“We’re on the verge of beginning construction of a new locomotive maintenance facility, we’re attempting to buy several pieces of rolling stock, and we’ve got a new office to build. We’ve got a lot going on right now,” says Bill Branson, board president of the Adirondack Railway Preservation Society Inc., which operates the railroad.
The railroad plans to offer a full schedule of activities comparable to last year’s, including the use of rail bikes in some areas, Branson says. The railroad has yet to decide whether it will offer rail bikes in the 34-mile section between Tupper Lake and Lake Placid, the portion that has been the subject of the ongoing dispute between those who want to remove the rails and those who want to see them remain and be repaired.
Branson says the condition of the tracks makes it unlikely that the railroad will attempt to run trains there this year, although its permit allows for such activity.
The dispute centers on the state’s 2016 proposal to remove the tracks, which are on state land, and create a rail trail. The railroad sued, and state Supreme Court Judge Robert Main Jr. ruled in 2017 against the state, citing, among other factors, that the land is designated as a “travel corridor.”
Main said removing the tracks violated the long-standing definition of travel corridor to mean either a highway or railroad corridor. He also cited concerns about whether the state has ownership of the entire land in question, and about historical preservation issues.
The Adirondack Park Agency, which oversees the land, in December 2018 changed the definition of travel corridor to include a rail trail. The state Department of Environmental Conservation has indicated it is likely to file another proposal to remove the tracks, through a revised Unit Management Plan.
Branson says that while the railroad pays attention to new developments with the management plan, its focus is more on offering riders the best experience it can.
“We’re not spending a lot of time thinking about [the management plan]. We assume they will do what the court instructed… It’s up to them to get it right. We really don’t know what they’ve done. Presumably the new [management plan] will address all of that,” he says.
I’m sorry to have to again throw some cold water on this discussion, but rail travel from NYC to Lake Placid is just not something the average traveler (i.e.non-railfan) would do. At the best, the schedule would be a ten-hour trip rail trip as opposed to a five-hour drive. Unfortunately, “best” does not seem possible as the ASR’s current business plan does not have any ASR train that directly connects in Utica with a train to Lake Placid. An overnight stay in Utica on ones way to skiing in Lake Place? i don’t think so.
As for a parallel trail, that is the myth that seemingly will not die. It is single-track line through wild country with nearly continuous wetlands, cuts, or fills to the side. A parallel trail would involve essentially building another roadbed for the trail.
Finally, most of the ASR’s current revenues are generated by theme trains (Polar Express, Easter Bunny Express, Beer and Wine trains, etc.) operating on the first ten or twenty miles of track out of Utica. These train never even reach the actual Adirondack Rail Corridor that runs for the 120 miles from Snow junction on the now Mohawk and Adirondack Northern. Rail operations are still possible for another 40 miles to Big Moose, but last year the ASR only ran ten trains that far.
Have traveled extensively in New York State for many years. What NYS does NOT need is another rail trail. I read somewhere that there are some 2000 miles of trails in New York. This is a successful operating railroad; either help them or leave them alone !!
New York State is very difficult to deal with on anything. Even the control of private property is lorded over by the state government. Case in point – windmills for electric. In my rural town that HAS NO ZONING – the local county and the state have wiggled into regulatory control over installling these. Hence the county and state Govt’s have usurped the private individuals right to develop.
So, it is not suprprising in the case of this publiclty owned RR R.O.W., that persistance of a few will continue against tracks being in place. Most of us reading this recognize that significant use of this rail line for trains may or may not happen. Also, we know that once the tracks are up – they would likely never be replaced. Never mind what the judge said – these few will likely just seek a different way to go after the track in the futue. The battle is not over.
Good luck to those involved. Without their efforts, the tracks will be torn up! This fight will never end!
I’m certain that if the right parties get together and work out a good solution, it is possible to have both a nature trail and the excursion train and railroad. There are hobbyists and fans on both sides.People that love nature and a quiet walk through the woods and of course railfans an people that love trains. A soluion would be to have
a train act as a means for people to view nature and the landscape through a train with tour guides and forest rangers explaining and pointing out points of interest and landscape and what better way to see nature and woods through a comfortable train with great seats and enjoying a great meal aboard while the countryside glides by. Its not a case of either or but a way to give both groups a chance to see nature from a different perspective. Besides any money raised from the sale of tickets, concessions and souvenirs will go to to both preservation and upkeep of both the trail and and the railroad.
Whether it be in Lake Placid or with a similar controversy in Kingston, NY, on another tourist operation there seems to be a mindset in the state that it has to be either/or. There are examples in various places (like the Northern Central Rail Trail in York County, Pennsylvania) where it can be both. Take out that rail line and it is likely gone forever. I’ve been to Lake Placid in the summer. It’s so crowded with cars you could walk faster.
Rail trails are a step backward toward the dark ages when the Roman road system reverted to trails. Here’s a plan that makes sense. Run passenger trains directly from NYC to Lake Placid (not run by Amtrak), and have rental cars (electric if you wish) available for people to tour the area. In the winter, resorts can pick up skiers and transport them around the area. This plan can help conserve the environment and provide more jobs for the area. I stayed at Lake Placid for a week last fall. The area doesn’t have very many good paying jobs and manages its natural resources very poorly.
I agree Carl, great idea. Use the RR to transport people, then rent cars or bus them on sight. But I guess it’s better to get rid of that big dirty train & have thousands of cars instead.
I’ve heard allot of the top 10% want this railroad gone. The top 10% is really into biking in natural settings, unspoiled by industrial history (or peasants, most likely).
Tough to fight the smart-n-savvy people who own the country, lawyers, and politicians.