I was thinking today, as I was crossing some rail road tracks, about how those tracks could be useful in an all out bug out situation. If you had to bug out and the roads were not safe or heavily congested, you could always travel by walking along side rail road tracks. If you carry a map that includes rail road tracks on it, and a good compass, you could do some pretty good traveling. Most tracks go north/south, east/west and might be a good solution to getting out of dodge! One could even flee the country if things were insanely bad by this method. Travel north to Canada and so on. It might take a long time but it would be much faster than traveling through unknown wilderness areas, possibly going in circles. With a well supplied back pack/bob you could really cover some ground and "stay on track" at the same time. Curious to your thoughts on this.
Rail Road Tracks
Spartan300
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I was thinking today, as I was crossing some rail road tracks, about how those tracks could be useful in an all out bug out situation. If you had to bug out and the roads were not safe or heavily congested, you could always travel by walking along side rail road tracks. If you carry a map that includes rail road tracks on it, and a good compass, you could do some pretty good traveling. Most tracks go north/south, east/west and might be a good solution to getting out of dodge! One could even flee the country if things were insanely bad by this method. Travel north to Canada and so on. It might take a long time but it would be much faster than traveling through unknown wilderness areas, possibly going in circles. With a well supplied back pack/bob you could really cover some ground and "stay on track" at the same time. Curious to your thoughts on this.
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I see railroad track as the last paths of travel that would be blocked or baracaded and manned by locals or bandits.
The big issues for me and our specific topography is getting across any rivers or large creeks by car. a train bridge would work in a pinch but this means abandoning your truck and hitting it on foot or motorcycle.
food for thought.
The big issues for me and our specific topography is getting across any rivers or large creeks by car. a train bridge would work in a pinch but this means abandoning your truck and hitting it on foot or motorcycle.
food for thought.
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Same here. Just like a road or trail, railroad tracks are going to have a lot of other folks walking them too. I'll pass. I make my way through the desert, away from roads, trails or tracks of any kind.
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agreed. I do think if you caught them early enough the bridges would be useful, but just staying on the track the entire way to you destination would probably not be a good idea.
Being there in the first place means I have abandoned my BOV and all alternative driving routs to my BOL, this would be one of the last resort considerations.
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In urban areas it might be more of a problem. In rural areas it might be somewhat easier to travel out of dodge at least for a while. Where we live here we have tracks all over the place. Interesting to think about.
Railroad tracks "BAD IDEA"...Having worked for the railroad for 37 years I can attest to the variety of peoples you will run into right now who inhabit the "right of way" along the tracks not to mention who live under the railroad trestles and bridges. Many a night I have had to go out and did encounter so called street thugs and wanna be gang members on or near the tracks. This is in what we now call a peaceful time....just wait till the ball goes up and see how things change. SEMPER FI
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I would like to argue that following lines of drift will alwayse be a bad idea in a crisis I would not walk on the track/road/highway/major trails but paralell it so that way my approach can not be seen from along way off and chances of being stopped/ambushed diminished.
That being said I think RR tracks and streams and rivers will be more navigable for longer post SHTF
That being said I think RR tracks and streams and rivers will be more navigable for longer post SHTF
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I see what your saying 2dog from working security in an area with a sizable piece of track that was more often than not a problem. All-ways thought that it was because tracks tend to be out of the way and a semi private place for hooligans and worse to hang out unscrutinized and do their "business"
I've walked many miles on tracks while hiking in a rural setting as a 'youngster'.
It can actually be very tiring trying to 'time' your footsteps with the cross-ties.
If your stride is just right, it is not as bad.
The chances of turning an ankle or tripping are MUCH more likely than walking on flat ground, even if there is gravel/fill between the ties.
When we were hinking and walking the track we not carrying any supplies either. Maybe some crackers or a cookie in the pocket. We would drink from the stream or spring along the way. (Yeah. I'm old)
Another thing is crossing the RR trestles/bridges safely. When you're 10-15 years old, trying to get to the other side of the trestle before the train gets there, is kinda fun and exciting.
We thought if we couldn't make it we would just jump down between the ties and hang on from the bottom until the train went by.( James Bond was real, no?)
I don't know if I could even fit between the RR ties now, much less hang on lol.
Anyway, I think you should walk some different tracks with a pack for a while and see what you think.
I would definitely want to know the general area first also.
It can actually be very tiring trying to 'time' your footsteps with the cross-ties.
If your stride is just right, it is not as bad.
The chances of turning an ankle or tripping are MUCH more likely than walking on flat ground, even if there is gravel/fill between the ties.
When we were hinking and walking the track we not carrying any supplies either. Maybe some crackers or a cookie in the pocket. We would drink from the stream or spring along the way. (Yeah. I'm old)
Another thing is crossing the RR trestles/bridges safely. When you're 10-15 years old, trying to get to the other side of the trestle before the train gets there, is kinda fun and exciting.
We thought if we couldn't make it we would just jump down between the ties and hang on from the bottom until the train went by.( James Bond was real, no?)
I don't know if I could even fit between the RR ties now, much less hang on lol.
Anyway, I think you should walk some different tracks with a pack for a while and see what you think.
I would definitely want to know the general area first also.
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Can't speak for the other parts of the country ...... around here lots of the abandoned single RR track lines are being converted to recreational hike/bike trails ..... wide enough to drive on - many criss-cross the countryside like most highways don't ..... something to keep in mind when mapping SHTF travel
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I have walked a lot of track in my 33+ years on the job. I have been both the walker and the stalker. You spot someone on the tracks from really far away. Ambush is easy. Running on slag or ties is very dangerous. Rail can be very slippery so try never walking on the rail itself. Be especially careful going under overpasses. If the tracks could still be active they can be fatal. There are automatic switches that could activate, catch your foot and pin you into the tracks. You can be electrocuted by some tracks or ground returns. Better yet, stay off the tracks and the right of way. And yes, as someone already mentioned, you can find some really bad folks hiding along the tracks.
We picked up a guy a few years ago who had set up a little hooch, hiding in the brush.
He was a multi convicted sex offender as well as other offences of violence. We ended up tying him to several fresh cases against teenage girls in the area.
We picked up a guy a few years ago who had set up a little hooch, hiding in the brush.
He was a multi convicted sex offender as well as other offences of violence. We ended up tying him to several fresh cases against teenage girls in the area.
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I agree, though I'd be especially wary of bridges. That's the perfect ambush point. I'm lucky enough to not need to cross any bridges out here in the desert, so it's not something I have to consider. I'd sure hate to be forced to use them to cross a river or something.
Getting out early enough would be crucial. But it takes the sheeple time to get "warmed up" after an event, so I figure there's time for those who are paying attention and ready.
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Walking the tree helps but there are some stretches that you will be totally exposed, especially on a trestle. I remember one trestle that was three tracks wide with a grass strip. About half way across there was an open manhole that had nothing under it but a 300 foot drop to the river. You had no clue it was there until you were right on it. We were able to find the cover and re-secure it. We eventually had it welded shut.
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How do you figure? They have trucks with wheels that will fold down and they drive on the tracks. FULL SIZE every day trucks. Check this out. http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1070786986043153669CZDrAq
I'm not saying equip your truck like that, But that is IS in fact possible to drive on RR.
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Who's to say the military won't..
be using the RR during bad times. Its fast, you can move lots of troops and equipment with train lines. As roads become clogged with civilian cars and jammed up why wouldn't they? Depending on the bug out reasons, you may or may not want to be seen at all...especially if you are armed.-WW
be using the RR during bad times. Its fast, you can move lots of troops and equipment with train lines. As roads become clogged with civilian cars and jammed up why wouldn't they? Depending on the bug out reasons, you may or may not want to be seen at all...especially if you are armed.-WW
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yes I realize that but why go through the expense of getting a truck like that on the off chance you will need it?How do you figure? They have trucks with wheels that will fold down and they drive on the tracks. FULL SIZE every day trucks. Check this out. http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1070786986043153669CZDrAq![Image]()
I'm not saying equip your truck like that, But that is IS in fact possible to drive on RR.
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There's an accessory that lets a standard pickup drive on the tracks. The railroad here uses them all the time. The truck can drive on the street or on the tracks. Looks like it either just bolts to the frame or welds on maybe.
It wouldn't be feasible here. But in more remote areas, it might be very handy. Especially if you could use the tracks to reach some remote location that has no roads.
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