Is it illegal to run along RR tracks?

Yes, it is. And the Railroad Police (Yes, there is such a thing.) have no qualms about arresting those who trespass on the tracks. Its a big deal to them.

General speaking I would say keep running but stay off the tracks at all times.

Don't let a grumpy guy define where you can run.

Maybe he was just grumpy because you caught him driving illegally on a railroad service road.

Who knows.

Yea it’s illegal but most of the time you can evade anyone who cares. If someone sees you and says you’re not allowed here yadda yadda yadda you just say okay and turn around and then don’t return to that spot. I can’t imagine how petty someone with the authority to do so has to be to actually cite you for it. They probably just want you to go away and don’t want the extra paperwork or headache. This applies to running in most areas that are typically off limits; train tracks, private property, etc. just play dumb say sorry and run away and don’t return.

it may be easy to get away with in a more rural area, but where a live the train is on a line into a large city. I have seen firsthand people getting arrested for trespassing on tracks like these. I would not recommend running on the tracks. However, as long as you stay on your dirt service road I don't think anyone will really care.

TBH I think you will be OK, but what I would recommend is wearing a cap and putting a sprinkling of twigs and leaves onto it (you might have to put the twigs on first). Smear some mud on your body and make sure your clothes have a lot of leaves on them too. Then, if you see anyone just dive into the undergrowth.

I hope you are in a temperate climate as obviously this doesn't work as effectively in winter. Good luck! Also make sure you don't hit by a train, that would really suck!

C. C. Writer wrote:

Yes, it is. And the Railroad Police (Yes, there is such a thing.) have no qualms about arresting those who trespass on the tracks. Its a big deal to them.

I have never run on the tracks. I run on a dirt service road besides the tracks. I understand how running on the tracks is trespassing, but I have never done so. I don't even have to cross them using this route as a shortcut.

I understand why a RR company wouldn't want someone near the tracks. Someone could sabotage the tracks. Suicide is often committed at RR tracks. Etc.

But if I'm in running shoes, shorts, and singlet running on the far side of the dirt service road, it would seem to be innocent behavior. Still I don't want to risk any trouble. It would be about 3 miles each way (instead of 1) if I used paved roads instead of this shortcut.

If you’re within 4 feet of the tracks, you’re “fouling” the tracks, which violates federal law. Otherwise it’s probably just trespassing.

Railroads really don't like being sued by people who get hurt while on their property.

I run on train tracks on the weekly and never knew it was illegal. The part I run on is secluded in the woods. The only people that notice me are the homeless or druggies who DGAF.

I've had to step off the tracks only a handful of times and it's easy to stay safe.

C. C. Writer wrote:

Yes, it is. And the Railroad Police (Yes, there is such a thing.) have no qualms about arresting those who trespass on the tracks. Its a big deal to them.

Important added point - Railroad Police usually deal with bums and drug addicts. They know arresting them will just end up in a fine, so they don't think twice about using the mace or taser and administer junk yard justice. They figure no one will believe the homeless or a drug addict if they complain.

Sham 69 wrote:

I run on train tracks on the weekly and never knew it was illegal. The part I run on is secluded in the woods. The only people that notice me are the homeless or druggies who DGAF.

I've had to step off the tracks only a handful of times and it's easy to stay safe.

Running ON the tracks is super dangerous. Don't laugh, people die almost every day on train tracks.

I wouldn't feel bad about running a mile on a dirt service road while completely avoiding the tracks. You might occasionally have interactions like the one you experienced with some grumpy Gus, but I'd probably keep doing it until someone actually fined me.

I had never heard of the RR police before. Now I'm seeing this:

http://www.therailroadpolice.com/state-criminaltraffic-laws

When I click further on state laws regarding RR for my state, I find this:

"California Pen Code § 369i. Unauthorized entry upon railroad property

(a) Any person who enters or remains upon the property of any railroad without the permission of the owner of the land, the owner's agent, or the person in lawful possession and whose entry, presence, or conduct upon the property interferes with, interrupts, or hinders, or which, if allowed to continue, would interfere with, interrupt, or hinder the safe and efficient operation of any locomotive, railway car, or train is guilty of a misdemeanor.

As used in this subdivision, “property of any railroad” means any land owned, leased, or possessed by a railroad upon which is placed a railroad track and the land immediately adjacent thereto, to the distance of 20 feet on either side of the track, which is owned, leased, or possessed by a railroad."

This is disappointing. That dirt service road along the tracks was one of my favorite places to run when I first moved here.

Thanks for all the responses. I wasn't sure if service truck dude was just having a bad day and decided to overstate his opinions to me or if there were legal grounds to restrict me from running there even though there are no signs, gates, or fences and I was always at least 8'-10' from the tracks.

Ask a hobo how to avoid getting in trouble for being on or near train tracks. It will probably be mostly about not being seen.