Railways26th January 2003

People on rail tracks and trains just don't mix. Of all types of urban exploration, exploring live railways is the most dangerous of them all. I really urge people to avoid this. It is not a game, railway tracks are no place for people to be.

I have explored many abandoned railways, but relatively few active railways. When I have explored live railways it is generally as result of encountering them when exploring abandoned railways. The exception being when I snuck into a live underground railway station years ago, something I would not be willing to do today. I have also been on active railways quite a few times with permission.

I have heard many stories on the Web of other explorers who have had to run full tilt down railway tunnels to escape approaching trains. Even after railway systems shut down for the night cleaning trains, work trains and freights can make a sudden and unwelcome appearance. In underground tunnels the appearance of a train is usually not a surprise, you can normally hear it coming, but I know of one case where an explorer was standing right on the track and heard a blast of a horn behind him. He looked up only to see a train about 6 metres away from him. Luckily it had rolled to a stop.

I have also seen other web sites that openly invite people to explore active underground railways. This is something I discourage people from doing as it is just not safe and besides, these days you can see plenty of pictures and videos of underground railways on the Web from the safety of your computer.

Even on 'abandoned' railways I have encountered trains and other railed vehicles. When walking down the abandoned tunnels of Glasgow I was a bit shocked to hear the unmistakable blast of a train horn in the tunnel ahead of me despite there being no tracks in place. The tunnel I was in intersected with a live tunnel. I was about twenty metres away from live tracks when a train thundered past. Similarly I encountered a small three wheeled 'trike' wagon on an abandoned railway in Australia which I was driving my own car along. While I had a permit to be there, the trike owner did not. If we had encountered each other on a corner I would have easily driven right over his trike.

Speaking of being on railways without a permit, this is something that could cost you a heap of money. Railways are active places. They are dangerous. They are also usually patrolled by security. As railways are often subject to idiots putting things on the rails and other idiots vandalizing railway properties any person being on railway property without a legitimate reason is bound to be treated with suspicion. If you are that interested in exploring live railways, get a job with them and learn some real safety lessons. Live railways are just no place for urban explorers. British Rail, Amtrack and other railway companies have hefty fines for trespassers. In addition, after September 11 there has been stricter treatment of rail fans and people photographing railways.

Abandoned railways

I suggest that explorers stick to well abandoned railways which are overgrown, have the tracks removed or have been turned into walking trails. I know they sound boring, but abandoned railways, particularly ones that are just overgrown are really quite interesting. A sure sign that a railway is abandoned is trees growing in the tracks. Beware of lines that have grass growing between the tracks but no trees. Some lines may not be used often but may still see the occasional maintenance vehicle or train, particularly in rural areas.

Other good signs that railways are out of use include crossings that have been removed or had roads built over them. Railway bridges may also have been removed, blocked off or fallen down. Railway bridges in themselves are an added risk. Many bridges won't have fences on them. Others just have sleepers / ties in place with plenty of gaps between. To be caught on such a bridge with a train coming would be particularly dangerous.

Having said all that, overgrown and clearly abandoned railways are relatively safe to explore. When it is clear that a train could not possibly travel along the track you can normally relax and enjoy your exploring. Old stations are particularly interesting. The paraphernalia of railways has always held an interest to many people. Many well abandoned railways are relatively open to the public and are just as safe as exploring bush, or bushwalking. Railways are also built with no steep hills so they are often easy to walk along unless really thickly overgrown.

The best thing an Urban Explorer can do when it comes to exploring railways is to join a railway society of some sort. While you don't have to be an active member you can get involved in some of the tours of old and abandoned railways.