Please click on the link below to sign-up for our Newletter!! Subscribe to our newsletter FNRT Home News General Information Who We Are History Trail Surface Trail Uses Trail Access Useful Links Lodging near the Trail NH State Trails Plan Maps Progress & Plans Photo Gallery by Town Andover Scenes Andover Usage Andover Fall Scenes Supporting Organizations Testimonials How You Can Help Our Contributors Contact Us Friends of the Northern Rail Trail in Merrimack County P.O. Box 154 Andover, NH  03216 Email:  Info@FNRT.org 603-735-5061		Mission: Improve, promote, and maintain the Northern Rail Trail as a four season, multi-use trail through Merrimack County.  The Northern Rail Trail goes through the towns of Danbury, Wilmot, Andover, Franklin, and Boscawen in Merrimack County			Please click here to find out how to help download our membership form or make a donation now! $ By donating to FNRT you also become a member!
		Upcoming FNRT meetings The next meeting of the Friends of the Northern Rail Trail will be held on Wed.  January 18, 2011 at 7:00 PM at the Andover Fire House on Route 11 (Main St.) in the center of Andover. On Friday, November 11, the Friends of the Northern Rail Trail remembered the late Peter Oren Crowell, an FNRT board member, by riding the Northern Rail Trail from Potter Place north toward Danbury inthe Second Annual Peter Crowell Ride.  It was a blustery but sunny morning, one that Peter Crowell would have enjoyed with his grandchildren, two of whom were in the trailer in the photo.  A combination of Crowell family members and FNRT volunteers commemorated Mr. Crowell's indomitable spirit and his love of bicycling, the rail trail, and the outdoors.  Pictured in the photo are, from left to right:  Myra Mayman, Board secretary; Peter Crowell's son, Ben, with his son Corbin and nephew Hunter in the trailer; Ben's wife Abby Crowell, FNRT volunteer Chris Norris of East Andover and FNRT Board member Steve Darling of Andover.  The can-do spirit of Peter Crowell was evident in this ride. Friends of the Northern Rail Trail (FNRT) volunteer Ed Hiller demonstrates the attention to detail that has been involved in his project of repainting the old Northern Railroad mileposts on the rail trail. 26 mileposts from MP-90 to MP-115 have been painstakingly restored using vintage fonts. Other rail trail volunteers including Steve Robinson, Ricker Miller, and Steve Rayno have cleared the areas around them in preparation. These markers "give a feeling of historical significance to the rail corridor, and also provide trail users with an idea of where they are and how far they have come," Ed says.  Thank you for your devotion to railroad history and rail trail users, Ed. Check out a video from NH Chronicle - Turning Rails into Trails (2008) http://youtu.be/vB3guXPKhss September 2011 Rail Trail Extension Update Once again there has been another successful effort to extend the Rail Trail.  The end of September saw two more miles added to the trail in a southerly direction from Depot St. in Franklin to Webster Place also in Franklin.  This extension is significant for several reasons.  One is that the new section begins to travel beside the Merrimack River, increasing the scenic aspects of the trail.  The second is that this brings the trail closer to Boscawen, NH where the trail will eventually start, giving easier access to more people in the greater Concord area.   More information about this new section will be added in the during the next few months. FNRT Updates Maintenance Strategy After investigating how to best prohibit encroaching vegetation on the rail trail surface, consideration of  herbicides has been suspended at this time in hopes that increased volunteer support will protect the trail and corridor.   The FNRT (Friends of the Northern Rail Trail) board received valuable feedback and opinions about spraying the trail.  The FNRT wants to respect the wishes of abutters, all trail users, and the greater community.  The group is committed to protecting the natural resources around the rail trail, and as we develop a long range maintenance plan, the board's evolving strategy is to proceed with a combination of mowing, brush hogging, and using hand tools to maintain the trail - now 23 miles and growing. The need for trail users to 'adopt' a section of trail is now more important than ever. The role of a "Trail Manager" (or team) would include the following: Monitor our signs, trail heads, drainage, problems with vegetation, improper activities, etc. - help us identify any issues or problems as well as communicate the varied uses & elements of the trail (people, history, wildlife, education, health, etc.) through photos, stories, etc. Keep the trail clear of branches, debris, fallen trees, trash, etc. (or notify the FNRT in case of an issue too large to handle).   If you have questions or an interest in volunteering, contact the FNRT at 344-4874. New Rail Trail Maps Northern_Rail_Trail_-_Franklin.pdf Northern_Rail_Trail_-_Potter_Place_to_Webster_Lake.pdf Northern-Danbury_to_Potter_Place.pdf or Visit the Maps page to see them full scale online Or find them on Facebook (you don't need to be logged in) RAIL TRAIL maps! We have a facebook page! Please check it out and become a fan! See the News page for the latest information about the trail expansion activities. In memory of Peter Oren Crowell Friends of the Northern Rail Trail in Merrimack County P.O. Box 154 Andover, NH  03216 Email:  Info@FNRT.org 603-735-5061 News: See why people are talking about the Northern Rail Trail! Ethney McMahon produced a short video that shows the trail, how people are using it, and scenic views. Don't forget to turn on your speakers, it has audio! Please be patient, the video takes a few seconds to load even with High Speed access. Top Photos courtesty of Peter Southworth and Charles Martin The Northern Rail Trail passes through some beautiful and remote areas.  FNRT-MC recommends that trail users exercise the same caution in traversing these areas as they would in passing through any other remote area. Please click here to return to the top