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USGS
Topographic map of Hampton
The abandoned railroad passes through a peculiar highway interchange between Route 1 and Route 101 (Hampton Beach Expressway), where Route 1 is split somewhat like a traffic circle. Automobile access to the trail is best provided from the Northbound half of Route 1 at a pull-off on the left side of the one-way road immediately after the Route 101 overpass. Space for limited parking is currently available, and more parking space could be made available by expanding the parking area within what is presumably NH-DOT owned highway land. The abandoned railroad is reached via a jeep road from this parking area. Chemical toilets and similar trailhead facilities at this location would serve all trail users.
Note however that the entire interchange between Route 1 & 101 that surrounds this trail exit is extremely hostile to bicyclists, walkers, and the like that attempt to leave the parking lot by this means. For reasons of personal safety, such folks must continue north to use a trail exit in the vicinity of Stickney Avenue (behind the Hampton Post Office)!
Looking south from under the Rte 1 Northbound underpass.
Digital picture supplied by Krystina Deren Arrain on February 04,
2000.
Looking south from under the Rte 1 Southbound underpass.
Digital picture supplied by Krystina Deren Arrain on February 04,
2000.
Looking north along the trail north of the Rte 1 Southbound
underpass.
Digital picture supplied by Krystina Deren Arrain on February 04,
2000.
Looking south across the Drakeside Road overpass.
Digital picture by Kenyon F. Karl on April 29, 2001.
Looking through the Drakeside Road underpass.
Digital picture by Kenyon F. Karl on April 29, 2001.
Looking north from Drakeside Road.
Digital picture by Kenyon F. Karl on April 29, 2001.
An exit of the informal trail exists just north of the rear of the Post Office on Stickney Avenue. This exit is just short of the end of the active railroad track, but it may involve traversing the unused end of GTI (railroad) owned land.
In any event, the most appropriate place to end the rail-trail would be in the vicinity of the rear of the Hampton Post Office, so that long distance bicyclists (and the like) can cross Route 1 onto the on-road bike route that continues north to Portsmouth. These trail users would also be able to stop at the various restaurants and convenience stores in the area for food, refreshment, toilets, water, and other necessities. Note also that any public transit route that might serve the area is likely to stop in the vicinity of the post office. Note however that it is unlikely that parking will be formally available for trail users in this area, thus trail users that must park their automobile will be told that they must use the trailhead within the Route 1 & 101 highway interchange.
Finally, the frequent presence of the railroad hopper cars at the siding adjacent to Foss Manufacturing is the primary reason why the rail-trail will probably end south of that siding for an extremely discouraging length of time. Note however that rail-trail advocates that live in the area are asked to monitor the presence of railroad cars on this siding. The prolonged absence of these railroad cars will probably be the first indication that another stretch of railroad track will become available for purchase by the NH-DOT and thus become available for the extension of the rail-trail.
Railroad hopper cars in the siding at Foss Manufacturing.
Digital picture by Kenyon F. Karl on April 29, 2001.
Note that the Hampton Depot was located at Depot Square, just south of the intersection of Routes 1 & 27, about a half-mile north of Stickney Avenue. The depot building may still exist, but it has obviously been remodeled to the point that it has lost all of the distinctive architectural features of a railroad station.
Sign images are from the Manual of Traffic Signs by Richard C. Moeur.
Updated on May 01, 2001 by Kenyon F.
Karl <Webmaster@new-england-rail-trails.org>.
Unintentional errors are likely!
