A couple of years ago, it seemed like the Adirondack Scenic Railroad would chug along forever, with hobbyists and boosters working slowly and steadily to expand the line that now operates between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake.<\/p>\n
But then a group called ARTA – the Adirondack Recreational Trail Advocates — jumped in and changed the narrative.\u00a0 In short order, they signed up thousands of people who say the corridor from Remsen to Lake Placid should be remade as a multi-use trail.<\/p>\n
They cobbled together a unique coalition of greenies, snowmobilers, bicycle enthusiasts and anti-pork advocates (who think government subsidies for the train are a waste) and started making noise.<\/p>\n
The response from train advocates and some state officials was blunt:\u00a0 This has already been decided.\u00a0 It’s a railroad line and will always be a railroad line.\u00a0 End of conversation.<\/p>\n
That view was echoed recently by the North Country Regional Economic Development Council, which concluded in its latest report that funding for rail infrastructure — including the Adirondack tourist train — is a priority.<\/p>\n
But it’s clear that ARTA struck a nerve.\u00a0 In recent months, town governments along the corridor — most recently Tupper Lake last night <\/a>— have passed resolutions urging New York\u00a0 to reopen the unit management plan that governs use of the track.<\/p>\n Saranac Lake, Lake Placid, Tupper Lake and North Elba have all endorsed a fresh look at the future of the corridor.\u00a0 Some local officials have gone further, deriding the track as a boondoggle and calling for it to be torn up.<\/p>\n Tupper Lake has been the focal point of resistance to that notion, with the “Next Stop Tupper Lake” group — including some town board members — fighting passionately to keep the train, well, on track.<\/p>\n