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Definitions

Railbanking—Condition allowing a railroad to "bank" a corridor for future rail use if necessary. During the interim, alternative trail use is a viable option.

Trails glossary and acronyms.


RTC Resources
Acquiring Rail Corridors: A How-To Manual Chapter 6, "Can You Take Advantage of Railbanking?"

Secrets of Successful Rail-Trails, Chapter 7, "What to Do if the Line is Soon to be Abandoned"

Fact Sheet: Railbanking

Report: Railbanking and Rail-Trails: A Legacy for the Future

"Rails-to-Trails Conversions: A Review of Legal Issues" by Andrea Ferster

More on RTC website about railbanking...

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Visit RTC's Trails and Greenways Publication Library

For more information, please contact the appropriate regional or national office.

Additional Resources

Surface Transportation Board: Public Information: Resources: Rails-to-Trails 

General Accounting Office (GAO): "Issues Related to Preserving Inactive Rail Lines as Trails" 

American Trails:  Rails-to-Trails 

The National Park Service: The National Trails System Act 

 

Railbanking:
Example Railbanking and Purchase Agreement

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This document is an example "offer to purchase" and interim trail use/railbanking agreement. The document serves as a resource and should not  not be relied on as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a licensed attorney. 



OFFER TO PURCHASE AND INTERIM TRAIL USE/ RAILBANKING AGREEMENT

 


Related Railbanking Topics:

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Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
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