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Depending on the circumstance, some abandoned lines were still in good shape, but most saw less and less traffic, so maintenance went where traffic went. Branch lines see little if any maintenance, hence rotted ties. Dave's correct most ties rot in center of track from inside, but I've seen many ends rotted also. Most rail is dark brown or even black not rust colored from age, with lots of lose spikes. Most roads and scrappers take all the steel, including bridges, rails, tie plates, spikes, signal heads, masts, relay cabinets and some usable ties.  I have seen some bridges remain, mostly over highways. Then someone, probably a contractor takes remaining ties, and usually takes as much ballast as they can scrape up, leaving cinder base and some rotten ties. Most line poles are cut down and left to rot, some never get cut.I've seen lines that were abandoned fifty years ago where track is still down with big trees growing through the ties.NYC fan, nice WAG photos, my style of railroading. mike h
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