CALLICOON – Town was abuzz on Friday afternoon with a sight that hasn’t been seen since the last passenger cars rolled through in the 1970’s. 

A special excursion of the New York, Susquehanna and Western (NYSW) Railway made a stop in Callicoon where its 190 passengers disembarked and enjoyed a catered BBQ luncheon to honor retiring longtime railway president, Nathan Fenno. 

The train left from Binghamton at 8:30 a.m. and went east to Callicoon, arriving just after 12:15  p.m. After dropping off its passengers the train headed toward Narrowsburg to switch the locomotives to the front of the train for its ride back to Binghamton.

At 2 p.m. it picked up its passengers in Callicoon and heading back toward their original destination. 

The event was in collaboration with the Callicoon Depot organization and the Callicoon Business Association. Plans are underway with the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway to renovate the depot into a visitors’ center. 

Incoming NYSW President, James Bonner, thanked Fenno for his years of service. 

“We want to celebrate him,” Bonner said to the crowd of railway employees. “He has made a huge difference in all of our lives.” 

Fenno thanked everyone for being there and said, “[The transition] has gone very well. I can’t be more pleased with what’s happened with James and taking things over and reinvigorating the company.” 

The NYSW Railway operates over 400 miles of track in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania transporting a wide range of commodities.