Fact and Fallacies: The Adirondack Rail-Trail

For the unteenth month in a row, the issue surrounding the Adirondack Scenic Railroad is still lingering. For months, the leaders and the Adirondack Rail Trail Advocates have gotten nothing but positive press from most of Upstate New York's newspapers.

But recently that stopped. A little more than a week ago, the Utica Observer-Dispatch ran an article on how the tracks in the Adirondacks cannot and should not be disturbed. Quoting that article:

But the trump card is the track. It must not be disturbed. Once it’s gone, there would never be a return to rail. The challenge here is for the powers-that-be to find compromise that can accommodate track and trail.

 I cannot agree more. Personally, if the ARTA is so desperate, they should just go ahead and tear down a few trees or build the right of way in the forest itself. The point about how those with disabilities can enjoy the scenery from the trains is partially correct, even though the ASRR's stations and equipment are not ADA accessible, if I recall correctly. Further quoting:

But those same people — and many more — would have that same access by leaving the rail intact. In fact, many who would never be able to experience such Adirondack wilderness — people with disabilities, the elderly, very young children and others — would be able to enjoy the area, too — from the comfort of the train. And a big economic plus: It would start in Utica. No other city in the state can do this.

There are other considerations. The Adirondack rail line passes through vast wilderness. In many spots, there is not even cell phone service and many miles through thick forest to the nearest road. It’s unlikely that a hiker or biker who experiences a serious medical issue here would get out safely.

The same reasons I've made all along.

While I don't like to attack people personally, I'm going to call out Lee Keet on this one. And he's a pretty powerful guy.

And here's some more articles. It turns there's a fair amount of out-of-state support for the Adirondack Scenic (James Falcsik makes the argument that Rails-to-Trails Conservancy "should answer why it is supporting the destruction of an active rail corridor in New York state") and the Adirondack Scenic's own staff have made good arguments (including a trail on the Tupper-to-Saranac segment, which I could see as popular, especially if the Adirondack Scenic were to put baggage cars on the trains. Ride your bike to Tupper Lake, take the train back! A win-win!)




The facts are clear: trains have a proven track record and I could see intercity service coming back to the Adirondack Park via Utica. The Lake Placid-Utica branch service held out until 1965, when the New York Central cut the passenger run, the last branch line NYC passenger service. And some people take the train BECAUSE it takes longer. I can't get work done when I'm in the car, even when I'm not driving. I can read on the bus, the train, the plane, but not a car. And if you're going 60mph, you don't get to see the beauty of the Adirondacks. That's why the train goes slow (Also, rebuilding the tracks for 79mph speed is WAY more money than the ASRR or NYSDOT can afford, apparently). Every few years, the railroad's usable track increases, or so it feels like.

I'm glad that 2014 is showing to be a year where finally some sense is coming to this argument.