No matter what the issue, we should always keep in mind that there are pros and cons to every issue. The "strange" rail scene we see today is in many ways a result of government regulation of years past, because lines forced to be kept open for purposes of public utility ran many railroads into the ground. When unprofitable lines were able to be abandoned, they were. This helped prevent further loss of our railroad lines. There was a beautiful little railroad line in West Virginia, the West Virginia Northern, which would have made a beautiful tourist line. However, it was not able to make money, and now it is only a memory. Railroads cannot operate without sufficient income. Trails, as was previously stated, help to preserve the right-of-way, and can be a huge asset in preserving the history of a particular railline. From the railfan standpoint, a tourist line is by far the best way to preserve the history of a railroad line. However, when the interest and the funding are not there, then the next best step is a trail. Rail-trails, despite some biased, poorly supported opinions, are a great way to achieve exercise, they create gentle grades for bikers, appropriate for children as well as the elderly, and are perfect for recreation. If pavement is not for you, go play in the dirt, it is everyone's freedom of choice. Just bear in mind that trails are not the railroads enemy, just a successor to obsolete pathways and a manner in which to preserve history and provide recreation.