The Adirondack Scenic Railroad is the only railroad into the Adirondacks all the way to Lake Placid. Back in July I wrote up proposed changes NY State is considering for the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor. (Utica to Lake Placid). Specifically, the state is considering a plan that would restore passenger service to the long middle section of the line through the wilderness, while removing the tracks on the end section to Lake Placid for conversion to trails.
The current 1996 plan calls for restoration of service on the full length of the line - but the state, which owns the tracks, has never gotten around to funding it. Communities along the line have made investments; they have been waiting for over a decade for the promises to be kept. Of late, a very vocal and well financed group has called for complete removal of the line for conversion to trails only instead of the mixed use which prevails now. Needless to say, the proposed plan is a compromise that pleases no one. The state held hearings and accepted comments, but no decision will be forthcoming for a while.
The Adirondack Scenic Railroad linked to a PBS video from November 2013 that shows off the line and then gets into a discussion with two representatives from the railroad about what they've done, and what they could do. It's an interesting discussion of the possibilities that will be foregone if the tracks are removed. They've been up against some real challenges - including sabotage - but have managed to grow ridership and stimulate the economy. https://youtu.be/...
Friends Of The Rails in the interests of fairness also linked to a PBS video of the opponents of the rail line, ARTA. Compare and contrast.
https://youtu.be/...
If you have time to watch the two, I think you'll find the case for restoring the entire line all the way to Lake Placid from Utica makes a heck of a lot more sense.