In 2013, a controversial project was announced by the New York Departments of Environmental Conservation and Transportation to remove a 34-mile section of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad between Tupper Lake and Lake Placid and transform it into a multi-use trail. To combat this proposal, the Preservation League of New York State has recently included the endangered track in its annual “Seven to Save” list to help encourage negotiations about the track’s future.
The idea of turning rails into rail-trails isn’t new, but the Adirondack Preservation League hopes to bring awareness to the overall impact that removing the 34-mile track would have on the area.
The centuries-old rail lines are spread throughout the western and central Adirondacks. The Adirondack Scenic Railroad currently generates over $3.7 million in terms of economical impact, as well as an additional $5.4 million in leverages. Speaking with WAMC, Steven Engelhart, executive director of the Adirondack Architectural Heritage, voiced his support for the track’s survival, stating, “here we have the state taking an action that will have a big economical impact.”
The proposed project would directly affect the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor, which is a part of the historically significant railroad. Since the rail line is still in use, removing a large piece of track would permanently separate Lake Placid from the popular rail route, replacing it with a more recreational, multi-use trail. Supporters for keeping the railway intact believe this type of trail can be built around the track rather than replace it completely.
However, others believe replacing the track shouldn’t be a major issue. “In reality many other historic rail lines have been turned into rail-trails without objection,” said Tony Goodwin, founding director of Adirondack Recreational Trail Advocates, in a conversation with WAMC.
What do you think about the plan to remove the 34-mile track? Do you support its recent “Seven to Save” designation?
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First and foremost, this railroad is not now nor has ever been abandoned. Contrary to Lee Keet’s assertion that it has been, this is completely false. And while many trails have been placed in areas that were once rail lines, they were for all intents and purposes abandoned with the actual rails long gone. I don’t believe there is one instance in which an active railroad has been removed in favor of a trail.
That being said I’d like to mention that the Adirondacks has over 850 hiking trails now and over 10,500 miles of snowmobiles trails. I see very little to gain by adding another one other than thinning out the user base even more. Indeed many trails go unused as it is and have fallen from favor and are in disrepair from lack of maintenance. This trail will surely follow and then it’s too late to save this historical railroad.
Speaking of historical, the entire line is on the State and National Historical Register and includes the rails and ties (much to Mr. Keet’s assertion that they are not). It should not be touched other than for preservation as stated in the preservation itinerary. Mr. Unwin is aware of this too but chooses to ignore this fact. Money has been promised twice since the railroad began operation in Lake Placid but the state pulled it back both times. The railroad would be in full operation if this hadn’t have happened.
The cost to build a trail will no doubt be 30- 50% more than projected once it has been realized that so much work is involved. A railroad can be rebuilt for much less and can come much closer to the final cost in terms of an estimate. The economic impact of a railroad up to Lake Plaicd will surely enhance the area more than another trail. Trails haven’t done much now, so why would they suddenly become the prime economic engine when a new one is established?
Think about it. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to truly resurrect a historical artifact of this kind. There is nothing else like it in the country. It would be a terrible thing to see it ripped out for someone just to ride a bike on or walk their dog. God knows, if you let snowmobiles on it, skiers will have a serious issue with it then. Preserve it at all costs. Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. Don’t play into one rich man’s agenda because he owns property next to it either. Decide for yourself. Think on your own, not with Keet’s money.
They just want to recycle the rails. That’s what this is all about. Getting $$$ from the iron/steel rails. It still irritates me that they removed the tracks surrounding Silver Lake in Perry, NY.