Originally Posted by
genec
Rails are only converted to trails when the rail lines are abandoned.
On the other hand, why are so many rail lines being abandoned? Especially if they are "the most energy-efficient means of long-distance transportation."
One issue I have with rails to trails is that this country has a long history of shooting itself in the foot with regard to replacing one form of transportation with another.
We need transportation diversity... so we are not dependent on one single form of energy, or method of using energy, for transportation use.
Locally, our rail service lines were abandoned due to excessive maintenance costs from unstable terrain which caused countless derailments, and also from dwindling freight. Many sections of our rail line are littered with numerous abandoned rail cars from those derailments.