Theres a Train in My Yard! (Houses Along the Stewartstown) - (in HD)

[@MC-342]

My great grandmother had a train track behind her house like this. We used to run outside when they passed by because they would throw us candy and little toys. 💖

[@sexymommakat]

We had train tracks in my neighborhood as well but not this close. I would run out doors when I heard them coming.

[@mattdoe2368]

Same my great grandmother had tracks behind her house we all go out there and wave and watch

[@Bigjimvideo]

I wish I had tracks this close to my house!!

[@nickhill8612]

Same and my grandmother said she was used to it and really didn't hear it. I remember when we would visit her the train would shake the house and keep us awake all night lol.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Sounds like fun to me - LOL

[@craigfazekas3923]

My aunt's house in Moorestown, NJ ? Best place to play at as a kid ! They had tracks in their backyard on an elevated roadbed, a creek that had been piped under the tracks into a small spillway, with frogs & fish and an old 25 ft. long boat up on blocks that we'd climb up and "sail the world" on, or "hunt the Bismarck" on.... What a great memory & this video triggered those memories...Thank you !! 😎

[@Bigjimvideo]

Sorry it's taken so long to get back to you - you're very welcome!

[@JAMac1918]

I also grew up in South Jersey, I remember as a kid I would go to my uncle’s house in Mickleton and I explored some railroad tracks in a gulley behind the house once with my older cousins.

[@rhondawomble9036]

My 2 year old Grandson is obsessed with trains, he would absolutely love this. I have to admit .. so would I!

[@Bigjimvideo]

He'd love it - I know I would!!

[@r.deeblanche6939]

The dogs: ‘Well we kept it out of the yard again.’

[@Bigjimvideo]

LOL

[@dinkchow]

In the early 50's my Uncle straight out of the USN was delivering a refurbished utility truck to an electric Co. in the Carolinas. He got it done driving straight through and chose to get a room for the night before hitch hiking back to the Cincinnati/NKY area. During the night the motel began shaking and the noise was deafening. He went to the bathroom in the rear where the noise originated. He opened the window vent door and said "I could have stuck my arm out the window and touched the train going by at 50+ MPH in the middle of the night". That is my favorite story he ever told me to this day. RIP Uncle Norbert.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Sounds like a great time, great motel to be in... (at least for me anyway)

[@24preacherboy]

When I bought the house they said those tracks are abandoned and will never be used again......today my dishes fell off the shelf.

[@johnnybikesalot]

This is what they mean by "due diligence"

[@kofola9145]

They are abandoned. For six days a week.

[@Bigjimvideo]

No, they do mid-week work sessions along the line sometimes - maybe 3-4 days per week would be more accurate. LOL

[@Sergei_kv82]

@@Bigjimvideo thats a lot of broken dishes

[@williamorr9203]

Ha,probably sounded like the 12,th Panzer division was there.

[@williammark3051]

This is a great little railroad worth saving. Unlike most tourist lines, this is the real thing. It's like stepping back into the 1880s. And unlike most other short lines, the Stewartstown Railroad is the exact same company and charter that it started out with in 1884; opened in 1885. Amazing story. It has the exact same name, charter, route and capital stock that it stated out with in 1884. The line has never filed bankruptcy or been in "reorganization." It would be hard to find another railroad that meets all of those points.

[@Bigjimvideo]

If you're interested in helping... www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/friends-of-stewartstown-rr-campaign-is-raising-funds-to-resume-rail-service-over-historic-bridge?fbclid=IwAR3TUGy7Y3Xmz0TT0EMcvPRoE6-WKI8Sd9igcnO8_QreY706Rkj111xCiFE

[@Guillaume2606]

By the look of it, it's never been maintained since 1884 too!

[@cinthia9602]

Was it saved? It is such a neat line.

[@williammark3051]

@@cinthia9602 Yes, the railroad has been saved by volunteers and business people who put money into it to keep it solvent. It is a wonderful railroad. I volunteer when I can get there. Covid-19 hurt a lot but the company remains committed to keeping this historic railroad going. All officers, from President David Williamson on down serve without a single dollar paycheck. The railroad has not received a dollar in federal or state taxpayer funds.

[@jamesvandamme7786]

A realtor would describe these as "convenient to transportation".

[@jamesvandamme7786]

It would be OK if I was deaf, liked trains, and had no kids. But ten feet from a tree house & swing??!

[@Bigjimvideo]

I would enjoy it!

[@Bigjimvideo]

Well, that section of track hasn't been used by full-sized trains in a good few years, so the tree house and swing may have been built in the time since full-sized trains last ran. For more information on the railroad and the stretch to get back to full operating condition, visit www.stewartstownrailroadco.com/

[@DrFruikenstein]

I'd love it if I had a house there. The crew can stop at a friend's house for coffee. I remember stopping at a small restaurant in Indiana. A railroad ran right behind it. As I got out of the truck, I saw a train parked right behind the restaurant, with the locomotive idling. It turned out that the crew stopped for lunch, too.

[@butthurt8]

I’m deaf, i would Buy this property in heartbeat

[@derekalexander4030]

Amazing 1:1 garden railroad. The trees and scenery look so real....

[@Bigjimvideo]

I know, right? It's almost like you could live in one of these houses! :)

[@Glenn631956]

Live right beside a set of tracks, train goes by daily GRANDKIDS LOVE IT

[@Bigjimvideo]

I would too!

[@Dovietail]

I can't believe you showed us this entire trip without ever showing us the vehicle upon what you were riding! Nearly drove me crazy!

[@Bigjimvideo]

Sorry about that! This is what I was riding behind and filming from: 3.bp.blogspot.com/-o8GCw3IakKs/TqSMfIdMPeI/AAAAAAAAAew/s-Rq8opT5T8/s1600/photo-716353.JPG

[@fab8657]

@@Bigjimvideo that is small!

[@Bigjimvideo]

Indeed!! But fun!

[@marial.rapaglia4041]

Cute video of slow train going through residential houses backyards.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Indeed, thanks!

[@KandiKlover]

I knew an old ham radio operator who used to have a rail going through his back yard. He had coaxial cable secretely run under the groun and connect to the rail to use it as a massive earth mode VLF antenna.

[@Petemonster62]

Some early two-way radio systems for railroads did use the rails as an antenna.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Very cool, I didn't know that!

[@Sergei_kv82]

You could use it to ground a pre-existing antenna if you're lucky enough to be that close and had a need for a diffrent ground

[@travelinthru9519]

The hell they driving a Detroit

[@DDay-vv9ec]

Never thought of that.

[@marzymarrz5172]

Wish I had a train separating me from my neighbors. You can easily get used to the comforting rhythm of a train, but annoying neighbors are always annoying.

[@Bigjimvideo]

HAHAHA...

[@daveblack7344]

You are so right on that... I would love to have this train run by

[@ronfullerton3162]

Back in the 1950's & 60's, there were much more railroads running through residential areas to where this was not really a big thing. My cousin's had a train run right along the small side street next to their house. We would hear it coming and bail out of the house to watch it go by and wave to the train crew. Thanks for the memories!

[@Bigjimvideo]

You're welcome! I'm glad places like this still exist.

[@ethanlamoureux5306]

There should be still today. For instance, every Walmart should have rail access. We have too many trucks on the highways, and 90% of them could be on the rails, which should go everywhere.

[@davidpacksr1722]

Reminds me of Hooterville on Petticoat Junction.

[@ovenheating9482]

Live about 100ft away from two main csx tracks with the rail yard being about 300-400 yards down the track. I constantly hear them moving the carts around and what not and the distinct railroad smell is amazing. Have lived close to railroad tracks for years.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Awesome!!

[@ronalddean4834]

I think it is wonderful. Time gone by but still alive. I'd love to see the train going by from my house. We need more of the old ways. Everything in today's world is on a computer people think. Folks along the route appreciate it you have a gift. It could be worse.

[@Bigjimvideo]

It could be a lot worse!!

[@DrSurprise]

that's cool! Now I'd never be late to work again!

[@Bigjimvideo]

If the railroad happened to be taking you where you needed to go, absolutely!

[@eddiegreenslade8970]

you would be if you are using the UK train networks

[@cartapax5077]

i can order a plane from internet

[@ermielim3185]

DrSurprise èse

[@railfanryan]

I don't live this close to the tracks, but close enough to where I can hear the E bells at night

[@d.christmassnow1113]

Oh this is great!! My Grandmother lived right next to a Main Line that now has 2 tracks. (Originally 4 Tracks) that still runs several times daily. There was a road next to the tracks (Railroad Street) that was not very wide and there were about 18 houses along that street. I loved staying there and watching the trains go through especially at night. They'd blow the whistle sometimes too. It was fascinating. There were, however a few people killed on those tracks over the years. Usually drunk and walking on them late at night. This again, is quite nice. I'd love to visit this area Love it!! Thanks for posting!!

[@danielgannon9502]

THIS is the kind of rail video that I love. Never mind the 70 car freight blowing down the main at 50 MPH (though I've enjoyed plenty of those), the old time short line winding through farmland, villages and neighborhoods is where it's at! So much more personal and interesting. I wish the line that once passed by my home on it's way to several beach communities and two amusement parks still existed, but it's long gone now. All that's left is a recently rebuilt/reopened mile long spur coming off the main to service a couple of existing customers and I'm ecstatic about it's return! However, what you have here is priceless...

[@Bigjimvideo]

Thank you very much for the kind words! Indeed, I do like these more than the super-long mainline freights. Not to say they don't have their place, but this is cooler to me, IMHO.

[@briang6040]

I'd be in heaven living in one of those houses!

[@Bigjimvideo]

Me too!

[@martam1560]

Drum Guy Me too ! I love trains !

[@eliotvideos2009]

Drum Guy yeah me too trains are awesome!!

[@MrHgavino]

Amen

[@briang6040]

Paula Johnson I've lived next to train tracks several times in my life, where trains ran around 55mph, so no I don't think about the negative stuff like you do. Also, I have relatives and friends who have worked for Norfolk Southern and still do.

[@snowwhitehair485]

I love the way the grass has been mowed in the centre of the tracks in some places. Such pride in a full-size garden railway!

[@Bigjimvideo]

LOL!! Yes, this could be considered an "over-sized" garden railway :P

[@JawTooth]

Wow, that was cool! The last time I visited that railroad it was out of service. I want to visit it again

[@Bigjimvideo]

Thanks! These sections are still out of service for full-sized trains, but they do run motor car trips a few times a year from Stewartstown to New Freedom and back, and you travel past all of these houses and more. The railroad is working to restore the entire line for full-sized trains, they've gotten a mile done so far. For more, visit www.stewartstownrailroadco.com

[@paultassie582]

Big Jim Video Productions p

[@soniagutierrez9839]

Where is this treasure?? I love riding trains when I was young and I miss that .

[@Peshkatari]

I remember reading about Stewartstown in an article in Model Railroader -- from 1966! (I still have the issue in my collection.) Glad to see it's still around 55 years later.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Indeed - and it's coming back to life (again)! kzbin.info/www/bejne/moaXoq2OZb-Back

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

Model Railroader used to be so great in the old days that's always trains magazine and railfan and Railroad model Craftsman good old days

[@Shellyz2u]

I have lived within 200-300ft of a main csx double track for more than 15 years I love it

[@JawTooth]

You are lucky!

[@shariys1]

I live half a mile from the CSX S-line in FL. A house recently sold that was right across the street from the track. Sure do wish I would have had the means, or that house would have been mine!

[@Trainfan1055Janathan]

Shellyz2u Norfolk Southern runs right behind my house.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Very cool!

[@jameschristiansson3137]

Grew up within 200 ft of the BNSF (CB&Q) Aurora-Chicago racetrack in Hinsdale. Ideal spot to raise children if you want them to love trains forever.

[@316minister]

I love this video! This railroad is a thing of beauty and should be preserved. ❤

[@NapoleChan]

Growing up we had family we visited every summer in a small coal mining town in Virginia. The town had a train track that ran close through the town, and went through their front yard between their house and the road. I use to love going there every summer and watching the trains, putting pennies on the tracks flatting them out. Since many times it was dual engines hauling what seemed like countless cars overfilled with coal those pennies would be so flat and sharp enough to cut yourself. Seeing the train go through a town so close to the buildings and people make me miss those times, and remind me why I love trains model or otherwise to this day.

[@Bigjimvideo]

I’m glad this video can bring these memories back for you - hopefully you can make more memories happen as time goes on!

[@karlblume9419]

While Daddy was stationed in Illinois decades ago, we were housed off base in a farmhouse where the track ran along the back property line, maybe 60 ft from the house. Back then there was a lot of rail traffic, and to this day, the sounds of the engine and the whistle, and especially that distinct smell from the diesel locomotive transport me back there.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Awesome!!

[@lunatic1ism]

Just love this kind of railroading. You can keep your hi-speed unit trains! Once had a friend who had the Ann Arbor run thru his backyard! Spent as much time there as I could.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Awesome! I'd love a train to come this close to my house...

[@toddcampbell5603]

Although, it was probably 75 feet away from the house, the CB&Q Chicago to Burlington mainline went through my uncle's back yard in Mendota. What a show for a ten year old kid in the late 60's.

[@Bigjimvideo]

That's still awesome! Wish I had that kind of backyard (or this here)...

[@amberwoods8847]

I lived right by train tracks growing up. They were just next to our garage. I used to watch as trains went by, and I'd wave at the engineers. I was very little at the time.

[@Bigjimvideo]

I'd still be waving today if that was me! Actually, when I'm out doing video of trains, I still wave to the engineer/crew/passengers - I can't help it. :)

[@amberwoods8847]

+Big Jim Video Productions My little 7 year old son loves trains. Just like his daddy and I. His daddy and I are still together. We've been together for 12 years.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Well I hope your boy keeps on loving trains as he gets older, just like I did!

[@amberwoods8847]

+Big Jim Video Productions His daddy and I will make sure that his love for trains stays alive.

[@bpp325]

I've watched this several times. Can't get enough of it. Very very cool. Thanx.

[@Bigjimvideo]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@jasonpoole2093]

How in the world can a railroad be THAT close to homes and run literally through backyards? That is amazing to me that such a situation could have even arisen. VERY cool, I might admit, though!

[@Bigjimvideo]

Well, knowing how old the railroad is, I'm assuming that the houses were built back that far - but there shouldn't be any clearance issues, considering that passenger cars ran along this line not too long ago.

[@mariocassina90]

it seems to be india where the train runs through the markets...

[@ericzerkle5214]

I've seen it here. There used to be an old PRR branch that ran pretty much right through peoples back yards. Tracks have been gone since the very early 1980s but you can still see the ROW as it curves through backyards..

[@erikjohansson1814]

Mario Cassina 1.50, the American flag.

[@dinos7185]

Jason....the Railroad was there first then the houses came....the railroad still has rights to it thus it can operate it....it probably was for an old coal mine

[@jrgboy]

When I was a kid in South Wales, UK, the freight trains carrying coal from the mine to the steel works used to travel along the back gardens & the passenger trains were only 25 yards further along...

[@Bigjimvideo]

Sweet!

[@jgc4818]

In 1889 a short line Railroad was built from Orlando FL to a nearby college, and the track wound it’s way along the lakes. Then in the 1920’s-1930’s the entire area where the railroad was located filled in with suburban sprawl, so the train would run along the side of the lake obscuring people’s backyard lake view. They called it “the dinky line”

[@Bigjimvideo]

At least the trains weren't being parked there, blocking the view entirely - the train would pass by, and the view would be there again. :P

[@railrider4745]

JGCPranks : I grew up 40mi. east of there near space cntr. 36yrs.

[@chado3000]

A block and a half was close enough. In the sixties and early seventies the hobos walked past our house on the way to the liquor store. The best thing was in the early morning hours, each engineer had his favorite tune to play on the horn, playing them as softly as they could so they didn't wake everyone up. Most are quite good, and they still do it.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Well fortunately there's no hobos to speak of on this line - it's only 7.4 miles long, not exactly a long enough line to warrant that sort of travel...

[@martam1560]

Thanks Big Jim Video for sharing this video with us ! I love trains and I want to live there ! Lol

[@Bigjimvideo]

Maybe one day you can - and thanks!

[@whatdoidonext2234]

Haven't rode the Stewartstown in 30 years. Great video!

[@JRNipper]

When I worked for the Soo out of St. Paul, MN we had some areas that looked like this on the way to the Ford plant in Minneapolis.

[@margaretclanagan1353]

I grew up in the blue and red house in the 70's that makes an appearance on the right. From our knowledge, it used to be the general store and post office in the little town of Tolna. I still drive by there and took the train ride when it went all the way to New Freedom and took the shortened version 2 years ago.

[@fredgauge3022]

To all my train lovers and friends,who wouldn't love to see a train coming a feet from your house.esp,in your front yard,I think that is really awesome.

[@Bigjimvideo]

It's very awesome!!

[@JesusismyRock773]

A beautiful place to live and so awesome that the train goes by, and doesn't sound the whistle. That would be great to go to sleep to the sound of that train.

[@lindaterrell6104]

Two houses I lived in had trains that ran through the back yard. The one in Boston, The kids’ game was to spit on each car. Object was to run out of train before running out of spit. The one in Safety Harbor Florida, had no fence. The house I am in now, in Dunedin Florida, is a mile from tracks. I can hear the horns late at night.

[@Bigjimvideo]

I can hear the horns from Amtrak/Septa/Conrail, etc from my house in PA too, sometimes - and I love it!

[@jonmacdonald5345]

Linda Terrell Do you Guys Still see people on Flakka in Florida??

[@lindaterrell6104]

Jon MacDonald Huh?

[@jonmacdonald5345]

Linda Terrell Flakka look up Florida Flakka on KZbin!

[@lindaterrell6104]

Jon MacDonald Looked it up. NEver heard of it.

[@packard5682]

I love this little railroad! I wish I had lived beside it. I would ride it everyday! The noise wouldn't bother me. I live 2 blocks from the Union Pacific main line in North Platte, NE and I am so used to it that I don't even notice it anymore.

[@Bigjimvideo]

I can occasionally hear the trains inside my house - outside very clearly, I live about a half-mile from Amtrak's Northeast Corridor and oftentimes can hear horn action. :)

[@mikemcelveen2973]

Where the f is anybody! Are they stuck on their x box? I'd be running beside it jumping on for a ride😂

[@Bigjimvideo]

LOL! I might have to flag down the train as it passes by in order to get on. :)

[@rrbone]

The owner of this layout hasn't detailed it with people yet.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Haha!! But they put a lot of attention to detail into everything else!

[@Petemonster62]

It would be an interesting railroad to model!

[@spencerbass7142]

I would build my own locomotive, never use my car again!

[@BroadcastJohn]

Growing up, we had three sets of freight rails behind our house. Unfortunately, our two car garage with attached enclosed patio blocked most of the view. But I always loved listening to a moving freight train when I was laying in my bed at the rear of our house. Even when we travelled in sleeping cars on passenger trains (both pre-Amtrak and post-Amtrak) when we took vacations, I loved listening to the clickety-clack sound of the wheels on the rails. Because I miss living alongside active railroad tracks, I purchased a sleep enhancing sound machine that includes railroad sounds.

[@Bigjimvideo]

That’s awesome! I have a similar app on my phone but rarely use it because I tend to fall asleep rather easily. That being said, I’m a fan of the clickety-clack as well and can easily fall asleep on a train, as much as I love them 😝

[@mathuetax]

I could REALLY get into living in these places.

[@Bigjimvideo]

I think I could too!

[@laventier2934]

take me on too will ya

[@lunatic1ism]

Had a friend in Howell MI. The Ann Arbor ran next to his garage. He delivered papers to the crews, we got many rides, RR artifacts and tissues.

[@Bigjimvideo]

That's very cool! Glad he was able to have those moments and those memories.

[@mercury7590]

I know some people would not enjoy the noise and lack of fences, but I would not mind seeing Mighty Mo going past my house everyday.

[@Bigjimvideo]

I'd be right there with you! Although I'd personally prefer steam myself...

[@Rebel9668]

Be fun to see the York come that way.

[@Bigjimvideo]

You never know, maybe one day...

[@carolhutchinson7763]

You could put a fence if the back yard is facing the tracks. Some cities forbid fences in front yards. It seems like only the poor and the rich have fences or walls in their front yards.

[@mothra__13]

that's pretty trippy. i had a rail line that ran behind my old apartment. was about maybe 10 feet back, but up on a bit higher ground than where the building sat. train would rattle my entire apartment, lol. people assumed i would hate it, but i thought it was pretty cool, especially since i would use the tracks as a trail to the nearby park and walk from there to my college campus.

[@gordonmccoy4537]

Fantastic little Vid... Something nobody sees...! Thanks! Gordon

[@Bigjimvideo]

Thank you!! It is rare indeed.

[@lawnmowerdude]

This video was really satisfying. I love seeing old rails get used.

[@Bigjimvideo]

I love seeing trains on lines like these, especially one that's coming back to life like the Stewartstown is...

[@Buzzizoven]

so fascinating! id love to see a freight train roll through every now and then

[@Bigjimvideo]

That would be cool! I'd be happy to see one of their excursion trains rolling through here - so far they have a mile restored for full-sized trains - a little over six miles to go - so they haven't quite reached these places yet - but it will be a sight to see once they do!

[@johnwhitlock1427]

I lived for a while in a house squeezed between the Susquehanna River and a very active Norfolk Southern branch north of Harrisburg, PA.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Awesome! Bet you could hear the trains a lot...

[@johnwhitlock1427]

We could, but quickly became accustomed to their sounds. Overnight guests were another story. Sometimes they would come down to breakfast asking "how do you get any sleep?" The thing that really drew my attention was flat spots on car wheels---- clankclankclankclank.

[@Bigjimvideo]

I'd be in the same boat as you - I'd probably enjoy listening to those sounds to fall asleep to...

[@buzzdacoinzguy8625]

Hey Big Jim VP, thanks so much for a interesting look at the improbable...never thought railroad right-of-ways were this narrow. Maybe this line sold off property tight to lines to financially survive...warm greetings from Harveys Lake,PA.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Indeed, especially along rural branchlines like this, the right of ways can be very narrow! I'm not sure whether they did or not, they very well may have.

[@James_Knott]

Almost 50 years ago, I lived on a street where the houses across the street backed onto a fairly busy track, which carries commuter trains into Toronto. I don't think they were quite as close though.

[@lifeofajeeper5235]

This was great! I loved it, would love to ride on it! Heck this would be awesome to model on the layout! Thanx for the video

[@Bigjimvideo]

You're very welcome!!

[@RailGunProductions]

This is one of the most interesting lines I've ever seen. I've heard of street-running on railroad lines, but never driveway-running. Thanks for posting!

[@jasperedwards81]

It's astounding how close some of the houses are to the tracks. I have never seen anything like this except in other countries. It would be amazing to live in one of those houses depending on how often the trains run on the line.

[@Bigjimvideo]

I'd have to agree with you - it is pretty amazing. The last full-sized train that ran through here was in 2004 - since then, only speeders/motorcars (smaller and lighter railroad vehicles used mostly for maintenance along the line) come through here, and it's not that often at all. The railroad and volunteers are slowly working to restore all 7+ miles of tracks so that full-sized trains can run on the line again - they have gotten a little over a mile so far, but they haven't reached these houses yet. Once they do, it will be mainly tourist trains that come through here, so a few times on a weekend. They are potentially looking for freight customers as well, but that's down the road aways, and it also would be infrequent. For more info, visit www.stewartstownrailroadco.com/

[@goober7535]

theyre trying to bring freight through there?! are they insane? my rural township had a railroad plan proposed (great lakes basin) and everyone went apeshit, and rightly so. the amount of noise and re-parceling needed for railways disrupts farmwork and daily life

[@thebrantfordrailfan]

You stupid NIMBY....

[@routeman680]

Looks beautiful and peaceful there, very sylvan PA. Reminds me of New Zealand, where tracks often run close to houses, but their railways are narrow gauge.

[@Bigjimvideo]

It definitely is a very beautiful and peaceful area out there - nice, quaint, and relaxing.

[@surythecat9993]

“Go play in the yard” I can’t ma, there is a train in the backyard. “Well okay stay in today then,”

[@Bigjimvideo]

Hahahah - well you can assume that the train will move on by at that point... :D

[@PhantomDrums917]

I love the old fashioned quaintness. Thanks for posting.

[@overload65]

I lived in Australia and we had the sugar cane locos running 24 hrs a day 30 feet from the house during the cutting season you got used to it. Just!

[@Bigjimvideo]

That's very cool!

[@amypeterson4615]

Gorgeous, gorgeous footage. Breath taking. Thanks.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Thank you very much!!

[@CrazyBear65]

Man, this is cool as hell. I'd love to have a house with a railroad running thru the yard. (And a trout stream in the yard would be cool too.) I'm gonna have to drive up there and ride a train one of these years. Almost 5 years ago you posted this video, have they opened up more of it since then? It would be nice to see a big steam loco pulling freight thru there. Reading 2101 is still languishing in Baltimore at the museum, she needs a new boiler to make her operational again. If I ever hit the powerball, I'll buy her and restore her, just to see her live again. (She pulled the American Freedom Train, I saw her when it came thru Pittsburgh, I was 10, and I was awestruck.) Good channel, I subbed.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Thanks! They do have full-sized trains running now, but they haven't gotten to these sections of track yet. They do run a Plymouth locomotive and coach/caboose combo - plus they are rehabbing a former PRR flatcar for use as an open-air excursion car as well. For more, visit www.stewartstownrailroadco.com/

[@leifjenkinson4039]

The Chicago "L" used to pass apartment buildings so close, you could read the brand of cereal on the box on the kitchen table. The squealing of the wheels on the tight curves must have been excruciating. Then there was the "South Shore Line" out of Chi-Town. At South Bend they bought the corner of lots so they could make the curves going down the streets of residential neighborhoods.

[@Bigjimvideo]

One day I'll get out to Chicago and ride the "L" - even if it's just to say that I've ridden it.

[@BaltimoreAndOhioRR]

Happy Thanksgiving 🦃

[@nathananthony2496]

BaltimoreAndOhioRR hi

[@JJRicks]

Hi Dave

[@siddywiddyb]

So interesting! All the great things i would never see without these uploads! Thank you!

[@Bigjimvideo]

You’re very welcome! Thanks for watching and enjoying!

[@6977warrior1]

This is nothing since no high speed long freight trains rumble thru there. They go very slow and pretty quietly. However, in northern NJ I lived about 100 feet from a high speed freight train line that usually consisted of 5 or 6 engines and about 100 to 125 freight cars going about 60 mph. It came by about 6 times/day and the rumble and horns were LOUD, especially at 3:00am. Everything in our homes rattled and eventually dishes and dolls and display items had to be reseated because they would slowly fall from their spots. We , as kids, loved "mugging" the train and throwing rocks and robbing stuff and hitching rides, talking to the engineers and caboose men (no more cabooses though) and playing on the tracks. Good ole days.

[@PhoenixRising251]

There are tracks like this that run through part of the Smoky Mountains of east Tennessee in the Piney Flats region. Very similar and extremely close to houses.

[@richardgerlach5156]

That creek bank looked kinda iffy!

[@Bigjimvideo]

Well, that's why so far, only speeders/motorcars like the one I was riding in are allowed on this part of the line. They're small and pretty light, so it shouldn't be a problem. They are working to restore the line for full-sized trains to run again, and they have about a mile or so restored so far (out of 7+ miles total), but they haven't reached these parts yet. Once they do, they'll take a look and shore up what they need to shore up and fix what needs to be fixed before they get here. For more, visit www.stewartstownrailroadco.com

[@richardgerlach5156]

Thanks!

[@jonallen-friend2405]

Reminds me of my old model rain layout where I used to place all sorts of buildings along the track- never mind the people living there ! Here in Toronto there used to be exactly the same track built to circle the 19th century city limits.Called the Belt Line It was abandoned & torn up in the late 60's and is now a cycle and walking path.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Well with the model railroad, those little people won't complain about where the trains run... :D I'm very fortunate and glad that this line hasn't suffered the same fate!

[@DomManInT1]

You should be selling cold drinks and ice cream along the way. Maybe have a taco car on Tuesdays.

[@Bigjimvideo]

There actually is a local fruit/vegetable stand along the line near one of the crossings along the line that could be stopped at! But yeah, that also would be cool to set up somewhere, I'd think. :)

[@DomManInT1]

I was meaning take the drinks and ice cream along the train with you and then people could come out and flag you down and buy them.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Haha - that would work too!

[@Petemonster62]

The Good Humor Engineer!

[@Bigjimvideo]

The Good Humor Train!! Hmmmm....

[@aganwisnu]

Nice video and beautiful places, Sir! Thx for sharing😀

[@Bigjimvideo]

Thank you!!

[@jujubee463]

I love this, I'm such a train geek. How great is it to have a railroad in your yard?

[@Bigjimvideo]

+jujubee463 It would be great - in my opinion - if one of these houses were mine!

[@justinangle3933]

I imagine it's the same train at the same time every day. Probably going to a former coal mining community.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Sorry for the delayed response. This is actually a big farming area, in Pennsylvania, south of Harrisburg, not too far from Amish country. Right now, there's no full-sized trains running on these sections of the tracks, as the last full-sized trains to run on here were back in 2004. There were a number of issues, both weather-related and financial, that hit the railroad all at once then, so the tracks were mostly dormant for a number of years. But, a few years ago, the situations pretty much got resolved, and the railroad's fortunes started to turn around. So far, they've gotten a mile+ of track restored for full-sized trains to run on, but they haven't reached these areas yet, the only things that run on here are the occasional motorcar/speeder trip (due to track and tie conditions). The all-volunteer crew is working, as manpower and funding permit, to continue to restore more of the line. For more info, visit www.stewartstownrailroadco.com/

[@susancrooks1776]

I wouldn't like a main line as much as this...I loved on a branch line in Mo. , and the engineers would actually stop and chat, or if they saw my dogs hanging around the track, they had a signal honk to tell me "Hey, those idiot dogs of yours are on the tracks again!! My boys were little, and the guys would come out to the front of the train and wave to them, and it delighted those boys.

[@kimalbrecht2004]

my grandmas house was 20 ft. from the tracks. when the train comes by, the ground shakes, like an earthquake. as a kid was a cool thing to experience.

[@Bigjimvideo]

That does sound cool!

[@mta224]

This is awesome!!Ya know,if a guy made this in HO scale they'd call it unrealistic...

[@Bigjimvideo]

Sounds like someone should make this in HO scale, then :)

[@radioactivedragon7143]

Maybe you should, you can map out the entire town :3

[@grantcheney5070]

Love it! That's actually a really cool idea as part of an HO layout. I also enjoy the street runners.

[@benw9930]

In my hometown their is a housing development that used to have two tracks running behind it one has been removed butt the other is still used for storage

[@Bigjimvideo]

Pretty cool!

[@carolhutchinson7763]

Imagine seeing a train right outside your bedroom window.

[@Bigjimvideo]

I wish I could (without putting a picture outside of the window)!

[@kansasstatealerting2874]

I don’t have to imagine that!

[@holiday-td6hx]

We rented an apartment above a pharmacy 44 yrs ago. The back bedroom was a little scary as when the trains (freight) would come through at night, you could see the headlight coming through the window. We finally decided to switch bedrooms with our 5-month-old son( he never woke up from the train light or the train whistle (the crossing was 65-75 feet away!! ).....I wish now that we had stayed there longer....the rent cost was pretty cheap.

[@Bigjimvideo]

I wish I had that kind of bedroom! :D

[@lespaulofdoom9288]

Man, if the Stewartstown Railroad held a Day Out with Thomas event, seeing the DOWT train with Thomas at the front going through your yard would be weird!

[@Bigjimvideo]

I bet any kids living in these houses would be ecstatic!!

[@lespaulofdoom9288]

And railfans living in the houses would look on in awe at Stewartstown Engine #9 pushing boxcars and coaches with the Thomas dummy engine at the front.

[@dennisb-trains23]

In Holland, Mi. I lived less than 100 ft from an Amtrak/CSX line. It took a little getting used to but after a couple weeks it was fine. I could feel the freight trains sometimes before I heard them. I had a waterbed back then and the trains would move the water 😃😃.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Nice!!

[@Rebel9668]

My Great Aunt had either an N,C&STL or an L&N line that went through her front yard and across her driveway in Whitlock, Tennessee. Now it's the KWT. Go on bing or google satellite images and type in Whitlock< TN and you can see the track running through several front yards, lol.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Rebel9668 Makes me want to own one of these houses...

[@Rebel9668]

No, I mean Whitlock. It's about halfway between Paris and Puryear, TN. I myself now live in Southern Indiana and there is a short line in Sellersburg called the Southern Indiana Railroad that also runs through yards and very close to folks houses. It's very light jointed rail and at one time was part of an interurban line. Now it's two small locomotives that carry cement from Sellersburg/Speed to Watson and their CSX interchange.

[@mugwump242]

I'm impressed by how the grass on the railroad right-of-way (and between the tracks) is so green and nicely mowed in certain stretches. At 0:26, 1:45, 2:51 and 3:13. Do the homeowners tend to it along with their own adjacent lawns? I hope they don't run trains along here in the middle of the night.

[@Bigjimvideo]

To be honest with you, I'm not sure if the homeowners do anything with it, if they're allowed. The railroad, I know does weed control along the line in most places - not sure how much of that is with the homeowners' property. Nah, they don't run anything through here in the middle of the night. The occasional Christmas/Halloween night train, but that's usually a 6 or 7 pm affair - nothing in the middle of the night.

[@mugwump242]

@@Bigjimvideo Hey, thanks for answering my questions. I appreciate it.

[@tdog-jy1pp]

What a great place to have a railroad where kids can literally be playing 3 feet from it

[@Bigjimvideo]

Well. the railroad was chartered in 1884, so it's not like this is a new thing to these homeowners. One would hope that if one makes the choice to live by or move in near railroad tracks, that supervision is needed, or the kids are aware of trains potentially coming. That being said, the speeds on this line have been and will remain slow, and I'm sure that every precaution has been and will be taken to ensure the engineers are aware of these sorts of things as they run down the line. For now, though, only motorcars/speeders like these are on these section of rails. The last full-sized train through here was in 2004. They are working to restore full-sized trains along the entire 7+ miles of trackage, and they've gotten a mile of tracks so far, but not yet to these sections of the line.

[@jolantacudak3354]

Very nice video. In Poland it is normal to have the train track behid the house. Maybe not in the yard, but very close, that you can feel the train air. There are regular lines coming so close. When I was a child I loved watching trains from my grandmother's house. We exactly knew when the train is coming before we saw it, because we felt like the ground is moving/shaking because of the speed and measures of train.

[@Bigjimvideo]

That actually sounds really cool!!

[@TNS17]

0:06 I love how it says in the bottom left corner ‘private property’ LMAO

[@Bigjimvideo]

LOL I don't think I paid attention to that before!!

[@TNS17]

Big Jim Video Productions LOL

[@JayJay-lu4et]

I love hearing a train whistle. The train in our town crossed our road a few houses down. When us kids heard the horn blowing we'd run to the tracks to lay pennies on the track or wave to the driver

[@Bigjimvideo]

Awesome! Sometimes I wish I lived closer, but I can still hear trains outside (and occasionally inside the house too) :D

[@RedoubtProductions1754]

I wonder what will happen when the Stewartstown Railroad are at the point when they are ready to repair this part of the line...

[@louisaloi9178]

They'll simply repair the line,it's their right of way.That right of way likely has existed long B4 most of the buildings have.A very interesting right of way to have in your yard.Gives visitors to houses something to enjoy and talk about.🚂

[@donmoore7785]

How will that happen? The RR owns the right of way. Seems like the intent is to restore, not destroy it.

[@Bigjimvideo]

The intent is indeed to restore it. So far, the all-volunteer crews have gotten about a mile+ restored to full operating condition out of the entire 7.4 mile length of railroad - but they haven't gotten to these parts of the line yet. They are working as manpower and funding allow...for more info, visit www.stewartstownrailroadco.com/

[@daviddarby3738]

In Thailand they go right through a busy market place. If the awnings don't get retracted, they're a goner. Train actually goes over food adjacent to the rail.

[@Bigjimvideo]

I've seen that video!

[@maryfaux9743]

I grew up with RR one block away & passenger trains from 40's & 50's came thru frequently in Washington NC. I just lived in a place with busy train traffic in my yard. I never get tired of trains, even when they vibrate the house!!

[@Bigjimvideo]

That's awesome! I don't think I'd get tired of it either...

[@robertdejong2148]

Robert de Jong -- From seven yrs.old til grad. high school in phila. I lived across the street from a Reading RR local's embankment that ran through a completely built-up section of Phila. (Northwood Park). Local ran through 4 times a day. 2x am (6:00 in - 700am out to Sears and downtown. Tracks were just perfectly high enough to be even with my second flr. bedrm.window. I'm 83 now and still can envision that old 2/6/0 steamer pulling 2 passenger cars waking me up for school each weekday. I went back about 20 yrs. after grad. from Temple U. and the tracks had been removed but the embankment was still there. Maybe I'll go look/see what remains of those 30 ft.high rights of way.

[@kempmt1]

When I was young, and with my fascination for trains, I would enjoy watching the train go behind my house

[@Bigjimvideo]

Awesome!!

[@cweakley]

"Kids, go out and play on the railroad tracks while I make dinner."

[@Bigjimvideo]

Ha! I'd hope not!!

[@donmoore7785]

Very cool seeing the engine sneak through brush. Amazing that the tracks are still in good enough condition (alignment + stability) to support this. Oops - just realized this is not a locomotive, but a speeder. Guess the ties will need work looking at how they are covered and how long they have been there.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Indeed, this will all need work. So far speeders are the only things allowed down on this part of the line - but they do run semi-regular speeder trips along the entire length of the line from Stewartstown to New Freedom and return, so it's possible to still pass these houses today. They've gotten a little over a mile restored for full-sized trains, but they haven't gotten as far as these houses yet. Will be cool once they do. For more, visit www.stewartstownrailroadco.com

[@Bigjimvideo]

This is actually a photo of the speeder I was filming from: www.stewartstownrailroadco.com/railroad/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P1010150.jpg

[@jimrutter8552]

OK for a million pound Big Boy?

[@grahamwilkes4062]

now that is what i call a garden railway

[@Bigjimvideo]

And a sidewalk railway, driveway railway... :D

[@Trains4Fun]

That's cool. I really enjoy how scenic those yards can be.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Me too! And that's not even the half of it, these are just the houses along the line - I have some other Stewartstown videos that show more of the line...

[@4gauge10]

I'd laugh my head off if the engine he was in was a EMD DD-40EX...HAHA!!.

[@Bigjimvideo]

HAHAH - not quite!!

[@johngee5817]

Omg ! I Love This .. I am so jealous . some of those homes are totally cozy and beautiful setting

[@Bigjimvideo]

Indeed, that's a kind of house I'd like to live in some day.