Bring the Trains back to the Adirondacks

[Darleen March]

Bring back the trains!

Hello, If you've been enjoying my blogs you know my name is Darleen March, Broker/Owner, of Adirondack Country Homes Realty Inc. Our agency has eight office locations throughout the Park. I have been watching the train conceptually grow. Some of my colleagues have thought this a great thing for the Adirondacks, and North Creek, while others have po pooped it.

However, as a real estate broker, I often get inquiries of .. 'where is the nearest train station or bus station?', because folks looking for second homes want to utilize this plan of transportation for their vacation homes. Originally, I was one of these 2nd home owners. Back then was no train to take, and we used other transportation. It would of been a heaven sent if available. I am no longer a visitor, but a permanent resident of the Park, and 'lovin it'.

Still 2nd Home owners, I'm sure would welcome the use of the train facilities if made available to them. It would certainly help the real estate promotion of the Adirondack's if it were made available. Although that is self serving in my case, but more importantly tourists from the NYC city / Montreal, and railroad buffs, would surely seek out such services from day one of opening. If a ski package were to be developed, our ski Mountains would greatly reap the rewards. Many businesses feed off of such Adirondack attractions, so they too would fill their rooms, shops and restaurants. I can't think of a better thing to provide than more transportation to the Park. With increases in fuel costs, real estate taxes throughout our region, and already being a high tax state, we need to concentrate on keeping the local businesses thriving so the Park can be enjoyed for generations. It's simple, no support services no visitors.

In addition, the promotion of less carbon footprints that train transportation brings is only a good thing for saving the nature of the Adirondacks (saving DOT lots of road and bridge upkeep that is becoming critical in many of our states). Many national organizations have large TV ads about the use of train and bus transportation. I think in years to come, we will have no choice but to work harder on these mass transportation modes everywhere, and not just for the cities.

The Adirondack Park promoters (state, county and local) would be wise to step up to the plate in the development and success of the train transportation throughout the Park, and continue the promotion of the efforts that you and others in your group have done. My hats off to you!"

Darleen March, Adirondack Country Homes Realty