When Shinkansen Came to Strasburg

PLEASE NOTE THE UPLOAD DATE. THIS IS A WORK OF ALTERNATE HISTORY FICTION, AND NOT FACTUAL HISTORY.
The Strasburg Rail Road has hosted a variety of interesting trains over the years, but did you know that it actually hosted a Japanese Shinkansen train in the 80s? Or that this was all a last-minute effort alongside Amtrak and the Baltimore Streetcar Museum to save a failing PR campaign for Japan's struggling rail network?
Since I edited this, I found some actual footage of the event! Check it out here: • Never Gonna Hit Those ...
Classy Whale - at-least-weekly adventures, featuring trains and more!

[@therealskull4786]

damn you fooled me! This video was really well-made

[@Token_Nerd]

One thing you got wrong, it wasn’t a 0 series Shinkansen. They actually just ran a 115系 emu. It was considered high speed enough for the US at the time, who couldn’t even reliably run electrified regional rail above 60 mph at the time. The event drew massive crowds, yes, but had 0 effect on changing septa’s or the MTA’s rolling stock and track reconstruction policies. Ultimately though, Japan still won out, with huge orders from both the metro north rail road and Long Island railroad for Kawasaki rolling stock.

[@ClassyWhale]

Ah, thanks for the fact-check! I wanted to touch in the equipment orders that followed the event, but that ended up getting cut for time.

[@montesa35]

Do they have a pic of 115 series EMU in the United States?

[@Dronesword123]

Bruh. This came up in recommended on my UA-cam in august, and I’m not happy. You got me good and it’s not even April fools.

[@ClassyWhale]

what can I say except...the algorithm is weird!

[@thomasaly7624]

Dang it!
This is the first time an April Fool's video has completely fooled me into believing it!

[@johnkearney2513]

I was 24 in 1984 and would have noticed the Japanese train set in Strasburg when I was there. The trouble is now I am 62 and might not remember anything even if it did happen. Nice video though.

[@ClassyWhale]

This is the best comment

[@Salmagundiii]

So glad I didn't look at the description! You had me fooled until halfway through where you said the 'massive crew of volunteer strung up some catenary' - but what fun! Best April Fool's day prank I've seen on youtube. It's actually not entirely implausible because, of course, a couple European high speed trains did visit the US in the 1990s.

[@Crazy_Caleb320]

*Edit: I just saw another comment saying the same thing. I didn’t notice it when I first commented*
I know it’s a joke but, you got 1 other thing wrong. 475 wasn’t owned by Strasburg until 1991. If you wanted a LARGE loco to “scrape” the wires, 90 is the largest locomotive at Strasburg to this today.

[@MilesinTransit]

Jonathan Kreider's a good looking dude.

[@ClassyWhale]

Wait a sec...are you guys related?

[@flyerbob124]

While stationed in Japan with the Air Force I rode that train from Tokyo to Osaka to attend Expo 70 worlds fair. Plenty fast back then.

[@johnsmart964]

Well done, it was still an impressive story but you are right about one of the cars being in the railroad museum in York, England, while you were visiting you would certainly have noticed how restrictive the loading gauge is in Britain.

[@ClassyWhale]

Yeah I honestly didn't realize they used the same gauge as we did until much later!

[@thefareplayer2254]

I, uhhhhh....had to like the video! (I've already subscribed. Your earnestness, uhhhhh, got me. Good work!)

[@Mountaindivisionrailfan252]

#475 didn't arrive until 1991 and was not fully restored until 1993(or 4). Nice documentary, the only thing we are waiting for now is for the UP Big Boy to visit...

[@ClassyWhale]

that would be epic, but I feel like if one end of Big Boy was in Strasburg, the other end would be in Paradise!

[@lucasquintanilla1673]

@@ClassyWhale honestly, Union Pacific 844 would probably be the most likely of the UP heritage fleet to show up that far east, especially around Paradise Pennsylvania. One reason for that is that 844 is actually of the same wheel arrangement that 611 is so it might be, not too heavy for the tracks around there not sure about the clearance of tunnels on the East Coast though

[@jacorp7476]

This almost would have been believable if you actually had some photos to use lol

[@PRL2204]

Hey, Tycho! Love your music choice. 😁

[@robertseitner8640]

Wow, you really had me going. Nice job.

[@edge_andapex_8942]

I had to check the upload date at the end! You really got me, I'm now seeing the description and wondering how I didnt see it.

[@GiraffeConductor]

i didn't look at the description till 2/3rd of the way throught the video lol

[@MassbyTrain]

I thought it came to strasbourg first time really watching it

[@joshuanishanthchristian5217]

Yeah, I was fooled. I didn't see the description!

[@5starryansl]

I believed it until I opened the comments.

[@fromfareastindy8234]

I am completely smashed !!
Nice April fool dammit!!!! lol

[@AutumnBosco]

Amazing Job! 🥲

[@brianfalzon6739]

Amazing job, didn’t know that happened, thanks for the info!

[@jacorp7476]

6:38 Translates to "potatoes" lmao

[@UnofficialATKProductions]

When we were 5 mins into this I knew it was a April fools prank because 475 arrived in 1991 not in 1984

[@train_dude_youtube9]

What engine whistle was lin the very first scene of the video?

[@daskriegsman7013]

I wonder what the Japanese crew thought of the Steam Locomotives? Or better yet the Amish.

[@griffinrails]

god damn it you fooled me so hard

[@nikerailfanningttm9046]

I knew this was fake the moment I saw the thumbnail. I was born in 1976 and the 1984 Strasberg Railroad never rostered a damn 0 Series!

[@tilongatao]

Cool! You fooled me, mainly because it is July now.

[@Wedgehog]

Potato 6:40

[@brunhildevalkyrie]

wow

[@jackholmesdiscovereranglos7891]

3:23 That Diesel Locomotive on the truck trailer was a Victorian Railway Diesel Locomotive No. T341. Was that diesel locomotive really in Strasburg?

[@ClassyWhale]

2032

[@masterbadger9408]

OH I JUST FOUND OUT IT WAS FAKE OHHHH. You Should have replaced 475 Scraping against wires with 89 due to 475 not arriving to strasburg until the late 90's

[@kerbal_surfliner8606]

But uhhhhhh the Shinkansen is high platform?

[@afizatismailmail6738]

train Japan in come

[@almerindaromeira8352]

"too light"? What the f do americans know about passenger rail, let alone high speed rail?

[@SkiVail]

Damit…. Feel like an idiot… 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Eliasrsvensson]

bruh it's the 18th of july

[@ClassyWhale]

This video is the gift that keeps on giving

[@yourlocaltrainkid45]

now u anger me

[@ClassyWhale]

Aww thanks

[@kristinabegail]

I am not liking ok, yes I was fooled, but it’s not funny and I shouldn’t be forced to like