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Saratoga and North Creek Railway: A Former NY Tourist Train

Published: July 23, 2024

By: Adam Burns

The Saratoga and North Creek Railway (S&NC) was a heritage railway that commenced operations in July 2011, traversing the scenic upper Hudson River region of the Adirondack Mountains in New York State.

Unfortunately, passenger services were discontinued on April 7, 2018, with the final revenue freight train, which facilitated the removal of stored tank cars, running in May 2018.

The S&NC was part of the Iowa Pacific Holdings, which fell into severe financial issues in 2019/2021, and ultimately entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March, 2021.

Operating between North Creek and Saratoga Springs, New York, the Saratoga and North Creek provided a crucial connection to Amtrak's Ethan Allen Express and Adirondack services.

Saratoga & North Creek Railway's famous BL2, #52, is parked at the station in Saratoga Springs, New York on November 25, 2011 with the Santa Train. Doug Kroll photo.

History

The Saratoga and North Creek Railway operated on former Adirondack Railway tracks, initially constructed by Thomas C. Durant in 1871.

The Adirondack Railway, originally known as the Adirondack Company, was a railroad that extended from Saratoga Springs to North Creek, New York, spanning 62 miles.

This railway was constructed under the direction of Dr. Thomas Clark Durant, vice-president of the Union Pacific Railroad, beginning in 1864 and reaching completion in 1871. Following Dr. Durant's death, his son, William West Durant, assumed control of the railway.

In 1889, William West Durant sold the railroad to the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company. Notably, North Creek station is where Theodore Roosevelt first learned of his ascension to the presidency following the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901.

During World War II, the D&H facilitated the transportation of magnetite, ilmenite, and titanium from Tahawus, necessitating the construction of new track north of North Creek for the War Department.

Regularly scheduled passenger services by D&H, running Monday through Saturday, were reduced to summer operations by the mid-1950s and completely discontinued by 1957, leaving only freight services. These continued until September 1989 when the Tahawus mine ceased operations.

In 1998, Warren County purchased the line with the intention of utilizing it for tourism and economic development. By 1999, the Upper Hudson River Railroad began operating excursion trains from North Creek to Riverside Station in Riparius.

However, the Upper Hudson River Railroad's contract with Warren County was terminated on December 31, 2010, ending 11 years of operation.

Additionally, the branch line connecting to the paper mill in Corinth, New York, went out of service when the mill closed in 2002 and has remained inactive since.

Iowa Pacific

On April 8, 2011, Iowa Pacific Holdings (IPH) announced its acquisition of operational control over the route, effective July 1, 2011. As part of the agreement with local authorities, IPH committed to running at least 182 tourist-oriented passenger trains annually along the line.

The creation of the Saratoga and North Creek Railway marked the return of regularly scheduled service for the first time since the D&H ceased operations on November 17, 1989.

IPH began running trains under the new Saratoga and North Creek Railroad banner on July 14, 2011. Unlike the Upper Hudson River Railroad, the new service covered the entire 57-mile stretch between Saratoga Springs and North Creek, New York.

On May 14, 2012, IPH received authorization from the Surface Transportation Board to reinstate freight service on the dormant northern segment of the line, extending as far as Newcomb. Freight operations commenced on this section in February 2013.

The railroad is perhaps most famous for its use of a pair of rare BL2 diesels, ex-Bangor & Aroostook #552 (#52) and #556 (#56), although the latter was never returned to operation.

On August 2, 2013, the rear locomotive of a Saratoga and North Creek Railroad train derailed in Thurman. Although there were no injuries, the incident temporarily halted operations for repairs.

Passenger Service

Regularly scheduled service operated once daily from Friday through Monday, spanning the period from July 1 to October 31. During the fall and spring, service was available on Saturdays and Sundays. The journey lasted approximately 2 hours and 12 minutes.

In addition to the regular service, the Snow Train operated during the winter months on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, featuring two daily trains in each direction.

A shorter route, known as the North End Local, ran between Thurman and North Creek twice daily on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in July and August. All other trains covered the full length of the line, running between Saratoga Springs and North Creek.

IPH Struggles

Iowa Pacific Holdings, along with its subsidiaries, encountered significant financial difficulties, accruing substantial debts by the late 2010s.

By 2019 and 2020, many of Iowa Pacific's subsidiaries had been placed into receivership. Compounding these issues, Iowa Pacific's primary rolling stock holding companies, Heritage Rail Leasing and the San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad, were compelled to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Consequently, a trustee was appointed by a U.S. bankruptcy court in Denver to oversee their operations.

In late March 2021, Iowa Pacific Holdings itself filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the U.S. bankruptcy court in Northern Illinois. As a result, both the company’s rolling stock and its subsidiary railroads have been sold off and auctioned by the appointed trustees as part of the liquidation process.

Final Years

Right from the start, Iowa Pacific had high hopes of reinvigorating this branch line with freight and passenger service.  Alas, the former never materialized and the latter struggled due to IPH's growing financial issues.

On April 3, 2018, it was announced that the railway line would cease operations due to financial difficulties. The last tourist train ran on April 7. The future of the line remains uncertain, with advocacy groups like Protect the Adirondacks proposing its conversion into a rail trail.

In 2019, four bids were submitted to purchase the line for continued passenger and freight service. Subsequently, the line was replaced by the Saratoga, Corinth, and Hudson Railroad.