RAIL TRAILS

Rail trails are former railroad right-of-ways that have been converted into a multi-use trail.  Many trails are built because of federal legislation that provides for rail-banking - a way to temporarily convert the land into a trail with the possibility that it could be converted back into a railroad should the need arise.  This preserves the right-of-way for railroading purposes, however, there are few examples of trails being converted back into a railroad. Railroad right-of-ways are desirable for trails because they are generally very straight with broad sweeping curves, gentle grades up or down, and go from one location to another. 

​

Please enjoy this program talking about rail trails from PBS.

Below are a list of rail trails in Indiana.