eolafan wrote: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!
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
I've been on several rail-trails across the Midwest, and have to nominate two of them, for different reasons.
My very favorite is the Hart-Montague Trail, which runs approximately between its two namesake cities in western Michigan over a right-of-way that was once a C&O line. It's paved, and about 24-25 miles long (including a more recent expansion to and through Whitehall on the south). The southern end of the trail stays fairly close to principal roads, but in the eight miles north of Shelby the trail takes off and goes through country where no roads follow, and has some fantastic views from stabilized sand dunes. Very rural in nature, through forests, orchards, and open fields (and a good blackberry patch). I hate to tell Mookie what the most famous cash crop is around here.
My other favorite is the one that gets the most use from me--the Illinois Prairie Path and the trails that directly connect with it. I use it east from here to get to work, west from here to go railfanning. The IPP is the former roadbed of the Chicago, Aurora & Elgin Railway, but some of its connections were built on rights-of-way of the Chicago Great Western and the Aurora, Elgin, & Fox River Electric. Close to this network (but not quite connected) is the Great Western Trail, through the countryside from St. Charles to Sycamore, just north of DeKalb. I've been over most of the territory twice or more (up to Crystal Lake only once), but have yet to check out the recent extension east across the Des Plaines River into Forest Park.
....I'll have to put the good word in for our Cardinal Greenway Trail. It is smoothly paved and is about 27 -30 miles continous in length at this point in time. Muncie roughly in the center....a bit more mileage to the south east.
We here in Muncie have the Trail Head....The totally renovated {$800,000}, the ex C&O depot....It is a real beaut. Try to get a chance to see it at night if one happens to be in the area.
More mileage continues to be added so in the future it will be roughly 60 miles in length. There are more paved parts of it in Marion and Richmond area but not yet connected with our mileage. It is widely used....A very popular asset.
Of course I would perfer it still be a C&O {CSX}, railroad....but at least the ROW is still in place.
Quentin
Dan
CopCarSS wrote: Just curious if all of you had a favorite Rails to Trails project. I've been fortunate to do several trails in several states and have enjoyed them quite a bit. Of all the trails I've done, though, none compares to the Elroy-Sparta Trail in Wisconsin (especially in the fall). The tunnels are great, and the trail just has a real nice rural feel to it. Of course, it (and pretty much every Rail/Trail) leaves me wishing I had seen the line in service. Oh well...I'll just have to let the imagination run with it.So how about it? Do you have a favorite Rail to Trail project?
Just curious if all of you had a favorite Rails to Trails project. I've been fortunate to do several trails in several states and have enjoyed them quite a bit.
Of all the trails I've done, though, none compares to the Elroy-Sparta Trail in Wisconsin (especially in the fall). The tunnels are great, and the trail just has a real nice rural feel to it. Of course, it (and pretty much every Rail/Trail) leaves me wishing I had seen the line in service. Oh well...I'll just have to let the imagination run with it.
So how about it? Do you have a favorite Rail to Trail project?
I am told that there is one in Michigan that was turned back into rail after it was a trail. That would have to be my favorite.
Gabe
-ChrisWest Chicago, ILChristopher May Fine Art Photography"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams
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