Can We Make This Model T Railcar Run and Drive to Goat Canyon Trestle to Go-Kart on Railroad Tracks

@MerlinsOldSchoolGarage and Brad are on their biggest adventure yet! This Model T Rail Car makes its way through tunnels and over bridges along a Railway that was built over 100 years ago! Have fun on this adventure with the guys as they take you along on their trip!
@JunkYardLoungeTV came along with their speedster to run the rails too!
For merchandise visit merlinsoldschoolgarage.com/

[@pbaemedan]

The oiler is called a flange greaser. It's used to help minimize the wear of the rail.

[@bronsonwhite611]

Usually placed just ahead of curves in the tracks where side load on the wheels will cause friction.

[@avalonbear61]

Type MBJ Meco rail - and - flange lubricator

[@russellrobinson4202]

Awesome really enjoyed it

[@cliffmorgan31]

Wear and friction reduction oiler for curves…

[@bobberry6028]

Yep it is a track oiler to cut down on friction on the curve. Still being used on some sections. Good call @pbaemedan

[@marvincarter870]

What an amazing adventure that Merlin and Brad has taken us on with this video! Beautiful country and historic railroad tracks. Thanks for taking us along Merlin!

[@johnlombardi1021]

i definitely agree

[@KensHobbies409]

Took the words right out of My mouth as What I was going to say.

[@lancecorey6582]

The ties in the middle of the tracks is for the hand carts to turn on. They are moved to the side on the wooden rails to allow trains to pass.

[@blacktberd08]

Sometimes there was a little shed to keep the carts in also from my understanding

[@arte9855]

Could be the best place to turn your model T around if you happened to find yourself on the tracks 😂

[@lyndonmassey3019]

Also to clear track for the train

[@TheOpossumtx]

This is what my grandfather told me when he took me on his motorcar to see the last steam freight pass by.

[@whodom]

Smaller motor cars can be picked up and moved off too.

[@JunkYardLoungeTV]

Sure was a blast hanging out with you guys on that adventure! Thanks for the good time!

[@terryhayward7905]

After turning the model T, I guess you can see what the wooden structures were for. Turning hand carts off the track.

[@leoross5777]

Those weird 'metal looking' spikes were called 'silver dollars' back when I pounded them into Timbers while on the bridge gang in the '80s on Conrail.. they're actually very large screws , a foot long that rotate in as you hit it with a 10 lb Sledge... Pre drilled with a slightly smaller hole

[@shaggy1958]

The ties between the rails with two additional ties perpendicular to the side; This is a motorcar set-off. Maintenance workers have to get out of the way for the trains. Each morning before the workers went out on the tracks, they got a “lineup”, or train schedule. Trains run on strict schedules….sometimes late, but never early. The workers would drive to the “set-off”, slide out two long lifting bars, pick up the back of the motorcar, and spin it 90 degrees on those ties between the rails. They could then push the motorcar out onto the ties that are perpendicular to the rails, park it, and wait for the train to go by. After train passes, the push the car back and put it on the rails. These were also used as turn arounds. Rather than backing the motorcar all the way back to the maintenance shop, they would use the set-off to turn the motorcar 180 degrees and drive back going forward.

[@wjhjr1415]

I don't watch videos more than once but I will watch this again.

[@theuglytruth8162]

Don't want to spoil it for you but, it seems to always end up the same 🤔 weird huh 🤣

[@cayminlast]

Nothing beats Sunday morning coffee and watching Merlin's antics.

[@mrmongo6722]

You guys have built some crazy cool stuff but this one is definitely up there in the top ten that’s for sure!🍻

[@rudiekeyser2495]

Exactly 💯

[@ewengillies9826]

Top 3 .. I reckon for sure. What an adventure. Bushyboy Oz

[@adrianneedham2373]

Anyone who is walking around up there and hears the horns are going to be so confused 😂😂😂🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@theuglytruth8162]

Anyone walking around out there is long past being confused from hearing horns. Merlins a hoot.😂

[@Tom-zo2rc]

So if im walking down the tracks and some a** almost runs me over, I've got an issue that. Not cool.

[@theuglytruth8162]

@@Tom-zo2rc found you, 👍the one my reply was for. 🤣🤣🤣💯

[@chuckster6513]

Hey Merlin, That was just too cool ! Once in a lifetime adventure. Thanks for taking us along.

[@72chargerse72]

Its a shame that whole ride back was in the dark. Very cool trip. Thanks for doing it and takeing us along. I have never done anything as cool as that.

[@Corvaire]

Who needs a bucket when you can create your list as you go. ;O)-

[@EmptyPocketsOffRd]

Awesome adventure, thanks for taking us along...

[@curteby475]

very cool trip

[@LifeOfSarge]

For anyone curious the water tower was Dos Cabezas Station. Steve from sidetrack adventures did a video on the history of it about a month ago it was very interesting and cool to see it in Merlin’s video

[@stewisere]

The bits that go off at a 90 Deg angle with wood in between the rails are to enable maintenance vehicles to put their turntable down, lift the vehicle up, spin it 90 degrees onto temporary rails and drive off out of the way for a train to pass. To save them having to go all the way back to a station/loop.

[@rockercover]

Railway looks as if it has been maintained. Especially the bridges and tunnels.

[@notter59]

From what I can find, the last train ran in 2013. It has been abandoned since. The dry climate preserves things but Mother Nature is catching up.

[@williamevans6522]

When I visited, over a weekend in the 70's, us Scouts discovered that 17 of the support foundations were washed out, and/ or the vertical timbers were just dangling in thin air. We walked the catwalks, collected honey from a hive, played grabass. Fun times😊

[@thefrugalhandyman5054]

Thank you. I grew up in an old coal town, lots of old tracks and tunnels in the hills. This reminds me of our adventures as kids.

[@Dan_BamSR]

Well I would have never experienced that trip without you Merlin. Felt like I was there with you guys with a windshield front row view. Loved this experience! Thank you for taking us along. ❤

[@ubatool]

Don't know if I've ever seen something as cool as this.

[@rudiekeyser2495]

This is the coolest video I have seen in a long time. Thanks Merlin. I have worked on the railways for many years as a Traincontrol officer. Steam, Diesel and Electric. The iron ore trains weighs up to 7500 tons in freight. Cheers Cape Town 🇿🇦🇺🇲

[@chestercobblepot7839]

What a beautiful landscape and epic bucket List trip. Thanks Merlin! Next time, maybe put the boards under the model t longways with a bottle jack under the center of the T and spin it on the rails. ;)

[@evadarrh]

That's the way we do it on the W.W.& F. Ry... Our model T rail car has a balance point. We have a board notched for the rails, (2', not 4' 8 1/2"), the jack goes in the middle, and the whole car comes up off the rails, and two people swing it around!

[@johnperun232]

Have a Great Day God Bless America 🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸

[@charlesalden9167]

Love my Sunday mornings with MOSG. What an adventure in Merlins 1917 model T turned into a railcar. Another creation from Dr Frankenstein great history class in a history car. The best history class entertainment . Brad enjoyed the ride

[@tompaoletti690]

One of your best videos! Thank you for sharing the past! How tough and fearless and ingenious our forefathers were… God Bless you guys.

[@OlneyaTesota]

Was surprised the ‘speeders’ didn’t know about the motor car set-offs. Also surprised you didn’t back down to one to help you turn the “T Model” around. 😊

[@ShalynOlson]

The oilers are used to lubricate the insides of rails before curves to help prevent the rail from waring out. Modern railroad use grease

[@PhilPrater]

Thanks for taking us along, Merlin!

[@rudiekeyser2495]

Exactly 💯

[@BarbaraKoschki]

The structures between the RR tracks with the two planks running perpendicular out from the rails was used to get the speeders off the track to let trains pass. To turn the T around, mount a plate under the car at the balance point. When you want to reverse direction, jack the car up using the balance point and spin the car around 180 degrees. The RR had some speeders that had provisions to do this.

[@MrXdaltonxp]

I could watch this all day!!!

[@trevorjowers9669]

what a amazing adventure

[@paulcooper9135]

So for your next adventire, you need a small H frame with a pivot in the center so you can jack the Model T up and spin it in place. Great history! Beautiful trestle! Thanks for sharing 🇨🇦

[@stephend.mixell2042]

amazing adventure that Merlin and Brad have taken us on. Beautiful country and historic railroad tracks. Thanks for taking us along Merlin! 134 Reply

[@wjhjr1415]

An adventure we won't get anywhere else! Thank you!

[@benhancock1408]

those are hand car set-offs, they would turn the hand car and roll it off so a train could pass by

[@rudiekeyser2495]

Exactly 💯

[@allangooge7871]

Brilliant video. 👍🏻🇬🇧”Speeders in payment for removing the rock we’re leaving the timbers”😂🤣👍🏻

[@garymcmullin2292]

guys that was a video of academy award quality, thanks for the very unique ride along experience. This video reflects real quality content which is very rare these days. I like that your adventures and builds actually end up making some sense, they are not just throwing money at junk with an out come that is still junk, you guys are visionary, expending resources in a sensible way.

[@trackntime]

Great adventure for that era appropriate car. Not sure if anyone answered your questions, but the device filled with oil is a flange oiler that prevents rail wear on curvy railroad tracks. The wood ties in the center of the track and what looks like wood railroad track next to it is for speeders to be set out of the way of oncoming trains. Thanks for the ride guys!

[@mountainfamilymineralsandr182]

The track oilers were installed to reduce friction and wear on the rails. It was also used to reduce the effects of corrosion. Cool video, thanks for the upload.

[@rayc.1396]

The jumble of cross ties with the 2 long ties going away from the track were where the speeders were taken off the track to allow the trains to pass and for removal debris from other parts. You should have backed the model T to one of those, would have been much easier than what you went through. Great video as usual.

[@markromano6417]

I appreciate seeing that gorgeous bridge

[@manfredneumann938]

Merlin, you make Sundays amazing. Thank You for sharing your adventures with us.

[@davidphillips7321]

Merlin - You Need a Rotator Mounted Under the Model T - That Lifts and Rotates - So You Can Turn Around - So Much Easier...Just a Thought...Stay Safe...Thanks For the History and Beautiful Views...Stay Strong...

[@davidphillips7321]

Love That Horn...Thank You, Again...Stay Safe...

[@shaggy1958]

Those oak wedges I mentioned on earlier video and a 5’ needle bar would make turning the model T a lot easier

[@scottschultz6535]

That was sooooo much fun! Thanks for taking us along. Epic journey !

[@CherieFreeman-zw4cs]

Man, that Model T handles like its on rail! Awesome adventure, thanks for taking us along!

[@jaygeist4643]

Thank you for taking us along. Beautiful

[@avilhall8922]

Hey guys thanks for a ride it's been fun have a good one

[@WilliamPowell-bc6wi]

Merlin, i made my first trip through Corrizo Gorge in 1975. Went with San Diego and Arizona Eastern railroad employee on a motor cart out of Jacumba. Of the two rail cars, one contained Coors bear

[@IEchuckie]

And the other ice ?

[@kurtloptien185]

Brad and Merlin's Excellent Adventure!

[@SUPERJKJEEP]

CRAZY Merlin 🧙. Thank You !!

[@wjhjr1415]

So glad we got to see the "turnaround"! Thank you

[@oscaranderson1822]

That was very interesting and scenic thank you for taking us along.

[@JDZiemba1773]

I luv it Mer..... grown men actin like children IS the object of the game..... carry on and god bless ❤️🇺🇸

[@terryadams4857]

I believe, well on this side of the world anyhow it’s for unloading ur track vehicle maintenance gigga as we call em to allow trains to pass Would no doubt have been a great place to turn a model T around too if u happen to come by one on the train tracks 😳😬🤣😎

[@cwp1alpha]

Awesome fun there! 😂 I love the idea of converting an old ride into a railway adventure vehicle. The abandoned rails across America are last unexplored off-road trails to be enjoyed, but with rail drivable vehicles. 👍

[@heartland96a]

I believe there are a number of speeder clubs/ groups across the country that travel portions of railway with permission from owners

[@alanlamon4399]

That was the best Austin Power turn I had ever seen. 😅

[@duncanellico1398]

thats awesome you guy did this great video drove those tracks with my Dad in his old ww2 jeep we made about were you guys did thanks for the memories

[@jefflaufer3205]

That bridge has been on my bucket list for a while. You just upped the ante, Merlin. ❤

[@johnperun232]

That was Awesome and great Video your work on the railer Is Outstanding and we appreciate your time Thanx for sharing this Great 👍 Adventure

[@craigbowley6783]

Wow! You guys are literally living one of my dreams right now!😊 And since this is as close as I'll ever get. Thanks for taking us along 🇺🇲

[@user-up4ee4lh8z]

What a Fantastic trip.

[@dv650]

Merlin, this was simply SPECTACULAR!!!!

[@jamesbarden2900]

Thank you for the trip Merlin. A great ride of history!

[@romeoalphafoxtrot9517]

Man! What an adventure! That was awesome! You can see why they called it "The Impossible Railroad." It goes all the way to San Diego through Mexico. Great video!

[@goldenwheeledbanshee9160]

That place u was asking about is where the cars full of rocks and dirt from the tunnels being built was dumped over the side of the mountain. Every where u look u see where brave hard working honest men worked and died. I've worked building tracks and last few years we worked we was undoing alot of old tracks. Now trucks do most of thè transportation of goods. But rail was King not that long ago. Love u're videos Merlin, I even like Brad some too.

[@BodiTriggerfinger]

Merlin, again…. So great to see… you guys moving rocks like the flintstones.. so great to see…

[@landlocked4771]

That was a lot of fun guy's thanks for bring us along. Very cool.

[@1962markstubson]

Merlin you are the original railfan dudes

[@chldof1truekng434]

All I can say is WOW! What an adventure thank you for taking us along.

[@jeromestrong5614]

Thanks for the ride along Merlin and gang. It was very interesting. God Bless

[@Dwayne7834]

Thanks Merlin for sharing this ride back into the past. That so many people would never have seen. 👍🇺🇸

[@aloberdorf4579]

Really like the "Sepia Vision" shots...it add authentic realism to the adventure...Kudos.

[@wylecuplin3044]

Very cool adventure, thanks for taking us along. 👍👍

[@rtalways]

Omg! You can't believe the smile you put on my face when you waved to the drone.I have always wanted to go there amazing footage And choice of music for the work scene. Ps. Im very grateful for your parents and your uncle for making you a mechanical genious.

[@hazeljustice307]

Hey Merlin and Brad thank you for taking us with you on this amazing journey i can't say enough about it the 7 sisters bridges and the last bridge they remarkable back in their time and even today thank you for this video

[@kathyc8284]

Awesome thank you for the adventure!!

[@glmfaa1276]

The US Forest Service had 2 of the model T rail runners in 1924. There is a library of congress picture of one on the internet. My source from the forest service told me that one was lost going over a cliff after derailing and the other was just junked after use. Nice video of a very scenic track.

[@brucekiszely2995]

Morning Merlin and gang!!!!!, 👍🇺🇸

[@danaowen9014]

Thats taking the rails in style, the only way merlin knows how.😃

[@poopingandroid]

Hey! You found the trestle that I messaged about on the last video. I was a bit off on the location. I've never been there, just seen a video of someone hiking there. Glad you found it and got to go visit.

[@keelyackerman3281]

Thank you really enjoyed this adventure!!!!

[@user-fq6cx4hh5p]

What a beautiful woman

[@alkennedy1124]

This was a perfect movie 🎥 sets nice ,rustic as I hold my heart and salute my us flag 🇺🇸 with the start on NASCAR at. Talladega thanks BigAl California.

[@johnme7049]

Next upgrade could maybe be a 'cow catcher'/ debris blade on the front to deflect limbs, heaps of sand, you know, debris. It's a constant problem as these ARE abandoned tracks after all. What a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Love you guys.

[@XTTORQ]

Thanks for the ride

[@danielhatfield9674]

Now that was amazing 🤩

[@SuburbanK2500]

THAT was an awesome adventure!!! The scenery, unreal, those bridge structures, wow!

[@timdunmyer4549]

It's amazing how well preserved all that stuff is. Cool trip. I always wanted to do that with like a go cart.

[@paulmartin8212]

being from Ohio it was cool to see some of that track was made here. what a trip. thanks for taking us along.

[@wynottgivemore9274]

One of my favorite memories in grade 6 was when out teacher let us watch the railrodder movie made by the national film board of Canada... Mrs haul was a great teacher, .😊

[@larryalexander4833]

Good Sunday morning to everyone. Hay it's another old school garage video. Thanks Merlin. 🔧🪛🔨🛠️ And Jesus Christ is the answer through everything in this old world ✝️🙏

[@rudiekeyser2495]

Yes asolutely 💯🙏

[@briantrausch3637]

You can never tell what Merlin will come up with next. Eather way cool ride.

[@CaseysOffRoadRecovery]

That look on your face when you first got going I think you had your doubts! Loved the video! I want to go next time!

[@Yuccabillybrad]

We did but it worked!

[@dongoff6762]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you,😂 What an awsome adventure

[@jefforyhurst4813]

That was cool 😎 thanks for taken us along. Check out Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad

[@professorfalken4600]

Great adventure once again on the SP&MRR

[@steveschmitt5137]

Merlin and friends.......that was awesome. Thanks for sharing, and stay safe 👍.

[@rolandtb3]

Memories and adventures.

[@mikehornsby599]

That was great thank you for sharing!!!!!!

[@markellyfarm]

Need to build you a hydralic spinner. It just spans the frame in the center of gravity. You jack it up and just spin it by hand as it balances.

[@fredfrederick5607]

For what that thing weighs, a 4x4 sheet of plywood and a HF moving dolly or two would probably work.

[@rayscrafield2106]

Merlin, I must thank you and Brad from the bottom of my heart. I've heard and read about this abandoned railroad and always wanted to figure out a way to go see it for myself. I'm 81 now and that will not happen. But, with your kindness and ingenuity, you have provided me a way to fulfill my dream. Thank you so much. If not for folks like you, the rest of us would never have the opportunity to see these fantastic views. Please, don't ever stop. P.S. How fortuitous is was for you two to run into 2 other adventurers. If not for them, you guys might STILL be out there.