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A railroad relic on the Gandy Dancer Trail in Wisconsin. |
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Class I Railroads: As classified by operating revenue, the largest operating freight railroad companies.
Class II and III Railroads: Railroads with less operating revenue than the standards set for Class I. Class II railroad are typically recognized as "regional railroads" by the American Association of Railroads. Class III railroads are usually considered local short line railroads.
Systems Diagram Map – A map produced by the railroad indicating the status of all rail lines within its system, including lines that are scheduled for abandonment.
Valuation Maps - Valuation maps help show the purchase and sale of property.
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Outreach:
The Railroad
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If you're involved in a rail-trail project, more than likely you've entered into negotiations with a railroad company. Navigating through the corporate structure to find a representative who is willing to discuss rail-trail acquisition and development may be difficult. Railroads only make about 1 percent of their income from real estate sales, so don't be surprised if your interest in acquiring a corridor isn't their top priority. Don't let this discourage you! Be persistent and contact other trail managers to learn more about successfully negotiating with the railroad.
If you've conducted corridor research and determined that the railroad still owns or operates on the right-of-way, you'll need to start the acquisition process by contacting the railroad. Negotiations with the railroad will differ depending on the nature of the property and the options and interests of the railroad.
Your first step will be trying to determine who to talk to. Large railroad companies (referred to as Class I Railroads) have several departments, and understanding the structure of the railroad company and how each department functions will help you decide who to contact. Listed below is a description of each department and what they can do to help you.
Asset Management (Strategic Planning) Department or Plant Rationalization: Responsible for continuously evaluating the profitability of all the rail corridors in a railroad system. They decide how to dispose of the property if needed. ***You can request Systems Diagram Map from Asset Management
Operating Department: Schedules and operates trains and maintains the rolling stock and track. ***Operating personnel often have a deep understanding of the corridor. If you know someone in this department, ask them about their experience with the corridor – like the condition of existing structures, existing drainage issues and other maintenance problems. The regional manager may also be able to assist in a tour of the corridor.
Legal Department: Evaluates contracts and issues opinions on labor, government and business- relations matters. The legal department also submits filings to the Surface Transportation Board (STB).
***Can furnish copies of abandonment applications, notices and other legal documents. The Legal Department is sometimes the most receptive to rail-trail negotiations; consider negotiating acquisition directly with the Legal Department.
Real Estate Department: Manages real estate assets and is responsible for maximizing corporate returns on any real estate investment, including selling property that is officially abandoned.
***You may have to negotiate with the real estate company for acquisition – and will if the corridor is already abandoned. They will have access to valuation maps and information about property easements.
Public Affairs Department: Monitors state and local politics that may affect the railroad, usually attorneys that are assigned to a region or state.
***A public affairs representative may be more than willing to assist on high-profile widely supported projects. They can often act as a liaison between departments.
Understanding the interests and options of the railroads will enhance your negotiations. Learning from other trail managers who have dealt with the same railroad company is a great way to determine good contacts within the railroad. Use RTC's Trails and Greenways listserv to connect with other trail managers across the country. You should also become knowledgeable about the railroad company's history and current state of operations. Contact information, financial, operating statistics and more can be accessed on most websites. The seven Class I railroads in the United States are:
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF)
CSX Transportation
Grand Truck Corporation – subsidiary of Canadian National Railway Company
Kansas City Southern
Norfolk Southern
Soo Line Railway – American arm of the Canadian Pacific Railway
Union Pacific
Regional and short line railroads (Class II and Class III) may be easier to contact since they are much smaller companies that usually have local offices. Search the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association's (ASLRRA) directory of members for local contact information.
Once you have established a relationship with the railroad, your negotiations may lead to a preliminary agreement for gaining site control, setting a purchase price, and establishing an acquisition process and timeline. Acquiring Rail Corridors: A How-To Manual will help guide you through the process and provide tips on negotiating with the railroad. See additional resources above.
Related Outreach Topics:
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