Adirondack Scenic Railroad

Adirondack Scenic Railroad
Locale	New York, United States
Start year	1992
Predecessor	New York Central Railroad, Delaware and Hudson Railway
Headquarters	Utica, New York

Adirondack Scenic Railroad is a heritage railway that operates in Upstate New York, passing through the Adirondack Mountains and offering scenic views of Lake George, Lake Placid, and the surrounding High Peaks Wilderness Area. The railroad is owned and operated by the Adirondack Railway Preservation Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of rail transport in the region, in partnership with the New York State Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration. The railroad's operations are also supported by the National Park Service and the Adirondack Park Agency, which work to protect the natural and cultural resources of the Adirondack Park. The railroad's route passes through the Village of Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, and Old Forge, offering connections to other tourist attractions in the region, such as the Wild Center and the Adirondack Experience.

History

The Adirondack Scenic Railroad has its roots in the New York Central Railroad and the Delaware and Hudson Railway, which operated in the region during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, serving mining and logging industries, as well as tourism and recreation in the Adirondack Mountains. The railroad was also used by passenger trains such as the 20th Century Limited and the Lake Shore Limited, which connected New York City to Chicago and Boston. In the 1960s and 1970s, the railroad was used by freight trains operated by the Conrail and the CSX Transportation, but by the 1980s, much of the line had been abandoned, with the exception of a short segment used by the Mohawk, Adirondack and Northern Railroad. The Adirondack Railway Preservation Society was formed in 1992 to preserve the remaining segments of the railroad and to operate tourist trains and excursion trains in the region, in partnership with the Empire State Development Corporation and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Route

The Adirondack Scenic Railroad operates on a 119-mile (191 km) route that runs from Utica, New York to Lake Placid, New York, passing through the Adirondack Mountains and offering scenic views of Lake George, Lake Champlain, and the surrounding High Peaks Wilderness Area. The route passes through the Village of Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, and Old Forge, and offers connections to other tourist attractions in the region, such as the Wild Center and the Adirondack Experience. The railroad also passes through the Blue Mountain Wilderness Area and the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area, offering scenic views of the surrounding mountains and lakes, and providing access to hiking trails and camping sites in the Adirondack Park. The route is also near the Olympic Jumping Complex and the Whiteface Mountain, which hosted the 1932 Winter Olympics and the 1980 Winter Olympics.

Operations

The Adirondack Scenic Railroad operates a variety of trains throughout the year, including tourist trains, excursion trains, and themed trains, such as the Polar Express and the Fall Foliage Train. The railroad also offers dining trains and wine trains, which feature local cuisine and regional wines, such as those from the Finger Lakes and the Hudson Valley. The trains are operated by a fleet of diesel locomotives and passenger cars, which are maintained by the Adirondack Railway Preservation Society and the New York State Department of Transportation. The railroad's operations are also supported by the Federal Railroad Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, which work to ensure the safety of the railroad's operations.

Stations

The Adirondack Scenic Railroad has several stations along its route, including Utica Union Station, Remsen Station, Thendara Station, and Lake Placid Station. The stations offer parking and restrooms, as well as snack bars and gift shops, which feature local products and regional specialties, such as maple syrup and Adirondack crafts. The stations are also near other tourist attractions in the region, such as the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, and the Farmers' Museum in Cooperstown, New York. The railroad's stations are also connected to other public transportation systems, such as the Amtrak and the Greyhound Lines, which provide connections to New York City, Boston, and other destinations in the Northeastern United States.

Rolling Stock

The Adirondack Scenic Railroad operates a fleet of diesel locomotives and passenger cars, which are maintained by the Adirondack Railway Preservation Society and the New York State Department of Transportation. The locomotives include EMD GP40-2 and EMD GP40, while the passenger cars include Budd Rail Diesel Car and Pullman Company cars, which have been restored to their original condition and offer a unique and nostalgic travel experience. The railroad also operates caboose and freight cars, which are used for freight transport and maintenance purposes, and are supported by the CSX Transportation and the Norfolk Southern Railway. The railroad's rolling stock is also inspected and maintained by the Federal Railroad Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, which work to ensure the safety of the railroad's operations.

Future Plans

The Adirondack Scenic Railroad has several future plans, including the extension of its route to Ticonderoga, New York and the restoration of the Delaware and Hudson Railway line to Albany, New York. The railroad also plans to increase its tourist trains and excursion trains operations, and to offer more themed trains and special events, such as the Polar Express and the Fall Foliage Train. The railroad is also working with the New York State Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration to improve its infrastructure and to increase its safety and efficiency, and is supported by the Empire State Development Corporation and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The railroad's future plans are also connected to the Adirondack Park Agency and the National Park Service, which work to protect the natural and cultural resources of the Adirondack Park.

Category:Heritage railways in the United States