New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

railroads

Adirondack Wildfire: The Destruction of Long Lake West

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Damage-by-Laura-Von-Rosk-210x300Over the years I have put my canoe into Adirondack waters at the Lows Lake Lower Dam (Bog River Dam, 1907) and paddled the meandering Bog River Flow upstream to Hitchins Pond.  From there you can carry around the Lows Lake Dam (Upper Dam, 1903*) and out on to Lows Lake.

Occasionally a day paddle and a short hike around Hitchins Pond is in order. I often walk the old Maple Valley Railroad bed, part of the Horse Shoe Forestry Company established by Abbot Augustus “Gus” Low in 1900. If you know where to look, there are rail sidings where A. A. Low’s maple sugarhouses once stood. [Read more…] about Adirondack Wildfire: The Destruction of Long Lake West

Mame Fay: Stories From Troy’s Red Light District

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prototype section by Jim Shaughnessy c 1950The term “red light district” is believed to have first appeared in print in Ohio in 1894.

One folk etymology relates that red light districts referred to areas frequented by off-duty railroaders, but this is probably apocryphal. The story goes that railroaders would hang their lanterns outside so the crew-callers could find them, but red lights already had an association with prostitution, and therefore areas of vice, long before that. [Read more…] about Mame Fay: Stories From Troy’s Red Light District

Vote On Historic Railroad Corridor Set For Thursday

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APA Building in Ray Brook NYThe Adirondack Park Agency will decide if the proposed final Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor UMP conforms to the State Land Master Plan. The State is planning to tear up part of the historic Adirondack Railroad line between Tupper Lake and Lake Placid for a multi-use trail. [Read more…] about Vote On Historic Railroad Corridor Set For Thursday

Saratoga’s Greek Temple Railroad Stations

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adirondack companys officeThe prevailing architectural style at the time of the American Revolution is what many call “colonial” but a more precise name is “Georgian” after the unbroken reign of English kings. The style has it roots in the idealized Greek temple, but it was a style that bounced around from Rome before it fell, to Italy during the Renaissance, then to England, and finally crossing the Atlantic.  Each time it was modified, added to, and interpreted differently. [Read more…] about Saratoga’s Greek Temple Railroad Stations

Adirondack Wild: Rail-Trail Plan Fails to Assess Impacts

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adirondack wildA DEC plan for the 119-mile Travel Corridor that runs through the heart of the Adirondack Park does not adequately assess actual and projected impacts on the Park’s public wilderness and natural resources according to the group Adirondack Wild: Friends of the Forest Preserve.

At issue is whether the plan complies with the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan. Adirondack Wild does not believe it does comply. The group filed comments on the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor Unit Management Plan amendment with the Adirondack Park Agency this week. [Read more…] about Adirondack Wild: Rail-Trail Plan Fails to Assess Impacts

Riding The Rods And Railroad Reefer Cars

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Armour and Company meat reeferHere is a photo of an Armour & Company meat refrigeration car (a reefer) with a hobo “riding the rods.” The car lacks the grab irons on the right side, so we know it’s before the 1911 Amendment to the Railroad Safety Appliance Act. [Read more…] about Riding The Rods And Railroad Reefer Cars

When Trains Ran Through Saratoga’s Streets

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part of the original North Creek branch that ran up the streets in SaratogaThe tracks seen in these photos were part of the original North Creek branch railroad that through the streets of Saratoga Springs. Originally, the line to North Creek (the Adirondack Branch) came off the Delaware & Hudson Railroad’s main line in the freight yard just south of the main Saratoga depot, and ran right down the middle of some streets. Started in 1864 and completed to North Creek in 1871, the street tracks were removed when the entire line was rerouted outside downtown Saratoga Springs. [Read more…] about When Trains Ran Through Saratoga’s Streets

Lincoln’s Pre-Inaugural and Funeral Trains Talk

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NY and the lincoln specialsAbraham Lincoln’s presidency was bookended by a pair of railroad trips through the state of New York. His first term began with a pre-inaugural railway tour — his second ended with a funeral train.

Each was a five-day crossing of the Empire State and these two journeys allowed thousands of ordinary Americans first to celebrate, and later to mourn, the president, and became indelibly etched in the memories of those who had the opportunity to stand along parade route.

Drawing on newspaper accounts, memoirs and diaries, Joe Collea’s program (and book) brings to life the two epic and unique moments in both New York’s and the nation’s history. [Read more…] about Lincoln’s Pre-Inaugural and Funeral Trains Talk

RR Project Being Unveiled at Copake Furnace Fest

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Iron Works Train provided by Friends of Taconic State ParkFriends of Taconic State Park is set to host its annual celebration of the iconic blast furnace at the historic Copake Iron Works in Taconic State Park, on Saturday, October 12th.

At this year’s gathering, the Friends Board of Directors will unveil plans to re-create the narrow gauge railroad that circumnavigated the Copake Iron Works during its nineteenth century heyday. After the unveiling, hamburgers and hotdogs will be served from the Iron Bar & Grill with musical accompaniment and raffles. The event will begin at noon. [Read more…] about RR Project Being Unveiled at Copake Furnace Fest