That time railroads used logs instead of rails - US Pole Roads

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  • Опубліковано 6 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 193

  • @TrainFactGuy
    @TrainFactGuy  Рік тому +229

    Pole-road Pole-road Pole-road,
    Pole-road Pole-road Pole-road,
    _Pole-road Pole-road Pole-road_ ,
    *_Pole-road Pole-road Pole-road_* ,
    *Rawhiiiiiiiiide*

  • @Gamerguy826
    @Gamerguy826 Рік тому +172

    Giving the term "branch line" a whole new meaning, I see.

  • @Gator-357
    @Gator-357 Рік тому +48

    They use pole roads quite a bit in the swamps of the southern US and up in Alaska when the ground gor soggy in warm weather. My gramps bought some land when I was a kid in FLA and there was a pile of these wheels in the back corner. We found out later that there used to be a pole road logging track running throught the property in the teens and 20s. We ended up finding all kinds of remnants of machinery, tools and odds and ends along the back side of the property.

  • @LegoWormNoah101
    @LegoWormNoah101 Рік тому +39

    "We know a guy who was built to run on logs"
    -Lexi, Journey Beyond Sodor

    • @russellgxy2905
      @russellgxy2905 Рік тому +4

      It just clicked while watching that THIS is what she meant

  • @dragonblaster-vu8wz
    @dragonblaster-vu8wz Рік тому +141

    Too bad there aren't any examples of these pole locomotives still in preservation. It'd be neat to see one in a museum

    • @insertnamehere1258
      @insertnamehere1258 Рік тому +26

      I've heard there is an example somewhere in South Carolina, although it is privately owned and I'm pretty sure it is in bad condition. You never know though, there could be some abandoned ones somewhere in a forest.
      Also, I think it is the one at 1:32. And, I also have seen some pics of preserved diesel ones.

    • @teamidris
      @teamidris Рік тому +1

      There is a truck at Duncan logging museum Vancouver island.

    • @weekendrailroader
      @weekendrailroader Рік тому +2

      There is a Fordson tractor converted to a pole road "locomotive" on display at the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad in Mineral, WA. Unfortunately, there is no full scale operational pole road anywhere as far as I know.

    • @Buck1954
      @Buck1954 Рік тому +1

      Can you imagine the paperwork required to make a pole road now? The safety crap and the permits alone would be ridiculous!

    • @TheHistorySoldier
      @TheHistorySoldier Рік тому

      ​@Buck1954 Not to say of course that there isn't value in that "safety crap" 😉

  • @davidpawson7393
    @davidpawson7393 Рік тому +40

    Some military trucks had dual wheels mounted on the front axle for crossing ravines, creeks etc. Two logs would be felled across the obstacle and the dual wheels would track on the logs like seen here.

  • @alaskacowboy1
    @alaskacowboy1 Рік тому +23

    It all reminds me of hiking deep in the mountains of Oregon and finding the old steam skids abandoned, far back among the abandoned mines near the waterfalls.

  • @damianshepherd9405
    @damianshepherd9405 Рік тому +15

    They had things similar in Australia and New Zealand. The unusable logs were cut into makeshift rails and most engines even had a steam powered saw that was used to make the rails. The locomotives could then be taken onto steel rails as the wheels were compatible with both wooden and steels rails. A noteable drawback to this was that the locos had to either be very light coffee pots or a geared engine with the weight spread out over many wheels. A replica of a logging coffee pot, albeit without the saw due to safety concerns, is running in Maryborough. She pulls occasional tourist trains on her own rail line, once again with added safety features such as steel rails. There is plenty of interesting stuff there so have a look if you're ever in the area.

  • @MrNappysanchez
    @MrNappysanchez Рік тому +178

    Wood'nt you believe the ingenuity of mankind

  • @cantfindclips
    @cantfindclips Рік тому +26

    Ooh I guess this make sense now despite the visual depiction.
    “we know a guy who was built to run on logs”
    I could assume the animators didn’t know what the writers had in mind.
    It’s nice to know some research went into looking up unique engines for JBS.

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads1982 Рік тому +9

    Ah, yes, the Weekly Railway video by Train of Thought. Always good to watch.

  • @modelermark172
    @modelermark172 Рік тому +7

    That photo at 2:24 has some interesting possibilities. There are Mack Truck model kits available in a variety of scales, (including the big Monogram 1/24th scale 1926 MACK AC Bulldog Logging Truck recently reissued by Atlantis Models.) With a bit of old-school scratch building, (or even some 'newfangled' 3D Printing,) this would be a fun conversion project . . . .

  • @cerneysmallengines
    @cerneysmallengines Рік тому +4

    I have a cabin in Northern Minnesota, there is an old trail that everyone uses to ride ATVs, I did some digging and found out that it used to be an old railroad... I assumed 3ft gauge but it may have been a poleroad.

  • @Hybris51129
    @Hybris51129 Рік тому +5

    The turntable is an especially impressive bit of field engineering.

  • @lastfreethinker6810
    @lastfreethinker6810 Рік тому +2

    Nice touch with saria's song. I thought I was lossing my mind for a second...

  • @David_Mattox
    @David_Mattox Рік тому +42

    I’d like to see this replicated in model form 🤣

    • @Amtk-712
      @Amtk-712 Рік тому +8

      I want to try that…..

    • @Einwetok
      @Einwetok Рік тому +4

      Diaroma= easy functional=?

    • @jonbezeau3124
      @jonbezeau3124 Рік тому +3

      stock up on toothpicks

    • @Amtk-712
      @Amtk-712 Рік тому +10

      @@jonbezeau3124 I would use real twigs on G scale.

    • @nos9784
      @nos9784 Рік тому +3

      Get some brass, a few reamers and a drill press then :)
      Small amounts of lathe work can be done on a drill press.

  • @LukeVilent
    @LukeVilent Рік тому +1

    Yay, dude, I was one of those who asked for this theme when you asked for ideas!

  • @saberwolf.1781
    @saberwolf.1781 Рік тому +12

    Fascinating story I had no idea. Also interesting how did you decide on using that particular selection of music? Are you a Zelda fan?

    • @nicholasthesilly
      @nicholasthesilly Рік тому +4

      I assume just because it's the Lost WOODS theme.

    • @theotherohlourdespadua1131
      @theotherohlourdespadua1131 Рік тому +2

      I thought because that franchise has a Train-specific installment entitled "Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks"...

  • @andrewreynolds4949
    @andrewreynolds4949 Рік тому +1

    Coincidentally I picked up a book on logging railroads the other week, and it had some of these in there

  • @Ludi_Chris
    @Ludi_Chris Рік тому +12

    First paper wheels now log rails, it’s looking like we could make a Railways out of trees now.

    • @sebastianthomsen2225
      @sebastianthomsen2225 Рік тому +4

      now we only need to make the engine out of cardboard then we are golden! 🤪👌

    • @joshuabessire9169
      @joshuabessire9169 Рік тому +6

      What next, wooden railroad ties?

    • @laurencefraser
      @laurencefraser Рік тому +1

      well, there has apparently been some work done on wooden transistors recently.. but somehow I I don't think that's going to lead to a wooden motor... and a wooden Boiler is just never going to be sufficient, nevermind a wooden firebox or ICE. So, unfortunately, an all-wood railway is going to have to get it's motive power from a treadmill type arrangement or be animal haulled ... at which point it's just a wagonway.

    • @joshuabessire9169
      @joshuabessire9169 Рік тому +1

      @@laurencefraser Treadmill type arrangement... Quick! Call the ancient Greeks and see if we can borrow a wooden horse!

    • @ReggieArford
      @ReggieArford Рік тому +1

      @@laurencefraser You might be able to make a wood boiler. I know you can make a wood stove.

  • @mazdaman2315
    @mazdaman2315 Рік тому +6

    “Logs are easy to move” you definitely ain’t a woodsman

    • @laurencefraser
      @laurencefraser Рік тому

      I suspect that, relative to laying regular track, and given that the train can be Right There on the part of the pole road you're Not ripping up, they might well be.
      Of course, I'm also curious as to how often they actually Would move them vs just laying new ones.

  • @johnkelley9877
    @johnkelley9877 Рік тому +1

    I never heard of that until now! This was very interesting. Thanks for sharing this.

  • @garryferrington811
    @garryferrington811 Рік тому +1

    Very nice report on this generally overlooked bit of railroad history.

  • @PaladinCasdin
    @PaladinCasdin Рік тому +2

    I had to listen to the end of the video several times to convince myself I wasn't going crazy when I heard Saria's Song at 2:50. My good man, I tip my hat to your excellent taste in background music.

  • @KyriosMirage
    @KyriosMirage Рік тому +1

    Excellent choice of music for this one!

  • @Arkay315
    @Arkay315 Рік тому +3

    This reminds me of the early wood rail tramways serviced by horses

  • @FuelFire
    @FuelFire Рік тому +5

    1:40 what is this half Climax half chainsaw bullshit 😂

  • @mrblond750
    @mrblond750 Рік тому

    Great video as always. Love the music selection!

  • @jacehackworth6413
    @jacehackworth6413 Рік тому

    As an arborist and train enthusiast , this pleases me.

  • @johncamp2567
    @johncamp2567 Рік тому

    One of your more fascinating posts!

  • @vehicles_n_stuff
    @vehicles_n_stuff Рік тому +2

    Norfolk Southern announces new cost-saving biodegradable railroad technology to be installed on all of its mainlines

  • @RobSchofield
    @RobSchofield Рік тому

    That was fun! Never heard of that before - reminds me of the old Butterworth plateways.

  • @whytheheckarewedoinginhere1886

    If the Misty Island Rescue was like that, then the Thomas and friends fandom wouldn't hate it. 😂😂

  • @jed-henrywitkowski6470
    @jed-henrywitkowski6470 Рік тому

    2:29 As a railroad-loving trucker's son, I like that!

  • @dimitrijenovakovic7942
    @dimitrijenovakovic7942 Рік тому +2

    Simmilar contraptions were used on mokra gora in Serbia.
    I think that there is a picure in the google reviews of bele vode that shows a adbonded piece of the rails.

  • @iPod1
    @iPod1 Рік тому +1

    There are these straw things with balls in and you need to put it in some milk and it’s kinda like nesquick but with a straw so yeah we’ll need those for the next live

  • @Cfr_Alex_1098
    @Cfr_Alex_1098 Рік тому +2

    Beautiful video TOT

  • @relaxingnature2617
    @relaxingnature2617 Рік тому +1

    Correction: there is NOT a smaller demand for lumber

  • @teamidris
    @teamidris Рік тому

    Tricky to look at on its own because there were twin-drum logging skids everywhere to help the job along.

  • @Straswa
    @Straswa Рік тому

    Great vid ToT, smart use of spare logs.

  • @Vodhin
    @Vodhin Рік тому +1

    Wow, I didn't know loggers did this. This topic deserves a more in depth video.

  • @harrisonallen651
    @harrisonallen651 Рік тому +1

    They needed big traction wheels to run on logs like these, damn!

  • @CheeseMiser
    @CheeseMiser Рік тому

    1:20 Nice Fordson Tractor train conversion

  • @KlaxontheImpailr
    @KlaxontheImpailr Рік тому +1

    One day, I want to make a Thomas style tv show set in the USA. There's just so much potential waiting to be used.

    • @nos9784
      @nos9784 Рік тому +1

      Kids will be traumatized by all the derailments 😅

  • @robrice7246
    @robrice7246 Рік тому +1

    I wonder why there hasn't been a Thomas fan story based on the blueprint and line that Lexi sang?

  • @SmartassX1
    @SmartassX1 Рік тому

    You mentioned that this was done during the "u.s. logging boom" right up to the "end of the u.s. logging boom". When was that? I can tell from the colorless pictures and the 1910s-style trucks that it was the early 20th century, but I'd appreciate some vague year numbers.

  • @OneArmLivingLife
    @OneArmLivingLife Рік тому +3

    Poor Terence at least he’s at work

    • @piyushkanthak1087
      @piyushkanthak1087 Рік тому

      haha lol
      What about Bash Dash and Ferdinand ?

    • @OneArmLivingLife
      @OneArmLivingLife Рік тому

      @@piyushkanthak1087 they didn’t show up in the video so we don’t know

  • @chuckvoss9344
    @chuckvoss9344 Рік тому

    So many questions ...like how did they keep the log ends together. In wet, dry weather, swamps ...

  • @sebastiankutter3630
    @sebastiankutter3630 Рік тому

    Related to this, you should really make a video about the "Feldbahn" systems common in Europe.

  • @zamazenta2023
    @zamazenta2023 Рік тому

    I love your videos

  • @SantaFe19484
    @SantaFe19484 Рік тому

    This is the first I have ever heard of rails made out of logs.

  • @herrpokemon9929
    @herrpokemon9929 Рік тому

    Interesting I didn't know these existed and nice music choice
    Lost woods from legend of zelda

  • @Alex-cw3rz
    @Alex-cw3rz Рік тому +3

    Could you do this for cheap most likely temporary tram lines for public transport.

    • @enisra_bowman
      @enisra_bowman Рік тому

      i don't think so, you woud need special Trains hauled in and then you would need also quite many logs hauled in that not "standing" around since i thing the City council might have something against cutting there Trees
      Also: while fine for a slow moving Worktrain that was cobbled together a 100 years ago, but i doubt that even in a country that value it's normal citizens that less than the US, that might be a "bit" unsafe
      Particular if there are "already" the option of moveable railways like from Peat extraction or the like

    • @SeedemFeedemRobots
      @SeedemFeedemRobots Рік тому

      bus technology nowdays are good enough and wildly available to ever make that a consideration

  • @flufflepuffle6229
    @flufflepuffle6229 Рік тому

    That's actually really interesting!

  • @KibuFox
    @KibuFox Рік тому +2

    God forbid the players of Railroads Online see this. I can only imagine what they're going to beg for next.

  • @maxdon2001
    @maxdon2001 Рік тому

    Great video!

  • @MustangsTrainsMowers
    @MustangsTrainsMowers Рік тому

    A track that could be damaged by Beavers or termites. I wonder if there are any O scale pole road type locomotives and rolling stock?
    How did they build switches?

  • @ivoryfields2631
    @ivoryfields2631 Рік тому

    improvising at your presentation and everyone takes you seriously and takes notes :

  • @shaunsconfusingmachines8402
    @shaunsconfusingmachines8402 Рік тому +2

    If my ask why are there ww2 German soldiers in the image at 1:59

    • @mrPCEmilkman
      @mrPCEmilkman Рік тому +3

      My guess would be it was the only inage of a pole road turntable that could be found.

  • @ryancampbell4119
    @ryancampbell4119 9 місяців тому

    Fun fact some Shay locomotives did run on pole roads

  • @AVdE10000
    @AVdE10000 Рік тому

    Improvised engineering is the best kind of engineering

  • @jetboyblue4478
    @jetboyblue4478 Рік тому

    Wow that’s amazing

  • @youtube-is-trash-2277
    @youtube-is-trash-2277 Рік тому

    how did the go around corners ???

  • @anindrapratama
    @anindrapratama Рік тому

    did the Decauville track system ever made it to the US?

    • @cavejohnson4306
      @cavejohnson4306 Рік тому

      As surplus, I have heard of it being used on farms out on the west coast after the Great War.

  • @jordanwiley4582
    @jordanwiley4582 Рік тому

    Lost Woods, nice.

  • @maxpayne2574
    @maxpayne2574 Рік тому

    At 2:30 the engine is a Mack truck

  • @CA.papaBear
    @CA.papaBear Рік тому

    Speaking about this merely as an engineering standpoint, why didn't they knurl the log wheels so that they'd bite down as they rolled along? Or use strategic metal gear racks and cogs for steeper gradients?
    Just curious. : )

  • @bostonrailfan2427
    @bostonrailfan2427 Рік тому

    IIRC this wasn’t a new idea: it was done for the original UK tramways and done multiple times afterward until standardized use of iron and steel tracks was done

  • @bigredc222
    @bigredc222 Рік тому

    interesting.
    Thank you.

  • @sarcasmo57
    @sarcasmo57 Рік тому

    Pretty clever.

  • @alicehodges9964
    @alicehodges9964 6 місяців тому

    The Steam Engines Are Awesome I Like It

  • @jwalster9412
    @jwalster9412 Рік тому

    This really puts a new meaning to derail.

  • @jammiedodger7040
    @jammiedodger7040 Рік тому

    Timber demand has gone up.

  • @barkebaat
    @barkebaat Рік тому

    very interesting!

  • @douglasboyle6544
    @douglasboyle6544 Рік тому

    This is insanity. I never knew this was a thing

  • @FunAngelo2005
    @FunAngelo2005 Рік тому +2

    A road make out of fuckin logs

  • @ravenbarsrepairs5594
    @ravenbarsrepairs5594 Рік тому

    Low budget mines used sawn lumber with a metal strap on top as a wear surface.

  • @Carolinasquatch
    @Carolinasquatch 8 місяців тому

    I wanna build one in my yard now

  • @normanozwald
    @normanozwald Рік тому

    Those trains were made in Nashville, TN

  • @callyemby4587
    @callyemby4587 Рік тому

    Nice use of the music from Zelda ocarina of time.

  • @RubenKelevra
    @RubenKelevra Рік тому

    Wait what? Wood consumption is high as never before!

  • @DarthBlazer.
    @DarthBlazer. Рік тому

    Was that music from Zelda?

  • @Da__goat
    @Da__goat Рік тому

    The concept of these pole roads is the very same concept that the Egyptians used with Palm tree trunks to move stones to build the pyramids

  • @raztaz826
    @raztaz826 Рік тому

    I like offroad trains!

  • @NW-gi1cp
    @NW-gi1cp Рік тому

    Ho modelers: now how can I make this

  • @joehughes5177
    @joehughes5177 Рік тому

    Steel rails dont grow on trees now. So what will we use? If only we COULD grow rails....

  • @Scagguy4014
    @Scagguy4014 Рік тому

    The legend of Zelda : the logging railway .

  • @pokemontrainermichael5551
    @pokemontrainermichael5551 Рік тому

    At least they got the job done

  • @primrosevale1995
    @primrosevale1995 Рік тому

    🎵Too many funnels, or too many cogs,
    We knew a guy, who used to run on logs.🎵

    • @AbbeyYard
      @AbbeyYard Рік тому

      🎵Too many wheels, and gears, and rods,
      It's no wonder that we look so odd!🎵

  • @xephorce
    @xephorce Рік тому

    is that the legend of zelda ocarina of time music i am hearing in the background?

  • @LG_Official.
    @LG_Official. Рік тому

    I want to build a Pole-road now for no reason

  • @My-Hunt
    @My-Hunt Рік тому

    Zelda background music?

  • @Lemon-pf3pm
    @Lemon-pf3pm Рік тому +2

    That's so cool xD

  • @Josephcavagnaro
    @Josephcavagnaro Рік тому

    We knew a guy who used to run on logs
    Lexi 2017

  • @BrendynRobertson
    @BrendynRobertson Рік тому

    Lexi- "We know a guy who was bult to run on logs."

  • @martincraw7698
    @martincraw7698 Рік тому +5

    This would be an interesting engine to see in Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends

    • @robrice7246
      @robrice7246 Рік тому +3

      The closest was the blueprint from JBS.

    • @piyushkanthak1087
      @piyushkanthak1087 Рік тому

      Bash Dash and Ferdinand

    • @MrJoeyWheeler
      @MrJoeyWheeler Рік тому

      I don't see why, there's no reason for such an engine to exist on Sodor. Like many of the asinine additions made in the later years.

  • @WinterroSP
    @WinterroSP Рік тому

    Gives a new meaning to a “logging railroad"

  • @captiannemo1587
    @captiannemo1587 Рік тому

    The other option was very light narrow gauge railways…

  • @BustingSomeBuffers
    @BustingSomeBuffers Рік тому +1

    "I knew I guy who was built to run on logs" - Lexi from Journey Beyond Sodor

  • @PowerTrain611
    @PowerTrain611 Рік тому

    This is one of the wackiest railroad choices I've ever seen.