WWII History at Swatara State Park

[@user-David-Alan]

Had to verify this but most train engines during WW2 were steam engines. Steam trains were used into the 1950's then diesel took over. Thanks for the video. Like the off trail exploring. That orange vehicle was GM's attempt at motorhomes in the 70's. Those are highly desirable today. Stay safe and be well.

[@reidhabecker9435]

Great video. I explored this area about 20 years ago. At that time the yard was still there, buried in about 6 feet of overgrowth, with 6-10 rusting military freight cars amongst the weeds (this is the flat area you were walking along). Fort Indiantown Gap was a processing center for troops returning from overseas. One of them was my late father, who told me that the steam powered troop trains deposited their loads at the platform, then returned to Lebanon (without the loop, they would have had to go to Pine Grove to turn around). The troops then marched the several miles to Indiantown Gap.

[@waltglow6396]

I'm 69 years old I grew up on Camden N.J.1 block away from the tracks I remember steam engines up until 1957 ? Then the diesels showed up !

[@oldenweery7510]

This reminds me of all the summer days we spent along the abandoned roadbed of a narrow gauge logging railroad in northern Wisconsin, starting soon enough after they salvaged the rails leaving the ties behind in the ground. We were hunting wild blueberries then and many times afterward. Beautiful forest and boggy places slowly being reclaimed by nature. Forty years later, we organized exploration trips back there, hunting the old logging camps and roadbeds, where the ties had disappeared and left only slight depressions. (We called them our "Annual Narrow Gauge, Wood Tick, and Mosquito Treks.") Stay safe, everybody. Thanks for taking us on these expeditions, Cliff!

[@DJinNJ08830]

That is a GMC motor home. VERY innovative in its time. It was front wheel drive used from the Oldsmobile toranado

[@joanna5881]

Yes! I recognized the GMC motor home.. my parents bought a yellow one back in the 70s and it was nice inside, all the comforts of home.

[@TheShornak]

Those were so futuristic looking for their time

[@davidwilson8800]

Your yapping is quite interesting and informative dont stop it makes your videos even better be safe 👍

[@martyjones9374]

Loved the walk & history update! Running water always such a beautiful sound. Old Orange RV kind of cool looking. Hope you got some ice cream! 🍨Thanks!!! 🥰

[@SueGirling68]

Hi Cliff, what a lovely walk, it's always nice to see the green leaves back after the tree's Winter sleep. Thank you for the update. x

[@paulbislin8471]

Great video, I really like your videos! As far as I know, the Lebanon & Tremont RR became part of the Reading RR. The Reading RR did dieselize slowly and was completely dieselized in 1958, but kept some steam ready to help the diesels even after 1958. So, maybe that loop did see some steam.

[@daveyjoweaver5183]

Thank You WW! This spring seems exceptionally beautiful this year! A beautiful trail especially for those who can't do steep. I was thinking as imagining troops going round that loop, that perhaps it was for the very last time. I often think of that when I'm at the Lancaster Train Station. So many soldiers went through there on their way to the front, the last time home. So many Sweethearts and Wives and children saying good by. My Mom's brother was there and killed six weeks later in Holland in 1944. One of many. Now it's a peaceful place this loop. I suppose it was all opened land after it was built. Interesting as usual with windflowers to boot! Thanks again! Peace! DaveyJO

[@DJinNJ08830]

I beleve that would be still steam power for that rail trail around early ww2

[@karenpacker8862]

Thanks for going back and updating the history that happened here! Very interesting. Cool vintage firetrucks too!!!

[@OutNaturing]

I can't wait to get up here and visit this park. Has some great waterfalls i need to film! Awesome spot

[@Warren_Farms]

enough with the waterfalls already, lol

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

I'm thinking about having a meetup there, to go to the Bordner cabin and Acrigg's Falls.

[@samanthab1923]

Love your admiration of natures water features! 😀

[@dalton1013]

I love Swatara park, one of my favorite spots to look for morels!

[@lennamolter2401]

Thank you Cliff for the update. Enjoy all the videos including the edibles.

[@kateclark7250]

I enjoyed this explore. Thank you for sharing this information and taking us along.

[@sharondelaney5346]

Cool to see the old fire truck and motorhome. Loved seeing and hearing the sound of the creek. And as always learned some more historical info..Thank-you for the video Cliff!! 😊👍

[@richiec7602]

Cliff, The flat area you saw with the concrete structure I would guess would be the most likely spot for the rail yard. The concrete structure could have been a platform where either passengers could disembarked or freight could unloaded. I have always heard that the circular part of the tracks was called a Loop, but I am not completely knowledgeable about railroads. Whether it be steam locomotives or Diesel engines (actually diesel/electric engines), both could travel in reverse but it is dangerous because the engineer would be in the back of the train and his view would be obstructed. That’s why the loop. Thanks for the update!

[@oldenweery7510]

You're right, they're called "Return Loops" because they were usually built at the end of a branch line and the whole train would head into it and exit at the same track switch where they entered, reversing the entire train. In some locations where they didn't have the real estate for a loop, they would put in a turning "wye," where the locomotive could uncouple from the train and either head in nose-first, curve out until it was 90 degrees from the main track, pass through a track switch, then back through a curve onto the main line again, facing back the way it came. The locomotive would run past the train on a siding, back into it, and head back the way it came. Between 1893 and 1941 there was a narrow gauge (36" between the rails, as opposed to Standard Gauge, 56-1/2") logging railroad, called the Thunder Lake RR, that had a wye at each logging camp branch (dead-end) to turn its locomotives. Railroads are fascinating! Stay safe.

[@lindamccaughey8800]

That is a lovely area. Are you sure about diesel train? For WW11 I would have thought it would be steam trains. The whole area was just lovely, loved the creek sounded so good. Thank you so much for taking me along really enjoyed it. Please stay safe

[@BT-ir5zl]

Cool history. About 5 years ago my wife and I looked around at the bridges in the gap just above there and the canal remains which were interesting. I didn't know about the rail loop at the time.

[@Warren_Farms]

we all always learn something interesting in your videos

[@crystalfabulous]

Thanks for sharing

[@PennsylvaniaPreparedness]

Depending where you are in lickdale/jonestown there’s a few race tracks around there. That’s probably what you hear.

[@edithdavis2848]

GMC motor home, would love to have one. Hard to find. Older fire truck nice looking too.

[@MoeGhul]

At 12:54 was an abandoned or decommissioned US Army EM-50 URBAN ASSAULT VEHICLE !

[@beckyschmidt4025]

Really enjoy your wildflower commentary!

[@jwcinc12]

As always, enjoyable talk, sights, info.

[@DJinNJ08830]

That is a GMC motorhome very advanced for its time. It has a Oldsmobile front wheel drive

[@suzanjournagan1112]

Thanks for sharing...I like the firetruck 👍🚒

[@lindsaymacpherson8782]

Nice video Thankyou :)

[@bubbaturner9804]

Great video. I have some pictures of family at ft Indiantown gap during world war 2

[@nickmad887]

thank you

[@heatherk.9937]

Still a Great hike!!!

[@DJinNJ08830]

Mr K I beleve they would have used steam locos during ww2 desel came in later in the 40s to the 50s

[@Radioman7788]

As a former Pennsylvania resident, I really enjoy your videos. Do you ever get out to Central City PA? Thanks for all you do. 🙂

[@janecharlton6780]

In the uk railway tyes are called sleepers.

[@coldblue9mm]

Jane Charlton In the US they are supposed to be called "cross ties" which gets shortened to "ties". I understand in the UK the trains use Mile markers. The railroad I started with we called them Mile Post's as they were mounted mainly on wooden posts. Then we were bought up by another railroad and they called them Mile Poles as their Mile markers were usually mounted on poles. We refused to accept the new terminology. We said we'd call them Mile Poles the day they'd say Santa Claus lived at the North Post. lol

[@alansmith4734]

15:24 Note: A side trail might just be made from deer traffic. Deer carry ticks. Deer Ticks are bad for humans.

[@coldblue9mm]

Only if they're carriers of Lyme Disease.

[@Waty8413]

Wear pants and long sleeves, use bug spray, and grow a pair.

[@mgratk]

I'd say you found lots of interesting stuff.

[@TNiss54]

C Model Ford cabover fire truck. Any writing on the doors?

[@thewanderingwoodsman7227]

There probably was, but I don't remember what it said.

[@Waty8413]

Concrete replaced stone before diesel replaced steam power on railroads. Also as other have said, if the line dates from WW2, steam power would have still been dominant.

[@robdwy1708]

Cool

[@kimbloch3246]

👍😉

[@angysmith2316]

Urban assault vehicle that orange camper... ( movie stripes) 😷😷🤗

[@billstill1794]

Didn't they heavily bomb that park back in '44? It looks so peaceful now. Just kidding, nice video!