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FAQs:
What is a rail-trail?
Rail-trails are multi-purpose public paths created from former railroad corridors. Flat or following a gentle grade, they traverse urban, suburban and rural America. Ideal for many uses, such as bicycling, walking, inline skating, cross-country skiing, equestrian and wheelchair use, rail-trails are extremely popular as recreation and transportation corridors. Since the 1960s, more than 15,000 miles of rail-trails have been created across the country. Rail-trails also serve as wildlife conservation corridors, linking isolated parks and creating greenways through developed areas, and as a means of preserving historic landmarks. They often stimulate local economies by increasing tourism and promoting local business.
Do rail-trails put railroads out of business?
No. Rail-trails are built after all possibilities for continued rail service--one of the most environmentally sound forms of transportation--have been exhausted. Rail-trails preserve the corridor in public ownership and, through the federal railbanking program, can provide opportunities for holding corridors as interim trails until rail service is again needed. Several of the major railroads support Rails-to-Trails Conservancy activities.
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 the process of building a rail-trail.
Who builds and manages the trail?
In most cases the local, state or federal government agency that buys the corridor builds the trail as well. The agency develops it using its own labor and equipment or hires an independent construction company. In a few cases, groups of citizen volunteers have constructed a trail. Trails are generally managed by public agencies, but some are operated by other types of organizations, including nonprofit "friends of the trail" citizen groups, land trusts and community foundations.
Does Rails-to-Trails Conservancy own trails?
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) has acquired more than 650 miles of corridor since 1993 through its Trail Conservancy program. It is never RTC's goal to be a long-term owner or manager of a trail, but in limited situations the Trail Conservancy will purchase and hold title of a valuable corridor until a public agency is available to take over the ownership and management of that corridor.
Where are the trails located?
RTC has identified more than 1,400 rail-trails, with at least one in every state. An additional 1,100+ are in the works, with new projects beginning each month. For detailed online information about open trails, visit TrailLink.com. For a directory of the country's rail-trails, order RTC's 1,000 Great Rail-Trails, or order one of RTC's series of regional trail guidebooks.
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