At the start of the 03/04 season 13,000 acres in the NEK were purchased by a group of people who hired a land mgt. firm and immediately closed 102 N from the "Balls" intersection and the Rt. 1 trail loop. The CT Connecticut Valley Sno-Riders club with VAST got Rt. 1 and 102 re-opened for the season but I didn't think it was a permanent re-opening. I haven't read anything on this and was wondering if there is any news as to there being a problem for this season?

Haven't heard a thing.. The first issue of VAST news should be coming up soon, maybe there' will be something about it in there.

Also I was wondering if they have started pulling the rails on the RR bed trail?

As I understand the situation, and this is not anything official, the good behavior of the snowmobile community may allow us the use of the trails opened last year. In addition, the American Thunder Riders were going to upgrade the "Yellow Bucket Trail" to Corridor status as an alternative to Island Pond.

The bids are to be opened for rail removal on the 20th of August for the conversion of the RR bed to a 4 season trail. The work is to be completed by July of '05. It is rumored that rail removal will start in Sept of 04 in St. Johnsbury and work towards Morrisville. I am also hearing that work will be suspended in November if the weather gets bad.

Again, nothing official, just information offered at the Club meeting.

Does anyone know if the "Rails to Trails" will be gravel or dirt?

What's the diff Gravel is 'dirt', at least what 'dirt roads' and drives are made from. Do you mean crushed stone?

The rails are to be removed for salvage value to help offset the cost of the project. Any "solid" rail ties are to be removed and the existing ground left in a smoothed condition.

There are few if any solid ties left so I would guess that the trail we have now will look the same- just minus the rails

Yep, that's what I meant, dirt as in rutted jeep trail with the hump of grass down the middle, or gravel and smooth like a dirt road or will it be crushed stone???? I'm curious about the surface for Mountain biking purposes........What are they going to do on the bridges???

Last year I met the people who made the yellow bucket trail, I thought it was pretty funny, nice billy goat trail. But I think it was too small for a full size groomer? Hopefully they will expand it.

Keep up with info, its pretty interesting

Thats very good news about the tracks if it comes true, its about time someone puts that iron to use. Plus the rails are most of the time showing.

Rob: Don't you think you were a little hard on YoMomma? :lol2:

I too would like to know what they are going to do about the bridges. I was terrified as I traveled over this one in Greensboro last January!


You don't want this to happen to you!

^^^^^^^The top bridge is right near my house. I get the jitters every time I go across it!




[quote=SnowCrazed,Aug 22 2004, 10:36 AM]
Rob: Don't you think you were a little hard on YoMomma? :lol2:




Yeah Rob .............lighten up will ya..........my fragile ego can't take too much abuse! :smilielol: :smilielol:

Go faster next time!! LOL!! J/K.

Last week the bids were opened and a firm from Williston Vermont was awarded the job. At the Caledonia County meeting it was reported that the rails would be removed starting in early Sept and continueing through Oct. The rails are to be stockpiled in St. Johnsbury for use in the statewide rail system. The rails are reported to be of a very high grade and the contract will pay 2.5 million for the entire length of the railway (from St. Johnsbury to St. Albans) VAST is asking that some of that money be put into the trail to repair the washouts from the '98 flood. This trail is to be a four season trail with Federal funds earmarked to complete the project.

The Yellow Bucket trail had to be re-routed late last year due to a logging operation. The detour was a goat path at best but the best that could be done given the timing of the closure. The Yellow Bucket trail should be back on the logging road this year which will allow for a 10 foot wide trail.

Route 51 north out of Danville may need a re-route due to a landowner change. The boys from the Es-K-Moes were walking the new section to size up the job and get the necessary paperwork ready. More on that after the next County meeting in Sept.

Thanks for the updates. Keep them coming.

...........Is the Railroad that the tracks are being removed from the same Railroad that runs east from St. Johnsbury up thru North Concord and points east. I'm not sure how far it goes but I have never seen a train on it in the past 5 years. I'm wondering if this is going to be part of the 4 season recreational trail. My guess is that the recreational trail will bring a lot of tourists to Northern Vermont and give the economy a bit of a boost. DT

No it's not- but I wish it was included. That particular rail line is not abandoned...yet.

Last week there was a public information meeting on rail transportation and the people presesnt were highly in favor of rail transport. One gentleman wants to start a tourist train, others want to increase the business use. I personally can't see any rail system to be economically viable. Rail systems need to be subsidised by State and Federal taxes.

The rail trail I am talking about goes from St. Johnsbury west to Danville, Walden, Greensboro, Wolcott.. all the way over to St Albans. I would expect the section from St. Johnsbury to Walden to be completed by mid to late October...hopefully!

With a few bridges installed next year, you could leave from the Comfort Inn in St. J and be on Corridor 2 in minutes ( seconds for us Arctic Cat guys!!!).

There's a good update in the fall VAST paper that just came out. Bernie Sanders and Jim Jeffords both helped get the funding for the project. Now that's multipartisan leadership! :banana: Check it out.

It sounds like the hold up is due to the Feds. Funding is still up in the air because we are waiting for Congress to pass an extension the the current Transportation Act. I've heard a few say that they think the rails should stay for some future use or RR. I've heard that they are saying this because they think VAST has too much State-level influence, and wish to slow the progress of this project.

This project needs to happen. Not only for sledders but with year-round access it has the potential to help bolster the economy in this area and improve our quality of life. I hope this trail becomes a reality.