Your Favorite Rail to Trail Project?

[Modelcar]

...Chuck:

Many years ago when I was involved in auto testing in the Kingman area I used to travel down from McCarren field quite often and of course pass down past Boulder City and know exactly the ROW you are talking about.  Use to try to follow it {visually}, as I drove down 93, where the route to the dam went....From the horseshoe curve way over to the left and on down towards the dam.

Never had time to spend walking on that ROW {at that time}, and explore the tunnels but know where you are talking about.  As that former line reached the  Hoover construction area it had a big circle to wind around so it could unload and return back up thru Railroad Pass and on to Vegas, etc.....Loved that area and that line engineered to get to the Hoover project. 

[tomikawaTT]

I'd much rather see an old railroad recycled as a walking/biking trail than see it chopped into 60 foot lengths and incorporated into lots for tract houses.

That will never happen to my favorite - the Railroad Tunnel Trail, from just below the Lake Mead Visitors' Center to the end of Tunnel #5, about 3/4 mile short of Hoover Dam.  There's easy parking at the trailhead, great views from the trail and the tunnels are HUGE - built for oversize loads handled during and after the building of the dam.  It's not very long, but it's fun!

Chuck 

[Modelcar]

.....Just a comment on bike / hiking trails.  I like it when the trail does really follow the original Railroad ROW.  We, as railfans, know railroads are built {where possible}, to minimum grades and for sure, that makes a nice {when paved}, bike trail.

And I better make this statement....I would rather still see any trail... a railroad, in place of the bike / hike trail, but we all know if the rail route is not producing enough revenue.....Cannot continue.

[Anonymous]

I like what Cedar Rapids has done with the former ROCK starting at the C Street bridge south towards Ely and Iowa City.  The trail doesn't precisely follow the old ROW the whole way, but when it diverges it doesn't stray too far.  Very nice bike path - some of the trees look like they go 50-60' up it seems.

[JSGreen]

 Does anyone know what Idaho is going to do with the ROW up through Kellogg and Wallace from Coeur D'Alene? Is Superfund still involved?

 

It's a hike/bike trail, all the way to the lake, then goes on the south side of lake Coeur D'Alene.  You can hike/bike darn near all the way across the panhandle... they call it the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes  and it starts in Mullan.

[spokyone]

 Does anyone know what Idaho is going to do with the ROW up through Kellogg and Wallace from Coeur D'Alene? Is Superfund still involved?

[csmith9474]

Anybody know of any trails to rails projects?

Throughout railroading history, I am sure there have been many trails to rails projects.

[ndbprr]

Anybody know of any trails to rails projects?

[Lord Atmo]

the elroy sprta trail is ok as far as the tunnels go, but god does it ever get long after that last tunnel between sparta and that other town. having to bike 25 miles at age 10...

i thought i was gonna die

nowadays i would tear that trail a new one. with my ipod motivating me to ride my way to the train-filled sparta!

my favorite trail? the one that used to be the MILW line around here. as soon as it reaches Chippewa Falls anyway. giving me a direct route to Chippy by bike! 

[blhanel]

I hate to say it, but your longest bike ride this year beats mine by...  35 miles!

[CShaveRR]

An update to my first response on this thread:  Today, after a dental appointment, I took the Illinois Prairie Path to its easternmost extremity.  The new Des Plaines River bridge is open, but the route to it is not well marked (one has to go through streets and parking lots to reach it).  All in all, it's a nice little bridge, and the flood-waters were still well below the deck.  It's a lot quicker than my old bike route to Forest Park/Oak Park.

Hate to say it, but, at only 35 miles, this is my longest bike trip of the year so far.

[JSGreen]

The Hiawatha Trail over St Paul Pass on the Montana Idaho border.  A number of tunnels from short to long, trestles over 200' high and it is all down hill.  Well, it can be all uphill if you like or go both ways and make it 50/50.  Bike it or walk it you cannot lose.  Check out the website. 

You can actually bike (hike?) dang near clear across the Idaho Panhandle, on the old Milwaukee ROW.  

[spokyone]

Next Spring, the wife and I are planning to do some exploring along the KATY Trail in Missouri, some years back she and some friends rode bicycles west from the St Charles area toward Jefferson City, a trip we want to replicate next spring...

Has anyone had any personal expriences with this trail?

Can your offer any advice for this trail?

Here is a link to the Missouri Parks site which has info for the KATY trail:

http://www.mostateparks.com/katytrail/index.html

 

 

Amtrak has a deal. Ride the train one way, unload the bikes and pedal back on the KATY
  Just thought I would mention the Centennial Trail in Washington and Idaho.  Part of it is next to the river and other parts on the old MILW.
http://www.spokanecentennialtrail.org/overview.htm

[Railfan1]

I like the Silver Comet train around ATL. Named of course for the famous passenger train that used to run the line.

[Modelcar]

....Rudy:   Concur with your opinion regarding the Salisbury Viaduct.  It is a great place to get a look of the valley and as you mentioned, the ex B&0 passing under it.  Have taken quite a few pic's from up on it.

The viaduct has been very nicely converted to trail use too....great concrete floor and proper side fence.  It is roughly 2000' long and up to 100' in height {roughly} at some points of it....

We visited it just a year or so ago again....Our home many years ago was about 30 miles northwest of that area.

Another good place to photograph that RR is at the west end of Garrett from the old iron bridge {for autos}.

PS:  That is the Allegheny Trail.

[RudyRockvilleMD]

I agree with the rest of you. I would rather see a railroad than a trail. I am not sure of the name of a hiker/biker trail that is being built west out of Cumberland MD to Pittsburgh, PA, but it is being built on what was formerly the Western Maryland's Cumberland Extension. It is paved, and parts of it are already completed especially the part over the Salisbury Viaduct which is west of Myersdale, PA and not too far from Sand Patch.

Salisbury Viaduct gives you a good view of the CSX line from Cumberland to Pittsburgh, and it is a good vantage point for photographing CSX trains. Another good location for photographing trains when the trail is completed will be the former Western Maryland Keystone Viaduct which is a few miles east of Meyersdale, PA.

Part of that same trail will run along the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, and two interesting locations along that section of the trail will be Brush Tunnel, which the trail will share with the railroad and Helmstetters Curve, a few miles west of Cumberland.

[arbfbe]

The Hiawatha Trail over St Paul Pass on the Montana Idaho border.  A number of tunnels from short to long, trestles over 200' high and it is all down hill.  Well, it can be all uphill if you like or go both ways and make it 50/50.  Bike it or walk it you cannot lose.  Check out the website. 

[Modelcar]

...Yes, it's amazing how some folks "enjoy" damaging and or destroying parts of history.  If they are there in the first place, they must have some kind of interest, so what incourages them to disfigure these old sites.....Confusing.  Same thing with littering with the trash.

[csmith9474]

CS Smith....Now that looks like some wild territory.  How long ago has that RR line been abandoned....?  Wonder if it was narrow gauge....?

Those old timbers {in the tunnel}, sure look to be in good shape yet....Must not be much water in there to deteriorate them.  Very interesting.

The design of the structure of timbers looks very similar to the Quemahoning Tunnel over in the east...Near Somerset Pennsylvania and used by the PW&S  RR in it's route from Ligonier to Somerset. Tunnel was originally part of the non completed South Penn RR {but not finished}......It can still be seen right along side the Penn Turnpike a few miles west of Somerset.  Just off {and a little lower},to the right. 

The Pennsylvania Turnpike followed {very roughly}, the route that was to be the South Penn RR.  Building on it stopped in 1885.

I note you can't see through the old tunnel in your photo...Is it caved or possibly has a high point in the middle and hence, one can't see from portal to portal....?

I would have to look in some books when I get home, but I believe the rail was pulled up in the late '30s or early '40s. It was standard gauge. It is really a neat hike because there are still some interesting little things still around, such as the footings for a tell-tale.

None of the tunnels are collapsed. The longer ones are curved, so you can't see the other side. Two of them require that you have a flashlight because they are longer.

The timbers are in unbelievably good shape considering their age. There is lots of names and what not carved into them. I haven't read any of them, so I don't know how far back they date.

My 7yo son and myself go up there about once a month with trash bags to clean up. It is amazing how filthy and disrespectful some people are. How hard is it to pack it out?!?!?!?!?

[Modelcar]

CS Smith....Now that looks like some wild territory.  How long ago has that RR line been abandoned....?  Wonder if it was narrow gauge....?

Those old timbers {in the tunnel}, sure look to be in good shape yet....Must not be much water in there to deteriorate them.  Very interesting.

The design of the structure of timbers looks very similar to the Quemahoning Tunnel over in the east...Near Somerset Pennsylvania and used by the PW&S  RR in it's route from Ligonier to Somerset. Tunnel was originally part of the non completed South Penn RR {but not finished}......It can still be seen right along side the Penn Turnpike a few miles west of Somerset.  Just off {and a little lower},to the right. 

The Pennsylvania Turnpike followed {very roughly}, the route that was to be the South Penn RR.  Building on it stopped in 1885.

I note you can't see through the old tunnel in your photo...Is it caved or possibly has a high point in the middle and hence, one can't see from portal to portal....?

[eolafan]

Sorry folks, but anything that leads to less rails and less trains I don't like...

I'm with you in a way, Jim, but the way you said this, it's like they're saying, "We need a new bike path here--let's get rid of the railroad."  I'd be 100 percent behind you if that were the case, but it's usually not--and I don't mind going along these places to see what's left of a line.  Sometimes it's sad (there's one trail in Michigan that I've traveled both by bike and by freight train, for example), but it's always interesting!

 

Exactly my feelings, Carl. I would much rather have trains running on them, but if that's not realistically possible, I'm perfectly happy (and thankful!) that I still have the ability to pedal the trail. The Elroy-Sparta Trail is a perfect example of that. What fun would it have been railfanning that line! As that's not possible, I've really enjoyed the time I've spent biking it, and doing my best to imagine what it was like. There's still a lot of character to it, and a lot of clues that one is traveling on a former railroad.

Point taken and accepted.

[samfp1943]

Next Spring, the wife and I are planning to do some exploring along the KATY Trail in Missouri, some years back she and some friends rode bicycles west from the St Charles area toward Jefferson City, a trip we want to replicate next spring...

Has anyone had any personal expriences with this trail?

Can your offer any advice for this trail?

Here is a link to the Missouri Parks site which has info for the KATY trail:

http://www.mostateparks.com/katytrail/index.html

 

 

[csmith9474]

Although it has not been officially dubbed a "rails to trails" project, my all time fave is the old Colorado Midland ROW through Ute Pass. It is just up the road from me, and has several tunnels. Although it is relatively short compared with some trails, it is a nice little hike that can be completed in a couple of hours. The only thing that takes away from the experience is the noise from highway 24. Just make sure you take a flashlight!!

Edit: If anybody is in the Colorado Springs area, and wants to check it out, give me a shout. I am always up for a hike!!

The wife and myself

 

[oltmannd]

The Virginia Creeper Trail in VA.  It runs from Whitetop Mtn. through Damascus to Abbington VA.  It's an old N&W branch complete with several high trestles.  It run through a Nat'l Forest along a creek for a good portion, then through some farm country.

The best part is the first 17 miles from Whitetop to Damascus.  It's all down hill.  You rent a bike and they shuttle you to the top, then you coast down back to the bike shop.  There are even a few good lunch stops along the way.  You also go past the Green Cove station made famous by Link in his photo "Old Maude". 

An N&W 4-8-0 is on display at the Abbington trailhead.

http://www.vacreepertrail.com/

 

[Pathfinder]

The Trans Canada Trail uses a lot of abandoned railway lines.  When completed, it will go from the west coast to the east.  Most if not all of the Newfoundland section is done, utilizing the old CN narrow gauge rail bed.  A very large undertaking but doable.

[blhanel]

Here in Cedar Rapids, the Cedar Valley trail keeps getting longer- the first segment established was a 56-mile chunk between Hiawatha and Evansdale, just outside of Waterloo.  Recently the trail was extended and paved all the way through CR along the old RI line down to US 30, and plans are to keep on going all the way to Iowa City, IIRC.  The newer section also includes a great pedestrian/bicycle bridge over the UP trans-con just west of the Cedar River- a nice vantage point for pictures.

[TimChgo9]

I have to agree with Carl (CShaverRR) about the Illinois Prairie Path. It's a nice trail to ride on. I grew up not to far from where it "begins" in Berekely, so when I was a kid, we used to ride it all the time.  the best part is crossing over the UP main in Wheaton on the old C&AE bridge that's there.  Great spot for fanning too. 

Out here in Crest Hill/Joliet, the ex EJE/Rock Island connection has been turned into a trail. I have yet to walk or ride that one yet, but, south of Theodore Ave, it has been paved, and looks nice. 

[J. Edgar]

 my favorite would be former Michigan Air Line (GTW) mostly pulled up before 1980 .....ran from Pontiac Mi to Jackson Mi....and except for 7 miles still in use by COE Rail in Walled Lake Mi it is almost all trail....well maintained i might add with some mileage paved......this is an old codeline pole still standing in Stockbridge Mi

as opposed to the 100's of miles of track\roadbed that well....a picture is worth...

this is all i could find at Homer Mi (Homer Jct) this summer......in its heyday around the turn of the last century Homer Jct hosted 2 lines of the Michigan Central thru town as well as a Lake Shore & Michigan Southern line thru town and i guess during WW1 close to 70 trains a day went thru town....this was truely the only signs of RR's i could see and i spent 2 hours at Google Earth and close to an hour driving\walking around the nice little village....sadly there was no appearent proud display of the towns RR heritage

 even if its a hiking trail its a way of not forgetting one of the greatest things in the growth and development of this Country

[CopCarSS]

Sorry folks, but anything that leads to less rails and less trains I don't like...

I'm with you in a way, Jim, but the way you said this, it's like they're saying, "We need a new bike path here--let's get rid of the railroad."  I'd be 100 percent behind you if that were the case, but it's usually not--and I don't mind going along these places to see what's left of a line.  Sometimes it's sad (there's one trail in Michigan that I've traveled both by bike and by freight train, for example), but it's always interesting!

Exactly my feelings, Carl. I would much rather have trains running on them, but if that's not realistically possible, I'm perfectly happy (and thankful!) that I still have the ability to pedal the trail. The Elroy-Sparta Trail is a perfect example of that. What fun would it have been railfanning that line! As that's not possible, I've really enjoyed the time I've spent biking it, and doing my best to imagine what it was like. There's still a lot of character to it, and a lot of clues that one is traveling on a former railroad.