Minuteman Tales: Keene, New Hampshire

The largest city in southwestern New Hampshire, Keene was an absolute railroad center in its hey-day. Today, nothing remains. In this episode we visit the Elm City to discuss the highs, lows, and interesting episodes of its rich railroad heritage.

[@plymouthrock7282]

Excellent job. Love the history and old footage. Brings back memories Greatly appreciated 👏👏

[@ts109]

Great job, thanks for this. I grew up in Keene starting in 68, as a kid remember hopping the trains from eastern ave to down town. As an adult i lived in Walpole and Bellows Falls. While i lived in BF i took amtrack to Montreal a couple times, back when all you needed was an ID to cross into Canada.

[@MillersRailfan]

Priceless archival video ending!!!!!!

[@bondsaway79]

Nice job, except I can't believe you completely missed any mention of the round house by the Colony Mill. The building is amazing, and is still very much intact, with evidence of all the engine bays clearly seen in current day pictures.

[@gralykmeno]

Very interesting. As a train loving Brit living in Massachusetts for the past few years I find the total loss of all these railroads across the region utterly tragic.

[@jockellis]

My daughter and her family live in Keene and it pains me to see ROW with no rails. There may no longer be tails in Keene but a couple of years ago when I decided to build an American Flyer layout I pulled out my big box of track. When I open it, I fould a pre-war postcard of Keene State Teachers College.

[@chrisdaniel1339]

It is sad to see New Hampshire's trains are all but gone. There are only a couple I know of that still run: B&M has a train run for Boston Sand and Gravel up through Rochester to the sand/gravel pit in Ossipee, N.H. Then there is the coal train that runs up along the Merrimack River to the Bow coal fired power plant. I guess we can include the Downeaster passenger train. Other than scenic railroads am I missing any?

[@duncanholden2826]

NA-1 still works the valley in there, doing local work. The Milford Bennington still runs gravel in the summers. A GW railroad is way up north

[@russellholt5879]

Great job, love those color shots from the 70's - 80's ('modern' ops just barely hanging on).. as others have posted it's at least a bit sad thinking back, but my thanks to you and BMRRHS for keeping the memories alive

[@Benno101able]

Excellent production, sound, music, great history here well done

[@baker3person]

I’ve been waiting for this one, great job but really sad

[@maybesomeday2596]

Absolutely outstanding presentation with well-selected material that’s thoughtfully narrated. About the edit…thank you for enough dwell on each photo to allow a better look than seemingly most similar videos. Lastly, I have to praise the color saturation of those (I assume) Kodachrome images…just fantastic…great choice to include them. Well done!

[@MillersRailfan]

Very, very excellent and thorough video exploration; Rick!!!!!

[@donaldcarletonjr.9047]

Re the ending, all I can say is that a wall mural is a poor substitute for a working rail network. Such short-sighted infrastructure destruction!

[@ScottPalmer-mp1we]

Yes, it's utterly disgusting to destroy the most efficient form of transportation. Just think of what economic benefit would have been accrued had Steam Town stayed in Keene. They would have made back many times more than the cost of rehabilitating the tracks.

[@jeffd3844]

Steamtown USA in Bellows Falls was transferred to Scranton , PA, where it eventually morphed into Steamtown National Historic Site.

[@rjl110919581]

THANK YOU FOR DETAIL VIDEO

[@brendangranger3684]

How do you upload this literally just minutes after I get home in Keene for winter break? Awesomeness!

[@gabetrain8834]

I’ve learned a little history of Steamtown somehow. This video was so relaxing.

[@derekflynn6431]

Great channel. At least someone cares enough to document the history. Keep it up!

[@richg0404]

What a great video. I had never heard about the effort to put Steamtown in Keene. Too bad it didn't happen. Just little FYI. I grew up in that part of NH and I have always heard Ashuelot pronounced as Ash-wool-it.

[@railstoruin]

Wonderful production! Thank you!

[@PaulWhitcomb-ty6md]

Thanks for this history. My ancestor, Efraim Whitcomb, was a conductor on the Keene line when the station first opened. He lived in S. Swanzey, N.H. I'd like to find a picture of him. The list that you supplied at the end should give me some leads.

[@jacobabrisz9272]

I have to say, it's been a strange journey so far learning about the B&M from the opposite corner of the country, all because of a model train my grandfather left when he passed, but I must say you've done an excellent job with everything I've seen so far. Two questions: 1. Would it be possible for more thorough citations to be available (perhaps in the description) for the written primary and secondary sources used? 2. Any likelihood of a B&M Doodlebug video in the near future? Cheers and excellent work

[@joepepi7394]

Love all your videos!

[@StevenF91]

Another great video 👍

[@THOMAS81Z]

VERY WELL DONE

[@bmguilfordmec]

Excellent

[@mccoy79productions66]

Nice video!

[@jonspence6782]

Thanks

[@fredericverrier.deveaux3475]

Your videos on B&M are very interesting. On the other hand, I would like to ask you if possible to talk about the Three famous forgotten trains that the B&M operated! The Alouette, Redwing train and the famous The Gull train of these three International trains! THANKS!!

[@nikolassteedle3856]

Have you guys already done a video on the Central Massachusetts branch? If not I think it might be worth it. It’s currently being turned into a bike path, but a lot of the original tracks and stations are still around

[@jaurie80]

Hello from Kansas 🇺🇲

[@ScottPalmer-mp1we]

The Manchester & Keene wasn't built until well after the Civil War (1870s) so it didn't exist in 1848. I used to live in Keene and was disgusted by all of the ripped up railroads. It was foolish for the state and Guilford to let that happen in my opinion. Thankfully now I live where I hear trains all of the time and can walk to the train station.

[@MillersRailfan]

No! New Hampshire’s biggest mistake was to tolerate William Loeb as the editor of the Manchester Union Leader

[@plunkervillerr1529]

Plunkerville N.H. isn`t on any map, but is a functioning railroad community.

[@sabertoothduck]

The city has always hated industry resulting in the railroad having no customers