Chicago Nature Blog: October 2018

In past posts, I've talked about railroad tracks and right of ways (ROWs) and the frequency with which all sorts of herps are found around them. Reasons may include the open nature, a fair degree of trash/artificial cover, abundant and often varied vegetation, a well-drained substrate of ballast rock, thermal gradient, ample refugia, and often ditches or low areas along the perimeters that collect and hold water. ROWs provide easy access into otherwise difficult-to-navigate habitat like tallgrass prairie or wetlands, so they are often exploited for the purpose of herping, or whatever people do that takes them into these types of areas.

But it's risky business, and technically it's illegal. Active and inactive ROWs are private property and many are actively patrolled by a dedicated police force trained to catch trespassers and discourage the practice. Every year, an average of 500 pedestrians per year are killed by trains in the United States. So it's wise to remind yourself that should you decide to walk along or on railroad tracks, use extreme caution and pay attention to the situation at all times. I do not advocate walking along railroad tracks.

Now that I've got that disclaimer out of the way, I'll admit that I am a train-track-aholic. I grew up frequenting the railroad tracks in Chicago looking for snakes and I'll probably always be on the lookout for habitat in the vicinity of tracks. It's kind of addicting, really. Admittedly, there is often a slight sense of uneasiness while poking around in the vicinity of active railroad tracks, and it's almost like adrenaline on top of adrenaline. A double dose, if you will. There have been many instances where my searching has been interrupted by massive freight trains barreling their way down the tracks, forcing me to quickly abort and literally dive into whatever vegetation might conceal me from a train operator. I've gotten hurt doing this - twisted ankles, arms and legs full of thorns, cuts and bruises. But most of the time I've well aware long before a train is in the vicinity and I simply wait it out on the sidelines, without incident.