Baltimore MD Light Rail - Timonium MD to Oriole Park @ Camden Yards (from cab - May 17 1992)

A ride on the first section of the just-opened northern section of the Baltimore light rail line, shot from the rare perspective of the cab! In essence, a cab ride the entire way!
The system as it first opened, with some single track sections. The train can be seen being switched, and even some left-hand running!
Also shown is the field at Oriole Park, prior to the first opening day!
Another reason for this upload is the recent controversy involving the videographer who caught grief in early 2011 for doing MUCH LESS than is depicted in this video! Apparently things were VERY different in 1992! I would have been very conspicuous in the process of shooting this, from both standing up front right behind the door to the cab AND from carrying an old-fashioned bulky VHS camcorder!! INCREDIBLY OBVIOUS!! But no one batted an eyelash...
I challenge ANYBODY (short of the media) to try and get a video like this one TODAY! But, you wanna know something?? I have ANOTHER vid-even more comprehensive than this one-that I shot a few months later!! And again I made it without a hassle! So, what changed since 1992?? Why is light rail security now so anti-video despite written policy ALLOWING it?? What changed?? I can't think of anything.
Sorry about the last few scenes and sudden ending! The batteries on those old cameras didn't last that long!
Shot originally on VHS and mastered here in 720p.

[@historygeek2007]

This is fantastic! I could barely remember what Timonium station initially looked like. And the track with the new, bight white ties! Thanks for posting this.

[@IDigAPony]

Cool - it's like a trolley! Taking it from Timonium to Convention Center - BronyCon 2015.

[@bullfrog1954]

IDig A. Pony They're considered hybrid vehicles, as they combine features of streetcars and subway cars. I have a more comprehensive video than even this! Will be editing it soon. Thanx for viewing. -Gus

[@bluethunder250]

Back when Downtown Baltimore was alive! Someone needs to make Downtown Baltimore great again!

[@bullfrog1954]

Man, you are so RIGHT!! I'd give your comment TWO thumbs-up if I could!! 👍👍

[@DannyManny98]

I agree!

[@TaGaMeMNoN1983]

Made fun to watch part after part of your video while comparing the sites with Google StreetView. This is a fantastic light rail system restart for a city that had abandoned its large tram network. I hope the next line comes around 2020 and not later. Thanks for filming then.

[@bullfrog1954]

@Wingnutcaseman That's one thing I've been thinking about since but can't figure out! Apparently ALL trains were running left there-even the northbound ones! Maybe a test/experiment by the MTA being the system had just opened-maybe to check safety? Or an operational issue of some kind-really can't say! Thanx 4 watching!

[@bullfrog1954]

@SUPERDAVIDLEVINE Yes it's very scenic-one of the selling points back then. Also it's very historic-original road bed dates to 1832! Started as Balto & Susquehanna; later Northern Central RY before becoming part of PRR in the 1860s. To the north, now a bike trail to PA. Thanx 4 watching!

[@bullfrog1954]

@snoopcuz This light rail averages 45 MPH on the open stretches before it gets tangled up in the downtown street running. Thanx 4 watching!

[@bullfrog1954]

At that time the line was 60% double track; 40% single-and this was one of the single track stretches. The old track to the right was a former siding. The entire line was eventually double tracked.

[@bullfrog1954]

That's not so easy to explain! Of course this was only a "promo" train ride and, therefore, no opposing traffic on the northbound track, but still not sure why the left-hand running! But glad we did-haven't done that since!

[@bullfrog1954]

I'm pretty sure it has! I first saw it at the time of this vid. There is still something there now and it might be the same car! It's now the MARC ticket office.

[@Wingnutcaseman]

I enjoy seeing which segments and stations were previously single track and which track was "original". But why were they running left handed on Howard Street?

[@TaGaMeMNoN1983]

@bullfrog1954 i found the Baltimore Streetcar Museum as i was around North Avenue Station with StreetView. What an interesting Museum. Saw many vids of it since. Have you got own footage? My hometown has Streetcars too, so i´m very intersested in any other network on earth.

[@bullfrog1954]

@BaltimoreAndOhioRR Here is a vid I know I'd NEVER be able to make today!!! I actually stood behind the door to the cab (& shot through the cab)-and NO ONE said a word!! But, believe it or not, I actually have a vid more detailed than this one! I've ridden the OML twice (behind Chessie 614) but only have still photos shot from the coach windows. Still-managed to get some rare stuff I'll have to scan & post one day!

[@bullfrog1954]

You're very welcome! Now the entire line is double-tracked and looks very different from how it looks here! I too am a history geek, and as such I love giving historical facts-originally Timonium Station was on the west side of Timonium Road, next to where the 7-11 now sits. And, by the way-I have even better and more comprehensive footage than this I'll eventually upload!

[@bullfrog1954]

@TaGaMeMNoN1983 I have a lot of BSM footage from the 90s I'll eventually post (some recent as well-but viewers seem to prefer my older footage), as well as a 1974 film I made of a derailment there! The car with the max-traction trucks derailed and I have footage of the rerailing effort! Looking for a way to get this footage digitized!

[@bullfrog1954]

@TaGaMeMNoN1983 As somebody who lived in Baltimore when the streetcars ran I think it's great to have light rail, though my heart lies with the streetcars! Interesting that you thought to compare the vid with Google Street View! I much prefer to use light rail going downtown as opposed to driving-I'm not really a city traffic person. We get to Ravens/Orioles games by train! Other lines planned but don't know for when. Thanx 4 viewing!

[@bullfrog1954]

YOU'RE getting OLD? I think I'm way older; old enough to have ridden streetcars!! But they've been talking about an east-west line for a while now but not much is gonna happen under the current administration. We had a different mayor back then who cared about keeping Baltimore moving! Oriole Park ain't looking too bad, though! I think it's a great ballpark! So you're heavily into the MTA? I remember when it was BTC (Balto Transit Co)! Thanx 4 viewing!

[@rockvilleraven]

I take almost every time I go to downtown Baltimore, except during a game at M&T Bank stadium where they have trouble handling crowd for those events.

[@bullfrog1954]

rockvilleraven I take the light rail to games just to avoid the hassle of fighting city traffic around the stadium!

[@rockvilleraven]

The problems with the light rail for Ravens games is the first train northbound to North Linthicum arrives at 10:50 am on Sundays, they should run it earlier like 8 am Sundays to get the church crowd business. I will take it for Army-Navy and find someplace to eat afterward since they run it earlier on a Saturday. and ride it back Tried the Ravens Ride coach busses, but now just park at garage on Lombard St. that is closer and cheaper also I can tailgate more with my friends who were in the old Bowie Ravens Roost then next in Lot H. When the Ravens had their Super Bowl celebration at the stadium, I rode the DC Metro from Grosveonr where I live to Union Station and took the MARC Camden Line. I had to wait an hour or so before the first Southbound trains, but it beat the chaos of the light rail that day.

[@bullfrog1954]

rockvilleraven OH, I see-you're coming from the south. I'm coming from the north and it's definitely easier to take the train. Easy in, easy out. I'm really not into tailgating so the light rail works out just fine with me. And, as a dedicated railfan, there's no other way to get there! I get a football game and a train ride-can't ask for more!

[@rockvilleraven]

bullfrog1954 The Washington Metro transit SmartTrip card works on the MTA light rail, essentially is the same thing as the Baltimore Charm Card, you wave it on the target, validate it and go. I tried it, but there's no round trip option, just one way or the day pass.;

[@bullfrog1954]

rockvilleraven I'm familiar with those cards, but I don't ride often enough to really need either. I get a discount due to having a disability placard. Hey-whatever works!

[@theprofessor172]

Has that same MARC baggage car been sitting at the Camden Yards station for 20 years?

[@sardu55]

Was the light rail built on existing Right of Way (ROW) or was it an original ROW?.

[@bullfrog1954]

It was built on existing ROW. Started as the Baltimore & Susquehanna in 1832, then through various mergers and name changes, finally became the Northern Central branch of the PRR. Here's a video where I explain it ALL: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3Wnqpptl5qehqM It's the history of the onetime branch that split off by Lake Roland, but I relate a lot of mainline detail as well.

[@sardu55]

Thanks, I'll take a look a the video. That line goes way back, maybe even had wooden rails. Sounds like PRR mirrored the old New Haven in New England. At one time NH controlled most of the rail lines in New England. Eventually the abandoned a lot of them. Today you can find many of those old lines in use by regional railroads. In CT and MA the state purchased them and turned them into commuter lines. Do you if Maryland (or PA) have done anything like that?.

[@bullfrog1954]

The line never had wooden rails, but it was laid with strap rail for a while. Actually, this line is an example of what you mentioned-the state taking over a onetime private ROW and making it into a commuter line. To me it's a shame other lines in the area couldn't be saved like that! We once had a commuter line to DC, but it got abandoned in 1935, and since parts of the line got built over, no chance of bringing it back! Same with the Ma & Pa RR, with passenger service stopping in 1954! Guess back then no one suspected these lines would, in the future, be needed more than ever!

[@sardu55]

Maryland seemed to try with the light rail to Camden Yards but may have lost interest in advancing rail in the state. Maybe it will become more of a political issue in the future as the roads get more packed and gas goes up. Someday, they'll have to do something. Sooner the better. Who knows, maybe someday they'll open a line running from Ocean City to Grantsville.

[@bullfrog1954]

Maryland seems to have an on-again/off again interest in furthering rail service. Someone comes up with what seems like a good idea; someone higher up strikes it down. I personally don't see why some of the lesser-used freight lines can't again have commuter service, as they did once upon a time. Good example: The WMRY-now CSX-line to Westminster. They could do a 'light rail' thing with it, and maybe lose some of that traffic on MD 140. Also, I-795 doesn't continue into Baltimore-another good reason for the train service! Also-back in the 80s, I too thought of a line from Ocean City to Grantsville, as both once had rail service!! I wouldn't mind!

[@SamSitar]

at around 11:06 where was the second track built?

[@bullfrog1954]

Red line not far from construction? Really? I've heard nothing on the news about it! But if it is, great!! Then again, the metro (subway) was also simarly planned in the 70s and 80s with only one line built. All the money went there-that's why I-70 dead ends at the city line! Still waiting for the REST of the system-assuming it doesn't cost too much Are you working on it too? If you can get me a cab ride that would be great!!

[@YankeePat94]

I notice there's a lunar light at each crossing. I guess that's to tell the light rail operator that the crossing is functioning.

[@bullfrog1954]

I too noticed those lights but am not sure of their function. I know they're designed to be unnoticable to regular vehicular traffic. Thanx 4 viewing!

[@jamesmark782]

Impressive system. Just think, todag they'd probably build a Bussssssssssssssssssssss Rapid (?) Transit system.

[@bullfrog1954]

JAMES MARK And they're planning to expand it!

[@charonsferryold]

3 years later Still planning with nothing coming to fruition

[@SamSitar]

why are they wrong railing through Baltimore?

[@DredWolfster]

The Alstom Citadis, Siemens Combino, Bombardier Flexity are the way to go, with the bogey-bridge design aka 100% low floor streetcars. Low floor streetcars are the best. Here where I live in Toronto we will be getting a bunch. High time to reverse the damage done to our city street railroads and intercity rail travel that happened after world war 2. What was once interurbans and streetcars will become a network of light rail and high speed rail. : )

[@musicclosettvshow]

Anyone notice those orange cones that got knocked down by the light rail at the crossing? When it arrived? LOL

[@bullfrog1954]

musicclosettvshow Honestly I didn't notice at all! Interesting! Now working on a light rail video more comprehensive than this one! Will have more cab detail-something one might get arrested for today if they attempted! Thanx 4 viewing! -Gus

[@tjlee8410]

O

[@jamesmark782]

Impressive system. Just think, todag they'd probably build a Bussssssssssssssssssssss Rapid (?) Transit system.