Apr 23, 2013 — Canadian officials say they have disrupted a "major" terror plot involving two men in Montreal and Toronto who were planning to derail a VIA passenger train.

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the pair were working with support from Al Qaeda elements based in Iran. Sources in the US say the men were planning to attack a train traveling from Toronto to New York City.

This news comes at a time when concerns are rising about terrorism activity based in Canada.  Go to full article

Tupper Lake, NY, Jan 28, 2013 — Two more local governments have weighed in on the future of the historic rail line that runs through the heart of the Adirondack Park.

At a meeting last week in Tupper Lake, the village board voted four to one, in favor of reopening a management plan that governs use of the rail corridor from Old Forge to Lake Placid.  Go to full article

Lake Placid, NY, Oct 25, 2012 — A company that operates railroads across the US says it wants to begin offering overnight excursions to Lake Placid on "Pullman" sleeper cars.

Iowa Pacific Holdings, which already operates a tourist train in the North Creek area, has entered into an agreement with the Adirondack Scenic Railroad.

According to Iowa Pacific, the route would be a tourism attraction for visitors from New York City.

Company president Ed Ellis issued a statement saying that the project would bring "a dramatic rail service improvement to the Adirondacks."

Currently, the rail line from Lake Placid to Old Forge is in a state of disrepair. The announcement doesn't say when service on the route might be restored or who would pay for the inrastructure.

Critics of the tourism railroad project have argued that the tracks should be removed to make way for a multipurpose trail.  Go to full article

Tupper Lake, NY, Oct 12, 2012 — Another North Country town is urging New York State to reopen the planning process for the rail line that cuts through the heart of the Adirondack Park.

Tupper Lake's town council voted three-two Thursday night to urge a review of the "unit management plan" for the rail corridor that runs from Old Forge to Lake Placid.

Tupper Lake Town Supervisor Roger Amell cast the deciding vote.  Go to full article

Rensselaer, NY, Sep 18, 2012 — The North Country's Regional Economic Development Council is throwing its weight behind the tourist train that runs through the heart of the Adirondacks.
In its latest planning document, submitted to Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday, the council says one of its key strategies is to "preserve and rehabilitate all surviving rail infrastructure" in the Park. According to the group, that includes "the Adirondack Railroad from Remsen to Lake Placid."

Just last week, the town board in North Elba urged state officials to tear up the portion of the tracks between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid, so that the corridor could be used as a multi-purpose recreation trail.

Critics of the train say ridership hasn't provided a significant economic boost to the region. But the tourist train still has strong support from many local officials and business leaders in the North Country.  Go to full article

Dec 26, 2011 — A green group in the Adirondacks is trying to block the reopening of an industrial railroad line that stretches into the High Peaks region of the Park.

Protect the Adirondacks says the move would violate an easement that allows the railroad to operate in an area designated as part of the "forever wild" forest preserve. As Brian Mann reports, state officials have also raised questions about the project.  Go to full article

Canton, OH, Nov 11, 2011 — Immigrant rights advocates and the New York Civil Liberties Union are accusing the Border Patrol of abusing its authority by questioning train and bus passengers about their citizenship, and for targeting people in the North Country and in towns miles away from any international crossing. Julie Grant reports.  Go to full article

Lake Placid, NY, Sep 22, 2011 — Opponents of a tourist train in the Tri-Lakes are hoping to derail efforts to construct a side-by-side rail and trail system between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake.

Adirondack Recreational Trail Advocates formed earlier this summer. They say, instead of a rail, communities should build a multi-use recreational trail using the rail-bed which would stretch from Lake Placid to Tupper Lake.

But with millions of dollars in grants already in hand, supporters of the tourist train say the path and the railroad can co-exist. Chris Morris reports.  Go to full article

Washington, DC, Jun 03, 2011 — A Republican idea in Congress would change passenger rail service in the U.S. in the name of developing high speed rail. It would start with the 400-plus mile northeast corridor that includes the Adirondack route, which makes stops in Plattsburgh and Rouses point.

The line passes through some of the most congested cities in America, it's the most traveled passenger rail route in America and it's owned and operated by Amtrak.

Republican John Mica, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, and other proponents of the plan would put the Northeast corridor up for bid by private-sector developers.

Washington DC Correspondent Ryan Morden has the details:  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Jan 31, 2011 — Last week, a non-profit group based in Saranac Lake released a new study exploring ways to use the rail corridor that runs from Lake Placid to Tupper Lake. Debate over use of the line has been heated. Snowmobilers and hikers want to convert the route into a multi-use trail, but supporters of the tourism train that now operates say it should be expanded.

Chris Morris checked in with local leaders and found that they too are deeply divided over possible uses of the corridor. They're also skeptical about a price tag that's likely to top $10 million.  Go to full article