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Adirondack Scenic Railroad extends service northward
Once the bicycle nuts get to rip out the track and make a trail out of it, the track is never coming back. The trick is to run something over that track every now and then. Like a gang of speeders. Let a group of them do it in exchange for minimal maintenance of the right of way. They will probably be more than happy because it gives them a place to run their equipment. And if they take members of the public for rides every so often, all the better for public relations.
Not sure why the bicycle people need trails. They ride on the highways whenever there is a trail for bicycles running parallel within a half mile of the highway, defeating the purpose of the bicycle trail.
In a spelling rarity, the plural of journey is journeys, not “journies.” Like monkeys, not monkies (or "Monkees!).
Please let the railroad run
Please let the railroad run
For once, I agree with you Jeff. These bicycle nuts want the road to themselves. I think this rails to trails idea stinks. That allows potential right of ways to be grabbed.
there are plenty of trails but not many rail lines. Plenty of space for both groups of enthusiasts. Let’s not be greedy
Well, I was sooo surprised that I for once agreed with the Goose, but I knew he couldn’t make sense for more than a few short sentences. Should have stopped with the first paragraph. I am in a somewhat strange position here as I am a railfan and also belong to the Rails to Trails Conservancy. I have written the RTTC and given them hell, as the bike people are on the wrong side here. Former rail lines make excellent bike paths, but ONLY WHEN THE TRACKS HAVE BEEN TORN UP AND HAVE NO CHANCE OF COMING BACK ! I don’t see any bikers riding on the highway when they can use a trail; as usual the Goose lives on some other planet which I have never visited. On my planet, a beautiful trail near Cottage Grove, Oregon on the long lamented " Route of the Goose " which will never come back, provides nice gentle grades and great scenery and is well used. But a going rail venture exists in upstate New York , a real gem. O;en the whole 150 miles for the Adirondack Scenic !!!
Well, I was sooo surprised that I for once agreed with the Goose, but I knew he couldn’t make sense for more than a few short sentences. Should have stopped with the first paragraph. I am in a somewhat strange position here as I am a railfan and also belong to the Rails to Trails Conservancy. I have written the RTTC and given them hell, as the bike people are on the wrong side here. Former rail lines make excellent bike paths, but ONLY WHEN THE TRACKS HAVE BEEN TORN UP AND HAVE NO CHANCE OF COMING BACK ! I don’t see any bikers riding on the highway when they can use a trail; as usual the Goose lives on some other planet which I have never visited. On my planet, a beautiful trail near Cottage Grove, Oregon on the long lamented " Route of the Goose " which will never come back, provides nice gentle grades and great scenery and is well used. But a going rail venture exists in upstate New York , a real gem. open the whole 150 miles for the Adirondack Scenic !!!
Mr. Guse hit the nail on the head with this one. As a NARCOA member I’d love to see speeder trips on this line.
For a very happy change, I fully agree with Jeffery. (-: Leave the tracks alone!
On the Pittsburgh-DC Great Allegheny Passage Trail’s Maryland section, tourist trains and hike-bikers coexist nicely, sharing the former WM Ry right-of-way from Frostburg to Cumberland.
I think the snowmobilers are the main proponents of tearing out the track. They duped some cyclists and “nature lovers” into thinking this would be good for the environment somehow, and everybody else that it would be a jackpot for local economies.
Just so those screaming 2-stroke goons can have a year-round skidoo speedway. I say, nuts to that!
I might add to Jeffrey’s comments a couple of other notes about bicycle trails…
First, unlike railroad excursions which can be enjoyed by all ages, the bicycle trails are almost useless in such a location except for a lycra-wearing, very wealthy elite. Naturally, they don’t want the railroad – they want to preserve their elitist communities from the influence of the common people. Like us.
Second, don’t even think of hiking a bicycle trail; when one of those folks hits you from behind at 40 plus, it hurts, believe me.
I’m not opposed to bicycles and bicycle lanes in cities and suburbs. I am opposed to locking up a route such as this for the sole benefit of a wealthy elite who doesn’t care two hoots and a loud yell about anyone except themselves.
I know sometimes we are quick to counter your posts, Mr. Guse; so, let me please take this moment to say, I agree with your post here regarding preserving this ROW.
Don’t remove rails if they need a trail use the highway when the rails are removed it is way too costly to reinstall if they are needed later. The rail is still the best way to move passengers. There has been too many rails removed over the last 50 years that would have been very useful today.
I’ d volunteer maintenance of way time for a ride in a speeder! OMG I agreed with Jeffery Guise on something!!
Reading this story makes me want to cancel my membership in Rails to Trails. Trails should be a preservation tool, not a device to force abandonment. What a perverse situation. The Adirondack case almost is as bad as the Catskill Railroad dilemma in Kingston, N.Y., where the mayor parked dump trucks across the rails because he wants to tear them up for a trail. What’s wrong with New York State? Wait, I think I already know the answer.
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but “Right on Jeffrey!” When they tore up the Lamoille Valley Railroad (ex St. J & L C) in Vermont, the snowmobilers were estatic. Now after years of sitting there, more washouts have occurred, and the snow travelers pick and choose the spots that don’t need major maintenance. It is estimated that it will cost over $8 million to make the 96 miles of railbed suitable for year round use, with minimal revenue coming into the towns along the right of way. As much as I would have liked to see the railroad keep running, I don’t know if it would ever pay its own way. I believe the Adirondack Scenic has the potential to be a viable tourist operation, and it should remain intact. Possibly other portions of the route can be reopened in the future. But, as Jeffrey said, Once it is gone, it probably will never come back.
The battle over whether to leave the NYC Adirondack Division tracks intact is a classic battle between tree-huggers and folks who live and work in the Adirondacks. The tree-huggers would like nothing more than to see the whole of the Adirondack Park depopulated so they could have their rich folks only exclusive playground.
Completing abandonment of the railroad would be another step in that direction.