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As a proponent of transit-oriented development, I have often wondered if revitalizing abandoned/underutilized railways for light-rail use is possible. There's been a rather vigorous debate between converting these railways into trails, which can be interesting tourism points. However, I wonder if redevelopment of the existing rail infrastructure into viable transit system might facilitate creating/maintaining a tourism economy. Recently an organization, U&D Railway Revitalization, proposed the old (Ulster & Delaware) line be "reconnected to the national network". The "Blue Line" would provide light rail service along the old U&D corridor, and to East Bank communities.
My question is if it is feasible to do this? If not, what would be other options for bringing commuter rail to East Bank of the Hudson?
Do you mean.. electrifying the freight rails on the west side of the river and then completing rehab of that stretch of rail that extends from Kingston up into the Catskills (which has recently been the subject of much debate in Ulster County)?
That'd be tough. I can't comment on the in-service section of the rails south of Kingston -- but on the part that heads into the Catskills, there's still extensive work required to rehab the line west of Hurley, there's all sorts of issues related to the proximity of that line to the NYC water supply, and it's not clear that there is demand for that kind of service. That rail line served some seriously rural areas.
I think we'd be more likely to see Metro North extended to Hudson first.
U & D did not serve the East Side which already has Metro North & Amtrak servicing it. For a historic regional rail line to succeed they need to serve a purpose beyond nostalgia and fall foliage tours what purpose do you see for this line?
Revitalizing abandoned rail routes on the west side of the Hudson for tourism purposes is not viable. In its day, the U&D was primarily a milk run. But if there were ever a bridge connection over the lower Hudson for commuter trains, that would be very useful.
Revitalizing abandoned rail routes on the west side of the Hudson for tourism purposes is not viable. In its day, the U&D was primarily a milk run. But if there were ever a bridge connection over the lower Hudson for commuter trains, that would be very useful.
Doesn't the Catskill Mountain Railroad currently run a tourism train-line along parts of the U&D?
Do you mean.. electrifying the freight rails on the west side of the river and then completing rehab of that stretch of rail that extends from Kingston up into the Catskills (which has recently been the subject of much debate in Ulster County)?
That'd be tough. I can't comment on the in-service section of the rails south of Kingston -- but on the part that heads into the Catskills, there's still extensive work required to rehab the line west of Hurley, there's all sorts of issues related to the proximity of that line to the NYC water supply, and it's not clear that there is demand for that kind of service. That rail line served some seriously rural areas.
I think we'd be more likely to see Metro North extended to Hudson first.
Actually, that was exactly what I was thinking... I'm fascinated by the prospect of rail-sharing; Freight and passenger-service sharing the same rails. It's being studied as a means of improving our transportation networks. Germany has a successful shared rail system and, frankly, I'd love to see something similar here...However, with our proximity to the NYC Watershed...Well, it presents certain difficulties.
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Why yes
I'm fascinated by the prospect of rail-sharing; Freight and passenger-service sharing the same rails. It's being studied as a means of improving our transportation networks. Germany has a successful shared rail system and, frankly, I'd love to see something similar here...However, with our proximity to the NYC Watershed...Well, it presents certain difficulties.
