A History of the SP/Santa Fe Arvin Branch

[@craigc8198]

It is fun to follow along with your vidio and Google maps.

[@Crab_People]

Im glad to learn more about the small little city i have grown up in thanks for the video

[@rileydog362]

Very nice video !

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@bfurailroad1104]

Interesting little informational tidbit you provided about the vertical striping. Now I know why there's piles of crossing arms in the UP's boneyard.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

If a crossing still has both gates diagonally striped it's ok but if one gate is replaced with vertical, both must be changed.

[@Scoutmann1975]

@@MarkClayMcGowan I’ve seen a couple around Bakersfield where they have both. I want to say on the Buttonwillow branch and some BNSF crossings. Since I first came across your videos a few months ago, I’ve been paying attention. Also, I was out on this branch today, specifically driving Digorgio to Tejon and to the back side of Arvin. They’re doing some sort of work at the crossing at 223, they’ve taken the guards out, but it looks like fresh tracks have been put in at the crossing. Also, west of the heck cellars winery, they’ve painted all of the track switches bright green. Any ideas? Would it be track revitalizion for a new customer or prepping to scrap everything past the oil refinery on Panama? Thanks for your videos! I’d love to meet with you sometime and bs about these old lines. Do you have an email or anything?

[@NuggetUnit]

I too enjoy the smell of decaying organic matter lol. Good stuff Mark, you've got a new subscriber from Fresno

[@brianblackstocks6369]

Thanks for the video

[@dsflyerds]

Another great video Mark! I'm not sure you are aware but Run 8 train simulator models this branch pretty well.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I had to Google Run 8, so no, I was unaware of that. Very interesting! Thanks for checking it out!

[@thomream1888]

Re the markings on a RR crossing arm: When a society's highest value is its lowest denominator, it is doomed to stagnate and die. Sadly this is what our once-great Country has fallen to. If there were only a required IQ test for jury service... and voting! Nice job on the history Mark. Glad you're back to good health!

[@jhrvta]

Bolthouse Farms... tiny carrots. People love the tiny carrots. My friend went to sell them HPLC columns (for pesticide analysis) and lets just say, umm, they stayed at Black Angus past Happy Hour. Thanks for this.

[@dougc190]

I used to run to the rock quarry off of Bear mountain boulevard in Arvin. I don't know if it was 15 16 17 there used to be a bunch of Amtrak box cars on the track the part that's next to tejon road. They sat there for years and they finally pulled them out, that's the last time anybody remembers a train going down that far to pick up those Amtrak box cars. I also remember when that crossing at Bear mountain boulevard used to work again I can't tell you if it was 15 or 17.

[@kenkemzura903]

Visited this branch in 2019. Surprised most of this line has nor been torn out. Sad to see it wither away.

[@davidvanschaick5565]

Good Stuff MCM

[@carlmarburger7513]

Mildly surprised you didn't mention Tasteful Selections and their baby potatoes at the Comanche crossing.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I've never heard of them! But then I'm not familiar with the names of most of these companies. Just the names of the locations. Thanks for checking it out!

[@michaelmorgan7893]

Speed board for 10 mph. It is an old Santa Fe style speed post.

[@JoeG-firehousewhiskey]

OMG people will use any excuse to place blame on someone else for their stupidity. The gate goes down, you stop!!

[@bfurailroad1104]

I'm needing a panoramic shot from Bear Mountain for my model railroad, can you possibly get me a shot? At the very top would be nice but I'd settle for halfway!

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Maybe I'll buy a drone and write it off to my new business!

[@bfurailroad1104]

@@MarkClayMcGowan A drone oh yeah, but that would take the fun out of us the viewers watching you climb on foot!

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

@@bfurailroad1104 you can actually drive most of the way up Bear Mtn. but that's cheating too!

[@samfuller6273]

Yeah! Screw those JQXXX / ALXXX /SPXXX UP station names.... It's ARVIN or WALONG or COLTON SP used the name of the places you were! Where are you at? I'm at PALMDALE! not JQ WHATEVER!