I'm pretty sure he said in one of the videos his ROW was 100' wide. If my railroad history is correct that's pretty standard for a lot of railroads when they built lines. One "chain" was easy to measure, and it was plenty wide. If so, he owns 50' on each side of the tracks.
It would be a bit strange, but I wonder if he's leasing the track over by the buildings from the same people he bought the parcel from. They may not want to sell it, least someone want to come in and redevelop the whole property tearing out the siding and building and making something new. But they may be more than happy to make some $$$ off him until that day comes. The thin narrow parcel he bought does not have the same opportunity, and "owning" it may have been necessary for him to become a "real railroad" for some regulatory purposes. It may also be he has an option to purchase it later he hasn't exercised yet, waiting for some revenue to come in.
I made a map based on the info we have so far, let me see if folks think this is right.
Red box - parcel from the tax records.
Cyan - ETRR "main line"
Purple - The "700" track.
Orange - "The J Lead", believe to be removed.
Green Oval - The brush pile.
Blue - The culvert
Yellow - The "panama canal".
Based on measuring on google maps, the cyan line is about 1,200 feet long. The "700" track is a bit over 1500 feet long in total.
