My understanding is that the right of way for the rail is significantly wider than needed for the tracks alone. I live near a rail line that was converted to

My understanding is that the right of way for the rail is significantly wider than needed for the tracks alone. I live near a rail line that was converted to a multi use trail and as part of the conversion process there had to be a decision made about past encroachment onto the right of way — mostly homeowners who had pushed their property boundaries closer to the actual rail. Looking at the planning maps it was surprising how wide the path is, but I suspect that it is to allow for the embankments and cuttings needed to keep a railroad level (or at least to keep grades within tolerance)