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Explorer Zero
     
 |  |  | Does anyone do train yards?
< on 5/10/2005 4:05 AM >
|  | | | I love railroads and rail yards I always have. As a kid we could come and go from them as we pleased and sometimes the watchman or the caboose guy would just yell at us to leave.
Today on an extended lunch hour I tried to social engineer my way into a major Dallas rail yard and container transfer terminal. It didnt even work man. Well maybe its post 9/11 America but I wasnt getting in this yard this day. Anyone have any luck with trains? Is RR security this tight everywhere now? Maybe I need some blue striped overalls?
notice the security cameras on the tall pole?
[last edit 5/10/2005 4:06 AM by Explorer Zero - edited 1 times]
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nostra-YOUPPI!
 
Umpire
location:
Shahre:'on Kaybec
Bonsoir et cest partie
| | Re: Does anyone do train yards?
<Reply # 1 on 5/10/2005 4:09 AM >
| | | | i love railyards as much as the next guy but the railways have railway police which are real police but seam to have an even bigger chip on thier shoulder and more broken glass in thier underwear
Montreal Expos 1969-2004 Forever Proud Lets Keep The Dream Alive |
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David Keetz
Gender: Male
david keetz
| | Re: Does anyone do train yards?
<Reply # 2 on 5/10/2005 7:22 AM >
| | | | i go by my local railyard every day and it seems like i could be able to just waltz in...i have yet to try...
but speaking of railways...i've been wanting to hop a train and ride for a while. But i want to get on one, and then get on another one and come back. Does anybody know how to get a hold of some kind of freight schedule?
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Uncle Goose
location:
Ghent, Belgium
Gender: Male
The Goose knows best.
| | | Re: Does anyone do train yards?
<Reply # 3 on 5/10/2005 8:43 AM >
| | | | I tought about it some time ago but here in Belgium RR security is actually a policeforce and they are quite frustrated in most occasions (because the lack of action). So I didn't risk that because I could be the next thing to get released of the frustrations they have.
[last edit 5/10/2005 8:43 AM by Uncle Goose - edited 1 times]
A 1000 days of sorrow can disapear in a split second, it takes only one person to make it happen. |
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nostra-YOUPPI!
Umpire
location:
Shahre:'on Kaybec
Bonsoir et cest partie
| | Re: Does anyone do train yards?
<Reply # 4 on 5/10/2005 12:28 PM >
| | | | most railways freights are run on a pretty predictable schedule, listen on a scanner for a bit you will figure out the train numbers etc
Montreal Expos 1969-2004 Forever Proud Lets Keep The Dream Alive |
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Mark
Very Noble Donor
location:
South Carolina
Gender: Male
What is a lion, king of the savannah, when hes at the south pole?
| | Re: Does anyone do train yards?
<Reply # 5 on 5/10/2005 8:30 PM >
| | | | I suggest getting a rail road radio or comparable one that you can listen to them on. We personally snuck in and had to escape hardcore.
"If the threat level goes up its probably because of me." "I am looking for a girl who enjoys headbutting beltbuckles" |
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ofberenonehand
location:
Minn-e-snow-ta
"Where now is Boromir the Fair? He tarries and I grieve."
| | Re: Does anyone do train yards?
<Reply # 7 on 5/10/2005 10:22 PM >
| | | | Posted by David Keetz
Does anybody know how to get a hold of some kind of freight schedule?
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Search around for a 2005 "crew change" guide. It's a list of train schedules for every yard nation wide compiled yearly by train hoppers.
Some Bulls (RR police) are hard asses, some aren't too bad. A lot of workers really respect hoppers so you'll find more friends there. I've heard the Chicago Bull is terrible. Around here, the local yards are easy. i used to go and climb around the trains all day.
"That's What Government Is For; To Get In A Man's Way" -Mal |
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JimBoylan
location:
SouthEast Pennsylvania, U. S. of A.
Gender: Male
| | Re: Does anyone do train yards?
<Reply # 8 on 5/11/2005 9:11 PM >
| | | | A rail yard that handles containers and trailers may be more heavily guarded because of a perception that it's more likely to be stolen from. Trailer doors are easier to open than freight car doors, the thief who can drive out with a trailer or container will have a harder time stealing an entire rail car, and some crooks think that valuable electronics are more likely to be in a highway vehicle than a rail car. Moral: Explore a place where you are less likely to be a threat!
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Louie
| | | Re: Does anyone do train yards?
<Reply # 9 on 5/11/2005 11:57 PM >
| | | | In DC the only real yard is outside of Union Station... but thats the Amtrak and Metro yards, you you get to deal with armed guards!
Never tried it, but you get a good view of the place on the redline, it goes right over the center.
Louie
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NV
Supreme Noble Donor
location:
City of Chicago, Richard M. Daley, Mayor
| | Re: Does anyone do train yards?
<Reply # 10 on 5/12/2005 12:15 AM >
| | | | Posted by ofberenonehand
...Some Bulls (RR police) are hard asses, some aren't too bad...I've heard the Chicago Bull is terrible. |
This is true (re: Chicago RR yard bulls), but I've still been able to wander through some Chicago rail yards at night without too many problems. In the past I've even been able to ride by bike through the underground portion of the Amtrack/Metra yard in downtown Chicago. I'm not sure if I'd try something so brazen now.
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Plytheman
location:
Lawrence, Massachusetts
Obey The Deer
| |  | Re: Does anyone do train yards?
<Reply # 11 on 5/12/2005 3:08 AM >
| | | | I dont know much about train hopping but from what I hear it can get sketchy with security now in post 9/11...
I'm looking to just go back-packing and follow rail tracks on foot, and if a slow moving train should pass I might be inclined to hop on for a short jump!
I'm achin, I'm shakin, I'm breakin, Like Humans Do!!
-Byrne |
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grit1
location:
University Campus - Minneapolis, MN
Gender: Male
Got Shear Line?
| | | Re: Does anyone do train yards?
<Reply # 12 on 5/12/2005 3:55 AM >
| | | | I've often wondered what lies inside of those little metal buildings by every intersection of a road and tracks...I surmise that they are full of switching and signalling equipment, because they are by intersections, but I have often wondered what specifically is in there. Anybody ever been in such a building? ~Grit.
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Oni Baloney
| | Re: Does anyone do train yards?
<Reply # 13 on 5/12/2005 7:55 AM >
| | | | Posted by ofberenonehand
Search around for a 2005 "crew change" guide. It's a list of train schedules for every yard nation wide compiled yearly by train hoppers.
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Good luck. Older crew changes aren't that hard to get a hold of, but the new one is pretty hard to find. The crew change is supposed to only be photocopied and exchanged hand to hand. They're not that useful anyways. The crew change is good for yard locations and routes ..... stuff you find elsewhere anyways. The information in the crew change can be very inaccurate and out of date. Even though a new is put out every year, the information is not updated for all locations. I saw a 2004, and some of the yard info was from 1995.
Your best bet to learn more is to actually talk to people who catch trains.
--- oni --- |
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Sixmoons
location:
Adelaide, Australia
| | | Re: Does anyone do train yards?
<Reply # 14 on 5/12/2005 2:28 PM >
| | | | I'm sure if you infiltrated the local trainspotter's club they'd love to reel off info on schedules and where to spot the best trains etc.
You may think you can fly.....but you'd better not try it. |
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ofberenonehand
location:
Minn-e-snow-ta
"Where now is Boromir the Fair? He tarries and I grieve."
| | Re: Does anyone do train yards?
<Reply # 16 on 5/12/2005 3:20 PM >
| | | | Posted by Oni Baloney
Good luck. Older crew changes aren't that hard to get a hold of, but the new one is pretty hard to find. The crew change is supposed to only be photocopied and exchanged hand to hand. They're not that useful anyways. The crew change is good for yard locations and routes ..... stuff you find elsewhere anyways. The information in the crew change can be very inaccurate and out of date. Even though a new is put out every year, the information is not updated for all locations. I saw a 2004, and some of the yard info was from 1995.
Your best bet to learn more is to actually talk to people who catch trains.
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True. I've never bothered to look on-line, but every copy I have seen has been a photocopied version. Given hopping culture it would make sence they wouldn't want everyone to have it.
I think the method of updating schedules is just to have hoppers who notice a change (probably the hard way) mention it. It's pretty informal, but most people seem to think that adds to the adventure!
"That's What Government Is For; To Get In A Man's Way" -Mal |
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Raticus
Moderator
location:
Tyler
Gender: Male
Ratus exploricus abandonae
| | Re: Does anyone do train yards?
<Reply # 17 on 5/12/2005 4:12 PM >
| | | | Along with being a UEer, I am one of those extreme railfans, a train nut, a foamer. Train yards in the Dallas area, as well as other large cities, are much harder to get into with permission than they were before 9/11. They are monitored, and they do have railroad police as several people have mentioned. They are real cops and will often arrest people. Railroads are at least perceived to be prime targets for terrorists and all of us who take pictures have been very frustrated at the "overkill" that has been put in place. Anyway, some of the smaller yards like the one here in the town I live in can be accessed. I know several of the employees there and they let us go in all the time. Only problem is, there is not as much action in the smaller yards. If there is a smaller yard around you, hang around there for a while, get to know the folks, wave, etc. Don't push yourself in, and ask if it's ok if you take pictures etc. Most of the time if the big boss isn't around you'll get the ok. Just to answer a couple of other things I saw in the posts, Grit, the grey boxes beside the road contain the equipment that operates the crossing gates. That's about all. But, those boxes are tied in to a phone system. If they are opened, or the power fails, the box automatically calls in. Nothing much interesting there anyway. For everyone who wants to hop a train, please be careful. I know of more than one instance where someone has grabbed the handles to jump, missed the lower rung with their feet, which causes your body to swing under the car, and a foot or leg is gone. So PLEASE be very careful. It's fun to do, but best if you do it on a car that's stopped or moving very very slowly. Also, never get on a car that has a load of pipes, etc. Those things slide when the trains start and stop and will crush you. Get an empty car and stay hidden.
Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools speak because they have to say something. |
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David Keetz
Gender: Male
david keetz
| | Re: Does anyone do train yards?
<Reply # 18 on 5/12/2005 6:39 PM >
| | | | thanks guys. the info helps.....
sixmoons...i love that picture.....where did you get it?
anyway...my plan is actually to try to catch a train outside of the station before it gets out of town and starts picking up speed. I need routes and schedules to figure out if i can get off before it gets into the next station or how many stops it will make,if any before getting there.
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Gunslinger
location:
The Wasteland "Peel Region"
Gender: Male
| | Re: Does anyone do train yards?
<Reply # 19 on 5/12/2005 8:33 PM >
| | | | Posted by grit1
I've often wondered what lies inside of those little metal buildings by every intersection of a road and tracks...I surmise that they are full of switching and signalling equipment, because they are by intersections, but I have often wondered what specifically is in there. Anybody ever been in such a building? ~Grit.
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well those small metal shacks can contain a lot of interesting equipment. you will most often find electrical relays for signaling and switching, you could also find equipment for laser eyes that read the tare tags for each car. and there is always enough led acid batteries to make the place as hot as a steam tunnel.
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17:04:43] <Avatar-X> i saw a husky outside earlier today 17:05:11] <Silent_Knight> you didn't get shagadelic on it, didya' Av? ;p [17:05:12] <Avatar-X> yeah i don't know why :P |
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