Anbandoned Spur Lines?

Question

Do the companies who have the spur running into the land tell the rail company remove it? Or do they use contractors? What if the building is abandoned does the company that is reselling the site do anything with the spurs or do they just pave them over and let the land be sold? Would the rail company put locks on that switch so it stays on the line that is being used or do the engineers have to worry about it?

Answer 1

Switches require maintenance and are a source of a potential derailment and are usually removed when the trackage is abandoned.

Spurs are either taken up or, just as you suggested, are paved over.  Most old spurs are constructed of light guage rail and worthless ties unsuitable for today's heavier equipment.

Many industrial spurs that are ripped up are contracted for by and independent contractor, looking to sell the steel as scrap and recycle the cross ties, assuming they are in any kind of decent condition.