By Terry Gleason

This month we are doing a special advocacy article about rail trails (RT). It's not possible to explain all the challenges of converting abandoned rail lines into rail trails without a basic understanding of the rise and decline of railroads. For readers who enjoy history, "From Rails To Trails" by Peter Harnik is highly readable and recommended.

For those waiting for the movie version, a documentary about the rail to trail movement based on Harnick's book will debut on PBS, October 15.  Here's a link to the one minute trailer for Harnick's documentary.

The Rail Trail Conservancy (RTC) is the resource for rail trail advocacy. Their RTC Trail-Building Toolbox is a good place to start.

Based on the success, failure, and lessons learned from countless RT projects across the country, RTC established their 'Triangle For Success" list:

• Formal Plan of Action
• Public Agency to own the (completed) project
• Advocacy Organization(s) providing a unified, enduring, and strong public push

Even though these three pillars for success were derived from RT project experiences, it's clear they are appropriate for any public project competing for funds and attention in a political environment.

Alan McClennan, former Arlington, MA city planner once famously quipped "the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway took 18 years to complete - 17 years of politics and 1 year of construction."

The Minuteman Commuter Bikeway is the fifth RT inducted by the RTC into its Rail Trail Hall of Fame, 2008. For a sense of the challenges faced by RT pioneers back in the movement's beginning in the 1970's, take a look at the 15-minute video Revival: The Story of the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway created as part of the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the RT.

Rail Banking

One of the biggest game changers for RT advocates was 'rail banking', created in 1983 two year before RTC was established. When railroads started unloading unprofitable rail lines in the 1960's and '70's through a formal 'abandonment' process, any rail bed parcel obtained as an 'easement' would revert back to the landowner since the easement existed only as long there was train service.

Instead, railroads were encouraged to rail bank their abandoned lines with an option in the future to restore service. As long as there was the possibility of railroad service, the courts ruled that the easements remained. Railroads were content to allow bicycle and foot use in the mean time as long they could unload all liabilities. Adjacent land owners with the easements were very unhappy and sued many times with little or no success.

Dick Williamson

Since the focus this month is on rail trails, it is very fitting to recognize Dick Williamson who played an oversized role in the progress of two important rail trails with significant segments in Sudbury where he resided: the Bruce Freeman and the Mass Central RTs. Although a one-time CRW member, I believe Dick didn't partake in many club rides because of his many other activities and duties in addition to his 25 mile daily commute to work at MIT Lincoln Lab for decades.

Visit Dick's Obituary Page for more details and photos.

A gathering to celebrate Dick's life and contributions is scheduled at Davis Field, Sudbury, Sept 14, 3 pm.

Dick Williamson, Sept. 10, 1939 - Aug 9, 2025

CRW has invited Terry Gleason to contribute articles to WheelPeople from his perspective on cycling community advocacy. We hope that these articles will serve to educate CRW members on local, regional, and national issues that directly affect their safety and enjoyment of cycling.

Comments, suggestions, and alternate opinions are always welcomed. Click on “Add Comment” below to share your thoughts and get a public conversation going. Feel free to contact Terry directly via email (BedfordBike@gmail.com [include "CRW" in the Subject]) if you are an active bicyclist advocate and/or wish to do more in your community,