Carbon steelMost modern railway tracks are made of hot rolled steel with a grade of 1084 or higher. This is a medium carbon steel, made by rolling rail steel with natural iron ore.
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In one study conducted at the BNSF Railway Hobart Railyard in Los Angeles, the California Environmental Protection Agency estimated that residents living near a railyard experienced a higher risk of carcinogen exposure.
Railroad tracks are private property, not public trails. It's illegal to walk on the tracks unless you're at a designated crossing. It's extremely dangerous to walk, run, or drive down the railroad tracks or even alongside them.
The weight will depend one what size of rail is used. I have seen 60 pound rail used on some branch lines. That would be 20 pounds per foot. I have also seen 130 pound rail being used on some main lines.