Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
The Brake

The Shocking Untold History of America’s Rails-to-Trails Movement

Some of the fiercest battles for the future of public space in America have happened on abandoned railway corridors — and the battles aren't over yet.

Photo courtesy Roslan and Associates

If you’ve ever taken a stroll on New York’s High Line or ridden along Missouri’s Katy Trail, you might assume that it was a no-brainer for communities across the U.S. to rip up the old abandoned train tracks that used to run there and build a sanctuary for people outside cars. 

In actuality, though, the story of the rails-to-trails movement is one of the most epic, controversial, and still ongoing tales in the history of American advocacy — and now, it's finally getting a film that's worthy of that epic narrative. 

On Oct. 15, PBS and member stations near you will air a new documentary called From Rails to Trails, which “captures the 60-year struggle — and transformative triumph — of one of America’s most unlikely grassroots movements.” It’s a star-studded affair featuring narration by academy award nominee Edward Norton and cameos from folks like Pete Buttigieg, but one of its highlights are interviews with author, activist, and now, executive producer Peter Harnik, who literally wrote the book on the history of the rail-trail movement and its role in challenging car dependency. 

On this episode of the Brake, we sat down with Harnik to talk about the secret history of one of the fiercest battles over public space in U.S. history, the time rail-trails ended up before the Supreme Court, the Trump administration's recent clawbacks to trail funding, and more. 

Click here an un-edited transcript of this conversation (with typos).

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Ugly Truth: Federal ICE Raid Push Aside Local Cops, Safety and Free Speech

President Trump's heavily armed and masked immigration troops are turning American cities into battlegrounds — and eliminating accountability and free speech in the public realm.

October 27, 2025

Monday’s Headlines Dust Off Duffy

The transportation secretary has been busy beefing with California, SEPTA and Elon Musk.

October 27, 2025

This Bill Would Help America Build More Housing Near Transit

A bipartisan group is pushing a policy to incentivize transit-oriented development across the country.

October 27, 2025

How State-Level ISA Bills Are Gaining Ground in a Polarized America

Ten lessons from the front lines of the battle for speed limiter laws.

October 27, 2025

Friday Video: Amtrak Is Way More Successful Than You Think

Why do so many people still treat Amtrak as a failure — and what would it take to deliver the rail investment that American riders deserve?

October 24, 2025

Friday’s Headlines Are Hanging Out Down the Street

The same old thing we did last week — until the neighbor wrote a letter to the editor.

October 24, 2025
See all posts