Originally Posted by
bbbean
That's not how it works. The land was taken through eminent domain and owners were paid a fraction of the value, with the agreement that if the railroad ever ceased to function, the land would revert back to the original owners or their successors. You may view it as "selfish greed", but the property owners see it very differently.
It's easy to see rights and property as trivial or meaningless when they're someone else's. The guy who stole my bike figured I wasn't using it and he needed one. Why should I get upset?
Not taken by eminent domain. The RRs obtained an easement with a reversion interest. It’s a complex subject, not easily discussed on a bike forum. The selfish, greedy adjoining landowners want money from the taxpayers, or to hoard the land. Personally, if it was my land, I’d welcome a trail.