I grew up in Colorado Springs and passed by these tracks all the time in the early 2000s. At the time, the former mainline went all the way to the building at 4202 High Country Rd. I don't ever recall seeing cars on that section of the tracks, but on Google Earth historical imagery, you can see some cars there in 1999. Only one grade crossing between Fillmore and this building had a signal: Mt View Ln (beside the strip mall with Domino's Pizza). Once, a year or two before they tore out the tracks, the crossing signal was flashing and ringing, but no trains were around. Thanks for posting this video. Brought back some memories.
@@RyansColoradoRailProductions The Mount View crossing only had lights and a bell (two bells?), no gates. Do you know if BNSF still owned the tracks when the line was torn up to its current state in 2006, or was everything north of this video abandoned by then? Also, I may be mistaken, but I believe a portion of this line is still intact in south COS near E Fountain Blvd (38.82470080309758, -104.81786607002886). While the crossing signals on E Fountain Blvd were removed around 2019, it doesn't appear the line is abandoned, at least on Google Earth. I'd check out that area myself, but I now live 1,500 miles away from COS and am only there a handful of times per year, so my opportunities to explore are limited. So if you have the time to try checking out that out, it would make a cool companion video to this one! (Tried replying earlier, but it appears something went wrong and my comment disappeared. So apologies if there's a duplicate.)
@@starkj92 yes I know where that is too! There was also a crossing at Winters Dr. one block south of Mount view (near the greyhound track, which closed in ‘06 or ‘07 or could have been as late as ‘09. You’re right, there were loading doors on the sides of those buildings, and the tracks were torn up when those industries closed. Did the Winters crossing just have crossbucks?
This reminds a lot like the Burnham Repair shops here in Denver. Rusty old abandoned spurs with a local train that drops off coil cars at a nearby industry as of now. I remember seeing that yard so filled with action until UP shut it all down. The yard was formerly DRGW and later SP and then UP. Thanks for sharing this!
Yup, I’ve taken the light rail by there many times. Someday maybe all the old rail cars and that caboose abandoned in the siding there can be restored. Also I wanna explore the abandoned former roundhouse, turntable, shops etc there someday.
@@5371productions There used to be a whole classification yard there too that was torn up. I wish that was still active. Also do you know the reason why UP moved out of that yard?
@@RyansColoradoRailProductions UP claimed that it was for the decline of coal demand, but that reason seems indefinite. I used to see those old Dash 8s and repainted Ex-SP and Ex-DRGW tunnel motors in storage when I took the light rail. Pretty cool stuff that used to be there.
It's interesting to think of,"what if the tracks were still active?" I think if the tracks were never abandoned, there would be BNSF manifests, coal trains and a few intermodal trains too (several times I saw BNSF intermodal trains near downtown Denver which went on the Joint line) with occasional Union Pacific movement if these tracks were still active. The rails would probably be shiny with 1 or 2 tracks, the signal system would be up to date, a lot of the crossings would have a lot of gates and be quiet zones, And there would definitely be either welded rail with concrete ties, or just welded rail.
Not to worry, this line is abandoned. They only use the siding to the east. I’m not a railroader (yet), so I don’t really have to keep that in mind, but yes, safety is the most important thing on active railroads.
@@RyansColoradoRailProductions Even when abandoned, you can seriously hurt yourself doing that. The rail is not flat. It has a slight arch, that can sprain your ankle faster than the Shinkansen.
@@WarrenMZorroslastride yes, I’m aware of how train wheels interact with rails. I’m not stupid. Sorry to sound rude but I’m aware of the danger and I know how not to get hurt.
I grew up in Colorado Springs and passed by these tracks all the time in the early 2000s. At the time, the former mainline went all the way to the building at 4202 High Country Rd. I don't ever recall seeing cars on that section of the tracks, but on Google Earth historical imagery, you can see some cars there in 1999. Only one grade crossing between Fillmore and this building had a signal: Mt View Ln (beside the strip mall with Domino's Pizza). Once, a year or two before they tore out the tracks, the crossing signal was flashing and ringing, but no trains were around. Thanks for posting this video. Brought back some memories.
Did the Mount View crossing have gates?
Also besides, the line was torn up to its current state in 2006, the year before I moved here.
@@RyansColoradoRailProductions The Mount View crossing only had lights and a bell (two bells?), no gates. Do you know if BNSF still owned the tracks when the line was torn up to its current state in 2006, or was everything north of this video abandoned by then?
Also, I may be mistaken, but I believe a portion of this line is still intact in south COS near E Fountain Blvd (38.82470080309758, -104.81786607002886). While the crossing signals on E Fountain Blvd were removed around 2019, it doesn't appear the line is abandoned, at least on Google Earth. I'd check out that area myself, but I now live 1,500 miles away from COS and am only there a handful of times per year, so my opportunities to explore are limited. So if you have the time to try checking out that out, it would make a cool companion video to this one!
(Tried replying earlier, but it appears something went wrong and my comment disappeared. So apologies if there's a duplicate.)
@@starkj92 yes I know where that is too! There was also a crossing at Winters Dr. one block south of Mount view (near the greyhound track, which closed in ‘06 or ‘07 or could have been as late as ‘09. You’re right, there were loading doors on the sides of those buildings, and the tracks were torn up when those industries closed. Did the Winters crossing just have crossbucks?
@@RyansColoradoRailProductions Yes, the Winters crossing just had crossbucks, which I found interesting considering it's a bigger road.
@@starkj92 I wonder if the line was still active. Those crossing would probably have gates and e-bells.
This reminds a lot like the Burnham Repair shops here in Denver. Rusty old abandoned spurs with a local train that drops off coil cars at a nearby industry as of now. I remember seeing that yard so filled with action until UP shut it all down. The yard was formerly DRGW and later SP and then UP. Thanks for sharing this!
Yup, I’ve taken the light rail by there many times. Someday maybe all the old rail cars and that caboose abandoned in the siding there can be restored. Also I wanna explore the abandoned former roundhouse, turntable, shops etc there someday.
@@RyansColoradoRailProductions Yeah, me too but unfortunately the place has been fenced up due to homeless people and vandals tearing up the place.
@@5371productions There used to be a whole classification yard there too that was torn up. I wish that was still active. Also do you know the reason why UP moved out of that yard?
@@RyansColoradoRailProductions UP claimed that it was for the decline of coal demand, but that reason seems indefinite. I used to see those old Dash 8s and repainted Ex-SP and Ex-DRGW tunnel motors in storage when I took the light rail. Pretty cool stuff that used to be there.
At least they turned part of Shooks Run into a nice trail that memorializes the line! Great video, very relaxing.
Thanks so much! Do you like trains too?
@@RyansColoradoRailProductions I think their neat, but I know very little about them
@@Jacksynth ah I see. I was confused there for a sec. Abandoned rails interest me too, hence why I made this video.
Interesting also Merry Christmas
I Remember up 1418 goes on that line
They switch it out occasionally. Back in January of 19 when I caught a train there there were two. UP 1396 and 1422.
It's interesting to think of,"what if the tracks were still active?" I think if the tracks were never abandoned, there would be BNSF manifests, coal trains and a few intermodal trains too (several times I saw BNSF intermodal trains near downtown Denver which went on the Joint line) with occasional Union Pacific movement if these tracks were still active. The rails would probably be shiny with 1 or 2 tracks, the signal system would be up to date, a lot of the crossings would have a lot of gates and be quiet zones, And there would definitely be either welded rail with concrete ties, or just welded rail.
If that would have happened, the current Joint line would have been UP traffic only.
Very interesting
You should visit eads CO and do a story on the rail line there since it was bought out a few years ago and now used again
Not good using a rail as a balance beam. On the Union Pacific it's a fire-able offense to step on the rail, & for good reason.
Not to worry, this line is abandoned. They only use the siding to the east. I’m not a railroader (yet), so I don’t really have to keep that in mind, but yes, safety is the most important thing on active railroads.
@@RyansColoradoRailProductions Even when abandoned, you can seriously hurt yourself doing that. The rail is not flat. It has a slight arch, that can sprain your ankle faster than the Shinkansen.
@@WarrenMZorroslastride yes, I’m aware of how train wheels interact with rails. I’m not stupid. Sorry to sound rude but I’m aware of the danger and I know how not to get hurt.
@@RyansColoradoRailProductions I don't mean to insult you. I only wish you & everyone watching to be safe.