Working rail roads and their tracks.

[5030]

Makes a lot of sense with our abundant supply of NG

Not sure how abundant it is but we seem to have enough presently. Interestingly, we heat with propane and bio mass and propane is made from NG in some sort of catalytic cracking operation. Don't know the particulars however. The bio mass is cheaper for now at least. Heating season is drawing to an end (hopefully). Getting tired of the cold, the mud and the brown hayfields.

 

[Hay Dude]

Did some exploring yesterday on one of the farms I grow hay on. Heres some perfectly intact iron rails for your viewing pleasure. The “No Trespassing” sign is one of the people who stood bravely against the rails to trails boondoggle proposed in my town back in the 80’s.

A view looking 180* to above picture

 

[MossRoad]

Because that looks so much better than this...

 

[LouNY]

^^^^ Actually YES

 

[MossRoad]

Look, you know I live near South Bend, IN, an area that has horrible situations with crime. None of our rails to trails have any noticeable crime as of yet. Last year, they converted an abandoned rail grade to a trail through one of the worst neighborhoods in the area. That's the first one in a high-crime area. So we'll see how it goes in the next few years.

Personally, I think that by opening up the area from the undergrowth, putting in lighting, widening the sides, makes it LESS attractive to crime, VS an overgrown hidden path where people can sneak up behind other people's properties.

 

[the old grind]

I'm ok with train-hopping hoboes and ghost trains going through the back forty on rickety rails on moonlit nights. It's those bicyclists and dog walkers that I don't trust, invading the countryside with their helmets, leashes, and cel phones in broad daylight. How can change be for the good of us all?

 

[Hay Dude]

Because that looks so much better than this...

View attachment 736153

Sneaky Mossy…..
You forgot the trash and possible criminal activity and the cost to maintain that road In your idyllic little picture. Next time put a mom & daughter on pink bikes

You also neglected to leave out the fact that some RR right of ways pass through private property and those folks dont want noise, trash, crime and privacy invasion. You also posted a pic of a trail where no homes are close to it. What if a house is 50’ from the trail?

You are favoring the bike path crowd over the people who have to put up with their noise and intrusion. Those people cant get on a bike and ride away.

 

[Hay Dude]

Look, you know I live near South Bend, IN, an area that has horrible situations with crime. None of our rails to trails have any noticeable crime as of yet. Last year, they converted an abandoned rail grade to a trail through one of the worst neighborhoods in the area. That's the first one in a high-crime area. So we'll see how it goes in the next few years.

Personally, I think that by opening up the area from the undergrowth, putting in lighting, widening the sides, makes it LESS attractive to crime, VS an overgrown hidden path where people can sneak up behind other people's properties.

All of that costs nothing, right?

I look at it the other way. The trails INVITE people. If they arent patrolled, then its open season. Anything goes. The tracks I showed are patrolled by 6’ sticker bushes. They do a fine job keeping away peeping Tom’s and trashy people and they get better as the years go by.

 

[the old grind]

.. "Street gangs using bicycles to loot farms from former rail routes through backyards"... (chain-down your smoker)

Maybe they're not as noisy as the dog walkers with their ear-pods and recumbent two-wheel pedalers with their water bottles.

And who doesn't miss the 3:15 PM NB and 1:25 AM SB trains you can watch from the kitchen window if you're awake?

 

[kenmbz]

We have lots of trails along canals and old railroads here. No crime so far and lots of families in season.
Many houses back into the trail.

We are however in a low crime area.

On the NJ side, the trail goes into Trenton, super high crime area. I have never read about any crime on that trail. But I doubt anyone would use that section at night.