I provided a link from the Library of Congress that said the land was given to them. Do you have something different to show me?
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/riseind/railroad/grants.html
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A Right of Way is a legal permission established by grant to an entity such as:
* Oil and Gas companies to construct pipelines on public land.
* Utilities to construct electric power lines and towers,
* Cargo and container vessels to use canals and inland waterways, such as the St.Lawrence,
* Railroads to lay trackage, build stations and storage facilities.
The route is specified by the grant which does NOT annex the property.
When the project ends or is abandoned, the property reverts to the owner.
Nothing further!!!