what are some good uses for abandoned railroad rights-of-way?

I use to ride (horseback) the rail road right of ways years ago. I rode on them when they still ran the occasional train down the tracks.

Then the trains stopped, and the tracks were taken up. That made even better trails for us horseback riders. We even rode with lopper, and pruners and kept the trails open from the ever encroaching blackberries. We packed lunches, and rode for miles. Sometimes we met hikers...sometimes they were bums, sometimes serious backpackers. We saw wildlife galore. We moved the fallen trees off the paths. Did I mention we ranged in age from a whopping 10 years old, to 18 year old teenagers?

Then guess what? The railroad right of way was paved, to make it nicer for walkers, and bike riders. Of course the VERY first thing that happened was the horseback riders who had been riding those trails for YEARS were kicked off. We were too "dangerous," with our wicked bad horses.

So all the wildlife disappeared. The walkers, joggers, rollerbladers, bicyclist, and skateboarders arrived. The people brought dogs (they did not clean up after) and children in strollers, and running amuck (they did not clean up after).

Garbage cans were installed (we had always packed everything in and out in our saddlebags). Garbage cans either overflowed, or were ignored, and trash tossed to the ground.

Rapes happened, and mass graffiti on overpasses, fences, and private outbuildings, and houses.

My guess is people only concider them "abandoned" because they are not paved over, have picknic tables, garbage cans, parking areas, toilets, and mowed areas of law all installed and maintained at taxpayer expence.

Until then, I guarantee that horseback riders, and a few hardy hikers were maintaining the trails, and using them for free! Wildlife also used the areas.

I say give them ALL to the horseback riders, and the serrious hikers. We horseback riders have been kicked out of enough areas. Now we are forced to ride our horses on the shoulders of roads with drivers of cars who are less than polite to us.

~Garnet

Permaculture homesteading/farming over 20 years

Responsible horse owner for over 30 years

Bike path, bike path, bike path! Also known as "Rails to Trails" and used by walkers, runner, dog walkers, kids, and bikes!

See a wonderful bike path here: http://www.minutemanbikeway.org/

"It's the view not seen from the roadway. Under a canopy of trees, the 11-mile Minuteman Bikeway runs through Cambridge, Arlington, Lexington, and Bedford, skirting backyards, school ball fields, hidden parks and ponds, crossing bridges, and even passing over Route 128.

This season brings a few new features to the Minuteman: bike racks at several spots, a new rest area in Bedford, and a set of signs trumpeting the path in Arlington. And there are some steps toward new spurs linking the Minuteman to other recreational spots, a potential boon to many of the estimated 2 million users who take to the path each year for transit or recreation.

"There is a sense of community here," said bicycling advocate Jack Johnson.

Johnson helped build that community. He got involved when the bikeway was under construction in 1992, and has remained a dedicated advocate who wears many cycling hats. Johnson is chairman of the Arlington Bicycle Advisory Committee, webmaster for the Minuteman's website, and cocreator of the bikeway's map. He's also a former board member of MassBike, a certified cycling instructor, and, most important, he lives in Arlington, off the path, and uses it daily.

Now is high time to celebrate the Minuteman. For one thing, this year marks the 15th anniversary of its completion. Earlier this month, the Minuteman was inducted into the national Rail-Trail Hall of Fame, the first rail-trail in the Northeast to be so honored...."

Read more at:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/06/...

These places are wonderful to leave natural as wildlife havens. We can go for strolls through places of nature and see all the flowers and animals in their own worlds. We need natural paths where the foxes and badgers can travel freely without the threat of roads and these places would be perfect! Freedom again!!

interior the previous the railroad good Of way (ROW) was back to the land proprietors next to it. yet now the ROW must be positioned into reserve meaning it may leggally be grew to become into Rails to Trails. The landowners easily very own the ROW merely like whilst a street passes with the aid of. merely like the asserting the land proprietor will pay taxes to the midsection of the line.

You can also check with the railroad to see if you can use the old ties for your garden or driveway. But be sure to find out if any industry or railroad company will allow any building or walking trails close to the track.

Rail is not declining by any means...

The rail property would go back to the original owner as someone else stated.

I have a rail through my ground, if the rail disappears, there is no way I am letting anyone else on it.

Rails to trails. It is an ongoing program and works well because the moderate grades specified by railroad use is perfect for bicyclists.

edit

Rcycler has given a better answer than I.

it may be too late. If the railroad has an easement and the remove the tracks, the land reverts back to the original owner and they may not want people trespassing on their land.

I grew up next to abandoned railways, and while I was a teenager they turned it into "Rails to Trails" - they paved it and it is now used for skating, walking, bike riding and in the winter snowmobiling.

Hiking/biking trails

Open-air flea markets

Community gardening