If you enjoy military relics I recommend vacated bases. White City, OR, has one outside city limits. Google earth search may locate munition storage bunkers, unidentified ruins, etc. This summer I'm visiting a training area with caves beside the Ford Mountain Correctional Centre in British Columbia.
When the line was taken out of service, we rode most of it's length on our motorized railcarts. We knew it was a high maintenance line and wouldn't be long before it became unpassable. And boy were we right, there is massive rockslides / blockage now. Some of the boulders are as big as my apartment. So glad we got to see it up close before it was lost. to nature.
My family, 3 generations worked on that line. I brought the last log train out of Cascade for the INPR and helped write the feasibility study for the excursion trains that ran . It is a very high maintenance RR and for a small short line it was not profitable to keep it operating. It has not been abandoned however and hopefully either the Bertel’s or another group will come in and restore it and run trains on it once again. Great documentary on the line👍
There will need to be some economic impetus for the line to be restored. From what I could see in the video, some sections of track seem to be in remarkably good condition. I have run trains over a lot worse.
No kidding! Although many commenters have mentioned that it is not actually abandoned, just currently out of service. Maybe they will use it again someday!
As a trail runner AND history hound, this was relevant to ALL my interests thanks mate To think history was the most boring subject as a schoolboy, but now I'm completely obsessed with it lol
I’m old enough to remember steam powered trains in McCall. I was fortunate enough to ride on the Thunder Mountain Line a year or two before they went out of business. I am surprised at how much rock and debris has accumulated on the tracks in so short of time. But then again, I’m not surprised. When built, the granite outcropping that comprises the tunnel north of Smiths Ferry, was not removed because they feared a massive landslide. As a result, that tunnel is only 39 feet in length and is the shortest tunnel, for standard gage railroads, in North America! Rockslides have closed Highway 55 twice in the last three or four years. The unstable rocks in the canyon contributed to the closure of the railroad. I thoroughly enjoyed your video. Maybe you could make another video running the tracks between Emmett and Horseshoe Bend. There are two tunnels and one or two wood trestles.
Thanks for adding so much insightful information! It's always cool to hear some of the history first hand, from people like you. I believe the tracks in some parts of Emmett are still being used, is the section up to Horseshoe Bend exempt now as well?
@@WhereKentWent The "main line" to McCall started in Nampa. The route to McCall began at the wye, just west of the Nampa station, ran through Middleton and on to Emmett. The rails were ripped out from just north of the Chinden Blvd crossing a mile or so south of Middleton. Rail passenger service from Nampa to McCall terminated in 1949. The "secondary" route to Emmett ran from Payette. IT'S STILL IN USE. The tracks northeast of the Emmett station, could be used to Black Canyon dam, in theory. You'd be safe to run the 16 mile route from there. Use Google Maps and look at Old Dam Rd just short of the first bridge & tunnel on the south side of Black Canyon dam. That would be a good place to start your run. Then it's 8 miles to Montour which is similar terraign to Carbarton where you ended your first run. Or you can choose to run another 8 miles to Emmett. There are three more bridges, on that stretch, including the truss bridge just west of 55, which is slightly longer than the last bridge you crossed between the Rainbow bridge and Cabarton. The second tunnel, about midway, looks to have a massive rockslide at the south portal. September would be a perfect time to do this. Avoid the summer heat. Let me know if you decide to run this section. I'll join your channel: I'll know when you post the video. Bring up my channel and watch the first half of my first video. (The one with 60k views). It's indirectly about the stretch you ran.
As an employee of this company, it’s not abandoned, it’s out of service. The reason the weeds are minimal and the track for the most part is decently clear, is because we have to keep up on the weed spraying on the right of way.
Hate to see any line go down. Keeping them railbanked is smart. Easier to repair than totally rebuild which rarely happens but not unheard of. We have a local line that was abandoned and ripped out. Now the politicians regret letting that happen. Bridges ripped out and roadbed obliterated makes it uneconomical to rebuild. It used to have 40-50 trains per day. 😔😔
@@alvisjenkins1305 Out of Service means that it's not fully abandoned. If memory serves you need permission to fully abandon railroads. This is especially true if this line is a connection between two railroads. Look at the Tennessee Pass in Colorado. It's been OOS since the late 90s but the government won't let them fully abandon.The other major rail line over the Rockies is the Moffat. There's a long vital tunnel on Moffat. What happens if there's a collapse, or worse a major derailment and fire inside it. It could take months, or longer to reopen it. By having Tennessee Pass still available, it's likely that this would be an easier route to reopen. They also want to keep it as a possible alternative route if traffic suffices. As far as the line shown here, the government might require that it be fully opened, even if at restricted speed if there's a bridge collapse, major landslide, or other serious damage to the lines that it connects. I don't know the area, but there might be a company that wants to build a factory, or some facility that requires rail service. By having it it OOS, where is can fairly easily be re-opened, they have a better chance of a company moving into the area.
I remember riding and operating one of thunder Mountains locomotives the year the line went out of service. I really hope it will come back to service someday, and won’t go completely abandoned. I have too many memories of driving these trains through the beautiful mountains.
I’m from North Carolina. In 2014 a buddy and I drove that stretch of highway and explored that railroad. I walked partway across the footbridge shown in the video and I remember many of the bridges and tunnels. At the time it looked like the line was still in service but lightly used.
Be careful running across those bridges. Years ago I was walking briskly across one near my house and I missed a tie. My leg went in between two ties and got twisted and great pain followed. Had to scoot myself to the end and down the embankment (active railroad) to rest for over an hour. One of the ties had shifted on one end causing the void and mishap. Thank God I did not break my leg.
Beautiful video. Being a railroad enthusiasts and HO scale modeler.I thoroughly enjoyed this rail journey. Hopefully it will get restored and back in service. Bring back The Steam.
My son thinks that line should be preserved, restored, and used again for both freight and passenger trains. But he doesn't want that to be wishful thinking he wants it to be a reality!
Lived in Nampa for 10 yrs and explored the mountains as much as I could and could never get enough..Beautiful country..Camped in the area you were in and alot over around Idaho City...Im in Ohio now and hope to get visit there again. Loved the video Thanks
This was a refreshing video on all levels. Like you, railroads fascinate me. I would park my Jeep in remote locations with my girlfriend and wait for trains to come by. I remember thinking...."I wonder with these tracks are guiding that train to now." I have a model railroad in my basement, however this would be something I'd do in a heartbeat. Thanks Kent for the cool adventure.
I have driven the route from Boise to McCall at least a dozen times the old bridge crossing the river is art deco in design and very well restored. Cool video.
I enjoyed this video immensely. Trains have always been one of my loves. My grandfather worked most of his life for the Boston & Maine railroad out of Concord NH. He was an air brake inspector. I felt like I was right there with you. Great job!
Growing up in Boise in the 50's-70's McCall was my favorite place. We went at least every other year. Was real familiar with the rails as a love of trains had me watching them every trip hoping for a train. The big bridge where you started your journey had 55 going under it before the realignment and improving of 55 so very familiar with it. 55 used to be like the section from the Rainbow Bridge up into long valley so quite a trip. Returned last year for a vacation and had to spend some days in McCall, amazed at how the rail route had deteriorated. Last train from McCall was in 1978 and the line from Cascade was torn up shortly after. McCall's mill burned in 76 and took 2 years to haul it all out. The mills at Cascade, Horseshoe Bend, and Emmett all closed in the 80's. The cars for the Thunder Mountain RR scenic train were still in Emmett last I checked. The line has major problems with many rock slides and some washouts from Black Canyon dam all the way to Cascade and would take a lot of money to get back into service. Kind of a shame to see it go.
You've given me some real inspiration to go out and find these areas for myself. I make the trip up 55 several times a year but I've never just stopped and camped somewhere out there.
G'day mate i thoroughly enjoyed your video exploring this fantastic railway line. We have similar abandoned and or out of service lines in Australia, sometimes running throughout beautiful countryside. Cheers old mate.
Long time runner. Love running railroad tracks. Yes I know it is trespassing. But I never, ever run with headphones on. Always run with my ears always listening for cars, trains or emergency vehicles. Only very careful any more over the bridges with open base When I was younger it wasn’t a problem. Two ties at a time. Now that I’m 71 it is a little scary. Keep on trucking there Kent!
Great filmmaking. Your second camera set up and editing remarkable. Love old and abandoned rail roads. Lived near railroads during childhood in Bend & Culver Oregon. Excellent video.
super neat vid, thanks for sharing. Completely agree, walking old railroad grades is super interesting and frequently beautiful. Lots of big landslide action on that one! Love the shots of the 1933 road bridge too.
You know the sad thing is this could be a critical link in running trains from Salt Lake City to boise to Kennewick to Yakima to Seattle. Thats a rout im sure would have a great deal of demand Amtrak should snach this track up for themselves before its too far gone.
Only problem is it's a dead end branch line that runs north out of the Boise area and dead ends at Cascade. Used to run thru to McCall and stopped there.
Good luck we out that, had the feds running Amtrak Mss as is way too much sense and the bureaucrats just want a monthly pay check for sitting on there thumbs
Nice hike. Great footage! A rail-to-trail being installed in Wisconsin is about $225k per mile. Just one viaduct rebuild on the _formerly_ John Wayne Trail was $5.5m. That same trail lost 20 miles one year due to landslides. A whole year. Then there's average maintenance costs. So, no. It's a Pipestone Pass dream 😉. Enjoy it before a bridge finally goes.
Great video. Our family got to take the train ride many years ago, it was great as like you, I have driven Highway 55 many many times. So the different prospective from across the river was great.
Very nicely done! We live across the street from that RR, just below Horseshoe Bend. The small tunnel just above Black Canyon is partially collapsed but otherwise or stretch is pretty clear. I'm not a runner but have thought about how fun it would be to travel it on a small railcar.
That’s so cool. I’ve thought about doing that section but I always get a little nervous to go through people’s land. I never know how folks will react if they see me.
Cool video! Love the scenery! Went on a road trip 2 year ago thru Idaho from Creston B.C. We have a out of service rail line here on Vancouver Island British Columbia Canada Glad my wife and I went on a trip from Courtenay to Victoria when we did because they shut it down the following year
i dont feel like going into what running does for people, but its life changing, it teaches SO much, so much so i know how to do mind numbing things and be somewhere else as one example
It looks as if you could have easily run the whole thing in a day if you hadn't taken the time to give us all of the nice video angles of tunnels, bridges and scenery. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you! I used Google Earth when I originally planned out this adventure. It gave me a pretty good idea of what to expect but there are a few spots where the trees are so thick you can’t see the tracks. That made it so I didn’t know exactly where that big tunnel was.
Always makes me feel sad to see a disused railway when I was a boy I used to love exploring a line that was disused but now most of this old lines have been completely lifted and in a lot of cases built over to prevent them ever coming back. I used to love the smells of an old railway, the grease on the track work points, signals etc everything black and oily and the smell of the creosote leeching out of the sleepers.
This is great. I would have been able to walk about a mile before i turned around and went back home though!!! 30 stinkin miles ON RAILROAD TIES!!! I have sore ankles just watching this
😂😂 you’re the first person that I’ve had give me the much needed credit for doing this on railroad ties. The running required constant adjustments since I couldn’t run normally on the ties. Thanks for watching!
Very interesting video and thanks for sharing your adventure. I did the drive along this highway and track from Boise to Coeur d'Alene back in 2009 and the area was quite lovely to drive through in most parts. I am glad you did not run across any rattlers hiding out in those boulders. Glad you did not come across any bears or wild dogs. Do you carry any protection against any animals that you encounter? Your camp looked quite cozy but I could not sleep overnight there knowing that I am alone.
@@WhereKentWent Thanks for your reply. I really admire your running skills on the tracks and especially over the boulders. Quite impressive! I LOVE trains and how sad that this railroad no longer exists. Yes, good idea to carry some protection against any wild animals. You are quite brave to be alone in that wilderness, especially at night. I just turned 70 on Wednesday and consider myself quite adventurous on long drives and doing hikes but not like what you did on this adventure. I have tried camping twice and found out that I did not like "roughing it" that much. Oh well.... Be safe out there and I look forward to seeing more of your adventures. Victor in New Mexico
@@DougCeleste Also, I have only been to New Mexico once but I filmed a video while I was there. You might enjoy it! Here’s a link to it:ua-cam.com/video/LrJ4YVNvIkc/v-deo.html
@@WhereKentWent Thanks for the link and I will have to check out your N.M. video. Lots to explore in this state. (I am native of San Jose, CA. and lived there for almost 60 years.) 😎
Railroad ties are not meant to be run on...the spacing is all wrong. Big surprise! I've walked more than my share of ROWs and my knees hurt just watching you. You're krazy...deserves a subscription!
Quelle aventure ! Merci pour le partage de cette belle découverte. Nature intacte, silence, grand air, avec des trains ce serait évidemment encore mieux ! 😀👍👏
I actually got the chance of riding the tour trains when the railroad did a pumpkin patch train in 2013 or 2012 it was a thrill especially when the locomotives were old Santa Fe F units
I remember in the late 80 when that railroad was still active a lumber car derailed near the Banks campground. The Payette was choked with finished lumber for weeks afterwards.
Despite the railroad being abandoned it could be restored there isn’t that much damage to the tracks the rockslides can be quickly cleared and some weed killer sprayed on the tracks and you are mostly set to go.
@@WhereKentWent sadly I’m the current state of our country that is the case. However I do think it could be restored in the future since railroads are designed to be expensive to build but cheaper to maintain and it will probably stay that way for a long time.
Most great video. But the railroad darn sure looks abandoned to me. I lived in Mt. Home, Idaho in 1972/73 and traveled to Boise, McCall, and a good bit of the surrounding area then. I'd bet I traveled Hwy 55 and probably saw this railroad although I don't specifically recall it. Idaho is a beautiful state. I left in Dec 73 haven't been back. Thanks for sharing this video.
Great video. Always sad to see lines abandoned or out of service. Looks like the line continued on. Where does it end at? Or does it meet up with another line?
@@WhereKentWent It terminated in McCall at the lumber mill which closed in the 80's. Track was removed between cascade and McCall. In later years it was used primarily to service the lumber yards in Cascade and Horseshoe Bend. As the mills closed down the trains stopped using the track until Thunder Mountain started running.
When we moved to Meridian 6 years ago there were still Thunder Mountain RR brochures around town. I was very disappointed to find out they had already closed. When we later drove to McCall, I noticed some washouts and down trees on the right of way but not as severe as your trip.
As I am past running but do enjoy walking track/trails like that. As you say it is very good to I bath in a creek or river, take the water out and pour it on me to wet myself and then rinse off the soap. Nothing like being clean . This year was hot so was very good in the lake, Enjoyable.
Pretty country. Rightwithya, in that I, too, would have enjoyed a ride on this little line! I'm always surprised (I shouldn't be) when a RR leaves bridges and rails behind.
i WAS AM ENGINEER TRAINER FOR THE INP FROM THE FIRST DAY AND 2 YEARS AFTERWARD RAN TRAINS ON THE WHOLE SYSTEM AS THE OFFICES WERE IN EMMIT AND LAGRANDE WORKED THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SCENERY ON THE JOSEPH BRANCH. THE OWNER STILL LIVES RETIRED IN CALDWELL AND WE ARE GREAT FRIENDS AND OLD I WOKED MOSTLY OUT OF LAGRANDE. I REMEMBER THE GIRLS AT THE RESTAURANT IN BANKS ROAD ONE OF THEM TO CASCADE AS WE USED TO STAY OVER NIGHT THERE. THE CASCADE LINE WAS VERY SCENIC AND I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE MOST OF THE LINE IS ABANDONBED, SAD TO BE SURE I MISS YHE COUNTRY . I LIVE HERE IN SAN ANTONIO TEXAS FOR THE LAST 37 YERRS.....GREAT MEMORIES
The structure you looked at after you crossed the Trestle on day 2 was the off loading platform for the old River to rails operation thunder mountain line and Idaho whitewater UNLTD where you could take the train up unload the raft paddle down river to the take out and have a Tasty Dutch oven meal in Smiths Ferry. I helped build a lot of it
Thanks for this video, I appreciate all your work on it. From the looks of it, that railroad is likely still owned as a railroad, given that the rails and signage remains. (ok, confirmed by another comment below) Where I live (Vancouver Island, in southwest British Columbia), I do a similar thing on an old out-of-service railroad in my area, where it has been more than 20+ years since the last train. I love the combination of railroad history, exercise, and the continual evidence of nature pushing-back and reclaiming the grade. Thanks again for your excellent work.
The only reason there are still tracks and they have not been scrapped is that it would cost more than what they would get out of it. The price of iron and all. Cool landscape.
Have you seen my video about Idaho’s abandoned B-23 Bomber? Check it out here if you haven’t: ua-cam.com/video/5cP2gh3-rwU/v-deo.html
If you enjoy military relics I recommend vacated bases. White City, OR, has one outside city limits.
Google earth search may locate munition storage bunkers, unidentified ruins, etc. This summer I'm
visiting a training area with caves beside the Ford Mountain Correctional Centre in British Columbia.
@@jcee2259 sounds cool!
When the line was taken out of service, we rode most of it's length on our motorized railcarts.
We knew it was a high maintenance line and wouldn't be long before it became unpassable. And boy were we right, there is massive rockslides / blockage now. Some of the boulders are as big as my apartment. So glad we got to see it up close before it was lost. to nature.
Wow that must have been a good time! You wouldn’t make it very far now.
My family, 3 generations worked on that line. I brought the last log train out of Cascade for the INPR and helped write the feasibility study for the excursion trains that ran .
It is a very high maintenance RR and for a small short line it was not profitable to keep it operating.
It has not been abandoned however and hopefully either the Bertel’s or another group will come in and restore it and run trains on it once again. Great documentary on the line👍
Thanks for sharing! It’s been cool to see people from the area chime in and add information from personal experience.
Your comment is one of the things I love about the YT community. Thanks for sharing your history.
There will need to be some economic impetus for the line to be restored. From what I could see in the video, some sections of track seem to be in remarkably good condition. I have run trains over a lot worse.
I would love to ride again, LOVE to, I hope I get to before I check out
It is sad to see something like that railroad line abandoned. It is so unique and beautiful.
No kidding! Although many commenters have mentioned that it is not actually abandoned, just currently out of service. Maybe they will use it again someday!
As a trail runner AND history hound, this was relevant to ALL my interests thanks mate
To think history was the most boring subject as a schoolboy, but now I'm completely obsessed with it lol
It’s crazy how that changes as we become adults! Thanks for watching 👊
I’m old enough to remember steam powered trains in McCall. I was fortunate enough to ride on the Thunder Mountain Line a year or two before they went out of business. I am surprised at how much rock and debris has accumulated on the tracks in so short of time. But then again, I’m not surprised. When built, the granite outcropping that comprises the tunnel north of Smiths Ferry, was not removed because they feared a massive landslide. As a result, that tunnel is only 39 feet in length and is the shortest tunnel, for standard gage railroads, in North America! Rockslides have closed Highway 55 twice in the last three or four years. The unstable rocks in the canyon contributed to the closure of the railroad. I thoroughly enjoyed your video. Maybe you could make another video running the tracks between Emmett and Horseshoe Bend. There are two tunnels and one or two wood trestles.
Thanks for adding so much insightful information! It's always cool to hear some of the history first hand, from people like you. I believe the tracks in some parts of Emmett are still being used, is the section up to Horseshoe Bend exempt now as well?
@@WhereKentWent The "main line" to McCall started in Nampa. The route to McCall began at the wye, just west of the Nampa station, ran through Middleton and on to Emmett. The rails were ripped out from just north of the Chinden Blvd crossing a mile or so south of Middleton. Rail passenger service from Nampa to McCall terminated in 1949. The "secondary" route to Emmett ran from Payette. IT'S STILL IN USE. The tracks northeast of the Emmett station, could be used to Black Canyon dam, in theory. You'd be safe to run the 16 mile route from there. Use Google Maps and look at Old Dam Rd just short of the first bridge & tunnel on the south side of Black Canyon dam. That would be a good place to start your run. Then it's 8 miles to Montour which is similar terraign to Carbarton where you ended your first run. Or you can choose to run another 8 miles to Emmett. There are three more bridges, on that stretch, including the truss bridge just west of 55, which is slightly longer than the last bridge you crossed between the Rainbow bridge and Cabarton. The second tunnel, about midway, looks to have a massive rockslide at the south portal. September would be a perfect time to do this. Avoid the summer heat. Let me know if you decide to run this section. I'll join your channel: I'll know when you post the video. Bring up my channel and watch the first half of my first video. (The one with 60k views). It's indirectly about the stretch you ran.
I wish I could have lived during the time of steam trains
@@calypsonotch3953 i vaguely remember steam locos when i was about 6 or 7
As an employee of this company, it’s not abandoned, it’s out of service. The reason the weeds are minimal and the track for the most part is decently clear, is because we have to keep up on the weed spraying on the right of way.
Maybe some day it will be returned to service thanks to your hard work!
How can it be active with all of the rock slides on the track ??
Hate to see any line go down. Keeping them railbanked is smart. Easier to repair than totally rebuild which rarely happens but not unheard of. We have a local line that was abandoned and ripped out. Now the politicians regret letting that happen. Bridges ripped out and roadbed obliterated makes it uneconomical to rebuild. It used to have 40-50 trains per day. 😔😔
Indeed, let's hope they put it back in service.
@@alvisjenkins1305 Out of Service means that it's not fully abandoned. If memory serves you need permission to fully abandon railroads. This is especially true if this line is a connection between two railroads.
Look at the Tennessee Pass in Colorado. It's been OOS since the late 90s but the government won't let them fully abandon.The other major rail line over the Rockies is the Moffat. There's a long vital tunnel on Moffat. What happens if there's a collapse, or worse a major derailment and fire inside it. It could take months, or longer to reopen it. By having Tennessee Pass still available, it's likely that this would be an easier route to reopen. They also want to keep it as a possible alternative route if traffic suffices.
As far as the line shown here, the government might require that it be fully opened, even if at restricted speed if there's a bridge collapse, major landslide, or other serious damage to the lines that it connects. I don't know the area, but there might be a company that wants to build a factory, or some facility that requires rail service. By having it it OOS, where is can fairly easily be re-opened, they have a better chance of a company moving into the area.
I remember riding and operating one of thunder Mountains locomotives the year the line went out of service. I really hope it will come back to service someday, and won’t go completely abandoned. I have too many memories of driving these trains through the beautiful mountains.
That sounds amazing! I bet you have some cool stories
You create a nice vibe as you take us on a run through such a beautiful wilderness. Great music choices too. Thanks.
Thanks a ton! ✌️
Beautiful video on all levels...great spoken documentary, photography and music excellent. Thank you for sharing this incredible journey!
Thanks for watching, Barbara! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
I’m from North Carolina. In 2014 a buddy and I drove that stretch of highway and explored that railroad. I walked partway across the footbridge shown in the video and I remember many of the bridges and tunnels. At the time it looked like the line was still in service but lightly used.
That’s cool! I think it went out of service not long after that.
What a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing!
Of course!
Be careful running across those bridges. Years ago I was walking briskly across one near my house and I missed a tie. My leg went in between two ties and got twisted and great pain followed. Had to scoot myself to the end and down the embankment (active railroad) to rest for over an hour. One of the ties had shifted on one end causing the void and mishap. Thank God I did not break my leg.
I’m glad you didn’t break it too!
Beautiful video. Being a railroad enthusiasts and HO scale modeler.I thoroughly enjoyed this rail journey. Hopefully it will get restored and back in service. Bring back The Steam.
I hope so too!
My son thinks that line should be preserved, restored, and used again for both freight and passenger trains. But he doesn't want that to be wishful thinking he wants it to be a reality!
That would be great!
@@WhereKentWent Yes indeed We are glad you agree 👍😀😊
Lived in Nampa for 10 yrs and explored the mountains as much as I could and could never get enough..Beautiful country..Camped in the area you were in and alot over around Idaho City...Im in Ohio now and hope to get visit there again. Loved the video Thanks
Sounds amazing! Thanks for watching
My grandfather was a train engineer, I've loved trains all my days, I love seeing them and hearing them,I loved riding on them, I miss them so much.
Trains are great!
My uncle was an engineer, and my grandfather was a gandy dancer (lineman) for the railroad. I too love trains.
This was a refreshing video on all levels. Like you, railroads fascinate me. I would park my Jeep in remote locations with my girlfriend and wait for trains to come by. I remember thinking...."I wonder with these tracks are guiding that train to now." I have a model railroad in my basement, however this would be something I'd do in a heartbeat. Thanks Kent for the cool adventure.
Sounds like a lot of fun! Thanks for watching 🙌
I have driven the route from Boise to McCall at least a dozen times the old bridge crossing the river is art deco in design and very well restored. Cool video.
Thanks for watching 👌
I enjoyed this video immensely. Trains have always been one of my loves. My grandfather worked most of his life for the Boston & Maine railroad out of Concord NH. He was an air brake inspector. I felt like I was right there with you. Great job!
Cool! That means a lot, thank you!
Terrific, nice work! Thanks for the effort, central Idaho is my favorite place
Thanks! Yeah it’s got some beautiful areas!
Very cool, thanks for taking us along. I share the same fascination with railroads and I remember passing this one on a road trip in 2007.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.
Excellent video! Thanks for taking us along. Beautiful area. Love the history too.
I appreciate you watching!
Growing up in Boise in the 50's-70's McCall was my favorite place. We went at least every other year. Was real familiar with the rails as a love of trains had me watching them every trip hoping for a train. The big bridge where you started your journey had 55 going under it before the realignment and improving of 55 so very familiar with it. 55 used to be like the section from the Rainbow Bridge up into long valley so quite a trip. Returned last year for a vacation and had to spend some days in McCall, amazed at how the rail route had deteriorated. Last train from McCall was in 1978 and the line from Cascade was torn up shortly after. McCall's mill burned in 76 and took 2 years to haul it all out. The mills at Cascade, Horseshoe Bend, and Emmett all closed in the 80's. The cars for the Thunder Mountain RR scenic train were still in Emmett last I checked. The line has major problems with many rock slides and some washouts from Black Canyon dam all the way to Cascade and would take a lot of money to get back into service. Kind of a shame to see it go.
Facts!
You've given me some real inspiration to go out and find these areas for myself. I make the trip up 55 several times a year but I've never just stopped and camped somewhere out there.
Glad this was inspiring for you!
Beautiful!! I love this so much! You did so great!! This was so peaceful and interesting to watch! Keep it up! 💯
Thanks Gina I really appreciate that!! Glad you liked it.
Great video thank you some really great views.
Glad you enjoyed it!
The river is really pretty. Love seeing all the evergreens up your way.
It is gorgeous. I love it too.
Getting to wander old rails through beautiful country, hard to beat! Thank you for sharing. Great video
Absolutely! Of course, thanks for watching
G'day mate i thoroughly enjoyed your video exploring this fantastic railway line. We have similar abandoned and or out of service lines in Australia, sometimes running throughout beautiful countryside. Cheers old mate.
Thanks mate! 🙌
Back about 1999/2000 there was lumber train that had derailed along that section. About 60 cars if I remember. Lumber all along the track.
Oh wow! Do you know of any news articles talking about that?
@@WhereKentWent I'm sure there is but, ?
Long time runner. Love running railroad tracks. Yes I know it is trespassing. But I never, ever run with headphones on. Always run with my ears always listening for cars, trains or emergency vehicles. Only very careful any more over the bridges with open base When I was younger it wasn’t a problem. Two ties at a time. Now that I’m 71 it is a little scary. Keep on trucking there Kent!
Thanks for the stories! Will do 🏃
Here on Vancouver Island Canada we have the E&N railway which the Alberni line shut down in 2001 with around 20 miles of unused track.
Maybe I should come check it out!
Beautiful video, Kent. You did a great job on editing, which is not easy.
Thank you! That means a lot 🙏
Great filmmaking. Your second camera set up and editing remarkable. Love old and abandoned rail roads. Lived near railroads during childhood in Bend & Culver Oregon. Excellent video.
Thank you so much for the compliment! I’m glad you enjoyed the video.
I love driving up to McCall and Idaho City and seeing the old railway alongside the road and river.
@@GTvsForza me too!
Did you see the old stagecoach trail along the hill on opposite side of the river. Interesting piece of history to point out.
I must have missed it!
super neat vid, thanks for sharing. Completely agree, walking old railroad grades is super interesting and frequently beautiful. Lots of big landslide action on that one! Love the shots of the 1933 road bridge too.
Thanks for the nice comment! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
You know the sad thing is this could be a critical link in running trains from Salt Lake City to boise to Kennewick to Yakima to Seattle. Thats a rout im sure would have a great deal of demand Amtrak should snach this track up for themselves before its too far gone.
True! Seems like a good opportunity.
Only problem is it's a dead end branch line that runs north out of the Boise area and dead ends at Cascade. Used to run thru to McCall and stopped there.
Good luck we out that, had the feds running Amtrak
Mss as is way too much sense and the bureaucrats just want a monthly pay check for sitting on there thumbs
So cool - great to see you powerful running wish I were as fit and young as you are. Enjoy! 👍
Thanks a lot!
Really fascinating video. Have alway been intrigued by this set of tracks going up north - so cool to see someone having explored it!
Thanks for checking out my video! Yes sometimes some of the most interesting things are right in our backyard. See you in the next video!
Such a beautiful trip and gorgeous scenery
I agree! ⛰️
That was a lot of fun !
Yes it was!
Awesome combination of two different hobbies...Good research as well!! ❤❤❤
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Nice hike. Great footage!
A rail-to-trail being installed in Wisconsin is about $225k per mile. Just one viaduct rebuild on the _formerly_ John Wayne Trail was $5.5m. That same trail lost 20 miles one year due to landslides. A whole year. Then there's average maintenance costs. So, no. It's a Pipestone Pass dream 😉.
Enjoy it before a bridge finally goes.
Good insights! Yeah maintenance in a place like this must be insane.
Great video. Our family got to take the train ride many years ago, it was great as like you, I have driven Highway 55 many many times. So the different prospective from across the river was great.
Very cool!
Very nicely done! We live across the street from that RR, just below Horseshoe Bend. The small tunnel just above Black Canyon is partially collapsed but otherwise or stretch is pretty clear. I'm not a runner but have thought about how fun it would be to travel it on a small railcar.
That’s so cool. I’ve thought about doing that section but I always get a little nervous to go through people’s land. I never know how folks will react if they see me.
Cool video!
Love the scenery!
Went on a road trip 2 year ago thru Idaho from Creston B.C.
We have a out of service rail line here on Vancouver Island British Columbia Canada
Glad my wife and I went on a trip from Courtenay to Victoria when we did because they shut it down the following year
Thanks for watching! Sounds like a lot of fun 🍁
That was fun, and I recognize parts from another video I recently watched. Very cool.
Glad you enjoyed it!
i dont feel like going into what running does for people, but its life changing, it teaches SO much, so much so i know how to do mind numbing things and be somewhere else as one example
Very insightful!
It looks as if you could have easily run the whole thing in a day if you hadn't taken the time to give us all of the nice video angles of tunnels, bridges and scenery. Thanks for sharing!
It would have been a long day but definitely doable! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!
Kent, I enjoyed following along on Google earth. I'll check out your other adventures.
Thank you! I used Google Earth when I originally planned out this adventure. It gave me a pretty good idea of what to expect but there are a few spots where the trees are so thick you can’t see the tracks. That made it so I didn’t know exactly where that big tunnel was.
Always makes me feel sad to see a disused railway when I was a boy I used to love exploring a line that was disused but now most of this old lines have been completely lifted and in a lot of cases built over to prevent them ever coming back. I used to love the smells of an old railway, the grease on the track work points, signals etc everything black and oily and the smell of the creosote leeching out of the sleepers.
Good memories!
I've wanted to walk that track for a long time. Maybe i will in the near future....very cool video!
Thank you!
I love doing this type of stuff , I have done this all over Tennessee and Georgia ; great vid !!
Good for you! Thanks 🙏
This is great. I would have been able to walk about a mile before i turned around and went back home though!!! 30 stinkin miles ON RAILROAD TIES!!! I have sore ankles just watching this
😂😂 you’re the first person that I’ve had give me the much needed credit for doing this on railroad ties. The running required constant adjustments since I couldn’t run normally on the ties. Thanks for watching!
That is such a beautiful drive, have been lucky enough to make it and snowmobile up there.
Awesome! Great place to snowmobile!
Very interesting video and thanks for sharing your adventure. I did the drive along this highway and track from Boise to Coeur d'Alene back in 2009 and the area was quite lovely to drive through in most parts. I am glad you did not run across any rattlers hiding out in those boulders. Glad you did not come across any bears or wild dogs. Do you carry any protection against any animals that you encounter? Your camp looked quite cozy but I could not sleep overnight there knowing that I am alone.
I sometimes carry bear spray but felt comfortable without it in this area. Thanks for watching!
@@WhereKentWent Thanks for your reply. I really admire your running skills on the tracks and especially over the boulders. Quite impressive! I LOVE trains and how sad that this railroad no longer exists. Yes, good idea to carry some protection against any wild animals. You are quite brave to be alone in that wilderness, especially at night. I just turned 70 on Wednesday and consider myself quite adventurous on long drives and doing hikes but not like what you did on this adventure. I have tried camping twice and found out that I did not like "roughing it" that much. Oh well.... Be safe out there and I look forward to seeing more of your adventures. Victor in New Mexico
@@DougCeleste Thanks Victor, stay adventurous!
@@DougCeleste Also, I have only been to New Mexico once but I filmed a video while I was there. You might enjoy it! Here’s a link to it:ua-cam.com/video/LrJ4YVNvIkc/v-deo.html
@@WhereKentWent Thanks for the link and I will have to check out your N.M. video. Lots to explore in this state. (I am native of San Jose, CA. and lived there for almost 60 years.) 😎
Sick vid bro! Some dope shots
Thanks man!
Driving by Boise on I84 I never realized there was such a nice canyon nearby.
Yeah it’s crazy there are some decent mountains pretty close to Boise
Shame the line could not continue as an excursion route. Gorgeous scenery!!
It is a shame. Thanks for watching!
Exellent! Greetings from UK.
Thanks for tuning in from across the pond!
Railroad ties are not meant to be run on...the spacing is all wrong. Big surprise! I've walked more than my share of ROWs and my knees hurt just watching you. You're krazy...deserves a subscription!
You’re telling me! Maybe you can tell in the video that I was running a little funny. Thanks for the support!
Quelle aventure ! Merci pour le partage de cette belle découverte. Nature intacte, silence, grand air, avec des trains ce serait évidemment encore mieux ! 😀👍👏
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching 🚂
Great video it would be nice to see trains use this line more often in the future
Yes it would!
Great video Kent!
Thanks Kyle!
Nice job thanks for sharing 👍
Sure thing thanks for watching 🔥
Thank you for sharing! Outstanding!
Of course! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I actually got the chance of riding the tour trains when the railroad did a pumpkin patch train in 2013 or 2012 it was a thrill especially when the locomotives were old Santa Fe F units
Sounds like a good time!
We rented the train for our wedding in 2014. Everyone loved it.
@@robeld6861 excellent!
neat old rails that be good for the rail bike
That would be cool
@@WhereKentWent yes rail bike price is up there for the kit but be neat for the rail line you show us
I'm 77, can walk as far as my car on invalid legs and asbestos lungs. Thank you much for carrying me along...sub'd and liked
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks!
Great video!!!
@@horsdevors4559 thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
Great video, thanks for sharing !
Sure thing, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Nice run!
Thanks!
I remember in the late 80 when that railroad was still active a lumber car derailed near the Banks campground. The Payette was choked with finished lumber for weeks afterwards.
Wow that’s very interesting thanks for sharing!
Despite the railroad being abandoned it could be restored there isn’t that much damage to the tracks the rockslides can be quickly cleared and some weed killer sprayed on the tracks and you are mostly set to go.
Thanks for the insight! Unfortunately I think it's one of those things where it doesn't bring in enough revenue to make it worth it right now.
@@WhereKentWent sadly I’m the current state of our country that is the case. However I do think it could be restored in the future since railroads are designed to be expensive to build but cheaper to maintain and it will probably stay that way for a long time.
Loved the video, enjoyed your thoughts.
Thanks! I appreciate it.
Most great video. But the railroad darn sure looks abandoned to me. I lived in Mt. Home, Idaho in 1972/73 and traveled to Boise, McCall, and a good bit of the surrounding area then. I'd bet I traveled Hwy 55 and probably saw this railroad although I don't specifically recall it. Idaho is a beautiful state. I left in Dec 73 haven't been back. Thanks for sharing this video.
Thanks for watching, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Get it reopened looks great and the scenery 👌
Thanks for watching!
Cool video. Very well done. Thank you!!
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!
Great video. Always sad to see lines abandoned or out of service. Looks like the line continued on. Where does it end at? Or does it meet up with another line?
Thanks! Going south the railroad returns to service pretty quick. I’m not sure what it does going Northbound.
@@WhereKentWent It terminated in McCall at the lumber mill which closed in the 80's. Track was removed between cascade and McCall. In later years it was used primarily to service the lumber yards in Cascade and Horseshoe Bend. As the mills closed down the trains stopped using the track until Thunder Mountain started running.
@@robeld6861 thanks for clarifying!
When we moved to Meridian 6 years ago there were still Thunder Mountain RR brochures around town. I was very disappointed to find out they had already closed. When we later drove to McCall, I noticed some washouts and down trees on the right of way but not as severe as your trip.
Yeah I was disappointed when I heard it was closed too. That’s why I decided to do this run!
❤
Was that one of the most dangerous lines to operate? I can't believe it wasn't better protected from rock slides.
Interesting journey.
Not sure if it was dangerous, but I know the line would close from time to time due to rockfall.
I like the split log fence there at the end
Good stuff!
Excellent shot. Like ! ! !
Thanks!
Realy very intresting.Govt should open the treck. Syed Ali usa.
🚂👍
Just walk and enjoy.🚞
I had plenty of time to enjoy on this trip!
As I am past running but do enjoy walking track/trails like that. As you say it is very good to I bath in a creek or river, take the water out and pour it on me to wet myself and then rinse off the soap. Nothing like being clean . This year was hot so was very good in the lake, Enjoyable.
Love that! Thanks for the comment.
Pretty country.
Rightwithya, in that I, too, would have enjoyed a ride on this little line!
I'm always surprised (I shouldn't be) when a RR leaves bridges and rails behind.
No kidding! Yeah I think it’s so expensive to remove everything, so it’s not worth it.
Awesome video, great Mountain biking trail! What is the full length of this railway?
The section of out of service rail goes from Cascade to Emmett. Trains run west from Emmett and hook into other sections.
@@WhereKentWent Yup, i followed it on google earth. Very nice!
Amazing adventure and video! I subbed-up and look forward to more videos from you!
That means a lot. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing.
🤘🤘
Thank you for sharing.
Of course, thanks for watching!
I understand but you will think different when you get older. But I didn't realize how bad the track was
i WAS AM ENGINEER TRAINER FOR THE INP FROM THE FIRST DAY AND 2 YEARS AFTERWARD RAN TRAINS ON THE WHOLE SYSTEM AS THE OFFICES WERE IN EMMIT AND LAGRANDE WORKED THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SCENERY ON THE JOSEPH BRANCH. THE OWNER STILL LIVES RETIRED IN CALDWELL AND WE ARE GREAT FRIENDS AND OLD I WOKED MOSTLY OUT OF LAGRANDE. I REMEMBER THE GIRLS AT THE RESTAURANT IN BANKS ROAD ONE OF THEM TO CASCADE AS WE USED TO STAY OVER NIGHT THERE. THE CASCADE LINE WAS VERY SCENIC AND I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE MOST OF THE LINE IS ABANDONBED, SAD TO BE SURE I MISS YHE COUNTRY . I LIVE HERE IN SAN ANTONIO TEXAS FOR THE LAST 37 YERRS.....GREAT MEMORIES
Cool! Thanks for sharing your experience.
caps lock
The structure you looked at after you crossed the Trestle on day 2 was the off loading platform for the old River to rails operation thunder mountain line and Idaho whitewater UNLTD where you could take the train up unload the raft paddle down river to the take out and have a Tasty Dutch oven meal in Smiths Ferry. I helped build a lot of it
That’s so cool!
Thanks for this video, I appreciate all your work on it. From the looks of it, that railroad is likely still owned as a railroad, given that the rails and signage remains. (ok, confirmed by another comment below)
Where I live (Vancouver Island, in southwest British Columbia), I do a similar thing on an old out-of-service railroad in my area, where it has been more than 20+ years since the last train. I love the combination of railroad history, exercise, and the continual evidence of nature pushing-back and reclaiming the grade.
Thanks again for your excellent work.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!
The only reason there are still tracks and they have not been scrapped is that it would cost more than what they would get out of it. The price of iron and all. Cool landscape.
Good insight thanks!
That would make an awesome rail trail for biking.
No kidding!
Very enjoyable video
Thank you!