What exactly IS a railroad? I get the general concept in a way but I don't really understand how it works.

Glider railroads were initially used to transport a glider to either a rescue or to someone that had experience with specialized medical care a glider needed. They were not intended for transporting gliders from a breeder to a new owner to avoid shipping.

A glider railroad consists of several people willing to transport a glider for part of its total travel distance - meeting the next individual who would drive another leg of the trip. Sometimes the railroad involves the gliders spending a night or two in the home of the driver depending on the schedule of meet-ups along the way.

This works best if all of the individuals know each other (there is a network of glider owners across the country that have met at gatherings etc.)

Setting up a glider railroad can be tricky - coordinating schedules of multiple individuals, setting up meeting places, and ensuring that the glider is transported and housed safely along the way.

It is not with out risks. If one driver fails to meet up at the scheduled time and place the whole plan can break down. All drives must be able to contact each other by phone to coordinate things. Then the biggest risk is that someone will NOT communicate with others and disappear with the glider rather than passing it on to the next driver. That is the primary reason only people you KNOW should be trusted to participate.

For the gliders - shipping can be MUCH less stressful than being transported and housed by multiple people. I have had gliders railroaded to me from Val (SomethingToBelieveIn) from her rescue in Texas to me in Florida. I was a nervous wreck for the two weeks my new gliders were on the road even though I knew many of the drivers from the forums and I knew that Val knew each of them personally. The last leg of the trip for the gliders was a very long day - the last driver had a 2 hour drive to meet me and I had a 4 hour drive to the meet up location with her - then a 4 hour drive back home.

I have also participated in a railroad that involved shipping a glider from Texas to Tampa (along with two other gliders going to a home here locally). I picked the glider up at the air port, she spent two nights with me then I drove her 3 hours east to meet the next driver and send her on her way to South Florida.

What a great idea! I know that I am new to the forum but if I am ever needed to participate anyone can feel free to contact me. I live in Southern Oklahoma (so it might take some time off of trips to Texas.

As for availability, I'm currently a stay at home mom due to adopting a boy that had been removed from a traumatic environment so it's easy for me to work with other people's schedules. As for trustworthiness, I was a police officer until I adopted my son and am still a certified officer with the state. I also hold an EMT license in the state of Maryland. I can provide any documents/references that substantiate this information to a new owner.

I would love to help make sure a glider gets to the right place to get the care that they need and it would be fun to maybe meet other glider owners along the way!

On the subject of gatherings. I'm familiar with the meet up in Van Alstyne, TX (I was supposed to go to one last year but was unable to make it due to my husband's motorcycle accident). Are there any other one's in the TX/OK area?

You might contact Val (SomethingToBelieveIn) and let her know you can help with railroads. Her Rescue is located in Borger Texas (in the pan handle).

There is also a gathering held in that area (last March it was in Oklahoma City) each year as well.


There is also a national meet up being held in Texas at the end of July this year - look for Cora's posts on SGGA.

Awesome Candy! TYSM for the info!