is perhaps best known for its diverse roster of vintage
Alco diesel locomotives, a visit offers much more than the thrill of
chasing trains. Within this volume — featuring a remarkable collection
of largely unpublished photographs — you will discover scenes of
pastoral beauty, charming rural communities, railroaders at work, and,
of course, classic Alco power. More than 50 photographers contributed to
this volume, creating a tapestry of work that could not be captured by a
single lens alone. Whether you’ve experienced this railroad firsthand
or are discovering it for the first time, these photographs and stories
bring to life the unique charm and quiet strength of a place we proudly
call “Batten Kill Country.”
