That is actually true. The railroads in the 19th century were given a lot of land free to build the tracks. Yes, they had to pay for the iron and wood, but then they did not have to buy the land which saved them tons of money. So when you hear them moan and complain about how truckers have it so unfair, just ask them when they are going to pay for all that land (much siezed under the Emminent Domain clause) they got for nothing.