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 Vectored Approach
    
Location: Morgan Hill, CA
Gender: Male
 |  | Re: Legality of walking railroads..
<Reply # 20 on 12/4/2013 6:21 PM >
|  | | | Posted by LetTheRaineFall
Does anybody have information on the old rail lines running through Quakertown? I've heard the north end is completely abandoned, but occasionally I still hear the train, so I'm assuming some part of it is still used.
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Take a look at the top of the rails. If they are shiny polished steel, they are well used. Kind of dull, not used as often but still used. Slightly rusty, less used. Rusted to a dull finish, pretty much unused.
Spikes and plates shift from vibration caused by use. They don't simply fall out of the tracks because the line is abandoned.
Honesty may be the best policy, but it's important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy. -George Carlin (1937 - 2008) |
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Ansion
Location: BC, Canada
Gender: Male
The same, except different.
| | Re: Legality of walking railroads..
<Reply # 21 on 12/4/2013 8:46 PM >
| | | | Never had any problems, not even when a passenger train passed my gf & I having sex on a trestle...
"Explore thyself." ~ Henry David Thoreau
"...and abandoned stuff & things that look neat." ~ Ansion |
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chief25
Gender: Male
i wasnt me why did the cops come?
| | Re: Legality of walking railroads..
<Reply # 22 on 12/4/2013 9:33 PM >
| | | | After 911 in became a Federal offense to trespass on railroad or airports.
The railroad side is not being enforced very often.
cant be done |
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CatAndTie
Location: Southeastern PA
Gender: Male
LifeInDecay. com
| |  | Re: Legality of walking railroads..
<Reply # 23 on 12/5/2013 12:32 AM >
| | | | Posted by LetTheRaineFall
Does anybody have information on the old rail lines running through Quakertown? I've heard the north end is completely abandoned, but occasionally I still hear the train, so I'm assuming some part of it is still used. I walk them a lot, they're pretty overgrown with weeds and falling apart... rail spikes missing, last week there was a random garden hose just laying on the track... I'm afraid of heading too far north for fear of fines, though.
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You should post this question in the local section. I live pretty close to Qtown, but do not know much about the tracks. There are some local historical societies I believe that might be the best place to do some research.
"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore." - Andre Gide |
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LetTheRaineFall
 
Location: NE Texas - Dallas area
Gender: Female
wait...what?
| | Re: Legality of walking railroads..
<Reply # 24 on 12/5/2013 12:33 AM >
| | | | Posted by Vectored Approach
Take a look at the top of the rails. If they are shiny polished steel, they are well used. Kind of dull, not used as often but still used. Slightly rusty, less used. Rusted to a dull finish, pretty much unused.
Spikes and plates shift from vibration caused by use. They don't simply fall out of the tracks because the line is abandoned.
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They're fairly well rusted. Most of it looks rusted to hell. With the rail spikes, I mean they're literally just being taken or are completely missing, not even anywhere nearby like they'd just fell out. Last year, I found a whole bundle of spikes just lying on the side of the rails. I'm fairly certain they aren't used enough to patrol or keep real watch of, but the spare carts they keep on it appear to be moved regularly. I don't know if I'll be scolded or fined if I'm seen walking past the station out on the north end.
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Vectored Approach
Location: Morgan Hill, CA
Gender: Male
| | Re: Legality of walking railroads..
<Reply # 25 on 12/5/2013 5:52 AM >
| | | | If unsure about the station itself, keep away from it. The rest sounds pretty low key.
Honesty may be the best policy, but it's important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy. -George Carlin (1937 - 2008) |
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Byberrian Fanman
Location: Fuck You
Gender: Male
| | Re: Legality of walking railroads..
<Reply # 26 on 12/5/2013 8:19 AM >
| | | | Posted by LetTheRaineFall
Does anybody have information on the old rail lines running through Quakertown? I've heard the north end is completely abandoned, but occasionally I still hear the train, so I'm assuming some part of it is still used. I walk them a lot, they're pretty overgrown with weeds and falling apart... rail spikes missing, last week there was a random garden hose just laying on the track... I'm afraid of heading too far north for fear of fines, though. |
The line you speak of is the former Reading Company's Bethlehem branch, which once provided passenger service to Allentown. SEPTA, who currently owns the line/RoW up to Hellertown (north of there is owned by Norfolk Southern), ceased passenger service in 1981 and the line was completely abandoned north of Quakertown in the late 90s due to its sharp curves and steep grades (characteristics freight railroads aren't particularly fond of, especially if they have other route options).
As for the current situation north of Quakertown station, the line is only used for a few freight customers and long-term car storage; this arrangement runs up to the California Rd. grade crossing, where the line is completely abandoned beyond...and then the rails disappear at the Bucks/Lehigh county line and you find a stupid-ass public bike path/rail-trail. Don't worry about walking the rails north of the station, virtually no one will give a shit (this is what I've generally found).
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Abby Normal
Location: Las Vegas
Gender: Female
| | | Re: Legality of walking railroads..
<Reply # 27 on 12/5/2013 1:21 PM >
| | | | Spoken like a true rail fan! Keep the history alive.
Abby Normal
Posted by Byberrian Fanman
The line you speak of is the former Reading Company's Bethlehem branch, which once provided passenger service to Allentown. SEPTA, who currently owns the line/RoW up to Hellertown (north of there is owned by Norfolk Southern), ceased passenger service in 1981 and the line was completely abandoned north of Quakertown in the late 90s due to its sharp curves and steep grades (characteristics freight railroads aren't particularly fond of, especially if they have other route options).
As for the current situation north of Quakertown station, the line is only used for a few freight customers and long-term car storage; this arrangement runs up to the California Rd. grade crossing, where the line is completely abandoned beyond...and then the rails disappear at the Bucks/Lehigh county line and you find a stupid-ass public bike path/rail-trail. Don't worry about walking the rails north of the station, virtually no one will give a shit (this is what I've generally found).
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"Government is not a solution to our problem, government is the problem." Ronald Reagan |
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thetrainguru
 
Location: Jasper AB
Gender: Male
im not crazy...wait...y es I am
| | Re: Legality of walking railroads..
<Reply # 28 on 12/5/2013 1:24 PM >
| | | | Posted by Byberrian Fanman
The line you speak of is the former Reading Company's Bethlehem branch, which once provided passenger service to Allentown. SEPTA, who currently owns the line/RoW up to Hellertown (north of there is owned by Norfolk Southern), ceased passenger service in 1981 and the line was completely abandoned north of Quakertown in the late 90s due to its sharp curves and steep grades (characteristics freight railroads aren't particularly fond of, especially if they have other route options).
As for the current situation north of Quakertown station, the line is only used for a few freight customers and long-term car storage; this arrangement runs up to the California Rd. grade crossing, where the line is completely abandoned beyond...and then the rails disappear at the Bucks/Lehigh county line and you find a stupid-ass public bike path/rail-trail. Don't worry about walking the rails north of the station, virtually no one will give a shit (this is what I've generally found).
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thanks for the info on that line!
Create don`t destroy.
http://www.flickr....tos/104842213@N04/ |
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ahhntzville
Location: Boston
| | Re: Legality of walking railroads..
<Reply # 29 on 12/5/2013 2:09 PM >
| | | | Posted by Byberrian Fanman
the rails disappear at the Bucks/Lehigh county line and you find a stupid-ass public bike path/rail-trail.
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What's stupid-ass about a rail trail?
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Byberrian Fanman
Location: Fuck You
Gender: Male
| | Re: Legality of walking railroads..
<Reply # 30 on 12/5/2013 8:25 PM >
| | | | Posted by arntzville
What's stupid-ass about a rail trail? |
What's stupid is the fact that it exists at all. Personally, I'd muuuuch rather see passenger service restored.
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LetTheRaineFall
Location: NE Texas - Dallas area
Gender: Female
wait...what?
| | Re: Legality of walking railroads..
<Reply # 31 on 12/5/2013 9:31 PM >
| | | | Posted by Byberrian Fanman
The line you speak of is the former Reading Company's Bethlehem branch, which once provided passenger service to Allentown. SEPTA, who currently owns the line/RoW up to Hellertown (north of there is owned by Norfolk Southern), ceased passenger service in 1981 and the line was completely abandoned north of Quakertown in the late 90s due to its sharp curves and steep grades (characteristics freight railroads aren't particularly fond of, especially if they have other route options).
As for the current situation north of Quakertown station, the line is only used for a few freight customers and long-term car storage; this arrangement runs up to the California Rd. grade crossing, where the line is completely abandoned beyond...and then the rails disappear at the Bucks/Lehigh county line and you find a stupid-ass public bike path/rail-trail. Don't worry about walking the rails north of the station, virtually no one will give a shit (this is what I've generally found).
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Fantastic! Thank you so much. I saw on google maps that they just store a ton of carts further north, but I'm not sure how outdated it is.
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A Through Z Explorations
Location: Area 51A
Gender: Male
INTRUDER ALERT! "I only came to dance." -Combichrist
| | Re: Legality of walking railroads..
<Reply # 32 on 12/5/2013 10:46 PM >
| | | | The idea of "train cops" coming for you because you were outed by the choo-choo conductor sounds as ridiculous as me saying "Just don't fit the profile, be the right color, do not take any railroad spikes, and don't be up to anything illegal.".
"It's just a dance, not romance." |
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Trackrunner
I picked up the ball, and drainball was created.
| | Re: Legality of walking railroads..
<Reply # 33 on 12/5/2013 11:32 PM >
| | | | Posted by CatAndTie
I have been in a tunnel when a train came through and he blared his horn at us and it was loud as shit, but that was the extent of our "run-ins."
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Same thing happened to me, only I was under a bridge with sloped concrete sides leading down, covered in dirt. So when the train went by, I happened to be climbing the incline, and it sent all this dirt into my eyes and I couldn't hear or see and it was really fucking scary.
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Trackrunner
I picked up the ball, and drainball was created.
| | Re: Legality of walking railroads..
<Reply # 34 on 12/5/2013 11:37 PM >
| | | | I have had a cop follow me on the road adjacent to the tracks as I was walking, me being stupid, didn't even notice him until I tried to get off at a station, where he then simply told me to leave. So not that bad. As for safety, I usually am able to hear this high pitched whine whenever a train is approaching, not sure if anyone else has noticed this. Still, I wouldn't hesitate for a second to recommend train tracks. The amounts of weird shit and locations you find, as well as the good memories, are totally worth it.
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unlighted-zero
Location: Hamilton, ON
Gender: Male
havin a time
| | Re: Legality of walking railroads..
<Reply # 35 on 12/5/2013 11:45 PM >
| | | | I walk them all the time as well. Just be smart and look out for the bull (rail cop). They usually hang around yards and things but they also frequent high trespass areas like under/overpasses and bridges and the like. Also take care not to be seen by work trains or trains that might be pulling into a close by yard. If the conductor is bored and enough of a dick, they will radio the bull to come and get you. I've had a CP train crew radio up to a bull a few times while I was having a few beers by the tracks. Thankfully my friend had a scanner so we could hear them do it and were able to get out of dodge by the time the bull came snooping around.
A lot of those work trains have way too much time on their hands and like to play with their radios...
/flail it til ya nail it |
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Trackrunner
I picked up the ball, and drainball was created.
| | Re: Legality of walking railroads..
<Reply # 36 on 12/6/2013 12:52 AM >
| | | | I remember once I found like 6 railroad repair trains sitting on an empty, unused rail. As I approached them, I heard radio chatter, right at the moment I looked through the window. Got me pretty paranoid.
[last edit 12/6/2013 10:53 PM by Trackrunner - edited 1 times]
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Byberrian Fanman
Location: Fuck You
Gender: Male
| | Re: Legality of walking railroads..
<Reply # 37 on 12/6/2013 4:00 AM >
| | | | Also, sticking around in one place for too long... yeahhh, don't do that.
A little while back, I was chilling on the top floor of an abandoned interlocking tower along a very active main line. Even though it was at night, I had to have been spotted by at least one passing train, because when I looked out a window, there was a fucking Amtrak pig sitting on a road across the tracks... not good.
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Keaven
Location: 15 miles from the Grassy Knoll
Gender: Male
| |  | Re: Legality of walking railroads..
<Reply # 38 on 12/6/2013 2:04 PM >
| | | | Posted by chief25
After 911 in became a Federal offense to trespass on railroad or airports.
The railroad side is not being enforced very often.
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Pre 9/11, RR crews would usually assume that you are a railfan and honk and wave at you.
Post 9/11 and you are presumed to be a terrorist seeking to target the transportation infrastructure.
This seems to be worse the further North and East you go (within the U.S.). RR trespassing seems to be taken more lightly in the South and the West.
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Benched_it
Location: Central NC
Gender: Male
| | Re: Legality of walking railroads..
<Reply # 39 on 12/6/2013 5:58 PM >
| | | | I'm not saying walk the tracks or not walk the tracks. The crew is supposed to call in anyone on or near the tracks. Just use common sense whatever you do and PAY ATTENTION! A train in a quiet zone will literally be on top of you before you know it if you're not on the alert. Respect Rails!
https://www.flickr...otos/97792661@N03/ |
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