My favorite urban walks are on railroad tracks. The hiker sees wildlife everywhere. The trees this time of year are a riot of fall colors. Forests, bushes and wildflowers line my private roads. I have found unexpected swamps and creeks.
Trains are huge and unyielding.
Four and sometimes six yoked diesel engines taller than houses shake the earth, creating their own wind as they pass you by. Thousands of tons of cars from all over North America bucket along behind. I ve learned to feel as well as hear the sound of an approaching train and read the signals that tell what direction they are coming from. As soon as I see that piercing bright headlight round a bend, I bound off the tracks to yield the right of way. The engineer waved, the engines eased by, scores of cars of all types followed sedately like huge ducklings following their gigantic mothers.