I appreciated Dick Beamish's commentary ("Adirondack Trail offers hope to the region," Jan. 23) regarding the potential for the 90-mile trail along the rail right of way in the Adirondacks.
The route was considered to support the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid but dismissed as impractical even in support of that signature event. The route was functional, though it required a day of travel to get where a vehicle could go in less than two hours.
Most of the line has eroded since that time, and equipment has been pilfered. Two short sections offer short, slow trips, similar to those offered by other nearby competing lines. Rail enthusiasts hope for the tens of millions in scarce transportation funds to extend these routes, though it is unlikely that would generate more users. Their meager maintenance funds would be further stressed.
Ulster County decided to remove remaining rail from the western half of the Catskill Mountain Rail line, concentrating on the short, existing "excursion" line. A trail will use the remaining right of way to the west, serving visitors and commuters on a safe and attractive route.
There is no reason that the state Department of Transportation can't make the same decisions for the Adirondack line. Uncertainty shouldn't remain the state's policy.
IVAN VAMOS
Loudonville
Vice chairman,
New York State
Trails Council
Retired deputy
commissioner,
state Office of Parks,
Recreation and Historic Preservation