Marvin M. Brandt Revocable Trust, Petitioners v. United States.

Summary

The Court held that a railroad right-of-way granted under the General Railroad Right-of-Way Act of 1875 was an easement that terminated upon abandonment, leaving the underlying land unburdened. This ruling relied on the Court's prior decision in Great Northern Railway Co. v. United States, where the Government had conceded the 1875 Act granted only an easement. Justice Sotomayor dissented, arguing that precedent indicated the United States retained a reversionary interest.