I have been involved in 2 fatal grade crossing accidents, once as a conductor and once as an engineer. Remember, the railroad crews also suffer whenever these accidents occur. There have been many times that I have been worried unnecessarily by motorists that didn't stop until the last second or just barely beat the train at the crossing.

These trains can roll very quietly and with a little wind they can be upon you before you realize they are there. I know of a crew that hit an atv about 2 years ago. Luckily the guys on the atv got out of the way. What if they had ran the wrong way and the atv would have hit them after it was struck by the train?

This forum is viewed by many children as well as adults. I don't think we want to give any youngsters these kind of ideas. And by the way, there are places where freight trains can travel as fast as 70 mph.

Daren

 

Thanks Darren....refreshing to get some constructive criticism without any barbs. Keep the rubberside down!

 

There are some places along our tracks that I would love to ride. Challenging terrain and beautiful scenery right along the Mississippi river. It would be great.

I guess that I'm fortunate to have St. Joe State Park within 2 hours of me and I have several other places to ride within reason. I do wish Little Sahara OK was a little closer. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Daren

 

Riding on or near ANY railroad tracks would be insane. Seen too many results of this happening. Just had a woman/mother get killed on a 4-wheeler. Riding over the bridge when there was a trail under the bridge! Had 2 kids and a husband, she was 34 years old. Terrible for her family,terrible for the train crew to watch and live with. Takes a mile and half to stop a loaded/empty train. Think about it. We CANNOT stop once we see you, in time. Not easy to live,sleep with these memories!

ps: Riding on the right of way is the same,think about it? High-wide loads, Straps,chains used to secure loads that have broke/came loose dragging the ground!
PSS: Its ALL illegal

 

I personally used to ride the tracks a lot. Some of our awesome riding spots are about 1/2 mile down. But I have plenty of woods to have fun without those spots. BUT, I don't ride them anymore. It is dangerous. But with these tracks the train doesnt go over 20mph tops and you should atleast be smart enough to shut off the machine and listen for a few minutes. Also, this train doesnt run on sundays. So if I was to ride on them I would go out sunday. BTW, What town are you located in Butzla? I'm in Clinton.

 

Dude I live in Lancaster. It's probably the same tracks....the Conrail ones that go up to Fitchburg, crossing over 62 in Lancaster. What woods do you trek into? I bought my rig to do some plowing and lets the kids putz around the yard, but now that I've seen it's speed, power and comfort, I'm looking for more ways to recreate on it.

 

Wow small world huh. Yeah I'm pretty sure there the same tracks. The ones that go by the Agway grain store. I used to ride behind Woodruff road (high bridge area) until they built all the new houses. I also used to ride at the Aquaducts in Berlin next to the Train stop restaurant. Nice riding and fishing back there. Now I just ride in my woods. Pretty nice woods. I would say theres a good 150+ acres back there. I'm looking for a cheap Quadsport 230 or a 3wheeler of some sort to make some more trails. Need to pick up the wantad tomorrow and I hope I find something cheap.

 

If your neighbor hood and if your train is on a schedule i dont see whats wrong with it..theres a train by my sisters house that comes twice a day same exact time every day...but since its dangerous to ride on tracks, might as well not go up the next hill you come to in the woods..way too dangerous..and dont goto that pay park either because there way to populated and someone might come around a corner at 30+ and hit ya...way to dangerous...im not being immature guys but lets face it, ur wreck,get hurt or seriously injured more on the trails than u will anywhere else....this isnt the safest hobby/sport...all in all dont ride on the track if you know nothing bout it, but if u do and if its some awesome riding that you cant live without than just b careful....

im sure ill get flammed, but seriously im not trying to be stupid or immature..just throwing in the best part of forums, and thats .02

 

I found mine in the T&G of all places but believe it or not, Ebay had some good deals. Good luck!

 

Danger aside, what about the part that it is 110% tresspassing on RR right of way, which could get your bike confiscated, and land you with one big fine.

Now on the danger side, you have a chance of surviving getting hit by someone coming around the next corner at 30+, but your chance of surviving a train hit is slim to zero.