Testing Rail Car on Abandoned Railroad with 100 Year Old Tunnel and Trestles 

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Just a tip from an old mechanical engineer. Bolts go down whenever possible so if you do lose a nut, you still have the bolt acting as a pin for alignment. Anytime, anywhere that you may encounter vibration, use a quality lock washer, lock nut, or a thread locking adhesive (Loctite). Do not use loctite with nylock nuts. the Loctite wit react with the nylon and cause it to disintegrate. Loctite works well with lock washers. Keep it up. The bolt issue tells me you are teaching yourself. You are doing great.

As someone who grew up in the Rockies: if you're going out into the wilderness always take water, (more than you think you're going to need), food, an emergency blanket, a waterproof jacket, a wilderness first aid kit, a good fixed blade knife, and several means to start a fire. You kind of have shelter with you since you can sleep in the car in an emergency but still. A GPS beacon wouldn't be a bad idea either. That aside: this was an amazing video! Look forward to seeing you do this again with an improved version!

I'm pushing seventy years old and you just inspired me. I recognize laboring for the pure love of it when I see it. Mr. Spears, I hope you become successful beyond your wildest imaginings.

I couldn't help thinking "this endeavor is one wrong turn from becoming a survival situation". Then you hit a rock... and kept going... With damage of an unknown extent, no food, no water, and a long way back to a vehicle, I would not have made the same choice. I am glad you had fun and that it ended well. I encourage you to be mindful of risk factors stacking up on your future excursions.

People at that ATV crossing you got high-centered on are going to be so confused seeing signs of a "train" passing that intersection. "I thought this track was abandoned..."

Engineer here: For the axle I would go with a tube, not a solid rod. A hollow tube with some radius increases your second moment of area with the fourth power of radius, HUGE benefit.

A simple long pole to use as a lever would make it easier to re-rail. And a bit silly to travel all the distance with no water or back-up gear.

No matter how many times I told myself that railway was abandoned, I still expected to see an old steam train coming towards you around every bend.

No food, no water, no GPS and map, no trip planning?! Boy Scout motto: BE PREPARED. Be safe out there! Make a plan with bail out contingencies. Good adventure though, the trestles and views are awesome.

1st always carry a survival kit, food, water, duct tape, tarp and cordage. 2nd a wide range of tools is a must for anything mechanical, think of the most unlikely thing that might happen and the tools needed for it. I realize this adds a good deal of weight but it could be extremely helpful when traveling alone. A tent would be an extra that might come in handy if you get stuck out in the middle of nowhere. Just a thought 😊

3:10 next time use a branch as a pry bar and put it under the rear-end and lift and shift. Save that back my man

As an old machine builder, I knew in the first minute of this video that a fiasco was coming. Axles and wheels too small, flange too short, wheels should be steel... welding an axle shaft of mild steel? Unheard of. Can't learn from your mistakes if the first one kills you! Get grandpa the retired locomotive machinist/ engineer to guide you from the local train museum. And make the cab rotatable so you can "Turn around" anywhere on the track. Gun, food and water and blankets essential as well. Maybe a seat belt too.

I’m a precision engineer and machinist and have made all manner of special machinery over the last 5 decades or more. I have an instinct for how strong things should be and how they should be put together. My first thought when I saw his vehicle was that it needs some serious upgrades to the wheels, axles and ground clearance, which are all too small. Never weld the axles anywhere because that immediately creates areas where the crystallisation of the material on cooling introduces points for metal fatigue and cracking to develop. Also pay attention to putting bolts in from the top so if a nut does get lost, the bolt is at least still in place. Use proper locknuts and thread locking compound. No way would I have gone more than a mile on it as it was. I wish I’d been there to help him design everything properly before he even started building. However, I have to give him credit for having a go in a day and age where most lads haven’t a clue how to do anything. I’m sure he’s learned a lot from the shortcomings of his design that have been highlighted by the journey, but he would’ve enjoyed it so much more (and us too) if he’d used more forethought and taken a little advice from a time served engineer or even someone who has built things like this before. He also needs to think more about self preservation before setting out in this car again. He could’ve been in serious trouble if he’d derailed of one of the trestles. Even dead easy, simple things, like taking a flask of water and a sandwich or chocolate bar with him were overlooked. Like I said earlier though, thumbs up to him for having a go and for posting this interesting adventure for us to enjoy. I’m sure he’ll have made a few improvements by the time we see this car again. 👍👍👍

The best thing about RU-vid is watching other people go through the trial and error phase of a crazy idea you'd like to try. This channel is wall to wall that. 😊

I like seeing the comments about trying to help the kid learn from his mistakes, not by flaming him as you see normally in the "comments-sphere" Hopefully, he learns (and I'm sure he will) from the mistakes and gentle advice in most of the comments. Keep it up Matt!

Makes you appreciate all the work that went into building these tracks, trestle and tunnel in the first place.

Suggestions for the future: 1) research where the abandoned track that you intend to ride actually goes using survey maps. 2) tell someone so that if you don't report back in they come looking for you. 3) pack for food, water, and shelter for at least the day and overnight. 4) research the tools you'll need both to self-recover more easily and to do things like flip the rail switch for which track at a junction. 5) be prepared to abort if there's a problem.

You should install 3 important things, 1. a solar panel for energy resources, 2. a roof capsule which contains a single tent. 3. a box filled with food, water , medicine, a amateur radio with a dongle and huge antenna, huge knife, hammer, saw and a axe, even a lighter , flashlight, a signal gun and a rifle, plus some tools for fishing !

If ever you rebuild this, that floor needs a subframe. Bolting the axles directly to the plastic shell means the shell is the part that holds everything together and will always be the weakest link, but a subframe should make the structure a lot more rigid and less prone to damage as the axles would thence be rigid to a frame. You might need nylock or spring washers for the hardware, as well, and perhaps an aluminium tube welded through those bolt holes to allow for a lot more torque to keep it held fast on rough terrain without pinching the tube. I'd also put a spacer between the bearings which will add rigidity for not much weight. For a bonus, adding suspension on the rail axles would greatly reduce the subframe taking on all the bumps on the track, and a centre bearing will prevent the axle from bending so much to impacts.

You've inadvertently demonstrated that even on rails, operating a vehicle while distracted by something (like a smartphone) at the very least can ruin a fun day out. 🤔😉

High lift jack, snacks, water, headlamp, zip ties, duct tape, spare parts (few common bolt/nut sizes, washers, o-rings, fuses, wire, etc), basic tools (good multi tool is handy), poncho, emergency blanket, 550 cord, basic first aid. Got me through many 'quick trips' when things didn't go as planned. With the exception of the high lift you can stuff all of that and more in a small emergency bag you always have with you for unexpected adventures. I enjoyed the video!

1. Floor Jack - weld a square plate on the rear so you can use the floor Jack 2. Longer shovel 3. Fab a box for tools and a cooler for food and water

I would like to add to the previous post on tools. A piece of solid plywood slightly larger than the better quality Jack you currently are using.. a long steel bar for leverage lifting when jack is not able to fit in tight spaces. A battery operated hammer drill with extra battery and masonry drill bit. Battery operated small chain saw.. for starters.,at least that way you will have a much better chance of traveling a much greater distance regardless of obstructions , and one more item, a sledgehammer of any size that can be used to break rock or even drive down rail spikes !! Rock and Roll my brother !!! PS: I worked for Union Pacific Railroad for 10 years..🚂🚂🚂🚂 Rail lines have tons of scenic routes that highways never see!

This is Northern Pacific/BN/BNSF's mothballed Homestake Pass line east of Butte, MT. Last train to use it was Amtrak's North Coast Hiawatha in 1979. Your trip ended right up at the pass, alongside the Interstate 90 interchange.

i guess a note for future trips: nylock nuts on everything and bring a box of extra nuts and bolts, and the jack handle lol

Larger wheels with a deeper flange will help get through sand a bit easier, give you a smoother ride, and more obstacle clearance. I'd add some suspension or rubber mounts between the axles and chassis to reduce bone jarring vibration, too.

That was so crazy! Wow what a ride. I can't believe you didn't bring food or water. I guess next time you'll bring extra bolts!!! At least if you do it again and you'll know what to expect. And you have already dug out a lot of stuff. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time!

It's a good idea to put lock washers on those axle bolts in the future.

I rode that rail as a child in about 1980 on Amtrak, before they shut that train down. Freight traffic had ceased several years before. About every 10 years one of Montana's senators brings up the idea of restoring Amtrak to this line. COVID shut down the last proposal, the Great Recession shut down the proposal before that.

Do please pack yourself a bugout bag (survival pack) which can aid you with shelter, 1st aid, water and food. Always bring it with you on these excursions in case you get stranded.

"didn't bring food....didn't bring water.....it's way late.....[trouble along the way]....." I did a similar trip boating down a river once. Awful time, good memories, much to learn.

Oh dude, those axle/subframe bolts should so be the other way up, with a lock nut and loctite. ..... The weight of that open-wheeler is kinda terrifying. I'm not surprised something bent as soon as you hit anything, impressed it wasnt more.

Boy you need some basic suspension lmao. Also it's nuts how that line is in such good shape. In New England, once a line is abandoned, it takes no time at all for the elements and forest to erode them away. I remember finding rails that were floating where the bed had long washed away

One tip, you should always put the nuts in the bottom and the screws from the top, this way if you lose the nut, the screw, normally, should stay in place and that's less problematic, because with the screws in place there's less chance for that is attaching to fall off. great video, keep it going.

Tip, get a small electric compressor with a bottle jack, bolt the bottle jack on a hinge on either the frame or the axel somewhere and have a power hook up off the batteries that run the drive wheels. That way if you need to lift the vehicle, you’re not killing yourself doing it. Work smart, not hard 😉. Also, you should put some kind of water tank on there. Doesn’t have to be big, maybe 5 gallons. Something you know can sustain you if you get stuck for a long period of time or for unplanned extended trips. Also, maybe a wench wouldn’t be a terrible idea. You’d be surprised what a help a come a long can be in a pinch. And if you’re axel nuts and bolts are all the same sizes, bring some extras with your tools in case you lose any on the ride. If you put the bolts in from the top, you’ll only ever lose the nut and washer. And get some thread locker or nylock nuts with some lock washers for anything you don’t want coming undone. One last thing for safety, look into The RECCO Backpack Rescue Reflector. You can be located with harmonic radar from a helicopter to pinpoint you exact location if you ever get hurt and can’t get out from where you are if you’re deep in the shizz. These are like $40 on Amazon, seems cheap in a life saving situation. Be safe and make good choices lol 👍🏼 Recap: small electric air compressor and bottle jack, Water tank Wench/come a long Spare commonly used important nuts and bolts. The RECCO Backpack Rescue Reflector

Lawnmower blade underneath, it would make the return trip a little quieter

I’ve seen rail carts and rail sleds, and even a Suzuki Samurai with lowerable rail wheels, but I’ve never seen a custom-built rail car. This is hilarious and brilliant. If you packed a decent shovel, a hammer, a chisel, a toolbox, and an assortment of spare nuts and bolts and wheels you could overcome almost any emergency.

You could criticise that for planning, safety, resources, etc in every way. But mate, way to go for an adventure. Thanks for sharing that, thoroughly enjoyed it. You're a role model to your generation.

I'll be blunt - A+ for the whole endeavour. You got off your arse, you built the thing and now you know what needs improvement and why. I know you did a couple RAs out there and kept pushing forward. You've got excellent spirit and attitude. Well Done.

0:07 Y'know, Dude --- you'd have more battery power for your drive-system if you didn't have those huge headlights needlessly blazing during the daytime... :P

This was so cool!! But you need to bring some better emergency supplies. Especially food and water, but I would also recommend extra of all the sizes of bolts, nuts, and washers that you are using. Think how much easier it'd have been if you had a spare bag of bolts. Another idea, add padding to the roof/interior of your train, and maybe wear a helmet so that you don't smack your head on it even harder and get a concussion or something.

We used to this as teenagers with a gocart me and my cousins built. When I moved up to Oregon to work when I was 23, I went clear back to Florida and got that hunk of junk and brought it there, put several gas cans on it and did exactly what you did. Was some of the most fun I’ve ever had. I ran a super old track like this but it was literally in the middle of nowhere. Once that thing broke I used some of the parts to make a bike that road the rails. It worked. But…Wasn’t as fun. Anyway. I’m now in my 40s and seeing this made me think I should do this again. It was fun to do in Florida but we never went super far. I did that in Oregon, and really had a blast. Gave up on it tho as other things became more important but there is a lot of track out there and in California I still would love to hit. You need to keep a box of extra bolts and extra everything incase you break down. Walking some of those lines can be sketchy when you’re in big cat territory…..

I was in for the full ride as soon as I saw this dude trying to split a boulder with a hand shovel. 😂

Near the end he says, “I could be worrying for no reason …”, dude, I’m worried. Haha. Great video.

"Looking at the camera and smoked a rock", LOL, that could have a few different meanings 😆

Lessons learned (I hope)- carry a day's worth of food and three days of water; spare parts; JBWeld helps; have a survival bag (better to have one and not need it....); get a 4 lb. sledge hammer ("single jack) and a cold chisel; get taller rail wheels; have a pack of extra heavy duty industrial zip ties (trust me on this one); a spare battery source for your phone; and a few topo maps covering the area you'll be in. Matt, you best be listening to what folks are saying, because you're getting a lot of valuable advise here!

Hey Matt, not sure if you bothered with any suggested ideas to improve your car, but, maybe consider adding leaf springs to the axles that attach to the rails? Maybe tiny coil springs that flex for yaw to allow minor flex left and right for inconsistencies in rail width? If you don't take minor bumps and track imperfections into consideration, eventually the vibrations will destroy your car especially because it's made from that lightweight honeycomb material. Also, you mentioned it was electric which seems like a great choice for adventuring on abandoned tracks, is it solar powered? If it's not, seems like a missed opportunity IMO.

Considering how often you may meet a "rock in the road", maybe carry a small version sledge hammer and a 3/4" cold chisel ? This is a unique channel, and I congratulate you on its quality.

Here I am sitting in my comfy German home, admiring the views and your adventure 🙌 I'm amazed and stressed at the and time, that you pushed on even with a banged head and no plan B on your return in seemingly a very remote place. Just want you to be safe, maybe take a bit more planning and caution next time 😊 thank you for taking us along for the ride! EDIT: if nothing else, bring enough water with you, that should be a no.1 priority anytime you're out and about

If you don't mind a few suggestions. First on design. You have your axles mounted directly to the bottom of the car (the weakest part of the design and most likely to fail). I would suggest you weld up a frame that you can mount the axles to and then mount the car to the frame. It will be much more sturdy and reliable. Second, bring spare parts, you are in the middle of no where with only yourself and what you have with you. Spare wheels, tire, bolts, nuts, Loctite etc... Food and water would be a good idea as well :) Loved the video, keep it up!

"I'm worried we not going to make it back to the truck"... * Keeps going further.

*How to break rock without a Sledge-hammer or tools* --- Find a chunk of matching rock to hit the protruding edge ---- it should be about the size of your hands - 'preferably - 'V' shaped. BTW - it's Basalt, which has a Moh's scale hardness of 6 - so you should be able to remove the protruding rock with not too much effort. *Word of Caution - that chunk of rock is prone to more sliding* - so you'll need to be extra careful it doesn't dislodge when you're hammering it.

This is such a fascinating way to explore the wilderness and appreciate abandoned places that must have taken so much work to build in the first place! I think it would be possible to build a bigger vehicle with steel wheels, maybe salvage parts from an actual train car, and bring along a lot more equipment to deal with obstacles and derailments, as well as emergency supplies.

Unasked for advice, Install the bolts with nuts on the bottom, if they rattle free you still have the security of the bolt in there. Keep doing your thing man, love how you just keep going for it.

You'd have a bloody fright if someone had the same idea coming in the opposite direction 😂

This is what we need MORE of.....YOU! I completely stumbled across your channel and I am sooooo glad i did. Being an engineer I am sitting here going, OOOH he could try this or OOOH, he could put that on his setup (I love content that gets my gears turning...lol) I would like to recommend to you if permitted is possibly a scissor jack or two with larger surface area for the axle to sit on. This way instead of having to jack and unjack your rig several times to move it onto the track, it could slide across the larger surface area and you can prolly do a "one and done" any time you come off the track. Welding a larger surface area on the jack would give you even more "play" going left to right/right to left on the track. Even going as far as putting bearing system on it so it just "slides....". You jack it up once, slide it right or left and BINGO.... THANK YOU for doing such AMAZING content/work!!

Always keep a steady eye on the top of the rails. If it is rusty = No traffic has used these rails in a long long time. If shiny = Are you SURE this is an abandoned rail line? !

The old Fairmont track speeders had two handles front and back that were just opposite ends of the same aluminum bar that ran through the body of the speeder. When they needed to get a speeder on and off the rails and for turning around, the bars pulled out and the extra leverage made it possible for one person to do the job. You might also consider taking a floor jack so you can use the long handle on that to shift the rail car about on the jack. You wouldn't go wrong with bigger wheels with a more substantial flange either. When the rails need to be uncovered, the important thing is to clear off the railheads and the flangeway.

You were almost lifting the back. Add a 6ft pole that projects behind the vehicle, and you'll just be able to lever her back onto the track. And seriously, I take a bag with a couple of water bottles, half a dozen meal-bars, some trail mix, and basic first aid to things like art shows and flea markets. Doing what you're doing, I'd have a 25lb backpack full of survival supplies. And maybe a small tent. If there wasn’t an emergency, you could park and camp…

You should do bigger wheels. Like, 24 inches. Get suspension. Install a skid plate to the underside so that rocks don't do damage. And please sort that wobble out. It was wobbling even before you hit the rock. 👍

Thoroughly enjoying this. Constructive criticism is that if those missing bolts had been installed "nuts down"' the bolts themselves may have stayed there. Then, when you cannabolized to have only one bolt per side, you installed it "nuts up". Easier but if the nut loosens, the bolt is gone. Love your attitude and fearlessness!

Couple of recommendations: Locknuts, scissor jack, shocks. The last would require some reengineering, but worth it. Garmin Inreach (pay for the rescue insurance), spare food, water, camping equipment.

If you break something or something isn't working right, then the wise thing to do is turn around, not continue getting further away from where you started. Something that's broken will eventually fail. You got lucky.

You need a better jack and shovel. Buy yourself a rerailer from a railroad equipment dealer. Its basically a little ramp the wheel goes up and back on the rail. 24 years as a railroad conductor and they work like a charm. You need to bring extra bolts and nuts and a ratchet set.

you need trailer jacks on a wheel, Swing-Away Trailer Jack , also locking nuts and Loctite

Also, you should add something like shock absorber between the cart and the wheels...it will help greatly in reducing the vibration and prevent a lot of loosening of parts.....plus it will be a smoother ride.

So glad you're back home and doing full-time videos! Keep going, Matt!!! You're making it!

Please be careful not to hurt your back. I ruined mine in my 40s and am fused at the lumbar. Make sure you're using your abs and lifting straight up when moving that thing. Your show looks awesome! I bike abandoned rail ROWs (rail trails) a lot and love 'em. keep up the stellar work!

Growing up in the high desert around Moab Utah my friends and I always ventured out with provisions and we NEVER went out into the wilderness alone. Assisting the local search and rescue find people was a common thing in our town.

Helmet. Better shovel. GPS phone. Food and water. Extra bolts. But . . . What a Great Adventure!!! I really enjoyed your video.

Hi! As a "lover of all things that move" how could I not fall in love with this! How cool! You must have spent so many hours making this dream a reality and thanks for showing us - it was epic to watch!

Reviving the nostalgic railroad westerns on abandoned routes. 😊👍

One mod you can do is to put an inverted hydraulic hand pumped cylinder in the rear. Install it in the center. Make sure it has a swivel foot. Then you can put it down and push or pull, and it will lift and recenter your rig on the tracks.

I'd go out there with enough supplies for a week and camp. That would be a wonderful quiet place to chill.

Wow What an adventure! Reminds me of being in high school taking off into the mountains on my motorcycle for the day with 1 coke, a sandwich, and my dad's .22 revolver! The unknown and exploration was the fun! Sure, Matt didn't have EVERYTHING he needed for EVERY contingency! (only supposed to be a '2 hour tour') What a cool machine! what a cool adventure! Dont tell anyone where it is and keep going Matt!

I suffered from fear, anxiety and depression most of my life. I was diagnosed with a rare hormonal condition which contributed to these difficulties. However, during my journey, I learned that eating had a lot to do with why my brain was manifesting all these outcomes. Since eliminating sugars and carbs, I have not seen any fear, anxiety, or depression return. In fact, it pretty much eliminates everything, my lack of sleep, my ability to build muscle, my type 2 diabetes, and various hormonal issues. Never felt this good in all my life. When I was a kid, the railroad had a little jigger which one man road in to check on switches, and that little rail runner the man could take off the track with long poles he had mounted in it.

First! I love what you’re doing. Being an old retired designer of thousands of industrial machines a few suggestions. Put your bolts in with head on top,helps keep you from losing them. Use nylon lock nuts Drill holes near end of bolts and use saftey wire or something similar. Obviously I’m sure you’re now equipped with a spare parts bag. Lol Build a complete framework and install can to it. Make all your axles separate and short that bolt to frame. Carry extras. There’s more but you appear to be intelligent enough to figure out as you go. Enjoy that awesome hobby dude.

What fun to watch your adventure. I've always been fascinated with RR track vehicles. When in the Adirondacks there were these houses accessible only by boat or RR trestles. People owned these flat cars with hand cranks to get to their camps. That always fascinated me. It was on this huge lake that was right near the lake that was made famous for the murder depicted in Liz Taylor's and Montgomery Cliff's movie, "A Place in the Sun." I live in Palmer, MA, the town of 7 RR's. We have four abandoned RR beds: the Grand Trunk RR, the Central MA RR, the Rabbit line that went through the removed Quabbin Reservoir towns, and the Ludlow RR as well as an abandoned trolley right of way. When I first moved here I was fascinated with all these abandoned RR beds and would follow them. Someone published a book about the Grand Trunk and another about all the rail lines so I finally learned what these abandoned rail beds were all about. We still have 4 active rail routes through our town, most used for freight, and the Amtrak which has the passenger Boston/Chicago train once a day, each way. My cat disappears for weeks at a time. I like to think he hops a train and rides the rails. We have a restaurant called The Steaming Tender which was once a huge RR station, designed by famous architect HH Richardson who designed the stations for the Boston/Albany line. It's so much fun to go in there and look at the old time tables and all the places you could go by rail. and the old ticket booths, etc. When I was a kid we went everywhere by rail: to Boston, to the Cape, to NH. The highways didn't exist. I remember my dad explaining to me what a freeway was. They ruined this country, they destroyed the railways. I'm 73 years old and I can say that it was a different world back in the 50's. If you wanted to go fishing on the Swift River which is now Quabbin, you'd let the conductor know when to stop and hop off at your favorite fishing spot, then flag the train down for a ride home. Iim says they still do that in Alaska on the Seward to Fairbanks line.

Brother, you're out there doing it! Thanks for sharing your adventures with us desk jockeys.

Pretty Cool 😎 !!! It's refreshing to see a young person creating and exploring. I grew up in the 70s to 80s time frame. My generation was always doing stuff like this. Keep up creating. It will give you peace, joy, and good memories for a lifetime ❤️...

Thanks for letting us join you on this trip. It was wonderful, and we’re glad you made it home!

Engineers get to see these sights and many more every day. It is one of the nice things about the job. Being alone and able to work 12 hours by yourself and seeing beautiful scenery, that is a nice job for people who don't like working with people.

What FUN!!! You might want to look into getting what’s known as a wrecking bar. The 1” hexagonal shaft of the bar is about six feet long, with one pointed end and the other a flattened chisel end. Weld a couple of bits of pipe under the the rail rider to slid the bar into for storage. Extremely strong, it’s the last pry-bar you’ll ever buy, unless some twit borrows it, then leaves it on a job site, then you’ve got to run down to your nearest HD and pick up another one. Really enjoyed watching this video. I’m going to check out the channel! Cheers from Dallas🍸

4:39... omg... my heart, man. I have a huge thing for heights, I well, normally, but this... omg... This entire video so far has brought me much joy! I LOVE trains! My great grand father and his father were porters for CN rail, grew up around trains, this is just... great to see. I was thinking of you could adapt some hub motors, the ones in electric skateboards to come up with something much lighter. This is really cool, man!

Heading out into the mountains on an unfamiliar trail wearing shorts & T-shirt, no food, no water, no shelter, no sleeping bag, no means to summon help, on an untested vehicle with no spare parts, what could possibly go wrong? It's always good to have a plan B. Other than that, enjoyed your video. Thanks! You might want to carry an EPIRB with you on your next solo venture.

What a great way to re discover a part of railway history that was lost to time. Views like these probably haven't been seen by anyone in over 100 years. Very cool!

I really like how you stay positive under stressful circumstances

Young man!! You are strong of body and mind. You definitely need it! Kudos on your channel. I had so much fun riding along. Having a big smile. I did something like this at your age, and it brought back memories. This old dude thanks you.

You need longer bolts. Drill a hole through the end, use a castle nut, and a cotter pin, or use an aircraft style tie wire to secure the nuts and to prevent them from backing out. You should also carry a full selection of spare bolts, nuts, washers, and other loose hardware. All of your issues are easily preventable. I'd also recommend making a mount for the back to carry a full sized shovel and pick.

Water, Rescu link, ham radio, peashooter with extra peas, baling wire, nuts and bolts, sledgehammer. Would love an explanation of the wiring on the telephone poles and other devices and how they worked. Where is this located?

Gawd, the fact that you didn’t IMMEDIATELY stop to find out what was causing the vibration after the accident, and instead accelerated through it, absolutely facepalms my trust in your mechanical judgment.

MY only suggestion is to carry a "Spot" satellite communicator that you can pair with your phone and send texts to friends and family including a gps fix on your location. Had you fractured your skull or broke a bone it would allow for instant assistance from whichever direction is fastest. Cost about 80 bux and weighs about six ounces. I use one on my boat in addition to an EPirb unit.

I'm a professional semi-retired jack-off, tip to the wise, always install an electric jack on any vehicle converted to a rail car that may need to be realigned with the track. Or use a huge log and use the rail as a fulcrum to lift the heavy vehicle.

New drinking game while watching Matt. You drink every time he says puppy or babe

I love the smell of running over sage. Really cleans the bottom side of truck too.

Thank you for living life more than I am and should be

I thought wobbling meant it cold tear itself apart if uncorrected. That was serious shaking.

You might want to always have food and water on board, but some spare parts would be cool. You might want to make a hand lift to move your unit when you derail. Kind of a long pry bar with a lift cradle.

tools you need right off the bat: pickaxe and re-railer edit: crazy thing would be installing a weed wacker on the front, either belt fed to extend to both sides for more accessibility or with a mobile gimble but its battery draining and probably noisy. Vibrations visual assessment the big problem with old rails is they are not calibrated to modern standards and have degraded, in modern rail lines there are people on the job constantly making sure the rails are in a proper condition. I believe these rails have a great chance at being the cause of the constant vibration, Im sure the plastic wheels probably help alot maybe even better than rubber but you never know. awesome video thats the truth keep it up !