Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Illinois

You should first look at the owner's title insurance policy that you should have received when you purchased your property. If you're not sure what to look for, you'll need to consult an attorney. The title policy should list all of the "exceptions" to ownership - and the RR right of way or easemetn may show up on it. Railroads almost NEVER release or give up rights of way or easements in case they are needed again, or as in your case, someone is interested in buying them. If it does NOT show up, you may have an insurance claim against the title company! They may search the records from the time the policy was issued to you to see if the RR actually did give up its rights, however, which would be some indication that the lady's purchase was not valid - at least as to the section of right of way / easement that affected your property. But if it does show up and nothing afterwords "released" it, bottom line you may wind up having to 'buy out' the right of way/easement from the purchaser if it was a valid purchase from the RR!!!