2 Upstate NY Railways Nominated for Best in the Nation; Vote Now

These two scenic railways are getting well deserved national recognition. Have you ever ridden on them?

USA Today is back again with another 10Best list, ranking the Top 10 best train rides in the United States. It's a fun thing their team compiles for a number of different topics, including best rollercoasters, outdoor concerts, and indoor waterparks. This time they are hitting the tracks, looking for your input on where the best scenic railways are.

Joe Janasiewicz, Catskill Mountain Railroad Co.

The nominees have been submitted by a long panel of experts, dissecting all of their top rated picks from across the country. 10Best editors then narrow down the field even more, leaving their final nominations up for readers to vote on.

Of the 20 railroads available to vote on, 2 of them happen to be from rural Upstate New York. No surprise our neck of the woods would get nominated, but twice is something to appreciate.

Here's who you can vote for and what USA Today had to say about them...

Joe Janasiewicz, Catskill Mountain Railroad Co.

Catskill Mountain Railroad - Kingston, New York

Departing from the historic Hudson River town of Kingston, the Catskill Mountain Railroad traces the course of the Esopus Creek en route to Hurley Mountain. Riders enjoy crossing narrow bridges and passing by Hudson Valley farms and through lush forests that come alive with color in the fall.

The gorgeous scenery can be enjoyed from both closed and open coach cars. "Late summer and leaf-peeping season is a perfect time to book a ride because you'll get to enjoy this area's natural art, which is a treat in itself," says expert Shea Peters.

Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway

Saratoga Corinth and Hudson Railway - Corinth, New York

Spring, summer and fall trips through the southern Adirondack Mountains aboard this scenic railway really lean in with picnic table seating on an open-air flatbed car, with the option of coach and first class seating available as well.

11 Old Upstate Train Stations and Firehouses That Are Now Restaurants

The time comes in every small town in Upstate New York when they must look to giving up the ghost with their old train stations and firehouses. Time has passed these important places for the most part, and (in the case of the old firehouses), new, more modern ones must be built.

So, what to do with the old buildings?

Well, many communities have sold off their "old stock" of train depots and fire stations to private citizens who have breathed new life into the structures as modern, delicious, and very popular restaurants.

Here are some very old train depots and fire stations (some more than 150 years old), that

are now vital places in their communities, serving up delicious meals, a place for high-end cocktails, a venue for live entertainment, and more. And to the credit of almost each of these listed in this gallery, they have all managed to modernize these old buildings while leaving important nuances reflecting back on the DNA of their past, back to when the conductor used to holler "All Aboard" and to when the fire trucks barreled out the huge front doors answering the call in the neighborhood.

I think you will enjoy this list!

WOW!! All Aboard! Look At The Transformation of These 12 Historic Upstate New York Train Stations

A century ago it seemed that every small town and village had a railroad coming through it and a train depot to welcome it. Today there are far fewer train depots still standing from the glory years of American railroad history. But there are some, and they have been transformed into everything from restaurants to museums. Here are 12 of the best.