detecting an abandoned railroad bed

[Anonymous]

Last summer I came across an abandoned railroad bed in Western North Carolina that runs for several miles through the Blue Ridge Mountains. I didn't have my CZ-3D with me at the time but plan on going back this summer to check it out.
The tracks and ties are all gone, with the exception of a few ties off to the side. The bed runs mostly through thick forest. There are the remains of an old RR trestle that once passed over a fast moving rocky bottomed creek. Some of the wooden pilings are still protruding from the stream bed. I didn't see any evidence of former buildings anywhere, but I really didn't explore but about 1/2 mile. It's possible that this railroad was used during the Civil War but I'm not sure.
I know that unless I descriminate, I'll be detecting lots of spikes and tie plates ( I found a tie plate lying out in the open). My question is, has anyone ever detected on an old railway bed? What can I expect to find besides iron? Should I detect on the bed, beside the bed, or farther out?

 

[Anonymous]

But first, I have detected an old trolley line, and you can't disc. out the spikes. They're just to big, at least for my CZ. Maybe a C$?
You might want to do some research and try to find out which railroad(s) owned and operated that line. Find out the history of the line. Maybe try to find the camps where the workers lived when they built it?
HH from Allen in MI

 

[Anonymous]

The iron in the area will give you fits. I like Allens idea about finding areas adjacent to it. In my necks of the woods railroad beds were used for walking from area to area so hunt the right side as most people are right handed. Local fellows have come up with some nice finds but they indeed are hard to hunt as even if they were dismantled those iron spikes will litter the area..

 

[Anonymous]

I've seen those old railroad nails with the numbers on the top go for over $100 ea on E-Bay. Stuff like baggage tags & uniform buttons are also very collectable so I think it's worth a shot. Even if you have to descriminate & try to "cherry pick" <img src="/metal/html/smile.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=""> HH, Bill

 

[Anonymous]

we specialize in these places. Been to about 100 old sites in the past. Every 7-8 miles the RR had a maintence house where people lived and took care of the tracks. Not short lines, just the larger ones. We look for old concrete slabs, bottles, cans, etc. Not only do we detect around the area but we dig the old dumps and screen them. It's amazing what is in them sometimes. Good luck, Steve in so az

 

[Anonymous]

Best Idea yet!!! Is there anyone in the Napoleon Grass lake Michigan .Like me looking for a partner? My long time partner up and died on me. Lonesomebob@comcast.net

 

[Anonymous]

I'm in Jackson. Drop me a line. Heck, we've probably seen each other from a distance.
HH from Allen in MI

 

[Anonymous]

I'm in holt, which isn't to far either, let me know!
Bob-Mi.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi there! Would you know of the Ingham Co. Fairgrounds are open for TH'ing? I've been there twice for 4th of July, and wondered if I should bring my detector. The fairgrounds here in Jackson is off-limits <img src="/metal/html/cry.gif" border=0 width=40 height=15 alt=":cry">
HH from Allen in MI

 

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure, I think the woods by the pond should be all right, i'll try to go there this week!
Bob-Mi.

 

[Anonymous]

bobhawk@peoplepc.com other people might not have an interest in local mding spots.
The park is good to go just got back from there, saw a guy mding, thought it was you but it was a local running a BH said he has been hunting there for years,also he told me of some hot spots! Which I can't tell you where they are. LOL

 

[Anonymous]

I've been 'tectin a bed here about 4-5 times. Abandoned, trees growing thru tracks etc. The bed itself is gravel, coal clinkers, and misc. iron slag stuff. Gives the detector fits.
Hunt with disc. 'bout halfway up, and sensitivity fairly low...5-6. Use smallest coil you have. Dig anything that seems even vaguely repeatable until you get a sense of how the ground is affecting signal sounds compared to regular ground. What is good signal in normal conditions may sound like junk in this kind of ground.