Orlando, FL, has had great economic success with their trail:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-trails-economic-impact-20111017,0,4739335.story
OrlandoSentinel.com
Bike trails pump $42M into Central Florida economy, study says
By Dan Tracy, Orlando Sentinel
7:27 PM EDT, October 17, 2011
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WINTER GARDEN — Dennis Jones moved to Winter Garden six years ago because he enjoyed using the West Orange Trail, a paved bike path that cuts through the heart of the downtown district.
The trail now provides him with a living because he and his wife own Wheel Works, a bike shop they opened three years ago in downtown. They are doubling in size because business is so good.
"It [the trail] is the reason we are here," said Jones, a prime example of the impact of the three abandoned rail corridors in Orange County transformed into bike trails during the 1990s.
The trio of paths pumps $42 million into the local economy annually and supports 516 jobs, according to a study conducted by the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council.
The report comes at critical time in the public-transportation debate. There is a move in Congress to end mandatory spending of federal gas-tax dollars on trails, landscaping and mass transit in favor of building roads alone.
Right now, about 10 percent of the $32 billion raised each year through gas taxes must be spent on sidewalks and other enhancements. Last year, about $35 million of that was spent in Central Florida on bike paths, sidewalks and other endeavors such as historic preservation.
U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, chairman of the House transportation committee, said he wants to give the states more flexibility in how gas taxes are spent. Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad supports Mica.
But Prasad promised money still will be spent on extras, such as bike trails, although he stopped short of naming a specific amount.
"We're not going to build a project nobody likes," he said.
The trails have plenty of supporters.
County officials estimate 1.7 million people use them each year, including 900,000 on the West Orange Trail, which runs for 22 miles and links Winter Garden with Clermont and Apopka. The other trails are the 7.4-mile Little Econ Greenway in east Orange and the 6.5-mile Cady Way Trail in Orlando and Winter Park.
The paths are "extremely valuable to the region," said Elizabeth Rothbeind, an economic-development and communications specialist with the planning council.
On average, she said, trail users spend $19 apiece while they are out and about, frequently on a meal or beverage. The vast majority of people, the study said, take to the trails for recreation, typically by biking, running or walking.
Jones says he sells bikes that range from $145 to $7,000, though most go for $1,000 to $1,500.
Cecelia Kimball, 53, and her husband have been riding the West Orange Trail regularly for four years. The Montverde woman bikes about 30 miles each time, mostly on weekends or when she has a day off. Her husband, Mike, rides the trails at least six times a week.
She said local governments should continue investing in new trails.
"There needs to be more bicycle-friendly roads," she said. "They [urban trails] are definitely a safer way to ride."
Winter Garden City Manager Mike Bollhoefer rides the trail often, too, though he uses it to go from his home to his City Hall office, about a two-mile trip.
He credits the trail with the resurrection of Winter Garden's downtown, which was pocked with empty buildings before the first section of the path opened in 1994. Now, Bollhoefer said, there is a waiting list of businesses wanting to rent space along a vibrant main street.
Last year, the collective value of the downtown property stood at $69.3 million; in 1993, it was $22 million, according to the study.
Bollhoefer calls the trail "a marketing vehicle" for the restaurants and shops bisecting the trail.
There is another benefit that goes beyond money, Rothbeind said.
"This is one of the things that makes for a better place to live," she said.
Staff writer Eloísa Ruano González contributed to this report. dltracy@tribune.com or 407-420-5444.

I used to think that the scenic train was a positive thing for the town, however now I am begining to realize that there are better options. I would be in favor of a year round trail. As a local, I would love a trail I could bike and hike on without dealing with traffic on the roads. This trail would also connect towns along the way. Someone on hear wrote that the trail would be to long??? No way! The longer the better. There are plenty of places to stop along the way. The train crew did a good job with what they had, but I feel its time to move on to a more economically feasable option, such as a year round trail.
All one has to do is look at other converted rail-trails around the country to realize this would be one of the best and most popular.

The railroad operates in the red every year, as evident also from thier tax returns. While snowmobiling continues to grow and contribute to local economies.
A few years back, NYS tried to sweep millions from the snomobile trail fund to add to the general fund.
Also, snowmobile trail maintenece funds come directly from snowmobile registrations. Unlike the railroad which needs NYS DOT funds to stay in operation.

It is my belief that definitive proof of this statement "Rebuilding the tracks? I think not" will come as quickly as the Thompson and McCulley Snowmobile study...never! Speaking misuse of state funds, Thompson is shown to receive in excess of $100,000 each year for "grooming" two short trails. And all this without the least bit of oversight. McCulley reaps tens of thousands each year to "groom" one five mile trail, again with virtually no oversight.

Scam alert, that's funny. The Adirondack rail has been scamming taxpayers for years. As evident from the railroad tax returns from the past few years, it shows hundreds of thousands of dollars from NYS DOT going to the railroad. Now what is this money being used for? Rebuilding the tracks? I think not. This money is going into the day-to day operations (fuel, personnel, etc) In fact, the president, Mr. Branson had to put up 15,000 of his own funds just to keep the operation going.
Also lets address this ---- "The entire motivation for the trail people isn't about helping the local economy"
Whoever posted this needs to go around to some of the towns along the corridor (such as Old Forge) and ask the local businesses such as restaurants, hotel/motels. Ask them why they do business there. they will tell It is because of recreational activities such as skiing, snowmobiling, and hiking. Not to ride a tourist train. Guess why people want to purchase homes in these area? Its not because the town has a tourist train. Its because there are recreational opportunities that don't exist in other places.
The trail will be hear sooner or later so, LET IT HAPPEN!

The entire motivation for the trail people isn't about helping the local economy.
It is about control of the corridor and it's associated maintenance funds. Period!
Snowmobiling works just fine on the corridor with the rails in place, and the railroad has been very supportive of snowmobiling.
The distances between villages along the corridor are such that very few people could actually use the corridor as a connecting trail in the summer months... With no users at all on excessively hot, cold, or rainy weather.
Would you want to make an 80 mile round trip by bicycle???
What is a fact, though, is the fact that the corridor requires significant money to maintain regardless of it's use. The trail promoters aren't just talking about converting the corridor's use, they are talking about GAINING CONTROL of the corridor from the NYS DOT. If they control the corridor, they have acces to the maintenance funds, in their opinion coming from the snowmobile registration fund.
If they directly control both the corridor and the funds, they can directly profit from it's maintenance.
This is an attempt to defraud the NY State Snowmobile fund. DON'T LET IT HAPPEN!!!

"On: 5/18/2011", The only way you would know this for a fact is if you are an executive member of the railroad board of directors. Since we know that is not the case we can then conclude that your statement is indeed totally fabricated! Further more it is extremely unlikely the situation you say exists could happen because the railroad is subject to yearly audits, mandated by the laws of the State of New York and since these audits have never found your alleged situation to exist, it does not!

The railroad receives state funds for track maintenance, however they used this money to finance the day to day operations.

Mr. Thompson the world is still waiting for your completed study!

The railroad receives no money from the state for operations. The railroad is reimbursed for corridor maintenance, such as clearing brush, fallen trees, pest control (beavers and their dams, f'rinstance) and the like.
Curiously, all of that corridor maintenance also benefits the snowmobilers as well. I'm sure that if the state quit funding such activities, there would be a rapid cry for their resumption when it bacame clear that the trail was no longer passable.
Mr. Thompson wants a road to Beaver River, pure and simple. The rest of the property owners there don't seem to be so interested.

Joe - The Railroad DOE NOT recieve ANY subsidy for operating costs!!!!! I don't know why you and Scott insist that they do! Where do you get your so-called information? Scott? Talk about the blind leading the blind.. if you have to lie to make your points.. why bother? Have you every walked or biked from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake? This is not some leisurely path that just anyone could take a family and bike.

Mr Thompson, The world is still waiting for you to publish your "Completed Study". Perhaps your close associate McCully would have a copy of the completed study, he has also referenced the same preliminary results / flawed study as factual and complete.

Mr. Thompson the study you have sited for so long does not exist. The University of New York took part in no study of snowmobile traffic numbers. The flawed study to which you refer makes mention of “The Snowmobile Economic Survey Study” completed by the State University of New York on page four however a “mention” of another study does not make it part of your flawed study.
Mr. Thompson the study you have cited for more than a decade does not exist. The document you cite that was forwarded to you by Ken Jennings has only preliminary findings. Perhaps the originators of your “so called” study could not complete it because it could not be repeatable which is a must in a scientific study. It is also interesting to note that on various snowmobile sites that the members brag on how they fooled the counters by making numerous trips so as to make a few sleds appear as an army of snowmobiles. There is no mention as to the type, position model or calibration of the alleged counters and their sensors listed in the Ken Jennings preliminary report. One very important fact is that New York State has no record of this study. Mr. Thompson if you have a completed study, then it is recommended that you publish it on the Norridgewock Beaver River face book page or Your own WIKKI site and forward a copy to New York Parks and Recreation so it can be archived for future revue.
Mr. Thompson it is time that you become honest with the public and stop creating a false reality. Publish the document so the world could judge for them selves. I won’t hold my breath because it is not now nor has it ever been in your interest to present the facts as they truly exist.

The Study in Question was a three month study for the 1997/1998 season conducted with the University of New York and the New York State Snowmobile Association. I was emailed a copy by Jim Jennings, then director of NYSSA.
A couple points missed in this letter are; no one expects that hikers and bikers are going to arrive in the area by trail, like the snowmobilers, they would have to come and use the trail often coordinating with others staying and chasing point to point with support. The business created would be at a steady manageable pace fitting with the majority of Adirondack businesses. Even if the train did bring large numbers of people, history has shown people only use it when the area is already busy and for "on train" events. There just are not many businesses on the corridor , so if large numbers had to use the train it would be like a new interstate that devastates small economies along the old road. We need more reasons to come, not more ways to get here.

If in fact a traffic study was conducted in "97" as you purport, who conducted the "study"? If in fact a traffic study was conducted, why have the results not been made public in any venue other than your wikki site?

I am unable to copy the 1997 Corridor Traffic study here, but I can email it. I am working on attaching it to the adrtrail site. I think the obvious comparison here is what Snowmobiling contributes to local economies. For example in Herkimer County, The Town of Webb generates the most sales tax in the County and the first Quarter reports reflect very little out of the area income that is not snowmobile related. We need more reasons to come, getting here is not a problem.

Mr. Thompson, I ask once more, Could you please provide suitable reference information to substantiate your claim of greater snowmobiler numbers? When you stated on: 4/15/2011 "Data is available from NYSSA State traffic counters. There is a link on adrtrail.pbwiki.com." I took you at your word and checked your wikki site (adrtrail.pbwiki.com) and found nothing about a snowmobile traffic study. I also searched the NYSSA site and again found nothing. Would you recommend further reference sources?

Wow are we comparing the Adirondack scenic railroad to the snowmobiling? That something to laugh about. haahaha The railroad has done nothing but suck up taxpayer dollars since the operation has started. A few hundred thousand each year just to maintain operations. On the other hand activities such as snowmobiling are reason communities such as Old Forge are prosperous. People are buying 2nd homes in this area for snowmobiling, not to ride a scenic train that you cannot actually see anything out of. Ask the owners of hotels/motel/restaurants why they are there. Its not because of a scenic train, its because of snowmobiling. In fact, the snowmobiles are such a boom to NYS that the state tried sweep money from the trail funds, into the general fund.

You'll really laugh out loud at this one!! Scott says " Also there are petition letters sent to DOT retained by Dawn Klemm, corridor manager." I can introduce you more than a few eye witnesses who will tell you how they got free beers from Scott in exchange for their signatures on those petitions, and Dawn Klemm knows it!

That “study” is as phony as the idea that Scott Thompson wants a recreational trail because it will be an economic boon for anybody other than himself.
A little research into snowmobile blogs from the era when this “study” was done reveals not one, but numerous posts from snowmobilers, who laugh about, and complain about how many hours they had to spend riding back and forth and back and forth in front of the counters because the state wanted to apportion the monies they allot these clubs according to usage.
According to the phony “study” he speaks of, 87,000,000 snowmobilers rode through Beaver River in March of that year alone. Think about that number. Is any body out there gullible enough to believe that nearly 3000 sleds went to Beaver River every single day for a month straight? If so, Mr. Thompson has a “bridge” he’d love to sell to you.
Mr. Thompson says he wants a recreational trail, but what he’s really selling is a road to Beaver River so he can sell his business and retire.

Data is available from NYSSA State traffic counters. There is a link on adrtrail.pbwiki.com. Also there are petition letters sent to DOT retained by Dawn Klemm, corridor manager. As a former Railroad Mgr., graduste with studies in marketing and economics and having a lifetime in the hospitality business, I am primarily interested in economic benefits. If you do the math, we are a long way from the RRbeing a good transportation option in the Adirondacks; bus can run mor efficiently and directly than lo volume rail. As far as recreational attractions, compair rail to snowmobiling even if the other venues never materialzed (and I've never advocated ATV's). The State obligation is to keep the Travel Corridor, not necessarily the railroad and hopefully people own the DOT not the other way around.

The railroad has to receive state subsidy every year just to stay afloat. Does this sound like a good way for our tax dollar to be spend? I think not. Schools are facing huge cuts, roads need work and we continue to fund some train hobbyists.

The number of "letters to the Editor" by Scott Thompson lobbying for the removal of the rails is (almost) laughable. Surely, the Adirondack Express must not receive so few "letters to the Editor" that it has to continue publishing them! Where is the exercise of discretion? In effect, the "letters to the Editor" forum has become little more than an opportunity for free (albeit offensive and repetitive) advertising and a platform for the promotion of an individual's self-serving interests. It is disappointing that the newspaper permits (and even acquiesces to) such blatant abuse. By choosing to publish so many of Mr. Thompson's letters, it diminishes the credibility of the newspaper and any appearance of unbiased news reporting. Unfortuantely, given Mr. Thompson's promise of "more later," it appears we are not likely to experience any sort of reprieve in the near future.

Mr. Thompson, Could you please provide suitable reference information to substantiate your claim of greater snowmobiler numbers with respect to the Utica thru Tupper Lake section of the corridor? Thank you

Ms. Smith comments on several points; some are accurate conserns and others are debatable.As far as the Corridor use, it is used by many more snowmobilers than railroaders for more recreational days each year having a much greater economic impact on the area. The point is made that the outdoor recreationalists tend to be minimalist has merit, but does not tell the whole story. This is a growth industry and addresses a broad demographic of recreationalists and while I'm sure the same can be said of the rail users, we can't escape that the rail season on the Adirondack has not expanded and the Utica to Old Forge schedule has actually been steadily reduced since it's introduction. More Later.