Abandoned rail line stuff (rails and crossbucks)

[Anonymous]

I have been having a running discussion with a county over abandoned railroad crossing equipment, rails etc.. and would like a little input from someone who might know an answer.

I know of at least 80 miles of abandoned rail line that has not been used since the early 60's. This area has some crossing equipment still on it including some with flashing lights. At these crossings the road has entirely paved over the rails at least three times and there are trees one foot in diameter growing up between the rails. So safety is not a question.

My question is who owns the stuff? The County says the rail line still does, but no one at the Big Yellow sponge answers any of my questions. Any ideas or people to contact.

[Anonymous]

The rail is an old Missouri Pacific line in eastern Texas.

[RudyRockvilleMD]

I am not sure if I can answer your question because I don't know in which state you live. In some cases the lines with track still in place might not actually be abandoned instead the railroads might have just discontinued service. In some states the lines might be rail-banked, or perhaps the state itself might own the tracks.

We took a trip to Maine, New Brunswick, Canada, and New Hampshire in the fall of 2003. While we were driving between Bangor, Bar Harbor, and St John, NB we noticed the former Maine Central track was still in place between Bangor and Calais. The east end of that branch is still in use. I also noticed all of the former Maine Central "Mountain Sub" track was still in place, and some of the crossings were paved over. However, segments of that line are still in service.

[BNSFGP38]

Thier is an sideing that went into a tannery near my house that was abbandonned in the 20's. The switch stand was tossed into the dirt/river bed. The line was finally abandonned in the 90's.

The line will never be used, the indsutry is now condo's and the switch stand is in my backyard. Do I feel bad......no, better it be preserved than rot away in the river bed. Just dont get caught. [8D]

Here is a picture of it next to my home made crossbuck. In the spring it will be painted and put out front as a yard light. [:)]

[mudchicken]

(1) DON'T TOUCH
(2) Answer Mark please
(3) Most county officials are entirely ignorant of railroad ownership (explained many times before)...
(4) Not abandoned until the STB/ICC says it is (see # 3)
(5) Even if formally abandoned, color of title may still grant railroad ownership of the underlying fee ownership.
(6) For contractual or leverage reasons some lines cannot be abandoned.

[wcfan4ever]

Same thing with the former Two Rivers Spur here in Wisconsin. There was until a few years ago, marbled crossbucks in Two Rivers. My father talked to the railroad about getting one since the crossing was paved over and there was rail missing. The railroad had no problems and within a week, all four marbled crossbucks were gone! We got one, the employees took the others.

Also, it depends who you talk to from the county. Try and talk to the head cheese...if you didn't already. They will tell you what you want to know or check with a local city....the city enginneer of course...if there is one.

[Anonymous]

Mudchicken is entirely correct, when in doubt, don't touch! Possible sources of information regarding title include the STB itself, also the county clerk in charge of registering land titles, the county and state transportation departments, and your friendly local title insurance company.
When you find the true owner of record, you may then ask them if they might be willing to part with a particular souvenir or two, but if they deny your request (or even if they don't reply to your request), DO NOT under any circumstances take it upon yourself to remove any artifacts whatsoever! Frankly, if you contact one of your nearest rail salvage companies, you might be surprised at how inexpensively you might be able to legally purchase items of interest.

Sincerely, Ross R. Moore, Jr.

[Anonymous]

I had wondered this very question for some time about the abandoned UP line that ran through Boulder County here. All of the crossings are paved over but there is still a significant amount of equipment around. One crossing even still has the shed by it and it is still powered (you can see the little yellow light at night). But this is the crossing that is closest to still active rail in East Boulder. Further east all of the equipment is just being weathered and is slowly being covered by weeds. I was always curious who I would talk to about possibly picking some of that stuff up.

[Anonymous]

I do not plan on taking anything without permission, it is just hard trying to figure out who owns it.

I have written several letters to the Big Yellow sponge including endpoints and other GPS details but I have yet to receive a response from them. I mailed the letters out at least a year ago. I appreciate the suggestion of contacting the county clerk about title of the properties.

Until I get permission from the owners I'll just admire history when I pass by. Once again, thanks for all of the comments.

[mudchicken]

QUOTE: Originally posted by corailfan

I had wondered this very question for some time about the abandoned UP line that ran through Boulder County here. All of the crossings are paved over but there is still a significant amount of equipment around. One crossing even still has the shed by it and it is still powered (you can see the little yellow light at night). But this is the crossing that is closest to still active rail in East Boulder. Further east all of the equipment is just being weathered and is slowly being covered by weeds. I was always curious who I would talk to about possibly picking some of that stuff up.

Scott:
(1) You are looking at the west end of the Boulder Valley/ Valmont Branch of the UP which is mostly out of service with the small portion around I-25/ Eagle Mine having been abandoned for E-470/I-25/CO-7 interchange work. Most is still owned by UP and is the cobbled together remains of 3 UP branchlines and a largely unconstructed bypass R/W from 1910.

Most of it where you are is ex-Colorado Central / Denver & Boulder Valley that UP kept after the C&S was spun off in 1890. Except for the aggregate operation at Valmont and two other rail shippers nearby, the line is embargoed/dormant all the way back through Erie & St. Vrains and down to Welty (23.+ miles dormant) ,a bargaining chip with RTD. UP is not interested in selling it off in pieces and bits of scrap material.[;)]

(2) From personal experience, the Boulder & Broomfield County Assessor/GIS people are clueless about railroad ownership and boundaries. You will not get an accurate or correct answer from them.[V][V][V]

[Anonymous]

I know the history of the line very well having realtives who worked on this particular line, but I do appreciate your offer. The only reason I am not telling specifically where it is located is that previously I revealed the location of an abandoned gaddy dancer that a relative used when he worked for that railroad. I was hoping to restore it and give it to him.

A few months later some jerk stole it and the county thought I did it!!! Luckily I was in CA at the time of the theft so I had the perfect alibi, not mentionthe fact that I did not do it.. I am sorry if I seem evasive I just don't want someone to read a posting of the location, steal something and the county come knocking on my door with a search warrant looking for the items. Let alone someone steal something of history and do not for the love of trains but their own personal greed.

[Anonymous]

Thanks MC, that is pretty much what I assumed. One of these days I may go and have a talk with the Boulder County Railway Historical Society and see if they might have some pull with UP. What I find odd though, is that the last crossing (the one paved over, but still has the powered shed) actually has BNSF makings and phone numbers on it. Granted they are the ones that run the Front Range Sub through here, but this is a fairly good distance down UP's track from the switch that gets you to BNSF track. I just find that intersting and a little strange.

[Puckdropper]

Just to take a guess... I would bet that sometimes another line would "acquire" (meaning gain access to by some agreement in this case) an extra length of track in various locations so they could have room to do some switching if they need to.

My experience with switching puzzles on model railroads tells me that just 10 feet of rail can make the difference between a safe movement and a collision.