Hope you enjoyed my journey through coal country and the look at a small declining coal mining town. If you have a favorite part of the video, let me know.

I love your passion for these old coal mine towns. It really comes thru your videos. Thanks for the history!!!

Great tour!!! I work and drive by these places for 35 yrs. Lots have changed! You can see the water line in those abandoned houses in Gilberton. 💙

Great video. I was a coal miner in the western part of the state. This is of great interest to me. Thanks.

What an excellent video and something you could sink your teeth into. Thanks for sharing this and taking the time it took to edit it. 🤗💙

Another Excellent video JP, i love seeing those old abandoned homes. And that other house in the video. "I think shinny is the best word to describe it. " 10 feet wide, i agree with that. How can someone live in a house that small, and that coal fire 🔥 burning for 200 years Wow! That's a long time. Seeing all that coal dust and dirt build-up on those houses is amazing. I would think all that coal dust probably cause black lung, im sure that was a concern. Speaking of coal fire 🔥 i think Ashton could be the next underground coal fire 🔥 for that town. Interesting how burning trash started that fire 🔥 i love how you wrapped the rail road history and the history of the towns into one video. Excellent video JP 👍👍👍👍👍👍 💙

Punxsutawney has alot of old coal mining sites, like the old coke ovens ,steam vents and houses. There is a group of towns people fundraising for a coal museum.

Jay, I think I remember that brake building, weren't you there in a video some years ago?. An electric bike really allows you to show us so much more and with more detail since you don't have to hike back to your vehicle. IT gets better and better!, I hope you and your family are having a great Spring and Summer. Cheers, Rik Spector

Thank you for sharing!!! I love all the old coal mining towns in that region of Pennsylvania! I fell in love with Mahanoy City years ago and ever since, I’ve been obsessed! Thank goodness I got some shots with my IPhone of the St Nicholas coal breaker back in 2014 before it was demolished. Thank you again for making this video! Much appreciated! 😊

💙 I thoroughly enjoyed this video, as I do all your videos. It's a really great that you documented these dying towns and relics so future generations can see that there was once towns full of hard working people and families that called those towns home. I wanna thank you for your hard work making high quality and very informative documentaries of these almost forgotten areas. Take care Jay!!

You cycled through some pretty neighbourhoods. It's so eerily quiet. Beautiful rail crossing pity no train! You are still fortunate to have some mining development left I like seeing the coal trains filled to the brim with coal travelling from state to state, & you are self sufficient for your energy needs, that has to be admired. Coal mines are close to my heart, I live in a former Coal mining county sadly all gone now the mining sites torn down, shafts filled in rails taken up with business parks & retail parks now in their place. The sense of community all but gone. I live 4 miles where 5 mines use to be but its still Beautiful countryside with pretty villages & rich farmland & some of it is what we call green belt that means it can't be developed for housing or retail parks. I look back on the past with a smile & a tear.Thank you for this wonderful video, good to see coal heaps & infrastructure still in place with some mining left. Its lovely where you filmed but quieter than it use to be. A shame some of those houses empty ❤🥰👍

😅I drove through that area today! Even thought to myself I know there is an area near here that I wanted to explore (behind the Frackville baseball field)… glad to see this video! Actually took a few pics of the “geyser” after driving right passed it twice lol! Great video as always JP!

One of my favorite type of adventure you take us on. I have been to Centralia several times, some of them with you. I remember visiting when you went into the former governor’s house, and another when folks were still painting on the old highway. Thank you JP for the memories and the new areas this time. Stay safe. ❤

Great video! I used to take the back roads to visit my son in Bloomsburg just so I could explore and see these coal mining towns. Thank you for sharing this!

Loved this video. Love traveling with JP. Learn something every trip.

Jay this is really cool. Definitely a step back in time. These row homes are very interesting. The scenery is amazing! Thanks for taking us along.

Be safe riding out there!! Those truck are zooming. Another great video:)

You did a fantastic job as the storyteller of the various towns you filmed. I wish there was access at the gas station in Centralia to drive my Thunderbird once it's back on the road, as parking it there and overlaying a photo of the gas station with the car (it closed in 1981, and my car is a '79) would give a quite dramatic effect. I thoroughly enjoyed this. 💙

What an amazing journey JP! Such interesting history! I probably have said this before, but don't you just wonder when the last time equipment like the rail weed burner was operated and why they just up and left it sitting there, as if to say, that's it, no more. It was fascinating to see the active coal mining site taking place. You have some wonderful memories with your father to look back on always! It's sad that the population of Gilberton has reduced and the town has declined. I can just imagine it back in the day when it was active and happy and the same goes for the other towns. The geyser is incredible, and it was also interesting to see the steam vents again. Awesome photos, that old TV was so cool to see! What a great adventure video, thank you! 💙

Thank you for the video JPVideos 👍

Fascinating video, Jay. Thank you! 💙

This was a great exploration video. I am very interested in Pennsylvania mining history. Videos like this one are very enjoyable. Keep up the good work JP! 💙

Great Video there is something about Coal Country that keeps me coming back, you are correct about Ashland if people want to remember what Centralia looked like. The one thing I have learned is that every coal town has a lot Churches, I had the opportunity to go inside the Old Huber Coal Breaker and I'm so glad I did I have many photos.

Epic video on so many levels!💙It ties into recent events in my life as I drove through Gilberton and Girardville for the first time just two months ago. I was scouting locations for an RDC chase that happened in late April, and on that chase they stopped for a photo op at the Gilberton crossing where the signals were flashing for you. I've been through many other poor coal towns with declining population, but Gilberton struck me as in particularly bad shape compared to the others. Now I know why, it's that flood you were talking about. In the first house you pointed the camera inside you can see the lower part of the drywall/plaster stripped down to the studs, and in the second house you looked inside you can see the water line where the flood came in. On my drives I had also seen that bridge abutment along 54, but didn't know about the rest of the ruins of the bridge in the woods. I didn't know about the flume near Gilberton either. That's another perk of doing this trip on your bike instead of in the car; you just miss so much when you're driving along at the speed limit. And that's quite a bike ride, even on an eBike (I'm typing this as I'm still recovering from yesterday's 26 mile adventure lol). That Aniioki is an impressive bike for sure, and it's great that it has opened so many new possibilities for you. I could go on all day about the details of the video, but my parting thought is that I never heard of a rail weed burner! That should be rescued and restored (or at least preserved) for sure!

Quite the video Jay. Awesome filming with attention to details. Thank you.💙

The ride was interesting. Love the old towns. Thanks for sharing. I’ve added to my list when I visit Pennsylvania

Great video of history thanks for sharing JP

What an interesting and informative ride. Sweet memory of you and your dad. Some of the old steel towns look like the old coal ones you rode through. Like how you can tell where a home was in Centralia by the trees, bushes and flowers that are in those spots. I feel so bad for the people that lived and still live there. I'm sure it'll end up being mined. They already have roads, power and water there so it'll be easy to start right back up. A shame. Thanks for letting us ride along and giving us the grand tour and history lesson.

JP, I have been watching you from the being and you are still putting out great stuff. Thanks.

My favorite part was the close up of the sandwich. Last year the news reported that venting was spotted 3 miles east of Centralia. An “expert” speculated that the fire was headed toward Shenandoah. In contrast to the dust covered row houses, there are residential enclaves a short distance away. North of Centralia past St. Mary’s church and cemetery is Aristes. It is suburban in appearance. There are larger, well maintained homes with yards and big dogs.

Whenever I think of coal, I think of the countless families and amazingly hard working people that just wanted to take care of their families that were taken advantage of by greedy mine owners. (The company store) Thanks, Jay, for another great video. 💙 Central California watching

My favorite videos. Checking out old towns and abandoned homes. History and will soon be gone.

we love your coal mine videos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great video. 💙

Impressive range on that Aniioki ebike. This was a fascinating journey through coal country. Although seeing the decline of some of the towns, like Gilberton, was very sad, the history came alive as you explored and explained the details and workings of these coal-mining towns. I remember watching your previous videos of Centralia, and I wondered if the fire would eventually spread, affecting Ashland, in time. Loved hearing the story of your Dad letting you dump the load on the Euclid when you were a young boy -- very cool! Excellent video, Jay! Thanks for bringing us along!!💙💙

I really enjoyed this adventure! Places I’d never choose to go, but thanks to you and your knowledge and narration, it was interesting and fun. You make me feel like I’m right there. Thanks for that!

💙 It was very interesting, but sad to see the conditions of these coal towns. I'm sure for many that's the only way of life they know. I will be checking out your Centralia playlist now. I recently just finished all of your Gatlinburg, TN and Pittsburgh, PA playlists so that's why I'm a little late viewing this video. I really enjoy your channel and love the way you make your viewers feel like family.

Amazing video again.💙

Thank You JP 💙

Very interesting vlog!! I used to travel that route on the way to Reading. Sad to see all the changes in the past 50+ years.💙. Thanks for sharing 😊

Wow JP, this one is outstanding. It's a shame to see these old coal towns dying out. Thanks for giving us such a great look at Gilberton, and the others. With our state government as it is, these towns have no hope.

Thank you for sharing this with us. 💙

Watching this reminds me of when back in 2021 I first got my license and explored half of the county. As a matter of fact I haven't been on eastern Gilberton Road since that time. And also, the firehouse you mentioned while exploring the porches and that of the old patch homes is Continental Hose, which along with American Hose in Mahanoy Plane is an active fire station. Thank you for this video, JP

Very interesting, very informative, very grateful, I loved it. Thanks. I don’t usually care about the bikes but I like this bike, it’s just my short size! 💙

💙 I always in joy watching you go through the small town thanks

Back in the '70 and '80's I dealt with Gilberton Coal and the Rich's. We exported silt to Venezuela through Phila. I often visited that breaker and site. I believe that they still sell silt from the old culm pits and it makes it the ultimate recycling!

💙 Thank you for bringing me along!!

This is my neck of the woods! Dad’s side of the family is from Girardville. My grandfather was coal miner for 50 years, I believe he was a supervisor of some kind with Raven. He was also President of the local coal miner’s union and best friends with John L. Lewis.

All of my people are from that county, all were coal miners until after W.W.2. Tremont and Pottsviile. Minersville,and a town that was literally a coal mountain, which was stripped and now is no more,Seltzer City. When I asked at the post office inst. Clair years ago,only the older post master knew where that was.The young one replied "I never heard of that town". Everyone moved away after W.W. 2,some to Chicago, New Jersey, and Maryland. Some stayed in PA. though. My Freeman, Richter and Rumpf relatives, some are still there.

💙Fantastic bike tour Jay! I am learning so much about PA from you and Cliff, The Wandering Woodsman. Mom (RIP) was born in Allentown and grew up in Chicago, IL. Thank you for all you do! God Bless 🙏🙏

Cool stuff JP!

Wow!! Epic video- love watching these.. please keep exploring just like you have and thank you 😎😎

This was an awesome adventure. Thank you for taking us through Centralia and surrounding areas. There's also a mind geyser here in Glen Lyon, where I live, I'm sure you're aware of the rich coal history here in Newport township. I've just started watching your videos, Besides the random watch and I really enjoy them. I hope to see a tour from where I live in Glen Lyon 🩵

We know why you like mining so much! My family owns a big business and we have a weigh house at one of the entrances of the asphalt plant. Been back there so many times.

My grandfather and his family owned the "gassy" the Morgans 😭💔 he also worked and retired for caterpillar...i miss my grandparents and the gas station ..my heart wants to just cry 😭😢 my granparents are buried on the hill too.....in the front 😭❤️ my grandmother was a presser in the factory. My Aunt lives in Gilberton and Ashland to this day.

My Stepfather was a coal miner he even told me the story how he got the scar in his ear from a pick. He also was a veteran he drove the trucks transporting soldiers and supplies during the war. God rest his soul ty JPV for showing coal mines. Brought back memories.

Great video. I’m not into the tourist trap stuff like the Smokey Mountains videos but I love these types of videos. Excellent job. Thank you.

Great video! That rail weed burner is actually a rail de-icer. I retired from a Steel mill here in NW Indiana and I would see those melting ice on the tracks.

This was fantastic! Awesome job. You're inspiring me to consider buying an e-bike! 💙

I always wonder about the families that lived in these homes in the past, children being raised, daily life.....a great time!

Enjoyable and informative video. Well done. 💙

I love all your videos but the coal ones are my most most favorite.Again thank you for inviting us all to be a part of your journeys.

I always enjoy these longer videos. I do remember some things you showed from other videos. I can't imagine living in that town with trucks and all that dirt .I did watch all the video . 💙💙💙

Thanks for taking us along to see the old and yet some still active coal mining areas. I am familiar with this area for two reasons. First I used to go to Kneoble’s amusement park using Rt 61 and road through Centraila while there still were some buildings. If it had rained you could see steam and smell the fumes from the fire coming from vents near the side of the highway. It happened that one year I also visited Hawaii and visited Volcanos nation national park. The smell along some of the roads there reminded me as being the same as in Centraila. The other reason I knew some of these towns was I worked as a state monitor for the Weatherization program and inspected work done to try and help the residents save energy in their homes. As you mentioned these type of homes were cheaply built and it made it hard to insulate them and tighten them up to save energy. That is why so many abandoned structures are slowly falling apart. But with no new industry near these towns to replace the coal industry they are slowly going away.

Hi jp I have a friend that have a cabin near there I was there it and I like to see old mining places and old houses life behind and I like the video 💙

💙 Really cool! I like that you revisit locations like this.

💙I always enjoy watching your videos.💙

💙 thank you for taking the time to make this video. Very interesting.

💙 amazing!

Yes I watched to the end. This kind of stuff keeps my attention.

Oh how I love coming along with you on your adventures!! Such an informative and interesting video! Sad to see the small town declining😢 What a wonderful, sweet memory to have of your father!! Keep up the great work!!💙

Enjoyed your video. Love them so much. Happy trails in all you do. Love from Arkansas 💙

My parents grewup in Pottsville during the 1950's and my Grandmother grewup in St. Clair during the 1930's. I have both on my mother's side and father's side relatives who worked for the Anthercite Mines and even the Reading Railroad.

I hope to see ya next weekend my friend

My grandfather lived in Mahanoy City, & I would spend my Summers there. His home was still heated by Coal & also for cooking. He passed in 1971. Since I was the only male I had to bring up the Coal & do the ashes. I remember going along the Colliery in my Uncle's car. He would take & return us home. End to end it was a flat town but side to side it was very steep. There was a School there that had hundreds of steps to go up to go inside. His front porch was 6ft. off the ground but the back was actually below ground. He was on Centre St. His back yard was to Railroad St. across was an access road to the RR. It also had a Brewery there( Kaier's ) but it was bought by another one, then was abandoned. It was still active when I went there. I would climb a hill on other side of tracks, you could see the whole town from up there. I have seen the fence of his back yard in train videos. The alley was at it's highest point there. Thanks , I found the video interesting. I was to Centralia while there was still Graffiti highway then.

We have a May’s Drive In, here in Berwick, where I live.

Enjoyed riding along vvith you on your adventure ..and learning the history of the area ...very interesting . There is so much to like about this video ...Fun to see the geyser ( and yes, glad I can't smell it LOL...).Loved the memory of you and your Dad on the Euclid ....You really put in a long day and the ebike does seem to be perfect for such a trip as this . Thank you for this relaxing , educational tour of coal country . 💙👍💙

Love all the historic places you go to love the bike loving my scooter got 300 miles on it so far

Thanks enjoyed watching that was awesome place to see things from the past

I would like to see a company pressure wash this little part of town to it's former glory.

Very enjoyable video to see how towns suffer from changing times, do they know if Ashland will be caught up in the underground fire & how long before it happens?

You might mention that the row houses in Gilberton and other coal towns started as company owned. That meant the if you lost your job you were also put out on the streets. Additionally, you likely owed a bundle to the "company store" which was due on expulsion from the job/town. Hence the popular song of the 1950's "I owe my soul to the company store". Life was tough in those days! Meantime, I recall visiting the last of the company stores of Island Creek Coal Company down in Southern Appalachia. It was like a 5&10 store or Dollar Store of today in the north. When I was there it no longer was the ogre of the miners but just a small retail operation of the coal company.

there is nothing left of mining in the town i grew up even tho there was a ton of them when i was growing up. stoneboro PA still has a road called mine st and the last place to buy coal was on swamp road north of sandylake .you can still see all the coal around where the crusher was

💙 Nice really i enjoyed the vid.

Cool video JP! Love the old mining towns, Plenty here in Kentucky alot of them are just ghost towns now but its always great to hear about their history!👍

💙Of course I watched until the end! Very well done! Loved it and learned a bunch! The row houses, those monster trucks, geez! Thank you for sharing your amazing journey with us! 💙

That is life, lots of smiles and sadness. Here in ND the western side they are open pit lignite coal mining and the bureau of reclamation makes them put all the top soil back when they are done. Just think if they had to put all the stuff they didn't use when mining underground back when done, they wouldn't have so many cave-ins and maybe water problems, I don't have the answers but I do know if they can't stop the problems of polluted water and ugly piles of tailing 's laying around then maybe they shouldn't do it in the first place. Loved your videos and really enjoy your content. 💙

Great tour and a great little mining town. Also thanks for history lessons in coal mining 😊

I'm sitting here salivating over the full coal trucks because we still use coal to supplement our oil heating. One of the small tri-wheelers would take care of my heating for the balance of my lifetime. 😉

It would seem to me that the future of Centralia is abandonment continuing. Rebuilding would be dangerous due to subsidence; mining could allow increased oxygen enhancing and prolonging the fire. I first went to Centralia in the mid-1990's and the 2nd time about 2009-10. There were about 12 to 15 homes scattered throughout the town at these times.

Loved it! 💙

WOW, awesome video! i loved the abandoned houses in Gilberton, Giardville (thanks google earth ) Ashland and that cool mine geyser, loved the tour round Centralia... well done, very informative and intresting vid!! I love these cool small towns ,...thank you from NZ

The fact that the abandoned section of Route 61 ("Graffiti Highway") is owned by Pagnotti Enterprises tells me all that I need to know about the future of Centralia. The rest will likely be sold to the same company (if it hasn't already) and mined once the last residents pass away.

The last time I saw the weed burner in 2004 it was sitting along the R&N's mainline on a little short section of track inside a fence. I'm not sure who actually owned it, some thought the R&N did as it was left in the yard by Conrail when the R&N purchased the area tracks, other people thought that Conrail and later NS still owned it, if they did it was likely written off at some point.

My father in law worked for Euclid. While he lived in Euclid Ohio. Years ago.

I stayed to the end.

Theres 2 nice water holes there to.

Excellent video!!! 💙

Glad you didn't go into those abandoned homes. In the early 2000's there was a mine subsidence under 924 that left a huge hole in the highway. My understanding is that water and sewage that was in the old mine flooded Gilberton. People were bought out and had to leave many of their belongings behind. Not sure if any of those houses are still standing or if they were all knocked down. I always enjoy the Centralia videos. I remember going there as a kid because my father wanted to see the town where the ground was burning. That was in the 70's when there was still a town. Sad to see what it has become. It would be great if they could rebuild the town and provide housing for people. But sadly, industry rules in this country and so it will probably be sold to the coal company. It would be nice to see them bring in a chip manufacturer or other industry of the future and housing for the people who would work there. As always, a great video with a lot of interesting things to see and learn.💙

You have been watching peter santinelo havent you?