Do you know of a case where new tracks have been laid down on a rail trail?

Question

Do you know of a case where new tracks have been laid down on a rail trail?

Answer 1

No, I have never heard of it. Once the track is gone, it is gone forever. Perhaps in the future but not anytime soon.

Answer 2

In the Washington, DC area of USA, there was once a rail line on the north side of the potomac, into the city. This was  turned into a trail way back, BUT some of the trackage still exists, they just used a higher point and cut the bike/walking trail. To get to the point, they have talked about refurbishing the actual track bed itself, which has been washed out in places, for a light rail system. This was a number of years back, and I haven't heard a thing about it since. I guess the actual railroad property was wider than standard, or they spaced the two tracks out, and only pathed one track , and not the other. I don't know if it was originally 1 or 2 rail system. I should look that up. :)  But I do know it's possible to consider recontructing a former railway system ( if the monetary profits are worth it ). - The Gremlin Guy -

Answer 3

New railways are being built around the word in all sorts of places, often where new mines are being built.  This is actually fairly common  for coal mines in central Queensland.  There is also the standard gauge main from Darwin to Alice Springs in Australia completed a just a few years ago.  The passenger service on this is called "The Ghan" and more info can be found on the net.  

In Queensland the coastal main line from Brisbane to Rockhampton (about 700km) then west to Emerald (another 280km) has been fully electrified, this was completed in the early 1990s.  

Elsewhere in Australia there is talk of a new main line from Melbourne through to central New South Wales, the city of Dubbo, and this may be extended into Queensland, possibly through Toowoomba and maybe further north.  Another possible new line or major upgrade of  an existing line is a high speed service running Sydney - Canberra - Melbourne.  Some people want a mag-lev, but in my opinion this is idiotic.  

On existing railways, old light or worn rails are replaced on a regular basis, often with heavier, stronger rails to support heavier locomotives and longer, heavier trains.  This depends on traffic.  

India and China may be building new main lines, both countries are developing very rapidly.

Answer 4

After the Union Pacific acquired the CNW in the late 1990's I heard rumblings of them putting back the track between Hudson, WI and Superior, WI. However, I have since moved away and not heard anything about it.

Answer 5

Sure, the rails around here are replaced with new continuous rail all the time.

Answer 6

You're referring to a rails-to-trails method called rail banking, wherein an old railroad right-of-way is preserved and converted into a recreational trail, but with the condition that the track be put back in if business conditions warrant.  Thus, the trail is not necessarily permanent, but since it's rare for the conditions to be such that the railroad would go through the expense of putting the track back in, railbanked trails are usually permanent by default.  

I could not think of a specific example where tracks went back in, but I'm almost certain I've heard of it happening.

Answer 7

The Railway company well look and inspect the track to see if there is a need to repair any of rails. If there is a small dent in the track, then there will be a need to do so.