Air Line State Park Trail
| Air Line State Park Trail | |
| Connecticut State Park | |
 Air Line Trail northeast of Black Spruce Pond in Hampton, CT (Pine Acres Lake View Trail intersection near Goodwin Conservation Center) | |
| Country |  United States |
|---|---|
| State |  Connecticut |
| Counties | Middlesex, New London, Tolland, Windham |
| Towns | East Hampton, Colchester, Hebron, Columbia, Lebanon, Windham, Chaplin, Hampton, Pomfret, Putnam, Thompson |
| Area | 40 acres (16 ha) |
| Established | 1969 |
| Management | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |
| Website: Air Line State Park Trail | |
The Air Line State Park Trail is a rail trail and linear state park located in Connecticut. The trail is divided into sections designated South (22 miles: East Hampton to Windham), North (21 miles: Windham to Putnam), and the Thompson addition (6.6 miles: Thompson to the Massachusetts state line).[1] An additional 3.6 mile spur to Colchester is sometimes designated as part of the Air Line trail.
The United States Department of the Interior recognized the southern section of the Air Line State Park Trail as a national recreation trail in 2002.[2]
History
Air Line
Envisioned as a high speed passenger railroad line from New York to Boston, the New Haven, Middletown and Willimantic Railroad (NHM&W) got its name from the towering iron viaducts constructed to create a level track bed suitable for rapid travel. Opened in 1873 as part of the Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroad (BH&E) system, it ran from New Haven northeast via Middletown to the BH&E at Willimantic. The BH&E went bankrupt that same year, becoming the New York and New England Railroad (NY&NE), but the NHM&W stayed separate, failing in 1875. It was reorganized as the Boston and New York Air-Line Railroad and was operated by the New Haven from 1879, being leased on October 1, 1882. Part of this line (the NY&NE Blackstone division to Franklin via Norwood and Walpole) still survives as the Franklin Branch of the MBTA/MBCR.
In Connecticut, part of the line from New Haven (Air Line Jct) to Middletown and Portland, Connecticut survives as part of the Providence and Worcester Railroad. In Willimantic, the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum has reconstructed the original roundhouse and restored the turntable pit (with a replacement for the original turntable), as well as some original NY&NE and NH buildings. In between East Hampton, Connecticut and the Massachusetts state line, most of the abandoned rail corridor has been converted as a rail trail known as the Air Line Trail State Park. Notable features of the line are the Rapallo Viaduct and the Lyman Viaduct in East Hampton and Colchester, Connecticut, which are two of the longest rail viaducts in the U.S.[3]
Trail development
The abandoned rail corridor between East Hampton and the Massachusetts state line was acquired by the Connecticut State Park System with the section from Route 66 in Windham to US Route 44 in Pomfret opening to the public in 1969 as a bridle trail. In 1976, the trail designation was extended north to Town Farm Road in Putnam. The southern section from East Hampton to Willimantic was opened as a trail in 1986. The Thompson section was opened in 1992.
Air Line State Park Trail is divided into three sections:
- South section (from Main Street in East Hampton to the Willimantic River)
- North section (from Tuckie Road in Windham to Town Farm Road in Putnam)
- Thompson section (from Route 12 in Thompson to the MA state line)
The North section of the trail from Windham to Putnam is part of the East Coast Greenway, which will stretch from Florida to Maine.
The South and North sections are connected by the Veterans Greenway, a short town-owned rail trail on the northeast side of Willimantic, which is partially incorporated into the North section itself. The connection is not complete, as the Willimantic River bridge at the end of the South section is impassable and no trail connection has yet to be made through downtown Willimantic from the bridge to the Veterans Greenway. However a street connection is available joining the two sections by leaving the Southern section at Kingsley Road, continuing 2 miles (3.2 km) east to the Frog Bridge, crossing over the bridge, and accessing the North section via the Veterans Greenway.
Future Southern Extension
In 2002, the state DEEP acquired an additional 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of railbed in East Hampton, continuing the trail south from the current Main Street terminus to Aldens Crossing Road. A bridge has been constructed to carry the trail across a brook where the original rail bridge was missing. The bridge was designed and built by cadets of the United States Coast Guard Academy under the supervision of William O'Neill, an adjunct professor of engineering at the academy and former state governor. Due to confusion as to which state agency had ownership of the stretch of land, the bridge was built without the necessary permissions, and almost demolished but allowed to remain due to a lease agreement with the town.[4]
South section
Trail description
This section of the trail has been completed. It has a smooth, hard-packed stone dust surface, benches for resting at more scenic locations, and bike racks. Brand new bridges constructed by cadets from the US Coast Guard Academy carry the trail across the Blackledge and Jeremy Rivers and Judd Brook. This section crosses the Rapallo and Lyman Viaducts, massive fills that carried the railroad and now trail across wide valleys. They provide spectacular views, especially in the fall. There is a short (less than 1⁄4 mile (400 m)) on-road detour necessary where the Route 2 expressway blocks the railroad bed.
Access points
The trail crosses the following roads, providing access:
North section
Trail description
Though open to the public for its entire length, different segments of the trail are in different stages of development. Some sections are complete and have a finished, stone-dust surface and signage. Other sections have been cleared and had drainage work done, but still have a somewhat rough, unfinished surface that is not suitable for road bikes. Other parts are totally undeveloped and overgrown.
There are no major obstructions of the North section of the trail in the form of missing or unsafe bridges. Though some parts of the trail may be undeveloped, this area does not have the many river crossings of the southern section. The two bridge crossings there are (over Boulevard Road in Windham and across the Quinebaug River in Putnam) have all been repaired and rebuilt for trail use.
The trail continues west of Route 66 as the Veterans Greenway, a town-owned bikeway that leads to downtown Willimantic.
Route 66, Windham to South Brook Road, Hampton: This section has seen many upgrades in recent years. The section's first 1⁄4 mile (400 m) was paved as part of the US 6/Route 66 interchange reconstruction project. The state and the towns of Windham and Chaplin cleared, graded, installed signage and put down a smooth stone-dust surface on this section of the trail. This included the construction of a trail bridge over Boulevard Road.
South Brook Road, Hampton to Lewis Road, Hampton: This section was cleared and graded by the National Guard in the mid-1990s. The surface was not finished and is still rough in sections and there are drainage issues in areas that sometimes flood the trail. There has not been much maintenance done on the trail in the last few years, so even the areas that were cleared have become somewhat grown in. Still, the trail is passable for hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers. The town of Hampton and the DEEP have plans to add signage and finish the surface of the trail with stone dust. This work has not yet been started.
Lewis Road, Hampton to Wrights Crossing Road, Pomfret: This section is under construction by the DEEP, DOT and town of Pomfret. The stretch from Lewis Road to Covell Road is currently being worked on to improve drainage and finish the surface. The trail is completed between Covell Road and Route 169, with smooth stone-dust surface. The section from Route 169 to Wrights Crossing Road is essentially complete, with some drainage improvements planned.
Wrights Crossing Road, Pomfret to Town Farm Road, Putnam: This section of trail is completely undeveloped. It has not been cleared and is overgrown, with a rough surface, tree falls, and several wet areas with drainage problems. It is necessary to climb embankments to cross some roads where former bridges have been filled in. It is not really passable, and must be done on foot if attempted. The DEEP and the towns of Pomfret and Putnam have plans to clear and improve this section as part of the next phase of trail improvements.
North of Town Farm Road, the rail bed is privately owned, but the town of Putnam has obtained an easement along the right of way and plans to finish the trail from Town Farm Road to the Quinebaug River. This would extend the public trail to Kennedy Drive in Putnam, where a footbridge has already been constructed to carry the trail over the Quinebaug River and connect to Putnam's River Trail.
Access points
The trail crosses the following roads, providing access:
Thompson section
Trail description
Entire Section: Major work is underway to upgrade this section of trail . The rails and ties have been removed, and the surface of the trail is being graded and having drainage improved. Surface of the trail when complete will be hard packed dirt and gravel. The trail is generally clear of major obstructions, save for one missing bridge over a creek that requires a short detour on a parallel single track trail. New parking areas with signage and information kiosks have been constructed where the trail crosses East Thompson Road, Sand Dam Road, Lowell Davis Road, and the trail terminus at Route 12. Work still underway includes improvements of the Route 193 crossing .
Access points
The trail crosses the following roads, providing access:
| Street | Town | Coordinates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Route 193 / Thompson Road | Thompson | Terminus (south of Thompson center) | 41°56′51″N 71°53′06″W / 41.9475°N 71.8851°W |
| Exit 98 ramps | Bridge over ramps - no connection | 41°57′17″N 71°52′51″W / 41.9547°N 71.8809°W | |
| Route 200 / Thompson Hill Road | Overpass - no connection | 41°58′01″N 71°52′26″W / 41.9669°N 71.8740°W | |
| Sunset Hill Road | 41°58′35″N 71°51′57″W / 41.9764°N 71.8658°W | ||
| Lowell Davis Road | 41°59′05″N 71°51′24″W / 41.9846°N 71.8566°W | ||
| Interstate 395 | Overpass - no connection | 41°59′14″N 71°51′11″W / 41.9873°N 71.8531°W | |
| Route 193 / Thompson Road | Overpass - no connection (north of Thompson center) | 41°59′34″N 71°50′38″W / 41.9929°N 71.8438°W | |
| Sand Dam Road | 42°00′16″N 71°49′12″W / 42.0045°N 71.8201°W | ||
| East Thompson Road | Connection with Southern New England Trunkline Trail | 42°00′32″N 71°48′33″W / 42.0089°N 71.8091°W |
The trail continues east and north into Massachusetts, at Douglas as the Southern New England Trunkline Trail, part of the Massachusetts State Park System. Massachusetts has improved access at trailheads and road crossings, but many bridges are absent and the trail is not continuous. Sections of the trail continue to Franklin, Massachusetts.
Colchester Spur
Trail description
The 3.6-mile (5.8 km) spur to Colchester consists of the same hard-packed gravel as the rest of the South section. The Route 85 crossing is at a marked crosswalk, while the two other crossings are unmarked over minor local roads. The trail terminates just east of downtown Colchester at the former depot and freight house.[5]
Access points
The trail crosses the following roads, providing access:
| Street | Town | Coordinates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Route 85 | Hebron | 41°37′11″N 72°20′39″W / 41.6196°N 72.3441°W | |
| Crouch Road | 41°36′50″N 72°20′34″W / 41.6139°N 72.3428°W | ||
| Old Amston Road | Colchester | 41°35′41″N 72°20′01″W / 41.5947°N 72.3335°W | |
| Route 16 | Terminus | 41°34′46″N 72°19′38″W / 41.5795°N 72.3273°W | |
References
- ↑ "Air Line State Park Trail". State Parks and Forests. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Retrieved 2013-02-05.
- ↑ Associated Press (June 11, 2002). "New Recreation Trails Designated in 16 States". The Cincinnati Post (Cincinnati, OH). Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ↑ Dale Karr, Ronald (1989). Lost Railroads of New England. Branch Line Press. ISBN 0-942147-04-9.
- ↑ Byron, Ken, Courant Staff Writer. (May 13, 1999). Plan Expected to Save Trail Bridge. The Hartford Courant, pg. B1.
- ↑ "Colchester Spur Trail". Bike It or Hike It. April 2008. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
External links
- Air Line State Park Trail Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
- The Air Line Trail: Guide & Map for the Towns of East Hampton, Colchester, Hebron and Lebanon East Hampton Parks & Recreation
- Airline Rail Trail RailsToTrails.us: Bike Trails Created from Abandoned Railroad Lines
- Air Line Rail Trail history and photo resource
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