NCRA rail speeder car excursion through Lehigh Gorge State Park

[@tracyphillips3325]

That was a fun video Jamie. I've never heard of that association before. Now I want to find one and join. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks, Tracy! They actually have side-by-sides that have been modified to ride the rails. I think one of them is calling your name! I'd love to get one of these speeders someday.

[@gaylebrodt676]

Super cool! That was so fun to watch Jamie! Thanks so much!

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks! And I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@LRSX]

Oh wow thats awesome, was this the first they took the speeders into the gorge,great catch and video Janie! Take care!

[@JamieMakin]

I love seeing them run, and I'd love to get one someday. I caught them in Tamaqua last year, but I'm not sure if they went to Hazelton or into the Gorge from there. I believe they were in the Gorge in 2020 though because a friend caught them running through Nesquehoning. I believe they do this trip once a year.

[@dennis78382]

Good morning Jamie. Those rail speeder cars sure are neat! Roller coasters for adults! Looks like you had another beautiful day as well. Hope you enjoyed your adventure! I bet you did!

[@JamieMakin]

Good morning Dennis! It was a fun outing to catch these. Even though I could have driven to a parking lot and walked a few hundred feet to catch them, I instead doubled it up with a bike ride starting about 6 miles from where I filmed. Made for a great ride, plus I caught some other trains along the way. It was one of those literally perfect spring days. I definitely would love to have one of these someday! They're actually one reason I'm considering a van or RV instead of a travel trailer now, because I'd need my camping vehicle to tow the trailer with the rail speeder. They do rides all over the country, so I could envision it becoming a great travel opportunity for me someday. Won't happen soon, but we'll see how things shape up in the next few years.

[@Hellcatgranny_]

I learned something new today! Didn’t know about these! Looks like a lot of fun! Thank you Jamie! 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

[@JamieMakin]

Glad you enjoyed it! I could see myself buying one of these and riding the rails someday!

[@nomadsempirebuilder9461]

Cool Video Jamie, i never get tired of those Rail Speeders lol

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks Blake, they are very cool!

[@SimplyExploVenturing]

Great catch see you at Strasburg I'll be there on Friday Is this the event where they go to Tamaqua

[@JamieMakin]

I caught the speeders at Tamaqua last year, and I believe they went through at least one other time before that. I won't be in Strasburg Friday, but I'll catch you Saturday if you're there.

[@henryszubielski8601]

Jamie, That looks like fun! Thanks for sharing the video.

[@JamieMakin]

Glad you enjoyed it Henry, and they sure do look fun!

[@outandaboutsciencewithmr.g]

Oh wow!! That was great!! Nice, nice catch!!

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks, they were fun!

[@gusshadleythelunaticfromar7125]

They have some great looking speeders.

[@JamieMakin]

They sure do!

[@georgetrains6168]

Jamie so many cool rail speeders

[@JamieMakin]

They're awesome!

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Nice catches!! 👏

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks!

[@leah890]

Love the little cars. 💕 I really like the turquoise one

[@JamieMakin]

They are really cool! I had not seen the turquoise one on last year's run, and it definitely caught my eye this year.

[@strobx1]

@@JamieMakin Is that the New York Central one?

[@JamieMakin]

@@strobx1 yes, the New York Central was around the 3:40 mark.

[@huongtoituonglai24]

Looks absolutely 💯 👌 👍 beautiful sharing Stay connected stay bless

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks!

[@lovesmashbox]

i'd love to have one of those trucks and go on the rails . that to me looks like so much fun ,,,,

[@JamieMakin]

I'd love to have one too, or at least get a ride in one sometime. I believe there's a railroad in central PA that you can get rides.

[@lovesmashbox]

@@JamieMakin i'm in farmington ny and some times they have them here on the tracks ...i'd love to get a ride ...

[@JamieMakin]

That's cool that you've seen them near you! I know some tourist railroads offer rides in them, but I'm not familiar with your area. Couldn't hurt to find one of their events and ask around. A friend of mine got a ride in one a few years ago by doing that.

[@marilynscull4585]

I want one of those.

[@JamieMakin]

Me too lol!

[@SouthDown]

Okay! How do you even get on board on of those things? Imagine riding that fast down the tracks! Insane!

[@JamieMakin]

You've got to either own one, or know someone who does that will invite you along for the ride lol! They look like a ton of fun, and I think there is a railroad a few hours from here that you can pay for rides. I've got to look into that.

[@paulsmith5398]

Now thats a cool way to enjoy the scenery! The RBMN certainly is a railfans railroad to have that kind of events! ( if you need help with your 4454, just KZbin me a message, and i will guide you through it, ive had mine apart for maintenance a few times.)

[@JamieMakin]

I believe RBMN hosts this ride once a year, and it goes through some really awesome areas. And thanks, I'll let you know how things go with 4454. I've worked on N scale diesels before, but never a steam engine in any scale.

[@rvlivingwiththegeezer7791]

How cool! Can you rent those or do you have to own one? Looks like so much fun!

[@JamieMakin]

For excursions like this you either have to own one or know someone who does who will let you come for a ride. There's a railroad a few hours from here that I think you can pay to take rides in them though. I'll definitely have to check that out sometimes.

[@robkrasinski6217]

I rode on both tracks in August 2015 during the 765 excursion. The NS track is normally freight only. Why can’t speeder clubs ride on class 1’s like NS? Is it the liability? Is RBMN more willing to insure such events? Now NS won’t host excursions again, and in March 2018 Amtrak started a charter ban while Richard Anderson was head, so now excursion operators can’t use Amtrak for insurance or to rent an Amtrak consist for a charter excursion. That makes most class 1’s now off limits to excursions. At NS CEO’s come and go but RBMN still has Andy Muller who loves steam and public excursions. Welcome back, 2102.

[@JamieMakin]

Very cool about the 765 excursion! I'm not sure what the rules are with the speeders and class 1's, but I believe you're onto something with the liability and such. NS seems pretty disagreeable to stuff like this and steam excursions. I did hear a guy say railroad management changes every 3 years, so what applies today may change with the future management changes.

[@strobx1]

@@JamieMakin All Narcoa meets are insured. You pay Narcoa the Insurance. They pay North American Short Line Insurance company. Class one's are way too busy for motorcar meets.

[@flowerfolkfarm3553]

Hi Jamie! I have questions 😅 how do you know about these events? Is there a site you follow that advertises or promotes it? Are these guys volunteers or are they paid workers?? I love that they all toot at you or wave!! Cheers

[@JamieMakin]

Hi Anita! I first found out about these in 2020 when a friend with a channel caught them going down the track near his house. I did some research and found out NARCOA is the main organization with NCRA being a more regional group. Both post rides dates on their websites, and it seems like this particular run happens every year on the first week of May. I had caught them in 2021 so knew to keep my eyes open this year. And I knew I wanted to film them in this location, so the real trick was figuring out what time they would be coming through. I was able to do that by knowing the rails, knowing their initial departure time and location, and knowing how they had to slot in between the daily Lehigh Gorge excursion trains. I only had to wait about 20 minutes when I got to that spot, so I was pretty happy with that outcome. I knew there was a chance that I wouldn't see them at all if I miscalculated. I'm finding this "chase" part of railfanning is actually a heck of a lot of fun, and of course very satisfying when you get it right. The guys and gals who are driving these and waving as they go by are the owners of the rail cars, and they actually pay for the privilege of participating in these rides.

[@flowerfolkfarm3553]

@@JamieMakin that’s amazing Jamie! Well done, that sounds like a fun challenge and you did a great job capturing them!! Like a train treasure hunt!! Incredible 🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks! There is a definite thrill in a successful train hunt!