Railbanking means to preserve railroad rights-of-way in order to use them in the future. Due to railbanking definite bridges, tracks are left intact and the railroad operating companies are relieved from responsibility of taxation and maintenance. Reserved objects are left in the custody of the state transportation agency with the ability of reactivation in the case of future economic demands.
Since 1983 approximately nine corridors have been railbanked in the USA and nowadays they are utilized as trails for walkers, cyclists, horseback, snowmobiling and cross country skiing.
The land over railway routes may possess either private owners, rail operators or governmental owners. In the case of railbanking closure the definite part of this land may be reverted to the former owners. The owners can reuse the land for different purposes, but they must agree not to touch such objects as tunnels and bridges.