Hunting old RR tracks

[TXDIRTFISHER]

I might have the opportunity to hunt a lengthy stretch of an old RR track to include the right-of-way surrounding it. Has anyone had experience and or success in hunting old RR tracks? Should you hunt the track site itself or to either side? Thx

 

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[Dimeman]

I have "heard" of some people being told not to detect close to the tracks since 9-11... Didn't think terrorists rode trains..........

 

[TXDIRTFISHER]

The tracks were laid in the late 1800's and pulled up in the 1940's

 

[Dimeman]

The tracks were laid in the late 1800's and pulled up in the 1940's

No tracks now........hunt it. Try and look online for an old map that might have had railroad station stops. Those would be the best spots to hunt.

Might be lots of iron peices and R/R spikes still in the grounds.

 

[DrGrip]

The tracks were laid in the late 1800's and pulled up in the 1940's

No tracks now........hunt it. Try and look online for an old map that might have had railroad station stops. Those would be the best spots to hunt.

Might be lots of iron peices and R/R spikes still in the grounds.

Exactly like above! Old stations, RR camp site, and any old towns would be KILLER spots to check out. The local library should have some old maps or photos that could help you narrow your search down some.

Let us know how you do!

Grip

 

[TxTim]

All I know is from my expeience-- they are so infested with iron that you will be driven crazy!
Hope you get lucky!

 

[texan connection]

Def some truth in that The tracks I dug up were also tar incrusted, some hard diggin

 

[TXDIRTFISHER]

I got off work, grabbed the SE and headed out. Luckily this place is less than a 3 minute drive from my house. The lady that owns it doesn't maintain any of the 500+ acres she has. Her land is full of old foundations, ghost town buildings, and a huge portion of the RR and the RR right-of-way road. The frustrating part is that 99% of her land is at least knee deep in grass and weeds right now. She doesn't maintain the old RR site so I wasn't expecting much.

I got out there and decided to take a walk first to survey the site. The road is completely grown over by cactus. In most spots you literally cannot pass through. I took a few detours through the wooded area but the foliage got thicker the farther I went. I kept hoping for a clearing but I couldn't find one.

I gave up on that and hit a nearby field that I have permission to hunt. The owner just tore down a late 1800's concrete building so I searched the footprint. Lots of broken glass and old can slaw....no coins

My next mission is to head out to a field she owns (deeeeep grass) and introduce my weed-eater to it. There is a huge/old clothes line that has been there since Moses parted the Red Sea. The clothes line was next to a house (no longer there) that was built in the late 1800's. There has to be a coin under there somewhere. Thanks for the input.

 

[Kieth-Tx]

If it just gets unbearable because of all the brush...put a raincheck on that area till winter when the brush dies down...good luck!
Kieth

 

[sqwaby]

This coming winter after the grass dies off go back. Lots of snakes out that way, they will be out if its a warm winter day, be careful.

 

[cloviscliff]

I hunted some old RR right-of-way close to beevile all I found were some glass insulator's. At least it wasn't a wasted trip. Cliff