As you probably already know we are huge fans of rails-to-trails. Not everyone shares our enthusiasm for them though. Adjacent land owners are often times opposed to the development of the former railroad corridors. Others don”t want their tax dollars being spent on trails and don”t recognize or appreciate the benefit to be had for a few bucks. I get where they are coming from. What I was surprised to learn and don”t get is that many railroad history buffs are opposed to these trails. I learned of this while being a member of a couple of railroad history groups/forums. I guess they prefer the abandoned railways to be left intact while they wait for trains to make a come back which I don”t believe will ever happen.
I can”t think of any better way to preserve and share railroad history than through rails-to-trails. Excluding the rails, a lot of the old railroad infrastructure is left intact in a rail-to-trail conversion. Bridges, trestles, tunnels, signage and more. Some trails even document the railroads history with signs, kiosks and museums. Rails-to-trail can benefit so many whether it be a history buff, nature lover or fitness freak. From baby stroller to wheelchair, almost everyone can make use and benefit from these trails.