Conference noted::bicycle

    I think it is a great idea.  In the Amherst/Northhampton area they
    are trying to get an old railway turned into a bike path.  This
    includes an old bridge over the Conn. River.  The only alternative
    for bicyclists now is to ride on route 9.  In the past 3 years I
    have had 3 friends hit by cars on this highway.  One went through
    a windshield and another has almost no use of their left arm with
    little chance of recovery.  
      The two big stumbling blocks for the trail are 1) coming up with
    the funds and 2) convincing the adjacent property owners of the
    trail that we bicyclists do not want to trash their property.
      I think it is a very worthy cause (obviously).  I sent in the
    survey and a donation the same day I received it.
    
    						Norm

    I've been interested in pursuing this in the greater Boston area,
    but I didn't know about the conservancy. Could you post their full
    address ?

    	re: .2
    
    			Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
    			1400 Sixteenth Street, NW
    			Washington, DC        20036
    

    I received the correspondence and promptly sent in the $15.00 for
    membership. The League of American Wheelmen support this group.
    
    I own an ATB and do hit the woods every once in a while. There is
    a route from Gardner to New Hampshire where the railroad tracks
    were pulled out many years ago. It's a great ride and it's not
    maintained at all. It is 99% woods which is nice for that badly
    needed from time to time "escape" from the pavement. I hope there
    sights target some eastern areas soon. As mentioned, there are miles
    of railroad tracks and mile of removed tracks "roads". It's be great
    if someone could do something.
    
    Chip

< Note 1034.4 by WMOIS::C_GIROUARD >
                             -< THE GREAT ESCAPE >-

>    I own an ATB and do hit the woods every once in a while. There is
>    a route from Gardner to New Hampshire where the railroad tracks
>    were pulled out many years ago. It's a great ride and it's not
>    maintained at all. It is 99% woods which is nice for that badly
>    needed from time to time "escape" from the pavement. I hope there

How 'bout directions to this route?

    I'll get 'em to you tomorrow. It's really great because they're
    are several side roads to go on (old logging roads?) that go
    quite a distance. They do intersect Rte. 140 if that helps
    (heading toward Winchendon from Gardner). More details to
    follow.
    
    Chip

    are these some of the same trails that they used to run the dogsled
    races on?  Out near MWCC?

Is it possible that there is some scrap value to the wood and steel currently in
some (maybe most) abandoned tracks to help foot the bill for the trail? 

pab

    I assume that there is scrap value, yes.  Recently, Norfolk & Western
    uprooted a whole rail-line through York SC to Kings Mountain SC
    (to prevent its getting into the public domain as is, from disuse)
    and they carted away the rails, the ties, and the gravel.

    They also dismantled perfectly good bridges across ravines, etc.
    
    Question is, who owns what...?

    The specific area I had mentioned is totally cleaned out. I remember
    (as a child, of course) watching them remove the track. They took
    all of the ties (sp?) and most of the spikes and plates. There are
    a few kicking around but you'd really have to look for them off
    to the side.
    
    DIRECTIONS - HERE WE GO (there are options)
    
    1)  They begin behind the Crystal Lake Cementery/Park in Gardner.
        If you can find the Greenwood Memorial Pool on Park St. it
        would be your immediate right after the pool. You can see
        the lake from Park St. but you have to go all the way to
        the back of the cemetery. You'll see an old garage just
        outside of the cemetery grounds. To the immediate left
        is where they begin.
    
    2)  You can also pick them up right behind the Gardner Municiple
        Golf Course (also on Park St. - about a mile and half from
        the pool). They used to run right across Park St. and you catch
        your first glimpse of the course from that point.
    
    3)  They also run right across Rte. 140 heading toward Winchendon.
        A reference point is the intersection of Rtes. 101 and 140.
        There is a set of traffic lights at this intersection. You simply
        head toward Winchendon. Approximately 2 miles you'll see where
        they crossed over Rte. 140.
    
    As explained earlier, they go to New Hampshire (how far I don't
    know) and there are a lot of side roads that you can take (logging
    roads?) that go quite a way. 
    
    If you need more let me know.
    
    Chip

    Has anyone checked out the old rail trail in Gardner?  How is it?
    
    steve

    
    There has not been a reply here since '89.  Has anyone been on this
    trail lately?  I think I'd like to check it out.
    
    Louisa

    
    Does anyone have a listing of R-t-T sites in the New England area
    they could post?  I now of two so far, and I do plan on writing to
    Washington to find out more info.  But maybe a *small* list to
    start would be nice????
    
    Thanks
    
    Louisa

    louisa -
    
    there is a book available that lists all the r-t-t sites, state by
    state.  i got a copy from nashbar (1-800-nashbar). or check your local
    bike shops.
    
    if you can't find anything, send me mail and i'll xerox the NE pages
    and mail them to you.
    
    	Ann