I was going to simply resurrect the old thread, but I’ll start a new one…
The “final push” is happening with regard to turning the Adirondack Scenic Railroad into a trail. New York state will shortly be holding hearings on revising the “Unit Management Plan,” which is what governs use of the corridor.
The “trail advocates” are going all out. The supporters of maintaining (and completing) the railroad all the way to Lake Placid need to do the same.
Most of you won’t be able to make the hearings (four in total - more in a moment), but would certainly be able to send in written comments. You can do so via email to nystravelcorridor@dot.ny.gov or mailed to NYS Travel Corridor, NYS DOT Freight and Passenger Rail Bureau, 50 Wolf Road, POD 5-4, Albany NY 12232.
These public comment hearings are required by law, so they hold them. It has been my experience that they are just complying with the law, their mind is already made up.
Tree68 wrote in his O.P. [snipped] "…The trail advocates have used a number of nebulous claims regarding the use and economic benefit of trails, usually based on trails which do not compare with their proposed trail. Those of you with experience with such trails might be able to cite said experience. Of course, lack of use of such trails would be a great point, but what you write is up to you!
Snowmobiles already have use of the corridor between December 1 and April 30. Their only problem with the railroad is the track structure.
It’s my personal opinion that a large part of the attraction of the railroad is the ultimate destination of Lake Placid. One plan being floated cuts the railroad back to Tupper Lake (where?). Nothing against Tupper Lake, it’s a fine community, but it doesn’t have the name recognition of Lake Placid…"[snipped]
The folowing is a snip from the TRAINSNewswire of this date11/03/2014
[In part, it is a quote of some of the language from the State of NY Proposal for the UMP under consideration] [snip]"…Specifically, the state will develop a draft amendment to evaluate the use of the Tupper Lake to Lake Placid segment for a recreational trail. The agencies are also examining opportunities to maintain and realize the full economic potential of rail service from Utica to Tupper Lake, and reviewing options to create and expand alternative snowmobile corridors, and other trails, to connect communities from Old
Sam - that possibility is always in the back of our minds. All the more reason to drum up written support and to point out the foibles of the other sides’ postulations.
In fact, back when said “solution” was first mentioned not long ago, the though was that the state was throwing out a bone to both sides of the debate, probably hoping both would go away happy. That won’t be the case. The trail advocates still want the tracks completely out of the woods, and the railroad still sees Lake Placid as the ultimate goal.
We (the rail side of the debate) can only hope that our facts over-ride what have been proven to be not only nebulous, but flat out incorrect information provided by the trail advocates.
In fact, more and more of their outlandish claims and promises come out almost daily.
It is obvious to me that the people who want the rails removed are totally unaware of the cost thereof–and think only of the supposed advantage to them. Now, suppose that the rail line is goven over to the trail advocates–they discover that the cost of removing the rail is beyond their resources, and leave it until someone is damaged in some way in walking the trail. What is their recourse? Sue the former railroad?
The trail advocates keep coming up with claims that the salvage value of the rails would pay for the trail. And now even the state says that’s not the case, but they’re sticking to their guns.
The cost of disposing of the ties is huge.
As for folks hiking the trail - well, that’s doubtful anyhow, and certainly not in line with what a lot of folks think is the ultimate goal of the “trail advocates.”