The Adirondack Scenic Railroad makes its way through Saranac Lake in October 2015. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

The Adirondack Railway Preservation Society has been awarded $1.5 million as part of a state rail investment plan, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday.

ARPS, which operates tourist trains under the Adirondack Scenic Railroad name, was given the money “to rehabilitate passenger cars and locomotives for expanded excursion service,” according to a press release from the governor’s office. Asked for more details, a spokesperson for the governor’s office checked ARPS’ grant application and said the grant is not tied to any particular area of expanded service; it is for the group’s trains wherever they run.

ARPS Executive Director Bethan Maher did not respond to requests for comment.

ARPS is currently suing the state over the state’s plan to remove 34 miles of rails and replace them with a multi-use trail between Lake Placid and Tupper Lake — including on 10 miles where ARPS has run tourist trains between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid since 2000. The case was heard in court in Malone Monday, when a judge requested more information.

Meanwhile, another part of the state’s plan is to upgrade 45 miles of track from Tupper Lake south to connect with the other Adirondack Scenic Railroad leg between Big Moose and Utica.

The grant is part of a $25 million package of rail infrastructure improvement statewide.