Abandoned Rail Lines

You would think there were thieves on this forum with all the cautionary warnings - red flags that go up when a suggestion has been made where to find iron.

If your a legitimate business man, follow the channels to obtain rights to that scrap.

The Railways do offer scrap up for tender.

Originally Posted by CMHN

There is no such thing as an abandoned rail line. Those lines are still owned by the railroad, and anything that is there is their property. If you take it without permission, you will go to jail. None of my scrap yards will accept any rail's, or fasteners from a rail line.

Even being on their property without permission is a federal offense and in today's society can be considered an act of terrorism. I know that in my area if a passing train see's you walking along their line's the engineer will contact the local authorities and you will be questioned if not charged for trespassing.

There not worth it and better left untouched.

Yes there is abandoned rail lines, I know of several, once the track has been removed one such line became part of the Canada trail while others have been offered to land owners who have adjacent property to the abandoned section of line paralleling their property.

In Birnie MB I found 5 unclaimed acres across the road from our holdings, when I made an inquiry to obtain this parcel the land owner closes to the line grabbed it.

The little 5 acer parcel application had been lost in a divorce until I came along blowing my whistle. The land I was after used to the the cattle yard for the railway.