Access to Rail Property


Genesee & Wyoming’s Real Estate team helps businesses and developers access and work on railroad property across our network. From right-of-entry permits to land and track leases, we streamline the process of building maintaining, or operating near our railroads while ensuring safety, coordination and compliance every step of the way.

Train traveling in a desert with a large industrial tower in the background

Our Procedures, Applications & Requirements

G&W employee wearing a high-visibility vest and inspecting railcar tracks

Right of Entry and Accessing Property

Access G&W property for digging, surveys, drilling, soil sampling and monitoring. Permissions and right of entry permits are required before entering railroad property.

Oil pipeline in a desert landscape at golden hour

Utility Occupancies – Pipelines

Pipelines that go over, under and on railroad property may include natural gas, petroleum, water and sewer. Restrictions apply.

Power lines

Utility Occupancies – Wirelines

Wire lines and cable crossings that go over, under and on railroad property may include coaxial cables, copper telephone wires, electrical distribution and transmission lines. Restrictions apply.

Blue and red fiber-optic cables on the ground

Utility Occupancies – Fiber Optic

Fiber optic wire lines and cable crossings that go over, under and on railroad property. Restrictions apply.

Railroad crossing on a street with a train traveling across it

Grade Crossings

Public and private road crossings over G&W tracks. Restrictions apply.

Tracks in a train yard with many tank cars

Track Leases/Agreements

Lease G&W or industry-owned track for railcar service and/or storage. Restrictions apply.

Aerial view of a railroad and forest landscape

Land Leases for Signs

Lease G&W land parcels for the installation of signs. Restrictions apply.

Person sitting at a table and signing an insurance document

Insurance Requirements

When working within the railroad right of way or for personal use of grade crossings, applicants are required to obtain and provide proof of Railroad Protective Liability Insurance.

We're Here to Help


Can’t find what you need for rail property access or development? Please contact our Real Estate team.

Aerial view of train pulling railcars