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The Adirondack Railway Corporation is on track to meet its Olympic time schedule for the beginning of passenger service from Utica to Lake Placid.

Frank Menair, corporation president, said he expects to begin full passenger train operation by Aug. 31. That will provide time to work out any kinks in the line’s scheduling and timing before the Winter Games in February 1980.

“The line is now continuous from one end to the other,” Menair said. “We could operate now, but speed is a factor. That’s what we’ll be doing between now and August, concentrating on raising speed capability for transporting the public during the Olympics.”

Work trains will be operating into Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake for the next few weeks. They will be gauging and making other necessary improvements to the rail beds. Trains will not be running into Lake Placid until mid-July.

Work on the old New York Central line was begun last July. The Adirondack Railway Corporation, headquartered in Old Forge, is funded for $1.75 million to revamp the line.

During the summer, daily passenger trains will be leaving Utica, bound for the mountains. Diesel engines will be used.

Passengers traveling from the Adirondacks to Utica will be able to make bus, plane or rail connections anywhere in the state.

“Our schedule is keyed to Amtrak,” he said. “That will enable anyone arriving in Utica to make connections without long delays. We feel this type of service will help convince people to use our trains.”

Once passengers have arrived in Lake Placid, they will have the opportunity to ride a steam-powered sightseeing excursion train into the mountains. The excursion and observation trains will have the flavor of the Victorian era, with open windows and mahogany finished cars.

Menair expects to run the steam locomotive from July 4 to Labor Day.

In the off-season, trains will run on a weekend schedule only. Weekend ski tour packages into the mountains are a good possibility for the winter months.

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Olympic press center

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Members of the world press and other Olympic personnel will find themselves “going to school” during the 1980 Winter Olympics.

The headquarters for the international press will be the Lake Placid High School. Another group, yet to be announced, will use the elementary school.

The Lake Placid Central School District’s property is playing a vital role in the Olympics. And, in return, the district is receiving several “in-kind” benefits, as well as a monetary consideration from the Lake Placid Olympic Organizing Committee.

Plans have been made by the LPOOC to use both schools for a six-week period beginning on Friday, Jan. 25, 1980. On that date, the district’s students will begin an extended vacation, which will last until Monday, March 3.

The amount of time is necessary to allow the press center in the high school and the elementary school to be set up (two weeks), used (two weeks) and dismantled (two weeks).

Two years ago, the high school gave up its athletic field located in front of the building so that the refrigerated, concrete speedskating oval could be built there. In return, the LPOOC promised the school district a new athletic field. The site of the new field, now under construction, is on state Route 73 between the town garage and the horse show grounds.