What are the first steps in converting a rail-trail?
First you must determine if the corridor is abandoned. A railroad corridor is generally considered inactive when (1) rail service is discontinued (2) the Surface Transportation Board (STB) officially approves the abandonment and (3) tariffs (pay schedules) are canceled. Status of abandonment can be determined through the rail office of your state Department of Transportation or by contacting the railroad company. After abandonment, the railroad company usually removes the tracks and ties for salvage and regrades the corridor with the original ballast left by the railroad. Many trails are later surfaced with asphalt, crushed stone, wood chips or another material appropriate for the intended trail uses. Ideally, bridges and tunnels are left intact so the trail agency need only add wood decking, appropriate railings and other safety features. Road crossings must be properly striped and signed for both trail and road users. Take a look at our Trail-Building Toolbox for help on how to begin
First you must determine if the corridor is abandoned. A railroad corridor is generally considered inactive when (1) rail service is discontinued (2) the Surface Transportation Board (STB) officially approves the abandonment and (3) tariffs (rate schedules) are canceled. Status of abandonment can be determined through the rail office of your state Department of Transportation or by contacting the railroad company. After abandonment the railroad company usually removes the rails and ties for salvage and regrades the corridor with the original ballast left by the railroad. Many trails are later surfaced with asphalt, crushed stone, wood chips or another material appropriate for the intended trail uses. Ideally, bridges and tunnels are left intact so the trail agency need only add wood decking, appropriate railings and other safety features. Road crossings must be properly striped and signed for both trail and road users.
If possible, federal railbanking should be pursued through the process noted in the above FAQ when the railroad applies to abandon rail service on the corridor in question. If an abandonment proceeding is not before the STB, one must determine if cessation and abandonment of rail service on the corridor has been permitted by the STB. Rail service on a railroad corridor is generally considered abandoned when (1) rail service is discontinued (2) the Surface Transportation Board (STB) officially approves the abandonment and (3) tariffs (rate schedules) are canceled. Status of abandonment can be determined through the rail office of your state Department of Transportation or by contacting the railroad company. After abandonment, the railroad company usually removes the rails and ties for salvage and regrades the corridor with the original ballast left by the railroad. The next question is the nature of the railroad’s ownership of the inactive corridor. If owned outright, negotiations would
