Adirondack Scenic Railroad

History

A rail line through the heart of the Adirondack wilderness was initially constructed in 1891 by Dr. William Seward Webb, a member of the Vanderbilt family, and was used by notable families of the time to access their Great Camps. The line was eventually purchased by the New York Central Railway and actively operated through the 1950s, falling into disuse with the rise of the highway system. A brief reconstruction of the line occurred in 1980 to aide transit to the Winter Olympic Games. After the Olympics, the line was abandoned and New York State assumed ownership. In 1992, a group of rail enthusiasts banded together to operate a short section of the line under the name of the Adirondack Centennial Railroad. In the first season the railroad carried over 55,000 passengers. With a positive response, New York State allowed the railroad to operate again in 1993 and the Adirondack Scenic Railroad was born. Thanks to its many volunteers, the line has now carried over 1.2 million passengers.

Specialties

All aboard for the Adirondacks, travel through remote forests, past sparkling rivers, over bridges, tranquil ponds and streams, into the magnificent beauty of the six million acre Adirondack Park. Become a witness of nature's beauty and look out for the many animals and birds along the routes. Our train adventures offer many different scenic excursions departing from Utica's Union Station, Thendara Station near Old Forge, Saranac Lake Union Depot and Lake Placid Station. For more information on departures or for contact information please check out our website.