The History of the Selkirk Rail Yard

Program Type:

Performance, Other

Age Group:

Adults
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Event Details

Beyond the dreams of the Pioneers: The History and Development of the Selkirk Rail Yard and the Castleton Cutoff

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A recording of this presentation can be found on the Library's YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/cgv2ECRck24
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Join us for a discussion of the development of area railroads that led to the creation of the Selkirk Rail Yard in the town of Bethlehem. The Selkirk Rail Yards was part of a larger project called the Castleton cutoff that opened in November of 1924, and 2024 marked the project's centennial.

Randal Bushart, a Selkirk resident, has worked in the railroad industry for 36 years and has been headquartered in Selkirk next to the rail yard for over 30 years. He has an extensive collection of railroad memorabilia and is a member of the New York Central Railroad Historical Society.

After working as a track laborer in the summer of 1987 while going to college then starting his railroad career, Bushart has been in a supervisory position as Manager of Passenger Operations for CSX for over 23 years. His responsibilities include handling interactions with Amtrak and commuter rail trains that operate over CSX’s lines. His territory covers 3,600 rail miles in 19 states and Washington, D.C.

Railroading is a legacy for the Bushart family. His grandfather worked for the New York Central railroad near Rochester and his son is a Locomotive Engineer for Norfolk Southern Railroad. Bushart enjoys doing historical railroad research and presentations to share his lifelong interest.