Railcart on the San Diego and Eastern Railway desert section.

19 mile railcart ride on the San Diego and Eastern Railway desert section.
Some of my other videos on the same tracks
• Beautiful California s...
and on the Mexico side of the tracks
• Railcart ride in Tecat...
For more information on the railroad en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_D...

[@ryanrandomness]

A common question is about the barrels and flags. As I understand it, a humanitarian group fills the barrels with drinking water for migrants who are crossing the Mexico/US border. The border is only about 7 miles from the southern portion of the tracks. The flags, I assume, are there to make the barrels more visible.

[@aspiceronni4462]

That's cool.

[@aspiceronni4462]

I'm glad somebody is helping people that need it.

[@artg7635]

The drug smugglers can use it too, huh. Don’t be naive.

[@JuanRodriguez-bc5jd]

@@artg7635there wouldn't be drug smugglers if it wasn't for all those dam junkies n well a know or have a junkie relatives we mope n whine when we're part of the problem let's be real since your talking NAIVE

[@trainman1209]

You make that cart?

[@kennyspry5189]

That's such a shame to see those Rails abandoned they seem to still be in good shape. It's a sad thing to see when Rails have been abandoned when they could be used for something. Those Rails could be used for Rail Excursion Train's for people to look at Scenery and as a Dinner Train anything...

[@culcune]

There were some videos of when they were bringing this line back. A train with equipment and workers making its way towards Plaster City.

[@pedalingthru2719]

Sure that would work great for a local excursions and think about it would only take about 5.5 million dollars to pull it off after the $500,000.00 you would spend on the California environmental impact study . So when can we expect tou to set up these rail excursions ?

[@culcune]

@@pedalingthru2719 there is a rail museum kind of in the middle of nowhere that does run for several miles and then crosses the international border into Mexico. Someone, I believe it was a Mexican company, was working on the tracks east of the museum all the way to Plaster City. But surely they ran afoul of California's gods in Sacramento.

[@zeitghost1321]

@@pedalingthru2719 Too bad. Can't do it. The endangered Slimy Cali Toad lives near the area. No development allowed.

[@anthenriqe909]

Good point 👍

[@kenrangen]

I love that scenery. I probably wouldn't love it so much if I was stranded out there with no shade or water, but from the comfort of my air conditioned home, it looks pretty nice.

[@alanzimerman5659]

yeah , love heat during winter , in the interior of alaska (salcha) ,

[@TheGreatOutdoors]

Indeed. Very neat to see!

[@WaterFruitTree]

Something really touching about seeing the remains of those old trains. It didn’t feel like looking at a different time, more a different dimension.

[@fernandomillan827]

Hermoso recorrido, hermosos paisajes,felicidades por tus vídeos, gretings from México 🇲🇽🤝🏼🇺🇸

[@profecarrillo6479]

That’s Mexico in the video, donbass

[@collinsbueno4784]

@@profecarrillo6479 you have no idea of what you are talking about, smartass.

[@collinsbueno4784]

That is rigth on my backyard..our playground in the desert, greetings from Calexico.

[@profecarrillo6479]

@@collinsbueno4784 yeah San Diego sounds so anglosaxon

[@collinsbueno4784]

@@profecarrillo6479 hahaha...profe, are you still living in 1847?, have a life please.

[@dh2360]

Playing 'The City of New Orleans' while watching the video, got to love America.....

[@NickDangerThirdGuy]

I rode that route on a mountain bike in the 80's, Most of the tunnels were intact, and you could make it to the Goat Canyon trestle from either direction. There were two small hillside trestles that had burned our as well as one tunnel collapse but rideable trails circumvented these obstacles.

[@ryanrandomness]

Yeah I'm not sure why they are still locking these tunnels. They seem to get cut from time to time and people just walk around anyway.

[@KayoMichiels]

@@ryanrandomness I'm guessing because it costs money for the upkeep and if for some reason, someone would get injured while walking through it, the company would be held responsible, hence why they close it.

[@LesterMoore]

Wonder if the Mexican coyotes ever use these tracks?

[@itsruf1]

"Groomed" track/ trail? Like rails to trails? It's impossible to ride timbers.

[@babbalonian2]

Million in steel scrap there.

[@Jimmyboy1674]

Awesome! I've hiked this over 3 days all the way to Ocotillo wells!🤗

[@galardmills5306]

Thanks for showing us those tracks. I have not been along that section since the year 2000. (Before the windmills.) In 1976 Hurricane Kathleen washed away half of the town of Ocotillo. She also washed out the trestle just north of I-8, at the west end of Evan Hewes Hwy. Nice to see that both of the trestles which you passed over before going over I-8 have been repaired.

[@ryanrandomness]

Very cool!

[@user-nn4xg8xw7j]

Очень красивые пустынные пейзажи, спасибо за экскурсию.

[@mal_752]

Absolutely fabulous and entertaining ride. Sand covering the tracks in places makes it even more exciting and unpredictable. Wish they would reopen this line. Always sad to see so many disused lines and rolling stock rusting away 😢

[@trainman1209]

Yeah...but the creasote-soaked ties are now dried & falling apart. Loved the abandoned locomotives.

[@zacburks]

First time seeing any of your videos. I found myself kind of mesmerized with the whole idea. Throughout the video I kept thinking of all the practical solutions for when you run into sand. Then I noticed some of your other videos with a different cart. It would be pretty neat to maybe get a video of you putting one of these things together. So I ended up subscribing just in case! Enjoying your other videos as well. Edit: just saw the walk around video 😳 😅 this is so cool

[@ryanrandomness]

Thanks for checking it out

[@robertskinner8477]

Awesome. Used to watch trains operate daily moving gypsum and whatnot in early 70’s from Ocotillo and never thought it would be otherwise. There was a guy who modded an Edsel or something and rode on the roof from Ocotillo up. There’s something that mounts on a bike to prop off the second rail.

[@frederickbooth7970]

Thanks for taking us on your rail trip. As I write this we have been below freezing for a few days here in Oregon & this video is a way to appreciate the warmth to come in 6 months! We have been dropping to 22f at night & some places here on the west side of the Cascades even lower. That`s a fabulous little speeder you built!

[@Kokoshi]

Not the one who made the video, but that region still looks the same during the winter. Only temperature roams between 40F-65F so you wear a light jacket or sweater & you're good to go!

[@dietmarfinster3176]

this way of traveling puts a smile on my face. In Germany that would be impossible. even on disused routes.reminds me of Terence Hill relaxing on his hammock behind the horse.

[@christopherorourke6543]

Great video coverage of the rail cart trip on the San Diego & Arizona Eastern railroad which today is the San Diego & Imperial Valley railroad. The San Diego & Imperial Valley railroad is owned by the Genessee & Wyoming trainsportation company which own many railroads in the U.S. & a railroad in Australia. It would be great if they send a locomotive with a plow to plow the sand away where they can do so, and the 3 abandoned locomotives just sitting there taking up space & going to waste when they can be towed or pushed East to El Centro and have a teams of mechanics, electricians work on them to get them running again.

[@honorguardsfencingclub7322]

An adventure, but still rather calming footage. Satisfying in a subconscious way, I suppose. I definitely dig it. Add some kind of horn for road crossings - two long blasts, one short, and one looooong loud one that crosses the road.

[@StepOnTwigs]

This was really cool, I've daydreamed of doing stuff like this as a kid.

[@FarmerDrew]

Ecuadorian railroad style in the USA! I love it, man. When my kids are grown and gone, I'm going railroading!

[@fjb4932]

Don't put off. Do it Now, With them. Memories . . .

[@patdrumm3251]

In trying to analyze myself why I found this video so cool: the historical aspect, rail fan, and touring remote areas n scenery only seen from rail routes while driving a well engineered car not much bigger than an amusement park ride car= amazing adventures I’m sure. I say humbly, n I mean humbly as I wouldn’t have a clue to where to begin planning such spectacular adventures, bravo n well done fellas! Most of my questions were answered in comments, re: flags n so on, but didn’t see anyone ask what the plan is if experienced mechanical issues forcing stop. Cell service out there? Phone for help? Looks quite remote. Anyway, awesome video thank you, n happy n safe travels- cheers.

[@paulhare662]

I'd want to have Buster Keaton's Rail Rodder box along with me for the ride.

[@aceofcheems7685]

Dude I just discovered your channel via tiktok. My curiosity has been satiated I now know where some of those tracks lead to. I used to go to Mexicali and Calexico a lot and every time I saw those unactive tracks I always wondered where they led to

[@ryanrandomness]

That's the place

[@jambocoo]

Man that looks like a barrel of fun, my only concern would be being able to have cell service just in case something happened. Thanks for sharing !.

[@fjb4932]

jambocoo, Leave the cell phone at home. You plan / take care of You. Problems ? YOU handle'm. Start Living ( you're just subsisting now ) . . .

[@jaeFFCC]

I’m here via the imposing Goat Canyon Trestle! amazing journey👌😮!!, thanks for sharing it and the extinct route between California and Arizona is now clear to me👍 Greetings from the city of Durango, DGO., MX!

[@ryanrandomness]

Thanks for watching!

[@sanddabz5635]

Now that was pretty cool! Thanks for taking us along!👍

[@revelationakagoldeneagle8045]

Life is like a train track... Full of possibilities and happiness! ✌️

[@itsruf1]

Observation: In '93 I bicycled across the U.S. I pulled a 2 wheeled kid trailer with provisions. Peddled. Across the rockies. Peddled. No engine. Bwahaha.

[@ducktapepilot]

This looks like so much fun, and very relaxing!

[@p.ipebomb]

San Diego beautiful as always. Gotta love home 🌲🏜️

[@PhotoBobSD]

Cool railcart and awesome views of the trackage!

[@chriso9629]

So awesome. That’s definitely an experience of no other

[@altonsteel5145]

This is so cool I used to work for a rail car repair place in MI. We had a small cart to test axles used to ride the old tracks that went threw Novi.

[@evanturner7450]

I’ve never even thought about doing this.. but now my imagination is running wild!! I’m going to make something similar for my son and me to take out on old tracks and run around!! Thanks for the inspiration

[@08Maxwell1]

Looks like a grand adventure. Thanks for sharing.

[@lrayvick]

30 years I walked those rails starting down in the valley (Imperial Valley) up to where they cross highway 8. The big trestle and the tunnels were the coolest. You can still ride the excursion train from Campo to the border.

[@Berubium]

Great video. Beautiful scenery. Reminds me of the train scenes from the movie “Flashback”.

[@janvanhoyk8375]

We need to crowdfund you to go on tour with this. So many great lines abandoned that’d be beautiful to see footage from like this.

[@damanyocum149]

This is a really freakin cool video and I love the motorized railcar what a great ride! 👍🤗❤️🤍💙🦅🇺🇸⚓🔧🛠️

[@vincentgilman5253]

Sure looks like a lot of fun. You get to see a lot of the country most of us will never see.

[@zainhussainalialatiqi]

I appreciate your guiding journey for the travelers.❤

[@christopherrobinson3290]

This is strangely mesmerizing 😮 i would actually enjoy this too much ...

[@TheBeagle58]

This looks like so much fun!

[@markjenkins4520]

That's so cool. I grew up in San Diego County, loved the desert. I retire in six months, may have to go for a abandoned rail ride.

[@johnlilley9363]

2 months to go, I’m sure your coworkers are going to be happy for your happiness but sad that they won’t get to see you regularly. Update on how you are doing?

[@jeffreymcfadden9403]

4500 and 4501 ex (bought new)ACL. 4504 ex (bought new)SCL. I saw SCL locomotives like these (GP 40) back in the old days. Early 1980s. SCL had quite a few of these. Always a treat seeing them pool up to Cincinnati on the old L&N. Usually with U 33 B or U 36 Bs.

[@thomasschultz7770]

That was great! Thanks for the tour!

[@HARDL3FT]

I want to build one of those! There are so many great abandoned rail lines on the West Coast. Some with large bridges and very scenic routes. Goat Canyon trestle is epic and its a bummer you can't ride over it anymore.

[@jasonw342]

That is sooo cool. Bucket list

[@danavenzor1169]

Born and lived here all the live long days l can never get over the fact just how beautiful San Diego county is. It is impossible to take it for granted. I will say the wind turbines kick in the megalophobia in me though! Thanks for sharing +1

[@goclunker]

Show me on the wind turbine where it hurt you

[@ameyajoshi742]

I would love to do this on a summer evening with some beers lol. So awesome!

[@TheBeagle58]

Best cart and videos. Kudos. I'm loving the sounds from your cart with the rail joints. I could only imagine if it could pass switch points at a higher rate, what it would emit. Great work. Definitely a bucket list item.

[@anthonyjackson4982]

Wide open spaces .... love it!

[@thegaybear]

This guy is the coolest.

[@ridealongwithrandy]

Awesome video, I'm from Alpine, and spend a lot of time in these here parts! Cheers!

[@davesnothereman7250]

Bummer that the first tunnel is closed. Blocks off a lot of great track. Very nice video.

[@christobrits1152]

This is such a great idea, especially in South Africa (where I live in the east along the Swaziland border) , railways arent used due to corruption and sabotage. Government employees own big trucking company's and therefore make sure that railways can't be used

[@tonykennedy9811]

Good lord that looks fascinating! 👏❤️

[@FastHemi]

Now that cart is cool. 👍 Nice work

[@ryanrandomness]

Thanks 👍

[@paulshamblin6260]

This looks like so much fun.

[@drauzioabraz]

Fantástico! greetings from Brazil !!!

[@jc054life6]

Man thats looks like so much fun

[@mareh22]

Helo i am watching in the Rio de Janeiro Brasil this vídeo is ver cool Thanks.

[@MichaelDavis-qp9zu]

Nice railkart, so cool & looks like a lot of fun!😂👍

[@sydrider6023]

Amazing scenery!

[@onefatstratcat]

man.. the rail crew is really dropping the ball on this line :)

[@alangeorge1661]

I like how you cut to different views. It's more work, but adds a different perspective

[@celebrityrog]

While the heat in the desert might be too much, these tracks should be preserved to be used as cart tracks like this guy uses them. And on the sides of the tracks a path for walking and biking that could connect to a national system network of walking, biking and rail travel by human power.

[@BigDickMark]

Very cool dude! I drive past those locomotives all the time when I go visit family in Yuma from SD.

[@efrengarcia1509]

Bonitos paisajes, gracias por compartir

[@RxTx88]

Killer vid brother. Reminds me of being WAY West of Phoenix AZ on my MX bike under I-10.

[@WizardOfWhoopee]

I've watched them do this in Laos on their abandoned French-built rails. Very busy thoroughfare. It's interesting what they do when they meet oncoming carts.

[@RaulGonzalez-jg8ks]

Me encantó ese viaje estubo de pelos. Me sentí como pasajero

[@aspiceronni4462]

The thought of riding a motorized pallet down the tracks has never crossed my mind. But that looks like a blast.

[@timspicer3270]

That was fricking awesome!!!! I watched the entire ride.

[@ryanrandomness]

Thanks for watching!

[@waynecote31]

Oh..bring a Metal Detector with you, you never know what yo gonna find..Son!

[@markdessert4077]

Amazing the quality of sub grade construction that was done ,rails are very uniformly sloped. We need a new West 1/3 of track built in the USA.

[@brownwrench]

At least the tracks exist. In my area all the unused tracks have been pulled up.

[@lawaincooley6788]

This looks like such fun!!

[@freshtapcoke]

This looks like a ton of fun!

[@subhastheboss]

Keep the tradition going. Form a group to do some maintenance and keep the tracks in working condition. Thank you for the vid. Oh, I forgot to mention, next time keep a shovel to clean the sand off the tracks. Don't use your boot. You'll get sand inside your boot.

[@mattheweburns]

That looks like fun!

[@Eric_Tennant]

Nice wheels. Looks fun.

[@user-if6tx3iy1p]

Very good! I'm from Americana SP - Brasil.

[@BigDsRc517]

This would be awsome to go do! Good way to get around quickly

[@mattwaggs007]

Looks like ya all need a plow or a leaf blower to clear the sand spots. Love the vids keep em’ coming.

[@scottluther2091]

A shovel or rake would work well!

[@lawrencelyman3372]

Dude, that looks like too much fun.

[@darthvaldez999]

This is therapeutic for me to watch

[@timeforbeans]

This was awesome to watch 😄

[@colinwilson3750]

Looks like a great day out!

[@lesliecarr312]

It does seem sad to see the SD&AE neglected and unused. This is one of the most fascinating videos I've seen yet. It gives us a glimpse of days gone by and scenery that hasn't changed in ages. Thank you very much for making this video. But how did you get permission to ride the rail? Or did you need permission?

[@timosha21]

I'm a tram and I approve this video! Great footage!

[@ryanrandomness]

Thanks Tram

[@ryanrandomness]

On another note I think my most favorite comment I've ever had was when someone called me Tramsexual

[@jmeier37]

A shame to see those old EMD workhorse locos abandoned in the desert, but they were probably running really rough or had reached end-of-life. Could still be scrapped for useful parts if not already. great vid!

[@oldeskool65]

They’ll start with ether lol

[@Shadowdancer777]

That is really cool.

[@miguel4cuerdas]

Very good your video. It conveys the beauty of the desert very well. I hope your vehicle never breaks down there or that you have already taken preventive measures. Thumb up.

[@davematthews8512]

I always find it interesting locomotives just parked and left. Not sold for scrap or anything, just left.

[@IloveJellow]

I believe that train was part of a derailment you can see the one locomotive is missing its knuckle and looks to be off track after cleaning up all the other cars would be expensive to haul the engines out which is why the rail car is still there since it still somewhat on the track can be left abandoned since it has no real value for scraping and isn't hurting the surrounding area. the engines themselves are mostly already gutted the motors and everything are gone and any other valuable material already removed they are shells just waiting to be reclaimed by time. Since the other two engines could have been fine it still more better too just accept the insurance claim and get the most of the value of the engine returned anyway while also scaping all the parts so sometimes perfectly fine engines can be still abandoned because of insurance money.

[@NewAgeDIY]

Great adventure and lots of fun. The downside is personal safety. If the cart dies due to maintenance failure you better have a backup plan. Food water and shelter and first aid kit. It appears you have a (EPIRB) is great idea.

[@mandacaruii.6mandacaruii.65]

Beaultiful!!! Good Travel! Simplesmente Fantástico essa aventura pelo deserto da Califórnia e aqui direto do sertão do Pajeú Pernambuco onde Também tem Ferrovia Abandonada!!!

[@z1catfish]

I'd move the front wheels further spart, could help that side to side wobble, like its not tracking straight, would also keep the weight on the center of the wheels the strongest area. nice ride...

[@cheistopherback5002]

Cool ride and I've seen that line from i8 love to see trains going

[@arturocampos118]

Jajajaja, increíble paseando x el desierto, es el ( Big boy) : Un saludo 🚂 👌🇲🇽

[@nickandrade6777]

Neat video - thanks. Not another living critter out there to be seen, other than near the highway. Surprised you didn't have a shovel in your kit. Your cart reminds me of the bamboo RR in Cambodia, a small portion of which i rode as a tourist attraction. A search in KZbin for same will turn up a few vids. Cheers.

[@pedal2dametal686]

Ingenious. Cool ride!!!

[@ryanrandomness]

Thanks!