I've NEVER SEEN THIS Before... Old Rails Brought me Here!

I've always said that following railroad tracks, especially abandoned or rarely used tracks can lead you to some rather interesting things and this video is proof of that. Today I'm following a line that is rarely used and mostly overgrown to see what interesting things it may reveal, but I'm also on a mission to find two things. I head talk on fb of someone mentioning this rail line and saying there's a type of cave or tunnel near the tracks and an area called the black desert. I not only found these two items, but much more as well. Come along for a ride as we traverse multiple miles and cross through multiple towns to see what we can discover.
►See where these rails went: • ABANDONED ERIE RAILROA...
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#JPVideos

[@JPVideos81]

These old rails never disappoint. What are your thoughts on what we found?

[@dl3g3nd45]

Fun place to explore.

[@brolydictcumberbatchmontou401]

Id love to se a trail ride video. that place looks fun. Your ANIIOKI Electric Bikes, A8 PRO MAX looks so fun too!

[@703am]

well worth a revisit in the fall or winter ..enjoyed watching take care Jay

[@darrenhanson3875]

What railway app do you use??

[@JPVideos81]

@@darrenhanson3875 rail guide

[@curtiswhite7880]

I'm the guy on the electric dirt bike that maintains the black desert trails. Just saw you out there today and asked about your youtube channel. The dirtbike I ride is a Caofen FX

[@JPVideos81]

Thanks for checking out the video and good job on keeping that area rider friendly!

[@rxc640]

@@curtiswhite7880 the trails around here are terrible ever since me and Steve stopped riding. Also, hardly anybody even rides in this one section anymore. I'm glad you're taking care of your sections.

[@1361057]

Super enjoyed that ride you took us on … I love following old abandoned rail lines like you do. Well done JP!

[@isaiahwelch8066]

JP, I may have an answer for your tunnel. If my knowledge is correct, narrow-gauge rail on the top of the tunnel would be there to load mined coal into standard-gauge coal trains. This would have been in the 1800s, maybe the early 1900s. Essentially, narrow gauge rail was lighter and quicker to build into remote areas, such as for mining. What many people do not know is that out in the West, any tracks going into a mine were the same gauge as local narrow-gauge railroad track, whether 30" or 36", so mine cars could be pulled out from the mine, and a narrow-gauge switcher could form trains to take mined material to a tipple or other loader. The switcher would then shove empties to the mine entrance. Meanwhile, a narrow-gauge Consolidation or maybe a Mallet engine would move the mine cars to the standard gauge train. And railroads being practical, would have used gravity whenever possible. That said, if I'm right, it looks as if flooding at some point filled in what would have been railbed some 15 or 20 feet below where you stood.

[@MikeT-TheRetiredColonel]

the only flaw to that is that the narrow gauge rail was used a rebar in the concrete, not sitting on top of it :/ Nice theory though!

[@isaiahwelch8066]

@@thegoodtom1718 : Separation of raw ore from other detris and waste material would have been done on-site, not processing it in terms of smelting it down and the like. That would have been done elsewhere. For instance, the Georgetown & Durango "Silverton Loop Railroad" hauled silver from the mines to an interchange with a standard-gauge railroad, since it was a narrow-gauge railroad. The same thing was true for other mines, such as copper and tin, as well as logging railroads. The logging roads would haul their cargo to an interchange with a standard-gauge road so the timber could be taken to sawmills that would produce useable lumber and wood pulp for paper mills.

[@alanstant9356]

That's some beautiful country there Jay. Mother nature had her way of making things beautiful that's for sure.

[@patricknoveski6409]

As a total train buff,I love old rail lines. This is so cool u found this. Too fun !

[@starlust6726]

JP my buddy..... ya missed the enormous, and still intact shaft, of the colliery! It has been topped off with a giant piece of concrete. It's located just slightly south of the black desert in the neighborhood section. The street name would have hinted to it: Red Ash Court. You can see it on the usual GIS and imagery resources. If you'd like - I could show you it personally, and a few other anthracite gems hiding in plain sight in the Wyoming Valley, one particularly would make your jaw fall off. ;-)

[@half-a-man8182]

To me there is nothing sadder than an abandoned railroad line. I used to find places like this when I lived in Iowa. Thanks for the video!

[@danielulz1640]

That looks like it could be restored to be a fairly cool excursion line. Interesting trip, thanks J. P.

[@gravelydon7072]

You'd have to talk to the RBM&N RR about that and they do run excursions on some of their tracks. Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority actually owns that track from where it ties into the RBM&N and RBM&N has the rights on the track. Back when the Luzerne County GIS mapping was done the line was being used to store tank cars on it. RJ Corman bought the L & S in 2020. Don't know how accurate the Luzerne County GIS map is as ours in Ohio still shows PC as owning land thru my farm that was bought from them back in 1997.

[@mimig5357]

Very fun explore with you!! Awesome finds! Love rambling along!! Definitely go back during colder weather!! Thank you!💙

[@algomaone121]

This was FUN! It reminds me of many hiking adventures on railroad beds in western PA.

[@heatherpoole7582]

That was awesome. I really enjoyed the addition of “through the years” images. I would like to see an explore of the area in the fall/winter to see if you discover anything new and to get a whole different view.

[@JPVideos81]

Those images and timeline can be incredibly helpful for situations like this. Appreciate you watching.

[@lisarought405]

Idk if anyone else does but when I watch your videos I just get drawn into them and forget everything because I feel like I'm in the video myself.Thats why I watch your videos and save them.Thank you for the awesome videos

[@SR-zi6eo]

Wonderful exploration, JP. Yes, please go back in the winter to see more. That little “cave” that you missed at first could be so cozy if the folks would keep it clean. Thanks for taking us along; much appreciated! ……….🌝

[@sonplusone7059]

That definitely was an enjoyable video. Many finds, good weather and an absolute adventure. Get out and explore your world…that’s exactly what you did. Great job JP Have a great weekend. 🤗

[@JPVideos81]

Can't go wrong following old rails. Some history and some random finds make for a good day. Enjoy your weekend!

[@rogerhare7886]

Very interesting trip. Thanks for taking me along.

[@JPVideos81]

My pleasure

[@scottleidenberger4401]

That was an all around awesome rail explore and ride. Thanks for sharing .

[@misterspitfire6564]

What a great trip! Thanks for taking us along with you on your explorations. 👍

[@kristencostello7042]

I found a newspaper article from 2007 where the owner of the Birchwood Village Estates trailer park sold off the front part of it to a national developer. There were lots of rumors of a Walmart being built there but obviously nothing ever came of it.

[@JPVideos81]

Ty for sharing that

[@skeeterfan3626]

That's why you never buy a trailer on rented land.

[@matildamarmaduke1096]

Really glad nothing came of it Walmart sucks

[@michaelmarcotti2470]

That was a great adventure! Love riding railtrails. No traffic. just nice scenery.

[@JPVideos81]

Exactly

[@georgesmith1759]

Thank you for the 'maps from the past' montage. Great vid and super entertaining, thank you.

[@JPVideos81]

Glad it helped put things into better perspective

[@jackgill2501]

Thank you for the trip, very much enjoyed!

[@scpittman5769]

You should go back in the fall and explore the black desert for sure

[@w.rustylane5650]

I love these videos of old abandoned railroad tracks. Great exploring as long as it's someone else. Thanks for the video and taking us along on exploring old railroad tracks. Cheers from eastern TN

[@seanduncan3958]

So glad I found your channel. Thank you for the tour of this line! Enjoyed it.

[@AdamBuckmantechpad1642]

1. the trailer was gone becuse there going to build a walmart there now the plan to build a WAWA KFC starbucks and some other stores 2. the tracks were used for storage up untill 2021 2022 ish

[@JPVideos81]

I wouldn't be opposed to seeing a wawa there. They're already building a new sheetz not far from there.

[@AdamBuckmantechpad1642]

@@JPVideos81 ya that is going open June 13th

[@thomasdubay1496]

This was your best adventure yet. I love your channel.

[@JPVideos81]

Appreciate the comment

[@arlingtontrains7]

Ahhh I was hoping you’d keep going, I want more! Haha

[@JPVideos81]

Haha

[@christophermondone6864]

Wa What a fantastic adventure on this one my friend, remains me when we was kids at sleep overs sneaking out walking the rails at night

[@musclecarmitch908]

Awesome adventure JP! Nothing better than following old rails! Awesome finds along the way! RJ Corman is a legend he was such a great guy! And one heck of a backhoe operator in my area! So thankful he has saved so many rails with his short lines, he is truly missed but his legacy lives on!👍

[@brendawynkoop1735]

Love that old train bridge.

[@bobbelles8440]

This is amazing, my dad was born and raised in wilkes barre on Westminster street. His grand father was a brake man on one the railroads there.

[@sharonperez8629]

In Marshall Texas down by my grandparents house was some woods. Hidden in the woods was abandoned railroad tracks that cut off over a creek. If u can make it to the other side of the creek, there's an abandoned rock quarry. Me and my 4 siblings and 4 cousins saw a child ghost playing there once

[@JonS0107]

I lived in a community that converted old railroad tracks and the bridges that once were used for military and industrial logistical transportation, and turned them into ten plus miles of commuter bike paths, complete with shade, tire and water stations.

[@bludoe1]

We've got the Monon Trail thru central Indiana

[@stevenkaskus6173]

Thanks for the journey 😊

[@JPVideos81]

You bet!

[@SleeTheSloth]

WOW! Great video. Loved evrey bit of it!

[@alexandria8255]

Yes, a very cool exploration. Plzz do return when the foliage is gone! 🙏🙏🙏God Bless BTW the train bridge photo at the end is gorgeous. You ever been across that one yet? I don't recall.

[@JPVideos81]

I haven't crossed it as it's still technically considered active.

[@karlsengupta7185]

Definitely return in the winter months, when the vegetation is thinner...

[@Carolb66]

Hi JP, the bridge you featured in your opening section was awesome, shame you couldn't have gone over it but safety first! There is nothing better than following old tracks & see where they take you on a beautiful day. Lovely explore & really interesting, thank you! ❤😊👍

[@JPVideos81]

If the rails were technically abandoned, I would of crossed the bridge, but on the other side it only goes near the road with no ruins.

[@Carolb66]

​@@JPVideos81Thank you, JP I just said safety first because very rarely you do get a train & that bridge was very narrow. I didnt know there was nothing of interest on the other side. ❤

[@brendaadamsgreatvideoenjoy1292]

Yes! For sure! Return when foliage down! Black dessert interesting. What was levy for?? Tyvm😄

[@patriciasentz4950]

Thanks for taking me along for this amazing ride!

[@SilverGummiShark]

Abandoned rails have always taken me places I found cool stuff.

[@capicolaspicy]

Love to see you revisit that old coal site - very intriguing! Starting at 22 mins, wish you had set the cam aiming a bit higher up...mostly looking down at the ground more lol.....recovered at 27 - ty! What an amazing journey of exploration!

[@JPVideos81]

I'll try and improve the angles in the future

[@capicolaspicy]

@@JPVideos81 it was fine - just that very short few minutes crossing through that insane black desert...surreal!

[@sheetzjunkie]

Jay I enjoy these videos so much! Thank you for getting me out more than my body is capable of any longer. ❤

[@gravelydon7072]

What you were calling beams when you went under the concrete was the bottom of the rails embedded in the concrete. The airport is the Swetland R/C Flyers field. The dirt road you went over there was Swetland Lane. The levy was there when the railroad was intact. There would have been a barrier section put in in case of a flood. If you look on Google maps you can see it prior to them filling it in. You ended at Owens which in 2012 was in service but by 2019 had had the rails pulled out.

[@JPVideos81]

Ty for the additional info

[@leeturner1838]

these videos of the former mines are very intersting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@hopehamby9287]

Wow the trails remind me of old wagon trails! 😊

[@hardymichael533]

👋😎 amazing video on KZbin

[@johnhicks735]

It looks like A high rise train tracks over pass straight away for dual traffic through and overhead to.

[@robertalcock1523]

Very intriguing video!!

[@neilhansen5663]

Another great exploration

[@jackijax505]

That area would be incredible for magnet fishing and metal detecting.

[@ryanharris6045]

Very cool. Abandoned logging railroads cover the area where I live. Guess it's time to get an E bike and burn some electrons! Thanks for the inspiration!

[@JPVideos81]

Definitely get out and explore

[@MrIceman22]

thanks for sharing this jp this was a awesome video :D

[@stephenlittle7534]

Wow. What a journey you had. Thanks. I, too, went along an old railway track way. No rails. It went from my station Harrow and Wealdstone to Stanmore old station. A few miles were the jubilee line terminal now.

[@WarrenFloyd-xr2js]

Great video , thanks😎👍😎👍

[@katnz7018]

Thank you so much for mentioning names of area/streets, i was able to follow on google earth and see where you had been and enjoy it more ...love your vids ~ xxx

[@JPVideos81]

My pleasure

[@davidhbrown9767]

My first thought on seeing the "black desert" was that it was a slurry pond failure that poured all of that coal silt down on the area.

[@MadMods4u]

Nice day trip... Thanks for sharing 😊

[@ByGraceIGo]

In the beginning you mentioned that they didn't use the rail very often I don't think it's used at all anymore in the counter the overgrowth with trees and rails missing. I grew up next to the Penn Central railroad when it was still around when I lived in New Jersey, so I am definitely a train buff. Have you ever been to the Rock Hill furnace Pennsylvania where you can go on an old steam locomotive ride? It's a pretty cool place with a nice ride. Don't know if you're reading these comments.

[@This0is0pointless]

That bike looked like a surron or talaria maybe not sure, very interesting place to adventure, nice find

[@Kimberly-dt4ko]

Great video as always. Glad you found the things you were looking for and some you weren't. The montage was excellent. I like how you can make a bolt as visually pleasing as a view down the tracks. The shot of the bridge was beautiful. I hope you go back in the fall or winter so we can see what else is out there.

[@JPVideos81]

Thanks!

[@lovesmashbox]

Yes please go back to the area . It really looks fascinating. 💙

[@johnstepp3187]

I enjoyed the ride with you Will be with you next time I hope!!

[@CheapestGamer]

I have to wonder if this old line is the same one that the right of way for still runs behind Martz Manor in Plymouth, PA. If so you would have had an issue with the section underneath the Carey Avenue bridge as there's a sprawling junk yard/scrap yard underneath it that I believe extends from Edwardsville across the road from the former Kmart plaza.

[@rxc640]

I'm convinced now that if you kept on going you would have came out to that "camp" with all the junk you filmed recently. The tracks will go right past a third of a roundhouse (no longer there as of 2008) and right to the breaker and then to Berwick. At the Toby Creek culvert there were 2 railroad bridges there up until about 2005.

[@damonhill4909]

OMG, that buzzer! I would install something Much louder so a car might actually hear it.

[@AmytheGeminiWitch]

Yes, please go back in the Fall and Winter!!

[@JPVideos81]

I'm planning on it!

[@garymessina1609]

Yes Jay please return great adventurous video thanks

[@anthonycoach4551]

Good Lord how far does the quad trail go like 3 towns or more geeeeeezz man I wish I could go there and ride that..

[@JPVideos81]

Haha, almost Neverending

[@playwithmeinsecondlife6129]

I recall the culm banks to the east and west of Tamaqua, they were very extensive. I explored them in my teens in the seventies but I haven't been back in thirty years. The opening of Newark mine to the west was still there in 93 but I haven't seen the Greenwood mine since the seventies. My father had worked both mines in the thirties.

[@dathanpoole871]

That Adventure was cool, I actually followed you on my Google maps along the track all the way to Owens, and being a Model Railroader I thought it was cool that you ended up parallel with Lionel.

[@JPVideos81]

Thanks for following along

[@acarriestottlemire6742]

Yes, go back in th fall. Enjoyed the video. Thx

[@gijsvanbarneveld2272]

Please go back in the winter or fall cause its verry intresting de black dessert

[@mattcrowley3075]

Great video JP! Thanks for sharing this video, especially the Bloom branch. I’ve often wondered how much was left of this branch above Kingston.

[@JPVideos81]

Thanks for checking it out

[@robertsuper7451]

Both of those bridges are old coal tibbles cuz they always use narrow gauge rail for the rebarb

[@Figgatella]

This is such a good exploring video. I wish I could get out and explore, but watching you helps. Thanks!😊

[@JPVideos81]

😊

[@michaelosetek4655]

Cool video, I really enjoyed your adventure. Thanks for the ride along.

[@JPVideos81]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@utbutch13]

Reminds me of coal roads around Hazleton/McAdoo. Spent a lot of time out there

[@bogmcq5651]

Beautiful 🤩 spot! Indeed indeed go back come the Fall Season 🍁 🙏 ❤️‍🩹 🙏

[@DavidParker-n6k]

Love it buddy

[@tammydiesen9031]

Please return in the fall

[@zanefeltenberger3061]

Yup. We what more . Definitely want to see on the other side of wall. Love your content.

[@jeffrysanders-n7u]

Definitely return.

[@billywhite4561]

I really like watching your video thanks a lot 🙏 ☺️

[@charlespaterson9714]

The big concrete block was a railroad bumper block for a siding. You can also tell by the size of the flat raised areas that they use for crossings that at one time, those tracks were double tracked.

[@GeorgiaRidgerunner]

the canopy on that golf cart is an expensive option about 600 bucks cant believe whoever stripped tossed that much money away with out knowing it

[@stevenkaskus6173]

I was pleasantly surprised by all the tree growth in the Black Desert.

[@gravelydon7072]

Coal can actually serve as a fertilizer.

[@JosephKleppel]

Here is my assumption on the tunnel thing. They probably had a small gauge rail to transport the coal back and forth. That tunnel thing is really just a hump to keep the elevation of the rail at a decent grade. It may have even operated by gravity.

[@jameslucas5658]

The black desert looks like it would burn for years, I s it a super fund site

[@peterphillips1493]

Hey that was a great video,more like i took a ride with you than anything.thank you for the micro vacation,i really needed that.

[@JPVideos81]

Thanks for coming along for the journey

[@paulwollenzein-zn1lh]

Lines like this are mostly used for storage for cars/ rolling stock. Possibly for cars that are bound for the scraper, but might be needed before that? This last part is just conjecture...

[@Ro-Bucks]

I wish I had more trailers like this in my area. I some good trails but it's a good ride to get to them. Might need to take a ride for a few days soon.

[@detroitredneckdetroitredne6674]

The arch would have been a truck loading dock for local delivery of coal. The truck backs up to it or pulls alongside loader, dumps his bucket into the Coal truck

[@MiriamMount-dc4jm]

Can't wait to see it in the winter.

[@dayvwoodruff-higgins6238]

About that boat: When I lived in Pittsburgh I heard a saying, the 2nd best day in a man’s life is the day he gets himself a boat. (The best day is the day he gets rid of it . . .)

[@exploringwithjenn5314]

Interesting video. Some more like these please 😃

[@chrispotts1176]

definitely a revisit when the leaves fall

[@allenpedrick6502]

Great video. Please return to the black desert.

[@JPVideos81]

I'll be back around the winter.

[@jeffbachak3653]

Would be a great Rails to Trials !