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Sodo · May 5, 2014

PhysAssist said:
I don't want to end up as an object lesson on our current "pictures of people hauling or towing something wrong" thread...

Thats true JW but would be a new thread, "pictures of people hauling or towing something stolen.":laughing: I guess it depends whose land it's on, maybe ask the landowner. You could go at it with an 18v sawzall (2 or 3 batteries?) and just get the chunk you need? For the weight "weight of railroad rail per foot" click here.

DaveOmak · May 5, 2014

Railroad iron is work hardened pretty good.... I'm not sure a sawzall would touch it.....

Sodo · May 5, 2014

DaveOmak said:
Railroad iron is work hardened pretty good.... I'm not sure a sawzall would touch it.....

I wonder if, since the invention of sawzalls, anyone has ever tried it. You would know in the first few strokes, if any chips are coming off. There could be a carburized layer all around that you need to grind thru. Maybe start your cut at the bottom then break off the 1/4" at top. Dont start a fire.

CDN Farm Boy · May 5, 2014

Personally, I wouldn't be the least bit worried about having a 4' overhang with 8' in the bed. If its actually 12' or so that is. You could always take some sand bags or similar to weigh down the front end if you are worried. Me, I'd even do 16' with the 8' box by weighting the front down

Don't forget to hang a flag on the end of the overhang

beeforty · May 5, 2014

Takes some friends because you're looking at 1560-1680 lbs depending on the size of rail per wikipedia: Rail profile - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for mailine rail!
As far as cutting it if it is used track the top is bound to be work hardened for sure!

downsizingnow48 · May 5, 2014

Since we got past the question of who it belongs to I would take a oxy-acetylene torch in the back if the truck spend 5 minutes cutting off the 16 inches you want for an anvil. Leave the rest rather than try to pick it up.

CDN Farm Boy · May 5, 2014

beeforty said:
Takes some friends because you're looking at 1560-1680 lbs depending on the size of rail per wikipedia: Rail profile - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for mailine rail!
As far as cutting it if it is used track the top is bound to be work hardened for sure!

I must be missing something..... Could you explain your math? How would a 12' approx length equal that much?

12' = 4 yd x 121 lbs (the heaviest I saw listed for this part of the world) gives you a total approx weight of 484 lbs

k0ua · May 5, 2014

Guys, it is still stealing, No matter how you rationalize it. Remember the railroad still has their own police force. I have worked with many of them. And they are much more concerned with theft of railroad property than any other policeman. They carry guns too, have arrest powers, and really really good communications equipment.

paulharvey · May 5, 2014

k0ua said:
Guys, it is still stealing, No matter how you rationalize it. Remember the railroad still has their own police force. I have worked with many of them. And they are much more concerned with theft of railroad property than any other policeman. They carry guns too, have arrest powers, and really really good communications equipment.

Let's leave this as a physics question and not a moral one. We don't know it's an abandoned rail, private rail spur, or what. Now, legally, if you remove anything from the Rail right of way it's theft; even if it's old bent spikes, or other complete trash.