scary find while walking a railroad

[slim rem 7]

.. the other day i took the pup for a short walk .. im seeing spikes laying all over the place..
 so i decided to see how well set the ones holding the rail down were ..a bunch ofum were just setting in thier original hole an could be pulled out..imo call somebody i think ,,as the train passes about 30-40 yrds from my house twice a day.. theres no barrier at all between the tracks an my yrd.. now these guys in the truck go by about 3 times a week or so.. but i never see them check the things..slim
 ps mabe i just wave them dn an go over an pull up some spikes i know are just setting in there held down by thier own wt..sounds like a good way to get arrested,,huh.. so i jus call somebody..slim

[Redtail1949]

do not mess with them you could be charged with a Federal crime is something happens there and they saw you messing with the tracks. do not bother calling anyone that kind of stuff is par for the course.

[Questor]

Slim:

I've observed the same thing. Apparently it's common on railroad tracks.

[williamlayton]

Spikes don't hold rails down, they hold them in place.
Rails are not rigid, on purpose. they are susposed too give and flex.
Spikes hold them from moving side to side/rolling over---the weight if the rail holds it down---and---with a train on it--well, with a train on it.
I understand the fear--but there is little worry.
Now, if a rail breaks---OH WELL.
 
Blessings