In 2013, New York State released a proposal to remove a 34-mile section of railroad track between Lake Placid and Tupper Lake and establish a multi-use recreational trail in its place. Since then, a debate has been raging between trail advocates and railroad supporters over the desirability of the proposal.
Although all parties may not be in agreement, the Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Transportation took a big step last week when they released their final proposal on the matter.
In this final proposal, the DEC and DOT announced that they are still in support of their original plan, and “will allow Adirondack Scenic Railroad to run its tourist trains for just one more season on the tracks between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake,” Adirondack Almanack reports. The Adirondack Park Agency still needs to approve the proposal, but a timeline for a decision has not been announced.
In addition to removing the 34-mile section of track, the proposal also calls for the rehabilitation of a 45-mile stretch of track north of Big Moose. When that project is complete, trains will be able to run from Utica to Tupper Lake.
What do you think about the apparent victory for trail advocates? Are you in support of the establishment of a trail or would you prefer for the rails to stay in place?
Source:
- Adirondack Almanack: State Plans To Give Lake Placid Train One More Season
Our family travels to the region two to three times in a typical year. Over the summer, we bring other families along with us. We do not go to the Adirondack region in order to hike or bike a 34 mile flat trail. We can do that at home for free, thanks. We rode the railbikes this year and when asked, one of the employees recommended a restaurant to us in Saranac Lake. We never would have eaten there if he hadn’t told us about it. Friends and family saw our video and pictures of the railbike experience and have been anxious to try it as well. Ripping up tracks isn’t innovative; it is destructive and will do nothing to bring in tourist money. Enjoy the loud buzz of snowmobiles 24 hours a day for months, folks.
Given all the other recreational trails that exist across NY, why are we so bent on destroying one of the great historical artifacts that remains useful with just a little effort?
This seems like a compromise. Ideally, there would be both a bath path and a train. However, this will add a great place for bike riders who don’t feel safe riding alongside cars. People who want to ride the train still can do so.
I support the establishment of a trail, get rid of the tracks.
SCENIC RAILWAY,HAVE THE LOCOMOTIVES & CARS,
THAT CAN RUN THE RAILS, THE RAILS ARE THERE, WHY
CHANGE IT, PUT THE MONIES USED TO REMOVE , TO IMPROVE…
SUCH GREAT VIEWS, BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME….
There are a lot of trails compared to tracks. So why make tracks even less?
Yes, I like trains and hiking.
No trails, the tracks should never be removed since it provides a emergency transportation method for not only another Olympics but if something happens to the roadways. Trails will NOT bring in more money. cost wise its more expensive to tear them out .
Keep the rails !!!!!! We senior citizens and the handicapped are unable to use the trails over this distance, no matter how much we wish we could. If the rails are removed, there is NO chance that they would ever be replaced. A trail can be constructed alongside the tracks. You’re hearing and seeing the protests ! Please listen to the citizens. This is OUR Adirondacks !!!!! Keep the rails !!!!
Would prefer to have both as I love to ride the trains through the mountains. But if I had to choose would wants the rails to stay!
The railroad should be preserved to Lake Placid. Once removed,
it will never return. The country was founded by historic railroad lines
such as this. This line is totally unique in that it gives children,
grandchildren and adults an opportunity to experience wilderness
lakes and forests from a train. Hiking trails can be made anywhere;
railroads cannot. This was a short-sighted decision by the agencies
involved.