It's so cool how the tracks go right through peoples back yards, a hint of history that's still alive and somewhat active, I wish more abandoned lines could be used as speeder driven tourist attractions.
You're welcome! I'm always glad to see lines like this being kept alive and restored - you folks across the pond do more than your fair share of railroad restorations, which is always amazing!
The obvious way of knowing if a line is still in use is too look at the tops of the rails , rails very shiny ,lots of trains! Rails very rusty no trains! Simples! When i was a rail worker we had this line to a quarry ,about 20 miles long and one train a day.The train left a 3AM then return about 10AM.The local people always used to say "I thought this rail line was shut" when stopping at the road crossings,I would say "No look at the top of the rails they are shiny!".one day after I left the freight just to do passenger trains only ,the train got stuck on the way back because some workers building houses next to the rail line unloaded two truck loads of building blocks ,planks,scaffolding poles and other building equipment right on to the track and it took them an hour to clear it off.the builders said "oh we thought this rail line wasn't used!"
Just because the rails may look rusty, doesn't mean they're not used. If they are used heavily, then they will be shiny. If they are used infrequently or every so often, they may still look rusty - but still can be used as well. So while you're right, it's not always the case.
@@Saucy-ws6jc Here in the UK we have stupid quite zones too. A few years ago a teenage girl was hit and killed by a train running late at night. The line comes out of a tunnel and round a fairly sharp curve going downgrade, so the loco is not making much noise. The drive at the inquest said he would have normally sounded his horn as soon as he exited the tunnel, but as it was after 10:30, he was not allowed to. All because of moaning people buying houses next to an active railroad. Selfishness causes death.....
But if there is a railroad then there is the possibility that usage will increase. I know that when a lot more crude oil started being shipped some people started complaining that they now have traffic on the rails by their house. Well, the rails were there before they bought their house. Just because they haven't seen much use in the past few years is no guarantee about the future traffic.
@@TIMMEH19991 Here in the UK we do not have "quite zones". While its true to say that the requirement for using the horn on approach to or exiting a tunnel no longer exists, the horn is still there to be used as the driver sees fit...even during the 2300-0700 restriction....provided the driver can justify it. Given how loud some horns are its not a surprise people complain...I can often hear the horn when the railway is over two miles away.
Take the airport shuttle train in Cambodia from the airport to the colonial station. You can steal stuff inside people's houses by grasping it from the train window. Literally window to window
Indeed! I'm not sure which is which with regards to different houses nearby - but yeah, some of these places are REALLY close (and those are the places I'd love to live in)!
It is nice in some areas. Unfortunately a lot of development in southern York County has brought a lot of city folk from Baltimore looking for cheaper housing. Its changed a lot over the years. It’s lost a lot of it’s small town/rural charm, especially Shrewsbury. Not the slow kind of country life I remember from my youth.
This is such a great video. I can only imaging how cool it must have been to have a freight train rolling through your backyard. This looks like it would be a great trip to take. Thanks for sharing!
Pretty much! I imagine some do or would. But that's their own fault if so, for not doing the proper research before buying the house. As for me, I'd enjoy the heck out of it...
They only run these a few times a year - probably not enough to complain about that much. These are also probably only about as loud as a car horn, not a typical train horn. It's not like the new commuter train line (G Line in Denver/Wheat Ridge/Arvada, CO) I'm anxiously waiting to open (two years late and counting) where the trains run by 15 minutes each direction at all hours of the day, and have extremely loud horns (they will be quiet zones once they figure out some software glitches, but they've not figured that out after two years apparently). While I'm glad that's going in, I can understand why people living along the line are quite irked. Most people are okay with something that's only every rare once in a while.
Hopefully it will become a little more frequent some day - as in a few times per weekend sort of deal and occasionally a weekday. But nothing like a commuter service or mainline freight...not THAT busy...
Wethepeoplevoted@gmail.com, ,,,,,,, THEY ELIMINATED THE DAMN HORN BLOWING IN ACWORTH GEORGIA USA, BECAUSE IT DISTURBED THE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT DRIVERS LICENSE HOLDERS, ,,,,,,, NOW IT'S LOOK BOTH WAYS OR DIE, ,,,,,,, Acworth Georgia USA, ,,,,,,,
I love seeing old rail tracks especially from many years ago popping up in places that over time have been grown over by shrubs greenery and the surrounding landscape. It's like seeing a piece of history showing itself. How things used to be.
What a delightful little train! I watched the whole of this video with a big smile on my face. I love the way that they don't have barriers where the track crosses a road, so they just sound a horn or (at most) have a man get out with a big flag to stop traffi.c
We have one here in Idaho that runs through the mountains and along the river, apparently it’s not financially viable as they have ceased operations. It used to move timber for the log mills, but being that federal government has upended logging, the mills all closed down and so did all the ancillary business.
Said Bakr I believe when they were doing train rides here it was an F8? Instead of using the loco diesel, they had a flat deck with a generator/power pack on it. It always seemed to have multiple car loads of people on the weekends.
Wow! I can't believe i'm just finding this video. I have to say, i love it, the old...rustic...rails, the scenery along the right of way, but most of all the, little speeder train. I would love to have one for myself.
HERMOSO VIDEO !!! Recuerdo a las bias abandonadas de la Prov de Cordoba del ramal que pasa por la La Falda, Casa Geande, y pasa por la antigua Estacion del FFCC Molinari y va hasta Cosquin, me hizo recordar ese ramal, gracias por compartirlo !!
I wish Greensboro NC would had offered this, before they took up our abandoned railroads. I would love something like this around my home. We have some reminants of old tracks, but most have been removed to make way for walkways for runners and bikers.
These are indeed cool - if you ever get the chance to visit a place that has "railbikes", those are a lot of fun too. When they were offered over a portion of the Wilmington & Western Railroad in Wilmington, DE a couple years ago, I did that - they were awesome. Rail Explorers USA was the company: www.railexplorers.net/
@@laffey.chan_ Motorcars don't really have air compressors as stock equipment. You could put one on but the standard 12 volt power won't run a very powerful one. Personally, I like my motorcars simple but I am not opposed to work related auxiliary systems. I've seen diesel horns used with too little air. Even a GE 44 tonner (albeit with leaky air lines and only one of two compressors working) didn't produce enough air for big five chime horns to sound right.
This is awesome, I love it. Always been a train/railroad buff. I'll never get to go on something like this, so this is the next best thing closest to it, and I can't thank you enough for posting this and "taking me for a fun ride". It's so cool, funny at the same time, how the tracks run right out front of out back of people's homes, and right at the end of their driveways lol, I can only imagine ... I wouldn't mind one bit having a set of track out my front porch, I'd be in heaven lol
You're very welcome!! Never say never, maybe one day you will, or something like this will happen near you. But yea, it's definitely unique with how many backyards and front yards this goes through...I'd be right there enjoying it too on a front porch!
what is with all of these complaints about the horn? cars do not stop for full-size speeding trains with very loud horns. they drive around the barriers and get squished. some countries have pop up barriers, they ram those before they get hit by the train. they sound the horn in backyards to warn a pedestrian who is about to step out from behind the barn.
I'd love to see the pop-up barriers here in the US. Mostly just to see more videos of people being idiots and wrecking their cars thinking they can run through the crossings... :P
I'd love to have a speeder of my own too, to take everywhere! Sadly, I"m nowhere near mechanically-inclined to do anything like that, so a dream will have to do for now.
@@Bigjimvideo I think if I did enough research I could likely fix one up haha, though the closest I've ever seen for sale was a custom built hi-rail conversion on a GMC Jimmy. unfortunately the dude ended up taking the hi-rail off after it sat on the market for 2 months without a sale
@@cpufreak101 if you go on the NARCOA website - www.narcoa.org/forsale/4sale_want.htm - you can find other motorcars if you really wanted to buy one and fix one up...
It reminds me of some part of old railway tracks in villages in Java. Instead of roads, houses and building were built facing railways. Long ago, people used steam train just like we use cars and buses today. Now the track is still active for high speed train, with new roads for cars and bikes are built beside the railways.
I remember riding a steam excursion through New Freedom back in 1969 commemorating the completion of the transcontinental railroad - a "Salute To The Golden Spike", it was called. A couple of Canadian steam locos pulled the train. We rode the NEC and C&PD Branch to Harrisburg from Baltimore and returned via the Northern Central line. The Stewartstown interchange was still active for freight. Glad I rode that trip because 3 years later the NC line was permanently out of service from New freedom to Cockeysville, MD thanks to Hurricane Agnes. I think the Stewartstown RR was mainly hauling feed and lumber with freight trains being fairly short. Short enough for their two Plymouth engines - Little Mo and Mighty Mo - to handle with no problem. Miss those rail excursions but glad the Stewartstown RR lives on.
Wow that's cool! Yeah, the Stewartstown was always a small line - but it does at least live on. Who knows, one day it will hopefully get back to having some freight again...
Yes, when much of the Northern Central line in Maryland was abandoned after Agnes in 1972, the part heading north out of Baltimore terminated at Cockeysville where it crossed York Rd. on an overpass. Most of the customers were in the Timonium/Hunt Valley area, and there were at least two customers in Cockeysville - one was offline and received tank cars at the station team track(not sure what was in them) and the other was Williamson Veneer Co. which was reached by a short spur curving off to the west. Williamson received gondolas loaded with hardwood logs and shipped out veneer products in boxcars. There weren't any active customers of importance between there and New Freedom, PA that I can recall, so no reason to restore the track any farther north. The freight business eventually dried up and a light rail line uses this right of way now. The Cockeysville station still stands just north of Cockeysville Rd. but the active light rail trackage ends a bit south of the former road crossing.
With a vehicle that small you don’t sound the horn 20 seconds out like a typical train. You typically make sure the crossing is clear FIRST before you cross. Then you can blow as an additional safety measure. People barely stop for trains. If they see this thing they won’t care. It’s really all about how loud your horn is and how safe are you if you get hit by a negligent driver.
I agree. I thought regulations required train horns/whistles to be sounded such that the fourth and final blast occurs just as the train is entering the intersection.
Lol - I’ve never seen tracks in such bad condition with the railway still being used. Thank goodness that train is lightweight. Nice to have a railway through your garden 😀
Full-sized trains ran over parts of the line in the video as recently as 2004. The railroad, by then, was running into some financial hardships when a few other things happened to cause trains to stop running and maintenance to stop along most of the line. So parts of the line were definitely in disrepair. However, a few years later, volunteers started to chip away at the tracks, and things started improving. The entire line is now safe for motorcars like the ones seen here - and the first 1.5 miles of the line (mostly not in this video) have been upgraded/rehabbed for full-sized trains to run again. The plan is for the entire 7.4 miles of track to be refurbished, but that's as funding/materials/volunteer labor allow. The faster the railroad gets those three things, the faster the railroad gets fixed up again.
@@valstikka Every motorcar with its original "patina" that I've seen had a regular serious car horn. I saw one with an additional horn and separate button so that the operator could "feather" it like a train horn.
When I was a kid the Burlington Route, the Santa Fe, and The Chicago Great Western all had main lines that ran out of town a couple hundred yards from my house, with the Rock Island line a quarter mile further north. You get use to the sound of the train horns day and night. As a bonus, I am old enough to remember the occasional (rare) steam engine go by the house. Then they started building interstate highways and that put an end to the railroads. Still miss it.
Loved the clip - we have (or had - there are some preserved ones left) "Wickham Trollies" that did the same function in the UK. Unfortunatly, although there are sections of line that could be used the Health & Safety Gnomes would not allow this - they would through their teddies out of the pram about the garden chairs for a start. Long may the line continue.
@@raoulcruz4404 Buddy you've got no clue what you're talking about. Other people have tried to explain it to you. Watch the video again and actually pay attention. The horn is being over used and misused.
Plan a trip this summer to Enterprise, Oregon where you pedal your own speeder over many miles of track. Lots of deer & elk, trout fishing, plus hiking & camping in the Wallowa Mountains (0regon Alps). You will love it.
Awesome! I actually did the Rail Explorers USA trip when they had their rail bikes in Wilmington, DE for a few months a couple of years ago. They are indeed fun, I wish they'd come back, but some property owners along the line are kind of preventing it...
Very good idea to have the speeders run on the tracks. I wish W&OD could have kept part of their tracks to do this. Now it’s a walking/bike trail which is nice. Thanks for this wonderful video you made, I love it :-))
When I lived in Enright Or the train track was right outside our door. Kinda neat. One day I looked out couldn't believe my eyes. Here came a truck.. We went in from Salmonberry by track car to our house. I loved it!!!!
6:00 -- was wondering if it was going to derail there! Anyway, I've driven past this railroad a few times on my motorcycle when traveling between Delaware and West Virginia (avoiding Baltimore)! Would love to ride this thing someday during one of my trips!
LOL no, but I can see how you'd think that! The speeders/motorcars don't seem to have a problem getting through here, even with the tracks that much embedded in the "road". You definitely should check this out (once all of this COVID-19 subsides a bit and the railroad re-opens) - and take a trip on one of the New Freedom Specials!
This railroad is a national treasure. Not many of these rural railroads were saved over the years. It is a complete railroad....stations, engine house, etc. It is known as "The Farmer's Railroad," and yes, it does go in back yards, front yards, crosses the same highway more than once. The is the way that rural railroads were generations ago.
Yes we once ran full size equipment over the whole line, that stopped in 1992 as track conditions deteriorated and money wasnt avalible then to fix. We are slowly rehabbing the line and will someday be running full size trains over the whole railroaf again
Take a recording of a more macho horn with you and use that at crossings. Heck, get a battery powered 1/8 scale locomotive, strap the whole loco to the front of the speeder and use it just for the horn function. If people even hear that in a car they will be laughing so hard they'll forget to actually move off the track ;)
Well, I didn't show the whole line - but there were various farms and such, the Mann & Parker Lumber Company in New Freedom still exists - they don't ship via rail right now, but that could change one day...
According to old maps, there were also a few sidings near the Hungerford/Turnpike station just south of Shrewsbury, one for a cloth factory, one for a feed mill, and such. That was back in 1940, however.
@@Bigjimvideo from their own website though, it seems that they plan on just running excursions for now, but it would be awesome if that lumber mill decided to ship by freight.
Thanks! But if you're asking about what they blow at the crossings, two long horns/whistles, one short, and one long, that's standard in the US for any train going across a public or private road crossing, regardless of the train's size.
The horn pattern is correct, but. . . It's too late! By the time it is sounding, the lead car is already in the crossing. The idea is to let others know you are coming, not that you are already there!
morse code, few RRs use it anymore for signalling. Q for crossings (so the last note can be drawn out, unlike C), B for backing. maritime law requires morse code maneuver signals still, though. i agree, on bad timing and a serious safety issue. the last note should be drawn out as the lead car enters the grade crossing.
Fantastic video. Speeders are called "fettlers or ganger trolleys" in Victoria Australia. Like on this line I seem to have spent more time with a chainsaw or brushcutter doing lineside clearance. I like the big speeder on the front. What is it powered by?
Nice little train ride, can't say I like the idea of owning a home near the tracks. This would make a great HO replica for a model railroad. Just one question do you get returned to the point you got on?
Yeah, with the speeders, they actually turn them at the end point - you can jack the speeder up and turn it where it stops, since they're small and lightweight. Then they take you back to Stewartstown.
this is honestly awesome to see, even if the line never sees full size trains again it'd be awesome if they keep up this service, might have to give it a ride someday haha
If interested, the 2019 schedule is out - it's mostly finished, although there may be another special event or two added on later in the year... www.stewartstownrailroadco.com/train-rides/
Maybe in March or April!! Depends on when they start running trains again, maybe for Easter? Keep checking back on their website for when the schedule is posted: www.stewartstownrailroadco.com/
If interested, the 2019 schedule is out - it's mostly finished, although there may be another special event or two added on later in the year... www.stewartstownrailroadco.com/train-rides/
Note, even though the tracks might not be used by full size trains. It is possible that they could be used by full size trains at some point in future. Even if not hooked up to a side line or main line. its possible that it could be re hooked back up again if there is a need for it.
Well that's indeed what is happening. The first 1.5 miles of the track has been rehabbed for full-sized trains, and the railroad plans to restore all 7.4 miles of the line, eventually, for trains to use again. It all depends on funding (both donations and ticket sales), materials, and volunteer labor. The faster they get those three things, the faster the line gets upgraded.
Big Jim, can you pass the word about how to blow the horn at Xings? the Long, Long, Short are supposed to be COMPLETED prior to entering the Xing... so the the final Long can be carried across the Xing. in this video.....every one was too late. please and thank you.
According to the FRA: § 222.33 Can locomotive horns be silenced at an individual public highway-rail grade crossing which is not within a quiet zone? (a) A railroad operating over an individual public highway-rail crossing may, at its discretion, cease the sounding of the locomotive horn if the locomotive speed is 15 miles per hour or less and train crew members, or appropriately equipped flaggers, as defined in 49 CFR 234.5, flag the crossing to provide warning of approaching trains to motorists. Since they are flagging every crossing, technically, the horn isn't even needed.
How interestingly quaint! And these tracks go through peoples yards and everything. Houses are placed close to the tracks just like in Viet Nam and India. So no regular passenger trains runs on this line anymore right? I would be so worried for small children playing around their house though.
Depends on your definition of "regular". Right now, most of these spots (except a couple during the beginning and end of the video) are only accessible by speeder/motorcar (which is what this was filmed from and seen in the video). The railroad is, however, working towards opening up all 7.4 miles of track for tourist trains - 1.5 miles has been refurbished so far, and they're expanding as money/materials/volunteer labor allow.
@@Bigjimvideo That would be awesome! What I mean by regular is normal commuter train service. Did that ever run on those tracks? I saw a cute, defunct train station in the beginning of the video that's why I asked.
We have tracks like that through Norwich NY; part of the NYSW Northern Division that runs from Chenango Forks to Utica. It's been out of service since 2006, yet they still send the occasional light engine up and down it.
Imagine how people would react if one day they decided to get an actual train to pass through there, by actual train I don't mean a big freight train that won't fit, but more of a smaller switcher train
That's exactly what they're trying to do! They're continually working to expand the line beyond the mile or so they have restored already - all dependent on volunteer labor and funding: ua-cam.com/video/RM6MXPy10YY/v-deo.html
I'm surprised they don't at least have crossbuck signage and pavement markings even though it's an "exempt" excursion line. I'm glad it's still serving a purpose. Good video.
The houses close to the tracks reminds me of Summer trips I took to Ocean City, MD back in the 1960s. Before the new highway was opened between Salisbury and Berlin, US50 was single lane and ran through some small towns while crossing the old Baltimore, Chesapeake & Atlantic RR (PRR in the '60s) twice. The track paralled the southside of the road for a short distance and ran through the front yards of a few homes on it's way to Pittsville, end of the branch. At least one driveway had railroad crossbucks installed. At the time I was in my teens and already a railfan, and thought it would be neat to live there and look out the window to see a short branch line train running through the front yard. Unfortunately, that section of track was pulled up in the early 1970s and only a spur is left running a short distance east of Salisbury to serve a Perdue Chicken feedmill.
There are a few areas where they do have to tread a little gingerly, depending on recent weather or other outside factors. But they're also making various repairs as necessary to fix/upgrade the trouble spots when they pop up.
I can imagine some people (at least one) along that rail probably complain about the noise and/or spraying for weeds. They probably say "When I bought the house, I thought that rail was abandoned, had I known it was still being used I wouldn't have bought the house!". They probably also fail to realize that if their house is too close to the rail and if the rail company decided they wanted to expand the track or put in a siding, the rail company could take their house, demolish it, and they have to suck it up. They may get "fair compensation", but unlikely the amount they want. In my area, the rail company decided they wanted an extra siding in a nearby town. That required the demolishing of someones shed. They threw a fit, but it was of no use. RIP shed.
So far I haven't heard of any really ticked off people, but I know the RR is aware of some of them who aren't 100% thrilled when it happens. However, the railroad owns a certain length of space on either side of the rails, which they're allowed to spray, etc as they see fit. They are conscious of the neighbors and try to be good about things, however, to reduce/minimize/get rid of any animosity.
Lets just say that down the road industry would want to come and go by rail. Does anyone have any idea of what the bridges at 0:58, 9:30 & 9:49 could handle when it comes to diesel locomotives? I refer to, lets say, a medium yard switcher in the 80 ton range. Just curious here.
Indeed - I"m not sure what exactly they're capable of - but the railroad now owns a donated EMD SW9 that they plan to run on the line, which weighs over 120 tons - so one can assume that the bridges are rated for at least that...
It’s not even a full sized train, these would probably be able to brake much faster. Just for the record, I’m from Australia and I find it strange how America uses their train horns so much. In Australia (most parts), trains only need to use their horns once at level crossing and to warn trackwork workers on the track, when entering or leaving a tunnel, and at their discretion. Is running the light at level crossings really common in the US? Then, maybe I would understand.
Imagine using this instead of a regular bus. It would just drive by your house and you could hop on to get to work or school
I admit, that would be cool!
Yes please!
Big Jim Video Productions I presume you could flag it down(getting on a moving train is very dangerous)
A flag stop in every backyard...that would be cool
My dream
If that track ran thru my yard I'd have myself a little rail cart in no time
HAHA - as long as you worked it out with the railroad ahead of time, I imagine they wouldn't mind!
Beer run..
@@BAZZAROU812 you bet
If that track ran through my backyard I'd get a rail bike and have a ball
If you use the track and get caught, you might be trespassing and get fined...but then again
I'd rather say sorry, than ask permission...Hold my beer!
It's so cool how the tracks go right through peoples back yards, a hint of history that's still alive and somewhat active, I wish more abandoned lines could be used as speeder driven tourist attractions.
So could I! At least with the possibility of returning those lines to full service...
2:59 Got an average sized house with a 5 car garage. My kinda priorities.
There you go! I'd save a stall for something train-related though...
Yes his priorities are definitely straight that's for sure
Being 43 and successfully dodging the parent trap for this long, that is pretty much my dream house.
I'm a simple man: I love trains. I love this video.
I love trains too (explains why I have this channel...)!! Thank you!
The rail road I work at calls you people foamers, because the insane love for trains make you foam at the mouth.
@@mikejudge3239 yes of course !
This is one of those few occasions when youtube finally recommends something good!
I'm glad you like it (and thanks UA-cam!)
From a Brit who's never been to Pennsylvania: very encouraging to know that this line is being kept alive; nice wooded landscape. Thanks!
You're welcome! I'm always glad to see lines like this being kept alive and restored - you folks across the pond do more than your fair share of railroad restorations, which is always amazing!
It's funny how parts of the track go through people's back yards
Absolutely! Makes me want to live there...
The Vanderbilts were that powerful. People couldn't say a word.
Hmmm. Nope, I’d still love it!
@@cagedtigersteve actually, that railroad line was built in 1885, and most likely predates every house in that video.
it's really funny how they do the crossing horn signal when they go through people's driveways
The obvious way of knowing if a line is still in use is too look at the tops of the rails , rails very shiny ,lots of trains! Rails very rusty no trains! Simples! When i was a rail worker we had this line to a quarry ,about 20 miles long and one train a day.The train left a 3AM then return about 10AM.The local people always used to say "I thought this rail line was shut" when stopping at the road crossings,I would say "No look at the top of the rails they are shiny!".one day after I left the freight just to do passenger trains only ,the train got stuck on the way back because some workers building houses next to the rail line unloaded two truck loads of building blocks ,planks,scaffolding poles and other building equipment right on to the track and it took them an hour to clear it off.the builders said "oh we thought this rail line wasn't used!"
Just because the rails may look rusty, doesn't mean they're not used. If they are used heavily, then they will be shiny. If they are used infrequently or every so often, they may still look rusty - but still can be used as well. So while you're right, it's not always the case.
@@Saucy-ws6jc Here in the UK we have stupid quite zones too. A few years ago a teenage girl was hit and killed by a train running late at night. The line comes out of a tunnel and round a fairly sharp curve going downgrade, so the loco is not making much noise. The drive at the inquest said he would have normally sounded his horn as soon as he exited the tunnel, but as it was after 10:30, he was not allowed to. All because of moaning people buying houses next to an active railroad. Selfishness causes death.....
But if there is a railroad then there is the possibility that usage will increase. I know that when a lot more crude oil started being shipped some people started complaining that they now have traffic on the rails by their house. Well, the rails were there before they bought their house. Just because they haven't seen much use in the past few years is no guarantee about the future traffic.
Exactly! Unless the rails get ripped up, then never assume that a train will never pass by there again...
@@TIMMEH19991 Here in the UK we do not have "quite zones". While its true to say that the requirement for using the horn on approach to or exiting a tunnel no longer exists, the horn is still there to be used as the driver sees fit...even during the 2300-0700 restriction....provided the driver can justify it. Given how loud some horns are its not a surprise people complain...I can often hear the horn when the railway is over two miles away.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen tracks going so close to houses. Pretty neat.
Definitely cool - thanks!
There's an old line in Duluth MN, now for scenic tours but it runs real close to people's homes too.
Welcome to the Real World Matthewua-cam.com/video/MENjFkEAj9g/v-deo.html
Take the airport shuttle train in Cambodia from the airport to the colonial station. You can steal stuff inside people's houses by grasping it from the train window. Literally window to window
LOL!! I’m not sure I’d want to try that in a foreign country...
In many instances, the rails were there long before the roads and buildings... Sometimes, it's the other way around...
Indeed! I'm not sure which is which with regards to different houses nearby - but yeah, some of these places are REALLY close (and those are the places I'd love to live in)!
Railroad real estate in the east is complicated. Almost all the land was already owned by someone so there was none to grant or homestead.
You’ve got that right, it’s all complicated out here...
You should watch film about trains in Warsaw oraz Praha (east Europe countries) IT is very common
All jokes aside this looks like a beautiful place to live
It's very quaint, not too far from bigger towns/cities, and it is indeed a beautiful area.
I thought the exact same thing. A really nice place with character.
It is nice in some areas. Unfortunately a lot of development in southern York County has brought a lot of city folk from Baltimore looking for cheaper housing. Its changed a lot over the years. It’s lost a lot of it’s small town/rural charm, especially Shrewsbury. Not the slow kind of country life I remember from my youth.
What a cute little railroad! I would not mind that running through my back yard. Of corse you will always get someone to complain about it.
I would love to have it in mine too!!
Someone actually had a fruit stand set up, I think, during one ride. So yeah, that or a food truck along the line would be sweet!!
Here in Limerick, Pa, people bought homes on a golf course, then went to township meeting complaining about golf balls hitting their homes!
U know who would complaint about it ,, Karen...Soo don't be like Karen..
Everytime the horn was used, I took a drink of Jack Daniel's; my first AA meeting is next week.
Fun little railroad! Would love to have one run through my backyard!
Me too!!!
And hop on the train!
This is such a great video. I can only imaging how cool it must have been to have a freight train rolling through your backyard. This looks like it would be a great trip to take. Thanks for sharing!
Yes it was! These trips are still offered if you're ever in the area!
I wonder if people buy a house next to the tracks, then complain about the horn? Sort of like they do about churches and schools.
Pretty much! I imagine some do or would. But that's their own fault if so, for not doing the proper research before buying the house. As for me, I'd enjoy the heck out of it...
They only run these a few times a year - probably not enough to complain about that much. These are also probably only about as loud as a car horn, not a typical train horn. It's not like the new commuter train line (G Line in Denver/Wheat Ridge/Arvada, CO) I'm anxiously waiting to open (two years late and counting) where the trains run by 15 minutes each direction at all hours of the day, and have extremely loud horns (they will be quiet zones once they figure out some software glitches, but they've not figured that out after two years apparently). While I'm glad that's going in, I can understand why people living along the line are quite irked. Most people are okay with something that's only every rare once in a while.
Hopefully it will become a little more frequent some day - as in a few times per weekend sort of deal and occasionally a weekday. But nothing like a commuter service or mainline freight...not THAT busy...
Take my money on those houses..
Wethepeoplevoted@gmail.com, ,,,,,,, THEY ELIMINATED THE DAMN HORN BLOWING IN ACWORTH GEORGIA USA, BECAUSE IT DISTURBED THE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT DRIVERS LICENSE HOLDERS, ,,,,,,, NOW IT'S LOOK BOTH WAYS OR DIE, ,,,,,,, Acworth Georgia USA, ,,,,,,,
I love seeing old rail tracks especially from many years ago popping up in places that over time have been grown over by shrubs greenery and the surrounding landscape. It's like seeing a piece of history showing itself. How things used to be.
Definitely!
Great video Jim! I love this little railroad of ours!
So do I! And thanks!
It's very sweet and humbling to see your video. I love it. Greeting you from Beverly Hills California
Thank you so much!
I want one of the houses with a train through the backyard.
Me too!!
in the village I live in, there's a bunch of houses like that right behind a double track CSX main, and it ain't a quiet zone either!
@@cpufreak101 Sounds awesome!!
Same
@@Bigjimvideo I don't know how excited I'd be at 3am in the morning when they're rolling through with horns blaring.
That Was a Nice Little Ride Along 😀😊👍🏼 Thanks For a Great Tour 😀
Glad you enjoyed it!!
Thank you my friend Love it
You're very welcome - glad you enjoy it!
What a delightful little train! I watched the whole of this video with a big smile on my face. I love the way that they don't have barriers where the track crosses a road, so they just sound a horn or (at most) have a man get out with a big flag to stop traffi.c
I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
@@Bigjimvideo I showed it to my aged father, and he enjoyed it too.
Awesome!
It is smart and great idea to use an obsoleted railroad line as a touristic facility
Indeed it is!
We have one here in Idaho that runs through the mountains and along the river, apparently it’s not financially viable as they have ceased operations. It used to move timber for the log mills, but being that federal government has upended logging, the mills all closed down and so did all the ancillary business.
@@tedcarl5382 The business model here is clear to optimize the revenue. They do not use huge commercial locos and trains!.
Said Bakr I believe when they were doing train rides here it was an F8? Instead of using the loco diesel, they had a flat deck with a generator/power pack on it. It always seemed to have multiple car loads of people on the weekends.
Yeah logging railroads have suffered a lot lately, sadly. A lot of great ones closing.
Wow! I can't believe i'm just finding this video. I have to say, i love it, the old...rustic...rails, the scenery along the right of way, but most of all the, little speeder train. I would love to have one for myself.
There are various ones for sale online, you just have to know where to look: www.narcoa.org/forsale/4sale_want.htm
That is a very unique railroad. The one in the backyard looks unique. Hope the neighbors dont get mad. Lol
Well I don't know about "mad" - they either enjoy it or will get used to it.. :)
HERMOSO VIDEO !!! Recuerdo a las bias abandonadas de la Prov de Cordoba del ramal que pasa por la La Falda, Casa Geande, y pasa por la antigua Estacion del FFCC Molinari y va hasta Cosquin, me hizo recordar ese ramal, gracias por compartirlo !!
One engine, two cars: First class (with the roof) and Second class (kitchen chairs, no roof.)
LOL - reminds me of a Top Gear sketch from a few years back, but that's a different story... :D
With those caravans lol
WOW! That would be such a relaxing and beautiful ride. I'd move there in a heartbeat just to enjoy that. Thanks for the ride along.
You're welcome! If you're ever in the Pennsylvania area, feel free to check them out!
I wish Greensboro NC would had offered this, before they took up our abandoned railroads. I would love something like this around my home. We have some reminants of old tracks, but most have been removed to make way for walkways for runners and bikers.
These are indeed cool - if you ever get the chance to visit a place that has "railbikes", those are a lot of fun too. When they were offered over a portion of the Wilmington & Western Railroad in Wilmington, DE a couple years ago, I did that - they were awesome. Rail Explorers USA was the company: www.railexplorers.net/
I always wanted one of the clamp-on third wheel attachments for bicycles seen in old catalogs.
@@tomwells1143 There are still rail bikes out there, if you know where to look...
@@Bigjimvideo hope I get strong enough to do this someday.
Cory M hello fellow Piedmont Triad citizen! The Greensboro branch tracks were so awesome back in the day I have to agree
Thanks for posting this. Terrible shame to see all the old branch lines I remember seeing as a kid in the 70s gone forever. Nice to see this survive.
Even though it is a very small train... Needs a better horn! LOL
LOL it's only a speeder/motorcar - so it doesn't have the power (or the need) for a big locomotive horn. :P
70s car horns sound the best on these things.
It would need a better air compressor to run a horn
@@laffey.chan_ Motorcars don't really have air compressors as stock equipment. You could put one on but the standard 12 volt power won't run a very powerful one. Personally, I like my motorcars simple but I am not opposed to work related auxiliary systems.
I've seen diesel horns used with too little air. Even a GE 44 tonner (albeit with leaky air lines and only one of two compressors working) didn't produce enough air for big five chime horns to sound right.
Stick a steam whistle on it and run it on a compressor. Be a cool vibe at least...
This is awesome, I love it. Always been a train/railroad buff. I'll never get to go on something like this, so this is the next best thing closest to it, and I can't thank you enough for posting this and "taking me for a fun ride". It's so cool, funny at the same time, how the tracks run right out front of out back of people's homes, and right at the end of their driveways lol, I can only imagine ... I wouldn't mind one bit having a set of track out my front porch, I'd be in heaven lol
You're very welcome!! Never say never, maybe one day you will, or something like this will happen near you. But yea, it's definitely unique with how many backyards and front yards this goes through...I'd be right there enjoying it too on a front porch!
what is with all of these complaints about the horn?
cars do not stop for full-size speeding trains with very loud horns. they drive around the barriers and get squished.
some countries have pop up barriers, they ram those before they get hit by the train.
they sound the horn in backyards to warn a pedestrian who is about to step out from behind the barn.
I'd love to see the pop-up barriers here in the US. Mostly just to see more videos of people being idiots and wrecking their cars thinking they can run through the crossings... :P
I love the street running at 6:29, where the homeowner's road is bookended by the track. That's a neat use of resources.
Looks like a lot of fun. A nice slice of Americana.
It's a lot of fun!!
That is so great to see the old track being used. Thanks for sharing. Hans ...
You're very welcome!
oh I want a Speeder to fix up & ride rails like these!
but am happy to see lines like this preserved & not ripped up
I'd love to have a speeder of my own too, to take everywhere! Sadly, I"m nowhere near mechanically-inclined to do anything like that, so a dream will have to do for now.
same but I have a friend who could help me update one
@@Bigjimvideo I think if I did enough research I could likely fix one up haha, though the closest I've ever seen for sale was a custom built hi-rail conversion on a GMC Jimmy. unfortunately the dude ended up taking the hi-rail off after it sat on the market for 2 months without a sale
@@cpufreak101 if you go on the NARCOA website - www.narcoa.org/forsale/4sale_want.htm - you can find other motorcars if you really wanted to buy one and fix one up...
@@Bigjimvideo oh Thanks haha
It reminds me of some part of old railway tracks in villages in Java. Instead of roads, houses and building were built facing railways. Long ago, people used steam train just like we use cars and buses today. Now the track is still active for high speed train, with new roads for cars and bikes are built beside the railways.
I remember riding a steam excursion through New Freedom back in 1969 commemorating the completion of the transcontinental railroad - a "Salute To The Golden Spike", it was called. A couple of Canadian steam locos pulled the train. We rode the NEC and C&PD Branch to Harrisburg from Baltimore and returned via the Northern Central line. The Stewartstown interchange was still active for freight. Glad I rode that trip because 3 years later the NC line was permanently out of service from New freedom to Cockeysville, MD thanks to Hurricane Agnes. I think the Stewartstown RR was mainly hauling feed and lumber with freight trains being fairly short. Short enough for their two Plymouth engines - Little Mo and Mighty Mo - to handle with no problem. Miss those rail excursions but glad the Stewartstown RR lives on.
Wow that's cool! Yeah, the Stewartstown was always a small line - but it does at least live on. Who knows, one day it will hopefully get back to having some freight again...
I'm sorry did you say Cockeysville?
Yes, when much of the Northern Central line in Maryland was abandoned after Agnes in 1972, the part heading north out of Baltimore terminated at Cockeysville where it crossed York Rd. on an overpass. Most of the customers were in the Timonium/Hunt Valley area, and there were at least two customers in Cockeysville - one was offline and received tank cars at the station team track(not sure what was in them) and the other was Williamson Veneer Co. which was reached by a short spur curving off to the west. Williamson received gondolas loaded with hardwood logs and shipped out veneer products in boxcars. There weren't any active customers of importance between there and New Freedom, PA that I can recall, so no reason to restore the track any farther north. The freight business eventually dried up and a light rail line uses this right of way now. The Cockeysville station still stands just north of Cockeysville Rd. but the active light rail trackage ends a bit south of the former road crossing.
@@chessiesystemrailfanman3741 Yes - "Cockeysville". There are plenty of other similarly interesting town names in Pennsylvania...
@@Bigjimvideo Okay thank you, I just chuckled a bit with that name that's all.
Great video and very cool.I work for the CN as a conductor of 21 years (formally Wisconsin Central) in Chicago. Speeder cars! Now that's fun.
Thanks! Indeed, speeders are fun - would love to ride them more often in some places...
CN around Chicago has at least one speeder. I saw it in a tie changing convoy.
Nice! I’m sure there are others in mainline service too - just not like there used to be.
Imagine having a party in your backyard then just suddenly a full size train comes speeding towards your backyard party
Sounds like my kind of party, sign me up!!
*_*Thomas the Train Engine sounds intensify*_*
Everyone: "Uh oh."
Living in one of the houses next to the track would be super amazing to see! Very cool!
I agree, and I'd buy a house there if I could! Thanks!
Why did they not blow the horn sooner? Often times they were starting onto the crossings before they started sounding the horn.
I’m not sure, probably because of the slow speeds they were going...
With a vehicle that small you don’t sound the horn 20 seconds out like a typical train. You typically make sure the crossing is clear FIRST before you cross. Then you can blow as an additional safety measure. People barely stop for trains. If they see this thing they won’t care. It’s really all about how loud your horn is and how safe are you if you get hit by a negligent driver.
My thoughts exactly, its a bit late to sound the horn when you are nearly on the crossing. Drivers need to hear the horn on approach.
I know right you should be in charge of that train
I agree. I thought regulations required train horns/whistles to be sounded such that the fourth and final blast occurs just as the train is entering the intersection.
Lol - I’ve never seen tracks in such bad condition with the railway still being used. Thank goodness that train is lightweight. Nice to have a railway through your garden 😀
Full-sized trains ran over parts of the line in the video as recently as 2004. The railroad, by then, was running into some financial hardships when a few other things happened to cause trains to stop running and maintenance to stop along most of the line. So parts of the line were definitely in disrepair. However, a few years later, volunteers started to chip away at the tracks, and things started improving. The entire line is now safe for motorcars like the ones seen here - and the first 1.5 miles of the line (mostly not in this video) have been upgraded/rehabbed for full-sized trains to run again. The plan is for the entire 7.4 miles of track to be refurbished, but that's as funding/materials/volunteer labor allow. The faster the railroad gets those three things, the faster the railroad gets fixed up again.
That horn sounds worse than a typical european train horn
Since it's only a motorcar/speeder, they don't need some big loud horn - what they have right now is good for their purposes.
@@Bigjimvideo Good thing it's not a car horn
Indeed, that would only be even more confusing...
@@valstikka Every motorcar with its original "patina" that I've seen had a regular serious car horn. I saw one with an additional horn and separate button so that the operator could "feather" it like a train horn.
European horns don't sound bad?
I live right around there! It’s cool to know that they are still used.
Absolutely! You should come out for a ride sometime...
Liked the "cheap seats" car!
If I wasn't chasing the trip, I would have been riding in that car, for sure! Hmmm there's always 2019... :D
Provided it isn't raining...
When I was a kid the Burlington Route, the Santa Fe, and The Chicago Great Western all had main lines that ran out of town a couple hundred yards from my house, with the Rock Island line a quarter mile further north. You get use to the sound of the train horns day and night. As a bonus, I am old enough to remember the occasional (rare) steam engine go by the house. Then they started building interstate highways and that put an end to the railroads. Still miss it.
I would miss it too!
Excellent video Jim, thank you!
You are very welcome!!
Loved the clip - we have (or had - there are some preserved ones left) "Wickham Trollies" that did the same function in the UK. Unfortunatly, although there are sections of line that could be used the Health & Safety Gnomes would not allow this - they would through their teddies out of the pram about the garden chairs for a start. Long may the line continue.
LOL - I can't wait to see full-sized trains come by some of these places, and the looks on homeowner's faces... :D
Shouldn't the horn be blown a distance BEFORE entering the grade crossings?
I'm thinking it's just the field of view of the camera. The bottom of the screen could be 10 feet in front of the speeder.
@@raoulcruz4404 Buddy you've got no clue what you're talking about. Other people have tried to explain it to you. Watch the video again and actually pay attention. The horn is being over used and misused.
Plan a trip this summer to Enterprise, Oregon where you pedal your own speeder over many miles of track. Lots of deer & elk, trout fishing, plus hiking & camping in the Wallowa Mountains (0regon Alps). You will love it.
Awesome! I actually did the Rail Explorers USA trip when they had their rail bikes in Wilmington, DE for a few months a couple of years ago. They are indeed fun, I wish they'd come back, but some property owners along the line are kind of preventing it...
I'd love to see them being able to rebuild the whole main line so they can run some of those little saddle tankers on the railroad
That would indeed be awesome! They're working on it, restoring all 7.4 miles of track - just depends on time/money/volunteers.
Very good idea to have the speeders run on the tracks. I wish W&OD could have kept part of their tracks to do this. Now it’s a walking/bike trail which is nice.
Thanks for this wonderful video you made, I love it :-))
You're very welcome - I'm glad you enjoy it!
Very unique thanks for sharing.
When I lived in Enright Or the train track was right outside our door. Kinda neat. One day I looked out couldn't believe my eyes. Here came a truck.. We went in from Salmonberry by track car to our house. I loved it!!!!
Very cool!
That dude needs to learn how to blow the horn BEFORE he's already through the crossing lmao
Yep, regs are that the last blast on the horn should be sounding as the train first begins to traverse the grade crossing.
Exactly my thought. Your supposed to end the last note as you enter the crossing.
Deffinently needs to blow before the crossing.
Looks like it would be a fun ride though.🚂
Could just be the field of view of the camera. The bottom of the viewing frame could be several feet ahead of the speeder.
@@raoulcruz4404 the train is seen from other perspectives besides from within the cab.
Wonderful training. Cheers!
Thank you!
6:00 -- was wondering if it was going to derail there! Anyway, I've driven past this railroad a few times on my motorcycle when traveling between Delaware and West Virginia (avoiding Baltimore)! Would love to ride this thing someday during one of my trips!
LOL no, but I can see how you'd think that! The speeders/motorcars don't seem to have a problem getting through here, even with the tracks that much embedded in the "road". You definitely should check this out (once all of this COVID-19 subsides a bit and the railroad re-opens) - and take a trip on one of the New Freedom Specials!
This railroad is a national treasure. Not many of these rural railroads were saved over the years.
It is a complete railroad....stations, engine house, etc. It is known as "The Farmer's Railroad," and
yes, it does go in back yards, front yards, crosses the same highway more than once. The is the way
that rural railroads were generations ago.
Absolutely, it's a treasure to me!
6:54 Does the track ever flood under the 1-83 bridge?
The waters do rise up under there, and yeah, it can get up to the rails (and higher), but the tracks are relatively easily repaired when it happens.
Such a beautiful line and such a great way to keep it alive!
Indeed - and the future is only going to get better with the projects they have coming up!
Nice video Jim!!
Thank you very much!!
Very nice video and fun to watch. Have a nice day.
Thank you very much, happy that you enjoyed it!
Very cool! Did they ever use larger equipment on this railroad??
Yes we once ran full size equipment over the whole line, that stopped in 1992 as track conditions deteriorated and money wasnt avalible then to fix. We are slowly rehabbing the line and will someday be running full size trains over the whole railroaf again
That is such an excellent little rail service! So cool.... :)
It sure is!
Take a recording of a more macho horn with you and use that at crossings. Heck, get a battery powered 1/8 scale locomotive, strap the whole loco to the front of the speeder and use it just for the horn function. If people even hear that in a car they will be laughing so hard they'll forget to actually move off the track ;)
HAHAHA....that would be fun to see!!
I could imagine the looks on motorists' faces if that speeder had a Nathan AirChime K5LA! ;o)
Just use a truck horn and mini compressor.
@@KandiKlover why is it we seem to constantly run into each other? how many years has it been now? lmao
I can’t wait for this Railroad to open back up. Awesome video!
They'll be running Easter trains at the end of the month!!
@@Bigjimvideo very cool! I’ll make sure to get some footage of that 😬
I didn’t see a single spur. What industry or industries did this line serve back in the day?
Well, I didn't show the whole line - but there were various farms and such, the Mann & Parker Lumber Company in New Freedom still exists - they don't ship via rail right now, but that could change one day...
According to old maps, there were also a few sidings near the Hungerford/Turnpike station just south of Shrewsbury, one for a cloth factory, one for a feed mill, and such. That was back in 1940, however.
@@Bigjimvideo from their own website though, it seems that they plan on just running excursions for now, but it would be awesome if that lumber mill decided to ship by freight.
Thanks for the chance to see rural America.
You're very welcome!!
That horn pattern on a little train is too much. Nice vid!!!!
Thanks! But if you're asking about what they blow at the crossings, two long horns/whistles, one short, and one long, that's standard in the US for any train going across a public or private road crossing, regardless of the train's size.
The horn pattern is correct, but. . . It's too late! By the time it is sounding, the lead car is already in the crossing. The idea is to let others know you are coming, not that you are already there!
@@nicholasragusano2284 Correct Sir. the third long (final) horn should be sounding AS you enter the crossing.
morse code, few RRs use it anymore for signalling. Q for crossings (so the last note can be drawn out, unlike C), B for backing. maritime law requires morse code maneuver signals still, though. i agree, on bad timing and a serious safety issue. the last note should be drawn out as the lead car enters the grade crossing.
This is a really nice video. I liked to see those quite people seating on that train. I wish I was there
Maybe one day you can be!!
We have one of these that at are railroad museum it just goes back and forth
It still runs though, which is sweet!
@@Bigjimvideo not a bad little train thing
Thank you for a very enjoyable train ride.
Your'e very welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Fantastic video. Speeders are called "fettlers or ganger trolleys" in Victoria Australia. Like on this line I seem to have spent more time with a chainsaw or brushcutter doing lineside clearance. I like the big speeder on the front. What is it powered by?
Good question, I'm not sure.
Probably a V Twin 25 horse industrial engine
The Wickham trolleys (same sort of design) used by British railways had a 4-cylinder Ford engine.
Ok - that stuff is way out of my knowledge base :P
Most have gasoline engines. Some were rebuilt with diesel engines. I know Fairmont used a lot of Ford stuff.
Nice little train ride, can't say I like the idea of owning a home near the tracks. This would make a great HO replica for a model railroad. Just one question do you get returned to the point you got on?
Yeah, with the speeders, they actually turn them at the end point - you can jack the speeder up and turn it where it stops, since they're small and lightweight. Then they take you back to Stewartstown.
And yeah, maybe owning a house that close to the tracks isn't for everybody - but it sure would be for me. :D
@@Bigjimvideo Thanks Big Jim, a nice video and thanks for explaining the turnaround of the little train that does, LoL.
this is honestly awesome to see, even if the line never sees full size trains again it'd be awesome if they keep up this service, might have to give it a ride someday haha
You definitely should! I'm planning to head out a few times in 2019 at least...
If interested, the 2019 schedule is out - it's mostly finished, although there may be another special event or two added on later in the year... www.stewartstownrailroadco.com/train-rides/
@@Bigjimvideo thank you!
I'd cheerfully pay to ride this little gem. When do we leave?
Maybe in March or April!! Depends on when they start running trains again, maybe for Easter? Keep checking back on their website for when the schedule is posted: www.stewartstownrailroadco.com/
@@Bigjimvideo where is this located at, that thumb nail pic is an awesome part of the rail line
This is in Stewartstown, PA.
If interested, the 2019 schedule is out - it's mostly finished, although there may be another special event or two added on later in the year... www.stewartstownrailroadco.com/train-rides/
Note, even though the tracks might not be used by full size trains. It is possible that they could be used by full size trains at some point in future. Even if not hooked up to a side line or main line. its possible that it could be re hooked back up again if there is a need for it.
Well that's indeed what is happening. The first 1.5 miles of the track has been rehabbed for full-sized trains, and the railroad plans to restore all 7.4 miles of the line, eventually, for trains to use again. It all depends on funding (both donations and ticket sales), materials, and volunteer labor. The faster they get those three things, the faster the line gets upgraded.
weedspray man did a fantastic job.
Indeed he did! They get a professional crew to do it these days.
Big Jim, can you pass the word about how to blow the horn at Xings?
the Long, Long, Short are supposed to be COMPLETED prior to entering the Xing...
so the the final Long can be carried across the Xing.
in this video.....every one was too late.
please and thank you.
According to the FRA: § 222.33 Can locomotive horns be silenced at an individual public highway-rail grade crossing which is not within a quiet zone? (a) A railroad operating over an individual public highway-rail crossing may, at its discretion, cease the sounding of the locomotive horn if the locomotive speed is 15 miles per hour or less and train crew members, or appropriately equipped flaggers, as defined in 49 CFR 234.5, flag the crossing to provide warning of approaching trains to motorists.
Since they are flagging every crossing, technically, the horn isn't even needed.
If My Calculations Are Correct, When This Baby Hits 88 Miles Per Hour, You're Gonna See Some Serious Shit.
Great Scott!!
Great video I even enjoyed the train that is being used
Thank you!!
@@Bigjimvideo your welcome
Very cute. How could anyone give this a thumbs down?
I know, right??
How interestingly quaint! And these tracks go through peoples yards and everything. Houses are placed close to the tracks just like in Viet Nam and India. So no regular passenger trains runs on this line anymore right? I would be so worried for small children playing around their house though.
Depends on your definition of "regular". Right now, most of these spots (except a couple during the beginning and end of the video) are only accessible by speeder/motorcar (which is what this was filmed from and seen in the video). The railroad is, however, working towards opening up all 7.4 miles of track for tourist trains - 1.5 miles has been refurbished so far, and they're expanding as money/materials/volunteer labor allow.
@@Bigjimvideo That would be awesome! What I mean by regular is normal commuter train service. Did that ever run on those tracks? I saw a cute, defunct train station in the beginning of the video that's why I asked.
We have tracks like that through Norwich NY; part of the NYSW Northern Division that runs from Chenango Forks to Utica. It's been out of service since 2006, yet they still send the occasional light engine up and down it.
Sounds like they want to keep the line in their back pocket, so to speak, just in case they want to re-activate it.
Imagine how people would react if one day they decided to get an actual train to pass through there, by actual train I don't mean a big freight train that won't fit, but more of a smaller switcher train
That's exactly what they're trying to do! They're continually working to expand the line beyond the mile or so they have restored already - all dependent on volunteer labor and funding: ua-cam.com/video/RM6MXPy10YY/v-deo.html
A small yard engine like a Plymouth or GE 44 Tonner would be the right size for that line.
This looks like so much fun...I want a ride!
The 2019 excursion schedule has been posted! www.stewartstownrailroadco.com/
@@Bigjimvideo Oh, I wish I was a lot closer!
When you don't have enough money for Amtrak
I'm surprised they don't at least have crossbuck signage and pavement markings even though it's an "exempt" excursion line. I'm glad it's still serving a purpose. Good video.
if the railroad gets fully restored, will small switchers pull the trains?
Yes - switcher locomotives in general, most likely.
The houses close to the tracks reminds me of Summer trips I took to Ocean City, MD back in the 1960s. Before the new highway was opened between Salisbury and Berlin, US50 was single lane and ran through some small towns while crossing the old Baltimore, Chesapeake & Atlantic RR (PRR in the '60s) twice. The track paralled the southside of the road for a short distance and ran through the front yards of a few homes on it's way to Pittsville, end of the branch. At least one driveway had railroad crossbucks installed. At the time I was in my teens and already a railfan, and thought it would be neat to live there and look out the window to see a short branch line train running through the front yard. Unfortunately, that section of track was pulled up in the early 1970s and only a spur is left running a short distance east of Salisbury to serve a Perdue Chicken feedmill.
Great story - who knows, maybe you could still own a house similar to that!
That rail bed looks in pretty rough shape in some spots. I'm surprised they can even still run Speeders on it.
There are a few areas where they do have to tread a little gingerly, depending on recent weather or other outside factors. But they're also making various repairs as necessary to fix/upgrade the trouble spots when they pop up.
ever heard of the ND&W?...the text definition of sketchy road
I can imagine some people (at least one) along that rail probably complain about the noise and/or spraying for weeds. They probably say "When I bought the house, I thought that rail was abandoned, had I known it was still being used I wouldn't have bought the house!". They probably also fail to realize that if their house is too close to the rail and if the rail company decided they wanted to expand the track or put in a siding, the rail company could take their house, demolish it, and they have to suck it up. They may get "fair compensation", but unlikely the amount they want.
In my area, the rail company decided they wanted an extra siding in a nearby town. That required the demolishing of someones shed. They threw a fit, but it was of no use. RIP shed.
So far I haven't heard of any really ticked off people, but I know the RR is aware of some of them who aren't 100% thrilled when it happens. However, the railroad owns a certain length of space on either side of the rails, which they're allowed to spray, etc as they see fit. They are conscious of the neighbors and try to be good about things, however, to reduce/minimize/get rid of any animosity.
all you had to do is to follow the damn train, CJ! (easy mode)
easy mode train :
Wow, very cool video! Thank you for posting this!
You're very welcome!!
Lets just say that down the road industry would want to come and go by rail. Does anyone have any idea of what the bridges at 0:58, 9:30 & 9:49 could handle when it comes to diesel locomotives? I refer to, lets say, a medium yard switcher in the 80 ton range. Just curious here.
Those bridges look capable to me. They were definitely built for steam locomotives. A bridge inspector would have to make sure nothing is broken.
Indeed - I"m not sure what exactly they're capable of - but the railroad now owns a donated EMD SW9 that they plan to run on the line, which weighs over 120 tons - so one can assume that the bridges are rated for at least that...
Big Jim Video Productions That's gonna ruffle some feathers for those super close land owners for sure
Well yeah, but they chose to live here. The railroad was here back in the 1880's, so they were here first (most likely).
@@Bigjimvideo but lets allow quiet zones to remind us who really ends up with more say at the end of the day...
How stalked must those passengers have felt? lol Great vid, great shots.
LOL!! I'm sure they figured out what I was up to after the first time or two that they saw me. :D Thanks!!
need to learn how to use the horn. two longs and short before you enter the crossing and the last long as you enter untill you occupy the crossing.
Yeah, it's literally a car horn lol
It’s not even a full sized train, these would probably be able to brake much faster.
Just for the record, I’m from Australia and I find it strange how America uses their train horns so much. In Australia (most parts), trains only need to use their horns once at level crossing and to warn trackwork workers on the track, when entering or leaving a tunnel, and at their discretion.
Is running the light at level crossings really common in the US? Then, maybe I would understand.