Could tracks that once connected train passengers from New York City to the Adirondacks be history? Railway advocates hope to repair those tracks, but reporter Cara Thomas says if the DEC and DOT follow through with their plan for the corridor, it could mean the end of the line.

UTICA, N.Y. -- It has always been the Adirondack Railway Preservation Society's plan to rehabilitate the old railway corridor extending 119 miles from Remsen to Lake Placid. 

In 1996, state leaders agreed with their goal outlined in the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor Final Management Plan. However, over the last year or so, the DEC began to reassess its initial recommendation.  

"It would be a shame to see something that's been operating successfully, largely in part to the thousands or millions of volunteer hours not reach its full potential because the state didn't hold up their end of the bargain," said Executive Director of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad Bethan Maher.

Controversy surrounding what to do with the old railway has been going on for years and recently the DEC and DOT created a compromise proposal to rehabilitate the railway up to Tupper Lake, but tear up the railway the rest of the way to Lake Placid and turn it into a recreational trail.

"We've got some volunteer trail planners from the DEC, have actually mapped out trails that are already existing between Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake. A lot of trails need work, they need some ditching, they need some drainage, but they're already in place. Why rip up a railroad if there's something already in place you can develop?" said Maher. 

Already attracting people from across the country and the world, railway advocates said failing to fully extend the railway could be a huge missed opportunity, it could be a serious boost for tourism. 

"We estimate between 190,000 to 200,000 riders annually, running a full service between Utica and Lake Placid, annual revenues between $5 and $6 million," said Maher.

"With the skiing and the outdoor activities that are available in Upstate New York, let's get people there in a safe comfortable way. What better way to do that than the Adirondack Railroad?" said Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi.

Mohawk Valley leaders have reached out to state officials asking them to reconsider their plans once more, saying there's still time for them to chance their minds. 

A public hearing on the DEC's proposal will be happening in Tupper Lake next week. Local leaders have sent a letter to the state requesting that they hold a public hearing in Utica as well. 

Time Warner Cable News attempted to reach out to the Adirondack Recreational Trail Advocates for comment, but  messages were not returned.