Big Moose: Railway, Trail and an Unusual Local History

Big Moose lies in the western part of the Adirondack Park and combines an unusual story behind its place name with a defining railway past. The trail and boating services offer further topics for your trip. If you’re looking for a vacation rental, you can first consider whether local history, railways or active outings should shape your stay.

Moose History and Station Buildings

The name Big Moose comes from a large moose: an early guide killed the animal and hung its head on a tree near the present-day station. The place was named after this moose head. The railway history can also be tied to a specific date: the first train arrived in Big Moose on October 24, 1892, on its way from New York City to Montreal.

Big Moose Station was built in 1926, replacing the original station from 1898. The arrival of the first train and the construction of the two stations can therefore be clearly distinguished chronologically. Those interested in the development of rail transport and the history of the place will find several distinct historical points of reference here.

Another glimpse of the area’s architectural history is the Big Moose Station Restaurant. In 2001, it received an Adirondack architectural heritage award for the restoration and preservation of a historic Adirondack building. For culturally minded travelers, this is a distinct aspect alongside the history of the trains: the award recognizes the restoration and preservation of historic architecture.

Scenic Train Ride, Trail and Boating Services

The Big Moose Explorer is a scenic train ride from Thendara Station in Old Forge to Big Moose. The journey passes through forests and over rivers and streams. Passengers do not get off the train in Big Moose. Those who want to focus on the railway and the scenery along the way will find a clearly defined travel experience here.

Another option is the TOBIE Trail: it connects Thendara, Old Forge, Big Moose, Inlet and Eagle Bay and offers opportunities for mountain biking. Mountain biking is a specific activity option for planning a trip; the scenic train ride, by contrast, focuses on the route and scenery during the journey. The route details also differ: the trail includes five connected places, while the Explorer is a round trip between Thendara Station and Big Moose.

Route 28 also runs through Big Moose. For boating activities, Dunn’s Boat Service offers boat rentals, boat sales and boat service. Alongside local and railway history, Big Moose therefore offers mountain biking and various boating-related services as distinct topics to choose from.

You can visit more local pages here: Herkimer, Ilion, Old Forge.

For the broader travel overview: Herkimer County.