DIY Speeder - Riding Thru Tunnel 16 & Beyond - Railroad - The Rocket Scientist
Vložit
- čas přidán 12. 08. 2019
- This video shows a Home Made Speeder riding through the now collapsed tunnel 16 (east portal collapsed during the month of January, 2017).
- Auta a dopravní prostředky
As a regular USA tourist from New Zealand, I for one would love to pay money to ride this line. Incredible history and landscapes. It's a shame that the railways with the best scenery and history are often the first to be forgotten about.. Great video!
Thanks for your support!
I concur!
Come to India 😊.
58 year old Michigander here, always wanted to do this for years, got all the parts and building mine right now, thanks for sharing your ride with us 👍
You just gave me the push to get it done ✌
I built mine when I was 60 years old. Good luck with yours, have fun!
Brilliant video.
These are some pretty awesome adventures. You are very lucky to have them. Watching as many as I can to catch up :)
Thanks for your support!
Thank you so much on sharing the ride!
Sure, no problem
That looks like alot of Fun!!! Killer set up..😎👍🏼
Thanks!
In June 2016, Baja California Railroad secured a 99-year lease with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (SDMTS) to rehabilitate and operate an additional 112.75 km (70.06 miles) of track in the United States between Campo, California and Plaster City, California. The line, with 57 bridges and 17 tunnels, will be rehabilitated in three phases: Phase 1, Campo to Jacumba Hot Springs, California; phase 2, Dos Cabezas (near Ocotillo Wells, California) to Plaster City; and phase 3, from Jacumba to Dos Cabezas.[3] Each year the railroad pays SDMTS a million a year to retain its lease. No work has been evident.
Thanks for the info!
And now, as of around September 2021, the SDMTS has terminated BJRR's lease.
What a good way to get away from the busy traffic not a person or building insight watching from New Zealand 🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿
I know, it's great! Thanks for your support.
This is cool, always wanted to either build or find an old speeder and do this.
They are out there, railriders.net
If health and safety could pass this for the public to use it would be a great attraction.I’m sure a lot of people would pay to take a ride on one of those carts.👍👍
I thought of that too!
Great video - Relaxing to watch
The bandidos haven't discovered you yet.. Probably never will
Never seen any yet.
Awesome video! The Impossible Railroad!
Thanks!
The old San Diego and Arizona Railroad through Carrizo Gorge.
I would love love love to do something like this. To relax and look at the scenery. I might even bring some gear to camp for a night or two, then head back later. So relaxing and therapeutic. All the rails around where I live are active.
Sounds like you need to go elsewhere for this type of fun.
This is badass. I'd tag along behind in a modified Radio Flyer to be able to do this.
Thanks for your support!
Just driving over the coastal range from San Diego to El Centro is impressive. It’s amazing that they were able to construct a railway in the early 1990s
Yes, today it would probably take 10 time longer due to red tape.
Too cool, man! Love from Canada
Hey, thanks!
Absolutely brilliant, I wanna do it, miles and miles and miles of track and scenery, what away to spend a weekend 😎
Go for it!
no crowds - peace and quiet wow looks like fun.
QUE PASSEIO INCRÍVEL... ESTE CARRO DE LINHA É SHOW... PROJETO INCRÍVEL... PARABÉNS... TMJ... ABRAÇÃO DO AVENTUREIRO PAULEK!
Obrigado pelo apoio!
Wasn't that a great trip?! Great Video, Thanks! Although I've been up and down "The Impossible Railway" from Jacumba to the water tanks a dozen times or so on my mountain bike, I never got tired of the scenery. Use to live in Pine Valley, so it wasn't much of a trip to the trail head. You should have gone all the way to the top, there use to be a nudist camp on the east side of I-8. Great views there too! LOL!
I've done that with my own mountain bike a few years ago, nice trip!
Nudist camp still there, De Anza Springs Resort. I walked those tracks some years ago when the railroad was still in operation..
@@cbonz7734 Yes, it's still there in all its glory!
At 26:29 is a flange oiler not an electrical box. There is a plunger mounted against the rail that the wheel treads push down activating a pump in the box to pump high graphite content grease through the hoses to lubricate the flanges of the wheels against the rails for the sharp curves. I have noticed several of them along the track and they are common in high curve territory of railroads or just before sharp curves.
I believe they are hydraulic, no electrical power necessary. And yes, this track has many curves and many oilers.
From India. 1. Track looks neat and clean without weeds. 2. It would be ideal to have roof for your cart. Did not see even a single tree. 3. Form a group of travelers. 4. Attract more tourists to increase revenue.
Thanks for your support and comment.
I did something like this in Taumaruni, New Zealand. Only they use pedal carts, not motorised. We cycled for about 15 miles - the scenery was amazing. You can do the full 60 miles if you want.
Sounds like fun.
@@therocketscientist0000 t
How many times have you taken the speedster across these tracks? Have you guys ever had any issues with authority out there? Any close calls?
I've done this trip about a dozen times with no problems.
I love in the Inland Empire. I’d happily pay for the fuel or whatever to go on this trip with you. Great video
Sorry Bob, I sold the rail cart to someone in Colorado.
@@therocketscientist0000 That’s ok sir. Looked amazing and you’ll always have that memory. Thanks for sharing it
Should get the national conservative to get this area save and protect Ed for future generations
I agree!
In Cambodia where the national railroad has been in disrepair for sixty years there exist as recently as 2010 a whole industry of homemade freight and passenger vehicles running sections of serviceable railroad. There is a whole set of rules for whom gets out of who's way. There is even an informal tourist service. They even ran the few sections that still had train service. When I was last there, 2011, there was talk of rebuilding the main lines to connect Vietnam to Thailand .
Yes, I've seen videos on those tracks in Cambodia, very risky and dangerous. At least I knew that I would not run into any trains while I was on the tracks here in the U.S.
@@therocketscientist0000 I visited then resided in Cambodia for a decade (2001-2011), surprisingly I was unaware of many deaths from train verse rail carts incidents. The tracks were in such bad repair until recent years that trains couldn't make much speed on the few routes they ran on. Most accidents were from fast carts flying of the rails or shoddy carts falling apart when grossly overloaded. This was one Asian adventure I happily declined.
I probably would have not done it either because I broke an axle going around 15 mph and it scared the hell out of me. I can't even think about crashing at higher speeds.
With the rising costs of steel, I figure sooner or later, that track may become one of the ghosts of history. Nice to be able to see it while it's still around.
So true! Thanks for your suppoort!
It’s very difficult to scrap rail. Most places won’t even take it and will call the cops on you if you try to scrap it because they don’t want to get in trouble. Railroads won’t do it unless they are truly abandoning the line. Most are at least kept in place to keep ahold of the right of way.
Great video. Watching this from a cold, driech night in Scotland. Cheered me up. P.S. Happy New Year to all.🤡
Same to you! Glad you enjoyed it!
who us ever behind the camers, STAY FOCUSED,
QUIT MOVING IT AROUND
Sorry about that!
@@therocketscientist0000 Was all good, enjoyed the ride :)
He’s got a go pro on his head.!,,,,,,
The Rocket Scientist it's attached to your head. No need be sorry.
There needs to be an epilepsy warning.
I think I would have taken along 2 days' worth of canned goods and a gallon of water each. Pretty desolate country.
We were safe, we took precautions.
Needs ,solar power and wind sail you could go all day. Looks like a realy fun thing to do.👍👍👍👍
You got that right!
Next time mount camera on speeder the head movement is making me sick
My other videos get better.
@@therocketscientist0000 If you have a better camera....
Oh and you might want to integrate a cooler in the railcar.
Like this one: czcams.com/video/Sm3hENvUiHQ/video.html
@@Nightowl_IT I built an under-the-seat rack to hold 2 coolers later that year.
@@therocketscientist0000 :)
That’s awesome👍
Thanks for your support.
Perhaps some motorized brushes on the front to sweep the light gravel to the side would work.
I put on some sweeps later that year.
Amazing!!!
Thank you! Cheers!
How do you find abandoned track? My fiancé and I have been looking, but it's difficult to figure out whether they're truly abandoned or just out of service.
There's a book out there called "Right-Of-Way" by Waldo Nielsen. It is a guide to abandoned railroads in the United States, hopes this helps.
I am sure you have been asked a million times, but do you have a set of plans for the rail cart? I think this would be a very cool project to build! Love the videos!
czcams.com/video/FQTYJQku_Ao/video.html
No plans, but maybe with the attached video you can do your best. I winged it as I went along.
What was plan B in case the engine quit in the middle of nowhere?
Walk!
At 21:07!
It is NOT a meter. It is a Wheel Flange Greaser (You can Google the word), that applies grease on the wheels just before curves to avoid wear and squeaking on the flanges.
It works by the wheel actuating a little piston that presses a small amount of oil on the wheel flange as it passes the oiler.
This one is long out of use and probably not working or complete. You can see some broken off tubing between the rails. 🙂
Sorry, I miss spoke on the video. Thanks for your support!
I got a nice 450cc dirt bike motor. Will that work? Can’t find any videos with them. Looks like a blast!
That should work fine, my engine was only 212cc and that was plenty of power.
I thought they were working on this railroad, didn’t look like it had been used in a while when you stopped to clear debris from track.
It hasn't been worked on in over a decade.
@@therocketscientist0000 That’s a shame, a lot of the infrastructure is still there to make it a neat tourist destination
What is it with hikers and chilling out at the entrance of railway tunnels?
That's where the temperature is a constant 60 degrees verses the hot desert air.
Works great when there’s no humidity. Pointless with humidity.
Would love to ride in one of these. Showed my son this video and he wants to build one but no abandon rails near by.
There is a book out there by Aldo Nielsen called "Right-Of-Way - A Guide to Abandoned Railroads in the United States". You may find it helpful in finding a railroad for you to ride on. Thanks for your support!
@@therocketscientist0000 Thank you for the info!😊👍
Where can I find a list of tracks to kart on? I have to do this it's cool.
There's a book out there called "Abandoned Railroads" that shows it all. I forget the author though.
Where did you get your wheels from?
railriders.net
Are these the tracks between San Diego, the Borrego Desert and Imperial CA?
I used to fly between San Diego and Imperial and always wondered about those tracks and tunnels. I remember seeing the rail cars on a siding also.
Never saw anything or anyone on or near the tracks. Now I want a Speeder.
You are exactly right!
I have railroad tracks right behind my house. I've been considering making a speeder but...... the tracks are in use daily.
Do not use them!
SUPER BAD IDEA!!!
You'd be entering Darwin Award territory there. Also a bit unfair on the poor sod who has to scrape you off the front of a locomotive.
The line right behind my house stretches from Wichita, Kansas to Towner, Colorado. The Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad or just the K&O. Consequently, I used to dispatch for them, as well as for the Southern Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad, the Baton Rouge Southern, the Alabama Southern and a couple other Class 3's. They go through my small town at 10 MPH. Making a speeder wouldn't exactly be a dangerous thing to do, just because they run on a regular schedule, they travel very slow, there's 2 crossings here that make their approach extremely audible and I'd only want a "speeder" for going from my backyard to about a half mile to the west, where there is a small timber bridge and just past the bridge is an awesome wooded area that I've camped in several times.
Just a small track "vehicle" of sorts to make it easier to bring my camping gear with me. A vehicle that is incredibly lightweight and can be removed from the tracks with zero effort.
As far as the Darwin Awards, that is typically reserved for those who have absolutely no clue what they're doing or how particular things work, like the railroad.
I'm not trying to portray myself as some sort of railroad genius and yes, traveling along actively used railroad tracks is not only trespassing but also inherently dangerous. Just know that my idea for a speeder is just that, an idea, that hasn't even progressed to the sketch on a napkin stage. If I were to move forward with it, before even utilizing it, I would drive 5 miles West, along the tracks and 5 miles east, along the tracks to verify there was not a train on it. Only then would I consider making a half mile trek. I absolutely wouldn't be looking to do a cross state journey on a dangerous vehicle, utilizing a "road," that is used by vehicle that weighs thousands of tons.
@@skuzlebut82 A railway worker, or former railway worker, should know better than most what a bad idea this would be. Trains don't always run to schedules. The railway that passes my flat gets 8 trains a day, 4 each way. That's been the case for many years. Being a single line makes the traffic patterns even more predictable but random trains still appear from time to time. I've met them when walking beside the track.
It sounds like you've given this some thought and at least you know how the railroad works, in theory.
You make a decent case for your plan but it's still a bad idea and, as a former rail worker, you know that.
What do you use for the axles
3/4" cold rolled steel.
you wheels are super smooth and quite for being so small, Who makes them ?
I got them at railriders.net
Wish I lived someplace where I could do that.
That would be nice, right?
@@therocketscientist0000 Maybae you know some other abondoned railroads like this?
@@adamlato253 If you want to find abandoned railroads near your location, there's a book called "Right-Of-Way" "A Guide to Abandoned Railroads in the United States" by Waldo Nielsen. That might help you.
I wish these national treasures were protected and maintained.
I know, right.
Your cart seems to work flawlessly, did you video the build?
Yes, they're on my channel. If you can't find them, let me know and I'll send you some links.
I hate to point out things like this. But are those lawn chair cushions fire rated? If not this could be very dangerous....
OSHA approved! LOL!
@@therocketscientist0000 good man!
How old are those tracks? When were those tracks laid?
1907, 115 years old
Were is this at? Looks like great fun.
Southern California
Starting Coordinates: N32° 44.763' W116° 8.363'W
Thanks for your support!
Wow thats really cool
I'm glad you liked it.
Does anyone know how fast these little speedsters go? Looks like a lot of fun...
They can go as fast as you gear them, mine go around 20mph.
You're safe from trains. Hasn't been one on the S D & A for many years.
After our first trip, we knew that we were safe. Thanks for your support!
Who laid those tracks and when?
They were laid in 1907 by SD&AE
If a military helicopter was flying overhead, they saw you.
It was a Navy F-18.
At the 25:25 minute mark you said "military helicopter". Don't mean to argue with you, but.
If you meant to say "Navy F-18", then you needed to edit your video. Either way, they saw you. It's unlikely they were inspecting the bridge. The railroad would be doing the inspection.
Interesting video, thanks for sharing.
Bob
@@robertmcdonnold3038 My mistake, another one of my videos has a F-18 in it. Yes, in this video, the helicopter pilot probably saw us.
I just wanna know what those 2 people were doing at the tunnel
Just hiking the rails.
How many miles is that ride
About 11
Where is this and whose railroad was it??
Southern California, SD&AE.
@@therocketscientist0000 thanks
I thought I was going mad when you went through tunnel 16 then I read that this was 2017! Great ride along. How are the axle repairs going?
Repaired axle, ran it again twice, third time the axle broke again, same place, other side.
Oh sorry to hear that. Could you sleeve the axle at the week point and run that sleeve in a larger bore bearing block or add a bearing block off a bracket on the outside of the wheels? Hope you get it fixed soon.
I got 12 rides out of the first axle and 4 rides out of the second axle. I now see where my original design had some flaws. But you learn from your mistakes. If I ever build another one, these problems would not exists.
We actually filmed this video in November of 2016.
The Rocket Scientist have a look at the way the people in india make bamboo trains. Similar to what you have made.
Really cool vid man!! Where did you get the wheels btw? I've been thinking of building a speeder myself.
I got them at railriders.net, ask for Sean.
@@therocketscientist0000 Thanks for that I'll be sure to check them out 👍
I love this .. seeing what people dont usually see....Question?? How fast does that thing go? At top speed? Thanks for the video's 🙋♀️👍❤
The way I have it geared, I can go around 25 mph (which seems like 100 when you're on it).
@@therocketscientist0000
Wow! That's great👍.. well have fun, one day they will take this away from us too, with all our other freedoms. God bless 🙋♀️🙏 Be careful!
Where is this? I'm so fascinated!
100 miles east of San Diego, CA.
I hope you found a better and more stable place to mount that camera.
Sorry about the motion. When I filmed this, I had no idea that it would end up on CZcams, I'm not a professional photographer, just some video of my life experiences.
Where do you find a map of unused rail?
google our state to find abandoned tracks, I found a whole bunch in Nebraska.
There's a book out there called "Right-Of-Way" by Waldo Nielsen. It's a guide to abandoned railroads in the United States. It's the only one that I know of that's out there. It was published in 1974, so I don't know how many tracks have been torn up since the publications.
Hope this helps you.
That looks like a blast.Great way to see the scenery.Have you ever ran into someone else on the tracks with same idea?
Yes, check this out: czcams.com/video/599xKH564bM/video.html
What engine are you using? It seems quiet.
Harbor Freight 212 cc (6.5 hp) 4 stroke.
@@therocketscientist0000 Thanks.
How do I get where you are I want to do that
Google Carriso Gorge (California)
Do you need permission from the RR even if it's abandoned?
Yes, you should, but a lot of people don't.
where is this ?
It's the SD&AE railroad 80 miles east of San Diego.
I want to build one, with an F3-shaped Fiberglass Shell around it!!
Go for it! Send me pics when done.
Brothers, I worry about your safety, if say, an track anomaly occurs. Wondering if the chairs are secured, and about seat belts. Bless you! 🙏🏽
We're all safe, all of the time.
Riding that cart looks like a lot of fun but the lack of safety equipment seems like a huge risk.
I've been doing this for many years without any issues. I'm the only one doing this on CZcams that wears a helmet.
What rail is this?
San Diego Arizona & Eastern Railroad (SD&AE).
@@therocketscientist0000 thanks!
sweet vid were was this at
Southern California, SD&AE.
Is this an active rail line?
No. It’s been dead a long time .
Thanks for your support!
Let me know the next time you do this trip with a mounted camera.
Thanks for your support!
What a unit nice
Thanks for your support!
Where is this line?
SD&AE (San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railroad) in San Diego/Imperial County.
@@therocketscientist0000 thanks man👍.
Where did you get the parts for your rail car?
I made it from scratch, but I purchased the wheels at railriders.net
@@therocketscientist0000 thank you!
Has anybody gone west into Mexico? I know lots of track is still there.
I know that the Campo Railroad Museum still goes as far as the last tunnel before entering Mexico, then they go backwards towards Campo again.
Where’s the ride down!?
It's in my SD&AE 'Playlist"
What happened to the dog? Did you rescue?
I would have not taken a dog up there, too hot!
Is that your Dad with you? Would have loved to do that with my pop!. A Rocket Scientist myself. Skunk Works. A retro pack would be a fun play for a quick stop. Thanks for posting!
No, just a friend. Thanks for you support.
Its all fun and games till u see a big light facing you
Right!
These rails have been dead for decades
Have you seen these videos from 2012, of the rail line workers running the same line ? czcams.com/video/NYt91UpxH6U/video.html , czcams.com/video/L66pfI5fuqY/video.html. It's a cool look to the line , and tunnel maintenance.
Yes, thank you, I have seen them, impressive. I ran on the line just 4 years after they made their videos.
We're about the same age it looks like. Please teach yourself to refrain from saying "Fathers" name in vain. Practice saying, "God help me." I'm sure you'll find things like forgetfulness and other senior moments will get fewer day by day.
Loved the video. My dad and I always wanted to do railriding. Maybe my son and I will get to see this come to pass and I can scratch that off my "Bucket List".
Good luck and God bless.
Happy Railriding.
Sorry about the language, I thought that I had edited it out. Thanks for the support.
How about you don't impose your beliefs on others, mmkay? Jesus fucking christ you religious zealots are annoying
@@therocketscientist0000 ew. Don't apologize to a religious freak. Tell him to pound sand and watch someone else's video. (Yes i know I'll be the one being reprimanded for saying this, but i shouldn't. No one should cater to religious peoples demands)
Who cares about the windmills? Geez
There's all kinds of people who have done this on this type of machines, there's several on here.
I know, it's a fun sport.
Do you have to get some kind of permission ? Is it legal ? Obviously you cant do it on active rail lines.
In my state, the problem is tracks run thru many private properties, and they don't like it. Be sure to check who owns the land the tracks are on.
@@thymekiller are the tracks still owned by a railroad or does the private land owner now own what ever is on their property rails and all?
@@timbeach2409 That depends on where you are. In MO and AR sometimes a spur is abandoned so long, it becomes the property of the land owner, or owners, if the property got split up. As a rule of thumb, if the tracks are close to a home , stay off. Again, you have to research your area. The county clerk can point you in the right direction. Or just ask a neighbor who might have the tracks on his or her land. Where I live, there are very few tracks that haven't been taken up if not in use. The tracks that I know of are too short to be worth the trouble. BTW, there are clubs you can join who have special days and places, but you have to travel. Check out speeder clubs.
@@thymekiller thanks. That does look like fun, I'm in Arizona now, I kinda thought the railroad always owned it unless the city took it over.
@@timbeach2409 The tracks seen in this video are owned by the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. Though there are no plans to ever run any transit here, the city had to buy the entire line in order to buy the rights to the tracks closer to downtown (on which the run the trolley).
where was this?
Directly above the center of the earth.
@@therocketscientist0000 lol, arizona, new mexico?
@@Red_Scorpian California
When did tunnel #16 collapse????
Early 2017.
@@therocketscientist0000 Wow...total bummer. That rather sucks. But it makes me wonder if the SD&AE will rebuild it...or is it a lost cause?
@@antonbruce1241 It's restoration has been stalled for over a decade.
@@therocketscientist0000 Talk about suckage!!!!
@@therocketscientist0000 what caused the collapse?
I can almost guarantee that if you were to stay in any one spot for more than about 10 minutes some Karen would come up and tell you you weren't allowed to do that.
You're probably right!
Heck, that would make it more fun! Hey you kids - get outta there!
Todo iba bien. Pero como moviste la cámara.
La cámara estaba en mi casco, así que cada vez que giraba la cabeza, también lo hacía la cámara. Lo siento. Gracias por su comentario.
man i would pay for a drive are beers included?
All the beers you can drink!
Dude you are a wildman
RIGHT!