I think this is a good idea run a muck.
Years ago here in NJ they passed some law that you could not take RR track to the scrap yard. Because people were steeling it.
I tried to get rid of some once and had a hell of a time. Company I used to work for was on a very old property that had tracks. Most were buried, we were clearing more of the property and dug up a bunch. So I cut it in 10' lengths a took it to the scrap yard. They refused to take it. Tried 2 more, same results. Took it to a yard in PA. They questioned me up and down but once they guy came out of the scale house and looked at it they took it. 150 year old rail looks quite different then the new stuff.