Winni Hobo Railroad

Outdoorsman · 06-14-2023, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

This is a little bit off topic but it's about the railroad so hope it's ok. All these posts made me wonder what is happening in Alton Bay where the railroad right of way was. There was a dispute as to whether the railroad has a right to take the land back. Anybody heard any more? Is it waiting on legal?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodsy

I think the issue with Alton is not with the railroad... those tracks are long gone and replacing them would be extremely expensive. However the right of way remains and belongs to the State of NH. Now the fight begins with all those people who over the passage of time encroached on the ROW. Especially if the rail trail people are eyeing it....

Woodsy

I have to wonder how much property was taken by Eminent Domain back then.

ROW should revert back to the (former or) current land owner rather than being a keepsake for the State. After-all, it was taken for a specific purpose.

John Mercier · 06-14-2023, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outdoorsman

I have to wonder how much property was taken by Eminent Domain back then.

ROW should revert back to the (former or) current land owner rather than being a keepsake for the State. After-all, it was taken for a specific purpose.

The ''former'' land owner would be paid for it under eminent domain. And the current land owner would be the State.
The purpose to keep the corridor open for future transportation options.

Woodsy · 06-14-2023, 09:08 PM

Tis...

I do not know the status. However, I do not think you can sue the State for Adverse Possession. So, if people encroached on the State RR ROW, they are probably out of luck.

Outdoorsman,

The State purchased the rail lines when the (then) current owner filed for abandonment. Then leased most of them out. If there was any "Eminent Domain" it happened back in the 1800's when the railroads were originally built. The property owners would have been duly compensated.

https://www.nh.gov/dot/org/aerorailt...ansit/rail.htm

Woodsy

tis · 06-15-2023, 04:22 AM

I wonder if there are any statistics on if a truly fair price is paid in an eminent domain situation. Or do people have to give their land up for a pittance?

I know there were a couple of people in this group who were in involved. I hope they update us.

John Mercier · 06-15-2023, 08:54 AM

It is by market rate.

tis · 06-15-2023, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Mercier

It is by market rate.

How is market rate determined? It is supposed to be based on highest and best use. I know from personal experience we were offered one tenth of what an appraiser valued our land at.

fatlazyless · 06-15-2023, 04:16 PM

Here's something that may be of interest ....... go to www.railstotrails.org ..... 2/3-way down the page, enter your zip code at "Find Your Trail Experience" to see the three rail trails closest to you. You could be surprised to find a rail trail, right here, in New Hampshire that you were unaware.

John Mercier · 06-15-2023, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

How is market rate determined? It is supposed to be based on highest and best use. I know from personal experience we were offered one tenth of what an appraiser valued our land at.

It is done by appraisal much the same as getting a bank appraisal... or if up-to-date even a property tax appraisal.

Trail Goer · 08-01-2023, 08:02 AM

Rumor mill - I guess the Hobo & Winnipesaukee Scenic railroads are for sale, and it explains some of the reasons for this year's odd ball scheduling for both railroads. It appears a buyer is already under agreement for both and currently going through the approval process.

Patofnaud · 08-01-2023, 10:02 AM

Thanks TG, good to know.

I know that the rails are still maintained from Lakeport up to Plymouth as the Hobo RR does run up to Common Man during the fall. I see the yellow rail maintenance pickup about once a week pass by.

Trail Goer · 08-04-2023, 08:44 AM

They actually lease and maintain the line down to Lochmere (Silver Lake Rd). South of that, and down into Concord, is leased to the New England Southern Railroad.

John Mercier · 08-04-2023, 10:54 AM

Is that for the rail bikes?
I don't think the train itself has travelled any further than Lakeport for awhile now.

Trail Goer · 08-04-2023, 09:07 PM

The railbikes are part of the services offered by the railroad but trains still operate between Lochmere and Lakeport and just this week they sent three privately owned passenger cars down that had been stored up in Lincoln, NH for the past 20+ years. I saw them heading down towards Manchester and we're on the end of a long freight train.

06-14-2023, 09:08 PM	#3
Woodsy Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Weirs Beach Posts: 1,950 Thanks: 80 Thanked 971 Times in 433 Posts	Tis... I do not know the status. However, I do not think you can sue the State for Adverse Possession. So, if people encroached on the State RR ROW, they are probably out of luck. Outdoorsman, The State purchased the rail lines when the (then) current owner filed for abandonment. Then leased most of them out. If there was any "Eminent Domain" it happened back in the 1800's when the railroads were originally built. The property owners would have been duly compensated. https://www.nh.gov/dot/org/aerorailt...ansit/rail.htm Woodsy __________________ The only way to eliminate ignorant behavior is through education. You can't fix stupid.

06-15-2023, 04:16 PM	#7
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,539 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 297 Thanked 958 Times in 699 Posts	..... a NH rail trail near you? Here's something that may be of interest ....... go to www.railstotrails.org ..... 2/3-way down the page, enter your zip code at "Find Your Trail Experience" to see the three rail trails closest to you. You could be surprised to find a rail trail, right here, in New Hampshire that you were unaware. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

06-15-2023, 04:22 AM	#4
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,419 Thanks: 720 Thanked 1,386 Times in 960 Posts	I wonder if there are any statistics on if a truly fair price is paid in an eminent domain situation. Or do people have to give their land up for a pittance? I know there were a couple of people in this group who were in involved. I hope they update us.

06-15-2023, 08:54 AM	#5
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,019 Thanks: 2 Thanked 530 Times in 436 Posts	It is by market rate.

08-01-2023, 08:02 AM	#9
Trail Goer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: New Durham Posts: 168 Thanks: 120 Thanked 96 Times in 57 Posts	Rumor mill - I guess the Hobo & Winnipesaukee Scenic railroads are for sale, and it explains some of the reasons for this year's odd ball scheduling for both railroads. It appears a buyer is already under agreement for both and currently going through the approval process.

08-01-2023, 10:02 AM	#10
Patofnaud Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Tilton/Paugus Bay Posts: 234 Thanks: 13 Thanked 61 Times in 43 Posts	Thanks TG, good to know. I know that the rails are still maintained from Lakeport up to Plymouth as the Hobo RR does run up to Common Man during the fall. I see the yellow rail maintenance pickup about once a week pass by.

08-04-2023, 08:44 AM	#11
Trail Goer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: New Durham Posts: 168 Thanks: 120 Thanked 96 Times in 57 Posts	They actually lease and maintain the line down to Lochmere (Silver Lake Rd). South of that, and down into Concord, is leased to the New England Southern Railroad.

08-04-2023, 10:54 AM	#12
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,019 Thanks: 2 Thanked 530 Times in 436 Posts	Is that for the rail bikes? I don't think the train itself has travelled any further than Lakeport for awhile now.

08-04-2023, 09:07 PM	#13
Trail Goer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: New Durham Posts: 168 Thanks: 120 Thanked 96 Times in 57 Posts	The railbikes are part of the services offered by the railroad but trains still operate between Lochmere and Lakeport and just this week they sent three privately owned passenger cars down that had been stored up in Lincoln, NH for the past 20+ years. I saw them heading down towards Manchester and we're on the end of a long freight train.