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A Segmented Approach to Rail with Trail was the original conception for the optimal use of the corridor, and in August 2014 was endorsed by a resounding 18-4 vote of the Ulster County Legislature for Resolultion 275, calling for both a multi-use recreational trail and tourist railroad operations on the publicly owned U&D corridor, but in a segmented manner.   The multi-use recreational trail would be developed in the Kingston-Boiceville section of the corridor, where higher population densities make the trail a much more attractive amenity for residents and where the Gateway and Kingston-Ashokan trail can be tied into the hub of four intersecting trails being developed by the Kingston Greenline and the Ulster Trail Network for vibrant active tourist utilization.  

 

(Since that vote, the 11.5 mile section of the corridor along the Ashokan Reservoir has been designated by the NY DEP as trail and $2.5 million has been awarded in grant monies for the construction of trail. In addition the DEP has agreed to construct 3 trailheads accessing the trail and will market the trail to its users in NYC).

 

At the same time, a thriving and dynamic tourist railroad operation would be supported, promoted, and marketed in Shandaken which has all of the following advantages for tourist railroad.  

—The Advantages to a Tourist Railroad for Operating in Shandaken

  • Railroad operations on a route which contains some of the most stunning scenery in the Catskills.

 

  • —Recently successful theme train events staged in an even longer span than a truncated section originating in an urban parking lot.

 

  • —Operations consolidated in the historically most widely traveled section.

 

  • —Rail-only development eliminates need to justify or fund unrealistic and expensive trail alongside rail construction scenarios.

 

  • —A base of operations in one of the most charming hamlets in the country. 

 

  • —Theme possibilities for the town of Phoenecia being staged as a North Pole for the Polar Express and the creation of a Shandaken Winter Carnival.

 

  • —Other theme events such as dinner trains running during the Festival of the Voice.

  • —The support and welcoming nature of the Shandaken community.

 

  • —The support of Legislative and Executive Branches. The segmented approach was originally proposed by the Executive and has already been endorsed by Resolution 275 with overwhelming input from County citizens of all kinds

 

  • —Offers to actively advance, market, and promote railroad operations in Shandaken.

 

  • —An end to the contentious nature of interactions surrounding the Kingston controversy.

 

  • —Facilities, claimed by the railroad to be essential,  including an indoor space for maintenance and restoration and storage space for equipment.

 

  • —The co-location and seamless integration of the operations of the Empire State Railway Museum.

 

  • —Benefit to the  Museum by the potential 25,000 visitor traffic from hosting theme train events.

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