With respect to being hard to find about rail accidents, a little digging shows huge detail. Here is just a sample for the year 2000 for the state of Wyoming: safetydata.fra.dot.gov/officeofsafety/publicsite/query/AccidentByStateRailroad_output.aspx?key=szmpe1nhzp0xsfungxwtdrdhxbwwci358566&sFormData=_PROGRAM%3d%2fBI+Manager%2fFRASTP%2fPublicSite%2fAccidentByStateRegion_Combined.sas%26_service%3dsafety%26_debug%3d0%26%26rr1%3d%26rr%3d%26grouptype%3dALL%26region%3d%26st%3d56%26cnty%3d%26atype%3d01%26track%3d%26trkclas%3d%26pcause%3d%26cassub%3dAll+Accidents%26hazmat%3d+%26passtrn%3d2%26major%3d%26psrt%3d1%26cy_fy_opt%3d1%26smonth%3d01%26emonth%3d12%26eyear%3d2000%26grouptype%3dALL&ctrlValue=-PA-3.18AccidentByStateRailroad.aspxAll0056001000All%20Accidents%202%201100All0056001000All%20Accidents%202%201100101122000
RICHIE...this is RICH footage...I will not be able to go to such a place and your going there for us...amazing...actually tearing up ...this gift you are giving us is so much appreciated. ...to hear ypur voice and you share...thank you for all you've done and are doing!!!
I love to see railroad footage!! It brings back memories of my dad. He was an engineer for the Rock Island, Union Pacific, and retired from the Iowa Interstate RR. Thank you, Richie, for the incredible footage and the history of the area. 🤗
I spent 31 years working for a mining company. Many people have no idea what is involved in tunneling or mining. I miss walking down the drift and counting the roof bolts that broke overnight as the ground shifts. Great footage. Not flying into the working tunnel was the best option. Stay safe.
Back when I was in my 20's, and I am now 64, hiking in N. California, during Winter with my dog I heard extremely loud noises up ahead. I ran around the corner to see that a train "was" derailing on the upper mountainside in real time with maybe ten or more cars loaded with lumber flying though the trees at a high velocity, snapping the trees like match sticks until they landed hundreds of yards to the bottom on the river bank. It was truly unbelievable to see happen! I now live up in N. Idaho. Life is good.
I’m wondering if it was the EEl river? Humboldt county that railway moved gravel and lumber from Eureka Ca south through a costly to Maintain eel river route where you often spotted cars in the river from derailments from the unstable ground and washouts in winter. Closed in 1998 from El nino
@@jailbreakoverlander Yep....We had derailments almost every week on that stretch of track. Prior to the video here, and back in the early to late 90's, derailments in the Eel River Canyon happened frequently. Track maintenance was scarce during the years that the Eureka Southern owned the track, and then the North Coast Railroad. I was a conductor on that line for a time, working out of Willits, California, with the 'new' Northwestern Pacific. A train was limited to 10 mph through the canyon, because of track conditions, and unstable earth and roadbed. We were limited to four axle engines because of weight restrictions, and traffic was minimal. The lumber industry had basically shut down in Eureka, and Arcata, and we were lucky to haul 15-20 cars south on any given day. Compare that to the years with the mills operating, and 120 to 130 loads moving south every other day. I quit the job after only a few weeks because conditions were so bad.
My husband worked for BNSF. He was a Forman with the steel gang up there when this happened. I remember him telling me about the tunnels and the awesome scenery. Took a bunch of pictures of the area. He retired a year after and we headed back to Thermopolis from Colorado to show me the area! Beautiful!!
@@krakenwoodfloorservicemcma5975 I would take this brutal country any day over a big city. I have lived in eastern Oregon, Northern Nevada, and Now in southeastern Idaho. I rode my dirt bike and quad all over the "brutal" country where ever I lived. I loved riding in the mountains alone. The country is so desolate, and soooooo beautiful. The best thing------------no traffic, no noise, no people. Yep, I am definitely an introvert. LOL
My grandfather “Bud” was with L&N RR for over 50 yrs. gold pocket watch to boot.Thank you for the ride along on your cool adventures! This is what life is about.
Brings back memories. I was a section hand, rock patrol and track inspector through this canyon for seven years from the mid 1970s through the early 1980s. If a train wrecked, we picked it up. I learned how to blast rock here. Sometimes as many as six trains a day. Rock patrol had to run the canyon about ten minutes ahead of every train.
@@Rat-Builder No. Not so lucky. We used the old Fairmont single cylinder, reversible motor putt-putt cars. No heater in the winter. BN liked to run trains at night. Sounds "romantic" from a "them was the good old days" perspective, but it was frequently a pain in the rear. On the section crews we did have Hy-Rail pickups, but Thermopolis Section never got one of them.
If you had been there in the late 90s you would have done the same for a passenger train. We listened to the conversations between the track patrol and the engineer as we were going thru.
I love these videos. Thank you so much. A perfect combination of scenery, wildlife, history, and music. And a reminder of what I miss doing, watching your walk through a bat tunnel, while I’m sitting here, measuring out mealworms to feed my bats - all rescued, most for release in spring, but some with injuries that make them permanent residents, all shutting down for winter... You remind me it’s time to organise a hibernation survey or two, and get into some tunnels myself - while I still can. Thank you again.
My Grandfather was a conductor on that very line for over 45 years! He said it was the worst work train to pull especially in the winter. They use huge snowplows to keep the tracks clear for the trains heading to the northwest. He even told stories of using that huge tunnel as shelter during days long blizzards back in the 1980s. Thanks for this, brought back memories of Wild Bill... my Grandpa Henderson.
Great video, Be careful if youre headed to california its raining cats and dogs. It may rain for 1 month its completely natural. Thanks again richie love your videos much appreciated.
My papa worked for Burlington Northern Railroad his entire life and retired without missing one day's work! He died at 97 a few years back. He was a Brakeman. I Love Trains. Really looking forward to this video. Thank you brother. God bless you stay strong in his grip🕊
Living in Wyoming, one of my favorite drives is through the Wind River Canyon. Thanks for your video trip and a chance to see the inside of an abandoned train tunnel.
Way cool. I work for BNSF in the Columbia Gorge. I have a hirail bucket truck. We deal with falling rocks all the time. I fix the slide fences that those rocks fall through. Nothing like going out in the middle of the night, usually in the worst weather by yourself. We risk our lives to keeping those trains moving.
Hi Aaron, as a Signal maintainer down under, I can't believe how dangerous, but beautiful these canyons are , and I did go through a few duing my trip in 2015. Kudos to you for risking your life to keep the trains running! Cheers Gregg.
@@davids6533 Actually it's been pretty good...our 11th anniversary is coming in Jan. I'm 8 years older than he and I think he was always "trying to do the right thing" by the women until they screwed him over. He's a really good guy (maybe not back in the day).... let's say they got the boy, I got the man 👍👍. But yeah took me 3 yrs b4 I'd say yes😳
@@TWBlack I'm happy for you. Maybe things will keep being pretty good. 5 1/2 is as long as mine lasted. We were both way too young to understand commitment. If I had it to do over again, I think all I would ask for is honesty, and I would leave religion and government out of it. I'm almost 60 now and think very differently than when I was younger. I'm glad you got the man part. I hope things work out for both of you. : )
I was happy when I found this video. Four or five years ago a friend asked me to drive a Toyota from PA to CA. I took two weeks so I could stop and take a photos. I'd heard about the Wind River Valley so it was treat to drive through. I went up to Thermopolis to check out the WY Dinosaur Center. It snowed over night. It wasn't to bad driving down to Lander. After a quick coffee I headed down to I 80. The pass was closed so I had to the other way. I ended up driving all the way in 6 to 8 inches of snow. I didn't see or meet anyone until I was back on I 80. It was strange not see a car, truck or snow plow, just snow. My family was L&N.
Richi God Bless you , this the coolest video I’ve seen in a long time .thank you to the property owner for allowing you the opportunity to share this great history with us. Fifty years of driving a truck all over North America I’ve seen a lot of things. This was truly great thanks Keep them coming be safe brother.
I really enjoyed this, I got totally lost in the video, forgetting about everything . Thanks for all that you do, and it was nice to hear you so relaxed.
WOW THANK YOU for taking us all on this FABULOUS journey. WE LOVED THIS!!! Especially since we don't get to travel because husband disabled. So this was WAY COOL for us. THANK YOU RICHIE. MAGNIFICENT adventure!!! Great job!!!
My dad worked for Burlington Northern in the early 80s and ran this route. He talked about the huge snow drifts as well as having some scares in the tunnels where fishermen were walking through.
Great video! Next time you are in the area stop by the Hot Springs County History Museum. You can get answers to many of your questions from those folks. Those of us that live in the area enjoy the video and get a kick out of the dramatics! Take care, Dave
The property landowner misspoke when he said the tunnels were built in the 1880's; CB&Q Railroad didn't get to Thermopolis or the Wind River Canyon until 1910. Be sure to check out windriver.org
Been following you a long time, and this my friend is a true display of you talent and maturity. Awesome job Richie!. Signed Danny from upstate NY! About 3 hours west of Boston
Another great video and story!! The Wind River Canyon is an amazing place. I have fished there a number of times. Thank you for the shots of the older failed tunnel...amazing!! Kudos to you for hiking up there to do a walk through in person!! Wyoming kick ass!! I grew up in VT, but you won't catch me back there...Wyoming and Montana just have too much to offer!! Thank you, and I applaud most "bad decisions..."
The Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad (then owned by the Great Northern RR) started building south from Kirby, WY in 1909 through Thermopolis and Wind River Canyon and reached Casper, WY in 1913. However, I doubt that much of the timbering of the tunnels is original having been replaced over the years. There is no reason to line tunnels with concrete if the rock is sound and you don't have rockfall within the tunnel. Concrete and rock bolts are used in tunnels and mines to keep the roof up.
Thanks for taking us along for the ride. Really awesome footage. Brings us back when the west was expanding. Looks like all the photos we have seen as if nothing has changed in over 100 years!
Thanks Shawn, that 4 year compilation of Cali was very enjoyable to watch! She is very fortunate to have a companion like you to allow her to learn and grow in the wilderness, but you (and your family) are very fortunate to have a loyal, dedicated and unconditionally loving companion in Cali. Wish all of you well. Until next time you invite us up to the cabin, cheers!
Thanks for the memories. My dad worked for Penn central that merged with New York central. For over 40 years. Started as a fireman shoveling coal. Worked his way up to engineer. He never had to worry about rocks, but worked in detroit during the riots. He carried a gun in case someone jumped in the train. My brother actually got to go to work with him in the 50s. He was about 8. Back before all the rules. Lol
Steam engines was his favorite particulary the Big Boy's train spotting popular in small company town U.S. Lime later became Flinkote handed down love of trains to me too take care in crazy bat flu time...
WowRichie! My husband and I just watched this video with great awe and amazement. You did an amazing job filming this area of our country that many of us will never be lucky enough to see. And not only the filming but the narration . We watch you all the time and thank you for your truth channels but also appreciate your adventures. God Bless You!
We were on our way to Cody June 2023 and came upon this - it was amazing! Stopped to take pictures & look across the river to the train tunnels. This was a great video to find. Thanks for posting it!
"I was married once" LOL, I had to laugh when Richie said that, there's many things you should do at least once. Got to ride a train once, My Dad and I hopped onto a freight train going up a mountain pass in the Washington Cascades, we had been fishing this river when the train came by, we thought what the heck let's ride it up a ways and fish on the way down, that's exactly what we did. There was a couple "hobo's" on a box car, they helped us jump on, we rode about 4 or 5 miles up and got off, fished the river on the way back down, was some of the best fishing in my life, trout fishing is the best!
One time while I was in high school in Klamath Falls Oregon, I was walking home from town. It was about 5 miles, and the Great Northern yard was only 1/2 mile from my house. Going through town was the Southern Pacific yard, and the trains went slow through that yard. I decided to wait for a GN train to be heading south, and climb on. They always stopped at the end of the GN yard close to my house. So, that is what I did. I did not even have the good sense to get in a box car, I just hung on to the hand rails between the cars. It was working great. The train went through the GN yard and then got closer and closer to my house. Then to my amazement, it started to accelerate! It was going about 35 MPH as it crossed the road that my house was on, and it still was accelerating! I was sooooo scared, but what could I do, I just hung on and waited. Finally about 30 miles from home, the train pulled over to a siding to let another train pass, and I got off. Now I was in the middle of NOWHERE 30 miles from home. Scared to death. I waited there for a couple of hours, and then a train going toward town and HOME pulled into the same siding. I got inside an empty gondola car and HOPED the the train would stop in town and not go to heaven only knows where. This train got me within 1 mile of my house when it stopped. I got off and finished walking home. I NEVER did that again!!!
Awesome video! Thank you for sharing it with us. My father was a forester for the Northern Pacific/Burlington Northern Railroad in Washington, Idaho and Montana. We worked with and around the railroad itself wherever we lived. Trees growing on mountainsides CAUSE rocks to split with their roots, and thus, with water, wind, freeze/thaw and vibrations, create landslides. The Clark Fork in Montana is another river canyon notorious rockslides with the BNSF. Derailments on that line have made national news repeatedly. The lines following the Columbia River are difficult too. And then there are the passes over the Cascades . . . The old Milwaukee RR as it ran through North Idaho along the North Fork of the St. Joe River was another stretch of line that was dangerous and a maintenance nightmare. It's now a bicycle/hiking trail. If you're talking mountains, river canyons and railroads, there are going to be stories of derailments.
Well since you're here, you may as well go up to kerwin. the old abandoned gold mining town. Butch cassidy, calamity jane, and all sorts of peeps came from back in the day. Emilia Earhart's cabin is up there.
I think you nailed it. Desolation, antiquity, passion, inquity. Thoses the kind of videos Im looking for. Only a few have achieved this. In your content you covered it. Only in my dreams.
Richie in his natural environment,lots of love for all you do,and have done,I appreciate being informed but this is my fave channel,its clear that you love being out amongst Gods creations,your peace is palpable.Im so glad you find happiness out there as I do.
A couple things worth mentioning here from someone who works in the rail industry. I feel that some of your assumptions about why things are the way they are in the rail industry are rooted in Hollywood movie style ‘blood money’ antics rather then facts. So to hopefully help clarify some things let me explain. One question among many being why would and rail carrier build a rail line next to a jagged unstable cliff that parallels a fast flowing water way? Simple; because when most rail lines in this country were built, they were powered by steam locomotives which have a critical dependency upon water. Following the waterways of this nation weren’t optional. Notice how nearly every rail subdivision in the country, at some point or another, is near water or has reasonably easy access to it? That’s not by accident. That’s 100% intentional. That in itself leads me to the next question of why do they still retain those water side passageways even in the modern dieselization era the rail industry is in? Again, the answer is simple. Water follows the path of least resistance. Railroads do the same as it’s logically the best decision to pursue the easiest path between two points as it allows the greatest volume of products to be moved the cheapest and easiest. It’s basic economics. Notice how so many railroads across the country always seem to be in valley floors or near rivers? Again, that’s not by accident. That’s completely intentional. Another question being why would they continue to operate rail traffic in areas that are potentially unstable and could cost the owner of that particular line money in damaged products/equipment as well as legal payouts? Again the answer is simple; if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. That might sound counter-intuitive but look at it like this. I’ve operated drag freights exceeding 18,000 tons in weight. Trains are only getting heavier and longer as time passes. So with that in mind which makes more sense to operate a train on; a rocky surface that has been stripped of any loose material through erosion that was next to a waterway which at the time was absolutely a critical necessity, or inland where geology and topography may literally and figuratively be undermining you or causing roadbed instabilities? Not to mention taking you away from the water sources you absolutely need. It’s common sense. On that same point you also have to look at it from a social perspective. People inherently live where it’s most sustainable; which in most cases will always be near a water way. The businesses that profit off of the public consequently follow the public. The carries for those business follow where the businesses go. Railroads know where they are most wanted. In a somewhat related note here I need to address this ‘blood money’ style angle that you are trying to push here so consider this. Commerce is king no matter if you like it or not. Don’t shoot the messenger. In other words don’t blame railroads for supplying the goods and services that you, myself, and everyone else in this country demand. They simply are fulfilling a need to provide what we as a organized civilized society demand. If railroads by extension have ‘blood on their hands’ for pursuing critically important profit driven survival then you should arrest yourself as much as you want to point fingers at rail carriers because they are again simply serving a need that is generated by you and everyone else. They wouldn’t exist if your life didn’t necessitate the need for our industry to exist to begin with. They are no more responsible for corporate profit and commerce keeping it’s grip on society then the highways are. Does that make every trucker in America a criminal upon society for supporting the economy and national commerce too? What about pipelines that supply the fuels and energy we demand. Are those pipelines carrying the blood of those who have died or been injured building them? Are the servers at McDonalds criminals for serving you food which could kill you? The answers to all these questions is no. They simply are serving YOU, the public, what YOU the public demand and expect. Here’s some food for thought as well. I work for Union Pacific. I have for nearing two decades now. Kind of scary now that I think about it. Union Pacific’s Donner Pass route which operates through the Sierra Nevada mountain range is actually built upon gold rich soil. It’s so rich in gold that surveyors have actually offered to - PAY - to relocate our lines just so they can get access to that gold. So far every surveyor has failed to convince us it’s a good idea to do it and I believe hell will freeze over before it happens. If railroads were money leaches happy to sacrifice everything to make a dollar, don’t you think they’d have jumped at the opportunity to sell the property that they own and make a healthy profit doing it while still retaining a operable rail line? Railroads have a moral fiber at their core. They are operated by the people that make up this great nation and subsequently serve you all as well. It’s why I take pride in my job. Every industry has a dark side. But that in no way invalidates the necessity to appreciate the ingenuity of those industries to ultimately make our lives as cushy as they are. Don’t bite the hand that feeds especially when your asking it to do so. If you weren’t demanding our goods and services we wouldn’t be working 24/7 to meet your needs. This job is a lot harder the most people realize and it’s undoubtedly taken years off my life doing it. But I do it because I love this industry just as I love this great country that we serve. So to answer one last question of yours; why would we be willing to risk our lives for this job? Simple; it’s worth it to us and your lives are better because of it. -Nearly 20 years working for UP.
To get a rough idea what it was like back then building the railroad watch Hell on Wheels on Netflix and also read the book “Nothing Like It In The World.
My $10 bill says that if someone offered to build UP a different and lower and better route through the mountains in exchange for the land the tracks presently run on, they would jump sky high and ask how soon they could sign on the dotted line. I don't know the particulars about that area but getting mining rights and permits is a long, long process with no guarantee of success. A company would have to have stupid money to spend billions re-routing train lines just to gamble on a idea that gold would pan out. If UP is sitting on a gold mine, so to speak, and not cashing in, I'm sure their share holders would very much like to know that. BTW, UP was started by the Federal Gov't, so whatever terrible and inhuman practices they might have employed to build their line, the gov't was part of the action.
@@shopshop144 Thank you for the opinions but once again I feel you’re assumptions are rooted in fallacies and myths rather then knowledgeable truths pertaining to the industry or even the company as a whole. The Donner Pass line is a monumental hurdle to get over but with topography being what it is. It's literally the only financially viable path eastward over the Sierra mountains since it's not practical from a financial or operational perspective to try to route traffic around a mountain range. You're going over it whether you like it or not. Which on that topic real-estate on the pass in any form that is worthy enough of even a single track mainline is difficult to come by not to mention the number of unproven tunnels, bridges, and environmental aspects that would have to be taken into consideration with a new routes construction. For UP to allow third party mining contractors, who historically lack any understanding of how to property construct a railroad mainline, much less to modern standards. But in any case to allow third party interests to come in and construct a new unproven alternative route would be laughably nonsensical to put it mildly. This also isn’t taking into account private and state/federally owned property that might not be negotiable under any circumstances. This is 2020 we're talking about not the 1820's. I previously mentioned the phrase ‘if it isn’t broken don’t fix it‘ and rest assure UP is in no way interested in letting outside interests remove two time proven mainlines from critical daily operation just to have a questionable alternative pass, which may not even realistically be viable to start with, or if it is, it may not be viable long term which UP would be left with long term expenses for maintaining a line that plainly and simply didn’t need to be built to start with. The more logical alternative being to simply keep using the time proven properties they have and leaving it at that. Lets also not forget that under normal circumstances Amtrak operates over the pass as well and their operations can’t be allowed to be impeded much less the hundreds of millions of dollars in commerce the UP rolls over the line annually as well as emergency reroute bypass operations from BNSF should they be needed. Adding to it further you’re also overlooking CTC signally systems, snow sheds, MOW tracks, and related structures, which would have to be removed and reconstructed on a new alternative pass. Can you hear the money piling up already? On the topic of money lets talk about it in the context of your point that if both of UP’s mainlines are sitting on gold rich soil, why wouldn’t they sell it? Well, answered your own question with the self admission that mining operations are not only eye wateringly expensive to even be permitted to begin with, but also are in no way a guarantee that you would make a profit as a result. So, once again, if it isn’t broken don’t fix it. Even if UP was in on the deal and got a cut of any mining profits generated, which we both know they would be since they have ALL the leverage to force the deal to be by their terms. But even if UP was getting a cut of the profits, UP would have, at best, a heavy gamble on their hands hoping mining operations were profitable to begin with. Consequently UP would have minimal to gain from selling their property if that gamble didn’t pay off and as a result would inherit many uncertainties that may cost the company more in the long run then help them. So I’d hide that ten dollars you have there chief because those mainlines aren’t going anywhere. But I can say this though. That if I, a regular employee, know about this, rest assure every investment firm and high level authority figure in the company does as well, and they KNOW what they have to loose should a crazy gold chasing adventure go bad. Sure glad that hasn’t ever happened before... You are correct though about UP being started by the federal government. As was nearly every industry at the time due to the federal government simply having the finances and legal authority to easily allow new industrial growth. However UP is in every way allowed to operate as a private self governing company. Albeit publicly traded, and under the jurisdiction of the FRA as well as the NTSB as are all forms of public and national transportation. So if you were to by extension try to link them as a company to the questionable ethics and practices of former government administrations, that would be quite a leap. Doubly so seeing how basing your claims off of such a vague focus could allow someone to imply that every industry, national OR globally, is bathed in blood money style corruption seeing how most industries in their more primitive days saw human rights and human life as disposable. Does that mean that modern industry is the same? No. Refer to my comments above in reference to ‘blood money’ style commerce related opinions. But the short answer being just because power corrupts, it doesn’t mean it’s all consuming. We operate this company to the best of our abilities and take pride in doing so because at the end of the day it’s OUR lives that suffer if we don’t. Corporate decisions don’t decide the level of quality and care we put into our jobs nor does it exclude the fact that with a corporation the size as UP, with as many employees working for them as they have, let it not be lost upon you the power we as employees have, and UP knows it BIG TIME with how vulnerable of a spot UP and all Class-1’s are in being so indebted to national commerce yet only surviving if we the employees continue to power this company. It’s in their own best interest that they treat us good and take care of us. Even more so given how many new hires are gone within the first 12 months. They can't replace us as fast as they would need to if we turned on this company and they know it so they know to take care of us. Which speaking as a locomotive engineer, yes the job is a handful at times and this industry will push your buttons. But between the pay and benefits I’ll enjoy a nice retirement because of it. This industry wouldn’t still be here nearly two centuries after it’s creation if it wasn’t worth it to us and if we have our way this company will continue to serve this great country and all of you for many years to come. Stay safe out there.
@@Henry5623 I'll up my bet to $20. The worlds lawyers would certainly insure that any theoretical contract between UP and another party to build, lets say a tunnel under the Donner pass area, would include all sorts of guarantees about the quality of the work and having all the needed State and federal approvals in hand long before UP gave up their existing trackage. But don't get caught up in the theoretical details. All I was saying if the gold in the mountain is worth X a mining company would be willing to spend up to a certain amount to get it. If that amount covered the cost, however crazy high priced that might be, to put in a 2 mile long tunnel that would put money in UP's pocket and created a lower and straighter route through the mountains, I believe UP would go for it. But unless the miners find bricks of solid gold inside the mountain, that tunnel isn't going to happen. UP is in business to make money, and if they could cash in, with all the needed guarantees, on somebody's wild concept, I say they do it. UP has an asset that is worth a certain amount to them, that could be real estate or equipment. If someone offers them that amount plus X% with conditions that are workable to them, they'd go for it. If not a corporate raider would soon be buying up a small stake in the company and start demanding a higher rate of return on their investment. Very few businesses stay in business if they are not willing to improve, take educated risks, and make changes, even on systems that aren't broken. I'm sure they were practices and methods in your industry 30 years ago that worked fine, but were improved with new practices and methods Can you recommend a video that gives a true to life view of the job of a locomotive engineer?
This video is 2 years old and I'M ENJOYING IT AGAIN 😮😅 Cannot say thank you enough for taking me along with on your rides across this beautiful nation....SPECTACULAR!! God bless you. Stay well and be safe 🙏 ❤️ ☝️ Texas Nana 🤠 Psalm 91 EXCELLENT WORK RICHIE❤ YOU ARE A SPECIAL BREED...BUT "I DIGRESS "😊
Stunning, I kept repeating wow, oh wow. Thank you for capturing this. I like a modern-day Lewis and Clark. And bringing it to the forefront. Thank you ever so much Richie.
Beautiful super clear awesome buffalo & horses at the start. Like a painting 🖌️. Wyoming is gorgeous 😍. The 🚂 how relaxing thank you. The river so calming Godbless. Rustic exactly the word 💜. Those tunnels so 😎. The drone incredible. So glad this video came up in my feed 🧁 timing. What a blessing you are. Nice man Ron.... Wonderfully done Richie! 2 years ago. Time so fast yet so slow. 💙🙏👍
Richie, I want to say thank you to you sir. I love history and I really love the history that's not something that we learned in school or in everyday life. This is a kick-ass video. If ever you find yourself around the upper south Texas coast around Galveston you will have a place to hang your hat. My house is your house sir. Keep spreading the word and keep it real. Be careful on your travels later
You really captured the wonder and ruggedness of the Wind River canyon. Back in 1993 we drove through there and didn't know what to expect. When we drove through the tunnels and saw a train on the other side I turned around and had to drive back through the canyon to see it again. Once was not enough. Some day I shall return. Your video took me back there and more. Awesome video. Thanks for sharing!
It is amazing that all that has stood test of time our ancestors apparently were better at building things that would stand the test of time beautiful scenery excellent find Richie thank you for the adventure
Those tunnels were built by Chinese men who came to the US in the 1860's and 1880's and were then stripped of their ability to travel and further their families' immigration to the US until the mid 1940's it's kinda tragic. Nearly all eligible Chinese men served in the US Military in WWII anyway.
Makes you think for a second that those upper tunnels are much older. Maybe before the water eroded the mountain down to where the second set is also better built than our current garbage.
Ive watched a lot a videos even when im on break or chilling out, found channels of off roading, have learned a lot, i spend a lot of time out exploring camping and like the others and you i get way out of nowhere and im in hog heaven 😎 ill say your video is the best ive come across 👍 being straight up most people cant handle it my compliments brother
Hey Richie, you just went through my families stomping grounds. My older brother and dad were born there in Thermopolis. I would go fishing with my grandpa in the wind river there in the canyon. I have deep roots in that area. My grandpa was friends with the local tribe leader there. I believe the Shoshoni tribe, maybe Arapahoe. We had to have permission in that area because it is reservation land. Driven through the tunnels on that road many times. Remember as a kid that was our favorite part of the trip there and back, and being in awe of the trains traveling through. Been through some pretty treacherous weather in that canyon as well. Still have family in Thermopolis. The Hot Springs State Park is a shell of its former self, used to be a thriving place but many of the hot springs that made up the park have dried up. Used to be an awesome place. Thank you so much for taking the time to make this!
Thanks for the great video. The Wind River is high country & summer doesn't hang around very long. When it gets cold the bugs hibernate & there is no food for the bats so they migrate south, just like the snow-birds. I'm to the west in the Idaho Rockies, we're below freezing at night & already seen our first snow. The wind doesn't blow in Wyoming, it sucks in South Dakota! ;-)
One thing's for sure...they don't build them LIKE they use to!!! This is amazing footage!!! This is stunning and scary at the same time!!! Thank you Richie!!! GODSPEED!!! 💝💝💝
Thanks great video In the 70 80 90 I traveled as a salesman about one a month thru Wind River. Thermop a great town Also great hiking would take a few day off to enjoy. The highway has signs about the water aquifers. Thanks again.
Hey Richie next time you're in the Ozarks would love to show you some back country trails. Ozark mo here. Been watching your channels for 10 years thanks for all you do brother.
Wow, this brings back memories! I once rode this track (back in the day in a passenger car) from the Bonneville, WY depot, through the Wind River Canyon, past Thermopolis and Kirby, to the Worland, WY depot, and then back home to Thermopolis by auto. Great video! Thanks SO much!
Thank you Richie. You have eyes, you saw and warned. Those of us with ears heard, those of us with mouths passed your message on. those of us with a brain and heart will remember and keep your warning alive.
I've driven through this area numerous times, but had a tight schedule so I couldn't stop to enjoy the scenery. Absolutely spell-binding and beautiful scenery in the "middle of nowhere Wyoming", who woulda thunk? I am mesmerized by the river, train tracks and tunnels as I am going by as well. I really enjoyed this video showing me this area in greater detail, and that caved in tunnel is amazing as well. Thank you for posting this, and I enjoyed your sense of humor as well! Take care, from Utah!
Amazing footage, my dad worked for Acme Freight Train Co. 50+ years ago. I still have a tool set from them. Anyway, thank you for finding this beautiful piece of history. God Bless you.
Wyoming is truly beautiful at times. Sometimes not so much. It's very windy. In my opinion, Montana is the most beautiful in the world but I live here so... Lol. Those boulders remind me of where I live. The cliffs we call them. Some ppl are dumb enough to live below them. Smh Btw, Mr Richie you have the most relaxing voice in the world. This was a very good video with phenomenal footage. I'm so glad your doing things you like to do.
@@troystiles1033 no offense, but I hate Colorado. It's because that place has many bad memories for me. It's okay I guess. Lol. But to each their own right?
@@symbologee yeah by all the Californians. They need to leave. Montanas my home, but my heart is starting to want to go roam free somewhere like Alaska. Montana is getting too infiltrated
Hey Richie!!! I just wanted to tell you just how much I enjoy your videos! I have 3 other accounts, all subscribed to your channels. I even have my 14 yr old son watching. His favorite is this channel. As a single mom, I try my best to teach him and his younger brother survival skills but I don't have a lot of experience. I started learning around about 2017-2018. Since watching the first Jailbreak Overlander video he's started teaching me things! Thank you for all you do and create for us, your subscribers. You have no clue just how much you've helped my family and others. Keep creating and spreading the truth. Whether you know or not, there are thousands of us watching and taking action based upon the truth you give!
Oh Man....You bring back such stark memories of that area............... I was starting school at Colorado State in Fort Collins, Colorado, and on a weekend, hitched a ride on #77, a Colorado and Southern northbound hotshot to Laurel, Montana. Had a nice empty beer boxcar to myself, and I strung a hammock with my sleeping gear. The emptiness of Wyoming the next morning was beautiful and something that after two tours of Vietnam made sense, and helped settle me down. Then.....the tunnel after seeing the Boyson Reservoir, was full of all the diesel exhaust. I held a wet neckerchief over my face and got down low on the floor of the car. It was nasty...and the train was slow and heavy. Came out the other side, and it was like 'heaven had arrived'.....Steep canyon walls on both sides, and the beautiful river....just like your video.....My hair was oily and sticky with all the hot exhaust, arms were sticky, and the diesel smell was overpowering......More to come.....your video is fabulous in every way !!! Thank you !!!
Another epic video, thank you for sharing. Love Drone footage you have some serious skills camera, driving ,survival, you rock! And history lesson too couldn’t ask for more. Much love and respect to you Richie. You bring us places we would never be able to see otherwise. 👋🏼😘
Wow, Richie! This was just enthralling! Your voice is full of mystery and wonder - you convey it well. This is better than many documentaries I've seen. You are very talented and quite genius in your work here!
I have worked cars in that canyon and have high railed into the canyon from both ends in a road truck. I have to disagree with you on the water part. The train runs along side the Boyson Lake not under it. I was based out of Greybull, Wyoming and one of my good friends still works there.
A boulder the size of a pickup truck caused the wreck in 2010. I knew the engineer that was on that train. Big rocks and boulders constantly fall off of the sides of the canyon. I worked out of Greybull for a bit and ran trains through the canyon about a handful of times. Hitting a huge rock was always in the back of my mind while going through the canyon.
I retired off the BNSF as a conductor with 43 years in 2009. Is that BNSF track, what is the speed through the area shown and is that CTC? Just curious, I worked between Kansas City and Chicago on the TransCon, 70mph and CTC, it was like laying off. Lol
Wow, 43 years on the railroad is a long time! It is BNSF track. If I can remember right, I think the canyon has a permanent speed restriction of 30 mph. I could be wrong, it’s been more than a decade since I was there. It is dark territory there. We would either go from Greybull to Casper, or Greybull to Laurel. Max speed on the entire sub was 40 mph lol, just brutal. I’m now back home in Minneapolis. Was able to transfer back here in 2014. I go from Minneapolis to Fargo.
@@suesanchez5831 I just moved from Shoshoni when that happened. There was heavy rains and a bunch of snow earlier, rocks and lots of landslides that year.
Thank-you Richie for another beautiful awesome video & a fantastic history lesson to boot. I was happy you made through the tunnel without breaking a leg, but also that you didn't run into a rattlesnake, looked like a perfect place to find one but maybe it was to cold. Train wrecks were sad & I hope no engineers were killed. You made me hungry for trout. Haven't had any since I left New England over 30 yrs. ago. One of my favorite fish besides haddock.
That was really cool brother....I can not even imagine trying to accomplish those tunnels with the tools and equipment they had back then. And people complain now about how tough their job is....lol
Think about this, in the 1800s they made a tunnel through the Sierras, between Reno Nevada and San Francisco, Cali. They started on each side of the mountain, and met in the middle of the mountain. This was done without any of fancy stuff that they have now. I think that it was amazing.
I've been through the Wind River Valley and it is immensely beautiful between Shoshoni and Thermopolis. I didn't get to explore as much as you but Boysen Reservoir is breathtaking. Thank you for filming this adventure it brings back wonderful memories.
I almost moved to Thermopolis and chose Steamboat Springs Colorado instead... Twin Peaks was another selection. But Steamboat Springs won, it was an excellent decision. Right at the Wyoming border👍 Wyoming is amazing, as is Colorado. So to travel from the Beautiful mountain area to a freak out, DIA... Wooo, even the atmosphere is Supernatural. Milner Regional is nowhere to take a large flight from but you got to go to DIA about four and a half hours away to the East slope... all mountains and canyons. Once you make it, LOL, through the treacherous winter blizzards... LOL you get to go to DIA yippee ki-yay, the artwork will leave you speechless. Richie I love your doing this... I also did it for years. All the way to California to live to leave and to come back and. GOLD MINE. To the Oregon border to get OPAL. Just traveling around and living large in God's COUNTRY. 62 Now, after 5 years my truck comes in 2 days. I am now Road ready. And I don't know where to go 1st 👏 I have finally been blessed with a vehicle after waiting for 5 years. So thankful☝🙏
I think you chose wisely with Steamboat. I've lived in Thermopolis off and on over the years, and while the river and canyon are incredibly beautiful, Thermopolis becomes a heat sink in the summer and the heat is unbearable at least for me ;) Also it can be a cold sink at times in the winter, I was living there when it hit -27F and have seen many weeks were the temp would not climb above 0F, but I was much more content with the cold than the heat. The town also sadly has some widespread drug/meth issues :(
Another piece of history of that valley. My mom was born and raised in Worland. Her father's second wife family had an very old log cabin in that valley. The land went back to the reservation. So they lost it. Going toward Thermopolis wright after the third tunnel if I'm correct. Right hand side and up the valley side it sits. The log's came from Montana by horse and wagon. Just to the west is a shed. Is or was in it is an very old pool table. The old outlaw's would hang out there and played pool on that table. Ones like, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. In turn have an home in Lander. If you got there. Go to the city park. East side into the park. Across the river and first home. The north part of the home is the old cabin. Down main street. South side of the road. Where US Bank is. Was the famous hotel in the movie where they are standing on the balcony. A lot of history in Lander. Lived there for 12 years. Amazing Museum west of town. I have not been up that valley for about 6 years. Thanks for showing it. I used to fish that lake. Again, thanks for showing it. Take care.
Thank you Richie for another rich History lesson, the music was beautiful and fit perfectly. God Bless you can't wait to see what's next! your in our prayers!!!
Thanks for this video. Wyoming certainly does have quite a bit of historical views, stories and lots of wide open spaces. We love living here in Wyoming!
With respect to being hard to find about rail accidents, a little digging shows huge detail. Here is just a sample for the year 2000 for the state of Wyoming: safetydata.fra.dot.gov/officeofsafety/publicsite/query/AccidentByStateRailroad_output.aspx?key=szmpe1nhzp0xsfungxwtdrdhxbwwci358566&sFormData=_PROGRAM%3d%2fBI+Manager%2fFRASTP%2fPublicSite%2fAccidentByStateRegion_Combined.sas%26_service%3dsafety%26_debug%3d0%26%26rr1%3d%26rr%3d%26grouptype%3dALL%26region%3d%26st%3d56%26cnty%3d%26atype%3d01%26track%3d%26trkclas%3d%26pcause%3d%26cassub%3dAll+Accidents%26hazmat%3d+%26passtrn%3d2%26major%3d%26psrt%3d1%26cy_fy_opt%3d1%26smonth%3d01%26emonth%3d12%26eyear%3d2000%26grouptype%3dALL&ctrlValue=-PA-3.18AccidentByStateRailroad.aspxAll0056001000All%20Accidents%202%201100All0056001000All%20Accidents%202%201100101122000
“I was married once so terrible ideas aren’t new to me”... Buddy, best quote I’ve ever heard. Had me laughing out loud and smiling ear to ear!👍🏽
Funny!
RICHIE...this is RICH footage...I will not be able to go to such a place and your going there for us...amazing...actually tearing up ...this gift you are giving us is so much appreciated. ...to hear ypur voice and you share...thank you for all you've done and are doing!!!
I love to see railroad footage!! It brings back memories of my dad. He was an engineer for the Rock Island, Union Pacific, and retired from the Iowa Interstate RR. Thank you, Richie, for the incredible footage and the history of the area. 🤗
My great grandfather was a mechanic on the Rock Island Railroad, a very long time ago.
I spent 31 years working for a mining company. Many people have no idea what is involved in tunneling or mining. I miss walking down the drift and counting the roof bolts that broke overnight as the ground shifts. Great footage.
Not flying into the working tunnel was the best option.
Stay safe.
Back when I was in my 20's, and I am now 64, hiking in N. California, during Winter with my dog I heard extremely loud noises up ahead. I ran around the corner to see that a train "was" derailing on the upper mountainside in real time with maybe ten or more cars loaded with lumber flying though the trees at a high velocity, snapping the trees like match sticks until they landed hundreds of yards to the bottom on the river bank. It was truly unbelievable to see happen! I now live up in N. Idaho. Life is good.
wow i cant imagine
I’m wondering if it was the EEl river? Humboldt county that railway moved gravel and lumber from Eureka Ca south through a costly to Maintain eel river route where you often spotted cars in the river from derailments from the unstable ground and washouts in winter. Closed in 1998 from El nino
@@jailbreakoverlander Yep....We had derailments almost every week on that stretch of track. Prior to the video here, and back in the early to late 90's, derailments in the Eel River Canyon happened frequently. Track maintenance was scarce during the years that the Eureka Southern owned the track, and then the North Coast Railroad. I was a conductor on that line for a time, working out of Willits, California, with the 'new' Northwestern Pacific. A train was limited to 10 mph through the canyon, because of track conditions, and unstable earth and roadbed. We were limited to four axle engines because of weight restrictions, and traffic was minimal.
The lumber industry had basically shut down in Eureka, and Arcata, and we were lucky to haul 15-20 cars south on any given day. Compare that to the years with the mills operating, and 120 to 130 loads moving south every other day. I quit the job after only a few weeks because conditions were so bad.
My husband worked for BNSF. He was a Forman with the steel gang up there when this happened. I remember him telling me about the tunnels and the awesome scenery. Took a bunch of pictures of the area. He retired a year after and we headed back to Thermopolis from Colorado to show me the area! Beautiful!!
Brutal country up there. I worked in eastern Montana, not too far away.
@@krakenwoodfloorservicemcma5975 I would take this brutal country any day over a big city. I have lived in eastern Oregon, Northern Nevada, and Now in southeastern Idaho. I rode my dirt bike and quad all over the "brutal" country where ever I lived. I loved riding in the mountains alone. The country is so desolate, and soooooo beautiful. The best thing------------no traffic, no noise, no people. Yep, I am definitely an introvert. LOL
My grandfather “Bud” was with L&N RR for over 50 yrs. gold pocket watch to boot.Thank you for the ride along on your cool adventures! This is what life is about.
Gold pocket watch. That's really cool. The good ol' days when there was appreciation like that . . . and pocket watches.
Brings back memories. I was a section hand, rock patrol and track inspector through this canyon for seven years from the mid 1970s through the early 1980s. If a train wrecked, we picked it up. I learned how to blast rock here. Sometimes as many as six trains a day. Rock patrol had to run the canyon about ten minutes ahead of every train.
nice
That sounds like a fun job. Did you drive the tracks in a pickup with railroad wheels that you could lower?
@@Rat-Builder No. Not so lucky. We used the old Fairmont single cylinder, reversible motor putt-putt cars. No heater in the winter. BN liked to run trains at night. Sounds "romantic" from a "them was the good old days" perspective, but it was frequently a pain in the rear. On the section crews we did have Hy-Rail pickups, but Thermopolis Section never got one of them.
If you had been there in the late 90s you would have done the same for a passenger train. We listened to the conversations between the track patrol and the engineer as we were going thru.
@@ronaldgraves6196 Wow, I would have never guessed that. It sounds like the good old days were more "old" than "good".
I love these videos. Thank you so much. A perfect combination of scenery, wildlife, history, and music. And a reminder of what I miss doing, watching your walk through a bat tunnel, while I’m sitting here, measuring out mealworms to feed my bats - all rescued, most for release in spring, but some with injuries that make them permanent residents, all shutting down for winter... You remind me it’s time to organise a hibernation survey or two, and get into some tunnels myself - while I still can. Thank you again.
My Grandfather was a conductor on that very line for over 45 years! He said it was the worst work train to pull especially in the winter. They use huge snowplows to keep the tracks clear for the trains heading to the northwest. He even told stories of using that huge tunnel as shelter during days long blizzards back in the 1980s. Thanks for this, brought back memories of Wild Bill... my Grandpa Henderson.
nice
@@moparproud3978 Not true, I've driven on that very road snow and ice packed and have seen with my own eyes them plowing those tracks real time!
@@moparproud3978 Well I should say not true in my experience. Mind you this was years ago before the place dried up so there's that.
@Katie Rae He may have removed them himself?
Great video, Be careful if youre headed to california its raining cats and dogs. It may rain for 1 month its completely natural. Thanks again richie love your videos much appreciated.
My papa worked for Burlington Northern Railroad his entire life and retired without missing one day's work! He died at 97 a few years back. He was a Brakeman. I Love Trains. Really looking forward to this video. Thank you brother. God bless you stay strong in his grip🕊
Well I hope its worthy
Can you drink the water.?
My gramps worked as an engineer for soo line
@@candyjohnson2750 yes, but unless you like giardia then i suggest filtering it
I bet he liked Jimmie Rodgers the singing brakeman 🎵🎶
Living in Wyoming, one of my favorite drives is through the Wind River Canyon. Thanks for your video trip and a chance to see the inside of an abandoned train tunnel.
Way cool. I work for BNSF in the Columbia Gorge. I have a hirail bucket truck. We deal with falling rocks all the time. I fix the slide fences that those rocks fall through. Nothing like going out in the middle of the night, usually in the worst weather by yourself. We risk our lives to keeping those trains moving.
Hi Aaron, as a Signal maintainer down under, I can't believe how dangerous, but beautiful these canyons are , and I did go through a few duing my trip in 2015. Kudos to you for risking your life to keep the trains running!
Cheers Gregg.
Appreciate your hard work. Thank you for what you do. I hopped trains for years.
What is the grade on those tracks?
That's cool
"I was married once, so terrible ideas aren't new to me." Well said, my friend. I was foolish enough to try it twice.
Of course this reminds me of my husband... I'm his 5th wife!!!! I know, I know, what was I thinking?!?!?🤪🤣🤣
@@TWBlack Dang girl! 5th?? LMAO! You may not have been thinking at all. ; ) I was head over heels in lust the 2nd time. Lesson learned though.
@@davids6533 Actually it's been pretty good...our 11th anniversary is coming in Jan. I'm 8 years older than he and I think he was always "trying to do the right thing" by the women until they screwed him over. He's a really good guy (maybe not back in the day).... let's say they got the boy, I got the man 👍👍. But yeah took me 3 yrs b4 I'd say yes😳
@@TWBlack I'm happy for you. Maybe things will keep being pretty good. 5 1/2 is as long as mine lasted. We were both way too young to understand commitment. If I had it to do over again, I think all I would ask for is honesty, and I would leave religion and government out of it. I'm almost 60 now and think very differently than when I was younger. I'm glad you got the man part. I hope things work out for both of you. : )
The shortest sentence is "I Am". The longest sentence is "I Do".
I was happy when I found this video. Four or five years ago a friend asked me to drive a Toyota from PA to CA. I took two weeks so I could stop and take a photos. I'd heard about the Wind River Valley so it was treat to drive through. I went up to Thermopolis to check out the WY Dinosaur Center. It snowed over night. It wasn't to bad driving down to Lander. After a quick coffee I headed down to I 80. The pass was closed so I had to the other way. I ended up driving all the way in 6 to 8 inches of snow. I didn't see or meet anyone until I was back on I 80. It was strange not see a car, truck or snow plow, just snow. My family was L&N.
Richi God Bless you , this the coolest video I’ve seen in a long time .thank you to the property owner for allowing you the opportunity to share this great history with us. Fifty years of driving a truck all over North America I’ve seen a lot of things. This was truly great thanks Keep them coming be safe brother.
I really enjoyed this, I got totally lost in the video, forgetting about everything .
Thanks for all that you do, and it was nice to hear you so relaxed.
WOW THANK YOU for taking us all on this FABULOUS journey. WE LOVED THIS!!! Especially since we don't get to travel because husband disabled. So this was WAY COOL for us. THANK YOU RICHIE. MAGNIFICENT adventure!!! Great job!!!
My dad worked for Burlington Northern in the early 80s and ran this route. He talked about the huge snow drifts as well as having some scares in the tunnels where fishermen were walking through.
Thats cool that he worked for BN but that's insane as well
Great video! Next time you are in the area stop by the Hot Springs County History Museum. You can get answers to many of your questions from those folks. Those of us that live in the area enjoy the video and get a kick out of the dramatics!
Take care, Dave
The property landowner misspoke when he said the tunnels were built in the 1880's; CB&Q Railroad didn't get to Thermopolis or the Wind River Canyon until 1910.
Be sure to check out windriver.org
Been following you a long time, and this my friend is a true display of you talent and maturity. Awesome job Richie!. Signed Danny from upstate NY! About 3 hours west of Boston
Another great video and story!! The Wind River Canyon is an amazing place. I have fished there a number of times. Thank you for the shots of the older failed tunnel...amazing!! Kudos to you for hiking up there to do a walk through in person!! Wyoming kick ass!! I grew up in VT, but you won't catch me back there...Wyoming and Montana just have too much to offer!! Thank you, and I applaud most "bad decisions..."
The Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad (then owned by the Great Northern RR) started building south from Kirby, WY in 1909 through Thermopolis and Wind River Canyon and reached Casper, WY in 1913. However, I doubt that much of the timbering of the tunnels is original having been replaced over the years. There is no reason to line tunnels with concrete if the rock is sound and you don't have rockfall within the tunnel. Concrete and rock bolts are used in tunnels and mines to keep the roof up.
Thanks for taking us along for the ride. Really awesome footage. Brings us back when the west was expanding. Looks like all the photos we have seen as if nothing has changed in over 100 years!
That was a really interesting video. Call me crazy, but I love Wyoming and the rugged beauty in this video is one of the reasons why.
Thanks Shawn, that 4 year compilation of Cali was very enjoyable to watch! She is very fortunate to have a companion like you to allow her to learn and grow in the wilderness, but you (and your family) are very fortunate to have a loyal, dedicated and unconditionally loving companion in Cali. Wish all of you well. Until next time you invite us up to the cabin, cheers!
Beautiful footage Richie! Thank you for sharing with those of us who will never get to see the beauty of Wyoming. God bless you!
Learned this in Alaska. Trestles have structure under tracks; bridges have structure over tracks. Nice hearing you back on the tube.
Thanks for the memories. My dad worked for Penn central that merged with New York central. For over 40 years. Started as a fireman shoveling coal. Worked his way up to engineer. He never had to worry about rocks, but worked in detroit during the riots. He carried a gun in case someone jumped in the train. My brother actually got to go to work with him in the 50s. He was about 8. Back before all the rules. Lol
The Pennsylvania merged with the New York Central to form the Penn Central in 1968.
The personal touches of sharing brings a new in depth view into our history nice share of slice in time my Papa grew up in Sloan, NV south of Vegas
Steam engines was his favorite particulary the Big Boy's train spotting popular in small company town U.S. Lime later became Flinkote handed down love of trains to me too take care in crazy bat flu time...
WowRichie! My husband and I just watched this video with great awe and amazement. You did an amazing job filming this area of our country that many of us will never be lucky enough to see. And not only the filming but the narration . We watch you all the time and thank you for your truth channels but also appreciate your adventures. God Bless You!
Just discovered your channel and the land you go to is absolutely beautiful, to see train tunnels build a 100 plus years ago is awesome. Thank you.
We were on our way to Cody June 2023 and came upon this - it was amazing! Stopped to take pictures & look across the river to the train tunnels. This was a great video to find. Thanks for posting it!
"I was married once" LOL, I had to laugh when Richie said that, there's many things you should do at least once. Got to ride a train once, My Dad and I hopped onto a freight train going up a mountain pass in the Washington Cascades, we had been fishing this river when the train came by, we thought what the heck let's ride it up a ways and fish on the way down, that's exactly what we did. There was a couple "hobo's" on a box car, they helped us jump on, we rode about 4 or 5 miles up and got off, fished the river on the way back down, was some of the best fishing in my life, trout fishing is the best!
Yes it sure is. I was a daddy's girl & went fishing with my dad every time he went. What some great adventures we had in those days.
Trout on the fly is the best.
One time while I was in high school in Klamath Falls Oregon, I was walking home from town. It was about 5 miles, and the Great Northern yard was only 1/2 mile from my house. Going through town was the Southern Pacific yard, and the trains went slow through that yard. I decided to wait for a GN train to be heading south, and climb on. They always stopped at the end of the GN yard close to my house. So, that is what I did. I did not even have the good sense to get in a box car, I just hung on to the hand rails between the cars. It was working great. The train went through the GN yard and then got closer and closer to my house. Then to my amazement, it started to accelerate! It was going about 35 MPH as it crossed the road that my house was on, and it still was accelerating! I was sooooo scared, but what could I do, I just hung on and waited. Finally about 30 miles from home, the train pulled over to a siding to let another train pass, and I got off. Now I was in the middle of NOWHERE 30 miles from home. Scared to death. I waited there for a couple of hours, and then a train going toward town and HOME pulled into the same siding. I got inside an empty gondola car and HOPED the the train would stop in town and not go to heaven only knows where. This train got me within 1 mile of my house when it stopped. I got off and finished walking home.
I NEVER did that again!!!
@@Rat-Builder woww man. Lol glad you made it back
@@bretly2069
So am I or we would not have known the story. ;)
Very cool of Ron. Very cool of you to jump the fence with permission, and what a drone!! Nice piloting. Can’t believe the radio is so good on those.
LOVE THIS CHANNEL BECAUSE,IT'S CALMING AWAY FROM THE REALITY FOR A WHILE OF THE PLANDEMIC!!THANKS ❤💜🙏🌱🕊
SO beautiful Richie......84 cars on that train, that’s no small piece of machinery there. Just love how you take us along on your adventures..💕💕
INCREDIBLE!!! Love the music, great narration and story. Thank you for bringing us along.
Awesome video! Thank you for sharing it with us.
My father was a forester for the Northern Pacific/Burlington Northern Railroad in Washington, Idaho and Montana. We worked with and around the railroad itself wherever we lived.
Trees growing on mountainsides CAUSE rocks to split with their roots, and thus, with water, wind, freeze/thaw and vibrations, create landslides.
The Clark Fork in Montana is another river canyon notorious rockslides with the BNSF. Derailments on that line have made national news repeatedly. The lines following the Columbia River are difficult too. And then there are the passes over the Cascades . . .
The old Milwaukee RR as it ran through North Idaho along the North Fork of the St. Joe River was another stretch of line that was dangerous and a maintenance nightmare. It's now a bicycle/hiking trail.
If you're talking mountains, river canyons and railroads, there are going to be stories of derailments.
Well since you're here, you may as well go up to kerwin. the old abandoned gold mining town. Butch cassidy, calamity jane, and all sorts of peeps came from back in the day. Emilia Earhart's cabin is up there.
Wow!!! That sounds like a wonderful idea!!! Hope Richie goes there & does footage as well. That would really be awesome!!!
@@gloriamitchell2376 He may still be able to get up there. I don't think it has snowed too much.
Kirwin is amazing!
I think you nailed it. Desolation, antiquity, passion, inquity. Thoses the kind of videos Im looking for. Only a few have achieved this. In your content you covered it. Only in my dreams.
You're living the dream, thanks for sharing your journey. America is beautiful.
Richie in his natural environment,lots of love for all you do,and have done,I appreciate being informed but this is my fave channel,its clear that you love being out amongst Gods creations,your peace is palpable.Im so glad you find happiness out there as I do.
thank you, i dont belong in northeast
A couple things worth mentioning here from someone who works in the rail industry.
I feel that some of your assumptions about why things are the way they are in the rail industry are rooted in Hollywood movie style ‘blood money’ antics rather then facts. So to hopefully help clarify some things let me explain. One question among many being why would and rail carrier build a rail line next to a jagged unstable cliff that parallels a fast flowing water way? Simple; because when most rail lines in this country were built, they were powered by steam locomotives which have a critical dependency upon water. Following the waterways of this nation weren’t optional. Notice how nearly every rail subdivision in the country, at some point or another, is near water or has reasonably easy access to it? That’s not by accident. That’s 100% intentional.
That in itself leads me to the next question of why do they still retain those water side passageways even in the modern dieselization era the rail industry is in? Again, the answer is simple. Water follows the path of least resistance. Railroads do the same as it’s logically the best decision to pursue the easiest path between two points as it allows the greatest volume of products to be moved the cheapest and easiest. It’s basic economics. Notice how so many railroads across the country always seem to be in valley floors or near rivers? Again, that’s not by accident. That’s completely intentional.
Another question being why would they continue to operate rail traffic in areas that are potentially unstable and could cost the owner of that particular line money in damaged products/equipment as well as legal payouts? Again the answer is simple; if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. That might sound counter-intuitive but look at it like this. I’ve operated drag freights exceeding 18,000 tons in weight. Trains are only getting heavier and longer as time passes. So with that in mind which makes more sense to operate a train on; a rocky surface that has been stripped of any loose material through erosion that was next to a waterway which at the time was absolutely a critical necessity, or inland where geology and topography may literally and figuratively be undermining you or causing roadbed instabilities? Not to mention taking you away from the water sources you absolutely need. It’s common sense.
On that same point you also have to look at it from a social perspective. People inherently live where it’s most sustainable; which in most cases will always be near a water way. The businesses that profit off of the public consequently follow the public. The carries for those business follow where the businesses go. Railroads know where they are most wanted.
In a somewhat related note here I need to address this ‘blood money’ style angle that you are trying to push here so consider this. Commerce is king no matter if you like it or not. Don’t shoot the messenger. In other words don’t blame railroads for supplying the goods and services that you, myself, and everyone else in this country demand. They simply are fulfilling a need to provide what we as a organized civilized society demand. If railroads by extension have ‘blood on their hands’ for pursuing critically important profit driven survival then you should arrest yourself as much as you want to point fingers at rail carriers because they are again simply serving a need that is generated by you and everyone else. They wouldn’t exist if your life didn’t necessitate the need for our industry to exist to begin with.
They are no more responsible for corporate profit and commerce keeping it’s grip on society then the highways are. Does that make every trucker in America a criminal upon society for supporting the economy and national commerce too? What about pipelines that supply the fuels and energy we demand. Are those pipelines carrying the blood of those who have died or been injured building them? Are the servers at McDonalds criminals for serving you food which could kill you? The answers to all these questions is no. They simply are serving YOU, the public, what YOU the public demand and expect.
Here’s some food for thought as well. I work for Union Pacific. I have for nearing two decades now. Kind of scary now that I think about it. Union Pacific’s Donner Pass route which operates through the Sierra Nevada mountain range is actually built upon gold rich soil. It’s so rich in gold that surveyors have actually offered to - PAY - to relocate our lines just so they can get access to that gold. So far every surveyor has failed to convince us it’s a good idea to do it and I believe hell will freeze over before it happens. If railroads were money leaches happy to sacrifice everything to make a dollar, don’t you think they’d have jumped at the opportunity to sell the property that they own and make a healthy profit doing it while still retaining a operable rail line?
Railroads have a moral fiber at their core. They are operated by the people that make up this great nation and subsequently serve you all as well. It’s why I take pride in my job. Every industry has a dark side. But that in no way invalidates the necessity to appreciate the ingenuity of those industries to ultimately make our lives as cushy as they are. Don’t bite the hand that feeds especially when your asking it to do so. If you weren’t demanding our goods and services we wouldn’t be working 24/7 to meet your needs. This job is a lot harder the most people realize and it’s undoubtedly taken years off my life doing it. But I do it because I love this industry just as I love this great country that we serve. So to answer one last question of yours; why would we be willing to risk our lives for this job? Simple; it’s worth it to us and your lives are better because of it.
-Nearly 20 years working for UP.
🔥🔥🔥 well said !!!
To get a rough idea what it was like back then building the railroad watch Hell on Wheels on Netflix and also read the book “Nothing Like It In The World.
My $10 bill says that if someone offered to build UP a different and lower and better route through the mountains in exchange for the land the tracks presently run on, they would jump sky high and ask how soon they could sign on the dotted line. I don't know the particulars about that area but getting mining rights and permits is a long, long process with no guarantee of success. A company would have to have stupid money to spend billions re-routing train lines just to gamble on a idea that gold would pan out. If UP is sitting on a gold mine, so to speak, and not cashing in, I'm sure their share holders would very much like to know that.
BTW, UP was started by the Federal Gov't, so whatever terrible and inhuman practices they might have employed to build their line, the gov't was part of the action.
@@shopshop144 Thank you for the opinions but once again I feel you’re assumptions are rooted in fallacies and myths rather then knowledgeable truths pertaining to the industry or even the company as a whole. The Donner Pass line is a monumental hurdle to get over but with topography being what it is. It's literally the only financially viable path eastward over the Sierra mountains since it's not practical from a financial or operational perspective to try to route traffic around a mountain range. You're going over it whether you like it or not. Which on that topic real-estate on the pass in any form that is worthy enough of even a single track mainline is difficult to come by not to mention the number of unproven tunnels, bridges, and environmental aspects that would have to be taken into consideration with a new routes construction.
For UP to allow third party mining contractors, who historically lack any understanding of how to property construct a railroad mainline, much less to modern standards. But in any case to allow third party interests to come in and construct a new unproven alternative route would be laughably nonsensical to put it mildly. This also isn’t taking into account private and state/federally owned property that might not be negotiable under any circumstances. This is 2020 we're talking about not the 1820's.
I previously mentioned the phrase ‘if it isn’t broken don’t fix it‘ and rest assure UP is in no way interested in letting outside interests remove two time proven mainlines from critical daily operation just to have a questionable alternative pass, which may not even realistically be viable to start with, or if it is, it may not be viable long term which UP would be left with long term expenses for maintaining a line that plainly and simply didn’t need to be built to start with. The more logical alternative being to simply keep using the time proven properties they have and leaving it at that. Lets also not forget that under normal circumstances Amtrak operates over the pass as well and their operations can’t be allowed to be impeded much less the hundreds of millions of dollars in commerce the UP rolls over the line annually as well as emergency reroute bypass operations from BNSF should they be needed.
Adding to it further you’re also overlooking CTC signally systems, snow sheds, MOW tracks, and related structures, which would have to be removed and reconstructed on a new alternative pass. Can you hear the money piling up already?
On the topic of money lets talk about it in the context of your point that if both of UP’s mainlines are sitting on gold rich soil, why wouldn’t they sell it? Well, answered your own question with the self admission that mining operations are not only eye wateringly expensive to even be permitted to begin with, but also are in no way a guarantee that you would make a profit as a result. So, once again, if it isn’t broken don’t fix it.
Even if UP was in on the deal and got a cut of any mining profits generated, which we both know they would be since they have ALL the leverage to force the deal to be by their terms. But even if UP was getting a cut of the profits, UP would have, at best, a heavy gamble on their hands hoping mining operations were profitable to begin with. Consequently UP would have minimal to gain from selling their property if that gamble didn’t pay off and as a result would inherit many uncertainties that may cost the company more in the long run then help them. So I’d hide that ten dollars you have there chief because those mainlines aren’t going anywhere.
But I can say this though. That if I, a regular employee, know about this, rest assure every investment firm and high level authority figure in the company does as well, and they KNOW what they have to loose should a crazy gold chasing adventure go bad. Sure glad that hasn’t ever happened before...
You are correct though about UP being started by the federal government. As was nearly every industry at the time due to the federal government simply having the finances and legal authority to easily allow new industrial growth. However UP is in every way allowed to operate as a private self governing company. Albeit publicly traded, and under the jurisdiction of the FRA as well as the NTSB as are all forms of public and national transportation.
So if you were to by extension try to link them as a company to the questionable ethics and practices of former government administrations, that would be quite a leap. Doubly so seeing how basing your claims off of such a vague focus could allow someone to imply that every industry, national OR globally, is bathed in blood money style corruption seeing how most industries in their more primitive days saw human rights and human life as disposable. Does that mean that modern industry is the same? No. Refer to my comments above in reference to ‘blood money’ style commerce related opinions. But the short answer being just because power corrupts, it doesn’t mean it’s all consuming. We operate this company to the best of our abilities and take pride in doing so because at the end of the day it’s OUR lives that suffer if we don’t.
Corporate decisions don’t decide the level of quality and care we put into our jobs nor does it exclude the fact that with a corporation the size as UP, with as many employees working for them as they have, let it not be lost upon you the power we as employees have, and UP knows it BIG TIME with how vulnerable of a spot UP and all Class-1’s are in being so indebted to national commerce yet only surviving if we the employees continue to power this company. It’s in their own best interest that they treat us good and take care of us. Even more so given how many new hires are gone within the first 12 months. They can't replace us as fast as they would need to if we turned on this company and they know it so they know to take care of us. Which speaking as a locomotive engineer, yes the job is a handful at times and this industry will push your buttons. But between the pay and benefits I’ll enjoy a nice retirement because of it.
This industry wouldn’t still be here nearly two centuries after it’s creation if it wasn’t worth it to us and if we have our way this company will continue to serve this great country and all of you for many years to come.
Stay safe out there.
@@Henry5623 I'll up my bet to $20. The worlds lawyers would certainly insure that any theoretical contract between UP and another party to build, lets say a tunnel under the Donner pass area, would include all sorts of guarantees about the quality of the work and having all the needed State and federal approvals in hand long before UP gave up their existing trackage. But don't get caught up in the theoretical details. All I was saying if the gold in the mountain is worth X a mining company would be willing to spend up to a certain amount to get it. If that amount covered the cost, however crazy high priced that might be, to put in a 2 mile long tunnel that would put money in UP's pocket and created a lower and straighter route through the mountains, I believe UP would go for it. But unless the miners find bricks of solid gold inside the mountain, that tunnel isn't going to happen. UP is in business to make money, and if they could cash in, with all the needed guarantees, on somebody's wild concept, I say they do it.
UP has an asset that is worth a certain amount to them, that could be real estate or equipment. If someone offers them that amount plus X% with conditions that are workable to them, they'd go for it. If not a corporate raider would soon be buying up a small stake in the company and start demanding a higher rate of return on their investment.
Very few businesses stay in business if they are not willing to improve, take educated risks, and make changes, even on systems that aren't broken. I'm sure they were practices and methods in your industry 30 years ago that worked fine, but were improved with new practices and methods
Can you recommend a video that gives a true to life view of the job of a locomotive engineer?
This video is 2 years old and I'M ENJOYING IT AGAIN 😮😅
Cannot say thank you enough for taking me along with on your rides across this beautiful nation....SPECTACULAR!!
God bless you. Stay well and be safe 🙏 ❤️ ☝️
Texas Nana 🤠
Psalm 91
EXCELLENT WORK RICHIE❤
YOU ARE A SPECIAL BREED...BUT "I DIGRESS "😊
Stunning, I kept repeating wow, oh wow. Thank you for capturing this.
I like a modern-day Lewis and Clark. And bringing it to the forefront. Thank you ever so much Richie.
Beautiful super clear awesome buffalo & horses at the start. Like a painting 🖌️. Wyoming is gorgeous 😍. The 🚂 how relaxing thank you. The river so calming Godbless. Rustic exactly the word 💜. Those tunnels so 😎. The drone incredible. So glad this video came up in my feed 🧁 timing. What a blessing you are. Nice man Ron.... Wonderfully done Richie! 2 years ago. Time so fast yet so slow. 💙🙏👍
Richie, I want to say thank you to you sir. I love history and I really love the history that's not something that we learned in school or in everyday life. This is a kick-ass video. If ever you find yourself around the upper south Texas coast around Galveston you will have a place to hang your hat. My house is your house sir. Keep spreading the word and keep it real. Be careful on your travels later
Awesome let me know I live 90 minutes west
You really captured the wonder and ruggedness of the Wind River canyon. Back in 1993 we drove through there and didn't know what to expect. When we drove through the tunnels and saw a train on the other side I turned around and had to drive back through the canyon to see it again. Once was not enough. Some day I shall return. Your video took me back there and more. Awesome video. Thanks for sharing!
It is amazing that all that has stood test of time our ancestors apparently were better at building things that would stand the test of time beautiful scenery excellent find Richie thank you for the adventure
Those tunnels were built by Chinese men who came to the US in the 1860's and 1880's and were then stripped of their ability to travel and further their families' immigration to the US until the mid 1940's it's kinda tragic. Nearly all eligible Chinese men served in the US Military in WWII anyway.
Makes you think for a second that those upper tunnels are much older. Maybe before the water eroded the mountain down to where the second set is also better built than our current garbage.
did not have the fed gov in you way back them
after hearing all the bad things going in the states its lovely to see beautiful America the way it should be seen ! prayers from the UK 🇬🇧 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Ive watched a lot a videos even when im on break or chilling out, found channels of off roading, have learned a lot, i spend a lot of time out exploring camping and like the others and you i get way out of nowhere and im in hog heaven 😎 ill say your video is the best ive come across 👍 being straight up most people cant handle it my compliments brother
Wow. that is amazing footage. I love the Wind River Canyon. Found it by accident the first time, too.
Amazing footage as always brother. Much appreciated seeing your beautiful adventures! Stay Safe out there man!
Hey Richie, you just went through my families stomping grounds. My older brother and dad were born there in Thermopolis. I would go fishing with my grandpa in the wind river there in the canyon. I have deep roots in that area. My grandpa was friends with the local tribe leader there. I believe the Shoshoni tribe, maybe Arapahoe. We had to have permission in that area because it is reservation land. Driven through the tunnels on that road many times. Remember as a kid that was our favorite part of the trip there and back, and being in awe of the trains traveling through. Been through some pretty treacherous weather in that canyon as well. Still have family in Thermopolis. The Hot Springs State Park is a shell of its former self, used to be a thriving place but many of the hot springs that made up the park have dried up. Used to be an awesome place. Thank you so much for taking the time to make this!
Our family also lived in Thermopolis. Still have shirt-tail relatives there.
I've passed through there once, beautiful part of our country.
Thanks for the great video. The Wind River is high country & summer doesn't hang around very long. When it gets cold the bugs hibernate & there is no food for the bats so they migrate south, just like the snow-birds. I'm to the west in the Idaho Rockies, we're below freezing at night & already seen our first snow. The wind doesn't blow in Wyoming, it sucks in South Dakota! ;-)
Cool!👍 Looks like where I am in Palisade Park, Utah...minus the wildlife & the TRAIN 😊
More amazing footage and another well-told story!!! Thank you once again, Richie!!! Please don't stop all you do here on TH-cam.
One thing's for sure...they don't build them LIKE they use to!!! This is amazing footage!!! This is stunning and scary at the same time!!! Thank you Richie!!! GODSPEED!!! 💝💝💝
Thanks great video
In the 70 80 90 I traveled as a salesman about one a month thru Wind River.
Thermop a great town
Also great hiking would take a few day off to enjoy. The highway has signs about the water aquifers.
Thanks again.
Hey Richie next time you're in the Ozarks would love to show you some back country trails. Ozark mo here. Been watching your channels for 10 years thanks for all you do brother.
This was uploaded 18 minutes ago.
@@NoNORADon911 well look at the time she commented
Wow, this brings back memories! I once rode this track (back in the day in a passenger car) from the Bonneville, WY depot, through the Wind River Canyon, past Thermopolis and Kirby, to the Worland, WY depot, and then back home to Thermopolis by auto. Great video! Thanks SO much!
If they ain’t awake by now,it’s on them. Keep doing this! THIS is what you (and us) love . 👋🏻😎👋🏻
Me three!
I concur
Thank you Richie. You have eyes, you saw and warned. Those of us with ears heard, those of us with mouths passed your message on. those of us with a brain and heart will remember and keep your warning alive.
I've driven through this area numerous times, but had a tight schedule so I couldn't stop to enjoy the scenery. Absolutely spell-binding and beautiful scenery in the "middle of nowhere Wyoming", who woulda thunk? I am mesmerized by the river, train tracks and tunnels as I am going by as well. I really enjoyed this video showing me this area in greater detail, and that caved in tunnel is amazing as well. Thank you for posting this, and I enjoyed your sense of humor as well! Take care, from Utah!
Amazing video richie I love things like this old timer history and the scenery was unbelievable
“Don’t lay down too long in Wyoming... something will eat you”. RFB, keeping his rest periods to a minimum. Good video brother.
Awesome, Awesome video Richie, really makes you think and be thankful for our past, cause looks like our future sucks! Your Great guy!
Thank you for bringing us these amazing videos. Most folks would never see the places you've been. What a blessing!
my dad does testing on trains for Wabtec/ GE. He's been testing the new fully electric train. soon it will be heading to CA.
What will they do when black outs take place? Charging all the electric cars when the sun only shines part of the day. Idiotic lofty goals.
I am a model railroader and have modeled Wind River Canyon. I wish I had this video then to model by, phenomenal! Thank you so much.
Richie,where no man has gone before ,beautiful country ❤, most likely I never see it,tanks for video !!!
Amazing footage, my dad worked for Acme Freight Train Co. 50+ years ago. I still have a tool set from them. Anyway, thank you for finding this beautiful piece of history. God Bless you.
Wyoming is truly beautiful at times. Sometimes not so much. It's very windy. In my opinion, Montana is the most beautiful in the world but I live here so... Lol. Those boulders remind me of where I live. The cliffs we call them. Some ppl are dumb enough to live below them. Smh
Btw, Mr Richie you have the most relaxing voice in the world. This was a very good video with phenomenal footage. I'm so glad your doing things you like to do.
I prefer colorado, but the neuvo rich texans and ny, cali/la has taken over . Still a heavenly place,yet full of idiots
@@troystiles1033 no offense, but I hate Colorado. It's because that place has many bad memories for me. It's okay I guess. Lol. But to each their own right?
@@kaitlinarnett5755 I'm in Montana...it's been invaded though. ;)
@@symbologee yeah by all the Californians. They need to leave. Montanas my home, but my heart is starting to want to go roam free somewhere like Alaska. Montana is getting too infiltrated
@@kaitlinarnett5755
Somehow as time goes on I just believe it all a sinister plan to force the spread of the socialist virus.
Hey Richie!!! I just wanted to tell you just how much I enjoy your videos! I have 3 other accounts, all subscribed to your channels. I even have my 14 yr old son watching. His favorite is this channel. As a single mom, I try my best to teach him and his younger brother survival skills but I don't have a lot of experience. I started learning around about 2017-2018. Since watching the first Jailbreak Overlander video he's started teaching me things! Thank you for all you do and create for us, your subscribers. You have no clue just how much you've helped my family and others. Keep creating and spreading the truth. Whether you know or not, there are thousands of us watching and taking action based upon the truth you give!
Gidday from New Zealand.... Awesome
Oh Man....You bring back such stark memories of that area...............
I was starting school at Colorado State in Fort Collins, Colorado, and on a weekend, hitched a ride on #77, a Colorado and Southern northbound hotshot to Laurel, Montana. Had a nice empty beer boxcar to myself, and I strung a hammock with my sleeping gear. The emptiness of Wyoming the next morning was beautiful and something that after two tours of Vietnam made sense, and helped settle me down. Then.....the tunnel after seeing the Boyson Reservoir, was full of all the diesel exhaust. I held a wet neckerchief over my face and got down low on the floor of the car. It was nasty...and the train was slow and heavy. Came out the other side, and it was like 'heaven had arrived'.....Steep canyon walls on both sides, and the beautiful river....just like your video.....My hair was oily and sticky with all the hot exhaust, arms were sticky, and the diesel smell was overpowering......More to come.....your video is fabulous in every way !!! Thank you !!!
Awesome. Hope you're somewhere like this when they do the next "lockdown" lol I'll lockdown with the Buffalo and horses and swallows anyday lol
So wonderful that u take us along Richie. And you do have a calming voice.
Much love,
BStr
Another epic video, thank you for sharing. Love Drone footage you have some serious skills camera, driving ,survival, you rock! And history lesson too couldn’t ask for more. Much love and respect to you Richie. You bring us places we would never be able to see otherwise. 👋🏼😘
Thanks Theresa
Wind River Valley WY is one of my most favorite places on the planet!! Thank you for posting this!!
Richie I thank you so much. This is my state. All praise to Jesus, the Earth is flat, and Richie your talents are a blessing thank you
Mine, too! Richie gets the best footage of our state😊
The earth is round. - 🌎
Flat earth, you have a brain.
@@barrettsnider7818 I do but you don't, that's why you have abusive speech. God said the earth is a sphere and hangs over nothing. Have a good day.
@@minkavaliant7625 you watch too much cartoons, everything you believe in is cgi. Have a good day
Wow, Richie! This was just enthralling! Your voice is full of mystery and wonder - you convey it well. This is better than many documentaries I've seen. You are very talented and quite genius in your work here!
I love this channel.
Very Nice job covering the Railroad out in this very desolate section in Rural Wyoming. Thanks! 👍
I have worked cars in that canyon and have high railed into the canyon from both ends in a road truck. I have to disagree with you on the water part. The train runs along side the Boyson Lake not under it. I was based out of Greybull, Wyoming and one of my good friends still works there.
Your Travels are adventurous and breathtaking... Thanks for taking us along Richie... Safe Travels....
That trains hauled 16 head of bighorn sheep into that canyon and turned them loose back in the 90s
Always a joy and pleasure to see awesome footage.. thanks Richie...be going on one of those rides soon myself ... peace from Toronto Canada
A boulder the size of a pickup truck caused the wreck in 2010. I knew the engineer that was on that train. Big rocks and boulders constantly fall off of the sides of the canyon. I worked out of Greybull for a bit and ran trains through the canyon about a handful of times. Hitting a huge rock was always in the back of my mind while going through the canyon.
My husband was a Forman with the steel gang up there at that time! I remember him telling me what had happened.
Beautiful but dangerous place.
I retired off the BNSF as a conductor with 43 years in 2009. Is that BNSF track, what is the speed through the area shown and is that CTC? Just curious, I worked between Kansas City and Chicago on the TransCon, 70mph and CTC, it was like laying off. Lol
Wow, 43 years on the railroad is a long time! It is BNSF track. If I can remember right, I think the canyon has a permanent speed restriction of 30 mph. I could be wrong, it’s been more than a decade since I was there. It is dark territory there. We would either go from Greybull to Casper, or Greybull to Laurel. Max speed on the entire sub was 40 mph lol, just brutal. I’m now back home in Minneapolis. Was able to transfer back here in 2014. I go from Minneapolis to Fargo.
@@suesanchez5831 I just moved from Shoshoni when that happened. There was heavy rains and a bunch of snow earlier, rocks and lots of landslides that year.
Thank-you Richie for another beautiful awesome video & a fantastic history lesson to boot. I was happy you made through the tunnel without breaking a leg, but also that you didn't run into a rattlesnake, looked like a perfect place to find one but maybe it was to cold. Train wrecks were sad & I hope no engineers were killed. You made me hungry for trout. Haven't had any since I left New England over 30 yrs. ago. One of my favorite fish besides haddock.
That was really cool brother....I can not even imagine trying to accomplish those tunnels with the tools and equipment they had back then. And people complain now about how tough their job is....lol
Think about this, in the 1800s they made a tunnel through the Sierras, between Reno Nevada and San Francisco, Cali. They started on each side of the mountain, and met in the middle of the mountain. This was done without any of fancy stuff that they have now. I think that it was amazing.
I've been through the Wind River Valley and it is immensely beautiful between Shoshoni and Thermopolis. I didn't get to explore as much as you but Boysen Reservoir is breathtaking. Thank you for filming this adventure it brings back wonderful memories.
I almost moved to Thermopolis and chose Steamboat Springs Colorado instead...
Twin Peaks was another selection. But Steamboat Springs won, it was an excellent decision. Right at the Wyoming border👍 Wyoming is amazing, as is Colorado. So to travel from the Beautiful mountain area to a freak out, DIA...
Wooo, even the atmosphere is Supernatural. Milner Regional is nowhere to take a large flight from but you got to go to DIA about four and a half hours away to the East slope... all mountains and canyons. Once you make it, LOL, through the treacherous winter blizzards... LOL you get to go to DIA yippee ki-yay, the artwork will leave you speechless. Richie I love your doing this... I also did it for years. All the way to California to live to leave and to come back and. GOLD MINE. To the Oregon border to get OPAL. Just traveling around and living large in God's COUNTRY. 62 Now, after 5 years my truck comes in 2 days. I am now Road ready. And I don't know where to go 1st 👏 I have finally been blessed with a vehicle after waiting for 5 years. So thankful☝🙏
I think you chose wisely with Steamboat. I've lived in Thermopolis off and on over the years, and while the river and canyon are incredibly beautiful, Thermopolis becomes a heat sink in the summer and the heat is unbearable at least for me ;) Also it can be a cold sink at times in the winter, I was living there when it hit -27F and have seen many weeks were the temp would not climb above 0F, but I was much more content with the cold than the heat. The town also sadly has some widespread drug/meth issues :(
Awesome Richie thank you. I would never see these sights .... If you are ever in NEPA come have dinner with us. Chris
Another piece of history of that valley. My mom was born and raised in Worland. Her father's second wife family had an very old log cabin in that valley. The land went back to the reservation. So they lost it. Going toward Thermopolis wright after the third tunnel if I'm correct. Right hand side and up the valley side it sits. The log's came from Montana by horse and wagon. Just to the west is a shed. Is or was in it is an very old pool table. The old outlaw's would hang out there and played pool on that table. Ones like, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. In turn have an home in Lander. If you got there. Go to the city park. East side into the park. Across the river and first home. The north part of the home is the old cabin. Down main street. South side of the road. Where US Bank is. Was the famous hotel in the movie where they are standing on the balcony. A lot of history in Lander. Lived there for 12 years. Amazing Museum west of town. I have not been up that valley for about 6 years. Thanks for showing it. I used to fish that lake. Again, thanks for showing it. Take care.
Fascinating. Reminds me of the Karoo here in S.A. Your eyes, cameras provide me views I would never have seen in my life. Thanx.
Thank you Richie for another rich History lesson, the music was beautiful and fit perfectly. God Bless you can't wait to see what's next! your in our prayers!!!
Thanks for this video. Wyoming certainly does have quite a bit of historical views, stories and lots of wide open spaces. We love living here in Wyoming!
Cliff Swallows. Make their nest out of mud.