Originally Posted by Roody
I carry my bike across RR tracks at a couple different places. I have seen people get arrested for RR Trespass. In some cities/counties the penalty is greater than for regular trespass, so be careful. Also, make sure you have a very long sight distance anywhere you cross a track. Quite a few people get squashed.
Here in Davis, there are basically 5 crossings for the main UP east/west line, of those one is waaay out of the way and takes you from a seperate bike path to a dodgy bike route for a mile, one requires a pretty major climb and merge to the easternmost davis exit (mace) which can be a cast iron ***** in traffic. The Third is a pedestrian overpass over 80 and the railroad line, but it takes you from 2 blocks south of 80 to 3 blocks NORTH of the tracks, bypassing 2nd street. the last two center on the western portion of olive drive and are fine if they aren't out of your way. a LOT of people, peds and bikes, cross the tracks on east olive.
Other places I've lived, it's been a matter of miles to use an illegal crossing, which is a big deal if you aren't in a car. Davis is pretty decent overall about making crossing points.