.... remove the railroad track .... build a walking/bicycle trail!

[TheTimeTraveler]

Discuss as we wish, but like it or not the railroad, and the railroad tracks are here to stay. Railroad lines fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, and a process is in place for the official abandonment of any rail line. Petitions for abandonment can not (and will not) be considered as long as there is existing passenger or freight usage (which in this case there is).

All across America there are railroad tracks going thru various locations that were once considered very rural. Here we are 140 years later, and many of these once rural places (such as the line we are discussing) have become developed and more importantly FAR MORE VALUABLE in terms of dollars and potential other developmental uses.

Simply put, many rail lines running through cities in the United States have skyrocketed in value just because of their existing easements and locations. New rail lines would NEVER be allowed in these valuable locations today, but because they pre-exist they are left alone. Imagine in 2021 someone proposing a rail line running from Alton Bay to the Weirs along the waterfront? No way today, but back in 1880 that was perfectly acceptable, and the land wasn't nearly as valuable.

Think about it; if the concept of abandoning rail lines to pursue other (and maybe better) uses were allowed, then this would be happening all over the United States as communities and folks see fit. It's not going to happen as long as the Interstate Commerce Commission regulates the Railroads.

[garysanfran]

This has been discussed before, but there are more home owners in the Region now and fewer percentage of visiting renters.

The homeowners have done these things many times. And just don't do them much on a continuing basis. The economy once thrived on the "vacationers". Could this come back?

I can imagine a nice 1st class train from South Station to a gorgeous brand new resort with a great view at the top of Tower Hill next to Cumberland Farms in that huge empty piece of land with a fantastic view and location. Could walk to the Weirs for the train or Mount. Sit out the afternoon on the deck at Anthony's or The Dive. I think spending a day at The Weirs would be a fun. Spend the night and spend some money then get back on the train and the rest of the week is mine!

[Descant]

Eisenhower took his experience in Europe and pushed for the Intestate highway system. This led to suburban sprawl and overuse of fossil fuels for cars that we are now trying to eliminate. At the same time, tourists to Europe brag about the great rail systems and how efficient/convenient it is. Hmmm. Been to Disney World lately? Fly in, shuttle and bus to the hotel, tram/monorail, train, boat to the Magic Kingdom, etc. Masters at integrated transportation. Of course, highways are government subsidized, as the US government subsidizes highways. In a smarter world, we would have a more integrated transportation system.
The trains came to the Weirs because there were hotels/veteran facilities. If rail transport is to come back, other than an afternoon ride, we need destination hotels, casinos. etc. The Weirs needs a bigger definition than just a few hundred yards on Lakeside Avenue.
In any event, for the taxpayers to give up a tax paying entity and spend $MM so people can hike a mile or less, is just plain foolish. I know, I know, there's no cost. The Government pays for it.

[fatlazyless]

Clark's Bears in Lincoln/Woodstock has their www.whitemountaincentralrr.com which has a 1943 GE 65-ton diesel locomotive that was used by the Newport, Rhode Island railroad as well as a fantastic Climax steam locomotive that huffs and puffs big black smoke and hot white steam www.clarksbears.com/attractionsTrain.php and goes choo-choo-choo ..... which is one hell of an incredible old steam loco!

What you will NEVER see running along the Winnipesaukee Railroad is a steam locomotive, nor the Clark's Wolfman, either, just won't be happening here. For a FUN train ride, you need to go up to Lincoln and visit Clark's Bears, or go to Thompson and Meserve's Purchase at the western base of Mt Washington to ride www.thecog.com which is a truly astounding train ride up and down Mt Washington.

Riding this Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad www.hoborr.com/winnipesaukee-scenic-railroad/ is about as interesting as eating a day old, stale doughnut and falling asleep ........ it is unbelievably and totally BORING and the passenger coaches smell funny ...... what's that smell? ....... did someone take a flock of sheep on this train, or what? ....... t-t-trust me on that! ....

Is much better to remove these nine miles of basically never-ever used steel tracks and wood ties and build a 12-foot wide, soft gravel, rail trail designed for walking and riding a bicycle.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Clark's Bears in Lincoln/Woodstock has their www.whitemountaincentralrr.com which has a 1943 GE 65-ton diesel locomotive that was used by the Newport, Rhode Island railroad as well as a fantastic Climax steam locomotive that huffs and puffs big black smoke and hot white steam www.clarksbears.com/attractionsTrain.php and goes choo-choo-choo ..... which is one hell of an incredible old steam loco!

What you will NEVER see running along the Winnipesaukee Railroad is a steam locomotive, nor the Clark's Wolfman, either, just won't be happening here. For a FUN train ride, you need to go up to Lincoln and visit Clark's Bears, or go to Thompson and Meserve's Purchase at the western base of Mt Washington to ride www.thecog.com which is a truly astounding train ride up and down Mt Washington.

Riding this Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad www.hoborr.com/winnipesaukee-scenic-railroad/ is about as interesting as eating a day old, stale doughnut and falling asleep ........ it is unbelievably and totally BORING and the passenger coaches smell funny ...... what's that smell? ....... did someone take a flock of sheep on this train, or what? ....... t-t-trust me on that! ....

Is much better to remove these nine miles of basically never-ever used steel tracks and wood ties and build a 12-foot wide, soft gravel, rail trail designed for walking and riding a bicycle.

I disagree! While I'm a big fan of reviving non used railroad beds for rail trails. I'm against closing any tracks that still are being used by a business just to provide a place for you to walk and bike ride.
If there comes a day that the scenic railroad is no longer a viable business then that will be the time to look at building a rail trail.

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by Biggd

I disagree! While I'm a big fan of reviving non used railroad beds for rail trails. I'm against closing any tracks that still are being used by a business just to provide a place for you to walk and bike ride.
If there comes a day that the scenic railroad is no longer a viable business then that will be the time to look at building a rail trail.

What if--just for discussion purposes--the business was serving 100 people per day, and a bike path would serve 500?

I don't know the "market" for a bike path in the area, but the bike path on the Cape does a HUGE amount of traffic, and serves up riders to plenty of businesses on the side. Way more than a RR ever would.