"Well, on a train, I met a dame"
The opening line, not to mention the title of the old blues number Train Kept a Rollin' is all about male fantasy. But the song is fantasy in more ways than one. In truth, not so many trains are rolling as in the past. Cars, trucks and changing economics are to blame. The result - abandoned rail corridors - can be both a loss and an opportunity.
The loss is that rail can be the most efficient way to move heavy stuff. And a pretty good way to move people as well. I remember, many years ago, the senior Doc Ellmers telling me about a trans-Canada rail trip he and his wife took. He said it was one of the great experiences of his life and ever since I've wanted to go for a long distance train ride. Who knows? maybe some day I'll hop on board at Fort Edward and enjoy the scenic route along Lake Champlain to Montreal and back. But that would take a free day or two so I'm not holding my breath.
Between a rock and a wet place - web image
But what about the opportunity? Across the country many of these former lines have been turned into recreational trails. Currently, there are ongoing discussions about the unused stretch from Saratoga up to North Creek and beyond. A trail is one of the options being considered, while in the heart of the Adirondacks many want to see the rail bed from Lake Placid to Tupper Lake converted for biking and hiking. To the south, in the Hudson Valley, sections of the Empire State Trail are built on old rail rights of way.
In eastern Washington County a long running tale of rail abandonment has been playing out along the border. The line was built in the mid-1800's connecting Eagle Bridge, New York with Castleton, Vermont. It used the valleys of the Owl Kill, Battenkill, White Creek and Indian River to weave a lowland route thru the Taconic hills. Trains were kept busy hauling passengers, slate and marble well into the 1900's, but then came a period of slow decline. The D&H system ran off the financial tracks in the 1970's and the last rail cars rolled in 1980.
The line was subsequently mothballed with its future uncertain. Eventually it was determined that rail was no longer feasible and Vermont converted two non-contiguous sections totaling about 20 miles into a recreation trail. Apparently there were questions about who owned the bed's right of way in New York so the trail was never completed. After many years these issues have been resolved and now there is a renewed push to finish the trail, making it continuous from Salem thru Granville and on to Castleton. Details of the plan can be found here.
The train doesn't stop (or go) here anymore - an old trestle across White Creek
The line was subsequently mothballed with its future uncertain. Eventually it was determined that rail was no longer feasible and Vermont converted two non-contiguous sections totaling about 20 miles into a recreation trail. Apparently there were questions about who owned the bed's right of way in New York so the trail was never completed. After many years these issues have been resolved and now there is a renewed push to finish the trail, making it continuous from Salem thru Granville and on to Castleton. Details of the plan can be found here.
Screen shot from trail feasibility study
The cultural attitudes revealed by both support and opposition to this project could fill a small book. I've got spring crops to plant so there will be no book forthcoming from me, but I would like to share a few observations.
People aren't plants, we're not rooted in place. Moving thru the world is essential to our survival, to who we are. Trails make that movement easier and perhaps we should think of all our highways, canals and rail lines as simply different types of trails. In cities and villages sidewalks function as pedestrian 'trails'. In the mountains you'll find hiking trails, often leading to views and scenic spots. But in rural, agricultural areas walking seems less common. The distances are greater and the idea of leisure recreation is looked upon with suspicion by people who do hard physical work. In the country the internal combustion engine rules and motorized travel has become the norm: cars and trucks on the road and ATV's and snowmobiles off-road.
Ready to rip
In the more developed parts of our region trails are very popular. Think of the Warren County Bike Path, the Betar Walkway in South Glens Falls, the Spring Run Trail and Bog Meadow Trail near Saratoga. In Essex County, just to the north, the homegrown CAT trails are embraced by locals and visitors alike. And how do you explain Vermont's quick conversion of its D&H segments to rec trail while in Washington County the project languished or even faced opposition.
The trail near Rupert, Vermont
I'm not sure how many walkers, bikers and skiers a rec trail in a rural area would attract. Personally, I find the straight and level of converted rail somewhat boring. I will admit to being bad and using the existing rail line between Greenwich and Salem to access swimming holes on the Battenkill. But that section is still in active, if light use by trains and is not being considered for a trail. If it were to become available in the future its proximity to the river would make it highly desirable for recreation.
Rail and river (on left beyond trees) at Battenville
Where I see real potential is in building an equestrian trail network in Washington County. Horses just seem to fit here. They are part of the culture of the place and a robust trail riding industry would bring many economic benefits. Stables that offered trail rides would in turn use the services of veterinarians, farriers, feed and tack suppliers and farmers who grow hay and straw (full disclosure - I'm one of those farmers).
It is simply using Washington County's long agrarian heritage to supply a new 'product' - quiet relaxation on the back of a horse. The forest preserve trails at Dacy Clearing in Fort Ann are already popular with riders. When completed the Empire State Trail along the canal will be another option. Add the D&H rail trail and you begin to have real potential. Beyond that there's a need to retain the county's many quiet dirt roads and perhaps add some connectors to create interesting loops.
It would take vision and leadership, work and investment to make the county truly horse (and rider) friendly. But the rewards could be worth it. Maybe it's time to back away from some of our high octane "wroom - wroommm" habits and return to older, simpler ways. As the saying goes "The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man".
Ready to ride - east side of Lake George
It is simply using Washington County's long agrarian heritage to supply a new 'product' - quiet relaxation on the back of a horse. The forest preserve trails at Dacy Clearing in Fort Ann are already popular with riders. When completed the Empire State Trail along the canal will be another option. Add the D&H rail trail and you begin to have real potential. Beyond that there's a need to retain the county's many quiet dirt roads and perhaps add some connectors to create interesting loops.
It would take vision and leadership, work and investment to make the county truly horse (and rider) friendly. But the rewards could be worth it. Maybe it's time to back away from some of our high octane "wroom - wroommm" habits and return to older, simpler ways. As the saying goes "The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man".
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