Will the U.S. rails-with-trails movement continue gaining momentum? Or will rail safety and congestion issues stop it in its tracks? In the September 2005 issue, Trains Magazine looked at the issues surrounding locations where recreational activities and active rail lines coexist in a shared space.
Want to sample some of these trails yourself? Below is a list of popular rails-with-trails, compiled from a 2002 U.S. Department of Transportation report.
ALASKA
Anchorage: Tony Knowles Coastal Bicycle Trail
Description: An 11-mile trail along the Alaska coastline; northernmost 1.3 miles in Anchorage parallel the Alaska Railroad.
On the Web: www.trailsofanchorage.com
ARKANSAS
Helena: Levee Walking Trail
Opened: 1995
Description: A 4-mile trail near short line Arkansas Midland.
CALIFORNIA
Irvine: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Trail
Opened: 1984
Description: Parallels Metrolink’s Orange County Line for three miles. Rail activity includes Metrolink trains between Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Oceanside, Amtrak L.A.-San Diego Pacific Surfliners, and BNSF Railway freight trains.
On the Web: www.ci.irvine.ca.us
San Diego: Rose Canyon Bike Path
Description: A 1-mile path through scenic Rose Canyon, sandwiched between Interstate 5 and North County Transit District trackage used by Coaster commuter trains, Amtrak Pacific Surfliners, and BNSF freights.
San Fernando: Mission City Trail
Opened: 1990s
Description: A 1-mile trail paralleling Metrolink’s Antelope Valley Line commuter route between Lancaster and Los Angeles, also used by Union Pacific freights.
COLORADO
Denver: Platte River Trail
Opened: 1980
Description: Follows the Platte River out of downtown Denver, and includes 1 mile paralleling Denver’s RTD light rail system with two grade crossings.
On the Web: www.denvertrails.com
Durango: Animas River Greenway Trail
Description: A 5-mile trail running along the Animas River Canyon with the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
On the Web: www.ci.durang.co.us
DELAWARE
Newark: Northeast Corridor Trail
Description: A 1.7-mile asphalt path alongside Amtrak’s high-speed Northeast Corridor, also used by SEPTA commuter trains from Philadelphia and Norfolk Southern freights.
FLORIDA
Winter Garden: West Orange Trail
Opened: 1996
Description: A 19-mile trail linking Apopka and Orlando includes about two-thirds of a mile alongside CSX trackage used by Florida Central.
On the web: www.dep.statelfl.us/gwt/guide/egions/eastcentral/trails/west_orange.htm
GEORGIA
Columbus: Columbus Riverwalk (Chattahoochee Trail)
Opened: 1990s
Description: A 16-mile trail adjacent to the Chattahoochee River between the Lake Oliver Walkway and Fort Benning; includes 1 mile of trail alongside Norfolk Southern trackage used by the Georgia Southwestern Railroad.
On the Web: www.columbusga.org
ILLINOIS
Rockford: Rock River Recreation Path
Opened: 1976
Description: A 7-mile trail running north from Rockford along the Rock River briefly parallels portions of Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific trackage.
On the Web: www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/paths.html
KANSAS
Elkhart: Whistle Stop Park
Description: Trail runs parallel to Cimarron Valley Railroad’s Dodge City-Boise City line.
On the Web: www.mtcoks.com/countyfacts
MAINE
Portland: Eastern Promenade Trail
Description: A 7.5-mile trail in Portland, part of which runs alongside tourist hauler Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company.
MARYLAND
Brunswick: Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
Description: This 185-mile trail between Washington, D.C., and Cumberland was originally the towpath of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. Between Point of Rocks and Harpers Ferry, the trail follows CSX’s Washington-Cumberland main line, also used by MARC commuter trains and Amtrak’s Capitol Limited. Western portions follow the Potomac River in the area of CSX’s Magnolia Cutoff. The trail ends at Western Maryland Scenic Railroad’s Cumberland station.
On the Web: bikewashington.org/canal/index.htm
MASSACHUSSETTS
Amherst: Norwottuck Rail Trail, Connecticut River Greenway State Park
Opened: 1994
Description: An 8.5-mile trail on former Boston & Maine right-of-way. Eastern trailhead is Northampton on Guilford’s Springfield-East Deerfield line. Western end is Amherst, where the trail meets the New England Central Railroad, also used by Amtrak’s Vermonter. Includes a protected grade crossing.
On the Web: www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/nwrt.htm
Boston: Southwest Corridor Park
Description: A 4.7-mile trail between Back Bay and Forest Hills follows MBTA’s Orange Line rapid transit route and nearby Amtrak Northeast Corridor.
On the Web:www.mass.gov/parks/metroboston/southwestCorr.htm
MICHIGAN
Ann Arbor: Gallup Park Trail
Description: A 4-mile trail following the Huron River, also passing near Norfolk Southern’s Detroit-Kalamazoo line, used by Amtrak Chicago-Detroit trains.
Gaylord: Railroad Trail
Opened: 1990s
Description: A 22-mile snowmobile trail running from Gaylord to Indian River that follows short line Lake State Railroad. Snowmobile users pay a mandatory registration and trail fee.
On the web: www.gaylordmichigan.net/snowmobile
Traverse City: Traverse Area Recreation Trail
Opened: 1990s
Description: Runs 10 miles east from Traverse City alongside a branch of the Tuscola & Saginaw Bay Railroad.
On the Web: www.a1trails.com/rail/mi/traverse.html
MINNESOTA
Duluth: Lakewalk Trail
Description: Follows the Duluth waterfront along Lake Superior, paralleling trackage of the North Shore Scenic Railroad.
On the Web: www.ci.duluth.mn.us/city/mainpage/
Minneapolis: Cedar Lake Trail
Opened: 1980s
Description: Runs from downtown Minneapolis to the western city limits along BNSF Railway right-of-way. The 3.5-mile trail includes a grade crossing.
On the Web: www.cedarlakepark.org
Rochester: Silver Creek Bike Trail
Opened: 1993
Description: A 1.3-mile trail paralleling the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern main line; trail includes two grade crossings.
NEW JERSEY
Morristown: Traction Line Recreation Trail (Patriots Path)
Opened: 1986
Description: A 2-mile trail paralleling NJ Transit’s electrified Morris & Essex commuter line on former Morris County Traction Company right-of-way between Morristown and Convent Station.
On the Web: www.morrisparks.net/parks/tractionmain.htm
NEW MEXICO
Santa Fe: Santa Fe Rail Trail
Description: An 11.5-mile trail between Lamy and Santa Fe that runs alongside shortline and excursion operator Santa Fe Southern.
OHIO
Celina: Celina to Coldwater Bike Trail
Description: Runs 5 miles west of Celina alongside RJ Corman Western Ohio Lines route linking Lima and Portland, Ind.
On the Web: grandlake.webdesignresults.com/biketrail.htm
Fairborn: Wright Brothers’ Bikeway (formerly Huffman Prairie Overlook Trail)
Opened: 1999
Description: Runs 4.7 miles from Fairborn to Wright Brothers Memorial at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base parallel to Norfolk Southern’s Cincinnati-Columbus main line, also used by Indiana & Ohio freights.
On the Web: www.miamivalleytrails.org/huffman.htm
New Castle: Stavich Bicycle Trail
Description: A 10-mile trail linking New Castle with Lowellville, Ohio, and Struthersville on former interurban trackage. Runs adjacent to CSX’s Pittsburgh-Chicago main line.
On the Web: www.theneonweb.com/trails/stavich.html
OREGON
Ashland: Creek to Crest Trail and city Bikeway
Description: Walking and biking trail through downtown Ashland, paralleling Central Oregon & Pacific’s main line.
On the Web: www.ashland.or.us
Portland: Springwater Corridor
Opened: 1996-2000
Description: A 16.5-mile trail on former Portland Traction Company right-of-way from Portland east to Gresham. Includes 3 miles alongside the Willamette River and Oregon Pacific Railroad in Portland.
On the Web: www.parks.ci.portland.or.us/Trails/Springwater.htm
Portland: Steel Bridge Riverwalk
Opened: 2001
Description: Recreational path crossing the Willamette River on Union Pacific’s Steel Bridge in downtown Portland, a double-deck drawbridge built 1910-1912 hosting UP, BNSF and Amtrak trains on the lower level, and vehicles, pedestrians, and MAX light-rail trains on the upper level. Trail is attached to the bridge’s south side lower level.
On the Web: www.parks.ci.portland.or.us/Eastbank/esplanade.htm
PENNSYLVANIA
Brockway: Clarion/Little Toby Trail
Opened: 1992
Description: An 18-mile trail between Ridgway and Brockway on former Pennsylvania Railroad branch, with segments intersecting Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad.
On the Web: pavisnet.com
Connellsville: Allegheny Highlands Trail
Description: A planned trail using portions of former Western Maryland right-of-way between Pittsburgh and Cumberland. Currently 100 miles completed between McKeesport and Meyersdale, Pa., following Casselman and Youghiogheny rivers; CSX’s Cumberland-Pittsburgh main line is seen across the river at many points; trail crosses over CSX main line west of Meyersdale on former WM Salisbury Viaduct.
On the Web: www.atatrail.org
Jim Thorpe: Lehigh Gorge River Trail
Opened: 1972
Description: The 26-mile trail through Pennsylvania’s Lehigh River Gorge includes 6 miles paralleling Reading & Northern Railroad trackage south of White Haven.
On the Web: www.dcnr.state.pa.us/railtrails/default.asp
Norristown: Schuylkill River Trail
Opened: 1993
Description: The 22-mile Schuylkill River Trail between Philadelphia and Valley Forge includes a 4-mile section paralleling active rail lines: 2 miles alongside Norfolk Southern’s Philadelphia-Reading-Harrisburg route and 2 miles alongside SEPTA’s R6 Norristown Line regional rail line. The trail passes SEPTA’s Norristown Transit Center, used by regional rail trains and the Route 100 Norristown High Speed Line rapid transit system.
Philadelphia: Schuylkill River Trail
Description: An 11.5-mile trail following the north bank of the Schuylkill River from Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park to Valley Forge, much on former Pennsylvania Railroad commuter line to Allentown. SEPTA’s R6 Norristown Line regional rail route follows trail closely between Manayunk and Norristown.
On the Web: www.montcopa.org/parks/schuylkillrivertrail.htm
Pittsburgh: Three Rivers Heritage Trail; Eliza Furnace Trail
Description: Trails running along the banks of the Monongahela River. The 4-mile Eliza Furnace Trail is on the north side of the river near CSX and McKeesport Connecting Railroad trackage; the 37-mile Three Rivers Heritage Trail follows Monongahela’s south bank paralleling CSX’s Cumberland-Pittsburgh main line; other portions follow the north bank of the Ohio and Allegheny rivers in sight of Norfolk Southern.
On the Web: www.atatrail.org and www.friendsoftheriverfront.org/new_pages
Youngwood: Five Star Trail
Opened: 2002
Description: The 8-mile trail between Youngwood and Greensburg parallels county-owned trackage operated by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Railroad.
On the Web: www.5startrail.org
RHODE ISLAND
Albion: Blackstone River Bikeway
Opened: 2002
Description: A 17-mile trail along the Blackstone River, with portions paralleling Providence & Worcester near Albion and Ashton.
On the Web: www.riparks.com
TEXAS
Grapevine: Cottonbelt Trail / Ira E. Woods Trail
Opened: 2000
Description: Part of the Dallas-Fort Worth bicycle trail system, the 2.7-mile Ira E. Woods/Cottonbelt Trail parallels Dallas Area Rapid Transit trackage leased to short line Fort Worth & Western, used by freight trains and Grapevine Vintage Railroad excursion trains. Trail will eventually extend 11 miles along rail line.
On the Web: www.ci.grapevine.tx.us/depts/parksrec/trailshardsurfaceexist.asp
VERMONT
Burlington: Burlington Waterfront Bikeway
Opened: 1985
Description: The 7.5-mile bikeway along Lake Champlain includes a 2-mile stretch paralleling the Vermont Railway yard and main line in Burlington.
On the Web: members.fortunecity.com/railtrails/VT/AB/Burl-WB.htm
WASHINGTON
Burlington: Burlington Rail-Trail
Description: A 1.5-mile trail through Burlington paralleling BNSF Railway’s Seattle-Vancouver main line, also used by Amtrak.
On the Web: accessibletrails.com
Seattle: Waterfront Trail / Elliott Bay Trail
Opened: 1989
Description: Two trails that, combined, run 6 miles along the waterfront from downtown Seattle north to Interbay. Parallels Seattle’s Sound Transit downtown, then follows BNSF Railway’s main line north of Seattle, also used by Amtrak and Sounder passenger trains.
On the Web: www.seattle.gov/transportation/bikeprogram.htm
WEST VIRGINIA
Elkins: West Fork Rail-Trail
Description: South of Elkins, one leg of the trail follows West Virginia Central’s excursion trackage in Monongahela National Forest.
On the Web: www.wvtrails.org
Thurmond: Thurmond to Minden Rail-Trail / Brooklyn to Southside Junction Rail-Trail
Description: Follows western bank of the New River from Thurmond north to Fayetteville, paralleling CSX main line.
On the Web: www.wvtrails.org
WISCONSIN
La Crosse: La Crosse River State Trail
Opened: 1987
Description: Part of state’s rails-to-trails network, the 21.5-mile trail between La Crosse and Sparta follows Canadian Pacific’s Chicago-St. Paul main line, also used by Amtrak’s Empire Builder. Bicyclists require paid trail passes.
On the Web: www.lacrosseriverstaterail.org
Racine: MRK Trail
Description: A 5-mile trail running north from Racine on a former Milwaukee-Racine-Kenosha traction line adjacent to Union Pacific’s Chicago-Milwaukee Kenosha Subdivision.
On the Web: www.midwestroads.com
