By Paul Post
Revolution Rail Company has begun offering adventuresome rail bike rides at historic Riverside Station in Riparius, its fourth Warren County location in addition to North Creek, Thurman and Hadley.
The company also has a challenging 20-mile round trip out of North River, on the old Tahawus line that it purchased three years ago, out of bankruptcy.
“This is an example of a business that takes the attributes, which make this place special and then turns it into enterprise,” said Jim Siplon, Warren County Economic Development Corporation president, during recent ribbon cutting ceremonies. “It doesn’t compromise the values of the (Adirondack) Park, but enhances them. It’s a role model for how we’re going to grow going forward in a way that’s aligned with the place, but doesn’t threaten it.”
Farther south, Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway had its best year ever last year, with 37,000 passengers, and continues to grow with a variety of year-round, special themed trips such as Moonlight Moonshine Express, a Sunday Funday Sundae Train, Autumn Explorer, Pumpkin Picker and Candy Cane Express, its most popular ride, at Christmas time.
The Railway is currently restoring and repainting three old Delaware & Hudson locomotives it purchased last year, to their original colors.
The two companies operate on an historic, roughly 60-mile line from Saratoga Springs to North Creek, dating back to 1864, when it served Gilded Age rich and famous headed to Great Camps nestled deep in the Adirondacks.
Currently, the Railway operates on 17 miles of track from Saratoga to Antone Mountain Road in Corinth, leased from its owner, the Town of Corinth. “We’ve paid for and done all the repairs,” Railway owner Hal Raven said.
Another 40 miles of rail up to North Creek are owned by Warren County, which Revolution Rail has a five-year agreement ($100,000 per year) to operate on.
Since its founding, eight years ago, the North Creek-based business has expanded to Colorado, Cape May, N.J. and a brand-new site in Kennebunkport, Maine. “Every place we go we try to replicate what we’re doing in Warren Conty and the Adirondacks,” Executive Vice President Ed Lescala said. “We are the best stewards of this track and the best sponsors of this area. We tell our customers in Maine, ‘If you liked this, go to the Adirondacks.’ And they do. We’re out there supporting the whole area.”
Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway has thrived by limiting operations to Saratoga County. Two previous companies, which offered scenic train rides from Saratoga to North Creek, went out of business.
Raven said he’d like to expand into Warren County “if the county and Revolution Rail were open to it.”
“We would love to look at partnerships and other opportunities,” he said. “We would love to see it happen in the future, but we couldn’t do it now. The line needs a lot of work. The county has to be willing to put up some funds to make that happen. Last year they fixed three washouts, but there’s a lot of overgrowth up there. It just needs a lot of brush cutting.”
Warren County already spends $600,000 per year on rail maintenance, so it’s section of track still faces a somewhat uncertain future despite Revolution Rail’s growth and success.
Some parties say the track should be torn up and replaced with a multi-use recreation trail. But removing rails alone would cost at least $30 million, prior to trail construction.
Owners of Revolution Rail and the Railway say their firms make the Adirondacks accessible to people of all ages, and varying degrees of physical condition. Lengthy bike trails have a more select user group, they say.
“When you look at the number of children, seniors and disabled persons we take out, we have an avenue that’s available and open to them, where a (bike) trail wouldn’t be,” Raven said. “We get groups of seniors from Bethlehem, Colonie, Albany and out of the state.”
Saratoga Economic Development Corporation President Greg Connors said the Railway gives a major boost to a variety of businesses in towns along its route in northern Saratoga County. “It serves as a significant economic generator for the Saratoga County entrance to the Adirondack Park,” he said. “Whether a formal event opportunity; weddings, birthdays, corporate events or a leisurely family excursion, the Railway provides dining, attraction and accommodation opportunities to communities that are enjoyable for all ages and demographics.”
Likewise, Revolution Rail offers a variety of trips at its five different locations.
Rail bikes are metal vehicles that run on railroad tracks, powered like bicycles. Passengers sit side by side in a slightly reclined position, with pedals far enough in front so they can extend their legs. Durable, hard plastic wheels create an extremely smooth ride, easy for people of all ages and athletic ability.
“Not everybody can go cycling, but everybody can do this,” Lescala said. “People with disabilities and different physical challenges can do this.”
Warren County owns and recently reopened the Riverside station in Riparius, which Revolution Rail works out of, midway between Chestertown and Wevertown on Route 8. The station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Round trip rides go along a scenic portion of the upper Hudson River.
“I was thrilled when I heard this was opening,” Johnsburg Supervisor Kevin Bean said. “Thanks to Rob (Revolution Rail founder & CEO Robert Harte) and Ed for rolling the dice and taking a chance.”
“You can see the impact of their investment everywhere you look,” Siplon said. “The creation of tens of thousands of unique visits to this part of the county has been energized by them partnering with the assets that are already here. We spend a lot of time talking about where can we create growth that’s aligned with the values of the (Adirondack) park. It’s a really proud day for not only Warren County, but the entire region because this is exactly how it should go.”