If nobody is owning up to owning it, I would think you would not get in trouble for photographing it.

Phil, I would go for it. If someone is offended, they'll just kick you out. Anything else would be too much paperwork.

Hi Phil, I go along with Bruce's responded post. The Railroads don't care if you take pictures, they just have to keep people away from active lines and RR property these days since 911. I've been in areas where the Railroad personnel just say when I'm gone you can come back. They don't care, they just have a job to do.

I for one would like very much to see detailed pictures if you are willing to take the pictures and time to post them. That is something we don't often get the chance to see. I would think even though the rails are pulled up, the railroad still owns the trestle, they just don't want to deal with it, and as far as the city goes, if they owned it they would know. (Nothing gets by our city fathers).

Phil, the answer to your question as to who owns the property can lead to vague answers. In many cases, the railroad doesn't actually OWN the property but rather it is their 'right of way' as authorized by the FRA. It gets even more complicated. In most cases, someone 'owns' the land that the 'right of way' is on, but the railroad owns the improvements and is responsible for the maintenance of those improvements within the 'right of way', and can be liable for any accidents along the right of way as well. If the railroad has abandon the right of way, the owner of the land can then stake claim to that property after a certain period of time.

While it is always proper to gain permission from the railroad and/or property owner, your only taking pictures and most people won't mind, unless of course there are 'No Trespassing' signs posted. It sounds like you are doing all the right things though in attempting to gain permission. Since you are not having any luck finding the owner (someone definitely owns it), and there aren't any no trespassing signs, go for it!

I have to say here and now......... I HAVE tromped around places, I probably shouldn't have been. when I lived in Pennsylvania, (I now reside in New Hampshire) HOWEVER, I go to the CSX yard in Cumberland, MD ALL the time, and I have buried pictures of INSIDE the roundhouse!!!!! See, I was a local, and the older guys, know me, on a first name basis, so....Just like my local area in my home town, ALL the local CSX employees, know me, first and last name basis, and know what I'm up too when they see me....I even know most of the Roadmasters for the area! So.....

IF your local and have been seen around Be sure of a few things:

1. Your KNOWN.

2. Your intent.

3. Have your CAMERA and gear for it, in PLAIN sight.

4. Make small talk with ANYONE pertaining to THAT trestle, or property.

5. SHOW you mean NO harm! And is taking pictures, for historical purposes.

And LAST BUT NOT LEAST....

6. KEEP hands distance from EVERYTHING "Railroad related" For instance, do NOT walk out onto that trestle, your asking for trouble. BUT keep your feet on the ground, any where around it, plan ahead, do not do ANYTHING that could "look" risky, to hurt yourself. These sorts of things "draw" attention, remember, you mean no harm, and not out to sue anyone! you merely want "pictures".....

Using those 6 tips, and keeping them in main I have gotten into and all over ACTIVE train yards, where the employees know me and what I'm doing....For instance:





These pictures? Taken INSIDE Cumberland train yard, AFTER 9-11!!!!! BUT, keep safety in mind.... hands distance from EVERYTHING, Stay AWAY from anything moving.....And refrain from climbing onto ANYTHING no matter how tempting it might be..... AND use your "zoom" on your camera, it will go where YOU shouldn't!!!!!!

Hope this helps!

Thanks guys for the responses.

Here is a teaser pic, as we have had 5" of rain since monday evening will have to wait for the water to recede back to the normal trickle and let the ground dry out before trying to get better pics.



Later,...will see about saturday after work or maybe monday.

Now when that line was active I'd want the window/room facing the track so I could watch all day.

Louis, when this line was active, in use and on maps in 1909, ran west from Wichita to Pratt Ks. was built by AT&SF date unknown, there was no hotel/motels anywhere close. I moved here in 1972 and even back then I don't remember more than one train a week. The track was pulled by the time this hotel was built.

I managed to get the pics (25) and measurements yesterday, (Sat 11-9-13) No one came by to see what I was doing but the heliocopter made 2 passes. Will post pics and measurements later after I get them resized and the info in a coherent mess.

Later...

Here is a link to an informative publication on photography rights and the law by Bert P. Krages II Attorney at Law.

http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm

Check it out....self explanatory.

Cheers,

Michael

Better to be forthright and honest instead of defensive as in the rights manifesto, although the information contained is legit and valid.

..........

More pics:

















more in next post.

final set of pics:




















If you haven't noticed, there are no rust stains anywhere as almost all exposed metal has been tarred

If any questions please refer to which picture numbered 1-25 from the top and I'll try to answer them.

Good photos. The cut-off pilings look like the remains of an earlier version of the trestle.