RPR Ep. 1 - Exploring Crossroads Park - Deshler, OH

Deshler, Ohio, is known as the Crossroads of the former B&O Railroad. Deshler sees around 50 trains pass through the junction each day, making it a true railfan hotspot. Situated right next to the Deshler diamond, Crossroads Park provides railfans with an ideal view of all the railroad action.
Railfans can watch trains at Crossroads Park on the ‪@VirtualRailfan‬ webcam, streamed live on KZbin. Here is the link to that webcam. • Video
Do you have a rail park you'd like me to review? Leave a comment below! Also, leave a comment to share about your experience at Crossroads Park or your plans to visit Crossroads Park in the future.
The drone shots appearing in this video were recorded using a DJI Phantom 3 Standard and a DJI Mavic Pro. The train audio was recorded separately at ground level using a GoPro HERO Session.
Music: www.purple-planet.com
Music: www.bensound.com/royalty-free...

[@Remiilfo6932]

How good is that.. I watch from Perth Western Australia.

[@marianshattock2732]

Back again for another look at this great video which explains the layout of Deshler so well. I thought it was sad to see the old station in such a state. What a terrific place it would be for a café, restroom and museum/souvenier shop. Maybe there would not be enough trade to make it worth while. Just a thought.

[@Chrissytina2018]

I'm sad to say that the station is no longer there. They tore it down. Unfortunately it belonged to the railroad and we could have bought it but we had to move it. And try as we could we just couldn't pay for it.

[@cpttankerjoe]

Alright. Good video My dad works in deshler. And he has for over 20 years now. And the town held a vote a year back on whether or not to tear down the old depot at request of CSX. The vote failed almost unanimously. When CSX threatened to tear down the depot anyway the town banded together and kept that from happening. While you may think it’s an eyesore. The people of deshler see it as part of their history.

[@DavidLauback]

Thanks for the info! When I said the station is an eyesore, my main point was just that something needs to be done with the station. Like I said in the video, I believe the station deserves much better than what it's getting right now. It's not currently being cared for properly. Personally, I would love to see the station restored. It would be nice if CSX would contribute some money toward a restoration project as a way of preserving their own railroad's history, but I know that's probably wishful thinking. If I lived in Deshler, I would have voted to keep the station like the other residents there. I would hate to see it be torn down, and it's too bad that CSX doesn't seem to feel that way.

[@herrprepper2070]

I saw Presidential candidate Barry Goldwater make a whistle stop speech in Deshler. I grew up along the B&O just a mile west of Hamler.

[@TI4438]

FYI,the pizza at Deshler Lanes is damn good and it's just down the street.

[@stevecain8966]

This is a great video. I love the aerial views. I have visited the park three times so far this year with one overnight stay. It is how you describe it. The railfans and local people are great. Everyone was friendly and we all had a great time watching trains and chatting while there weren't any trains. The only downside was the lack of sleep because I stayed up most of the night to watch the trains. I watched this video this morning since the cameras at the park were down. Glad I found it. It gives a great review of the park and the town. Nothing better than Small Town USA!

[@DelayInBlockProductions]

FANTASTIC video! I’m really glad to have discovered your channel. This is the sort of quality we need in this hobby. Thanks so much for the hard work and editing. -Drayton

[@MrMark85044]

He sounds just like you.

[@natethenomad9010]

Awesome video! Ive been to deshler quite a few times and its a bit far away from where I live but i do go out there a couple times a year. Roughly 70 miles east of Deshler there's a hotspot in Greenwich, Ohio that is home to a somewhat similar layout to deshler however it offers up much better angles and has very similar traffic to it. Greenwich also has the unique quality of having Wheeling and Lake Erie trains run through at least once a day and the town has a very charming atmosphere to it like Deshler and is pretty railfan friendly. Greenwich goes under the radar a lot and it doesn't dissapoint. I would recommend going in the summer months as there's a park nearly with bathrooms that do close in the wintertime. There's no railpark here yet however with a new mayor in town that seems to be more receptive to the idea this may change.

[@DavidLauback]

I'll have to check out Greenwich sometime. It sounds like a neat place!

[@steverudder3321]

Thank you Sir for a very informative video. I frequent this location via KZbin nearly every night if only for a few minutes. You have answered my questions regarding geography, amenities and the layout of the area. Two things I love are trains and fishing, and you answered my question about the ponds. That's where you'd find ME! Great job!👍👏👏

[@AmtrakProductions]

Awesome! Rail park reviews is a great idea

[@sirensofneohio3979]

Thanks for making this! I have plans to spend the day here in July. You should do Berea Depot and Kemper Rail Park (both in Ohio). Some of my favorite spots.

[@AndyBuilds]

great stuff!

[@newjerseyray]

well done. thanks.

[@leskauffeldt8795]

Thank you, I enjoyed your video especially your drone footage. I recently found this place on virtual rail fan and has quickly become my favorite place to watch trains.

[@MiamiRailfan]

Love your video!

[@keonikaig9247]

Thanks David.....Great vid , done well Great historical value...glad I found you

[@sebastianwright1999]

I just ran across your channel. I’ll definitely be watching the others. You’ve done a great job on these. Great production, video, and narrative.

[@fnln544]

I've enjoyed the crossroads camera for many years. It's neat to see a detailed explanation and view of the general park area and of Deshler. Thanks!

[@Alloy7]

That's a great video! I've been watching the 24 hour camera view, and was interested in learning more about the town, and the layout. Your narration is good, and I especially liked the 5 plus and 5 minus section.

[@richardguilmette4054]

David; Thank you for this wonderful review. I am planning on visiting Deshler some time in the future. I watch the Virtual Railfan cams there all the time. I also love the Fostoria area and I watch those lines on Railstream.net. It is good to know these areas are just 45 minutes apart. I loved that you pointed out the other opportunities to watch trains in the area. Watching the livestream, I always thought there was a full campground at the site. Good to know there is just a fire pit and picnic area with a shelter. I'll have to do more planning for a place to stay. Was hoping to camp right there, but maybe just one night. :)

[@Bikerguy5845]

Seen it from the conductor seat a few years back when I worked for CSX. Great experience and memories.

[@josephR1938]

I have been watching the Deshler cameras since their inception. Even called the Deshler police when someone broke into the old depot. I've not been to Deshler but was planning on possibly going there this summer to photograph the depot and tower and make measurements of them to scale into HO gauge models. I now have heard the depot will be demolished. Quite a shame. I have been building a free-mod diorama of the Deshler diamond (with liberties taken). I made a model of the depot and of the old REA building which was on the south side of the east-west tracks. I have studied old photos and Google Earth to try to by very accurate in the models. Your video of Deshler is really good. I love to watch drone footage of most anything. You capture the beauty of this little remarkable town and it's railroad park. I will surely watch this again. Thanks so much. D.J.Radanovich, Milwaukee.

[@boxborolad]

Good review. I live in Massachusetts, so no major Midwest road trips any time soon I have enjoyed checking on Deshler on Virtual Railfan. Thanks for the background & other suggestions. Happy train spotting. Trivial point: I notice they are switching out the windows on the old switch tower! (I told you it was trivial.... )

[@bobbyderen8913]

Remember the Deshler Railfan site on Facebook. Great video!

[@sweynforkbeardtraindude]

Good job giving the overview of the park. You need to go to Marion, OH and show the Union Station Park and Museum.

[@DavidLauback]

I love going to Marion and I would definitely like to make a video about it!

[@sweynforkbeardtraindude]

@@DavidLauback Sweet, I just got back from there today. I am not a drone fan , but you use it more as a tool in my opinion and it works.

[@marianshattock2732]

Now I know why you can sometimes hear trains but not see them. Thanks.

[@feehasfleas3291]

Your video 📼 was so informative and fun to watch ⌚ 🤩😇I just subbed 😃

[@romanrailfan392]

I railfan in Ohio and one great spot is The Hamilton Junction ( Hamilton, Ohio

[@rushylvanianorthern]

My home town is worth a visit for railfanning bellefountaine has a busy few line and part of a line that used to run to indiana

[@finnishline1233]

Nice video, especially the drone footage. Can you do a review on Rochelle Railroad park?

[@DavidLauback]

Yes! I actually am hoping to make a Rochelle Rail Park Review video soon. We visited in the fall and I gathered a bunch of footage. I just need to find the time to put it all together!

[@ChickennGritss]

Great video David, I always check in at the Deshler virtue cam a few times a day. I was wondering if the Willard sub ends up at the Port Newark and Port Elizabeth NJ intermodal yard? If so I do have a short video on my page of the NJ intermodal yard... I drive through the Port and NJ Turnpike and always wonder if the intermodal trailers seen are the same ones that passed through Deshler. Stay Safe out there and God Bless

[@BOBXFILES2374a]

Been watching this on Virtual Railfan for a while. Didn't know there was a Park there. The old Station should be re-habbed. Maybe hasn't been, because it's on RR property & is too close to the tracks :: "Foamer Crossing!"

[@BOBXFILES2374a]

This summer, maybe Enterprise car rental will help me out! It's a long trip from Kansas City!

[@norfolksouthernrailfan2006]

I sure hated when railstream took down the cameras in Fostoria, wish VR would put some up in that city.

[@tomnook2612]

Ikr

[@MrMark85044]

really, I go there on Railstream website. railstream.net/live-cameras/item/fostoria-oh-east-guest

[@CSXNick1003]

My grandparents live in Bowling Green

[@NWORails_Off_Topic]

To bad it's not that busy anymore, whenever I go there, there's alot of trains, but now there ain't, i think it's cuz of the virus

[@trainmcp1138]

Came out from Massachusetts a couple years ago for the first time and not disappointed. Did notice a black car circle the park numerous times and almost made call the cops. Heard the from a local that the depot is scheduled to be torn down. Also you forgot to mention Berea, OH just south of Cleveland by the airport. And Bellvue, OH for NS.

[@peoriavideosltd6822]

There used to be a Subway restaurant about two blocks northwest of the park (it was located in the Shell station) but unfortunately it has closed, if I understand correctly.

[@DavidLauback]

You're right, it closed. We used to go there all the time to get lunch or dinner!

[@RobDoGG2023]

CSX Has Depot on Knockdown List but the Tower is Getting New Windows and were in discussions of a Permanent Restroom and if your around when a Volunteer is at the Park we might let you into the Museum to use the Restroom...

[@jaysgood10]

How did you get that ‘model train’ look?

[@FlaredMacproductions]

I recommend Willoughby Ohio

[@Railfan-uv9dj]

You should come to Glendale in Cincinnati Ohio

[@DavidLauback]

Thanks for the suggestion! I'm not familiar with that location, so I'll have to check it out some day! I looked it up online just now and it seems like a neat place!

[@wickedwhontv9404]

Did you move the hub cap off the building? It was there some shots then gone in others.

[@DavidLauback]

The shots that make up the video were taken over a period of a few years. Since I had gathered so much footage from Deshler I wanted to do something useful with all the videos. I'm guessing that the shots you're referring to were just taken during different trips to the rail park.

[@jurassicrailfanner6984]

Please do folkston

[@pohnwohio1460]

I do recall the portapotty. That has been gone for a long time now. Also I've not had any luck connecting to wifi at the site. There is wifi on the site, but it seems to be password protected. Does anybody know how to connect to it? Is it intended for the general public?

[@treesixtyeight]

As of today, the station is gone.

[@josephdeluccia2988]

Do you need a reservation to park your rv and use the hook ups?

[@DavidLauback]

No, I don't believe so, but I've never brought an RV there so I'm not 100% sure.

[@triadrailfanproductions]

Hey which is better Deshler or Fostoria I can only go to one…😢

[@DavidLauback]

I think that depends on preference a bit. Deshler has a better atmosphere, but Fostoria is busier and has three lines intersecting instead of two. I'd probably choose Fostoria if I had to pick one, just because you'll likely see more trains.

[@logandetwiler4483]

What’s the name of this music in the background

[@DavidLauback]

Here are the names of the songs in the order they appear in the video. All of the music is royalty free from either BenSound.com or Purple-Planet.com. (The song "Energy" appears in the video several times but I only listed it once.) - Upbeat (Purple Planet Music) - Energy (BenSound) - Happy Rock (BenSound) - Downtown (BenSound) - Hi-Tech Evolution (Purple Planet Music)

[@kennymay9036]

what is astmosphsesere

[@NWORails_Off_Topic]

2:41 - 5:09 Train simulator 2030

[@Ohio_Photographer]

Sidney Ohio B&O depot.

[@DavidLauback]

I'll have to check that out! Where is the depot in relation to the Big Four Bridge?

[@Ohio_Photographer]

@@DavidLauback It's about 1/4 mile West of the bridge, It's located at Chestnut Drive/Walnut Road, but be careful because there is 2 version roads that have the same name.

[@Ohio_Photographer]

And if you're looking at Deshler, go South on the Toledo Subdivision, and you should find another track at Sidney that goes over the Toledo Subdivision, and slightly West of the overpass is the depot.

[@DavidLauback]

Ok, now that you mention it I've been to that depot before, although it's been several years. I never realized that the north-south line through Sidney is the same north-south line that goes through Deshler. Being from the Toledo area, I have only explored the part of the Toledo Subdivision that is north of Deshler, not south of Deshler. I definitely need to go back to Sidney some day. It would be neat to check out the old B&O depot and use my drone to record a train going across the Big Four Bridge.

[@Ohio_Photographer]

@@DavidLauback That would be spectacular.

[@NWORails]

What's the password to the Wi-Fi?

[@DavidLauback]

That's a great question! If they still offer Wi-Fi I'm not sure what the password is.

[@itssophia3076]

For everyone wondering I live in Deshler there is no longer a portable toilet at the train park haha

[@DavidLauback]

Thanks for the update! When I was in Deshler a couple months ago I heard that they removed it for this year due to the coronavirus. Perhaps it will be back next year, but I'm not sure.

[@MrMark85044]

well that's crappy.

[@itssophia3076]

@@DavidLauback they removed it years ago

[@trackandtrail6874]

Great Video! Alliance is a decent place to watch. Park at the Amtrak station lot just east of downtown (if there is room). Or head a bit further east to Sebring. Nice small town with some beautiful buildings, lots of places to park and watch. The former Pennsy depot is now the Sebring Model Railroad Club HQ.

[@DavidLauback]

I've never been there but I'd like to check it out some day!