Railroads of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula Part 1. The Clint Jones, Jr Movie Series.

[@chrisduprey7283]

That's some great historical footage. That poor guy on top of that plow giving handsognals must have got frostbite quite often.

[@killerbee6310]

That was back when men were men. Just another day....LOL

[@alanjensen4830]

This is pretty much what Houghton and Hancock were like in winter when I went to Tech in 1967. I took the Copper Country Limited to Chicago for Christmas break in 1967. A mire 14 hour trip inclusive of breakdowns. Great video though!

[@killerbee6310]

Dang - filmed right about the time you were riding it.

[@erbewayne6868]

Looked similar in 1970.

[@donaldfoltz4649]

Wow, what a special video. Some great shots of battling winter in the UP. So sad so much of the railroading has died.

[@killerbee6310]

Well, you need something to haul and most of that dried up unfortunately. But we have the memories...

[@soarinskies1105]

For the longest time since I visited Michigan Tech in Houston and learned about this railroad, I have been searching far and wide to try and find any actual video footage of the railroad operations on the keewenaw peninsula but all I was ever able to find were still photos. Thank you for uploading this, and think you Clint (Rest in peace) and Christopher for capturing this piece of forgotten history.

[@sroevukasroevuka]

@@soarinskies1105 michigan tech is not in Houston, lol. It is in houghton though.

[@runlikehell4180]

Michigan used to be so much more beautiful, especially in the winter. Wish I was alive to see these trains and places.

[@ENIGMAXII2112]

This makes wish I can sample some hot strong coffe and doughnuts in one of those cabooses while the stove is lit well....

[@thomasmackowiak]

Thank you for digitizing and preserving this movie that Clint Jones, Jr. compiled in the mid-1960a of railroads operating on the Keweenaw Peninsula in Upper Michigan! This is historical footage that you have saved. I am looking forward to Part 2! (Posted 3 October 2024 at 2153 CDT.)

[@robertpetit57]

First of all, a big thank you to Clint and the Jones family for sharing these vintage films. My Grandparents lived in the last house in Ripley. I have so many happy memories of my time in the Copper Country.

[@killerbee6310]

Yes, we are all lucky Clint was generous (and trusting) enough to loan out his movies for digitizing. We are all the richer.

[@Steve51983]

Great footage. Thanks for taking the time to share it with us. 👍

[@killerbee6310]

My pleasure bringing it to life

[@dougkubash8673]

Great collection of films!! Very good quality considering the age and technology back in the day! Thanks for sharing!!

[@killerbee6310]

Yes, the original movies were still in good condition. Plus I also have a really good place that digitizes the films. It is worth paying the premium for movies like this.

[@BillCarson-g4n]

That was some great footage of trains up on the Keweenaw Peninsula, I love the snow action. Please keep the videos coming. Thank you.

[@killerbee6310]

I have a Part 2 to post soon...but not as much snow in it.

[@paulbergen9114]

As one gets older the thrill of winter usually isn't there anymore but I would bundle up to see this kind of stuff Trackside today. Many many thanks to all of you for putting this together. Knowing some of these locations has helped but that narration bridges the gap and has that Personal Touch. Hopefully those engines had good cab heaters and sadly I found out that the father of a friend of mine on occasion would work the RPO car on the Copper Country Limited otherwise I would have enjoyed some reminisces of winter trips

[@paulbergen9114]

@@FreiherrDinkelacker having worked for our transit system for 37 years I waited on enough corners plus all the slowpokes that couldn't get their butt on a bus as the wind keeps blowing in plus driving in too many snowstorms to count I still live in Wisconsin however and have no plans to move to areas that are always humid or super hot

[@johnalder6028]

Snow on the tracks looks great. The heat and humidity in Florida is no picnic.

[@jasonasselin]

Very cool history!

[@killerbee6310]

Indeed. I was very fortunate to have access to the movies and to get the narrators I did.

[@Mike-h1q9j]

Wish my dad was still here. He grew up in Calumet. Wish he could see this.

[@markw2186]

loved every moment of it! Thanks for sharing. Brought back lottsa memories running the russel plow, flanger, glossip and ditcher. Thank god we had radios in early 70's!!!

[@killerbee6310]

Wait a minute - did you do that??...would like to talk further.....

[@KarlLahm51]

By the time I arrived at Michigan Tech almost 6 years later, the Copper Country Limited was gone and the Copper Range was hauling mostly scrap, following the Calumet & Hecla mine strike & closure in 1968. Soo Line trains were powered by Geeps and F units, while the Baldwins completed their last years on the CR. Over 4 years at da Tech, I don't recall ever seeing a plow or spreader in Houghton, though I did see them on the ex-DSS&A lines eastward.

[@forthbrdge6162]

Great stuff, and it is nice to hear from Dennis and Chris. I put a few miles on the old Tempo driving those grades in the early ‘90’s. All but the former DSSA were long gone, and even the DSSA tracks were long dormant.

[@killerbee6310]

If I get my butt in motion Dennis offered to collaborate on a Keweenaw archeological expedition

[@STC987]

I have always wanted to see footage of trains in this area. Thanks for sharing!!

[@killerbee6310]

Well great - very happy to accommodate. I was very lucky to get access to the movies.

[@arimckeever4812]

Thank you for posting this. As a Mckeever and a model Railroader im going to have to model the McKeever run. Looking forward to part 2. Thank you for persevering and sharing history.

[@killerbee6310]

Glad you enjoyed it. I am pleasantly surprised how well the viewership is doing on this video.

[@TNRuss]

Great job !

[@killerbee6310]

Thank you !!

[@bobozo389]

Now that was an awesome video! Loved all the snow scenes. Was there in the summer of 1968 as a child and road a steam excursion. I think it was the Keewenaw Central, maybe, my memory is failing a bit as I was only 5 and 1/2 years old and that is what started my love for trains! Thanks for posting this! Can hardly wait for part 2.

[@killerbee6310]

Hey Mr Kazoo!! Glad you liked it. Yes. watch for Part 2. I will post it after viewership of Part 1 starts to fade.

[@williamlarson3623]

Amazing. Thank you. Really liked seeing this, having grown up in Minnesota in the '50s, when snows were deep and the NP RS-3's, day or night, with Milw F9 freights included, plowed thru it all in town.

[@killerbee6310]

Yes, railroads in the past seemed to have more of an inclination to operate no matter what. Now they won't serve a customer if there is snow covering the track.

[@perryamicangelo4008]

Great video, I miss the old days....

[@killerbee6310]

As opposed to me that missed the old days....

[@DavidSquires-iy4uv]

I,remember Back in the Day, when The Milwaukee Road used to run Passenger Trains between Calumet, Michigan to Chicago, Illinois in the 1960's. 17:11

[@killerbee6310]

Glad I could bring your memories back to life.

[@brucegentry9336]

Super enjoyed watching. I have been looking for long time for RR action in this area and time period. Thanks

[@erbewayne6868]

The Copper Country Limited.

[@paulwalter2590]

Super cool! Always thought this area would make a great model railroad subject.

[@killerbee6310]

Got Part Two coming soon.

[@malfunctionjunction6212]

Great stuff. Thank you.

[@killerbee6310]

You are most welcome - glad to provide.

[@sled57]

Thank you for sharing these fantastic historical treasures.

[@killerbee6310]

I am just the middle man but yes, was glad to share. Thank you.

[@michaellanctot683]

So nice of you to share this video, I lived here my whole life, I was about ten tears old when much of this was taken,nice memories cant wait for part two!!!

[@killerbee6310]

Nice to hear from you. Once interest in Part 1 fades I'll post part 2 - maybe a week or so.

[@markiewodi3371]

This is awesome!! Thanks! I wish my late father could see this as he would talk about the copper country limited. Thanks for taking the time to do this!!

[@killerbee6310]

Oh absolutely!! It had to be done.

[@seanimal_rex]

Phenomenal footage!

[@killerbee6310]

And going out in the blizzards too !!

[@JimRakestraw]

Great memories! Thank you for sharing!

[@killerbee6310]

It had to be done !!!

[@robertgift]

Wonderful! Thank you, also, for everyones' contributions.

[@killerbee6310]

More to come soon....

[@brewers1568]

thank you. this is great.

[@killerbee6310]

You are welcome - glad to accomodate.

[@clutchmanly1147]

Wow, what great footage of train traffic in the Keweenaw. Thanks for posting.

[@killerbee6310]

That is only half of it....

[@mitchmatthews6713]

Excellent work!

[@JoshuaPenny-e4b]

Great film!!

[@killerbee6310]

Thank you. Enjoyed bringing it to life.

[@MiguelNavarreteCruz]

Me gusta como el tren viaja por la 🏔️🏔️🏔️🏔️🏔️ 🌨️🌨️🌨️ nievesita ❤❤❤❤

[@BubbaThaumaturge]

I may be alone in this, but I miss Mars lights. RIP Mr Clint.

[@killerbee6310]

I think a number of people miss the Mars lights...mainly us older farts?....

[@lablaine1981]

80 yr old railfan from MN...💯agreed,ditch lights ok,but the mars light touches my 🧠❤️...👍👍

[@Joseph-kq1qx]

Awesome 👍

[@Hooftimmer]

That’s some wonderful footage of valuable rail lines productivity. Men with skills and knowledge that’s pretty much lost. What a shame America has hemorrhaged her industry. What are the hand signals that were used from the plow?

[@killerbee6310]

Whether to proceed or stop. The men in the plow would have their vision obstructed by the flying snow and also had no direct communication with the engineer in the locomotive pushing them. No radios then. So the man riding the roof was the means of communication to the engineer, whose view forward was obstructed by the plow.

[@Hooftimmer]

@@killerbee6310 Appreciate your explanation. I’m impressed with how exhausted those men must have been after a days work! And frozen! Tough fellas.

[@darroniverson]

Nice to see.

[@mikezelinski4945]

Makes me dislike winter even more Great video

[@killerbee6310]

It's great if someone else goes out in it....

[@Jleed989]

How did they operate the switches in that heavy snow? That must have been a nightmare

[@paulhuelsman7221]

You had a good section crew that worked all day and night long during the storms. Now they are regulated by the government the amount of hours can be on the clock. My dad worked for the Great Northern with Became Burlington Northern the BNSF. He started in 1954 when steam was being phased out. Had 46 years when he retired and he loved his job

[@Jleed989]

@@paulhuelsman7221I think a mountain goat was the symbol of the Great Northern. They still have a Goat on a pedestal in Whitefish, MT. was your dad gone a lot on the job?

[@sroevukasroevuka]

I'm from this area.

[@stevenrobinson2381]

Dat dere be da UP dontcha kno. Dey get LOTSA snowage up dere dontcha kno. Snowage & blowage too. Dey make some tasty pasties up dere too dontcha kno.

[@killerbee6310]

waz thru Eski na ba taday nd hd a beef pasty

[@erbewayne6868]

With gravy,eh???

[@AlcoLoco251]

Curious as to why exclusively UP color equipment was used to the MILW trains. I thought that was just for Omaha-Chicago to help the UP get to Chicago.

[@killerbee6310]

Hmmm...good question. Little help from the audience?.....

[@erbewayne6868]

Color used on the varnish including the trains to the west Coast.

[@T.S.1020]

What kind of heating equipment was used to keep the locomotive crew warm and comfortable during snow removal operation?

[@killerbee6310]

I will have to defer to others but I am thinking there was no heating.

[@royalhudson4612]

I hired in 76. Most of the early units of that type had water radiators for heating. I remember seeing warning decals to drain heaters in freezing weather if the engine shut down. You had to drain the locomotive too as they just used water and no antifreeze. All the 50's Geeps built had electric heaters. The few times I worked a snow plow (likely built in the 20's) they had an old potbelly coal stove and later some had a diesel space heater. Both would be a total disaster if you derailed and overturned. Some section men refused duty and wouldn't ride in them.

[@rottenroads1982]

The Keweenaw peninsula, I would like to call it the Mouth of Lake Superior. You see, Isle Royal is the Eye. The Keweenaw peninsula is the Mouth. Lake Superior has a Face.

[@killerbee6310]

and of course we have the mitten to the south

[@Howoldareweanywayyipes]

Poor Jerry Fisher had to move his whole family up there to take care of the whole Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

[@erbewayne6868]

Make Hikki go away, eh.