I'm not sure why this was recommended me to me, but I'm glad it was. I love looking at aerial maps and seeing where old railroads used to run. They shape everything from road layouts in neighborhoods to the directions that buildings face. It's really cool and a little sad to see all the work that went into that infrastructure become almost forgotten.
Lmao to think some random dude mowing a lawn in Marineland was gonna do anything except wave at you and carry on Dude's probably stoned outta his mind enjoying the weather
The Chippawa Spur is still active with two customers for CP Rail the first to the left of the first crossing and a second one in Marineland. A locomotive only goes into Chippawa to pick up or drop off train cars as needed but its not often. The track to Welland also has customers along the line with only 1 or 2 trains a week. The rest of the tracks into the USA were closed in 2001 and all CP Rail and CN Rail Trains cross the Border into the United States at Fort Erie Ontario. Thanks so much for the awesome video. lots of history!
I certainly know there is a train passing Doreen drive at 7 am most mornings. It usually wakes me on days off when I'm trying to sleep in. 95 percent of them are north bound, but some South bound does go down through evening time.
Born & raised in Niagara, it was really interesting to see how the city has changed via your POV & the old line. So refreshing to see young people taking an interest in things other than technology. More young people need to get out and touch grass. Great job! Appreciate your effort.
The trains that ran by various railroads from Penn Central to New York Central to Conrail to Canadian Pacific were present during my childhood through my teenaged years to adulthood. I used to live in a house adjacent to a train bridge at Park Street and Zimmerman Avenue (formerly Clifton Street) many years ago The four way intersection at Simcoe and Ontario street that the double track mainline cut across diagonally were protected by wig-wags, one at each corner. An amazing spectacle was seen when trains crossed Clifton Hill during the height of the tourist season and US bound long trains that blocked downtown streets beyond Simcoe and Ontario streets while waiting at customs.. The trains used to roughly follow the route from downtown to where I used to work (Skylon). I was glad to see them on my way to work or back home. I miss those days. Thanks, Don for your trek and narration of this previously active line including the spur that branched off the mainline through backyards to reach the interchange yard with CN. Your video is top notch.
Back in 1985, my brother and some friends hopped on the very slow moving train at Clifton Hill to get a ride back into Chippawa, where my brother was staying with a friend. Sadly, my brother either jumped, or was pushed off, just before the train bridge that goes over Marineland Parkway. He lost his footing on the almost 90 degree embankment, rolled down and hit his head on the abutment of the bridge. He died. I cannot pass that bridge without thinking about him. This video was EXCELLENT. Thank you.
Great video - walking along abandoned tracks and rights of way are a passion of mine. I remember the track crossing Clifton Hill, but never got to see a train use it. I think there originally were two tracks and a station right at that intersection. Whenever I take the GO to Niagara, I walk that rail path into town and start cursing when the casino comes into view - the casino that displaced the trains! If I splurge on lunch at the Skylon, I make sure to look at the view of the old rail line from above - it's like a Google map.
Just saying, the music choices and edits are really good! Just as I start getting bored with the video you change the mood with some music and take me down another little adventure along your walk. Keep up the great work! Oh, and the special effects, throwing bridges up where they used to be, very imformative and entertainging
I really appreciate the time and effort put into this video It shows I'm about your age And grew up exploring in niagara There are some neat forgotten pieces of history
good on you! Abandoned railways are a hiker’s dream. Besides the problems posed by things like washed out bridges, there are often landowners trying to take over the railbeds for themselves and they can get pretty irritable!
The hydro building that is Ontario Hydro is right across the tracks from Canadian Niagara Power. I worked for CNP and was the 4th generation with the company. The buildings to the west Ontario Hydro I believe is shops, but the reason why they are located here in proximity is CNP produced 25 cycle power (which older factories used). 60 cycle is what more modern factories use as well as residential houses and is the standard. This is where they transfer power from Ontario Hydro (Hydro One) to CNP to serve it's customers in sourthern Niagara. That rail line you followed carried the transmission line to Southern Niagara as it follows the old right of way to Fort Erie. It used to cross at Buffalo for the factories as well. The hydro plant that used to produce the power is now a tourist attraction. CNP where you were is known as station 11. CNP buys both 60 and 25 cycle power from Hydro One now. But they used to produce 25 cycle.
@@frankjankovich3512 Cool my great grandfather and grandfather where operators at the CNP power station. My dad was a millwright. I was only fortunate enough to be a summer hire for a few summers in the late 80's early 90's (can remember if it was out of high school or college as I was training to be a programmer for a career. Other than doing odd jobs with the electrical gang at station 11 and the shops in Fort Erie I got a chance to help dig the trenches in what would become staiton 17 in Stevensville. Entered the power station for the first time in almost 30 years this past summer. The smell of grease on all the old equipment brought back lots of memories the moment I stepped back in again. Was different walking the tunnel wihout the creek of water we walked through when the plant was still operational but not generating during the summer.
Im glad this got recommended to me, the algorithm is your friend, old abandonded urban railways interest me im from the other side of the country in Vancouver we have an old urban line its called the Arbutus Corridor which was eventually torn out and a bike path put in , there is still a small stretch of tracks that is left that was used for the Olympics in 2010 the city leased some european trams to run on the track carrying passengers to and fro, we also have the old Rail Corridor with spectacular old wooden trestles that ran on Vancouver Island which is sadly being replaced with walking paths
Nice work DJ. I remember in a July '78 visit to Niagara Falls the active rail line at the top of Clifton Hill Rd. Traffic had to stop momentarily as trains passed, yet Canadian visitors to NF in those days didn't care and took it in-stride as railways through urban centres were an accepted part of life. The remaining rail line up to the hotel/commercial centre of the tourist area gives a thought the railway still owns the property and may at some time in the future reconstitute this rail thoroughfare. Albeit around the hotel garage. It was a freight line in hindsight, yet you have showcased what was once a vital rail link of commerce in this country. Your video is one of the best about this rail line on the internet...thank you.
@@johnpatterson4272 thanks for watching! i love hearing first hand accounts of what the line was like back in the day. glad you enjoyed and thanks for the kind words.
Crazy! When I went to Niagara Falls this June with my youth group, we drove the exact same road shown at 9:16. I couldn't tell at all that we were passing by what used to be a railway line.
I know you are a young man but I remember coming to Niagara Falls in Autumn 2000 - and the trains were still thumping through downtown NF multiple times per day at that time. It was 20-something years ago but doesn't feel that long ago to me (this is what happens when you get old!) I guess the line closed a year or so later. As you said, most tourists didn't even know there was a rail line there other than the occasional rumbling as the train went by. However, as a train geek this interested me very much. Strangely, I felt a little sad when I was there in the late 2000s and saw the line had been abandoned by that time. It was quite a busy line in its day! Thanks for documenting part of this old line!
Cool way to explore railroad history. That line was once part of CASO (Canadian Southern Railway). Basically a NYC subsidiary that offered a short cut through Ontario between New York and Michigan. When NYC became Conrail so did this line. It eventually was sold jointly to CP and CN who then systematically dismantled what was a double track mainline connecting Niagara Area to the Detroit area. All that was really kept was the tunnel at Detroit to cross the boarder and some local tracks around Niagara to serve local freight customers. Last passenger service was the Rainbow service offered by Amtrak that cut off the Ontario part of the route from Detroit through Niagara Falls, ending that part of the route in 1979.
I grew up in chippawa i played on these rail tracks as a kid, We used the same method to go to marineland for free🤣Part of those tracks were still used in the 2000s by that factory I think the name was norton or something close to it great video thank-you for the nostalgia
This brought me back to my childhood. I grew up in Chippawa when part of the train bridge was still there. I've walked the tracks from Chippawa to Cliffton Hill and just beyond many times when the rail line was active. Having to get off the tracks because the train was coming. Thank you for the video.
This randomly popped up in my feed for some reason. Cool video. Thanks for sharing! It's too bad that couldn't have been kept an active line even for running a tourist train or tram of some kind through the city. Now mostly wasteland. :(
I live in London and over the last 20 years my wife and I have visited Niagara Falls for all the expected reasons and I always look out for signs of these tracks. I can remember when they existed near Clifton Hill but never any trains on them.
Just a bit of info, Downtown Niagara Falls, Ontario is not the Clifton Hill/tourist area. It is Queen Street and starts at Victroria Ave and ends at the Niagara Parkway. On Sunday nights, my buddies and I would get in our cars and cruise up and down Clifton Hill/Victoria Ave. On a few occasions, I do remember having to wait for a train where the line crosses at the top of Clifton Hil. Looked so weird seeing a huge freight train slowly lumbering past lots and lots of tourists in the area. Cool video!!!
Awesome walk in memory lane for me as ive made large parts of that walk being a Chippewa boy. My brother and his friends used to light the trestle in Chippewa on fire for Cabbage night... too funny
As a Niagara resident and lived here most my life , I can say I've walked those tracks many many times , as a kid we used to walk from Niagara to chippawa to go swimming and the tracks were our trail to and from ,
Great video!! I've lived in the falls since 94, and it was fun to watch you walk the old train line.. I don't think u realize how crazy the owners of marineland are or you would have never tried that.. I can tell u some stories but glad u made it out alive
I remember 55 years ago watching the teaun going through Clifton Hill area the crossing the old swimg bridge where the welland river and Hydro Canal meet great video brings bak a lot of memories. It ran in the mid '80's i onow ror sure...i think they were close in the mid '90's if i remember correctly. Were your st TGIF that youd to be The Burning Springs Wax Museum nut it hutnt down many years ago thatvis just before you get to the Fallsview Casino That round about area was an CN yard where the had an remote control CN engine moving a few cars around and had a supply building or CN workers...
I used to work at one of the very first hotels you walked past in Niagara Falls. I remember looking down at that “parking lot” and wondered why it looked so unfinished for the area it was in. Had no idea it used to be a railroad. This was such an interesting video and I learned something new about a place I grew up in!
Agree. This particular railroad line seems so stupid to have removed. A leisure railway would have been perfect here. Going from the go station all the way to Chippewa. It would have brought so much to the city and reduced so much traffic. Tourists would have loved it along with locals.
The existing trackage through Marineland, and surrounding area is still in use. The dead section facing the Embassy Hotel is one end of the Wye the light power uses to access Marineland. Rumours of it being abandoned in the near future however.
The saddest part of abandoned railtracks is just letting go of this prime right of way directly in the heart of the city (that's often the case). There could be so many cool uses for tourism and business trains
I was in Niagara Falls/Clifton Hill two weekends ago and I walked the path along Victoria; and all the way along the path @17:40. I didn’t know then that it was the train path. Thank you for this awesome video!
walking the old remnants of tracks is a neat idea. enjoyable video to watch, it's not really disappointing or sad that these tracks are gone. Things change for good reason in every city. this is just another example
Really cool video!! Brought back lots of memories for me. I have been visiting Niagara Falls since the 1970's and remember when those tracks were active. Before all those high rise hotels, there was just the Tower Hotel, which used to be the Panasonic/Minolta Tower. Next to the tower were the Waltzing Waters and a souvenir shop and snack shop. You could sit at the snack shop and look down on the tracks and sometimes see a train come by. I also remember sitting in Mama Mia's, which used to be right at the top of Clifton Hill on Victoria Ave., and getting excited when a train came by. Also one year, I think 1978, traffic was backed up at Clifton Hill and Victoria and my dad got stopped right on the tracks with a train coming. Luckily the trains went super slow through that area so the train was able to stop until the tracks cleared. Lastly, at 20:40 when you show the map of the tracks going through downtown. You can see the one building at Queen & Erie streets with the northeast corner built at an angle. That is because of the tracks that used to be there. I think they are trying to put that building on the list of historic buildings partly because of it's unique shape.
I remember Waltzing Waters at the Panasonic Tower! Loved them. Was sad when they were ended. My father had a German sausage stand at the base of the Panasonic Tower!
A very cool watch, thanks for posting! I've been down there a few times, but didn't even notice any railroad clues. I really expected to see the red pickup a couple more times.
I use to explore but haven’t in about 3 years. Your video popped up as recommended. Looked interesting, I’m from the GTA, been to Niagara countless times and learned something new about the old railroad 🛤️ down there. Now, I’d LOVE to see you do those 7-8mile hikes daily, build up and then head out to Thru Hike the Appalachian Trail. Vlogging all 2190+ miles 😊
I used to Uraban Explore. The Ontario Hyrdo Building you mention at 07:15 is pretty cool inside. The most amazing feature though, is a rot iron spiral staircase that goes from the basement to the second floor as a fire escape. Toss me a message if you want to see some pics!
I did this in downtown Sudbury. I grew up on Louis street downtown which actually use to be a major train station (never knew growing up) until I wandered into the forest following along side junction creek. I found old rail lines side by side in the middle of the woods. That’s when I started looking into it.
Although this will be met with many obstacles and protest, I do think a Niagara Falls LRT line would definitely cook as an idea to utilize this old abandoned trackage. We honestly have a problem with not taking advantage of old infrastructure to reuse and modernize it, while massively saving on costs.
Skylon tower is sure showing its age! Love how he just walks through other peoples property! It’s kinda weird how you can tell whenever you see an old rail bed, how towns either leave the track bed alone , or use the track bed as a bed for a road, and you can usually follow where the tracks used to be!
There’s a ton of these abandoned tracks crisscrossing upstate New York where the only way to even detect some is seeing where tree lines get weird from aerial photos and matching them to old rail line maps
I totally forgot how the train used to cross Cliften Hill. I remember how it use to cause such a traffic jam when the train would come. So much has changed since the 90's. I kind of miss the way it was.
This is so cool! My dad lives in Niagara and he always talks about how there was train tracks. He loves them and likes to find out where they use to run. I enjoyed this a lot, I had no idea this track went through the main city
Great video, I like how you showed some old footage, along with the map visual to showcase the route the tracks used to go through. Even I had no idea that place had a train.
Moved to Thorold recently. Been finding out about the extensive rail history around here that’s slowly disappearing. I followed the track on Google Maps, and it looks like that track is still in use. There are 2 or 3 business around that still have rail cars in their yard, and the track that meets with the like does go to Welland. It travels a fair distance but it eventually meets up with the 2 tracks that run along side Townline Tunnel Road (58A). You can also follow the imaginary track through the falls, to meet with the Olympic trail and see feint reminders that tracks used to run through there, and eventually meet with the old red steel bridge that crosses the border beside the current rail border bridge. The amount of times I wish I could have gone back just to see how things were just for a day.. born on 92’ I’ve missed a lot of this history that interests me.
There are quite a few abandoned lines in Niagara Falls, just like Fort Erie, Welland, etc. all over Niagara. The Erie and Ontario was the first railraod I believe in Canada (there is a monument on the SW corner of Stanley and Morrison. So that bare area that had the bridge beside the active passenger/commuter line was the E&O and it continued to Chippawa and eventually headed to Fort Erie. The last section you were on was not the E&O but used to be used as an interchange connector to CN to get to CP (Conrail and everything before it). As already mentioned Chippawa Spur to Chippawa Jct (above the falls near the casino) is still active. Not sure why GO Transit doesn't negotiate with CP though difficult as they can be to have a direct run from Toronto/Hamilton to the casino at the very least. I'm glad you got a look at that tunnel and the buildings because I was always curious how feasable that is and it appears to be very feasable to put a station right there. Another railroad the NS&T runs a section east and west out of town to Thorold. It runs parallel along a small hydro line south of Thorold Stone Road and still has a bit of track on it between Stanley and the CN Stamford Sub for access to an industry.
Going south from the missing Chippewa bridge, the old rail line continues to and through Fort Erie, including through peoples' back-yards all the way to where it would join the tracks to the current railway brige to America.
I live in Niagara-on-the-lake only because I'm studying winery and viticulture and I also work at a winery's retail side. I've always had this affliction for Niagara's Beauty, brings a bit of pride and joy to me also knowing I'm less than 10 kilometers away from a wonder of the world.
This was an absolutely amazing video my brother, these old abandoned railroads have always mesmerized me, there’s this particular one I’ve found and taken an interest to myself up here in Caledon, right next to the Belfountain Conservation Area is a railroad that leads in one direction the entire way to Owen Sound, and in the other direction through the entirety of Brampton, Mississauga, all the way to Toronto, all entirely abandoned! Exploring that would be an insane challenge.
I remember that rail line. Back in 1987 when we were on vacation in Niagara Falls while I was taking videos of the area, I also got videos of the train tracks. It was also the time that the rail roads where on strike back then and there was no rail service on the Canadian side. We took the Amtrak Maple leaf from New York City to Niagara Falls. But if you wanted to continue to Toronto they had shuttle buses to get you there.
At approximately 20:30 you will note a white building on the north-west corner of Queen Street and Erie Avenue. It is a five sided building, which was built to accommodate the railway tracks going through that location. It was originally the Hamilton Bank. Since those days it has been many things including several variety stores. It is now abandoned … no doubt going to be hit with a wrecking ball in no time I’m sure. The building that you mentioned as being where the tracks went behind at approximately 21:06 was Cataract Ice at one time. They made ice for all retail and wholesale outlets throughout the Niagara area, including large blocks and huge bags of ice cubes for all the ice machines at the various stores.
A long time ago, before they built any casino in the falls my family and I lived right next to these tracks. All the neighborhood kids would run to the tracks every time a train came by in the summers and we would all stand and wave and get the conductor to blow the train whistle for us. I also remember my dad and uncle showing us kids how to put pennies on the rails to squish them. Back when going outside was all there was to do lol. Thanks for the reminder
I actually remember the train tracks on Victoria Avenue i used to play golf at jungle land, mini putt, and the trains would run right behind there now that’s an outback steakhouse where the course used to be for me. It’s kind of sad. I remember walking down Victoria Avenue when the trains were coming in the opposite direction always made you feel like you were standing still even though you were walking.
Wowzers I remember having to wait for those trains to pass just to go down Cliffton Hill, I use to think it was crazy that freight trains were rolling by with all those tourist wandering about. Like the trains went slow but still also when the last car would whoosh outta view and it would reveal Cliffton Hill to me kinda like a scene out of a movie or at least that's what lil kid me thought. Oh & some ppl use to use the tracks to sneak into Marineland, ya their was a risk that you could get caught but free roller coaster rides lmao
driving you was genuinely the most side quest thing ive ever done
ayyyy glad you found the video!
This awesome walk bro ❤❤❤❤❤
I'm not sure why this was recommended me to me, but I'm glad it was. I love looking at aerial maps and seeing where old railroads used to run. They shape everything from road layouts in neighborhoods to the directions that buildings face. It's really cool and a little sad to see all the work that went into that infrastructure become almost forgotten.
The all mighty algorithm strikes again!
Oh yeh it's so saaaad
I wouldn’t say it’s forgotten as those layouts still exist, its purpose has evolved. The rail may not exist but its purpose is still felt.
Lmao to think some random dude mowing a lawn in Marineland was gonna do anything except wave at you and carry on
Dude's probably stoned outta his mind enjoying the weather
The Chippawa Spur is still active with two customers for CP Rail the first to the left of the first crossing and a second one in Marineland. A locomotive only goes into Chippawa to pick up or drop off train cars as needed but its not often. The track to Welland also has customers along the line with only 1 or 2 trains a week.
The rest of the tracks into the USA were closed in 2001 and all CP Rail and CN Rail Trains cross the Border into the United States at Fort Erie Ontario.
Thanks so much for the awesome video. lots of history!
Thanks for your comment. Great context
I certainly know there is a train passing Doreen drive at 7 am most mornings. It usually wakes me on days off when I'm trying to sleep in. 95 percent of them are north bound, but some South bound does go down through evening time.
God man you‘ve done a great service to the history of this line by documenting and walking the full trail, as a big fan of trains, thank you!
Born & raised in Niagara, it was really interesting to see how the city has changed via your POV & the old line. So refreshing to see young people taking an interest in things other than technology. More young people need to get out and touch grass. Great job! Appreciate your effort.
Thank you for doing this. Memories of the old train just passing through Clifton Hill was all normal.
The trains that ran by various railroads from Penn Central to New York Central to Conrail to Canadian Pacific were present during my childhood through my teenaged years to adulthood. I used to live in a house adjacent to a train bridge at Park Street and Zimmerman Avenue (formerly Clifton Street) many years ago
The four way intersection at Simcoe and Ontario street that the double track mainline cut across diagonally were protected by wig-wags, one at each corner.
An amazing spectacle was seen when trains crossed Clifton Hill during the height of the tourist season and US bound long trains that blocked downtown streets beyond Simcoe and Ontario streets while waiting at customs..
The trains used to roughly follow the route from downtown to where I used to work (Skylon). I was glad to see them on my way to work or back home.
I miss those days.
Thanks, Don for your trek and narration of this previously active line including the spur that branched off the mainline through backyards to reach the interchange yard with CN. Your video is top notch.
Back in 1985, my brother and some friends hopped on the very slow moving train at Clifton Hill to get a ride back into Chippawa, where my brother was staying with a friend. Sadly, my brother either jumped, or was pushed off, just before the train bridge that goes over Marineland Parkway. He lost his footing on the almost 90 degree embankment, rolled down and hit his head on the abutment of the bridge. He died. I cannot pass that bridge without thinking about him. This video was EXCELLENT. Thank you.
Enjoyed that immensely. I remember being fascinated seeing trains cross Clifton Hill when I was still fresh off the boat. Cheers!
Great video - walking along abandoned tracks and rights of way are a passion of mine. I remember the track crossing Clifton Hill, but never got to see a train use it. I think there originally were two tracks and a station right at that intersection. Whenever I take the GO to Niagara, I walk that rail path into town and start cursing when the casino comes into view - the casino that displaced the trains! If I splurge on lunch at the Skylon, I make sure to look at the view of the old rail line from above - it's like a Google map.
Just saying, the music choices and edits are really good! Just as I start getting bored with the video you change the mood with some music and take me down another little adventure along your walk. Keep up the great work! Oh, and the special effects, throwing bridges up where they used to be, very imformative and entertainging
I really appreciate the time and effort put into this video It shows I'm about your age And grew up exploring in niagara There are some neat forgotten pieces of history
good on you! Abandoned railways are a hiker’s dream. Besides the problems posed by things like washed out bridges, there are often landowners trying to take over the railbeds for themselves and they can get pretty irritable!
This is my hometown and I can confidently say what this man did is unbelievable🎉
The hydro building that is Ontario Hydro is right across the tracks from Canadian Niagara Power. I worked for CNP and was the 4th generation with the company. The buildings to the west Ontario Hydro I believe is shops, but the reason why they are located here in proximity is CNP produced 25 cycle power (which older factories used). 60 cycle is what more modern factories use as well as residential houses and is the standard. This is where they transfer power from Ontario Hydro (Hydro One) to CNP to serve it's customers in sourthern Niagara. That rail line you followed carried the transmission line to Southern Niagara as it follows the old right of way to Fort Erie. It used to cross at Buffalo for the factories as well. The hydro plant that used to produce the power is now a tourist attraction. CNP where you were is known as station 11. CNP buys both 60 and 25 cycle power from Hydro One now. But they used to produce 25 cycle.
I used to work at Canadian Niagara as well as Ontario hydro 🎉25 cycles was my specialty
I used to work at Canadian Niagara as well as Ontario hydro 🎉25 cycles was my specialty the building was the switch station for Toronto power plant
You missed the branch line just before Clifton hill to the shredded wheat plant to deliver wheat
@@frankjankovich3512 I remember when that was still in play back in the Conrail days.
@@frankjankovich3512 Cool my great grandfather and grandfather where operators at the CNP power station. My dad was a millwright. I was only fortunate enough to be a summer hire for a few summers in the late 80's early 90's (can remember if it was out of high school or college as I was training to be a programmer for a career. Other than doing odd jobs with the electrical gang at station 11 and the shops in Fort Erie I got a chance to help dig the trenches in what would become staiton 17 in Stevensville. Entered the power station for the first time in almost 30 years this past summer. The smell of grease on all the old equipment brought back lots of memories the moment I stepped back in again. Was different walking the tunnel wihout the creek of water we walked through when the plant was still operational but not generating during the summer.
Im glad this got recommended to me, the algorithm is your friend, old abandonded urban railways interest me im from the other side of the country in Vancouver we have an old urban line its called the Arbutus Corridor which was eventually torn out and a bike path put in , there is still a small stretch of tracks that is left that was used for the Olympics in 2010 the city leased some european trams to run on the track carrying passengers to and fro, we also have the old Rail Corridor with spectacular old wooden trestles that ran on Vancouver Island which is sadly being replaced with walking paths
Nice work DJ. I remember in a July '78 visit to Niagara Falls the active rail line at the top of Clifton Hill Rd. Traffic had to stop momentarily as trains passed, yet Canadian visitors to NF in those days didn't care and took it in-stride as railways through urban centres were an accepted part of life. The remaining rail line up to the hotel/commercial centre of the tourist area gives a thought the railway still owns the property and may at some time in the future reconstitute this rail thoroughfare. Albeit around the hotel garage. It was a freight line in hindsight, yet you have showcased what was once a vital rail link of commerce in this country. Your video is one of the best about this rail line on the internet...thank you.
@@johnpatterson4272 thanks for watching! i love hearing first hand accounts of what the line was like back in the day. glad you enjoyed and thanks for the kind words.
It's actually such a nice little hike!
Thanks for doing this. I remember watching trains of the Chessie System rolling through here in the 80s!
glad you enjoyed it! and thank you so much!!
Crazy! When I went to Niagara Falls this June with my youth group, we drove the exact same road shown at 9:16. I couldn't tell at all that we were passing by what used to be a railway line.
so cool to see the city like this my hometown looks nice
This is awesome. Thanks for sharing. Good for you for doing this and caring about our Canada history. Very interesting. You're brave.
Idk why I was recommended this, but living in Welland , this was cool to watch!
I know you are a young man but I remember coming to Niagara Falls in Autumn 2000 - and the trains were still thumping through downtown NF multiple times per day at that time. It was 20-something years ago but doesn't feel that long ago to me (this is what happens when you get old!) I guess the line closed a year or so later.
As you said, most tourists didn't even know there was a rail line there other than the occasional rumbling as the train went by. However, as a train geek this interested me very much. Strangely, I felt a little sad when I was there in the late 2000s and saw the line had been abandoned by that time. It was quite a busy line in its day! Thanks for documenting part of this old line!
Brillant video. Swear i've seen this line when still active. None the less well mapped out and executed!
Cool way to explore railroad history. That line was once part of CASO (Canadian Southern Railway). Basically a NYC subsidiary that offered a short cut through Ontario between New York and Michigan.
When NYC became Conrail so did this line. It eventually was sold jointly to CP and CN who then systematically dismantled what was a double track mainline connecting Niagara Area to the Detroit area. All that was really kept was the tunnel at Detroit to cross the boarder and some local tracks around Niagara to serve local freight customers.
Last passenger service was the Rainbow service offered by Amtrak that cut off the Ontario part of the route from Detroit through Niagara Falls, ending that part of the route in 1979.
Right on. I'm born and raised in Niagara falls. Good video .
Beautiful. Thank you 🇨🇦🤩
An epic journey. Well documented, adventurous, and informative. Indeed, a lost opportunity by the city of Niagara Falls.
Cool video. I still remember the trains crossing at the top of Clifton hill 😊
I grew up in chippawa i played on these rail tracks as a kid, We used the same method to go to marineland for free🤣Part of those tracks were still used in the 2000s by that factory I think the name was norton or something close to it great video thank-you for the nostalgia
This brought me back to my childhood. I grew up in Chippawa when part of the train bridge was still there. I've walked the tracks from Chippawa to Cliffton Hill and just beyond many times when the rail line was active. Having to get off the tracks because the train was coming. Thank you for the video.
This randomly popped up in my feed for some reason. Cool video. Thanks for sharing!
It's too bad that couldn't have been kept an active line even for running a tourist train or tram of some kind through the city. Now mostly wasteland. :(
I live in London and over the last 20 years my wife and I have visited Niagara Falls for all the expected reasons and I always look out for signs of these tracks. I can remember when they existed near Clifton Hill but never any trains on them.
Just a bit of info, Downtown Niagara Falls, Ontario is not the Clifton Hill/tourist area. It is Queen Street and starts at Victroria Ave and ends at the Niagara Parkway. On Sunday nights, my buddies and I would get in our cars and cruise up and down Clifton Hill/Victoria Ave. On a few occasions, I do remember having to wait for a train where the line crosses at the top of Clifton Hil. Looked so weird seeing a huge freight train slowly lumbering past lots and lots of tourists in the area. Cool video!!!
i can imagine it, very cool
Awesome walk in memory lane for me as ive made large parts of that walk being a Chippewa boy. My brother and his friends used to light the trestle in Chippewa on fire for Cabbage night... too funny
As a Niagara resident and lived here most my life , I can say I've walked those tracks many many times , as a kid we used to walk from Niagara to chippawa to go swimming and the tracks were our trail to and from ,
What an amazing effort, what a fun adventure! This was so cool @Don Joey, I salute you and your wandering spirit, cheers
Great video!! I've lived in the falls since 94, and it was fun to watch you walk the old train line.. I don't think u realize how crazy the owners of marineland are or you would have never tried that.. I can tell u some stories but glad u made it out alive
I remember 55 years ago watching the teaun going through Clifton Hill area the crossing the old swimg bridge where the welland river and Hydro Canal meet great video brings bak a lot of memories.
It ran in the mid '80's i onow ror sure...i think they were close in the mid '90's if i remember correctly.
Were your st TGIF that youd to be The Burning Springs Wax Museum nut it hutnt down many years ago thatvis just before you get to the Fallsview Casino
That round about area was an CN yard where the had an remote control CN engine moving a few cars around and had a supply building or CN workers...
Love this video. Thanks for showing this.
I used to work at one of the very first hotels you walked past in Niagara Falls. I remember looking down at that “parking lot” and wondered why it looked so unfinished for the area it was in. Had no idea it used to be a railroad. This was such an interesting video and I learned something new about a place I grew up in!
walking the final ties was really satisfying. you also made all the right calls we would have made had we actually journeyed alongside you!
Disappointing that so many railroads have been abandoned.
Agree. This particular railroad line seems so stupid to have removed. A leisure railway would have been perfect here. Going from the go station all the way to Chippewa. It would have brought so much to the city and reduced so much traffic. Tourists would have loved it along with locals.
The existing trackage through Marineland, and surrounding area is still in use. The dead section facing the Embassy Hotel is one end of the Wye the light power uses to access Marineland. Rumours of it being abandoned in the near future however.
This is a really cool video, thanks for making it!
Darn nice video! Bravo! Well Done!
It is a walk through history for sure. You did a great job. I enjoyed the video. Well done.
The saddest part of abandoned railtracks is just letting go of this prime right of way directly in the heart of the city (that's often the case). There could be so many cool uses for tourism and business trains
Loved hearing “im in the backrooms” I take those hallways into work everyday 😂
I was in Niagara Falls/Clifton Hill two weekends ago and I walked the path along Victoria; and all the way along the path @17:40. I didn’t know then that it was the train path. Thank you for this awesome video!
I lived in chippawa for 8 years. This was interesting for sure
I was a chipppawa boy too in the townhouses at the end Willoughby Drive
walking the old remnants of tracks is a neat idea. enjoyable video to watch, it's not really disappointing or sad that these tracks are gone. Things change for good reason in every city. this is just another example
Really cool video!! Brought back lots of memories for me. I have been visiting Niagara Falls since the 1970's and remember when those tracks were active. Before all those high rise hotels, there was just the Tower Hotel, which used to be the Panasonic/Minolta Tower. Next to the tower were the Waltzing Waters and a souvenir shop and snack shop. You could sit at the snack shop and look down on the tracks and sometimes see a train come by. I also remember sitting in Mama Mia's, which used to be right at the top of Clifton Hill on Victoria Ave., and getting excited when a train came by. Also one year, I think 1978, traffic was backed up at Clifton Hill and Victoria and my dad got stopped right on the tracks with a train coming. Luckily the trains went super slow through that area so the train was able to stop until the tracks cleared.
Lastly, at 20:40 when you show the map of the tracks going through downtown. You can see the one building at Queen & Erie streets with the northeast corner built at an angle. That is because of the tracks that used to be there. I think they are trying to put that building on the list of historic buildings partly because of it's unique shape.
I remember Waltzing Waters at the Panasonic Tower! Loved them. Was sad when they were ended. My father had a German sausage stand at the base of the Panasonic Tower!
A very cool watch, thanks for posting! I've been down there a few times, but didn't even notice any railroad clues. I really expected to see the red pickup a couple more times.
You earned my sub, great video
I use to explore but haven’t in about 3 years. Your video popped up as recommended. Looked interesting, I’m from the GTA, been to Niagara countless times and learned something new about the old railroad 🛤️ down there. Now, I’d LOVE to see you do those 7-8mile hikes daily, build up and then head out to Thru Hike the Appalachian Trail. Vlogging all 2190+ miles 😊
this was cool man been niagara my whole life never knew this railway exsisted
That first set you tracks you walked is the Chippewa spur, its meets the Montrose Spur at the Hotels there. Both see service twice a week by CP.
I used to Uraban Explore. The Ontario Hyrdo Building you mention at 07:15 is pretty cool inside. The most amazing feature though, is a rot iron spiral staircase that goes from the basement to the second floor as a fire escape. Toss me a message if you want to see some pics!
definitely! find me on insta and show me
@@donjoey22 I sent you some to the email on your about on UA-cam.
*wrought iron
Just for future reference, not meaning to be a jerk or anything
I did this in downtown Sudbury. I grew up on Louis street downtown which actually use to be a major train station (never knew growing up) until I wandered into the forest following along side junction creek. I found old rail lines side by side in the middle of the woods. That’s when I started looking into it.
Although this will be met with many obstacles and protest, I do think a Niagara Falls LRT line would definitely cook as an idea to utilize this old abandoned trackage. We honestly have a problem with not taking advantage of old infrastructure to reuse and modernize it, while massively saving on costs.
I love that idea! We desperately need better transportation here (both for tourists and locals). Why not use existing infrastructure.
i never knew this track exsisted. Thanks for sharing you Journy, and thanks to the all mighty algorithm for recomending this video.
There’s a ton of these abandoned tracks crisscrossing upstate New York where the only way to even detect some is seeing where tree lines get weird.
Skylon tower is sure showing its age!
Love how he just walks through other peoples property!
It’s kinda weird how you can tell whenever you see an old rail bed, how towns either leave the track bed alone , or use the track bed as a bed for a road, and you can usually follow where the tracks used to be!
I promise you no one who works at Marine Land gives a heck what you do lol.
I remember seeing trains on this line
There’s a ton of these abandoned tracks crisscrossing upstate New York where the only way to even detect some is seeing where tree lines get weird from aerial photos and matching them to old rail line maps
The last CP Rail trains to run on the old Hamilton sub was in late 2001
About Dec 11, yes. It was northbound about 11 pm
@@niagararails How do you know the exact details like that?
@@SvenTSchixeit was a big event in the rail community at the time
I totally forgot how the train used to cross Cliften Hill. I remember how it use to cause such a traffic jam when the train would come. So much has changed since the 90's. I kind of miss
the way it was.
Epic video! Dunno how it came up on my feed, but glad it did... Nice editing, and a cool journey. Well done buddy :)
This is so cool! My dad lives in Niagara and he always talks about how there was train tracks. He loves them and likes to find out where they use to run. I enjoyed this a lot, I had no idea this track went through the main city
Ended up on my recommended decided to watch it not disappointed amazing cinematography drone shots and all
Great video, I like how you showed some old footage, along with the map visual to showcase the route the tracks used to go through. Even I had no idea that place had a train.
Have been to Niagara Falls a dozen times and had no idea about this track. Great video!
this is how i find out those rails i've seen my whole life would have passed through like 2-3 different places i've worked at. wild.
hey Don, u should follow the welland trolly line thatwas back in the 1920s that led up to that same line you folllowed.
Cool discovery Don ! I knew that there was a rail line going through Niagara but didn't know where . 😊
Moved to Thorold recently. Been finding out about the extensive rail history around here that’s slowly disappearing. I followed the track on Google Maps, and it looks like that track is still in use. There are 2 or 3 business around that still have rail cars in their yard, and the track that meets with the like does go to Welland. It travels a fair distance but it eventually meets up with the 2 tracks that run along side Townline Tunnel Road (58A). You can also follow the imaginary track through the falls, to meet with the Olympic trail and see feint reminders that tracks used to run through there, and eventually meet with the old red steel bridge that crosses the border beside the current rail border bridge. The amount of times I wish I could have gone back just to see how things were just for a day.. born on 92’ I’ve missed a lot of this history that interests me.
There are quite a few abandoned lines in Niagara Falls, just like Fort Erie, Welland, etc. all over Niagara. The Erie and Ontario was the first railraod I believe in Canada (there is a monument on the SW corner of Stanley and Morrison. So that bare area that had the bridge beside the active passenger/commuter line was the E&O and it continued to Chippawa and eventually headed to Fort Erie. The last section you were on was not the E&O but used to be used as an interchange connector to CN to get to CP (Conrail and everything before it). As already mentioned Chippawa Spur to Chippawa Jct (above the falls near the casino) is still active. Not sure why GO Transit doesn't negotiate with CP though difficult as they can be to have a direct run from Toronto/Hamilton to the casino at the very least. I'm glad you got a look at that tunnel and the buildings because I was always curious how feasable that is and it appears to be very feasable to put a station right there.
Another railroad the NS&T runs a section east and west out of town to Thorold. It runs parallel along a small hydro line south of Thorold Stone Road and still has a bit of track on it between Stanley and the CN Stamford Sub for access to an industry.
That's why there are random train tracks at Marineland?? Never knew.
I had similar experiences growing up in Fort Erie. We had a lot trails to explore into the grass.
Ahh the old Marine land tracks. Good times..
This is a really cool video trains are awesome. We need more trains in Niagara Falls.
It would be cool to see them rebuild the Line and make it active again
Going south from the missing Chippewa bridge, the old rail line continues to and through Fort Erie, including through peoples' back-yards all the way to where it would join the tracks to the current railway brige to America.
That bridge you crossed on foot over the hydro canal was where the tracks went to Niagara-on-the-Lake.
I live in Niagara-on-the-lake only because I'm studying winery and viticulture and I also work at a winery's retail side. I've always had this affliction for Niagara's Beauty, brings a bit of pride and joy to me also knowing I'm less than 10 kilometers away from a wonder of the world.
This was an absolutely amazing video my brother, these old abandoned railroads have always mesmerized me, there’s this particular one I’ve found and taken an interest to myself up here in Caledon, right next to the Belfountain Conservation Area is a railroad that leads in one direction the entire way to Owen Sound, and in the other direction through the entirety of Brampton, Mississauga, all the way to Toronto, all entirely abandoned! Exploring that would be an insane challenge.
i’ll look into it! with so many people enjoying this video i might as well do another
this video is not random to me seeing I am a railman and have done almost this same mission! good job buddy
I remember that rail line. Back in 1987 when we were on vacation in Niagara Falls while I was taking videos of the area, I also got videos of the train tracks. It was also the time that the rail roads where on strike back then and there was no rail service on the Canadian side.
We took the Amtrak Maple leaf from New York City to Niagara Falls. But if you wanted to continue to Toronto they had shuttle buses to get you there.
At approximately 20:30 you will note a white building on the north-west corner of Queen Street and Erie Avenue. It is a five sided building, which was built to accommodate the railway tracks going through that location. It was originally the Hamilton Bank. Since those days it has been many things including several variety stores. It is now abandoned … no doubt going to be hit with a wrecking ball in no time I’m sure.
The building that you mentioned as being where the tracks went behind at approximately 21:06 was Cataract Ice at one time. They made ice for all retail and wholesale outlets throughout the Niagara area, including large blocks and huge bags of ice cubes for all the ice machines at the various stores.
wow i didn’t know any of that. i love hearing from you people that know more about the area than i do
A long time ago, before they built any casino in the falls my family and I lived right next to these tracks. All the neighborhood kids would run to the tracks every time a train came by in the summers and we would all stand and wave and get the conductor to blow the train whistle for us. I also remember my dad and uncle showing us kids how to put pennies on the rails to squish them. Back when going outside was all there was to do lol. Thanks for the reminder
I actually remember the train tracks on Victoria Avenue i used to play golf at jungle land, mini putt, and the trains would run right behind there now that’s an outback steakhouse where the course used to be for me. It’s kind of sad. I remember walking down Victoria Avenue when the trains were coming in the opposite direction always made you feel like you were standing still even though you were walking.
I'm a huge urban exploration fan so this was very cool and interesting, good stuff. 👍
25 - 30 years ago we used to sneak into Marineland by way of the tracks.
Yo your so underrated but algorithm is whatever cool vid dude deserves more speculation
@@shannonnieport3593 thanks for helping fight the algorithm by fighting!
Wowzers I remember having to wait for those trains to pass just to go down Cliffton Hill, I use to think it was crazy that freight trains were rolling by with all those tourist wandering about. Like the trains went slow but still also when the last car would whoosh outta view and it would reveal Cliffton Hill to me kinda like a scene out of a movie or at least that's what lil kid me thought. Oh & some ppl use to use the tracks to sneak into Marineland, ya their was a risk that you could get caught but free roller coaster rides lmao
Great video! I’ve been telling friends for years about the track that went through the tourist area in the 90s!