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My friend and I, both 70+, are boating the Mississippi River, 500 miles or so at a time. Next month, we will launch our boats in Dubuque, take our trailers to Alton, IL, and find our way back up-river to Moline, IL. We can't find one-way rental cars or bus service between Alton & Moline. We know that freight trains travel both sides of the river, but we seldom/never see passenger trains on those tracks. Is it possible to buy passage on a freight train to make this route? Thanks!
therailnut Member # 171
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More than likely probably not. The railroad would probably say it is an insurance risk and would not let you. Sorry!
StonewallJones Member # 887
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only way your getting on that train is if you jump on
JDRumley Member # 625
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Don't even consider hopping on. It is too dangerous. You could slip and fall under the wheels and loose an arm or leg or worse! There are a lot of questionable characters riding the rails as well, who would think nothing of killing you for your clothes, money, car keys, etc... It's not worth the risk.
BADBILL Member # 857
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Thanks, y'all! At age 70, we are NOT likely to try to hop a freight train. We have solved the problem of transportation, though we would have liked to have found a ride on the rails that paralell the river. First, we were going to rent a car for the one way trip from ALton to Moline. But this would involve traveling from Alton to the St. Louis airport to pick up the car. Instead, we're going to rent a SMALL U-haul truck right in ALton, and drop it off right near our dock in Moline. Thanks again! BAd Bill
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