Ft. Madison Bridge October 2020

More to come. 👍🏻

[@crupert23225]

I grew up in Fort Madison, and my parents were buried in Illinois. On the day of my mother's funeral, we had services in Fort Madison and had to drive to Illinois for the burial. As we were crossing the bridge, we had to stop for two barges, one northbound and one southbound. My dad was about to have a fit, but I took the opportunity to savor the moment and watched from above as the barges passed underneath. I felt like Mom had almost planned it. It was an experience of a lifetime.

[@VirtualRailfan]

Great video, our fans love watching you guys pass by!

[@westtennesseerailfan8170]

Where’s the nearest Culver’s. I want to get a burger and fries

[@rivitedrailfan]

Don’t forget the sweet tea!

[@westtennesseerailfan8170]

Been almost a month come on guys

[@westtennesseerailfan8170]

Update we got the Culver’s

[@nicolewembley3093]

Thanks for the video! Since I watch the Ft. Madison rail cam from time to time, Now I know what its like to pass through the swing bridge channel opening.

[@illxtra]

I'm here because of Virtual Railfan.

[@MrAntonioJaco]

Me either. Since here in Brazil

[@iatif1995]

Same

[@bill9540]

Sent to you by Virtual Railfan..great to see your videos 🙋🏻 wave as you pass the Kingsley Inn/VR camera!

[@BillGoudy]

I have driven a vehicle across that bridge many times!!! It was fun to see that bridge from your perspective. I live just a couple miles North of Larry Creek!! ;-)

[@cecedavis6155]

Beautiful video! Thank You Captain! Growing up in St. Louis, I had (and still do have) a lot of respect and appreciation for our barge operations. What you do is crucial to all of us too!!👋👋💯😊❗❗

[@Suncast45]

I'm a native of Paducah, Ky. on the Ohio and Tennessee and worked for Illinois Central RR in E. St. Louis. Lot of respect for you guys. Paducah was home of such Companies as Hougland, Crounse Corp., Igert Towing and now Marquette. Lot of River history there! Best of luck to you All!

[@marktwained]

I lived in Paducah for couple years in late 1990s

[@allthingsharbor]

I, too, am here from the Virtual Railfan Fort Madison camera fan club. I could not resist watching a video of what we see going through the open bridge. Who knows...I might have watched this tow pass by !

[@jolive7953]

Didn’t see a green light, but looks like you put her right down the middle. Awesome to see you back. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@chiefjohnsonBR549]

Good video. Thanks. Really enjoyed the video of the LOIS ANN. Was On In 92/93 . I Think , Brought Back Some Memories Seeing That Engineroom.👍

[@ryanlevis7532]

Came here from Virtual Railfan! I have never seen the interior of a barge! Thanks for sharing!

[@marktwained]

That’s a boat. We haul cargo in a barge.

[@duendeverde8319]

Amazing!!! Great video, thanks, greeting from Argentina, hug 😊

[@russell3380]

My morning just got better, thanks Cap.

[@thebassanoalbertatrainspot8612]

This is so Cool. Awesome video

[@jesscarter4591]

Hello from one of your Fort Madison bridge operators! 🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️ When did you take this video? I'd be able to tell you who was waving to you 😊. Aerial unfortunately doesn't work up there anymore; she's been gone maybe 3 years now. Still see her come across all the time though. And that big mansion on the hill is the old Ringling Brothers house... They used to have all kinds of animals up there years ago!

[@marktwained]

Don’t remember the exact day. I’ll check logs later. Thanks for info. 👍🏻

[@jesscarter4591]

No problem :-). If you were on the Mabel C Etheridge on the 13th at around 11am, it was me working!

[@marktwained]

That was us. 👍🏻

[@jamesweir2943]

marktwained glad your back posting-was beginning to get worried lol. how does your job work, do you sign on for like six months or a year?

[@jk01red]

Jess, I was wondering if it was you! Marktwained nice to see your content again!

[@cutbaitkenny]

thanks for posting that. I used to run trains out of Ft. Mad to KC, been boated many times, that was the term we used when the bridge was open and our train was on the Illinois side. As someone who grew up on the Mo. river I was surprised that the Mississippi was almost dead water. Anyhow travel safe and thanks.

[@davidschick6951]

Glad to see you posting again, Captain.

[@barrywinning5594]

Thanks for sharing ! Always enjoy .

[@jameswallace2049]

I enjoy watching the trains and tow from the Ft. Madison Train Cam

[@mikehernandez3829]

It is nice to know you finally made it up this way

[@LadyMarie880]

Beautiful Sir thankyou enjoyed , I watch on the Ft Madison Stream live Cameras.

[@KathyStainedGlasser]

Enjoyed the video. Thanks Cap

[@1_lens_view]

Great to have you back.

[@thomasmcmanus6575]

Awesome video ! I'm new to your channel. Keep them coming. God bless you and your family.😊👍👍👍👍🇺🇸 God bless America!🇺🇸👍👍👍

[@kenprevatt1267]

Good to see ya back Kyle, as always great video

[@weinerpugdad]

Always good to see you pop up with videos.

[@TheLouisamite]

I've been missing you on here captain, ,,good to see you ,keep us posted, God bless you brother

[@ml2611]

Hey there, next time you're up through Hannibal, MO let me know and I'll take some video of you from the shore and send it back to you! I grew up in Keokuk, IA and gotta say you nailed L&D 19 like a pro! Keep 'em coming!!

[@zalmaflash]

Good to see you posting again. Kinda missed the "smooth sailing" trips.

[@nhyardlimit]

Beautiful video!! TY marktwained!

[@davidk.7264]

Glad to see you back.

[@chuckmvs]

Beautiful!

[@jessedickerson01]

Welcome back Capt!

[@mikeizzano172]

Good to see you captain...stay safe !

[@Bohica-tq3ps]

Great video Captain, thanks for sharing. I've lived in Fort Madison since 1981, fished on the river, worked freight trains across the bridge, but this was awesome to be in the wheelhouse going through the swingspan. I've known Donny Hall who started Hal Towing for years and watched the Donna Rae moving barges around the area. Where are from? You've got an awesome voice, not from around here. Lol

[@marktwained]

I’ve dealt with the Donna Rae and all them good fellas up there for years. Always a please working with them. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@AlongtheRiverLife]

Great quality video, what camera you using?

[@tinadickerson4610]

Glad ur back

[@dmorgan28]

Cool video 👍👍👍❤️

[@joseantonioplivo9243]

Thanks,,excellent,,

[@davidimhoff2118]

That was awesome. I'm here because of Virtual Railfan.

[@toxic1venom]

Love ur videos, hope ur corono free, staysafe brother. From Hickman Arkansas

[@hewhohugs]

It's been windy bud! Rivers low low! Stay safe!

[@alancurtis80]

Fascinating!

[@polyrhythmia]

Must be tricky getting through on windy days with choppy water. Burlington rail bridge is much easier than the old rail bridge. Big house on bluff is the old Sheaffer house.

[@marktwained]

Windy days with empty barges and that bridge can be as challenging as anything on the river. It can make bad day for a good wheelman quickly. I definitely have my “A” game on with all those bridges up there. 👍🏻 FYI I was last to take a tow through bank span of old Burlington RR bridge before they replaced it with lift span. Can’t remember for sure what boat, but thinking it was a Waxler boat I tripped on. 👍🏻

[@keithswindell2812]

Great job Capt Kyle

[@vastylebbq5203]

Lotta' iron in that swing bridge captain. How long has it been there? Looking good, as usual. Truly enjoy your commentary. Thanks

[@playhooky]

The Ft. Madison toll bridge was completed in 1927 & was the longest double-decker swing span bridge in the world at the time. I'm not sure what/where bridge overtook that standing. It was known as the Santa Fe bridge for decades due to, of course, being owned by the old Santa Fe, but is now owned by BNSF RR ('Brand New Santa Fe' to some because when the 2 RRs merged the smaller Santa Fe's executives took over as head of the new merged RR, but officially is Burlington Northern Santa Fe). It costs them a lot of money to keep that swing span swinging. This engineering consulting firm's page has some cool pics of the inner-workings of it. www.wje.com/projects/detail/fort-madison-toll-bridge

[@LadyMarie880]

I often sit on this camera at the Ft. Beautiful place to watch trains and trains , construction on street. Then low and behold A Towboat with 1 to 15 barges will slip on through cool .

[@drkhorsejlm7715]

Very nice!

[@PaulCashman]

The other female bridge operator might be "Tori." She's dropped in and chatted with us on Virtual Railfan's live-stream KZbin chat for the Fort Madison cameras a few times. The mix of road, rail and river at Fort Madison is really cool!

[@user-qu3ty3wr5u]

Хороший теплоход, нам на таких не предстоит поработать

[@MrSuzuki1187]

Ice piece of piloting there captain Kyle! I, too am a captain but on airplanes and not tow boats.

[@ironnads7975]

Ice piece?

[@LadyMarie880]

well that was a sad day for me I could not comment on your next video IT was great this is the only way for people to see how it works so enjoyed.... thankyou for taking the time "{LOCKS}

[@dougalexander7204]

Interesting work.

[@chuckmvs]

Are you to stay on the right side of the swing bridge? or could you go thru the other side if needed?

[@randrews7036]

That is the Sheaffer mansion. The bluff falling has been an issue for a while now. I believe it was started when someone thought it was a good idea to cut trees from it.

[@playhooky]

So is the Walter Shaeffer mansion the same house that a Ringling lived in & had big cats such as lions or tigers living & roaming around the house in? Or is that a separate large home/mansion up on the bluff? I heard talk of that situation when I worked in the old office of Wagner Elevator Service (in Burlington) & the repairmen would go to that home to work on the elevator; sadly they said it stunk very bad.

[@playhooky]

If anyone happens to be interested in reading more about the Shaeffer mansion (as I was - I grew up in the area near Ft. Madison & still only live a couple hours away), I found this forum with interesting information & a picture of the mansion. www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/203887-walter-a-sheaffer-moves-huge-tree-on-rollers/

[@keithcopeland8245]

Good to see ya Capt.

[@traviswalton8984]

Hey capt.... where u been..?? Love the new videos 📹...

[@gabekremer7148]

Welcome back. I think i saw you float past.

[@jamesghiorzoe107]

Cool as ice!

[@beckybartos5597]

We load and unload barges where I love watching y'all come up the river sometimes if the water is to high they'll stay 3-4 days

[@katienkids6464]

Can I ask what time and date?

[@WEHenry]

Chop breaking over the bow,was that boxes?............stay safe cap.👍

[@boatmanboatman1960]

Hi Kyle⚓ hi from Iowa!🚢

[@ronjohnson9507]

Iowa sucks!!!

[@garysprandel1817]

Just made my first and second crossing at Fort Madison a week ago Saturday

[@katienkids6464]

If you see thus message. A barge guy hit this bridge yesterday and also in Burlington. Whats are your thoughts? There are videos on line of both

[@katienkids6464]

You were on virtual rail fan then!

[@ViewpointUnique]

Yessss! Love VR!

[@MegaTroyhamilton]

I have talked many tows through there....working for johnny ritchie

[@benjaminhobby1570]

Is that the Mabel C Etheridge?

[@SaucysCreativeCrochet]

I did a video of this same one with sunset background. We were lightboat when we went thru it. Awesome steering Captian!

[@marktwained]

Been bragging about your channel. 👍🏻

[@SaucysCreativeCrochet]

@@marktwained thank you!! 😊😊😊

[@playhooky]

Hey I subbed to you Saucy! I've seen some of your videos before because I also follow some of the 'nomads' you follow. I have similar retirement dreams as you, minus doing all the ziplines lol! I might have the courage to do one mild one, but talking about it here makes me realize that I should question my orthopedic surgeon on whether that is allowable for me due to having hip replacements (some activities/physical positions are limited or forbidden for the rest of your life due to could make the hip pop out of joint).

[@SaucysCreativeCrochet]

@@playhooky thank you for subbing to me! Now mind you my plan is to hit all the zip lines BUT will have to see how I am physically by that time as we all know getting old our body changes lol. 😊😊😊

[@marymathews8421]

@@SaucysCreativeCrochet Subbed to your channel today.

[@bhproductions1061]

Saw you on the virtual Railfan camera

[@reqschannel]

I’ve always loved barges, they are fascinating to me. Not to sound like and idiot, as I will, but where is this location?

[@marktwained]

Ft. Madison, Iowa

[@captainflatbed.7927]

What’s up captain! That’s the old ringling bros house Be safe Capp missin the river.

[@captainflatbed.7927]

We’ve rode together few times years back at Wrbm

[@mikehernandez3829]

Kyle I've been looking around for you good that you made videos anymore

[@beetleworks738]

Captains salute 1 long 2 shorts

[@douglasvonfreund8945]

The red barge on starboard wouldn't it be better on the front ? You guys know best just a asking .?

[@marktwained]

This configuration allows for less hassle marking 600’ chamber locks. The loss of speed or handling is not significant enough to justify the extra work it would require at the locks. Very valid and good question. 👍🏻

[@douglasvonfreund8945]

@@marktwained MarkT thank you so much for answering. Makes perfect Sense .Videos are Great all the best CAP !👍🚢

[@garywesthoff35]

I need a job like that

[@chuckbeasley6074]

I was assistant bridge tender on the Newport Arkansas RR bridge when a tow hit the bridge that will get your attention

[@okavnr]

Скорость течения большая, у нас на Волге и на Каме таких мест с быстрым течением мало. И баржи у вас все однотипные, а у нас их много разных проектов в диапазоне от 1000 тонн до 5000 тонн, но больше 2500 тонн.

[@annafraley5388]

Nom, Nom, Nom... Mashed potatoes 🥔 n gravy, green beans, and chicken 🍗 fried steak 🥩 All getting cold 🥶 before you will ever get through the bridge 😱😳🤭 0:50

[@mikelowary2214]

Is this Captain Hubert Harned on the American Heritage?

[@kennethscofield4565]

Purdy good deal I'd say...

[@MrGeroth]

Looks like a lot of white caps.

[@mikehernandez5878]

Wow you were just here in October ok well mike 04.03.2021

[@BrandonSmith-jz3zt]

I live about 45 minutes from Ft Madison and have driven across that bridge a couple of times. I got to be honest when I say I don’t like it at all. Feels like you’re driving across a relic from the civil war.

[@dixiemay1996]

He who builds on shaky ground will soon find out it came tumbling down

[@markgilbertson4917]

Wrong time to be served lunch. A little too busy.

[@mikehernandez3829]

Hey at the Viking Cruise Ship can make it you can

[@cajunnathan4586]

Full throttle it so you can get to eat!

[@ViewpointUnique]

Heyyyy! If you pass through the Government Bridge at 15 give me a shout!

[@mikehernandez3829]

Yeah she's always a little tight