In response to the State of New York’s plan to convert 34 miles of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad into a multi-use recreational trail, those in support of the railroad will be joining together for a rally this weekend.
The gathering is slated for noon on Saturday, November 7 at the Saranac Lake Union Depot. According to Sun Community News, supporters will “pose for an aerial photo in order to show state officials widespread public interest in maintaining the rails” and will “read 34 reasons for retaining the rails, one for each of the 34 miles of track that the state proposes to rip up.”
The rally will also celebrate Rail Explorers USA, a company that operates unique and popular railbikes on the tracks and has served an estimated 15,000 riders this year. The railbike service would be disrupted by the proposed rail removal.
The section of track that would be converted under the state’s plan is located between Tupper Lake and Lake Placid. Supporters of the railway argue that ripping up the track and disrupting the ability to restore train service from New York City to Lake Placid would have a negative impact on local businesses now and in the foreseeable future.
The timing of the rally is significant because the Adirondack Park Agency will be meeting on Thursday, November 12, and it is expected that the future of the corridor and the Scenic Railroad will be discussed at that time.
What do you think about the rails vs. trails controversy? Will you be attending the support rally?
Source:
- Sun Community News: Rally announced to preserve Scenic Railroad
Do NOT rip up the track, if you do they will NEVER be able to restore train service in the future. And to stress the point we all know once the track are gone they will never be rebuild. Anyone that tell you they can be rebuild, remind them the present cost to lay track (roadbed ties and even light rail) is about one million dollars a mile!