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Walking on the Right Side of the Tracks

Updated on April 14, 2016

Also know as a family day trip

This is something that I have done with my dad growing up. And now am doing with my kids. Its always nice to get out for a walk but in this case its also a way to do a bit of exploring and playing at the same time.

As stated I have done this with my kids. The interesting thing is that it has not been all three at the same time. They also seam to have wanted to do this when they were younger. When they became teenagers this was not so much of a fun activity. But luckily my youngest is still up for the time with dad.

The three main parts of the Rail Road Tracks - Some are big and some are small but if you are missing just one it will not work at all

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The Ties are what connect the two rails togetherThe Rails are what the trains run onThe spikes are what hold the rails to the ties
The Ties are what connect the two rails together
The Ties are what connect the two rails together
The Rails are what the trains run on
The Rails are what the trains run on
The spikes are what hold the rails to the ties
The spikes are what hold the rails to the ties

The rail road is like the three parts of our Government. Without one part the other two parts will not work.

If there is a Rail Road - Give me a sign

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This sign is along the rail and is set up more for the folks running the trains.The same can be said for this sign. It is designed more for the conductors than for the folks walking along the tracks.
This sign is along the rail and is set up more for the folks running the trains.
This sign is along the rail and is set up more for the folks running the trains.
The same can be said for this sign. It is designed more for the conductors than for the folks walking along the tracks.
The same can be said for this sign. It is designed more for the conductors than for the folks walking along the tracks.

Activity for the Walk

Or a way to do some clean up

This is something that I had done as a kid. Our scout troop was doing a project that was a walk ending in a picnic. The goal on the walk was to pick up trash. You had to find one item for each letter of the alphabet.

Such as

B: Bottle

S: String

Y: Yarn

There were only two groups that had all the letters covered. Ours was one of them It was because we had used the Above Y as yarn instead of S for string. OK so we also had the S as string. My dad was the one that came up with the idea of using the letter Y and helping us be tied for first.

On our most recent walk were short two letters. Q and Z. Maybe next time.

Going under the bridge

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Its amazing how many times you walk or drive under this and never look.And yet if you take a few moments you can see things that you never knew were there.This means also looking up at the underside of the bridge.As well as getting the perspective of the sides and the undersides.
Its amazing how many times you walk or drive under this and never look.
Its amazing how many times you walk or drive under this and never look.
And yet if you take a few moments you can see things that you never knew were there.
And yet if you take a few moments you can see things that you never knew were there.
This means also looking up at the underside of the bridge.
This means also looking up at the underside of the bridge.
As well as getting the perspective of the sides and the undersides.
As well as getting the perspective of the sides and the undersides.

Over the Bridge

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Again you never know what is there until you take a few moments to look around.What is there and what was there.Also you can take a few moments and look at the world from a bit above the ground. At this location my son was able to see one of our local fire houses from a different angle.
Again you never know what is there until you take a few moments to look around.
Again you never know what is there until you take a few moments to look around.
What is there and what was there.
What is there and what was there.
Also you can take a few moments and look at the world from a bit above the ground. At this location my son was able to see one of our local fire houses from a different angle.
Also you can take a few moments and look at the world from a bit above the ground. At this location my son was able to see one of our local fire houses from a different angle.
Found under the tracks
Found under the tracks

Another way to do some clean up.

And donate at the same time.

As you may or may not know about being in a college town. Sometimes people will do a bit of drinking on the tracks. What this means is you can do some clean up and raise some funds at the same time.

Being in a college town when walking around if I find any returnables they get taken to our local recycling center and into their tip jar. With all the counting that they have done to help out with the Make-A-Wish bottles they need a thank you. And this is a great way to do so.

Changing the rails - Or redirecting the train

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Along these tracks there are two different ways to redirect the tracks.And to play it safe they are both locked so that the trains will not end up in the wrong places. Only a few people have the ability to change the direction of these rails.This is on the side of the rails. The bar is what will pull or push the rail from one direction to the other.The term they cross in the middle. This is where the two lines can become one and redirect the trains.
Along these tracks there are two different ways to redirect the tracks.
Along these tracks there are two different ways to redirect the tracks.
And to play it safe they are both locked so that the trains will not end up in the wrong places. Only a few people have the ability to change the direction of these rails.
And to play it safe they are both locked so that the trains will not end up in the wrong places. Only a few people have the ability to change the direction of these rails.
This is on the side of the rails. The bar is what will pull or push the rail from one direction to the other.
This is on the side of the rails. The bar is what will pull or push the rail from one direction to the other.
The term they cross in the middle. This is where the two lines can become one and redirect the trains.
The term they cross in the middle. This is where the two lines can become one and redirect the trains.

Poll # 1

Do you think you would like to walk the tracks as a family day trip?

See results

Poll # 2

If you were to do the track walk do you think you would try the alphabet game to do some clean up?

See results

Please Read the Signs - A Public Service Anouncement

Warning
Warning

More than once I have seen and heard vehicles that did not pay attention to the clearance signs. In this case it is 11' 10". To see the air released from the tires so that the vehicle could be pulled out. Or Watching the tow trucks come and hook up to the vehicle to remove it to get repaired. The real fun part is how the road is then closed until the bridge gets inspected and listed as safe once again to drive under. This can take hours.

The signs for the clearance are in several places so that folks know that the bridge is coming up. There is also a road that runs parallel to this rail road over pass. It's marked. So if you are driving always pay attention to the signs.

KidKraft Bucket Top Mountain Train Set with 61 Pieces, Magnetic Train, Wooden Tracks and Storage, Gift for Ages 3+
KidKraft Bucket Top Mountain Train Set with 61 Pieces, Magnetic Train, Wooden Tracks and Storage, Gift for Ages 3+
This one is for the younger crowd. OK so even the older crowd still likes playing with any type of trains.
 

And if you are tired of playing

Try reading and watching.

The End of the Line - Rochester's Subway
The End of the Line - Rochester's Subway
I know the guys that did the music for this video. Thus the reason it is here. Its a great way to combine the railroad, music and a bit of history.
 
working

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