Detecting On Or Around Railroad Tracks?

[smartfox]

First of all I know that if I search on the railroad tracks I have to be on the lookout for the train Has anyone had luck searching around or at the tracks? If I do it I will be around the railroad tracks and not on them. My theory is that these tracks some of them are real old since trains and railroad tracks have been biult a long time ago. The problem is that a lot of them are surrounded by little rocks. Also the metal of the track can mess with the detector. Ant info on this will be appreciated since I live in an area where there is a lot of trains. Thanks in advance.

[DonF]

Lower the volume on the headphones.

I would imagine, around depot areas is probably your best bet. We have electric trains where I'm at, so it would probably cause interference to a certain extent.

[carolinachief]

Just so everyone knows. The railroads do have railroad police. A couple of years ago it was made illegal to even walk railroad tracks, at least I know it is here in NC. That would include anywhere these railroad companies run because they are not local and their police have FEDERAL jurisdiction. Being caught on the tracks is considered trespassing on federal property. I met with one of the officers from Norfolk Southern Police and he was asking for my help in keeping some of my locals off the tracks. Some near misses and scary moments for the train operators and one guy actually hit crossing the tracks on a bicycle gets their guys in town. Just be aware of the law.

[smartfox]

thanks that does make sense carolinachief. maybe it's not a good idea.

[JoAnne]

Thanks chief I was not aware of that either. Now that I know htat I wills tay away. I did try and detect a local park that used to be a depot in the early 1900s but there was way too much junk. The railroad had buried old pieces if scrap. I dug several and then decided it was not worth it. So perhaps you are not missing a thing.

[Joe(TX)]

Most of the Railroad Tracks that I know of were built in the 1800's. In originally building these tracks, I was told that they set up camps every mile or so. If one could locate some of these camps , there is no telling what could be found? Also this would all probably be on private property so all one would need to do is get permission from the land owner. THINK ABOUT IT..............THE POSSIBILITIES.............JOE