This video is awesome- it was very interesting to hear your comments as you were on the rail bike. I’m definitely going to do it with my family. Thank you.
We're glad you enjoyed the video. It was a lot of fun. If you have more than two people you could check out the 3 or 4 seater that they have. Thanks for watching!
Years ago when I was much younger I would travel route 1 to Monterey and I do remember how cold it was in the summer just to see the beautiful vistas but I never knew a railroad existed. I always liked that part of California with the wind swept junipers. There probably was SP running trains then. Its cool that someone has created this ability to ride the rails. Besides Fort Ord I wonder if there were other industries that SP visited.
At one time there was a passenger train, the Del Monte, that ran from San Francisco to Monterey (I'm not sure if it continued on to Pacific Grove). The canneries on the Monterey waterfront also had rail service way back when. There's an industry a little up the road that at one time had rail service and you used to be able to see hopper cars there. I'm not sure if they were using them for sand or what. There's also what looks to me like a more modern cannery or fruit packing plant a little to the north. From what I've read, most of the industry was gone by the late 1970s and the tracks were removed in Monterey in the 1980s. A lot of the rest of the line is still there. It sounds like there is an effort to put it to use for public transit, but I'm not sure what the status on that is. Thanks for watching!
I didn't know they did that too. That sounds fun. I'd love to visit again, maybe when it's warmer. It's hard to believe it's been almost 10 years already. Time flies. Thanks for the info and for watching!
According to the person we talked to that worked there, this operation is unique. I have heard of groups that run speeders and other small rail vehicles on abandoned tracks, but I don't know if any of those are regular events. Thanks for watching!
Looks like fun. Thanks for sharing that experience. Have you checked out the rail bikes on the Skunk Train tracks up by Fort Bragg? That one goes through the forest. I did it with my son a few years ago. Same kind of bikes.
We had a good time. I wasn't aware that they were doing something similar on the Skunk Train line. We'll have to check that out when we get up that way. I rode the Skunk Train once, but that was many years ago. Thanks for watching!
we call those jump frogs! If you ever look at Union Pacific mainline, a lot of them are labeled as jump frogs as a warning to the crews or MOW gangs going in or out. pretty common place to derail equipment lol
I didn't know that's what they were called. It was kind of interesting since they seemed to have some kind of mechanism, maybe hydraulic? It looked like the frog could be opened or closed on the diverging side. I don't recall seeing one of those before. It would be a challenge to model. Thanks for the info and for watching!
It was a little bit of a workout. Thankfully I didn't end up as sore as I feared I might. The cart does most of the work. You just have to keep the pedals moving, but without much resistance. Thanks for watching!
My wife and I are in our early 70's ... the electric assist is a must-have ... how easy is it to pedal up the hill? What happens if you stall on the way up the hill? :)
I didn't notice much difference in effort going uphill vs. on flat or downhill. The electric motor does most of the work. The pedals have very little resistance. You have to keep them going around, but it doesn't take much effort. The only time I felt it is when starting from a complete stop, and then just for a few seconds until the motor kicks on. We didn't stall on the bigger hill, though they did stop us on a slight grade right after leaving the depot area. I didn't think it felt like any more effort than starting at the depot, which is on a slight downgrade on the way out. Full disclosure, I'm 59 and am still fairly active. Thanks for watching!
I don't know. There is a passing siding. I don't know if they use that if they have a lot of people, but they could. I think most of the other tracks are stub ended, so I would guess they wouldn't want the cars to go in there. Thanks for watching!
It could be. I don't know much about that stuff. There is what looks like a small car battery on one side. When you first start to pedal, you're actually moving the vehicle and it takes some effort. It only takes a few seconds for the motor to kick in and then you just have to keep the pedals moving, but there's not really any resistance. Thanks for watching!
It is different. The carts go about 7 or 8 mph, they said, so it's very relaxed. It's very different than driving through the same area on the road. Thanks for watching!
I understand why they don’t want you doing it, and I agree with their decision but the sign in the beginning is a little bummer. Would be nice to go down the rail and enjoy a beer or two ( responsible and respectful of course)
I can understand, too. They must mean it because they had more than just the one sign. The cars do have a little cubby area where you can put stuff like water or snacks. Thanks for watching!
Nichole and Dan; my wife and I really enjoy seeing you two going on adventures like this.
We're glad you enjoyed coming along with us virtually. Thanks for watching!
That is probably a really good workout! Really neat experience to do.
It was a bit of a workout, though the electric assist makes it not that strenuous. We had a great time. Thanks for watching!
This video is awesome- it was very interesting to hear your comments as you were on the rail bike. I’m definitely going to do it with my family. Thank you.
We're glad you enjoyed the video. It was a lot of fun. If you have more than two people you could check out the 3 or 4 seater that they have. Thanks for watching!
That looks like a lot of fun. Really nice video. Thanks. I’m going to check it out one of these days.
It was fun. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Thanks for watching!
Very cool! Great exercise with beautiful scenery.
The open air car lets you enjoy the view. It's a lot of fun. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for taking us along for the ride.
You're welcome. We're glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!
What a fun little adventure!!
It was. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for your service 🫡
Nichole appreciates that. Thanks for saying so and for watching!
Years ago when I was much younger I would travel route 1 to Monterey and I do remember how cold it was in the summer just to see the beautiful vistas but I never knew a railroad existed. I always liked that part of California with the wind swept junipers. There probably was SP running trains then. Its cool that someone has created this ability to ride the rails. Besides Fort Ord I wonder if there were other industries that SP visited.
At one time there was a passenger train, the Del Monte, that ran from San Francisco to Monterey (I'm not sure if it continued on to Pacific Grove). The canneries on the Monterey waterfront also had rail service way back when. There's an industry a little up the road that at one time had rail service and you used to be able to see hopper cars there. I'm not sure if they were using them for sand or what. There's also what looks to me like a more modern cannery or fruit packing plant a little to the north. From what I've read, most of the industry was gone by the late 1970s and the tracks were removed in Monterey in the 1980s. A lot of the rest of the line is still there. It sounds like there is an effort to put it to use for public transit, but I'm not sure what the status on that is. Thanks for watching!
Dan, come visit the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad again, we have the same pedal powered rail carts that ride on the old WM rail line. It’s awesome!
I didn't know they did that too. That sounds fun. I'd love to visit again, maybe when it's warmer. It's hard to believe it's been almost 10 years already. Time flies. Thanks for the info and for watching!
wow that is very cool!! you are very lucky, I wish we had this kind of stuff here :)
According to the person we talked to that worked there, this operation is unique. I have heard of groups that run speeders and other small rail vehicles on abandoned tracks, but I don't know if any of those are regular events. Thanks for watching!
Been wanting to check this out, it looks like fun
It was. Nichole and I had a great time. Thanks for watching!
Better do it now. This closes end of November
NICE VIDEO
We're glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!
That’s super cool! Thanks for sharing
You're welcome. Thanks for watching!
Awesome!
Thanks for watching!
Very nice !!!!!!
I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching!
Looks like fun. Thanks for sharing that experience. Have you checked out the rail bikes on the Skunk Train tracks up by Fort Bragg? That one goes through the forest. I did it with my son a few years ago. Same kind of bikes.
We had a good time. I wasn't aware that they were doing something similar on the Skunk Train line. We'll have to check that out when we get up that way. I rode the Skunk Train once, but that was many years ago. Thanks for watching!
we call those jump frogs! If you ever look at Union Pacific mainline, a lot of them are labeled as jump frogs as a warning to the crews or MOW gangs going in or out. pretty common place to derail equipment lol
I didn't know that's what they were called. It was kind of interesting since they seemed to have some kind of mechanism, maybe hydraulic? It looked like the frog could be opened or closed on the diverging side. I don't recall seeing one of those before. It would be a challenge to model. Thanks for the info and for watching!
A vast majority model railroader's need more cardio workouts and that definitely fits the bill. Awesome! Sounds like a great diversion from "life."
It was a little bit of a workout. Thankfully I didn't end up as sore as I feared I might. The cart does most of the work. You just have to keep the pedals moving, but without much resistance. Thanks for watching!
My wife and I are in our early 70's ... the electric assist is a must-have ... how easy is it to pedal up the hill? What happens if you stall on the way up the hill? :)
I didn't notice much difference in effort going uphill vs. on flat or downhill. The electric motor does most of the work. The pedals have very little resistance. You have to keep them going around, but it doesn't take much effort. The only time I felt it is when starting from a complete stop, and then just for a few seconds until the motor kicks on. We didn't stall on the bigger hill, though they did stop us on a slight grade right after leaving the depot area. I didn't think it felt like any more effort than starting at the depot, which is on a slight downgrade on the way out. Full disclosure, I'm 59 and am still fairly active. Thanks for watching!
Do they utilize the other tracks on occasion.
I don't know. There is a passing siding. I don't know if they use that if they have a lot of people, but they could. I think most of the other tracks are stub ended, so I would guess they wouldn't want the cars to go in there. Thanks for watching!
Looks like it uses adapted E-Bike technology used on road bikes.
It could be. I don't know much about that stuff. There is what looks like a small car battery on one side. When you first start to pedal, you're actually moving the vehicle and it takes some effort. It only takes a few seconds for the motor to kick in and then you just have to keep the pedals moving, but there's not really any resistance. Thanks for watching!
For me, maybe for you too but, watching the world pass by on the Highway would really be peaceful to me. Life is too high paced now days.
It is different. The carts go about 7 or 8 mph, they said, so it's very relaxed. It's very different than driving through the same area on the road. Thanks for watching!
we got rail explorers in the Rhode island
That sounds cool. Thanks for watching!
I understand why they don’t want you doing it, and I agree with their decision but the sign in the beginning is a little bummer. Would be nice to go down the rail and enjoy a beer or two ( responsible and respectful of course)
I can understand, too. They must mean it because they had more than just the one sign. The cars do have a little cubby area where you can put stuff like water or snacks. Thanks for watching!
Its a shame they are closing
Yes, I just found out about that. It's too bad. I was hoping the rail line would be used for something. Thanks for watching!
That looks fun. Thanks for posting this. Could be an activity to do next time I visit my family in San Jose.
You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. It was a lot of fun. Thanks for watching!