THE TONOPAH & TIDEWATER RAILROAD--Southern End Remnants

[@kentbuchanan9731]

My great grandfather was a conductor for the T&T. My grandfather was born in Ludlow in 1917. I have been there and could not imagine ever being there before A\C!

[@vijayanchomatil8413]

How did they keep cool before AC?

[@kentbuchanan9731]

@@vijayanchomatil8413 they didn't...

[@vijayanchomatil8413]

@@kentbuchanan9731 They must have had some techniques or maybe things were cooler then.

[@normanfeinberg9968]

So much history that time has erased.Thanks to people like you history has a chanceto live again

[@W7DSY]

Thanks. I like finding things off the well-traveled path.

[@ericlee303]

I really like your videos. I live in Canada where it's snowing hard right now so I enjoy watching you drive thru the sunny hot desert. Sometimes I'll just let your videos run on the TV while I'm doing work. Keep it up hope to see more.

[@W7DSY]

Thanks, Eric. I used to live very close to Canada, close enough to listen to Canadian TV and radio. I lived across the straits from Vancouver Island in Washington State. Thank you for your kind comments.

[@michaelmckenzie5232]

When you come across old ties,examine the ends closely.Some still have the date nails in them.ties were popular for corner post and corral use in building fences.Same with old electric and rail telegraph and signal wood poles

[@melmiller5811]

T&T never used treated ties so date nailed were bever used since the railroad was built on the cheap.

[@bq874]

I found all the ties you're looking for! If you follow the roadbed south of your geo locations (and south of I40), you can see what looks like an old workshop area for the T&T. Just south of Ludlow and next to the current mainline. Loads of ties piled up and there are old concrete pits for working under the cars/engines, but the buildings are long gone. Many roadbed ties remain and show the locations of original tracks and sidings. Thanks for your videos, they are great!

[@W7DSY]

Ths, QEB. This was a labor of love. I was @ the dry lake for other reasons, couldn't not do the vid on the T&T.

[@bq874]

@@W7DSY Thanks Hidden: I'm recently retired and moving back to AZ (ASU grad 1980). Taking too long to get there for me (packing and selling my house), but will be there in a couple of months. Looking forward to exploring many of the places you've video'ed. Thanks again!

[@W7DSY]

@@bq874 Welcome home.

[@AbandonedMines11]

Great video, Stan! Always fun to try and find what “once was.“ That includes the things you show in this video like abandoned railroad beds, roads, cross-ties, and things like that.

[@W7DSY]

Thanks, Frank. "What once was" also drives you as well. That's why I always look forward to your explorations.

[@FetchTheSled]

Monumental labor. Many sore backs.

[@franksnyder1357]

Railroad fans? What a Bunch. Thanks for this post. I remember stopping for Southern Pacific trains going from Vista CA to Bishop CA.

[@ronstanek2851]

Hi Frank, I saw your comment on the Tonopah and Tidewater, I just have a comment on when you said that there was a line from Vista Ca. to Bishop Ca. On the Southern Pacific line. I lived in the Vista area most of my life, the only line through Vista going to Escondido was the AT& SF link from the coast. Unless you were referring to the line that runs down through Temecula and south through Riverside county into San Diego county?

[@franksnyder1357]

North of Ridgecrest the tracks crossed 395.@@ronstanek2851

[@edwardmounsey9208]

A great look into history. Thank you for posting.

[@W7DSY]

Thanks, Edward. It's remarkable that after 80 years so much is still to be seen.

[@carytodd7211]

I would have flipped out if I came across those ties! Very cool video.

[@W7DSY]

Yeah, amazing after all these years. The desert is kind to such things.

[@EllySpace]

Great video about the Tonopah and Tidewater! Thank you for sharing! Like!

[@W7DSY]

Thanks.

[@herbertbell9438]

I've been driving around this old rail road for years. There used to be a pretty cool cafe in Ludlow at least back in 2014 or so.

[@W7DSY]

Last time I was in Ludlow, I believe it was gone and on the north side of the highway the facilities were being redone. Ludlow used to be something but it's just mostly an empty shell now (with very expensive gas!).

[@tomriggle3217]

Wish I was there that's looks like a great time, I'd like to put that on my bucket list

[@W7DSY]

It's a strange area after I've hung out in the Sonoran Desert for so long. The Mojave is very different. But one thing for sure is, things don't rot or decay like in a forested area.

[@clsybear]

Thank you very much for that video is great of you to share that with everyone especially the coordinates I guess I need to get a truck my grand Caravan sets to load anyway thanks again and thanks for sharing. Bear

[@georgeb1364]

The adobe house I used to own in Apple Valley CA had many large timbers and hardware from the T&T used to support the porch roof overhang around the house. The beams were acquired by Newt Bass to build the Apple Valley Inn in 1948. The person who built my house in 1954 worked for Bass and was able to get left over timbers. for his house.

[@ernestpassaro9663]

Must have been hell running a steam locomotive there in July !

[@W7DSY]

An excellent point. But running down the main would have been one thing. How about making up trains and switching--all at 2 miles per hour.

[@williamosborne9604]

Loved this. There is a great book on the T&T available. Hope you do more exploration. Look at the old roadbed of the Santa Fe from Barnwell to Searchlight NV.

[@W7DSY]

Thanks, Bill. I don't often wander out-of-state, but I do appreciate the heads-up. Appreciate your patronage.

[@Cnw8701]

The layout of this line is very reminiscent of the Lordsburg, NM railroad loops that are now used as car storage (sort of like a makeshift yard) for the Arizona Eastern Railroad.

[@rant1200]

What beautiful scenery.No shopping malls,fast food and most of all people.lol

[@garycousino4016]

Love seeing the old USGS monument

[@W7DSY]

Yeah, except it's stuck in the middle of the dry lake, and if you should be unlucky to hit it at 50 mph, well...

[@canoesino9290]

@Account NumberEight Back in the early 70s got an NC book of county maps. It showed the approximate position of the triangulation stations in all counties. Just out of boredom would get a six pack and gas up the Willys pickup and go see if I could find them. Stumbled across some interesting places doing that

[@robbyglenn4790]

I'm looking on google earth and it runs north right through the old soda springs or whatever at the end of zzyzx rd. There's a ton of ties laying north of there.

[@Jonesec1]

Hi have you heard of WW2 equipment buried in the desert between 29 palms and Barstow? I was stationed at 29 and got talking to an older gentleman while in line at an ace hardware store. He said his friend who was a prospector found area in a hillside that had been blasted shut. Being a wild cater he stated digging and burrowed into a tunnel system filled with WW2 equipment. This is not improbable as during the war preparations were made to have a "Fall Back" where air units would rearm and refuel on expeditionary airfields up and down the west coast, many of these airfields have since become municipal airports or are abandoned but visible on google earth. Anyway I was hooked and have been researching on and off since then. I estimated that any such buried gear would have to be near a rail head and or highway system. I figured ludlow or bagdad or amboy would be a probable location to unload this gear. .

[@Jonesec1]

I found a map while on duty which showed a "tunnel" i thought this was part of the t and t railroad but therre are no tunnels on that line between ludlow and baker. i lost the map but there are some interesting unnamed terrain features and mines north west of ludow south of the I40 west of kelbaker rd.

[@W7DSY]

@@Jonesec1 I was just out in the Palen Mountains, northwest of Blythe. There was a lot of military activity back in the day, but I have not heard of any buried stuff. Is it plausible? Certainly, but I know of no such. If it's anywhere it wd be left behind from Camp Coxcomb.

[@jeremybeattie5235]

Many of the ties were used to build a motel in Barstow; they are still there on old 66.

[@Jack-ne8vm]

I've seen train derailments where they buried banged up new automobiles. Mashed them with a dozer first.. Insurance paid for them.

[@imzackson]

@@Jack-ne8vm theres a lot of derailments buried from the old days out here

[@tarf1a]

Very interesting. Those old ties probably will be there for another 100 years before the rot away...

[@W7DSY]

The desert is quite kind to such things--if they aren't disturbed.

[@janblake9468]

Have you explored the T&T work shop and rail yard ruins in Ludlow?

[@DRGWRailfan]

Awesome video! How do you find out about all these hidden railroads, buildings, and mines?

[@W7DSY]

Thanks! I have always had an inquisitive mind. Inquisitive sounds more sophisticated than "nosey", but it's one and the same. I use Google Earth, local BLM maps, and also work off of guys on youtube like Scotty at www.azoffroad.net, Frank at 'Exploring Abandoned Mine and Unusual Places", and many others. And of course, I talk to locals. Appreciate the compliment, keep watching for more videos.

[@DRGWRailfan]

@@W7DSY You're very welcome! Where are you planning on exploring next? Either way, I can't wait!

[@W7DSY]

@@DRGWRailfan No immediate railroad plans, likely next will be in the Sonoran Desert Preserve.

[@rockyracoon3233]

It would be great if the used the right of way to reconnect the the Vegas and Ludlow lines.

[@W7DSY]

Interesting thought. The only real obstacle would be I-40 and a few other crossings, but it wd seem to be doable. I confess I don't know that area vry well.

[@rockyracoon3233]

@@W7DSY . Yep, there could be daily service between Phoenix and Las Vegas for one thing.

[@SiriusSam]

Hopefully there some future use for this and put some Speed Rails on it

[@W7DSY]

Who knows? But it's awfully remote.

[@kyleardle5303]

Very cool

[@W7DSY]

Thanks, Kyle. That area is very interesting, and I hope you can visit it someday if you haven't already.

[@kyleardle5303]

@@W7DSY I would love to see the old train tracks that used to run through Why Arizona you did an episode of that one I found very interesting

[@ronstanek2851]

Hello again, I know that 3 months ago I had seen your video on this site. I was curious how your experience was going to the site east of Tucson? I hadn’t been able to get out to do more exploring the rail beds, but now I am planning a trip to the NW section of Baker Ca. I remember there are ruins along that highway just outside of town, and the railroad bed shoots north . I enjoy the hikes on old rail beds and hope to find some interesting things. That last part of this video you found the rail sections just north of the 40. I believe you’re in the main area where the train yard was located? I had seen old photos of the yard and where you were looking is the area. Could be wrong but I don’t think so. I wish you continue your research on the Tonopah!

[@W7DSY]

I have not had a chance to get back down to Cochise County, expect to return there sometime in the next 3 months. As for the T&TS I have no current plans to go back there as I no longer have a vehicle suitable to travel that terrain. Currently I am concentrating on the area between Wickenburg and Ash Fork AZ. Thanks for your interest!

[@edwardmorgan9411]

Awesome !

[@ronstanek2851]

Hi, finally I have moved to Summerlin area of Las Vegas and now will be researching the Tonopah and Tidewater system extension from Tonopah to Rhyolite and southern route. Been here 2 months now but still getting used to the area. Had you made it to the area east of Tucson you were going to explore? I miss Tucson area but can visit anytime.Take care and stay safe !

[@W7DSY]

I have done some in Cochise county, but haven't had time to return. Hope to go back in September. If you have 4WD, start at Ludlow and easily follow the route I did. When you hit the mountains, some of it is missing, but I think you can easily guess what you can't see. Thanks for the comment!

[@ronstanek2851]

Nice video of the Tonopah rail beds. Years ago in the 80s, I drove to Zzyzx off the interstate where I explored the resort and directly to the south was the railbed still with the track heading to Ludlow. Will always remember that trip! Had you inspected the area just north of Ludlow past the I40 where the maintenance yards were ? I always wanted to explore the area, but hadn’t been back in years. I live in Tucson area, but planning to move to Vegas. Thanks for the video!

[@W7DSY]

Thanks Ron for your input. I mostly explored only what was on the video, as my time was somewhat limited. I went there for another event about 7 miles north in the dry lake area (amateur radio club). I found it fascinating that the ties were still in the roadbed after all these years. I plan on doing some exploration east of Tucson next, around Fairbank, the little town with lots of railroad history. Good luck on your move to Vegas.

[@Jack-ne8vm]

Lot of traffic on the left at 8:18.. Those bushes (Saltbrush) can be bad for tires.

[@W7DSY]

Actually, those were the guys I came up here with, but they had no interest in the railroad.

[@carlfalt174]

What did they haul on this old line

[@W7DSY]

The T&T served the area gold mines, and interchanged with the Santa Fe at Ludlow, CA.

[@carlfalt174]

@@W7DSY thank you for the information

[@rexruggless9671]

the rail road goes thougt death valley juncion to

[@natevince3154]

The wood ties are not worth anything in scrap. There is no reason to remove them.