A history of the dynamic railroad industry in the Catskills of New York State. Catskill railroads have roots in the canals of the 1820's and the post Civil War railroad boom. 'Rails to the Catskills' uses original footage, contemporary and vintage photographs, postcards, rare films, railfan-movies, newspapers and historic archives. Music is by Dick Staber and Paul Lounsbury. The film includes historians Eugene Dauner, Dale Flansburg, Robert Haines, John M. Ham, William Helmer, Evan Jennings, and Bob Mohowski. A film by Tobe Carey