The Amazing Feather River Railroads and the Keddie Wye--The Seven Wonders of the Railroad World!

[@TheJeepWheeler]

I have slept on Beer Beach as a teenager off of highway 70 that runs through the Feather River Canyon. I remember waking up with the sun breaking through the canyon, the scream of the trains wheels on the tracks, the chug of the engine, the sand on my pillow with there barely being enough light to see the Feather River 20 feet below your camp. Thats one memory that will stick with me for the rest of my life. So fortunate to have grown up in Paradise, Ca.

[@rkhilburn]

I can not believe that this only has 547 views! Great work

[@flittell]

This sure brings back good memories. I used to come to the Keddie Wye and the Feather River Canyon a lot! Thanks!!

[@grayswandir47]

Your video inspired me. Back around 1970 we used to go camping at Juniper Lake in Lassen Park. On the way we would camp overnight at the Injun Jim Campground in the Feather River Canyon. The trains were the biggest I had ever seen. Time marched on. The campground was mostly washed away in 1997.

[@Bhil3]

Wow, amazing. I think I just spent the last 10 minutes in railroad heaven!

[@luxurydeserthideaway]

You're right, it's quite an astounding route and I first rode it while on the California Zephyr as a young Marine. I'm glad you enjoyed the piece. This route may never be as busy as when we shot the video, as the Donner Pass tunnel was being expanded to handle double stacks and UP was running everything thru Keddie Wye at that time. Now, the tunnel is open and heavily used. Once in a while, they do special passenger excursions through the Feather River route. Railfan sites may have the info.

[@prestonwestmoreland7933]

The Spring Garden Tunnel is the longest tunnel of the route at 7,294 ft.

[@valiantval6539]

Thank you for a great video.

[@luxurydeserthideaway]

yes, it does look like I'm too close to the trains going by. I had the video camera outstretched as far as I could, watching the screen, keeping as far as possible, but to get a dramatic shot, , but you're right, always dangerous, not recommended. I was good friends with Lou Menk in Carefree, former CEO of the Burlington Northern railroad and we use to talk about the crazy train days. I had hopped about 25,000 miles of freights when I was REALLY crazy about trains. All dangerous, for sure. Lou worked his way up from a caboose to running the company, before he passed away. He loved those rails. Nice to see they named the street after him that the headquarters was at....Lou Menk Drive.

[@vgmdesign]

great video!!!

[@atomicpaper1]

VERY well shot! Really Good angles! Nice work there!

[@tannheusler]

Bravo!

[@jakemiillephotography]

Cool videos. The FRC sure is a cool place. At 1:48 you say the trains come in from Sparks but they are really coming from Portola. Sparks is the eastern hub for the Donner Pass Route. No worries, just thought I would let you know.

[@luxurydeserthideaway]

How fortunate is that. If you like trains! I understand there are fewer trains goiing through the route now, especially with Union Pacific after the enlarged the Donner Pass tunnel to accomodate the stacked container trains. How were you able to get that property? Enjoy.

[@irelandbloke]

Awesome

[@jimmckay8391]

When they built these bridges they did not know the weight of today's trains

[@johnnyjames7139]

I knew Eric Thomsen who was in charge of the Western Pacific track. While the former WP route would seem preferable to the Donner Pass route, land slides are a constant problem in Feather River Canyon.

[@duxberry1958]

enjoyed your video

[@khunopie]

good job on the choo choos

[@luxurydeserthideaway]

Hi, glad you liked it. How would you like to use the video? thanks

[@frrswebmaster]

Trains going through the Feather River Canyon don't go anywhere near Sparks

[@brettmacdonald1838]

Thank you, Dave, I saw that too, at 1:50 WB at Clio. A little confused perhaps. Let's go ahead and x out Sparks and replace it with Portola. Cheers! 🍻

[@lego4555]

super

[@huntingtherare]

well shit, looks like he was hanging on the ladder on the autorack as it was stopping. gotta have a little fun now, come on :) and as to wanting to cross and stuff.... bridges are great for walking under.

[@nxtyrjrslm]

Longest of the 34 tunnels?

[@luxurydeserthideaway]

Hi, I thought there was a BNSF spur to went North from Reno that went into the Feather River. Perhaps I was wrong.

[@silverstatehighiron]

Yes, there is a spur that goes north from Reno. It is owned by the Union Pacific and about half of the branch is out of service.

[@luxurydeserthideaway]

Always sad to see any railroad branch out of service

[@silverstatehighiron]

Indeed it is. I happen to live by this branch. UP uses it monday-friday.

[@DakGuy05]

Man where is this area?

[@irishgrl]

DakGuy05 Feather River Canyon, Northern California.

[@john61461]

our property is at the base of the keddie wye

[@nxtyrjrslm]

Sparks? Did it take 395?

[@kalostous]

How the West was tamed...

[@duckgoesquack4514]

why am i watching this

[@2H80vids]

You got some great footage of an amazing location but, with so many great locations available, is it really necessary to get within touching distance of moving trains? Apart from obvious risks to your own safety and setting a bad example to railfans watching the video, it's going to freak out any rail workers who see you there. Any engineer will get nervous if he sees "civilians" this close to his train.

[@Drewster327]

a little close to the trains are we? Your lucky none of those cars had hanging straps or anything sticking out otherwise you may not have lost your head or a body part. Come on man, it's these kind of manorisms that give railfans a bad name and as a railroad conductor if I saw someone that close to my train, I would have called the police. You have to see it from our side, especially with terrorism threats to high. So come on man, use your head and don't lose your head

[@iceman977th]

You're joking, right?

[@farukkhan4055]

niess