NorthEast Texas Trail
Posted: 21 Jun 2018 14:40
Interesting article about a rail trail that spans 130 miles along 2 pieces of former rail lines. It is "railbanked", meaning inactive for now but the railroad companies reserve the right to reclaim the paths if they like. This also means it's not abandoned, like many other non-used rail lines have become. It goes from Farmersville northeast to Paris, then east to New Boston. Some towns have embraced the trail to the point of adding benches, water fountains, signage, and even a hostel in one town. Others aren't quite as enthusiastic. Some parts are nicely paved with concrete or asphalt, others are mixes of dirt, gravel, or ballast. A few stretches need more attention. Currently there are 3 bridges out but the trail's website directs riders to detours. A short section in Paris is still actively used by freight rail; Trail reps have tried unsuccessfully so far to get Union Pacific to allow trail access alongside the Paris freight rail section up to now. In the meantime, officials in Paris have made a detour available. Trail reps have also approached the state about making the trail a state park, but so far, have had little luck (no $$$ for another state park is the reason given). For now, those overseeing the Trail depend on donations and grants to get them by, as well as volunteer work by locals along the Trail, as well as bicyclists. The NorthEast Texas Trail is the longest of its kind in the state, and one of the longest in the US.
https://www.texasmonthly.com/travel/tra ... exas-trail
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northeast_Texas_Trail
https://www.netexastrail.org
https://www.texasmonthly.com/travel/tra ... exas-trail
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northeast_Texas_Trail
https://www.netexastrail.org