What is Happening to Rail in the USA?

Our Own | April 29, 2023 | John Leland 1789

[John Leland 1789]

Here in south-central Indiana we are watching the rail tracks removed throughout our region of the state.

There is, . . . no, was a rail line 500 feet from the Indiana house I bought in 1997. At that time we enjoyed watching and hearing two fairly long freight trains pass us each day.

We went to the Philippines for a missionary tour, and when we returned (2004), there was no more rail traffic. But after several months, one day, to our surprise, we heard the rail-crossing bells, then a train horn, then we saw a lengthy automobile carrier train move from the east to the west. We watched every moment of its passing. And THAT was the last we have seen of a train through town since early 2005.

Lately machinery has been pulling up the rails and ties, and the beds are being fairly leveled out. Ours is a rural town with fewer than 1,500 postal addresses in our ZIP code.

Would they be planning to asphalt some of the lines for walking/biking trails? I don't think that they would go through that expense out here in the country, although, at 67 years old, I might bicycle the 9 miles into Salem during good weather.

I haven't found any satisfactory information yet, even searching the WEB. But if someone has some leads for my, I'd be very interested indeed.

[rhinohunter]

This will surely be one of the most beautiful rail-trails in the U.S.

Hope I live to use it!