Rails to Trails: How Bedford and Regional Railroad Lines Became Today’s Rail Trails

On Sept. 27, retired Lincoln Lab AI researcher Terry Gleason will talk about his passion, bicycling, as part of his presentation, “Rails to Trails: How Bedford and Regional Railroad Lines Became Today’s Rail Trails.”

Bicycling on the area’s rail trails wasn’t always possible; abandoned railroad beds sat dormant until the State and local communities converted them into walking and biking trails. Gleason will describe the peak of railroad activity in the region, its decline, and the conversion of the abandoned lines into rail trails. His story features interesting twists and turns, with Bedford’s own rail trail history exemplifying those surprising changes.

Gleason’s interest in railroads and rail trails stems from his long-standing concern for the environment and the world his grandchildren will inherit. A 42-year Bedford resident, he curated an exhibit hosted at the Bedford Library in 2008 titled “Bedford Rails and Trails, 150 Years.”