Out of Service versus Abandoned Tracks

After a railroad company determines an in-service track is no longer needed, the company may choose to either place the track out of service or to abandon the track entirely. If the track is placed out of service, the railroad company should notify
RRD
. The following should occur until the track is placed back in service:
  • A ‘Tracks Out of Service’ sign is placed in lieu of crossbuck signs.
  • Gate arms and traffic control devices such as warning signs and pavement markings from the crossing are removed.
  • Railroad signals are either removed, hooded, or turned from view to indicate they are not in operation.
  • Railroad company contacts the FRA to have crossing inventory updated.
  • RRD
     updates TRIMS crossing inventory.
The railroad company will remain responsible for maintaining the crossing surface, including the rail and ties. If the track will remain out of service for a long period, or if the railroad ties and/or crossing surface are starting to fail, TxDOT may contact the railroad company to remove the crossing surface, rail and ties, or obtain railroad permission to allow TxDOT to remove same.
If the track is formally abandoned by the railroad company, the track is typically first removed by the railroad company as well as all at-grade crossing signs and signals. Once a track is abandoned, maintenance of the crossing falls on the roadway authority. The roadway authority may contact the railroad company to purchase the underlying property.
Salvaging of the rail and/or ties is generally only allowed by the railroad company or their approved contractor. A letter may be needed from RRD if the state or their contractor will salvage the rail.