Adirondack Railroad 2021 Season

Mohawk, Adirondack & Northern loaned Adirondack engine No. 2456 (ALCo C425 blt 10/64) for use on the tourist hauler's Oct 2 & 3 Utica-Thendara runs. The MA&N engine teamed-up with Adirondack No. 1835.

This video captures activity on both days, including in a few new locations for me (the Utica Marsh and Pit Four in Forestport):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYjfdlFjdm4

A few screenshots:

The Adirondack used MA&N power for its Oct 9 & 10 Utica-Thendara trips, specifically Nos. 2453 & 2042. This video captures activity on both Oct 9 & 10 in Forestport and includes a bit of NY Central history as well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tC5tahZ9D4

Here are a few screenshots

I rode in the dome car on the Oct 16 Utica-Thendara run (104 miles r/t). This video includes pre-boarding scenes in Utica (including two CSX freights and the arrival of Amtrak 280), views in the dome car, a peek inside the Thendara engine house and a look at its present occupant, NY Central RS-3 8255, and, unfortunately, the sad scene of a railroad "graveyard" in Thendara:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm-vFliib1w&t=2s

A few screenshots

This video features views from a caboose on an Adirondack work train, Remsen-Forestport Station, June 9, 2021:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9SF_DroDRc

A few screenshots:

Saw an Instagram post noting that former CN/Maine Eastern M420W 3573 has been acquired by Adirondack Scenic.

This video includes scenes from Adirondack's final two Utica-Thendara trains of 2021 plus a "guest appearance" by newly acquired No. 3573

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mHcLCmEK30

A few screenshots

Found the NYSDOT plans for rehabbing the line from Remsen to Tupper Lake.

https://www.dot.ny.gov/portal/pls/porta ... _digital=Y

Essentially from Thendera to Big Moose, some modest repairs improvements when/where needed as this part of the line is in decent shape.

From Big Moose to Tupper Lake... replace 50% of ties, ties and tie plates, ballast, surface and line, replace rails as needed (taken from Tupper Lake to Lake Placid section), ditching/shoulder work, culvert/washout repairs, and remove vegetation. Increase from 10 MPH excepted track to 25 MPH freight / 30 MPH passenger.

Total project cost is just under $20 million for work on 85 miles of track.

Not bad...

Thank you for posting the link to the NYSDOT plans. I had no idea such planning went into the re-hab of the line. And thanks to UT-1 and his pooch for posting all those great videos this summer.

I spend a lot of time in and around the Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake area. I remember my Grandfather arriving by train at Saranac Lake in the 1960’s all the way from GCT.

I was very sad to see the rails get ripped out this year for the rail trail, but at least the re-habbing of the line to Tupper should ensure a good future for the line and hopefully the ADK RR will make good use of the new opportunity.

I took a few pictures at the Tupper Lake station this past September. It appears that some initial track stabilization had been performed. Will try to post the pics, I always have to re-learn how to post pics.

Tupper Lake September 2001

One more at Tupper Lake station September 2021, view is South / West towards Utica.
There appears to be a lot of ATV use in the area. The ATV folks must be enjoying the new rail trail.

September 2021. What a treasure, Utica Union Station.

Status of the rehab project at this point:

1. All replacement mainline ties have been installed and spiked (88,000+)
2. Ballast has been dropped to around MP 81 (just north of Beaver River). Not sure how far north the resurfacing crew got, but they are well north of Big Moose.
3. Siding in Beaver River is rebuilt

Still to come in 2022:

1. Completion of ballasting and surfacing
2. Installation of rail anchors
3. Grade crossing rehab
4. Ditching cleaning and other drainage
5. Rehab of some of the additional non mainline track in Tupper Lake. Not sure exactly what is going to be done up there, but last I heard it included the passing siding and the wye.

Estimated completion is August 31, 2022