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Relocation and Idaho Living

DG Rider

DG Rider

Member: Triple Clutch Club
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Casa Grande, AZ
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There are clubs across the country that tour the various track systems. Not all rails have been removed. There's one here in Asheville
craggy rail line - YouTube
No...not all of then get removed. Esp if it's a smaller railroad or one that went bankrupt.

In your neck of the woods, Saluda grade is a great example of a line that is out of service, but is not abandoned ( still RR property ). Don't know how they'd feel about people just showing up with homemade rail bikes/carts.
 
100Acre

100Acre

Samsquinch the Terrible Magic Bean Manipulator
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No...not all of then get removed. Esp if it's a smaller railroad or one that went bankrupt.

In your neck of the woods, Saluda grade is a great example of a line that is out of service, but is not abandoned ( still RR property ). Don't know how they'd feel about people just showing up with homemade rail bikes/carts.

Some rail lines allow the touring of their unused tracks. There are now touring companies set up on some railways like in the Adirondacks and many open tracks in many other states. You just need to do the research for your areas.


Abandoned Rails - Map

Another rail bike idea

map of abandoned railways
Abandoned Railroad Rights-of-Way - Google My Maps
 
100Acre

100Acre

Samsquinch the Terrible Magic Bean Manipulator
Lifetime Member
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Apr 25, 2017
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but is not abandoned ( still RR property ). Don't know how they'd feel about people just showing up with homemade rail bikes/carts.
Bottom line is if I make it through any SHTF event, I'm not gonna concern myself with what RR is in charge. I just think it'd be a great way to get around by also avoiding any major roadways which is where you'll see more desperate persons wanting what you have. Most of the Speeder types have a roundtable built into them. So say there's a landslide and you need to turn around. Just crank down the swivel pad and raise the conveyance and spin it 180* then continue on your way. A home made cart could feasibly be lifted and moved off the track.
 
CumminsPusher

CumminsPusher

Just a Honda doing Honda things.
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Oct 14, 2015
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Washington/Idaho
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  3. Talon X LV
Bottom line is if I make it through any SHTF event, I'm not gonna concern myself with what RR is in charge. I just think it'd be a great way to get around by also avoiding any major roadways which is where you'll see more desperate persons wanting what you have. Most of the Speeder types have a roundtable built into them. So say there's a landslide and you need to turn around. Just crank down the swivel pad and raise the conveyance and spin it 180* then continue on your way. A home made cart could feasibly be lifted and moved off the track.
My only question is if there’s a large event and things happen wouldn’t it suck to be on the tracks where someone knows exactly where you’re going? It would be extremely hard to avoid any situation around you.
Tracks sometimes lead into rough areas where downed trees or rocks in the way too. I think I’d rather have a Honda crf230 with the silencer in for such situations. As long as you had gas you’d come and go without anyone the wiser:)
I swear that would be a great bugout vehicle
 
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My only question is if there’s a large event and things happen wouldn’t it suck to be on the tracks where someone knows exactly where you’re going? It would be extremely hard to avoid any situation around you.
Tracks sometimes lead into rough areas where downed trees or rocks in the way too. I think I’d rather have a Honda crf230 with the silencer in for such situations. As long as you had gas you’d come and go without anyone the wiser:)
I swear that would be a great bugout vehicle
I better stock up on medical supplies!
 
DG Rider

DG Rider

Member: Triple Clutch Club
Lifetime Member
Aug 14, 2013
9,174
41,533
113
Casa Grande, AZ
Ownership

  1. 700-2
Bottom line is if I make it through any SHTF event, I'm not gonna concern myself with what RR is in charge. I just think it'd be a great way to get around by also avoiding any major roadways which is where you'll see more desperate persons wanting what you have. Most of the Speeder types have a roundtable built into them. So say there's a landslide and you need to turn around. Just crank down the swivel pad and raise the conveyance and spin it 180* then continue on your way. A home made cart could feasibly be lifted and moved off the track.
Yeah. If that's the case RR prob won't be a factor anyway. Good routes with little to no grade, sometimes in remote locations.
 
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100Acre

100Acre

Samsquinch the Terrible Magic Bean Manipulator
Lifetime Member
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Apr 25, 2017
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Idaho
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100Acre

100Acre

Samsquinch the Terrible Magic Bean Manipulator
Lifetime Member
Club Contributor
Apr 25, 2017
17,244
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113
Idaho
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  1. 1000-5
My only question is if there’s a large event and things happen wouldn’t it suck to be on the tracks where someone knows exactly where you’re going? It would be extremely hard to avoid any situation around you.
Tracks sometimes lead into rough areas where downed trees or rocks in the way too. I think I’d rather have a Honda crf230 with the silencer in for such situations. As long as you had gas you’d come and go without anyone the wiser:)
I swear that would be a great bugout vehicle
Don't need gas if you install a wood gasifier which heats up wood (without burning it by burning wood around it) so much to release the gasses inside the wood which can power many engines. It was very popular during WW2 because of gas rationing.
 
DG Rider

DG Rider

Member: Triple Clutch Club
Lifetime Member
Aug 14, 2013
9,174
41,533
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Casa Grande, AZ
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  1. 700-2
I have a buddy that lives out in the desert by Seligman. Freakin Nowheresville.
You ain't kidding. I used to go out and photograph trains making the climb out of Seligman. That stretch of Rt 66 west of Seligman has to be the most boring stretch of road I've ever been on.
Saldy, the closest I ever got to ride out there was the abandoned little settlement to the east called Crookton . I took FS roads all the way from Ashfork. Got there late in the day and didn't have time to look around. This was my second--to-last ride in AZ, and it was bittersweet knowing that in a week or two I was leaving, and would probably never be back
 
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100Acre

100Acre

Samsquinch the Terrible Magic Bean Manipulator
Lifetime Member
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Apr 25, 2017
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Idaho
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  1. 1000-5
You ain't kidding. I used to go out and photograph trains making the climb out of Seligman. That stretch of Rt 66 west of Seligman has to be the most boring stretch of road I've ever been on.
Saldy, the closest I ever got to ride out there was the abandoned little settlement to the east called Crookton . I took FS roads all the way from Ashfork. Got there late in the day and didn't have time to look around. This was my second--to-last ride in AZ, and it was bittersweet knowing that in a week or two I was leaving, and would probably never be back
IMG 3584
 
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100Acre

100Acre

Samsquinch the Terrible Magic Bean Manipulator
Lifetime Member
Club Contributor
Apr 25, 2017
17,244
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Idaho
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  1. 1000-5
I was there last February. It was a bit chilly and I got to experience some winter weather from the Mogollon Rim up to Flagstaff then over to Seligman. Interesting that was.
IMG 3578
IMG 3579
IMG 3592
 
DaddyDubbs

DaddyDubbs

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Lee County Alabama, from Southern Michigan
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@DaddyDubbs please feel free to chime in on this...
Like @DG Rider said, by definition abandoned lines are usually pulled and rail sold for scrap.
When I started running motor cars I belonged to two organizations NARCO (North American Rail Car Owners) and MCCA (Motor Car Collectors of America). These two clubs would organize runs on active railroads being escorted by a RR Hi-Rail at both beginning an end of our group and were in radio contact with central dispatch so we could clear the main on a siding to allow the revenue train to pass. As a result of these trips, I have logged well over 3,000 miles on rail, some of which have never seen passenger service.
I did know a few guys who liked to go it alone on what they thought was abandoned or seldom used lines, problem there is a) if caught riding the rails, the RR will prosecute for trespass and win. b) if you cause an accident or derailment of their equipment, you will also have to make restitution and possible jail time and all railroad's have corporate attorneys on salary. To me the scenic reward was never worth the risk.
 
DaddyDubbs

DaddyDubbs

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Lee County Alabama, from Southern Michigan
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Bottom line is if I make it through any SHTF event, I'm not gonna concern myself with what RR is in charge. I just think it'd be a great way to get around by also avoiding any major roadways which is where you'll see more desperate persons wanting what you have. Most of the Speeder types have a roundtable built into them. So say there's a landslide and you need to turn around. Just crank down the swivel pad and raise the conveyance and spin it 180* then continue on your way. A home made cart could feasibly be lifted and moved off the track.
Turntables definitely make turning around easier, none of my cars had them so you turned around at a grade crossing by pulling the lift handles back then lifting the back of the car and turn around like a two wheeled cart, super easy on the M9 and doable on the MT14. I was looking for a turntable for the A5 because they are way too heavy for one person to turn, actually they are a pain for 4 people to man-handle around but ended up selling the car before I found one.
 
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100Acre

100Acre

Samsquinch the Terrible Magic Bean Manipulator
Lifetime Member
Club Contributor
Apr 25, 2017
17,244
102,016
113
Idaho
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  1. 1000-5
Turntables definitely make turning around easier, none of my cars had them so you turned around at a grade crossing by pulling the lift handles back then lifting the back of the car and turn around like a two wheeled cart, super easy on the M9 and doable on the MT14. I was looking for a turntable for the A5 because they are way too heavy for one person to turn, actually they are a pain for 4 people to man-handle around but ended up selling the car before I found one.
Have you ever thought about making a RR cart you could somehow power with a Pioneer? I'm thinking like this ...
Train Track Golf Cart In Use2


If you could fabricate something to mount on a Pioneer, esp a 500 because that's what I have, I'd definitely buy something like that! Maybe make a one size fits all set up with "internal spacers" to fit various machines...This is something I have wanted to do for some time. Thank you for your input!!!
If a 500 isn't wide enough....ugh, when my mind starts on something, the ideas just keep flowing like a leaky faucet.
 
100Acre

100Acre

Samsquinch the Terrible Magic Bean Manipulator
Lifetime Member
Club Contributor
Apr 25, 2017
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Idaho
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  1. 1000-5
Maybe something that mounts to the frames or A arms...
 
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