The movie vibes aside, RR tracks have always seemed kind of mysterious to me. You find them in so many remote places, connecting small towns or just endless empty landscape.
And yes I was actually a “cross-tie walker” once, but not something I planned. A few years back I was river rafting a section of the Snake with friends & on the 3rd day we were deep in the canyon when the raft hit a big tree snag and capsized. We nearly drowned & lost everything.
The river was running too deep & fast and we had to climb up and out over 500 ft. When we got to the top rim there was nothing. No trail, no landmaks or signs, and no town in sight. But we found rusted railroad tracks and strarted following them – for hours and hours and hours. Just before dark we saw a ranchouse about a mile off got a warm place for the night, and a ride into town the next morning.
Thank Burlington Northern, and bless you ruthless empire building Robber Barrons.