The Abandoned Train Station & Switching Tower / Revisit

[@JPVideos81]

Who else would like to make that switching tower their home?

[@donnaklingbeil4468]

I'd love to restore it! So much potential there!!

[@JPVideos81]

@@chaosdemonwolf1 abandoned around early 70s and yes at the same time.

[@martyjones9374]

Yes, that would be an amazing living space restored. Absolutely Love it! Really enjoyed this video, just incredible!! Would love that waterfall in my backyard too.Thank you Jay. :)

[@elnabjelland-hughes8172]

If I had the money I would definitely restore that switching shower and make it into a home for me and my family.

[@elnabjelland-hughes8172]

That was switching tower NOT shower !!

[@patriciatinkey2677]

Thank-you, thank-you for this gorgeous video! I could never go live in the cold, but my heart aches for that beautiful switching tower just sitting there going to waste with all the disrespectful taggers. Thanks so much also for the waterfall!!!

[@carolkokx9638]

Oh absolutely that's switching Tower is beautiful building

[@philipsessa2177]

I think this would be a perfect place to call home. I can just imagine the tower restored, and full of wonderful antiques, most of which would be in some way related to Pennsylvania RR industry. I think that would be so cool. Its a wonderful getaway location too. Nice and quiet. So, I also thought I'd mention that @7:04 /timestamp/ you mention the snow falling. If you look to the 3rd arched window on right I guess you would call that the second floor from this perspective, you can see a set of eyes glowing. You also see them blink too. Pretty cool. 😁👍🏻

[@JPVideos81]

The train station was torn down a few months ago, but those towers would make great little homes or museums.

[@1meandeeresbaby]

I Loved the revisit! I LOVED the Waterfall! Could I Live there?...ABSOLUTELY!

[@JPVideos81]

💙

[@trickychristopher]

Very nice JP thank you so much for taking the time to show us all the hidden beauty.

[@JPVideos81]

My pleasure

[@carlavision6143]

JP, really enjoyed your revisit video! Absolutely beautiful waterfall!

[@JPVideos81]

Thanks carla

[@ericmcquiston9473]

That would be a nice restoration project, awesome video and photos JP !

[@JPVideos81]

👍

[@oldenweery7510]

Way kewl, Jay! You got the designation half right, but "cart before the horse": it's "Armstrong," which applied to most of the stuff back in the early days of railroading---and just about every endeavor. As I explained back in the first visit, the bottom room of this tower contained a mechanical interlocking mechanism, connected to the levers up above. It was designed to make it impossible for the operators to throw the track switches in a way that would lead to a derailment of the trains passing through. The bottom of machine was connected to the switches and signals through pipes(!) running alongside the tracks through stanchions with rollers, to let them move freely. The ends of the pipes were connected with cranks to throw the switches and signals, and to transfer the motion, through cranks and pass under the rails. The machine also operated the signals to let the locomotive crews know what was going on with their routing and also to regulate a safe speed through the interlocking territory. As things progressed, compressed air, then electricity, was used to do the actual work and old systems like this would often be converted to mechanical-pneumatic or mechanical-electric to use the same levers. Others had new operating consoles installed upstairs. Back in the early '60s, _Model Railroader_ magazine had a series of articles on building interlocking systems for model railroad use. It was too complicated for my 20-year-old brain then---and it sure ain't any clearer now! I agree 100% with you about the architecture: they were true craftsmen in those days, adding beauty to even the most utilitarian structures. (Hell, even outhouses and railroad phone booths were easy on the eyes!) You're one of my all-time favorite explorers. Keep it shiny-side up and as I used to tell my biker buddies, "Stay outa trees!"

[@JPVideos81]

Ty

[@elainecooksey5338]

Switch tower would make a lovely home, the arched windows and the windows all around upstairs are lovely. I remember the steam trains as a child, standing on the bridge waiting for the train to go under bridge, and getting covered in the smoke and the whistle blowing, wonderful. The waterfall is beautiful.Love the sound of the water, so relaxing.

[@kimkelly-kline8387]

Would live in that switching tower in a heartbeat...oooh so cozy!! And the waterfall would be my pool in the summer,can just picture laying in that on a hot summers day..

[@JPVideos81]

😁

[@singleladyable]

Thank you for showing us tha train station switching towerMy dad worked for the Penn Central Railroad in Middle Ohio in a switching tower pulling those things by hand until he got hurt and had to go on disability because they wouldn’t fix them when they were supposed to.He ending up getting lawyers and winning his case.Not long after that Penn Central declared bankruptcy and went out of business..When he worked for them the family got to ride the trains for free.I even got to ride in a yard engine.Way before people thought of Amtrak.Papa was a union man and Uncle Bill was a company man.It was a long time before they spoke to each other.Brings back a lot of memories.I still love the old trains and locomotives.Thanks so much.Yes I would live there if it was converted to a house.❤️💖👍

[@JPVideos81]

😲

[@beckycarlin4444]

There is a old train station near where I live. It’s been restored and someone is living in it. Really cool!

[@JPVideos81]

Awesome

[@Chatty-Cathy823]

I love how you've added the train sound effects! Really excellent!

[@JPVideos81]

🚂

[@jeanfeeley7786]

I love the switching station! What a great bedroom it would make with those awesome arched windows all around. Amazing find. The waterfall was awesome. Imaging listening to that while your falling asleep! I would definitely live in that switching tower, the top floor is awesome! The train station in its heyday must have been awesome. I know those by where I grew up were special places to explore while waiting for the train. Most of my kids never had the fun of riding a train. I know for me it was exciting I had always hoped to take the train from the east coast as far west as I could on a sleeper train, but I never got the chance and I guess now I ever will but I think it would have been awesome. So many if your explores bring back Some sweet memories for me and I thank you for that! Stay safe and thank you for taking me along with you.

[@lindaberg9960]

I just loved this JP🤗. Had to share with my hubby and youngest sons. One of our sons is a railroaded! Fascinating to see and learn!!! Appreciate very much the manner in which you video, speak, give us weather updates, your montages, and NATURE scenes. Priceless waterfall footage, the tunnel, and snow coming down through the "sun roof"! You really "stand out" above the rest! Thank you! Yes! I would live there! And, the cement/block ramp like thing at end of where the station platform would be is probably for trucks/wagons to back up and unload onto/off the platform?maybe...

[@JPVideos81]

Thanks so much

[@sheapiland8779]

I love this old switching station building and especially the view from the second story. I would love to live there. Seeing the trains go by so close would be the highlight of my day.

[@ilovejack100]

I would love to convert that old switching tower to a home. I love old buildings and if I ever have the money I would sure take on a project like that. Thanks for the great vid.

[@lindamccaughey8800]

That waterfal was fantastic. Really enjoyed seeing that again. Thanks for taking me along

[@JPVideos81]

You're welcome

[@skatpak2967]

thanks for the waterfall...everything else will pass away..the nature..was splendid thanks

[@JPVideos81]

You're welcome

[@petemaxwell8046]

Fascinating location. Judging from the number of levers in the switching tower, there must have bee a lot of switches along that section of RR. As always, great photography, JP.

[@riproar11]

Dear Mr. JP. Please visit Bronxville, NY to video-document the historic train station. It's not in the Bronx, but Westchester and is one of the quaintest towns in the US. The station dates back to 1858, but the current train station was built in 1918, Spanish-Mission revival architecture by the New York Central Railroad. I lived in Bronxville in the late 1990s when it went through the major restoration as it now stands today. There are great train stations like Grand Central, Boston South Station, Union Station in Chicago, and....Worcester Union Station (Massachusetts), but this one really stands out! While you are in Bronxville make sure to visit the German deli near the Starbucks for German potato salad and a Reuben sandwich that New York City folk take the trip to just to enjoy.

[@JPVideos81]

Is the station active or abandoned?

[@riproar11]

@@JPVideos81 It's active. IMO it is one of the best-restored stations I've seen. You could make a video with a food review of one of the best Reuben sandwiches, bakery and a tour of the town with it's Tudor and historic architecture and beautiful parks. It reminds me of Germany. Not too far from Bronxville is the New Croton Reservoir. and dam. And there are abandoned railroad tracks during the drive there. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGqxc6CGiZapmq8 kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5KXhYiImJqpoqc

[@mikayladehne2366]

I have to say, I really like how you have developed your intros, added in music and are putting in interactive sound. It all makes your videos even better and I appreciate it. 😉

[@JPVideos81]

Thanks so much

[@sandraplonka5225]

What beautiful building.

[@mikerusso4312]

i would definitely live in the switching tower love the waterfalls

[@buttonvalley]

I live just a couple miles from Alford to the east. We can hear the trains go by on a calm night. The basement has been flooded every time I have stopped to explore. The station is said to be haunted, but I have never experienced anything. The station that burned was on the old rail line on the other side of the valley. Route 11 occupies the old rail bed. A spur line branched off in Alford and went to Montrose. The new Hallstead cutoff was already under construction when the old station burned, so the DL&W built a concrete pavilion on the old line to serve the passengers until the new line opened with the new station. To see old photos of Alford check out the Harford Historical Society on Facebook. PS I think the platform the girl was sitting on was used as a loading dock for wagons, loading and unloading freight.

[@cynthiasanfilippo5537]

That tower would make a beautiful home!

[@robydaniels2318]

Love old train depots. The train station my Mother from Germany came in on from NY in 1957, is now a electric company. Many uses for old Depots from restaurants, train car restaurants, offices and more!!!! Awesomeness 👍😍!!!!!

[@lareeseblaque8303]

Excellent potential. Love it.

[@kathie__1]

Another great video JP. Thanks so much for taking me with you! LOL. I always feel like I am there!

[@alanstant9356]

i know i would live there if it was made into a house in a heartbeat. Thats so beautiful jay. It would have been awesome to see a train go by but dont know if tracks were used or not. Nature is so beautiful. Thanks Jay for sharing. I enjoyed this very much.

[@JPVideos81]

Still active

[@garnetbarton3313]

I have to agree with others that it would make a cool home. I love that switching tower. The upstairs would make an awesome master bedroom. The place seems so sturdy and I love the railroad tie supports. Use what you have I guess. The architecture was amazing as well. I love the place. The waterfall was so peaceful and I could just imagine living near there and just enjoying nature. I love the new direction you are taking with your videos.

[@JPVideos81]

💙

[@julielivinlife2447]

I loved the waterfall - my favorite. I want to live there to. Exceptional video

[@JPVideos81]

💙

[@terrymurdock4409]

Wow, beautiful architecture.

[@pattyroosa1712]

Another lesson learned today. They building looked solid. 👍

[@ruthmerriner8064]

Anytime there water, creek, pond, lagoon or waterfall, you've got my interest. Great tour. Thank you

[@JPVideos81]

My pleasure

[@robertmanley7556]

That church through that tunnel was neat and so was that water fall very nice and the music was very fitting as well really liked it !! Thank you for coming back here in my opinion these building should have been made national land marks and saved most definitely . And loved the photo montage !! Keep up the excellent work ! 👍👍👍

[@JPVideos81]

👍💙

[@pamelanoel8948]

I would live in either one in a heartbeat. Beautiful !

[@raymondespinoza3333]

What a awesome vid......thanks JP and Mike.....mind just starts wandering of people waiting or arriving at the station

[@wafflesnfalafel1]

supercool vid - pretty much everything out here was timber frame and so little is left. Love the multi cascade little waterfall there too.

[@laredokarl]

I mentioned watching the movie The Train’ which has a scene involving a switching tower. Amazing you can orient a rail just using a lever and cable. Thanks for the re-visit. Very cool.

[@JPVideos81]

Ill have to try and watch that

[@SueGirling68]

Hi Jay, I would definitely live in an old switching tower if it was converted, the waterfall is absolutely beautiful and I love it's woodland setting with all of the leaves that have fallen over time on to the forest floor. A real shame these old buildings weren't saved whilst still in their prime as the architecture is stunning. The concrete covering could be a type of material of just basic sand and cement although on older buildings it would have been sand and ground up lime as opposed to plaster which is a lot finer. It's really bugging me that those other people could have been taking those old switching levers as they were sure making a lot of noise and they drove off very quickly 😞😥. A very beautiful area, the main building has really deteriorated since the first visit though which is really sad. Thank you for sharing. x

[@JPVideos81]

We saw them walking back to their car and werent carrying anything.

[@SueGirling68]

@@JPVideos81 Phew that's good to know as they were making quite a racket, thank you. 😊

[@caz7363]

Looks to be a nice quiet area to live and/or have a picnic. Love the shots you took - more and more artistic as time goes by, thanks JP.

[@JPVideos81]

👍

[@qeensadie2385]

Beautiful video, Between the buildings, old tracks and the waterfalls I love everything about it thanks JP

[@briansmith-l1q]

(if i could) I would make these dwellings,,, into my home, i love this so much

[@weezie168]

Beautiful video & editing, gorgeous area. Thanks for sharing. I got chill bumps thinking about living there. I bet it is even more beautiful covered in snow. 👍😉📹

[@JPVideos81]

💙

[@dr.leonardhofstadtersavage6413]

That was amazing to see that piece of history, i think it could possibly be a nice home. I like the nice brick on the outside, sad that some of it is missing.

[@JohnnyFingers227]

.Dude I love that you do revisits Thank you. I wish other urbexers would do them. Its nice to see the change in decay.

[@JPVideos81]

Ty

[@elnabjelland-hughes8172]

I will be there at 8 PM - I love anything that has to do with trains and train tracks and I love any video that JP makes so I will be there 👍

[@dtaylorstephens9067]

Thank you, JP, your photography is astounding. I thoroughly enjoyed this video!

[@garyjohnson4608]

Such a shame that these beautiful old buildings have been left to rot

[@heden1460]

I liked the train sound effect you put in. Very good.

[@JPVideos81]

Ty

[@markduncan6690]

You would have to do a very sympathetic repair to make this building liveable! A beautiful location!

[@terryciavola2251]

Would love to live in the switching tower! How beautiful! Great video. Fun revisit. 😋😊🙂

[@vidarmagnusjacobsen1682]

The have probably been a track for upploading to boxcars from mainline and into the concreate block into the station wall. The size on the block was too protect the stadion if some boxcars should came into the track in high speed with an accident. Probably there have been a plattform between that track and the mainline too. Good video 👍

[@grvolans]

There was for a local train that ran to Tiffany.

[@Caeser194]

This is 15 min from my house.We used to ride quads from Montrose to the tower.It was a tough climb.Its been 8-10 years since I've been there,it's really degraded,but the vandels are still there

[@JPVideos81]

Very sadly getting in worse condition

[@donnaj5464]

Very interesting video! Love the waterfall and the music ! I love old buildings like those and it would be fun to fix them up to live in!! Love the shot of the church through the tunnel, that was really pretty! Love the video!

[@JPVideos81]

Thanks donna

[@kyleheller127]

I live not far from there. Theres also another building there down by the water that was a pump house for the steam engines back in the day. Theres another one of these buildings in between alford and kingsley. And theres also one at the end of the Nicholson tunnel in factoryville

[@localsouptalks]

Yes, I would want to live in the switching station if it were converted into a home. It really is shocking though how much the other building has deteriorated since your previous video. Thanks for revisiting this site.

[@rebeccaankney-pajonk3253]

Excellent footage. Interesting location. I love seeing the old train stations.

[@richdiscoveries]

Beautiful, this place is such a great piece of real history. I'm glad we got to see the upstairs this time, that was really neat. Nice work, thanks for taking us along

[@suzanjournagan1112]

Ya that would be an awesome place to convert to a house. Great video. Q the snow. Gorgeous water scene. Thank u for showing us this place. 🤩👍

[@JPVideos81]

💙

[@darlenegood4101]

really like the roof material on the depot

[@dawnbenchley7237]

Love the video, JP. I love trains.

[@robertklim4216]

I would have loved to see it pre WW2 when all 4 rail lines, the turn table, pump house, and water tower were in use. I remember the 2nd rail being removed in the 1980's and the turn table being removed ( I snagged some 1915 date pins from it). There was also a wooden trestle that spanned the valley over the pond. Loved your video. I go past these buildings all the time and played there 25+ years ago never really realized how special they were.

[@JPVideos81]

Awesome!

[@saigenrose1032]

Beautiful video, thank you Jay 🙂👍🌷

[@JPVideos81]

💙😊

[@thalianelson5830]

The old train station where I had lived, they put in a Pub and Pizza parlor, real cool.

[@JPVideos81]

Awesome

[@karenpacker8862]

The switching would be a cool house...so would the station if it wasnt beyond repair. The waterfall was gorgeous!!! Awesome footage.

[@jasoncarskadon6809]

Yeah, I'm with you there. I could totally live in the switching tower. It's a shame that vandals spray painted it some more. I would have to put a staircase in so I could get up top. Now that I've seen up there i would really want to get up there. Super cool.

[@JPVideos81]

Would be so awesome.

[@jeanfeeley7786]

JPVideos oh for sure especially as a bedroom with gauze curtains that you could pull back to enjoy the beautiful view! The arched windows are perfect and the area all by itself is just what I like. I can picture a big porch on the front and being able to sit on a rocker with a few little dogs for company would be pure heaven!

[@joycehebda5274]

Love the video J love the waterfalls it was really really nice

[@JPVideos81]

Ty

[@desertdogexplorer9900]

Sweet 👍! I love this video JPVideos! Sweet 👍!

[@betsylucey3156]

Uncle your the coolest person I know you guys be safe and be well drive safely ok be good stay out of trouble ok stay warm your videos are the coolest and they are all part of history

[@mayzerscloset1747]

I remember your first video you couldn’t get footage of the upstairs. That’s cool that you could this time. The waterfall was also awesome!!!! Great video! I would definitely love to visit there one day. 😀

[@JPVideos81]

😊

[@DJinNJ08830]

👍 Thanks Jay very great catches. It is a shame some organization has not made a effort to save history.

[@CheapestGamer]

You have to wonder what all that noise was when Jay was leaving the tower area. My guess is the other people who were exploring it after him did like Out Naturing did and parkoured up to the upper floor completely and were messing with the switches. I really hope it wasn't sounds of them being destructive in there though.

[@jwcinc12]

JP going on a day it was snowing added something extra

[@thehiltongirl]

Why people have to vandalise buildings will be forever a mystery to me!

[@ladeebug1953]

Really enjoyed this video!!

[@JPVideos81]

💙

[@robertmanley7556]

Hey I remember this place !! That upstairs was cool in the switching tower !! The little tunnel was swéet ! And that little water fall was 😎 !

[@sheilakidd9805]

Watching late but watching from Florida 👍❤

[@alphaone101]

That old switching station would make an awesome house! I'd be happy to live in there! What would be neat would be if someone could, through computer, restore the inside of the building to look like it would have originally looked and then add some people awaiting the train dressed like they would have in 1915. I'm not sure what they call that when they do a computer restoration to a building just to show what it might have looked like. Looks like a whole bunch of landscape ties (old railroad ties) stacked up near the old station

[@stacey4051]

Pretty water fall. 😎

[@joannecrowley2388]

I'd live in either one. So sad to see lovely buildings left to just rot.

[@bluecollarblondeinct]

what a great video it should be restored

[@lovesmashbox]

I saw the first video you did on this place . I said the concrete building would make a great home ....the waterfall was beautiful too ...

[@lindabarraza2433]

It's sad to see this charming train station left to rot and decay. I love the windows, but It seems like it is too deteriorated to restore. Thinking the switching station had good bones and would make a home once refurbished, but I don't think I could live there. It had too many people in it and negative energy left according to the graffiti on the walls and the loneliness of the empty tracks.

[@jafofubar3793]

now ask yourself real deep if it had no negative vibes or energy you still would not like to live in a place like that ? - as if freshly built - but who said you had to stay by the tracks to live ? // still i hear you on a honest thought with all the negative dismay to a once beautiful place

[@RailfanNetwork]

Very cool as always!

[@mbaluan3894]

Someone needs to convert that building into a museum or a historical site. I wish people would be more respectful to beautiful and historic buildings.

[@shots2]

as far as living at the switching tower it would work great during the winter . since heat travels upward so at night you would be warm

[@junedominguez2549]

J, this was fabulous to see! I am an all outdoors fan of God's country! I live in the Big Sky country till the end of next month but have truly loved it here, now onto Idaho to probably stay for good! Thank you for showing this!

[@JPVideos81]

My pleasure

[@caz7363]

Btw the stuff over the concrete is generally called render and could be made up of several different materials.

[@dennism9313]

very cool jp, good job

[@JPVideos81]

Ty

[@jafofubar3793]

JP despite all the graffiti it still has its own beauty about it - to bad there was not a picture of ole of how it all looked with the cables for switching the tracks - and would bet each house had two to four men to operate the levers - just a guess but fair to say // honest thought on if i would live in a place like that -- it would be a great big step up from the place i live now -- if it was setup that way // back in those day people sure did not skimp on materials for building places like this - that's true workmanship - to look as it does from the elements - Vandals and natural decay

[@joandunn7172]

Very good. Thank you.

[@JPVideos81]

💙

[@sharonstuebi8181]

Omg. I REALLY loved this one! I prefer one level living ( in a wheelchair ) But whooo wheeee that switch station! Beautifully made Were you looking for the word plaster or stucco ? Thank you for this great video

[@JPVideos81]

I believe so

[@cesar201153]

Great video man 👌

[@JPVideos81]

👍

[@ramblinjay3816]

I still don't understand why everyone tags old buildings with genitalia's.

[@Cheeseburger.Launch.Sequence]

Haha, just asked the same question. People love weeners I guess.

[@mikedc3]

The Makeshift seat is a bumping block. A track would have ended there. As they placed freight cars on the track the bumping block would have stopped them from rolling off the end of the track. That's a standard DL&W design, They were and still are all over the railroad.

[@JPVideos81]

Ty for the info

[@gillwyatt8351]

Your videos, commentary and photography are excellent. I envy you being able to do what you do - I've always loved old abandoned buildings but I see that graffiti is as bad in the States as it is here in Britain!! So sad that people have nothing better to do. Gill

[@debbieschupp7758]

I would convert ST into a home . Has a ton of potential!! I think i'd put the living room at the top because of all the windows though. Kitchen at bottom. beds second floor.

[@rikspector]

Jay, Are there any old photographs of the station when it was in it's prime? That would be interesting .That video section looking at the station with the gentle snow falling was sad and nostalgic. So many things gone forever. Cheers, Rik Spector P.S. Your Cat video last night was a hoot. Where were the rest of your family?

[@JPVideos81]

I did include one in my first video. Might be another one or two floating around if you do a google search.