The BKRR was formed in 1982 beginning operations on October 22[1] of a pair of abandoned Delaware and Hudson Railway branch lines, totaling about 30 miles of track.

Crowd had the distinction of being the first African-American to own and operate a railroad in the United States.

In 1994, the railroad was turned over to NE New York Rail, a non-profit, and the BKRR remained the operator.

[5] In November 2008, William (Bill) Taber purchased the Batten Kill from Mohawk Transportation and the estate of the late Ron Crowd.

In 2016 the Batten Kill Railroad got a $1.3 million state grant funding installation of new cross ties onto about 4 miles of track.