Golden Spike Celebration on the Northern Rail Trail

July 31st: Over 150 people gathered in Danbury , NH to celebrate the completion of a new rail trail section that now links the Grafton and Merrimack County portions of the Northern Rail Trail – resulting in NH’s longest rail trail at 46-miles in length. To commemorate this achievement, a ribbon was cut to open a new 8.5 mile trail section, and a golden spike was hammered into the railbed to signify and celebrate the joining of the Northern Rail Trail sections.

Thanks to the Friends of the Northern Rail Trail groups in Grafton and Merrimack County, the Andover Snowmobile Club, Twin State Snowbusters, the NH Trails Bureau, NH DOT’s Rail Bureau, and the many businesses and volunteers that pitched in to make this trail acheivement possible.

Dick Mackay, Friends of the Northern Rail Trail, Grafton County, nudges the golden spike into the old rail bed with the help of a sledge. Photo by Tom Frantz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bicyclist enjoys the rail trail while NH Councilor Ray Burton, and Mike Loomis, FNRT Merrimack Co. board member, take a ride in Mike’s pedal-powered car. Photo by Tom Frantz

The Kearsarge Community Band are joined by members of the Upper Valley Community Band and the Hopkinton Town Band to perform some celebratory tunes!  Photo by Tom Frantz

Visitors site back and listen to Robert Ward, FNRT Merrimack Co. President,  share the history of the Concord to Lebanon railroad, and the construction of Northern Rail Trail.