Are There Any Abandoned Railway Lines in the United States?

Yes, there are numerous abandoned railway lines scattered across the United States. One example is the tracks in Virginia Beach, which, although abandoned, are still technically owned by someone. This situation is not uncommon, as many former railway corridors have been repurposed into hiking and biking trails.

Abandonment of Railroad Lines and the Rise of Trails

Railroads are constantly reevaluating their routes and sometimes decide to abandon certain tracks. One notable transformation is the conversion of these abandoned railroad rights of way into "rails to trails" networks. These former railways are transformed into public pathways for hiking and cycling, providing a new recreational option for the communities around them.

The Extent of Abandonment: From the 1950s to the Present

The scale of railroad abandonment in the United States during the mid-20th century was significant. In the 1950s, when I was in school, my class took a train trip from Houston to Austin to visit the state capital. Today, not a single mile of that historic rail line remains. The same can be said for over 1,775 other rail lines that were decommissioned in the country from the 1950s to the 1970s. A massive amount of railroad infrastructure was abandoned during this period, with many rails being removed due to economic and technological shifts.

Shifts in Transportation: From Rail to Highway and Air Travel

There were several factors that led to the widespread abandonment of railroad lines. The Interstate Highway System, completed in the late 20th century, provided a fast and efficient way to move goods by truck. As the highway system expanded, a substantial portion of freight traffic shifted from rail to road. Additionally, the rapid development of the aviation industry meant that perishable goods could be transported more quickly and economically by air.

Moreover, personal mobility in the United States is deeply ingrained in the culture. Americans often rely on their cars for personal transportation, a trend that started in the post-World War II era. With access to personal vehicle ownership and widespread highway networks, it became increasingly convenient to drive rather than take the train. This is particularly true in areas outside of major urban centers, where passenger rail service is limited or non-existent. Even in large cities like Las Vegas and Nashville, which each have populations greater than 2 million, there is no access to passenger train service.

The State of Current Passenger Rail Service: Amtrak

One of the primary providers of passenger rail service in the United States is Amtrak. However, despite being a government-supported entity, Amtrak only covers a small fraction of the total rail network. According to recent data, Amtrak operates just 22,000 miles of rail, compared to the country's over 4 million miles of roads. This highlights the enormous disparity between rail and road transportation infrastructure in the US.

In specific regions like Texas, the challenges of expanding passenger rail service are particularly apparent. For example, Amtrak's service to Houston, the state's largest city, is limited. The travel time from Houston to San Antonio, the state's second-largest city, is exorbitantly long via train (5 hours), compared to driving (2 hours and 52 minutes). Similarly, the journey from Houston to Dallas, the third-largest city, takes a grueling 9 hours and 20 minutes by train, while the same trip by car takes just 3 hours and 47 minutes (5 hours and 33 minutes quicker).

Future Prospects for Passenger Rail: End User and Federal Funding Costs

Despite these challenges, rail advocates continue to push for improvements in passenger rail service. However, the costs associated with such initiatives, which can run into billions of dollars, present a significant barrier. In Texas, for instance, voters have shown little willingness to fund the necessary infrastructure. Without federal funding, it is even less likely that major rail projects will be implemented.

Some might argue that the government should prioritize such infrastructure projects. However, with the current state of federal finances and the limited funding available from state governments, the prospects for major new rail projects appear dim. In the end, it is clear that many factors come into play when deciding the future of passenger rail service in the United States, and it ultimately comes down to a balance between public demand and fiscal responsibility.