I was blessed with the opportunity to ride the "Silver Lady," the pre-Amtrak California Zephyr, in 1960 when I was just an 11 year old boy. My sister was a Zephyrette and she took me on a round trip with her from Chicago to SF (Emeryville) and back. What a WONDERFUL trip that was! They used the Feather River route in those days and I will never forget the beauty of the Feather River Canyon. I don't believe there were any dams in those days on the route the train traveled. The river ran wild and free with lots and lots of rapids.
Great Footage and Descriptions. Excellent camera work. Additionally: 12:33. Old Keddie Yards and Roundhouse site. 15:30. Keddie Wye over Spanish Creek. 37:25. North Fork Bridge over Poe Reservoir. 38:26. Poe Power House. 38:43. East Portal Big Bend Mtn. Tunnel 8. Hwy 70 Bridge over West Branch, Feather River and Lime Saddle Marina. The second highest double-deck road and rail bridge in the world. 42:40. Spring Valley Loop. 43:00. Sugarloaf at Cherokee. 49:28. Coal Canyon. 51:30. Entering Oroville. 53:15. Table Mtn. Oroville "O". 54:56. Thermalito Diversion Dam. Not Oroville Dam. 55:10. Oroville Fish Hatchery Dam and steps.
This is amazing, especially as I can listen to this video, and you really did a fantastic job putting all these amazing descriptions and landmarks together! I do have one question about one of the names you mentioned in the description. One of the titles you mentioned has the name "Horsehoe" in the title. Is that correct, or should it be "Horseshoe?" I want to reassure you I don't know so that you don't think I'm trying to be a smartallick. I just want to know if perhaps it was a mistake or if you meant to spell it the way it is. Again, thank you so much for this incredible video. I hope you get to do more of these. I absolutely love train rides, and I miss that form of travel so very much. When I lived in France from July 1974 to July 1976, we traveled mostly by train and Metro and did a lot of walking. It's a real shame we don't do much more of that here in America, because I think we might be thinner and more observant and respectful of each other. I'm really tired of having to ride on these roads here in Atlanta and elsewhere here in the U.S., because there are weigh too many rude and inconsiderate drivers out here! We are weigh too spoiled over here, and I'm afraid that we'll go right back to that and much worse after President Trump leaves the Whitehouse. We simply don't appreciate what we've got, and we don't do enough to remember history, and we may just destroy this planet before anyone else does unless China does it first. (Sorry, because I don't mean to be political, because it's not about politics but about our character as human beings, and there are weigh too many people who are getting away with so much evil and selfishness.)
Despite high patronage thru out the 60s, the zephyr was losing money. Specifically the WP which was losing close to 2 million dollars a year running the train. That doesnt sound like much but keep in mind the railroads ENTIRE profit was around 6 million a year. Nearly a third of it spent on a train nobody in California or Nevada was riding. Most stations had passenger numbers in the single digits. The WP was running the train to maintain public favor but eventually the costs were too high and the railroad filed with the icc to discontinue their segment. It took 4 years but in late 1969 the icc relented. The last Zephyr ran on March 20th 1970 thru the FRC. After that the railroad became freight only having no other trains besides the Zephyr. When Amtrak was formed in october of 1970 they want to revive the California zephyr. In april of 1971 they approached the wp to negotiate trackage rights. Western pacific wanted nothing to do with the new company and effectivly told them to go jump in the lake. They would hold that position until they were merged into the Union pacific. Which has held the stance. Citing the single mainline cannot support Amtrak operations. The only exception to this is section 526 of the original Rail Passenger Act. Which stipulates the FRR can be used in emergency situations only as a detour. This was first used by Amtrak with the Roseville Yard explosion of 1973. It was also used atleast once in 1974 and 1975. The last known use is 2012. The only other exception is the Feather River Express but it hasn't run since 2015.
i remember that run..a boy and his grandfather was sittin next to me for the first time. The train is scooting along at a good pace. It doesn't slow down as it tunnels through a mountain. When it gets to the other side, the kid says, "Gee, Granpa, it's a good thing the train didn't miss the hole in that mountain."
Excellent video. I've driven up and down the Feather River Canyon several times over the past couple of years and enjoy the drive every time. How long did it take to go through Tunnel Eight? (Right after the North Fork Bridge)
If anyone would like to ride the next excursion train running through the Feather River Canyon tickets are available through Trains & Travel based in Portola. This train will be 13 cars and will run Emeryville to Portola on August 8, 2014 , then will make a Portola to Keddie roundtrip on Saturday August 9 and return to Emeryville on August 10. You can check out all of the options and fares by going to www.traintrips.biz
I can't remember exactly but I know it was long. Combine that with Tunnel 7 (only separated by 50 feet or so), and you really spend a lot of time in the dark.
I have a couple views at around minute 57:00. I wish I had taken more but there was limited access to all the cars, it was crowded, and I didn't want to miss any great shots out of the vestibule. Anyways, feel free to check out those clips and thanks for the kind comment.
Hi Kim, You can view all of our tours and train excursions by going to: www.traintrips.biz Our next charter train up the Feather River Canyon will be called : "THE INSIDE GATEWAY & SHASTA EXPLORER "This excursion is scheduled for October 10-11-12, 2015 running up to Keddie and turning north onto the former Western Pacific Highline for the run all the way to Klamath Falls. We will then return to the Bay Area via the former Southern Pacific Shasta Route though Shasta City and Redding. We are offering an early bird discount if you make your reservation and payment prior to November 15, 2014. If you would like to receive our bi-monthly e newsletter send me your e mail and I will add it to our database. Chris Skow Tours Manager Trains & Travel P.O. Box 312 Portola, CA 96122 1-800 359-4870 www.traintrips.biz
These tracks will soon fall down. The lack of water supporting the sides, is gone. The earth under it is dry and becoming more brittle every year. Just a matter of time. I'll bet the train that falls, is carrying oil.
I was blessed with the opportunity to ride the "Silver Lady," the pre-Amtrak California Zephyr, in 1960 when I was just an 11 year old boy. My sister was a Zephyrette and she took me on a round trip with her from Chicago to SF (Emeryville) and back. What a WONDERFUL trip that was! They used the Feather River route in those days and I will never forget the beauty of the Feather River Canyon. I don't believe there were any dams in those days on the route the train traveled. The river ran wild and free with lots and lots of rapids.
this was so fun to watch.. I love HWY70 thru the FRC and it was neat to be able to see it from the vantage point of the train.
Wow! What a fantastic trip. I've driven up the Feather River, but to ride a train would be a dream come true. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the ride. The first 44 minutes were awesome.
Wow! That was wonderful. Thank you for sharing. Really awesome.
There's some really great footage of America.
Great Footage and Descriptions. Excellent camera work.
Additionally:
12:33. Old Keddie Yards and Roundhouse site.
15:30. Keddie Wye over Spanish Creek.
37:25. North Fork Bridge over Poe Reservoir.
38:26. Poe Power House.
38:43. East Portal Big Bend Mtn. Tunnel 8.
Hwy 70 Bridge over West Branch, Feather River and Lime Saddle Marina.
The second highest double-deck road and rail bridge in the world.
42:40. Spring Valley Loop.
43:00. Sugarloaf at Cherokee.
49:28. Coal Canyon.
51:30. Entering Oroville.
53:15. Table Mtn. Oroville "O".
54:56. Thermalito Diversion Dam. Not Oroville Dam.
55:10. Oroville Fish Hatchery Dam and steps.
Would have liked to see the interiors of the cars/passenger accommodations for this excursion rather than just 100% exterior shots.
My grandson loved this but I wish the interior of the train and accomadations had been added. Thanks for the video.
The inside would have been better too.
Great to see this train. Reminds me of my vestibule rides on the RGZ across the Colo. Rockies in the 70-s.
Great! From One To Ten, I give this Vid a 10! Good Job!
This is amazing, especially as I can listen to this video, and you really did a fantastic job putting all these amazing descriptions and landmarks together! I do have one question about one of the names you mentioned in the description. One of the titles you mentioned has the name "Horsehoe" in the title. Is that correct, or should it be "Horseshoe?" I want to reassure you I don't know so that you don't think I'm trying to be a smartallick. I just want to know if perhaps it was a mistake or if you meant to spell it the way it is.
Again, thank you so much for this incredible video. I hope you get to do more of these. I absolutely love train rides, and I miss that form of travel so very much. When I lived in France from July 1974 to July 1976, we traveled mostly by train and Metro and did a lot of walking. It's a real shame we don't do much more of that here in America, because I think we might be thinner and more observant and respectful of each other. I'm really tired of having to ride on these roads here in Atlanta and elsewhere here in the U.S., because there are weigh too many rude and inconsiderate drivers out here! We are weigh too spoiled over here, and I'm afraid that we'll go right back to that and much worse after President Trump leaves the Whitehouse. We simply don't appreciate what we've got, and we don't do enough to remember history, and we may just destroy this planet before anyone else does unless China does it first. (Sorry, because I don't mean to be political, because it's not about politics but about our character as human beings, and there are weigh too many people who are getting away with so much evil and selfishness.)
Can somebody tell me why did The California Zephyr stop coming through Feather River Canyon?
Despite high patronage thru out the 60s, the zephyr was losing money. Specifically the WP which was losing close to 2 million dollars a year running the train. That doesnt sound like much but keep in mind the railroads ENTIRE profit was around 6 million a year. Nearly a third of it spent on a train nobody in California or Nevada was riding. Most stations had passenger numbers in the single digits. The WP was running the train to maintain public favor but eventually the costs were too high and the railroad filed with the icc to discontinue their segment. It took 4 years but in late 1969 the icc relented. The last Zephyr ran on March 20th 1970 thru the FRC. After that the railroad became freight only having no other trains besides the Zephyr. When Amtrak was formed in october of 1970 they want to revive the California zephyr. In april of 1971 they approached the wp to negotiate trackage rights. Western pacific wanted nothing to do with the new company and effectivly told them to go jump in the lake. They would hold that position until they were merged into the Union pacific. Which has held the stance. Citing the single mainline cannot support Amtrak operations. The only exception to this is section 526 of the original Rail Passenger Act. Which stipulates the FRR can be used in emergency situations only as a detour. This was first used by Amtrak with the Roseville Yard explosion of 1973. It was also used atleast once in 1974 and 1975. The last known use is 2012. The only other exception is the Feather River Express but it hasn't run since 2015.
Awesome video, amazing scenery. Would love to take this train ride someday. Thanks for sharing!
i remember that run..a boy and his grandfather was sittin next to me for the first time. The train is scooting along at a good pace. It doesn't slow down as it tunnels through a mountain. When it gets to the other side, the kid says, "Gee, Granpa, it's a good thing the train didn't miss the hole in that mountain."
Love those CB&Q cars!
wooowww¡¡ wonderful¡¡ (y)
tolles Video, sehr interessant, ich wünsche eine tolle Woche
Grüß Frank
Excellent video. I've driven up and down the Feather River Canyon several times over the past couple of years and enjoy the drive every time. How long did it take to go through Tunnel Eight? (Right after the North Fork Bridge)
Does this train run on a regular schedule or is it just an excursion train?
Its a special excursion train made up on private cars. Therefore it runs (maybe) one to two years.
Very nice!
If anyone would like to ride the next excursion train running through the Feather River Canyon tickets are available through Trains & Travel based in Portola. This train will be 13 cars and will run Emeryville to Portola on August 8, 2014 , then will make a Portola to Keddie roundtrip on Saturday August 9 and return to Emeryville on August 10. You can check out all of the options and fares by going to www.traintrips.biz
Missed this post. Would love to get updates on future excursions. Let me know Thanks.
Chriswp321 holy crap I wed to catch this
Nice place.
I can't remember exactly but I know it was long. Combine that with Tunnel 7 (only separated by 50 feet or so), and you really spend a lot of time in the dark.
Awesome...video....
Whats the speed in the mountains and down on the flatter lands.
I have a couple views at around minute 57:00. I wish I had taken more but there was limited access to all the cars, it was crowded, and I didn't want to miss any great shots out of the vestibule. Anyways, feel free to check out those clips and thanks for the kind comment.
wow a wp diesel
what is the horn on this
ww.hooksettfireworks approves !! Rode 200,000 miles on the rails - east Coast and mid country!
Hi Kim,
You can view all of our tours and train excursions by going to: www.traintrips.biz Our next charter train up the Feather River Canyon will be called : "THE INSIDE GATEWAY & SHASTA EXPLORER "This excursion is scheduled for October 10-11-12, 2015 running up to Keddie and turning north onto the former Western Pacific Highline for the run all the way to Klamath Falls. We will then return to the Bay Area via the former Southern Pacific Shasta Route though Shasta City and Redding.
We are offering an early bird discount if you make your reservation and payment prior to November 15, 2014.
If you would like to receive our bi-monthly e newsletter send me your e mail and I will add it to our database.
Chris Skow
Tours Manager
Trains & Travel
P.O. Box 312
Portola, CA 96122
1-800 359-4870
www.traintrips.biz
These tracks will soon fall down. The lack of water supporting the sides, is gone. The earth under it is dry and becoming more brittle every year. Just a matter of time. I'll bet the train that falls, is carrying oil.
+Buffer Zone You getting enough water now.
Yes. So far so good.
you are such a ray of sunshine.