The Adirondack Scenic Railroad is an easy railroad to photograph but it should be noted that many locations are remote and require some time to set up your view. This is not a railroad that you can chase in a car for multiple views in quick succession. The Adirondack Scenic Railroad uses 160.440 and 160.380 for radio dispatching.

Thendara-based locals may go north or south depending on the line’s other operating trains. Northbound trains to Carter Station run far away from all public roads and while a few dirt roads lead into the line’s path, none yield great views. When the trains begin to run through to Big Moose station, the north end of the run will be accessible, but views will be few and far between. Southbound trains to Minnehaha are likewise not very easy to photograph with the locomotive simply pulling the train southward and pushing it back to Thendara. A dirt road to Minnehaha will not yield much of a view. If the train crosses the bridge, there are some decent views from water’s edge. One excellent morning view is located approximately one half mile south of the Thendara station at the small lake created by an old lock and dam on the Moose River. From the southeast side of the small lake, there are excellent views of morning southbounds. While a dirt railroad access road used to go to this location, walking appears to be the only current means for access.

The normal excursions, southbound locals to Otter Lake, will allow multiple views since the train can be photographed departing Thendara, passing through McKeever, and running the power around the train in Otter Lake. To find the McKeever Bridge, head south on Route 28 for 8 miles, pass over the Moose River and be prepared to turn left into McKeever. The tracks are actually located on the south side of the dirt road and by bearing to the right, past the privately owned McKeever Depot, proceed to the small crossing. This access road is public and leads to state lands beyond. From the crossing, walk north ¼ mile and you will be rewarded with excellent views at the McKeever Bridge over the Moose River. Again, it takes time to walk in so plan your shot accordingly. This bridge is one of the best views on the line! (remember, all locals do not pass over this!) Also bear in mind that once the southbound local goes over McKeever, it will then run around the train at Otter Lake and pass over the bridge again within the next half-hour, allowing good views of the locomotive and train in both directions. McKeever Bridge is a good photo location throughout the day including the north and southbound runs of the Utica train.

Utica based trains represent the best action for the Adirondack Scenic since their morning northbound and late afternoon southbound schedule make for well-lit photo opportunities. Good opportunities exist at many public crossings from Snow Junction north. Locations yielding acceptable views north of Snow Junction include State Road, Dayton Road, Forestport Station, Little Woodhull Creek, Big Woodhull Creek Trestle, Woodgate, Otter Lake, McKeever, and Thendara.

The bridge over Kayuta Creek is an excellent photo location for both morning and afternoon trains from the appropriate sides of the bridge, unfortunately, neither side is easily accessed by public road and views from private docks along the water’s edge require advance permission from property owners. You really need a boat!! While this is an excellent view, photographers are clearly trespassing for any shot, including parking vehicles on private driveways. For the sake of good railroad relations and future railfans, do not attempt these views without first obtaining permission.

Forestport Station is an open location allowing a good view of trains in both directions. Located trackside is an excellent restaurant, the Buffalo Head, which is open year-round. Just three hundred yards north of the road crossing in Forestport Station is a great location known as Little Woodhull Creek. The railroad bridge crosses over the creek near several short and scenic waterfalls and rapids. Depending on water level the scenes can be breathtaking. In general, the easiest method to position yourself for a clear northward view is to cross over the tracks by the Buffalo Head, take your next left turn onto a deadend road, pass over the creek on a short bridge and walk back to the west a short distance on the north side of the creek, to the rapids. This view is excellent and might be one of the most worthwhile for northbound runs in the morning.

Another location that is more difficult to get into but well worth the effort is Big Woodhull Creek Trestle. There is no easy method here. You need to locate the river/bridge on the map, south of Woodgate, off Pit Four Road, hike in and drop down the embankment to river level through some difficult terrain. This view is well worth the hike but might be your only location since it requires the extra effort to get into location.

Without creating havoc, a fan might be best served to catch a view of the Utica train on the MA&N south of Snow Junction, perhaps at the newly built Remsen Station, then proceed directly to Little Woodhull Bridge, and then do their best to get to McKeever and set up for the northward train as quickly as possible, concluding in Thendara.

Radio discussions can be confusing and may yield little relative information. GVT dispatching can be given over the phone and although the train will talk to the Adirondack dispatcher as necessary, if the local train ran north or is in the clear at Thendara, there will be little radio chatter. GVT controls the train from Utica, through Snow Junction to MP 42.43 "Bear", near Woodgate, site of a rock quarry that originates occasional stone trains for GVT. All Adirondack trains are required to contact the GVT dispatcher from this point south.

The Lake Placid to Saranac Lake trackage was opened during fall 2000.  While the rail line passes through the two magical New York State towns, photography along the line is difficult since few roads follow the tracks.  The original operating pattern was for the train was to run push-pull, which allowed views in both directions.   Both terminals have passing tracks and year 2002 operations should see a single unit assigned and running around its train at each station.  The Saranac Lake station is fantastic!  The entire complex is restored and groomed making it ideal for fan photography.  The community has openly invited the railroad into its own.  The Lake Placid station is owned by a local historical society.   This 10-mile line is very interesting and the entire area is a draw for tourism.  Side roads access the rail line in several locations with one good photo location being the unlikely back parking lot of the Saranac Lake McDonalds!  Park your car in the lot and walk a hundred yards up the dirt hillside for a good view of afternoon trains with a swamp and mountains in the background.  Radio communications on the north end operations is minimal.  Year 2002 should find this operation maturing.

Adirondack Scenic RR frequencies – 160.380, 160.440, 161.190.
Mohawk, Adirondack & Northern – 160.470, 161.460, 160.920.

The Mohawk, Adirondack and Northern Railroad (MA&N), part of the Genesee Valley Transportation System, operates a freight line from Utica, past Snow Junction, to Lyons Falls, NY. The MA&N also hauls stone from a quarry located north of Forestport station on the Adirondack line. GVT operates a fleet of well maintained Alco locomotives in Utica and will travel these lines as necessary, generally 1-2 weekdays per week. GVT operations are monitored on radio frequency 160.470 with their dispatcher located in Scranton, PA (also 161.460, 160.920). The Scranton dispatcher will talk to any MA&N or Adirondack trains that are located on the trackage under GVT radio control. Train orders may also be given to trains via telephone or cellular phone, which would negate the communications over the railroad frequency. GVT operations are generally limited to Monday through Friday.

Perhaps the best way to view Adirondack Scenic Railroad operations and get good photo locations would be to ride the annual Railfan’s special each Father’s Day weekend. The railroad offers a special all-day trip from Thendara to various points on the line in which the train will stop and pose at remote locations presenting unusual views for photographers. Some locations require moderate hiking and traversing some difficult climbing. The weekend includes a night photo session, dinner, informal meetings, and Saturday evening slide show. Space on the train is extremely limited.