Ex-London Underground D78 Stock in Pennsylvania (Pop Up Metro Class 230) High Iron Productions 2023-04-02 | The mountains and former narrow gauge coal railroading territory of central southern Pennsylvania isn't the first place you'd expect to find former London Underground trains in operation, but in Rockhill Furnace, two 2-car sets can be found shuttling up and down a couple of miles of rural track under test for Pop Up Metro. Using the Shade Gap Electric Railway of the Rockhill Trolley Museum, a former East Broad Top narrow gauge branch that was widened to standard gauge for the trolley museum, Pop Up Metro is currently testing two Vivarail-remanufactured D78 stock sets, now battery-powered, and given the UK TOPs designation; Class 230. Pop Up Metro aims to eventually take the trains to various cities across the US as real-life feasibility study test-beds for potential commuter rail service on existing rail infrastructure. They will travel complete with temporary "kit" stations that can be installed along the routes during the studies (hence the "pop-up" name). Class 230s currently operate in-service in the UK with Transport for Wales, London Northwestern Railway, and GWR, with third-rail electric versions operating with South Western Railway on the Isle of Wight. Originally designated as D78 Stock for the London Underground, they were built by Metro-Cammell in 1979 for the sub-surface District Line, traveling between west London and Upminster in the east for almost 40 years. Although now running on battery power with fairly major changes to the cab and front-ends, they retain much the same feel, with their interiors retaining the configuration they were retired with (albeit with updated colors and moquettes). Their traction motors continue to produce their iconic low hum, with a high-pitch whine from the battery propulsion system being the only difference. In this video, we catch 230002 as it switches from the storage track and heads out for a demonstration run, with the adjacent East Broad Top steam excursion providing an audible backdrop to the action.
UP and BNSF Freights Over the Amazing Tehachapi Pass High Iron Productions 2023-08-05 | On June 16th 2023, we visit the amazing Tehachapi Pass. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to be in a full-size model railroad layout, this is about as close as you'll get! Starting at Caliente in the north, we head southward up the mountain catching several northbound trains descending the grade. We then follow a southbound BNSF manifest up-grade through Bealville, and around the famous Tehachapi Loop, before backtracking to Keene to catch a southbound intermodal, which we catch again at Tunnel #10, just beyond the loop. We end the video at Tehachapi Depot, where we catch a northbound BNSF Geometry Train heading through town.
Tired EMDs on the Desolate Trona Railway High Iron Productions 2023-07-30 | Located in the desolate heart of the Mojave Desert, the Trona Railway serves the massive Searles Valley Minerals Inc. soda ash processing plant, bringing in coal for the power plant and shipping out borax, boric acid, soda ash, salt cake, and salt. The railroad operates a roster of tired EMD second generation diesels from both the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific. In railfan circles, the railroad is most well-known for its Southern Pacific Tunnel Motors, but these were sadly out of service when visiting on this early summer afternoon. In this video, we catch three of the railroad's road diesels heading out of the plant to pick up empties from the Trona Pinnacles Yard to bring into the plant for loading.
Union Pacific Manifest at Yermo, California High Iron Productions 2023-07-23 | In this video, we catch a lengthy westbound manifest arriving at Yermo yard in Yermo California. This location signals the end of the UP Cima Subdivision, with westward trackage joining the BNSF Transcon just a couple of miles further down the track. I'd hoped to catch more in Barstow, but hit the town during a lull in traffic, so added the video of the one train I did catch at the end of this video.
611s Farewell Weekend at Strasburg High Iron Productions 2023-07-16 | After spending several seasons operating at Strasburg or on display at the adjacent Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Class J #611 was steamed up for a final weekend of service on Memorial Day Weekend before departing Strasburg for its home-base of Roanoke, and whatever future excursions may be in store for it.
A Little Corridor Magic at Cornwells Heights High Iron Productions 2023-07-02 | On May 12th 2023, we spend a couple of hours alongside the Northeast Corridor at Cornwells Heights, Pennsylvania. Among the usual Regionals and SEPTA trains, we catch Amtrak's short-lived "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" wrapped locomotives, and an appearance from a Conrail local.
The Abandoned Cooperstown GG1s High Iron Productions 2023-06-26 | Well known in the railfan community, the GG1s at Cooperstown are a strange sight, miles from their metropolitan high speed rails, nestled in the woods on a former Delaware & Hudson branch. While technically preserved, both locomotives have suffered the results of being stored outdoors in a seasonal climate with minimal mediation, and due to complications for removal, combined with the unrestored state of the line connecting with the active portion of the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad, it seems very unlikely that they will move, at least for the foreseeable future.
Los Angeles Metro (including Regional Connector) High Iron Productions 2023-06-20 | In this video, we take a look at the downtown stations of the Los Angeles Metro on the first full day of operation for the Regional Connector. The Regional Connector is a new set of tunnels with three stations linking the former Blue Line and Expo Line on the west side of downtown with the former Gold Line on the east side, creating two cross-region lines now known as the A Line from Azuza to Long Beach, and the E Line from East LA to Santa Monica. The heavy rail B/D Lines (former Red Line and Purple Line) are also visited.00:00 Intro00:09 B/D Lines 02:22 A/E Lines at Metro Center03:45 Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill Station05:31 Historic Broadway Station06:56 Little Tokyo/Arts District Station08:45 Mariachi Plaza, Pico/Aliso, and 1st St Viaduct 10:26 Little Tokyo/Arts District Station11:02 A Line at Union Station
MLW RS7 on the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley High Iron Productions 2023-06-11 | The Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley operates tourist trains in the popular Cooperstown area of New York. The railroad operates several Montreal Locomotive Works S4 and S7 locomotives as well as an eclectic fleet of heavyweight and former commuter passenger cars.
Freight Action Around Bethlehem, PA High Iron Productions 2023-06-04 | In this video, we spend a relaxed Sunday watching trains in the Bethlehem area, including a local going about various duties, intermodals, and more, all within the shadow of the famous Bethlehem Steel Stacks.
Rare SEPTA Move: Ferrying Alco RS1 over the Bethlehem Branch High Iron Productions 2023-05-29 | For the first time in many years, SEPTA equipment made a trip over the remaining portion of the Reading Bethlehem Branch, now operated and maintained by shortline Pennsylvania Northeastern, to pick up a former Washington Terminal, nee East Penn Railway RS1, which was being ferried to a new home on the Allentown & Auburn Railroad. SEPTA still owns the line and made the pickup themselves with their two ex-Milwaukee Road SW1200s rather than having Pennsylvania Northeastern handle it. Accompanying the Alco was a former CNW Plug-Door Boxcar, now serving as its tool car.
High Speed Afternoon at Jersey Avenue High Iron Productions 2023-05-21 | A pleasantly warm afternoon spent on the Northeast Corridor at Jersey Avenue station.
Trains Around Philadelphias 30th Street Station High Iron Productions 2023-05-16 | On April 6th, we catch a selection of the action available to the railfan at Philadelphia's 30th Street Station. The main Amtrak station for Philly, 30th Street is also one of the busiest stations on the SEPTA commuter rail network and hosts NJ Transit as the western terminus of the Atlantic City Line. The CSX Philadelphia Subdivision lies just across the river to the east, while the High Line viaduct, used by CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Conrail, parallels the Northeast Corridor tracks to the west.
Welded Rail Train on the SEPTA Warminster Line High Iron Productions 2023-05-08 | On March 18th 2023, SEPTA dropped several miles of welded rail on the Warminster Line, to be installed at a later date. We follow the train from Warminster through Hatboro, Willow Grove, and Crestmont stations.
Refurbished 42nd St Shuttle & Second Ave Subway High Iron Productions 2023-04-29 | In this video, we take a look at some of the newest changes to the New York Subway. In 2021, the 42nd Street Shuttle reopened with a simplified track layout and reconfigured stations (with the 3rd track removed). Additionally, trains were introduced with minimal seats and more standing room, giving more space for passengers on the 90-second ride. A few years earlier, in 2017, the first stations on the Second Avenue Subway were opened as an extension to the Q Train. We take a look at 96th and 86th Street stations, which are currently the most northerly stops on the extension.
Walking the former New York Central High Line High Iron Productions 2023-04-24 | The High Line opened in 1933 to serve the many industries in Manhattan's West Side that required rail access. After the last train ran in 1980, the railroad was left to deteriorate until it was revitalized as an urban park in 2006. Today, the park retains much of the original rail infrastructure - albeit relaid to be more pedestrian friendly.
Rockhill Trolley Museum Winter Running Day High Iron Productions 2023-04-16 | To coincide with the Winter Spectacular at the adjacent East Broad Top Railroad, the Rockhill Trolley hosted their own Winter Running Day (also called the Winter Spectacular) at the same time. The event featured more than 10 streetcars, light rail vehicles, and interurbans operating up and down the Shade Gap Electric Railway, including the Brill Bullet Car, San Diego MTS U2 LRV, and of course, the Liberty Liner.
Fast Coal and More at Huntingdon High Iron Productions 2023-04-10 | A windy evening at Huntingdon on the NS Pittsburgh Line featuring various unit trains and Amtrak.
Passenger & Freight at Springfield (with PW B23-S7) High Iron Productions 2023-03-26 | A weekday morning at Springfield Union Station provided a selection of catches, including CT Rail and Amtrak, CSX freights, and Connecticut Southern arriving with their daily CS-04 manifest. Today's manifest would feature a fantastic lashup of a Providence & Worcester GE B23-S7 "Super 7", a former UP Snoot-Nose SD40-2, and a Providence & Worcester B40-8.00:00 Intro00:18 CT Rail 01:04 Amtrak Springfield Shuttle 02:52 CSX Intermodal 04:29 CSX Local Freight05:35 Connecticut Southern CS-0410:48 Amtrak Springfield Shuttle11:59 CS-04 Shoves to West Springfield 12:37 CT Rail14:03 CS-04 Shoves back to the station15:16 Amtrak Springfield Shuttle 16:07 CS-04 Continues Shoving
Freight, Heritage, & Classic Diesels: 30 Mins at Suffern High Iron Productions 2023-03-19 | An unplanned 30 minutes trackside in Suffern, NY ended up featuring more interesting catches than many planned trips to much more highly regarded lines...
BRW SW1500 Switches with former MMA Caboose High Iron Productions 2023-03-11 | In this video, we catch Black River & Western's SW1500 #1596 switching with a Canadian-built ex-MMA caboose at Three Bridges. The railroad owns two former Montreal, Maine & Atlantic cabooses which were retrofitted by their previous operator for long shoves with the addition of horns, lights, and plows. The sister car to this was involved in the Lac Megantic disaster (although it was undamaged) and is also on the roster of the BRW.
Through the Fog with a Classic EMD SW1 High Iron Productions 2023-03-05 | A foggy New Year's Eve finds PRR SW1 9206 leading the final day of excursions for 2022 on the Black River & Western. We follow the train on the southbound trip from Flemington to Ringoes, before watching the consist begin its return trip in the opposite direction.
Extra CA64 on CSAO Penns Grove Secondary High Iron Productions 2023-02-27 | After filming the excursions on the Woodstown Central, I caught this extra Conrail manifest by chance. CA64 is usually Monday-Friday only, so this Saturday job led to an unexpected chase.
Steam Returns to the East Broad Top - Winter 2023 High Iron Productions 2023-02-20 | The 2023 Winter Spectacular saw the return of steam to the East Broad Top for the first time since 2011. Perhaps even more remarkable; the first steam locomotive to return to service never ran during the railroad's first tourist era. 16, a Baldwin 2-8-2, was last fired in 1956 before the railroad ceased operation as a common carrier. Seeing this locomotive in action was a testament to the incredible work the East Broad Top Foundation has put into returning the railroad to operation. Also operating during the event were GE 55 Tonner M-7, on switching duty, and Gas-Electric M-1, providing rides at alternate times to the steam services. Intro 00:00Recreation Freight 00:09Switching with 16 and M-7 06:05Steam Passenger Run 12:54M-1 Gas-Electric Railcar 16:00
Americas Newest Tourist Railroad High Iron Productions 2023-02-11 | The Woodstown Central, operated by SMS Lines, is the newest tourist railroad to open in the United States as of late 2022. Previously operated as a freight line by the Southern Railroad of New Jersey, the route was mostly mothballed in the mid-2000s. Under state ownership, the line was rehabbed and a request was put out for a new operator. SMS was the successful bidder, seeing a tourism opportunity to connect the attractive victorian towns along the route. The line saw a "soft" opening in late 2022 with a Baldwin S-12 and a single Reading RR Caboose operating the length of the route on select weekends, as well as providing a "brew to brew" shuttle between local craft breweries on the same days. Eventually, the line will become a regularly operated tourist railroad with an ex-US Army steam locomotive and a fleet of former CNJ commuter cars most recently used by the Green Mountain Railroad.
Late Fall Evening Freight & Passenger at Woodbourne High Iron Productions 2023-02-05 | A typical late Fall evening finds a CSX Manifest departing Woodbourne Yard to reverse back to the rest of its train, while an NS empty coal train bound for the RBMN passes overhead. Meanwhile, SEPTA provides a constant flow of commuter trains.
Skunked by SEPTA: Attempting to Catch CSXs Only Painted C40-8 High Iron Productions 2023-01-22 | Sometimes skunk happens... While attempting to catch the only corporate-painted C40-8 currently on the CSX roster, wouldn't you know it - the hourly SEPTA service showed up at exactly the wrong moment.
SEPTA & Norfolk Southern at Ford Interlocking High Iron Productions 2023-01-15 | For a short segment between Norristown Transportation Center and Ford Interlocking, SEPTA shares trackage with Norfolk Southern's fairly busy Morrisville Line traffic. At Ford, it crosses over from the remaining Reading RR ROW to former PRR trackage to continue to Morrisville. We catch the morning commuter rush on SEPTA as the sun rises, with two NS Intermodals thrown into the mix.
New Hope RR Fall Foliage Trains 2022 High Iron Productions 2023-01-02 | Each Fall the New Hope Railroad puts on extra trains and runs beyond the usual terminus at Lahaska to allow passengers to view the best of Bucks County Fall Foliage. This year, new stainless steel passenger cars joined the operation, along with GP9 8218 displaying its new corporate paint scheme.
Trains in the Snow: Christmas Special High Iron Productions 2022-12-24 | In this compilation video, we're focusing on trains in the snow. Some footage is from previous videos on the channel, and some are never-before-seen. Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!
Dusk at Newark Airport on the Busy NEC High Iron Productions 2022-12-13 | A snapshot of evening trains on one of the busiest segments of the NEC.
CSX Mainline Trains at Savage, Maryland High Iron Productions 2022-12-04 | A couple of hours at Savage brought a decent amount of catches on this early Fall day. Nothing special, but good action all the same.
NYC Subway Trains in Brooklyn High Iron Productions 2022-11-27 | Some additional footage taken while returning to Manhattan from the Parade of Trains in Brooklyn, featuring the Q Train at Prospect Park, the Franklin Ave Shuttle, the C Train at Franklin Ave and High Street/Brooklyn Bridge, and the 4 Train in Manhattan at Fulton Street.
New York Subway Parade of Trains 2022 High Iron Productions 2022-11-21 | Each year the New York Transit Museum brings out a selection of its operating fleet for one weekend to run on the express tracks of the Q Train (only used on weekdays) between Brighton Beach and Kings Highway in Brooklyn. 2022 saw the return of the event after two years of being canceled due to COVID. Trains operating at this year's event included the museum's flagship "Arenine" set, a set of early Jewett Gate Cars, an abbreviated "Train of Many Metals" and the massively popular R32, the newest addition to the fleet, having been retired from service earlier this year.
GP9 with LIRR Coaches on the Former Bel-Del High Iron Productions 2022-11-12 | Delaware River Railroad Excursions operates over the remaining portion of the former PRR Bel-Del route south of Phillipsburg, which once ran from the Northeast Corridor in Trenton to a connection with the Lackawanna Railroad at Manunka Chunk, interchanging along the way with the PRR branch to Flemington, the CNJ and Lehigh Valley in Phillipsburg, the Lackawanna at Martins Creek, and the Lehigh & Hudson River RR in Belvidere. Operated by the same parent organization as the Black River & Western Railroad, the DRRE runs from Phillipsburg south to Carpentersville, with an extension to Riegelsville nearing completion.
Amtrak, SEPTA, and NS at Marcus Hook High Iron Productions 2022-11-07 | The last station on the Northeast Corridor in PA, before the railroad crosses into Delaware, Marcus Hook was the terminus for SEPTA service before the extension to Wilmington and Newark. Today we catch an assortment of Amtrak action, along with SEPTA, and an appearance from a Norfolk Southern power pair returning to Delaware after switching some hoppers in the nearby yard.
GMD SD40-2 Leads Stone Train Over the NHRR High Iron Productions 2022-11-01 | Once or twice per month, revenue freight runs over about 8 miles of the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad. The railroad's commitment to this run was demonstrated when a new stone chute was constructed in mid-2022. With the stone chute rebuilt, the first stone train in several months hauls a train of loaded cars back to Ivyland to interchange with the Pennsylvania Northeastern and eventually CSX.
NJT & Metro North on the Erie Main Line at Waldwick High Iron Productions 2022-10-23 | The former Erie mainline between Hoboken and Port Jervis today hosts one of the busiest stretches of commuter railroading in NJ Transit territory, particularly north of Ho Ho Kus, where the Bergen County Line joins the Main Line for the rest of the trip to the current NJT terminus at Suffern. Adding to the action, Metro North also operates over the line, taking passengers the rest of the way to Port Jervis, NY. At Waldwick, it's possible to see up to 10 trains an hour thanks to all three lines operating through the station.
Amtrak and Metro North at Manitou High Iron Productions 2022-10-16 | Probably one of the quietest stations on the Metro North network, Manitou only sees limited weekend service, with trains passing through at all other times. On this summer afternoon, we catch a selection of Amtrak and Metro North trains at this scenic spot.
Freight Along the Hudson on the CSX River Line High Iron Productions 2022-10-11 | On this warm July day, we catch several trains on the busy CSX River Line Sub, with the Hudson River forming a backdrop at the popular spot of Mine Dock Park in Fort Montgomery, NY.
SP & ATSF Streamlined Cars Arrive on the NHRR High Iron Productions 2022-10-02 | Four surprise additions to the New Hope & Ivyland roster arrived in July 2022 in the form of the railroad's first stainless steel streamlined rolling stock. Looking somewhat incongruous in the Bucks County, Pennsylvania countryside, the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe painted cars are seen here on their arrival to the railroad, after being handed off from the Pennsylvania Northeastern/CSX. While the Golden Sea and Golden Shore are authentic SP cars, the City of Angels is actually a former NYC coach. Tolani is an authentic ATSF car.
Switching Freight on the Black River & Western High Iron Productions 2022-09-25 | The Black River & Western switches tank cars at Three Bridges, where they interchange with NS. On this day, their GP10 is doing the work, along with a former Lehigh Valley boxcar, used as a buffer car. The additional horn towards the end of the video is an NS train approaching the parallel mainline crossing.
Amtrak, Commuter Trains and Local Freight at Levittown High Iron Productions 2022-09-19 | In this video, we visit the new Levittown station on SEPTA's Trenton Line (which utilizes the Northeast Corridor). In addition to Amtrak and SEPTA movements, we also catch two Conrail Shared Assets moves.
CSX with Pan Am Business Cars & SEPTA at Neshaminy Falls High Iron Productions 2022-09-11 | After the purchase of Pan Am by CSX was made official, CSX wasted no time in relocating the Pan Am Business Train to Waycross, GA, presumably to add to the CSX Business Train roster. The cars made their way down on revenue manifest freights, seen here at Neshaminy Falls, PA, alongside the SEPTA West Trenton Line. We also catch some of the SEPTA and other CSX action.
Heavy Freight on the CSX Mountain Sub High Iron Productions 2022-09-04 | Often overlooked for railfanning due to the unpredictable nature of traffic on the line, the CSX Mountain Sub is the former B&O mainline into West Virginia and points beyond to St. Louis. Now primarily serving coal trains, with most through-traffic lost when a portion beyond Grafton was abandoned in the Chessie era, the line runs amid spectacular Appalachian scenery. On this occasion we spend an unexpectedly busy afternoon on the line, with all of the footage in the video filmed over the course of just 5 hours.
Western Maryland #1309 with PRR T1 Whistle High Iron Productions 2022-08-27 | On the weekend of June 18th, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad played host to the T1 Trust (prrt1steamlocomotivetrust.org) to help them raise funds for their new-build PRR T1 project. As part of the event, H-6 Mallet #1309 was temporarily given the T1's whistle.
Switching and Mainline Action at Cumberland High Iron Productions 2022-08-20 | While visiting Cumberland, Maryland to see the #1309 steam locomotive on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, we started by catching some of the action on the CSX Keystone Sub on the west side of Cumberland.00:00 Intro00:09 Manifest Departing with Helpers01:10 Locomotive Consist Hooks Up to Coal Train04:51 Amtrak Capitol Limited05:22 Bear05:30 Intermodal
Dusk Railfanning at San Bernardino Station High Iron Productions 2022-08-13 | In the last hour of sunlight on a cloudy evening, we catch the end of the evening rush on Metrolink, while the Amtrak Southwest Chief makes its daily eastbound stop before attacking Cajon Pass.
Trains Operating at the Southern California Railway Museum High Iron Productions 2022-08-06 | On May 28th 2022, we visit the Southern California Railway Museum. On this occasion, their Southern Pacific U25B, Pacific Electric "Blimp," and Los Angeles Railway PCC were in operation. Later in the day, we catch a test run of their LA Metro P865, and their former US Air Force 45 Tonner, now used primarily as a shop switcher.00:00 Intro00:09 Pacific Electric Blimp Car01:14 Los Angeles Railway PCC Car02:04 Southern Pacific U25B03:48 LA Metro P86504:28 US Air Force 45 Tonner05:22 Southern Pacific U25B
