The former SN line was NOT rail banked. It is not abandoned. Technically it still is part of the national transportation network. UP transferred responsibility for this line to the museum when it donated the land. The embargo prevents the museum from having to receive and move cargo over these tracks.

By technically being a railroad, all legal railroad protection remains. This is important for things like grade crossings, prohibiting trespassers, and zoning exemptions.

Rail banking was discussed at the time of acquisition but was discovered to have too many drawbacks. As a non-profit educational organization, the museum is exempt from property taxes on the line.

That 4 acre site at Molena was intended for a future passenger depot by SN. It was acquired with the rest of SN land by the museum.