Star Lake, NY, Sep 18, 2012 — The logging railroads are gone and most of the sawmills in the northwestern Adirondacks have closed over the last century. But a group of model railroad buffs in Star Lake is building a miniature train exhibit that will explore the history of logging and life a hundred years ago.

Along with mountains, trees and houses, the minutely detailed diorama comes complete with Wanakena's historic foot bridge, Rich Lumber Company sawmills and even a steamboat named "Helen". Most of the exhibit is being built from scratch based on historic photos and memories. The finished layout will be permanently displayed in Star Lake.

Bob Meredith and Ted Tate donned their engineer caps and gave Todd Moe a tour of their miniature work-in-progress for today's Heard Up North.  Go to full article

Pottersville, NY, Sep 17, 2012 — As we've been hearing, trains have become a flashpoint for debate in the Adirondacks. But in Pottersville, in Warren County, a Broadway set designer has opened the Adirondack Park's newest tourist attraction devoted entirely to model trains.

There's no controversy here. Just dozens of tiny trolleys, steam engines and locomotives, each surrounded by its own tiny world, sort of a Disneyland in miniature.

Clarke and Barbara Dunham brought "Railroads on Parade" to the North Country last year, after exhibiting it for years in New York City.  Go to full article

North Creek, NY, Jun 19, 2012 — A Federal agency has given a Chicago-based company the green light to revive a 30-mile industrial railroad that stretches from North Creek to Newcomb. The track cuts through the Adirondack Park into the eastern High Peaks, one of the most popular destinations for hikers and campers.

Green groups opposed the project, arguing that the rail line violated protected forest preserve land. But as Brian Mann reports, they now say their fight to block the project is over.  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Sep 03, 2009 — Music, stories, art and food are all part of "Hobofest 2009" in Saranac Lake on Sunday afternoon. The event will be held outside of 7444 Gallery on Depot Street. Artist Peter Seward tells Todd Moe that the event "embraces the railroad as a dormant resource" in the Adirondacks.  Go to full article

Feb 10, 2009 — People who like the idea of passenger trains have been waiting for decades for the federal government to get on board. Now, some think Congress might be ready to get funding on track for Amtrak. Julie Grant reports.  Go to full article

Jul 28, 2008 — Local leaders in Tupper Lake are trading ideas for expanded train service with a top state transportation official from Albany. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Jul 28, 2008 — More people are riding the nation's passenger train system, Amtrak. It's to the point that mtrak doesn't have enough train car in some areas, and the trains are sold out. As Lester Graham reports, Amtrak has some other issues to sort out too.  Go to full article

Mar 24, 2006 — The late 19th century marked the romantic era of steam power and train travel. And the rails reached deep into the Adirondack woods. Bill Gove, a retired forester who lives in Vermont, has written a new book that explores trains, logging and history. Logging Railroads of the Adirondacks details logging methods, the role of railroads in the logging industry and the influence of the railroads on the condition of the Adirondacks today. He spoke with Todd Moe.  Go to full article

May 16, 2005 — A Houston-based company called NL Industries plans to rip up more than twenty miles of railroad track in the central Adirondacks. The rail line runs from North creek to the Tahawus mine, which sits at the foot of the High Peaks. NL Industries hopes to sell the rails for scrap metal. Critics say the track should be preserved. As Brian Mann reports, there are also questions about how the rail-bed will be used.  Go to full article

Aug 26, 2004 — A Canadian corporation that sued the Adirondack Park Agency last month has withdrawn the suit. Canadian Pacific Rail still hopes to build a series of broadcast towers in the Champlain Valley. Negotiations with the APA continue. But as Brian Mann reports, a pro-environment group now claims the project is actually being funded with state grant money.  Go to full article