Newcomb rail corridor sells for $3.33 million

NEWCOMB | The sale of an old rail corridor to a New Mexico couple could simultaneously breathe life into an old industry and provide greater recreational opportunities, Newcomb Supervisor Robin DeLoria told Essex County supervisors at their Monday, March 7 meeting. "The potential for economic development is here with this," DeLoria said. "I'm crossing my fingers that it all works out." The corridor, known as the Saratoga North Creek Railway or the Tahawus Line, extends 30 miles from North Creek to the former titanium mine at Tahawus, the community whose residents operated the works. SNCR filed for bankruptcy in March 2021, and its assets were sold at auction last week for $3.33 million, far more than was expected. The winning bidders were Carol McLean Wright and John Wright, operating as the Doc N Duchess Railroad, who said they want to reopen the site to titanium mining, as well as using the line for excursion trains. The tough, lightweight metal is used in aircraft, medical devices and sporting equipment, as well as a brightening agent in paint. Titanium is not particularly rare, but most of it is mined in China — and some in Ukraine — with little produced in the U.S. DeLoria said there is still plenty of titanium left in the mine. "They've done geological studies and they seem to have their ducks in a row," he said. "I believe they're the real thing. They have considerable financial backing, and Lord knows there's a lot of titanium there." The Wrights said they are in negotiations to purchase the Tahawus mines, which are currently owned by Mitchell Stone Products, which crushes waste rock from the mine into gravel and other aggregates. Without freight service, the company ships out its products by truck. The Wrights said providing a source of American titanium is important for national security. They also said they are strong environmentalists and will ensure that the mine does not become a source of pollution. Two other companies bid on the railroad, Sierra Railroad, a western tourism and freight carrier, and Revolution Rail Co., which owns several rail biking operations, including a base in North Creek. Edward LaScala, representing Revolution Rail, attended Monday's supervisors' meeting, saying that the rail bike company can work with Doc N Duchess to maintain and expand its operation. He thanked supervisors for supporting the maintenance of the rails over a state attempt to have the corridor declared abandoned and converted into a rail trail. "It's very clear the County of Essex knows the economy and ecology of the Adirondack Park are not mutually exclusive," he said. "We're very comfortable with Doc N Duchess, and we hope to be able to run on the tracks also." LaScala said he could see a rail bike excursion running from Tahawus to the Opalescent River and back. "We brought 50,000 people to North Creek last year, and there's no reason to think we can't bring that number up here," he said.

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Newcomb rail corridor sells for $3.33 million

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