"Old Man Winter's Favorite Railroad" MA&N's Utica NY Branch

Mohawk, Adirondack & Northern serves Boonville, NY, one of America's six snowiest cities snowbrains.com... making this Old Man Winter's favorite railroad. At least, this is what my sources tell me....
This video features a MA&N freight heading to/from Boonville NY (on the railroad's 45-mile Utica-Lyons Falls NY line) on Dec 22, 2021.
MA&N No. 2042, a MLW M420W, is first seen leading its train of eight empty lumber racks up Remsen Hill in Prospect. To facilitate switching chores in Boonville, engine No. 2456 is placed at the tail-end of the northbound freight.
Next, the train is observed approaching and crossing Phillips Rd, Boonville, just south of Egypt Rd.
Switching activity in Boonville is seen at Bailey's Mill (approx Milepost 35) and 3B Timber (approx Milepost 33).
Southbound, the train, now with 2456 leading the way, is observed at Dean Rd, Boonville, and in Remsen

[@Jumpingoffthecliff]

New snow absorbs so much sound, really dampens the loudness of approaching trains, but the beauty it adds is undeniable. Thanks for the video.

[@RC944jim]

Thanks for all your time bring us this great footage! Glad to see those 2 engines out on this run, normally I just see them around the yard in Utica!! Thank you!!!

[@lie-berry]

Merry Christmas to you, your loved ones and viewers. Many thanks to you and to Witold for bringing us these railroading goodies throughout the year. Happy New Year!

[@danielduffey8680]

Thanks so much for your videos Rambler. I love seeing and hearing these Alco/MLW locos at work. I grew up in a small Wisconsin town along the GB&W line and these have always been my favorite diesels. Keep up the excellent work.

[@ryansansom6901]

Excellent video. I go up to the Adirondacks with my brother every couple of years. It is sad that the line was removed North of Tupper Lake. Great too see Alco/MLW locomotives in regular service.

[@kathyspieker5698]

LOVE the audio in this video! We are bereft of trains here in the western panhandle of Florida so the sound of a train horn jut makes my heart happy!!!!

[@momatmach1]

I bought a copy of Utica railroads by Jay Winn on your recommendation, it’s a good read, helped by your videos of the area, thanks Tim

[@trezjr73]

Cold ... Snow ... Wind. Good thing there's still true fans like you around. I have moved on to the armchair variety.

[@delcasaleexcavating9508]

Great video Sir !! Just loved the snowy scene and them working...

[@csx555]

The red and green class lights! Merry Christmas!!!!

[@ibbylancaster8981]

I worked up in Fonda a few years back. One of the guys that was working that job lived in Utica. Very beautiful area up there. This is such a cool video. Much love from North Carolina.

[@littlelittledeer1435]

Hi again from Southern Oregon. Another great video. I thought I'd seen all of your videos but last night I discovered at least 1 1/2 years worth - woo to the hoo! Happy New Year!

[@FrogandFlangeVideo]

This was a very interesting film. Thanks. James.

[@txvetter]

This is where I grew up, went to Whitesboro

[@keatonsparksvideoproductions]

gotta love that ex bc rail MLW m420

[@williammiller2750]

Great video from Okeechobee Florida.

[@lindaanderson7970]

Good video & very informative! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[@geordieceltic2]

Great video and commentary. The sounds from USA and Canadian loco's are truly magic. We in the UK have nothing like this. Thank you for sharing. '

[@railroadingrambler218]

Thanks for commenting, always nice to hear from the UK!

[@chrisbuxton1958]

Looks like you have proper winters there. Love the video, great work.

[@danmarkis3785]

Great video.. Merry Christmas to you too....

[@sondrabowers4837]

Thank you for the videos. Look forward to new videos in 2022.

[@knifenoob5411]

Great work! Not a lot of excess yapping. Nice!

[@paulineclaflin2934]

Thank you for this video. Great to see your views keep growing. Merry Christmas!! 🙂

[@yrunaked4]

nothing like diving off a cliff to lift a car 🤣 those Alcos are works of art. Cheers Rob

[@steveib724]

Nice work snows a plus 👍

[@wesleywright6484]

Merry Christmas !my friend! Always good to hear from you! Cold day it was ! Snowing and blowing!! Better you than I !! Standing in that cold.! B and Merry Christmas and Happy New year!

[@railroadingrambler218]

Merry Christmas WW! It wasn’t too bad being trackside.

[@normanriggs848]

I lived in Boonville in the mid 70's and spend 1 winter there and the memories, well, not so great! lol Many kudos to you being out in that weather, especially the wind. Thanks for the video Rambler! Boy! Those old engines pollute almost as much as the old steam engines did. Without the steam of course! lol

[@valeriebassett3107]

Thank you so very much for your wonderful videos. We have really enjoyed you and Witold this past year. Looks very cold there. Keep warm, safe and healthy. Merry Christmas to you and Witold. Happy New Year too. Can't wait to see your next amazing video. ❤️

[@railroadingrambler218]

Thanks so much, I think Witold was a bit miffed when I left without him to video this one!

[@Mercatoyd]

Nice chase video following the action. Hats off to you for going out into the cold to capture the action. This video took me back to the days when I worked out in this kind of weather. In my mind's eye..seeing the wind blowing the snow sideways from time to time..I have to thank you again for venturing out for this days capture. Merry Christmas to you as well. Looking forward to your travels in 2022.

[@railroadingrambler218]

Thanks for your kind words, Merry Christmas!

[@jaywinn481]

Rambler... Your videos just keep getting better and better.. They show trains and tell a story at the same time.. Pentrex missed out when you started your own KZbin channel.. I noticed with interest that the 2456 has been returned to her as built appearance with the nose headlight moved back to the top and the bell under the running board. BC Rail made the original changes to meet Canadian practices when they acquired the E-L C425s. Great stuff!!!

[@railroadingrambler218]

Thanks, Jay! Interesting observation about 2456 as well.

[@KandRCustomModels]

I like the red white blue paint reminds me of BC Rail

[@railroadingrambler218]

It's former BCOL No. 642

[@sondrabowers4837]

Merry Christmas 🎄

[@kazmertobias4772]

Thanks for the many train videos. I wish you a happy holiday and a Happy New Year from Budapest!

[@railroadingrambler218]

Budapest, wow! I’d like to visit one day, at least my videos are “visiting” now though!

[@kazmertobias4772]

@@railroadingrambler218 ❤

[@VlakynaSlovensku]

Amazing train compilation!!

[@annettelaurence5716]

Thank you for all your videos happy Christmas!

[@railroadingrambler218]

Same to you!

[@mikehudsonrocks9585]

Merry Christmas!

[@StationRailfan]

Great video! I love seeing that M420 still working hard. Merry Christmas!

[@thomashawkinson7017]

Great photography--thanks for sharing. Tom H.

[@vinnyg.8170]

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Good to see you and Witold still making enjoyable videos. Keep up the good work.

[@timothytoolman927]

Merry Christmas Al !

[@suzannewilde6733]

Great videos as usual. I love the way you explain things. It helps us understand what is going on. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[@railroadingrambler218]

Thanks, I’m starting to get used to narrating now, takes a while to get comfortable doing so. Merry Christmas!

[@davidthomas8972]

I grew up in Steuben, my family farm Boulder both sides of rt 12(4 line highway) next to where railroad tracks go under the highway, the tracks runs behind my my mother properly, easily visible from her house.

[@railroadingrambler218]

I know that location very well. I’ve videoed from the west side of that bridge a few times.

[@davidthomas8972]

@@railroadingrambler218 small world, originally being from the Remsen-Steuben area, I see the Remsen depot and other train sites ,another farm, the family used to own was next to the set of train tracks that went to old forge area , the tracks the Adirondack Railroad uses to go up north, back in the day when most everyone could afford a snowmobile (70's)

[@davidthomas8972]

At night they were one sled.behind other, just a string of lights, heading up the"Buffalo Head " restaurant. I enjoy your channel, the trains were a big part of the Mohawk Valley area.

[@charleshuniker4060]

I've been going up to that area my whole life my dad was from the Utica area and I never knew this

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Great video! Love the paint scheme's on those units!

[@SupaFly10579]

Was excited when I saw the snow but here now and no snow and kind of warm. Would love to meet up with you when you venture out one day.

[@railroadingrambler218]

Disappointing winter so far with very little snow; I especially look forward to videoing in snowy conditions! Always nice to read your comments, perhaps we'll meet trackside one day when you're back home in the North Country.

[@SupaFly10579]

@@railroadingrambler218 Yes love watching your videos. Im in town for a while. With my luck we'll run into each other!

[@TrainsOnGoPro]

Awesome Video! Nice looking locomotives!

[@tylerg7567]

Love it. Thank you!

[@tommyhunter1817]

Another reminder why I only go to NYS in the summer!

[@GettoBigBrid]

Good stuff

[@danielkennedy1524]

Great footage! It why we are called yankees! Beautiful! thank you

[@timosha21]

Chuga Choo Choo! I'm a train and I approve this video!

[@RailFanRob]

happy new year!!!

[@mrfingerlakes8735]

Awesome video

[@ropinhorseman924]

Good morning and Belated Merry Christmas And wishing you a Happy 2022. Off the highway between the NY State thruway and entrance to the Mass Pike there's a truck stop where my hound and I spent many a night. There's a single line track that was active thru there. Might this be the same track?? It was beautiful, peaceful and good train watching. This goes back a few yrs as I'm retired in FL watching the FEC, Florida East Coast. Will

[@railroadingrambler218]

Thanks for commenting! No, this is probably about 125 NNW of where you were watching trains.

[@TrainDriverM]

Nice video🙂

[@Kimzapoppin]

The sound of the wind is making me cold!

[@railroadingrambler218]

I thought there was no cold south of Virginia?

[@Kimzapoppin]

@@railroadingrambler218 It is supposed to be 70 degrees today!

[@trenamerritt5344]

Thank you for the snowy greetings!! A Happy New Year to you and Witold. Hope you warmed up, those winds are not forgiving. Grrrr! I knew by the still for your KZbin video part would be in Boonville, as I saw Bailey's feed mill there. Yes that's an awful grade. Wasn't there some overpass near there that cars had to go under? I remember Gramps having to drive under it carefully as road was narrow, to pick up something when I was a kid.

[@railroadingrambler218]

Hello! Check out this video for a closer look at the mill kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZbGiGeen7eVp7c

[@rcsrailfaningproductions1225]

Nice!

[@dannyhonn973]

Have a pizza and watch Alcos. It doesnt get better than that. Im curious, what does a car of logs like that weigh?

[@J.M.Chadwick6]

Another great video! I was amazed to see how many logs were being moved south. Do you know the destination? Happy Holidays!

[@mlkekooistra8011]

Watching from midland park nj

[@josephdecarlo1262]

The last two Green cars I painted this year.

[@railroadingrambler218]

Very cool! Where were they painted?

[@shauntakata1762]

That grade on that siding looks more than 2%.

[@GabbyDrifting]

Old west rail 🫢🤫😎

[@62ejo]

Will No.25 run again???? That train of logs are for power poles?? nice video....

[@railroadingrambler218]

No, 25 will almost certainly never run again. It was very nearly scrapped but saved at the last minute and moved to Remsen, thank goodness. Yes, the logs will all become utility poles.

[@Phantom-Signal]

Looks like old BC Rail engines.

[@williambryant5946]

You've probably covered this before but I'm going to ask. Where are the telephone poles made? Also do you have a video where they switch there and if so will you give the link in your reply? Thanks ahead of time. Awesome video. Love seeing trains in the snow especially these being shortline railroads are my favorite type of railroading. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Stay well. -Wil 👍

[@railroadingrambler218]

Hi! The poles are processed right at 3B Timber in Boonville. Entrance to the workyard is restricted so no video from there, unfortunately. Here's a video from a few years ago where I was right at the Potato Hill Rd crossing. You can get a better idea of the layout by watching it kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHTceoFqeLmhp6s

[@williambryant5946]

@@railroadingrambler218 Thanks. 👍

[@dallasembry6477]

Really cool video, but where was your canine companion?

[@railroadingrambler218]

Glad you liked the video! Witold opted to stay in a warm location for this one but you’ll see him trackside again soon enough as he is, at heart, an all-weather raildog.

[@jimkelton4052]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family and friends. I have a question, where does the line go I assume North of Booneville where they spot the covered hopper, and is it still active? Thanks in advance. Jim

[@railroadingrambler218]

Merry Christmas! The line ends in Lyons Falls, 10 miles north of Bailey’s Mill. There are no customers north of Boonville (in fact, there are only 2 customers on the entire 45-mile Utica-Lyons Falls line); cars are stored between Boonville-Lyons Falls several months each year, however.

[@jimkelton4052]

@@railroadingrambler218 Wow, two consignee's, hardly seems worth, anyway thanks for the reply.

[@railroadingrambler218]

Oh, I forgot to mention that Adirondack RR uses the first 23 miles of the line, so the MA&N gets money from them as well.

[@ltmongoose1594]

Aint this the engine from atomic train

[@NikonF5user]

Any idea what kind of logs those were? Initially I thought perhaps they were pine, but now I'm not so sure. Either way, guessing they are bound to be telephone poles?

[@railroadingrambler218]

Pine, I could see the knots on the logs. Probably red pine. They’ll be used a telephone/power poles.

[@RedArrow73]

BC Rail East.

[@clementhuppe227]

salutation au 2042

[@richintalent]

Trains magazine did a great story about the MA&N in their October or November 2021 issue