Mobile, AL?


K

kylewoody

Member
Hey guys,

Done a lot of stomping around in southern AL, but was thinking of researching my railroad first hand Memorial Day weekend. However, I've never been to this particular place, and was just wondering how it is - especially due to the tracks and industries around.

Is it safe on the north side of Mobile? I'm talking around Sibert, and Chickisaw, where the old Frisco line runs south to the docks, and where the Terminal Alabama rail runs as well? I just don't want to be out taking pictures and whatnot if it's likely I'm going to get robbed and killed... LOL

It's the area in red about in the below picture...

Thanks!
Kyle
 
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You should always try to take a buddy with you and leave information on general routes with your significant other...just in case.
 
It's a reasonably safe area in terms of crime. As Alco said, I would take another person with me and make sure someone knows where you're going and when you plan to be back. I'm always armed just because I'm so used to having a weapon on my hip but I really don't recommend carrying weapons unless you have a valid CCW (if you have one in Georgia, it's also valid in Alabama) and you've actually had some range time and training in the legal aspects of deadly force. Pepper spray is a very effective non-lethal weapon and it's always a good idea to have some on you no matter where you are. You can get small cannisters that attach to your key chain and you can protect yourself from most threats without having to seriously injure or kill someone.

If you have a portable scanner, take it with you since you'll be able to chase trains more effectively by listening to the defect detectors. It will also help you know if there's a train you don't see or hear sneaking up on you. As usual in this post 9/11 environment, try to confine your picture taking to public property. If you trespass on railroad property, there's a better than even chance you'll be able to have a discussion with railroad police or the local cops and it won't be fun. You may even get questioned if you are taking pictures from public property. Just remain calm, explain to the officer why you are taking pictures, and don't argue if he wants you to move. Go ahead and find another spot and he'll go back on patrol and leave you alone.

Now that I've scared you half to death, have fun. :D
 
Alcomotive said:
You should always try to take a buddy with you and leave information on general routes with your significant other...just in case.
Click to expand...

Definitely do this.

The area has changed a lot since I used to live there. I don't know how easy it will be to get to Siebert, the TRR offices, etc. It wasn't easy before 9-11, I guarentee its harder now.

Right at the end of Water St. and the GM&O Terminal, (See that for sure!), I-165n starts, which will give you a good overview of the IC(Ex-GM&O) yards on the SW side, with the NS just below and the BNSF on the rt.

You can get to these by heading N on I-165N to MLK Dr. Turn rt onto the drive, and when you get to US43, turn rt.
This is Telegraph Rd. You can take this almost to the end of the NS?BNSF yards and see the TRR interchange between the BNSF/CSX/NS/IC rrs, it was always very busy. Before the interstate got put in, Telegraph Road paralleled the GM&O passenger platforms, and went between the NS and BNSF yards.

Big word of advice. Carry mucho ID and ONLY GO IN MIDDAY! This area is very important from a historical aspect, but is very dangerous otherwise.
 
Jim got his reply in before I could, and I agree with him on everything but the crime.

This area has always been a very high crime area. For years this area was always where we recieved most of the trauma victims from GSW & knifings.

We were there this weekend and the local radio station said there had been more killings in Pritchard over the weekend.
 
Hm... great. :eek: That's what I was worried about. I have been to Mobile a lot, and of course through the safer areas of it. I was wondering though if the north outskirts were a bit shady, especially since it's near tracks and older industries (guess I was right).

Maybe I can get a police escort? LOL Yeah, I'm just used to watching trains in safe areas... watched a lot in Pensacola, Atmore, Flomaton, and up here in Austell... all in nice places where I didn't need to watch my back or make sure I wasn't wearing the wrong color clothing.

Kyle
 
kylewoody said:
Hm... great. :eek: That's what I was worried about. I have been to Mobile a lot, and of course through the safer areas of it. I was wondering though if the north outskirts were a bit shady, especially since it's near tracks and older industries (guess I was right).

Maybe I can get a police escort? LOL Yeah, I'm just used to watching trains in safe areas... watched a lot in Pensacola, Atmore, Flomaton, and up here in Austell... all in nice places where I didn't need to watch my back or make sure I wasn't wearing the wrong color clothing.

Kyle
Click to expand...

The area is safe in the daytime, but I just wouldn't want to be there anywhere near or after dark. Funny thing is, less than 1-2 miles away is the rebuilding downtown, with a lot of sidewalk cafe's, bistro's etc. Downtown's almost the safest area in town now.:) You leave that immediate area around the port and RR's and the rest of Mobile is no more dangerous than any other city it's size.:D
 
My experience is that it's like most railroad/industrial areas. Safe during daylight but, after dark, the predators come out. Not much to do in terms of train chasing and pictures after dark anyway so it's always best to be out of the area before the sun goes down. I think this applies to almost every railroad near or in any large city.
 
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