Buildings, bridges and tunnels

Trestles, tunnels and bridges are very dangerous-  Stay off and stay out!  While there may be a walkway, you might be hit by oversized cargo on a freight train.  In addition, there is a slip, trip and fall risk. This particular trestle is the Kinzua Viadict, which was destroyed in a tornado.  Note the hazards.  There is nowhere to go and you cannot outrun the train.  The same exact types of hazards apply to tunnels. 

In addition to slip, trip and fall hazards on trestles and bridges, there are also several slip, trip and fall hazards in other places on a railroad.  Climbing steep embankments to get the photographic shot or climb aboard a train and slip are a couple.  Crossing over tracks, walking on uneven ballast, tripping on sills of freight cars, car floors, slipping on freight car ladders, roofs or decks.  These are examples where you can fall to your death as a result of slipping and tripping.

Stay out of ALL RAILROAD OUTBUILDINGS- even if "they are abandoned."  This is not the green light for you to go exploring.  You are still TRESPASSING on PRIVATE PROPERTY.  The dangers you could face cannot be noted enough.   Some of these places can be very dangerous and kill you.  What are the dangers and why are they important to understand?  

First, you risk falls, slip and injury.  Structurally, these buildings may no longer be sound.  Several may be crumbling and not take much effort to collapse them.  There are floors, masonry and roofs that may give way.  All could collapse on you and trap you in the building. The interior may be slippery from being wet or damp.  Buildings contain several hazards which you might not see until it is too late.

Unmarked hazards like locomotive inspection pits and elevator shafts can cause traumatic injuries alone from falling into them. No gates or railings will mark the hazards to a sheer drop down.  There will most likely be no power or light.  These hazards tend to be dark spaces even in the daytime.  Some of these pits can even be flooded from rainwater.  You may fall down and get stuck in them with no way to get out.  They may also contain snakes and other animals who now call these spaces home. 

Stored toxic chemicals could spill on you and you may fall onto or into machinery.   While the building may no longer be an active shop, some railroads will use these "abandoned" buildings to store chemicals used on the railroad.  This building may still serve a function despite its condition and your assessment of being "abandoned."  You risk exposure to lead paint, mold and asbestos if disturbed.

Remaining heavy machinery in the building may also present a hazard.  Rusted metal and the risk of falling into unguarded machinery can pose a major injury hazard.  Blades can cut you or items in the machine may fall on you trapping you in them.  You could also face electrocution if power is still supplying the building if you get curious and want to play with the equipment. 

There is a grim reality.  If you happen to fall in an abandoned building and are lucky to live, help might not be able to get to you.  This is true if you are in a remote area of the railroad not easily accessible to vehicles.  You could also be in an area without cell service waiting for help that might not come in time or come at all.  

Then there are other people who shouldn't be there at all.  You may also run into vagrants sleeping in the structures.  Some may be criminals and pose a potential threat of violence to you.   These could be the same people who hop trains. There may be evidence of drug use and uncapped needles may present a health hazard as well a broken glass from liquor bottles.  

Unless you are invited by the railroad itself for a supervised and guided tour of buildings, stay out!  

*This also applies to ANY building not a railroad structure- including abandoned mines. 

The only building you are allowed to be in is a train station or on a platform waiting to board a train.

The only bridge or tunnel you are allowed to be on is the one when you are in a passenger car.

Links

Tristan's Story

A Train Approaches Trespassers in a Tunnel

Lucky Trespassers on Moodna Viaduct

Trespassers in Tunnel Caught on Train Camera