First train in months - Old Colony & Newport work train reopens south end of line - Newport, RI

In this video we see the first train on the south end of the Newport Secondary since August. The work train ran into Newport to clear downed trees to help reopen the line for future use. Once trackwork in the point section of Newport is completed tourist service will return for the first time since 2016. Hopefully sometime after regular passenger service can return whether it be in the form of a commuter train or on-island shuttle.
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Old Colony & Newport Railway
Newport, RI
11/26/2023
Flickr:
www.flickr.com/photos/1404502...
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©2023 South Coast Rail Videos

[@joostvansurksum5533]

Lots of sleepers or railroad ties are in a really bad condition, almost rotted away. And the water, serious drainage restoration required. Nevertheless, it was fun seeing the trip. I hope you can get everything done for proper train traffic, I wish you good luck! 💪 Regards from The Netherlands.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@CNScale]

Nah shes good for another 30 years atleast.

[@garrettkessler1895]

Kudos to who put down the tracks because despite being neglected...they're holding up that beast. My late grandpa was a railroader and i greatly appreciate our current ones. God bless you.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@jessstone7486]

This train is just darling. :) Sooo cool to see a caboose!

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

It really is!

[@tomlin7863]

Like seeing old rail been brought back to life, we have lost so much of it through the USA,, it was the back bone that help built this country, To me rail is the way to go instend of EV's invest in rail, for freight and passenger, save money, save the climate., Nice engine ride wnjoyed it very much so, like to see from the engine, and more old line being reopen.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@1361057]

That was fun! Thanks for riding along.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@Bluewolfdude]

It is so nice to see old RR tracks open again. Trains have allot of soul to them. I live near the old B&M line that AMTRAK has now. People have complained about the sounds from the railyard.. I love the sound and am glad to have it so close

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@louislamonte334]

I sure hope the bridge is rebuilt one day!!

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@gretchenchadwick8343]

My special needs son hopes so too! I tell him what it says in the Bible: "With men this is impossible but with God all things are possible".

[@edwardmiessner6502]

Build it off site, bring it in, and put it in place!

[@ruffian2952]

@@edwardmiessner6502 Is there any freight potential there? Is there even any hope of sustainable passenger traffic. Kaiser is gone so is the lumber shed in Portsmouth. Since the destroyers left the Navy is not doing anything but the War College. How many busloads of Boston bound commuter traffic exists now? How pleased are the abutters between Tiverton and Newport? Oh, yes, Newport Yard sits under a hotel. It has been a while since the Iowa was towed away too. I would sooner rebuild the Plymouth Branch from the Cordage to Plymouth. Or if you want good service options replace from Mansfield to Attleboro Junction, if you know where that is. I used to bring cars to Agway in Mansfield from Taunton Yard.

[@princessofthecape2078]

@@ruffian2952 No, there is basically zero freight potential. I suppose the Navy Yard might occasionally require some kind of special move (if the line was rebuilt), but not to the degree that there would ever be regular service. Newport Island is mostly homes and small businesses - it doesn't have heavy industry. However, if the bridge was reconstructed, I think you might easily see 6-8 commuter trains each day - especially if there was a way to finagle some kind of service not only into Boston, but also Providence.

[@JohnDavies-cn3ro]

Looks like that works trin will be putting a few hours in. Seeing as the Old Colony was one of the earliest US railroads, its good to see it making a comeback.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@ianclark2840]

I am surprised at how rust free the track appears to be for the most part. We had a rail strike in NZ in the late 60s or early 70s and within a few days the track was rustier than the track on the video.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@edwardmiessner6502]

This track needs complete rehabilitation to get it into good condition for decent service. I hope the state is contributing so it can run DMUs down to Newport from Providence. It would make for a nice scenic, day trip and weekend getaway service not just commuter rail.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

I totally agree that DMU service would be great!

[@marka5478]

@@SouthCoastRailVideos I have always been a proponent of DMU technology as an important tool of rail passenger service. The new generation of FRA compliant models by the Swiss carbuilder Stadler would be ideal for this type of operation.

[@ajknaup3530]

Thanks for uploading, this is a great video. It's wonderful to see an old line being re-opened. Really tired of seeing more & more lines abandoned. There are several places where it seems to me there has been fresh ballast dumped on top of old, half-rotted ties. Would this be done for a temporary stability increase, even though it will have to be dug back out soon to replace the ties?

[@thepozfromoz5166]

Nice to see the old line opening up! It would be very cool if they had and old geep or f unit to run on it!

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@meandthemrs7403]

What is an F unit?

[@jjxtwo1]

​@@meandthemrs7403An F unit is an older model diesel locomotive. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYrTpIidibScgassi=Sf-odOlfQVdm7ZU-

[@User2o2]

@@meandthemrs7403 en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_F-unit

[@ChadTrainEnjoyer]

Get a steam loco to run on it. :D

[@bradfordthompson8326]

South Coast Film Crews ...Thank you for Sharing This Exciting news.....Hope your Showcasing of this Beautiful railway attracts many new RAILWAYS Customers.....😊😊😊😊 Because of what you do ...for them and us alll Hope they give you life time "CAB RIDES" AND passes😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@blainenodes8182]

As a railfan 75 yrs in mn...these old spurs have a deeper sense of history if you know how to 👀👍

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@rhythmsoftherailroad6484]

It sure will be great to hear the rhythms of the raiload back there again.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@dlarge6502]

Wow, coming from the UK I'm surprised at the lack of barriers and fencing. Anyone could just wander onto the line.

[@user-bf2sw6te9f]

FANTASTIC, Thank you Jason 😊😊

[@buddycheck84]

11:20 Did you stop in at Mama Leone's just off to the left, before the crossing? Haven't been down there since the early 2010's and I know it changed hands -- location. Newport Navy Base was my home (duty station) for many years. Folks have your work cut out for you in detail work -- ie: small trees growing next to tracks and shoring. Good luck with everything. Let the dinner train ride ...!!

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Not on this day but I hear the pizza is great! I used to go to Bishops until that was taken away.

[@buddycheck84]

@@SouthCoastRailVideos Up on 138..…!!! Don't forget about the Oyster Bar Restaurant further on down 138 on the left.,! 🤘💯💥😅

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

Good video. The ditches need to be cleaned to get rid of the standing water SOON.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@edwardmiessner6502]

Well you can clearly see the track is running through wetlands that didn't use to be wet.

[@paulorobertopedroso9933]

Paulo from Brazil - Limeira city - congratulations"

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@kenmcgory8768]

I see a LOT of brushcutting, tie replacement, and roadbed/ballast work in the near future. Hopefully the RR has access to equipment for all the work, manual tie replacement would take FOREVER with all the access and drainage issues.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@Privat2840]

Track and bed look to be be completely substandard if not dangerous and needs complete replacement and reconstruction from below grade up.

[@brandonharristsw7516]

Wow

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@brandonharristsw7516]

@@SouthCoastRailVideos your welcome

[@johncourtneidge]

Thank-you.

[@cmphighpower]

Huge drainage issues and it looks like no road work in a long time

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@kevinjones4008]

They need to upgrade the line needs some new ties and rails be great for a scenic railroad Hope they will add more to the line where it ends at keep us posted

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@raystarr4388]

I was a little kid when my dad was stationed at Newport, RI. From 78-81, the place where the tree was down looks like the same area where the wooden bridge went across from the housing area to the base..

[@bradfordthompson8326]

How excited ..Many Gods prayers for a whole lot of tourist RAILWAYS operations RAILWAYS car storage, and lots of new RAILWAYS customers....Congratulations on all the good Fortune and many Successes 😅😊😊😊😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@RobertMiller-ye9hm]

I love this vid thankyou for this great work greetings folks from Scotland . How old is this track ? How long ago was this line used regularly

[@stephenbarker5162]

It looks like you have a lot of work to do in clearing trackside vegetation, sorting out the drainage in places and cleaning the trackbed and relaying the rails on new sleepers. Good luck.

[@michaelmcginn1706]

Awesome train 🚆 video from the locomotive 🚂 view.😊 Please keep the good work up.😊

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@markmaasch5209]

Keep up the good work.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@FrederickCAycottJr]

Greetings South Coast Rail. Great video.. I hope Newport Secondary Rail decides to add two more tracks. Another to add, if this line goes to Canada, someone needs to sit down at the bargain table and open up dialogue to Canadian Pacific Railroad or Canada Northern Railroad, to have goods come into Rhode island . To boost the economy. Just ideas I was thinking about.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@alcopower5710]

This is simply outstanding. Really made my day 👍

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@johncourtneidge]

The rail tops look remarkebly shiny.

[@finderskeepers5343]

What a thrill ride.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@stephenkirby6983]

Looks like there has been a lot of spot replacement of sleepers ( ties)

[@TheRubberDuck]

It's always nice to see a railway line reopened, if this was in the UK the line would of been ripped up with new ballast put down plus sleepers and track before the lightest of locos would run of there

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@bill091086]

But you guys use money wisely. We're too busy spending on new weapons and illegal immigrants.

[@None-zc5vg]

If this were in the U.K. it would have been completely torn up v. quickly and built over wherever possible.

[@Jeff-fx1zy]

Believe it or not, some of the RockIsland mainline looked about like this, back in the 70's.

[@lonewolfe31619]

Now that is really cool

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@rescue270]

Super cool, but it's gonna cost a lot to rework this line. They reworked and reopened one for freight here in Texas not long ago, and the price tag was about a million $.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@brianfalzon6739]

Congratulations

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@tm502010]

That drainage ditch right by the rails… 😮

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@mjphillips76]

This is going to be an expensive restoration. This is a full rebuild...

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@sav7568]

There should be a regular train service between Newport and Providence airport. The necessary track is all there. Make it a steam train with antique carriages and the tourists would go nuts over getting a ride.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

I agree! It’ll never be a steam train though

[@sav7568]

@@SouthCoastRailVideos That's a shame, even one day a week would work. Tourists love steam trains.

[@1_lens_view]

Haven’t heard a Hancock in a long time. 1981 along the MN&S in Bloomington, MN, to be exact.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@blainenodes8182]

The wonderful MN&s,chased it from 1975...best memories

[@parkergraves6540]

I Noticed How Happy The Engineer Was Blow Those Horn Salutes.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@juliegogo2941]

Newport isn't that where Joni Mitchell sang a year plus ago after her medical issue. She relearned everything...not California...east coast maybe lots of Newports. Always happy to see the red caboose. Looking good! That street intersection looks brand new! Thanks

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@edwardmiessner6502]

The only thing that got fixed! 😂

[@paulnash7630]

Great to see old railway lines opening up in the USA, be great to see steam loco's running the same as here in the 🇬🇧

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@tonydeleo3642]

Looks like tou have a bit of work ahead with drainage, ballast and rotten ties, do you plan to reopen this line? Is that a steam whistle on the engine? Sounds great!!

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

The track will reopen in the future. It is an air whistle on the engine.

[@Classickoolcars]

Imagine……. Being a local railfan and you’re just sitting there watching TV when all of a sudden you hear a train on the unused rail line going past your house……. MANNNN. I’d be out the back door and down on the fence line lickety split!!! 👍👍👌👌❤️❤️❤️

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnsadventures6783]

I have that same saw. I had a big farm boss, but it would wear you out.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@rdhd99]

We walked those tracks to and back from downtown growing up putting change on the tracks to be flatten by the diner train needs to turn into a bike path Rail to Trail woulb be awesone

[@thatfeeble-mindedboy]

Wow… Is that typical performance for wood preservatives up in that area? Oh, wait… Job security, right? I forget - not everywhere is right-to-work …

[@Spencer067]

Love that little train. It looks like small toy

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@gregoryallen3974]

MDOT needs to clear the way under that bridge.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

This is RIDOT’s track

[@jasonmckinney9938]

Would’ve been cool if you showed the train/loco more

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@seantoris1763]

Hey at least the rails are still there. Everything else can be fixed

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Exactly! Thanks for watching

[@Dachamp2001]

That line is going to need alot of work

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@doomey22a]

Always amazed by how quickly rail corridors and rights of way can be reclaimed by nature (and littering humans) without a constant maintenance roster

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@JayYoung-ro3vu]

Nature abhors a vacuum in her space. Thus, plants recolonize. Yes, you'll find a lot of human detritus along abandoned/little used lines.

[@victorbellan8357]

Going to need a lot, drainage work & flat spotted wheel fixed !

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@princessofthecape2078]

Commuter train? Have you heard something we haven't South Coast?

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

It is a possibility in the long term

[@ruffian2952]

A highly unlikely possibility I am afraid.

[@edwardmiessner6502]

It depends on the Commonwealth of Mass. They need to extend the Stoughton Line so everything doesn't funnel through Quincy Center.

[@ruffian2952]

@@edwardmiessner6502 Everything depends on the Commonwealth like providing train service to Quidneck Island? I was involved in rail labor when studies were made in the 70s and you had a bridge at Tiverton and needed repairs then. RIDOT had best hear your dreams soon or the cost of replacing that structure will eliminate any chance. I for one would counsel against Massachusetts paying a cent for such a bridge. There are other hurdles too.

[@Jeff-fx1zy]

Ties are everything. Period. If you have enough decent ties, and you keep the speed down, you can run that line. Without enough good ties you cant run a hi-rail truck.

[@markrhuett]

Is this just a tourist line? Or what freight will the railraid be hauling after the restoration?

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Tourist

[@rexmasters1541]

Gonna need a lot of work to get it back in shape.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@DntHtThPlya]

I noticed the guy with the flag at the grade crossing. Were those signals not operating?

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

They are out of service until trains start running more regularly

[@petercole8798]

Where is this. Does this tie into the new new bedford trains. And fall river lines.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

This is an isolated line. It once connected to Fall River.

[@crazyjoe4247]

Took me a while to realize you were on a train not waiting for one

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@aliasdeputydog]

For a works train, there didn`t seem to be much actual work being done, ditches on both sides of the line full of water exposing lack of ballast, missing and broken-up sleepers in places, some misaligned track and vegetation much too close to running vehicles. Looks to be a nice run if properly maintained.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@microbusss]

track gonna go further than that soon?

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Yes

[@monsignore11]

a very good example for americas infrastructure !

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@jerrys9226]

Too bad you guys don’t have a track mounted brush mower. Doesn’t look too bad though.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

One might be coming soon. Stay tuned!

[@jerrys9226]

@@SouthCoastRailVideos excellent! That would make life much easier. Especially those slopes.

[@geoffreykail9129]

Is the flat spotted whee on the flat car or the locomotive?

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

It’s jointed rail

[@christianblankenship7683]

I've lost count on all of the ties needed. And then a train load of ballast!

[@timeslip8246]

If there is anyplace that could use passenger rail. Holy Hannah is it Newport RI.

[@mattstarr8203]

they have costumer or passengers service

[@tmkatx6497]

I rode this line in 1991 and it was shaky then.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@mollycaz1]

Does.this line end at the bridge that gone that connected to mainland.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Yes

[@mollycaz1]

@@SouthCoastRailVideos maybe one day they will build a new bridge

[@bobbysmith683]

What was the engine?.😊

[@SW-jw6il]

this is basically what the entire US 🇺🇸 transportation infrastructure looks like..

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@paulmorris2192]

Yes but not quite as bad!😂

[@scottmiller2421]

You think Amtrak too they about revamping the Springfield. Terminal area. Boosting Amtrak trains. In the area

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@williamwehmeier443]

I’d like yo know what the track will be send for?

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Tourist use

[@wcox4]

What king of horn/whistle is on that locomotive?

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Hancock air whistle

[@bradfordthompson8326]

Could They Run Tourist trains to Help fund Track restoration!!$??😊😊😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@haroldreardon8070]

I do not remember much of what has to be done PRIOR to hauling passengers for $$ but obviously a long way from that point at this time. These projects take a lot of outgoing money before anything starts coming back in ( revenue ),

[@gogetthegoose1]

What company is this now on the tracks?

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Old colony & Newport and Newport & Narragansett Bay

[@frontagulus]

That track seriously needs some urgent drainage remediation work doesn't it

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@uprailman]

Not seeing anything that would make passage difficult other than the clearing of brush. I have seen videos of equipment rocking wildly going down the tracks. A lotof work keeping the tracks free of vegetation

[@thetazva]

Ties, drainage and ballast are in poor shape , Hope you have the funds and materials to make the necessary repairs.

[@geraldgrebin8573]

Il y a beaucoup de travaux à faire.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@meandthemrs7403]

I'm guessing that this train didn't have the equipment to make the crossing guards to go down?

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

The crossing is out of service

[@haroldreardon8070]

The 'train' doesn't carry any 'equipment to make the gates go down. The gates have to be maintained so they work again.

[@bobbysmith683]

Ooops I mentioned what kind of locomotive....I see now😂😮😊❤❤❤❤❤

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@douglasskaalrud6865]

Is that a real Hancock air chime or an electronic facsimile?

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Real

[@TheBigdog868]

Needs drainage work bad but its all there still

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@sardu55]

Next time, bring 3 power and 2 manual saws.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@Robert-ki7bz]

Time to get the weed sprayers lol.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@NN-sj9fg]

Better activate those grade crossing gates.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@robertbeacham4314]

Hancock air whistle

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@thomasshepard6030]

Has anyone walked the line and checked it before the engine ran on these tracks

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Yes

[@happyhome41]

Map ? Streets ? Nice video

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching! The big crossing is Admiral Kalbfus Rd.

[@happyhome41]

@@SouthCoastRailVideos Most helpful, thank you. By the looks of it, that line once served the docks ? ‘Twould appear the line definitively ends around Elm St ?

[@cjones3710]

Horray🇺🇸🐵🤠🐻

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@ocsrc]

I am so glad we paid 12 million dollars for the new crossing to see not a single bell, light, or gate work Just awesome

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

It is out of service until the tracks are used regularly again