How To Detect Around RailRoads?

[jaypop06]

I've never posted on this forum before (at least I don't think I have) and I was needing some assistance from someone who knows...

I've seen some people on here find some pretty cool things around railroads, but my question is, where does one detect to find anything?

What I'm getting at is, anywhere near the tracks (at least where I live) is covered in gravel, big gravel, something that would be hard to dig through. How far away would you suggest to start detecting actual dirt to find something interesting?

Any help at all on this subject would be greatly appreciated..

Thanks in advance..

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Upgraded Night Vision Monocular Digital Infrared Monocular Telescope for 100% Darkness with 8X Zoom - Grab it through Amazon!

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Best bet is to look at overhead images from Google Pro and spot where there were single rails that briefly split to parallel rails for 500 feet or so near a road that goes in near the tracks. These often indicate where there was a station, depot or at least an off-loading area.

If you have a detector that doesn't give a tone for iron you will keep more of your sanity.

 

[RobRieman]

You have to find the old train stations and refueling areas, to just dig near the tracks will be a waste of time. Also the coal and coke will drive you nuts. Make sure you can ground balance them out somewhat or you will pull your hair out. I have tried a few areas and my patience just ran out. Good luck!

 

[jaypop06]

Ok, kinda along the lines that I was leaning, but wanted to find out from someone with more experience than self. I'll take this advice and put it to use and see what I can come up with.... Thanks again...

 

[Eddie Current]

Be careful hunting around railroad tracks... trespass laws come into play and the authorities might take a strong action against you. I remember reading a long time ago on this forum that a guy was metal detecting on a railroad right of way and the cops took his metal detector and fined him for trespass.

 

[jaypop06]

Oh. Wouldn't want that to happen. I'll have to check the local laws and regulations before I start that this spring. Thanks for the tip. Never thought of the that to be honest.

Be careful hunting around railroad tracks... trespass laws come into play and the authorities might take a strong action against you. I remember reading a long time ago on this forum that a guy was metal detecting on a railroad right of way and the cops took his metal detector and fined him for trespass.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

A lot of RR have utility easements on them, I worked for one, we frowned very strongly on anyone digging on our easement at all...

 

[bzbadger]

TH you are right as far as easements for utility companies however an easement is only a right of way on property not an ownership and as long as nothing actually owned by the utility company is touched things should be ok. In 1955 the local railway closed and when we purchased our land sections of the RR came with it. I have been hunting the tracks and found several things and the things most needed are picks and patience. The coke will drive you nuts but notch it out and drop your sensitivity down, the power lines will get you too. I actually found the iron firebox door of the engine..now how such a thing came off and ended up on the side of the track I don't know but it weighs a horrible amount.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

TH you are right as far as easements for utility companies however an easement is only a right of way on property not an ownership and as long as nothing actually owned by the utility company is touched things should be ok. In 1955 the local railway closed and when we purchased our land sections of the RR came with it. I have been hunting the tracks and found several things and the things most needed are picks and patience. The coke will drive you nuts but notch it out and drop your sensitivity down, the power lines will get you too. I actually found the iron firebox door of the engine..now how such a thing came off and ended up on the side of the track I don't know but it weighs a horrible amount.

You could walk on our easement that was not an issue, digging on it was a major issue. I had several people ticketed by police for digging... A lot of our easements were also on abandon railroads...