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The End Of The Line: Why Concord, NH’s Rail Corridor Purchase Clears The Way For A $20 Million Trail And Kills A Beloved Business

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The City of Concord, New Hampshire, has finally secured the purchase of a crucial six-mile stretch of abandoned rail corridor from CSX Railways, completing a transaction that has been six years in the making. This landmark acquisition, which was approved by the Concord City Council in a near-unanimous vote in late 2024, is the final, decisive step toward realizing a long-held vision: the creation of a continuous, multi-use paved path that will dramatically expand the region's trail network. The move, however, comes with a significant price tag—the "2024 appraised value"—and has sparked intense controversy by effectively ending the operation of a beloved local business, Scenic Railriders.

This long-awaited purchase clears the way for the removal of the tracks and the construction of a key segment of the Merrimack River Greenway Trail, a project estimated to cost over $20 million in its entirety. The deal was finalized after the State of New Hampshire officially waived its right of first refusal, a critical move that prevented a repeat of the 2021 intervention that previously derailed the city's plans. As of the current date in December 2025, the focus shifts from negotiation to the complex process of track salvage, trail design, and the emotional fallout for the rail biking community.

The Controversial Corridor: Biography of the Concord-CSX Rail Line

The rail corridor at the heart of this purchase is a approximately 5.75- to 6-mile segment running from Horseshoe Pond north to the Boscawen city line. It represents a vital link for the state’s growing network of recreational trails.

  • Original Owner: Boston and Maine Corporation (B&M).
  • Current Seller: CSX Transportation (CSX), which controls the B&M subsidiary.
  • Location: City of Concord, Merrimack County, New Hampshire.
  • Length of Purchased Segment: Approximately 5.75 to 6 miles.
  • Purpose of Purchase: Rail-to-Trail conversion for the Merrimack River Greenway Trail.
  • Key Opposition Entity: Scenic Railriders, a for-profit rail biking company leasing the tracks.
  • Previous Delay: In 2021, the State of New Hampshire exercised its right of first refusal, halting the sale to the city.
  • Final Approval Date: Late 2024 (following the state waiving its right of first refusal).
  • Purchase Price: Undisclosed exact dollar amount, referred to as the "2024 appraised value" and a "higher price tag" than previous offers.

The High Cost of Connectivity: Price Tag and Trail Vision

The City of Concord’s acquisition is a strategic investment in the region's infrastructure, moving the focus from historical freight use to modern recreational connectivity. The final purchase price, while not publicly disclosed in a specific dollar amount, was confirmed to be based on the 2024 appraised value of the property, a figure described as a "higher price tag" than what the city was prepared to pay in earlier, failed attempts. This higher cost reflects the complexity of the deal and the current market value of the land.

The purchase agreement with CSX also included a provision that allows the railroad company to salvage the existing tracks and materials. This clause is a standard practice in rail-to-trail conversions, helping to offset the overall cost for the seller while clearing the path for the city's construction phase.

A Central Piece of the Merrimack River Greenway Trail

The primary driver for this acquisition is the Merrimack River Greenway Trail (MRGT). This six-mile segment is paramount to the entire project's success, as it will link the southern portion of the Merrimack River Greenway to the existing Northern Rail Trail that extends up to Boscawen. The long-term vision is to create an uninterrupted, paved, multi-use path stretching through the state capital, offering residents and tourists a safe route for walking, running, and biking.

The completion of the MRGT is seen as a major economic and quality-of-life boost for Concord. Proponents argue that the trail will attract tourism, encourage healthy living, and increase property values along the corridor. It is part of a broader national trend of rail trail conversion that repurposes abandoned infrastructure for public benefit.

The Bitter End for Scenic Railriders

The city's victory in securing the corridor is a devastating loss for Scenic Railriders, a Massachusetts-based, family-owned business that has been operating a popular rail biking tour on the leased tracks for several years. The company, owned by Gary and Carolyn LeBlanc, used specialized pedal-powered carts on the existing rails, offering a unique recreational experience that drew thousands of visitors to Concord.

The fundamental conflict in this saga is the classic "rails-to-trails" debate: a choice between preserving a niche, rail-based tourism operation and converting the land into a wider-access, multi-use public trail.

  • The Railriders' Stance: The LeBlancs and their supporters argued that the corridor could support both a rail trail (built alongside the tracks) and their rail biking operation, or that the state should purchase the line to preserve rail-based use. They initiated a petition and public campaign, urging the state of New Hampshire to exercise its right of first refusal to halt the city's purchase.
  • The City's Stance: City officials and Merrimack River Greenway Trail advocates maintained that the best and highest use for the abandoned corridor was a paved public trail, which would serve a far greater number of people and provide a permanent, non-motorized transportation link. The city also noted that the rail biking operation was a for-profit business leasing a public asset.

The state's decision to waive its right of first refusal in late 2024 was the final blow to Scenic Railriders' hopes. This action confirmed the state's support for the rail-to-trail conversion, effectively clearing the way for the removal of the tracks and the end of the rail biking business in Concord. The City Council's vote was described by one councilor as being made with a "heavy heart," acknowledging the impact on the LeBlanc family while prioritizing the long-term public benefit.

What Happens Next: Timeline for Construction and Public Use

With the purchase finalized and the state's intervention threat removed, the project moves into its final phases. The City of Concord must now coordinate the salvage operation with CSX and begin the detailed engineering and design work for the trail itself. This process is expected to take several years, but the most significant hurdle—the CSX rail corridor purchase—is now overcome.

The future Merrimack River Greenway Trail will be a fully paved surface, designed to meet modern safety and accessibility standards for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and those using wheelchairs. This connectivity will be a major boon for the Concord, NH community, linking residential areas, downtown, and natural spaces. The project is a major win for the New Hampshire Bureau of Trails and local advocacy groups who have championed the rail-to-trail movement for decades, transforming a derelict piece of Boston and Maine history into a vibrant public asset.

The End of the Line: Why Concord, NH’s Rail Corridor Purchase Clears the Way for a $20 Million Trail and Kills a Beloved Business
concord rail corridor purchase
concord rail corridor purchase

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