Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail

The heat finally subsided and it was a beautiful day for a ride!

Slingerlands to Albany

I started the ride in Slingerlands and rode down to the end of the trail. The nicest part is of course the stretch in the gorge by the Normanskill Falls/Rapids.

It's an easy ride with a barely noticeable grade.

Near my starting point was the old freight station - how cool!

I was very impressed with the occasional signs that detailed the former railroad history and its train stations.

At the bottom of the trail there are even CityBikes available!

The Falls/Rapids

Slingerlands to Voorheesville

From my online research I expected the trail from Slingerlands to Voorheesville to be rough gravel and/or grass but it has been fully paved and was a breeze to ride!

Note Picnic Pavilion Roof made to look like the old train station

The former West Shore Mainline (now CSX) is where the rail trail ended

looking northwest

looking southeast

Short Video of the Ride

About the Railroad

The Albany and Susquehanna Railroad (A&S) was a 6 ft (1,829 mm) broad gauge railroad from Albany to Binghamton, New York, operating 1851 to 1870.  Construction began on April 19, 1851, from Albany to Schoharie Junction, New York, a 35-mile (56 km) stretch that required 12 years to complete.

In 1864, one could purchase a 20 cent ticket and hop on the train in Adamsville (now Delmar) at 8:45 AM and arrive 15 minutes later in Albany. After business, shopping, and  lunch, the train left Albany at 2 PM. for the return trip―all without hitching up the horses and braving the roads.

By December 31, 1868, the line’s 142 miles to Binghamton were completed.The line was built with 60-pound iron, and a six foot gauge enabling it to connect freely with the Erie Railroad in Binghamton.

In the summer of 1869 there was a Railroad War for control of this important line. Read about it in either the Wikipedia link or the Susan Leath link below.

On February 24, 1870, the weary board of the A&S leased the line in perpetuity to the Delaware & Hudson. Passenger service on this section of the D&H line ended in the 1930s. Freight service continued through the 1990s with the actual rails being removed in 2004.

Source: The Rail in the Trail” by Susan Leath (See excellent link below)

Further Info

• Albany County Rail Trail (TrailLink)
• History of the Albany County Helderberg Hudson Rail Trail
• Albany and Susquehanna Railroad (Wikipedia)
• The Rail in the Trail - by Susan E. Leath (PDF)
• The Growth of Railroads in the Capital District