Sloatsburg station
| Company type | Commuter rail stop |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | 1868 |
| Headquarters | Sloatsburg, New York , United States |
| Products | Commuter rail service |
| Owner | Metro-North Railroad |
Sloatsburg station functions as a commuter rail stop under the ownership of Metro-North Railroad on the Port Jervis Line. It is situated in Sloatsburg, New York, at the intersection of Municipal Plaza and Mills Street.
Originally constructed in the 1830s along the Erie Railroad, this station served the northern route to Port Jervis and was linked to a stagecoach line heading towards Greenwood Lake. Historically, it catered primarily to local anglers and was the site of several notable events, including a milk train derailment in 1843 and a deadly incident involving mules in 1855. The station was incorporated into Metro-North's network upon its establishment in 1983 and was later targeted for improvements under a 2005 initiative aimed at upgrading commuter amenities.
History
The construction of the Erie Railroad through Sloatsburg between 1836 and 1841 significantly contributed to the village’s growth and economic development. The station itself, built in 1868, featured a two-story brick structure topped with a tin roof, adhering to the railroad’s Type 6A architectural style (dimensions: 17' x 29.5' x 19'). It also housed XG Radio operations from Suffern Tower and supported tourism to nearby Greenwood Lake, with stagecoaches departing thrice daily to accommodate fishermen and visitors.
Several serious accidents occurred near the station over time: in 1843, a derailment involving milk shipments; in 1855, the Cincinnati Express train derailed while attempting to avoid mules crossing the tracks—resulting in their deaths but no injuries to passengers; in 1856, a young girl sustained injuries close to the station, for which her family received $45 compensation from the railroad; and in 1858, a brakeman suffered fatal injuries after falling from a train.
Adjacent to the station lies the original gateway to Sloatsburg’s Cappamore Farm estate, constructed around 1900 for Nicholas T. Brown, an alderman from Paterson. Although offering expansive views, the estate was demolished during the construction of the New York State Thruway in 1956. Only its stone entrance pillars remain today, accompanied by a walking path leading to Sloat's Dam. These gateposts are recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, along with related mill and dam structures featuring matching stonework.
In 2005, as part of wider efforts to rejuvenate the village, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority unveiled plans for Sloatsburg station’s refurbishment. The proposed enhancements included installing a protective canopy, adding handicap-accessible ramps, upgrading lighting, increasing seating options, and providing a heated passenger shelter (currently unheated). The village intended to allocate a $50,000 state grant towards creating a municipal parking facility near the station to boost commuter use. Preliminary architectural designs were prepared by Jeff Livingston from the Sloatsburg Revitalization Committee.
Station layout
The station consists of a single track accompanied by a short concrete low-level side platform located just south of a grade crossing. Passenger facilities include a shelter and ticket vending machine. The parking area, situated near a hardware store on Mills Street, accommodates approximately 80 vehicles. Unlike most stations on the line, Sloatsburg is managed by the village rather than Metro-North. Public transit options serving this location include Transport of Rockland Route 93 along with Short Line Bus Routes 17M and 17MD.
Sloatsburg station also serves as an access point for hiking routes within both Harriman State Park and Bear Mountain State Park.