Run in with the railroad bulls.

[Dave in Waukegan]

I've been digging bottles along the right of way of the Union Pacific railroad.
Yesterday I was down in the hole, peacefully pursuing my trade when an inspector drove up in his railroad pickup truck.
After a brief exchange, he pointed out that some previous diggers had piled soil against the tracks. I did what any self respecting digger would do. I pleaded for mercy.
I promised to clean it all up, away from the tracks, raked and cleaning up the glass.
The upshot is that he didn't throw me out or call the police. For which I am grateful. I went back that evening and cleaned the entire area. He didn't say Yes, but he didn't say No.
Very important.
All of you diggers out there, leave it better than it was originally. We can screw it up for other folks.
I've been finding blob beers and Hutchies, don't want to be chased away from that.

 

[nhpharm]

Lots of lazy diggers out there that ruin it for others. The cleanup isn't fun but needs to be done!

 

[ROBBYBOBBY64]

I've been digging bottles along the right of way of the Union Pacific railroad.
Yesterday I was down in the hole, peacefully pursuing my trade when an inspector drove up in his railroad pickup truck.
After a brief exchange, he pointed out that some previous diggers had piled soil against the tracks. I did what any self respecting digger would do. I pleaded for mercy.
I promised to clean it all up, away from the tracks, raked and cleaning up the glass.
The upshot is that he didn't throw me out or call the police. For which I am grateful. I went back that evening and cleaned the entire area. He didn't say Yes, but he didn't say No.
Very important.
All of you diggers out there, leave it better than it was originally. We can screw it up for other folks.
I've been finding blob beers and Hutchies, don't want to be chased away from that.

You made it right. Good man Dave. Everyone should respect others property. Even public right of ways! Also always fill in your holes so no one has an accident.
ROBBYBOBBY64.

 

[Robby Raccoon]

Where I grew up the tracks were a dumping ground for everything. Vehicles, garden stuff, household waste, etc. Terrible thing to try and maintain

 

[bottlecrazy]

Heck yeah, for blobs and hutches, you need to be a model citizen!

 

[sandchip]

You were also very lucky. Some of the RR folks will throw the book at you, but you did the right thing and it turned out well. Nice Hutch!

 

[GLASSHOPPER55]

You were also very lucky. Some of the RR folks will throw the book at you, but you did the right thing and it turned out well. Nice Hutch!

Absolutely! Especially Amtrack lines, as they are aggressively posted (in my area anyway).

Fill in holes - leave area better than found is also what we Metal Detector folks live by too.

 

[sandchip]

Yeah, there are also railroad detectives and they do not play.

 

[Dave in Waukegan]

All true. So many places are off limits because of laziness. I metal detect on occasion.
Cleanup is more important than one might think. I've had neighbors invite me to their house since they saw me come back to level up a privy.
Also, back to the railroad, I expected flashing lights.
I am very nice to anybody with the power to put me in jail. It's been three days and I'm 3/4 finished. It's obviously cleaned up.
He was especially concerned with dirt up to the tracks. The railroad sets the grade to drain the ties, don't fill to the point where the H2O runs to the tracks.
I was surprised when he didn't chase me out. Those pickups are quiet. I think I'll get some of those little poppers and some double sided tape.

 

[Dave in Waukegan]

Also in my thoughts is that the ticks and poison ivy have driven me from the ravines. What other place levels the trail and sprays herbicide for you.
Trust is so hard to gain and so easy to lose.