Train Hopping West From Chicago || Barge Too Close?

Рет қаралды 10,070

Ай бұрын

I was successful in catching out on the third attempt from Chicago. I wanted to take a later train leaving Clinton Iowa, so I hopped off there in the morning and grabbed some footage of the swing bridge in operation, along with a barge that seemed waaay to close to the bridge to me.
If you're looking for other train riding reading and want to support my channel here are links to my memoir and train hopping book:
Apple: books.apple.com/us/book/im-a-...
Android: www.amazon.com/dp/B09V8ZS5BQ
I created a page to enter your contact details if you want to meet up when I am out on my travels. Here is the link for that: home.skyguy.org/workspace/dra...
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @jumpingoffthecliff
Thanks for watching, subscribing, commenting, etc. My website is jumpingoffthecliff.com and the facebook page is jumpingoffthecliff.
I can be reached via email geoirge@jumpingoffthecliff.com or Instagram, @jumping_off_the_cliff, at least I think that's it;)
My shipping address in case you need to send something my way is:
Box 305
4809 Dale Street
McFarland, WI 53558

Пікірлер: 152

@FrigginKlar 28 күн бұрын

This video could not have come at a better time. Time to kick back and relax. Thanks, George.

@fleotusbing 28 күн бұрын

👍 😊

@andrewshafer4838 8 күн бұрын

Watching that tow get lined up and get after it was AWESOME. That boat has EMD 567s in it... exactly what older EMD locomotives had.

@curtishess2251 28 күн бұрын

Shoestring would be proud of you for doing this ride and it’s good to see you again on the rails

@shawnlarock9159 26 күн бұрын

Shoestring was a narc

@cecohio7616 24 күн бұрын

I concur!

@user-tn9vr6rs3g 17 күн бұрын

Was stopped on the highway many times back when I was employed as driver for Red Cross. Thanks to your video, I now know why.

@rickwhitson2804 28 күн бұрын

Brother this is the first train hopping video I have watched since the passing of shoestring. That really messed me up. You never know!!

@rickwhitson2804 28 күн бұрын

@@jessewellens6188 he got back from seeing his doctor and they found him in the lake behind his apartment

@bw6378 28 күн бұрын

Good catch. The barge pilot was not where he wanted to be and was sweating it I'm betting. lol Thanks for the video!

@mpmrlpforl7289 14 күн бұрын

Right around 17:00 is when that tug fires up his engines, boy do they sound like classic EMD 567's!

@John-N-541-ym7dx 28 күн бұрын

George you are the only train jockey that I subscribe to because your videos are so well done and informative.

@bradcullinan4807 28 күн бұрын

Love your videos! Its a highlight of my day when you post. I never get to see a barge up close like that. Thank you so much!

@TCRailRoad 29 күн бұрын

Hi George, That barge was so close to hitting the barrier. Nice drone footage. Great to see you back out on the tracks. Cool Video.

@Jumpingoffthecliff 29 күн бұрын

I’m curious if that’s common to run that close to the barrier.

@TCRailRoad 29 күн бұрын

@@Jumpingoffthecliff The pilot of the barge starts off very close to the bank. They seem to take a strange angle maybe because the current is very strong.

@Jumpingoffthecliff 29 күн бұрын

@@TCRailRoad it did seem like a strange angle. I wondered if it was because they were planning to maneuver below the bridge. That seems to be an area where they consolidate barges. I think a full tow on the upper river is fifteen barges.

@tonypike5785 28 күн бұрын

George i am glad you able to get back on track again have fun and take care.

@garysprandel1817 26 күн бұрын

@Jumpingoffthecliff IIRC Clinton is always been a pain in the keister for the bargemen as you could see by the maneuvering to line up for the bridge. Guess the plan is for the swing span to be replaced with a lift span

@thesoupdragon112 5 күн бұрын

Wow! That's was soooo close 😳 loving the videos from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

@johnscherf1228 26 күн бұрын

Thanks George! I always enjoy your videos! I will be hitting the road soon! First stop LSE my favorite place!

@ChainsawNW1218 28 күн бұрын

Enjoyed the ride on the high iron and the footage of swing bridge on the mighty Mississippi River in action!🛤🚂

@thebear307 27 күн бұрын

Welcome back George, great video and I am looking forward to watching the rest of your hop.

@mattshell7753 26 күн бұрын

Glad to see you out on the rails again I'll be patiently waiting for part 2 be safe.Here in the Ozarks

@Jumpingoffthecliff 26 күн бұрын

Thanks Matt!

@cyb3rdecker 26 күн бұрын

Amazing footage George!! now I know how the bridge operates near my ramp office where I use to work.

@ralphwatten2426 28 күн бұрын

I remember as a kid going to visit my cousin in Rock Falls, across the river from Sterling, and noticed the river was yellow from the chemicals pouring out of the manufacturing there. Most of the manufacturing is gone and people fish in the Rock River now. I couldn't imagine a fish living in the river then. I remember when they built the nuke plant at Dixon and my uncle said that the plant in event of a meltdown would drain the river in 10 minutes.

@chooch1995 27 күн бұрын

No nuke plant in Dixon….but….upstream a way closer to Rockford in Byron….

@chooch1995 27 күн бұрын

Global 2 intermodal facility at Proviso Yard west on the UP West Line ( part of the original Overland Route ) westward across northern Illinois……

@pianoman4Jesus 22 күн бұрын

Real neat I&M Switch Engine spotting at 10:26!

@larrystartzman2209 29 күн бұрын

If you want to know where George has been,look for wayward " hats" along the tracks!😊

@Jumpingoffthecliff 29 күн бұрын

The crazy thing, I had my hoody on to help keep my hat contained and a big gust of wind still yanked my hat off!

@andrewthacker114 28 күн бұрын

Make America great Again hats 😂😂

@tombeall9216 27 күн бұрын

Congratulations on finally getting west out of Chicago. You are right about the barge and the bridge. I imagine there's a pretty good swash of barge paint on the bridge.

@mb_ 26 күн бұрын

great feeling when it all works out. stay safe

@Jumpingoffthecliff 26 күн бұрын

Yes, key word, when, lol. As you know first hand, that's not a given;)

@mb_ 26 күн бұрын

@@Jumpingoffthecliff kinda like fishing. If it was guaranteed fishing would be called catching. On a similar note, train riding should be called waiting

@Jumpingoffthecliff 26 күн бұрын

@@mb_ haha, yes, waiting!

@erinhogan1760 28 күн бұрын

You are a gem. Never change, George.

@bpair4608 28 күн бұрын

The part where you crossed the Mississippi was cool! Another great video.

@bigmonmagoomba9634 28 күн бұрын

Definitely worth waiting for. Another bang-up job. Your camera gets great colors.

@adamr4052 28 күн бұрын

“Office building full of cubicles” is the DuPage County jail

@Jumpingoffthecliff 28 күн бұрын

Haha, well, there you go;)

@ubercubs 20 күн бұрын

right down the road from my house :D

@user-er3du2co2n 22 күн бұрын

Good too see you back George. You need too meet up with the Yard Buzzards n do a few videos with them n take a long trip together. Believe a lot o people would agree with me.

@marine919 28 күн бұрын

Good video, George! I enjoyed your narration of what we're seeing. Be careful riding the rails-there aren't many left!

@andrewthacker114 28 күн бұрын

The guy that called the cops on you was probably jealous he wasn’t able to go anywhere 😊. Nice clip stay safe..

@Grnonns78 26 күн бұрын

Hello! Dunno if you remember me, but I'm that guy who sat with you for lunch on the California Zephyr alongside the couple from Lafayette! After you mentioned your KZfaq channel and freight hopping, I've been meaning to look it up! Glad it wasn't too hard to find!

@Jumpingoffthecliff 26 күн бұрын

Glad you found it! I always enjoy the meeting folks in the fiber!

@pkilznah5353 27 күн бұрын

I would think it’s gotta get so boring on those tug boats moving 2mph. Navigating those waters and through the bridge is respectable for sure. Those tugs definitely have some power. Great footage and drone work. 🚂🔥🔥

@BilgeDweller 19 күн бұрын

Forty one years as an engineer on those boats here... It's basically days and days of routine and boredom interspersed with a half hour of pure terror every once in a while, and then home for thirty days. :-)

@lindastamp3448 28 күн бұрын

Love this, thanks for sharing!

@robertcox5948 16 күн бұрын

I have crossed the Route 30 bridge many times over the river. The Corps of Engineers has declared that bridge as a navigation hazard and it is scheduled to be replaced. It is a cool looking bridge and is historic. However, it needs to go.

@SW-jw6il 28 күн бұрын

🚂💨💨💨💨 Thanks for taking us along George !!stay safe & keep making those precious memories. Fabulous Video !!

@Lonehill1975 28 күн бұрын

God bless you, sir, safe travels on all your adventures 🙏

@Loser51 28 күн бұрын

Thanks for sharing your adventures, safe travels

@Ken_in_Wisconsin 28 күн бұрын

A cliffhanger! Thanks for taking us along George. Enjoyed your drone footage of the bridge. What a classic location.

@reggiehowze1891 27 күн бұрын

Welcome back. Nice to see you.

@reggiehowze1891 27 күн бұрын

I watch barges at Coffeeville Lock and Dam here in Coffeeville, Alabama. Tombigbee River has big alligators.

@JohnLobbanCreative 25 күн бұрын

Hey George, great to see you back out on the rails. Congratulations on finally catching that westbound out of Chicago. Try riding the historic Monon southbound in Indiana (CSX Monon Subdivision) through Lafayette (Purdue University) and on south through Crawfordsville into Greencastle where it connects with the double-track CSX main at CP39. That’s 1 mile from my home. From there I could give you a ride east to Avon Yard or west to the yard at Terre Haute.

@Jumpingoffthecliff 25 күн бұрын

Ok, it's on the list!

@kdog7617 28 күн бұрын

Thanks George on the ride out was great video

@myrnawashington9057 28 күн бұрын

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏finally a video.

@kens.3729 28 күн бұрын

⁠Lower Mississippi runs 7-Wide and 40-45 Barges Total. “marktwaind” (Captain Kyle) KZfaq Channel Runs North of STL down to New Orleans. Amazing River Activity.👍

@BilgeDweller 19 күн бұрын

I worked the Upper in the late eighties/early nineties; that bridge is hard to make southbound in high water. Looks like the current got him and set him over on the bridge's shear fence. They got out OK with no damage though. Great drone work!

@Jumpingoffthecliff 19 күн бұрын

Wow, that must have been interesting work!

@BilgeDweller 15 күн бұрын

@@Jumpingoffthecliff, days and days of routine and boredom broken up every now and again with a few minutes of sheer terror! Think about the engineer's situation on the M/V Dali when the lights went out in the minutes before they hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Retired now, and there's little of it that I miss. The time off was great; work a month, off a month with pay. 🙂

@BilgeDweller 15 күн бұрын

@@Jumpingoffthecliff, days of routine and boredom, broken up every once in a while with a few minutes of sheer terror! Think about the position that the engineers on the M/V Dali were in when the lights went out in the minutes before they hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, and what the mad scramble to get things back on line again was like, and you'll get a good idea of what it can be. Retired now, and there's very little of it that I miss, it's good to be home, and I know that the only thing that will wake me up at 0330 is a thunderstorm. :-) The time off was great; work a month, and get a month off with pay!

@jimrf1137 26 күн бұрын

Thumbs up before watching. great to see you again.

@bradbarbee528 27 күн бұрын

Nice video. Safe travels George.

@1AJohnnyCruiser 28 күн бұрын

Nice drone footage. Keep smiling,!

@Ihoprails 27 күн бұрын

Safe travels dude

@twowaters9186 28 күн бұрын

Now shoe string is gone.will u take over,.I would love to see u in my video's....

@reggiehowze1891 27 күн бұрын

I know there is some nice catfish in Mississippi River. Coen meal, salt and hot sauce

@andycrossland3892 27 күн бұрын

Thanks George! Hope you’re doing okay, buddy. Sorry to hear about the cap. Beautifully shot and put together as always.

@Jumpingoffthecliff 27 күн бұрын

I generally lose about one a year, just enough to keep replacing them before I have to break down and wash them;)

@markthiel2953 27 күн бұрын

Thank you, George.

@Jumpingoffthecliff 27 күн бұрын

You're welcome Mark!

@freddypflugbeil6 28 күн бұрын

Thanks George from New York

@davidhearrell5598 18 күн бұрын

I’m sitting in the Kingsley Inn in Ft Madison looking down into the containers car wells wondering if I’ll see you hiding from the police. So far, n George. But, the swing bridge was brushed again by a tug boat for the second time in two weeks. The bridge was stuck Open for three hours until BNSF inspected it. One train was stopped outside my window and I got to show my wife where you ride and hide. Stay safe.

@Jumpingoffthecliff 18 күн бұрын

Wow, how cool to be staying at the Kingsley Inn! Fort Madison is truly special. I'm afraid the swing bridges days are numbered and my guess, the BNSF will beat the U.P. and replace Fort Madison.

@davet.3587 28 күн бұрын

Good one George 🚂🚃🚃👍

@billclements3879 28 күн бұрын

Nice shots… drone footage

@rossrossier935 28 күн бұрын

Great video George, that barge capt. Cut er pretty tight!!!

@timnisbet2078 28 күн бұрын

WOW you sure miss you !!! Hope this year you have a couple more videos in the bag !! Hope the wife is doing well !!!!

@timnisbet2078 28 күн бұрын

meant to say we

@centexrails 27 күн бұрын

Hi george, a quick question. I am sure this question has been asked many times before but it's difficult to search through the comments to find it. I like your drone videos. What brand and model of drone are you using to capture the video.s? Thank you very much

@Jumpingoffthecliff 27 күн бұрын

I use a DJI Mini 4 Pro. I updated from a Mini 2 because I have to have remote ID out as a commercial pilot. I liked the Mini 2 and wouldn't have upgraded if not for remote ID.

@centexrails 27 күн бұрын

@@Jumpingoffthecliff Thank you. Time for me to investigate

@joeslayter5841 28 күн бұрын

Ahhh.. Thank you, George! We needed that one. I loved the old switcher at 9:20. It flashes by quick, but it looks like an EMD sw1200. One stack, tho... 70's model?

@bensmith4563 20 күн бұрын

My understanding is that bridge is a pretty tricky one to get through

@Jumpingoffthecliff 20 күн бұрын

I watched a hazmat barge go through the next day and they attached a tow boat to the front to help guide it through. Seemed like a good idea!

@Ihoprails 27 күн бұрын

Im doing hi line very soon

@pianoman4Jesus 22 күн бұрын

What station was that you passed at @5:41 ?... paused the video, sign blurry.

@Jumpingoffthecliff 22 күн бұрын

I'm not sure, I'll see if I can figure it out.

@wyattwatterud3099 28 күн бұрын

If your talking about Berkley by global 2 yard, the cops always get called on us, and they show up at least 3 deep

@willbensmiller2413 27 күн бұрын

How hard is it to sleep on the cars? I would think all the banging and squeaking would make it almost impossible.

@Jumpingoffthecliff 27 күн бұрын

It depends, it isn't too hard depending on the type of ride, where it is in the train and how fast the train is traveling. The further back you are on a manifest the more violent the slack action. On an IM traveling at 50mph say, it's really smooth and easy to sleep.

@craigmiller332 28 күн бұрын

Wonder how old that bridge is @12:35 Wonder how many regular passengers vs. stealth passengers have ridden across it. Beautiful day! 🌞 Also that's outstanding footage of the swing bridge! 👍

@CaptainBuilt 24 күн бұрын

I am captain that pushes those barges.

@Jumpingoffthecliff 24 күн бұрын

That last looks like one of those jobs of calm periods interrupted by sudden problems!

@CaptainBuilt 24 күн бұрын

@@Jumpingoffthecliff it’s 95% boredom 5% sheer terror.

@randyparvin4811 28 күн бұрын

George...the biting ants are called chiggers.

@Jumpingoffthecliff 28 күн бұрын

Coming from down south, I unfortunately know chiggers all to well;) These are definitely little ants. They remind me of fire ants from down south, but they aren't quite as potent.

@Jumpingoffthecliff 28 күн бұрын

BTW, I hope you're doing well. I'll buy you a beer at the SE next time I see you there!

@slserenader 28 күн бұрын

awesome video, that swing bridge was cool to see. what kind of camera do you use when you're filming on the train?

@Jumpingoffthecliff 28 күн бұрын

I use a Sony 4K camcorder or a GoPro or my iPhone.

@traintruckbusfan 26 күн бұрын

Have you flown the drone while riding the train? I bet that would be risky.

@Jumpingoffthecliff 26 күн бұрын

No, I, afraid I would lose it, but it would make for some cool video!

@hre2044 28 күн бұрын

How do you get back home after train hopping? Do you always train hop back or do you fly back?

@Jumpingoffthecliff 28 күн бұрын

If I have the time I hop back. Sometimes I cheat and take Amtrak.

@wibble2071 28 күн бұрын

Hey awesome video. What do you use to video edit?

@Jumpingoffthecliff 28 күн бұрын

I use Final Cut Pro.

@Lonesomedoveloves 28 күн бұрын

You displayed a good George Shadow at time stamp 24:06.

@mustang922-e7y 28 күн бұрын

привет из России!берегите себя.

@bigmonmagoomba9634 28 күн бұрын

It looks like you’re no longer banned in Russia, George.

@702cadi 23 күн бұрын

Hi did anyone find out what really happened to shoestring??

@Jumpingoffthecliff 22 күн бұрын

I'm not sure we'll ever know exactly, but I don't think there was any evidence of foul play.

@702cadi 22 күн бұрын

@@Jumpingoffthecliffhi just thought I’d ask. Maybe he just fell in who knows

@ThaSilentOne420 28 күн бұрын

💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

@David-Indy 27 күн бұрын

Welcome back on the rails. You were missed. Was the wife apprehensive about you leaving?

@Jumpingoffthecliff 27 күн бұрын

Not too apprehensive. She knows I'll find a quick way home when needed.

@davegoodridge8352 28 күн бұрын

Sorry about the hat. Great video of the bridge!

@Jumpingoffthecliff 28 күн бұрын

I really enjoyed chatting with the bridge operator, Bobbi.

@larrystartzman2209 29 күн бұрын

Dang! He ran that barge alil crooked past Bobbi didn't he.

@Jumpingoffthecliff 29 күн бұрын

Yes, and the sudden application of full power was interesting. The next day a petroleum barge of some kind, maybe LNG, had a tug added to the front to guide it through and they went very slowly past the bridge with plenty of space on both sides.

@fredhalcomb5016 23 күн бұрын

@@Jumpingoffthecliff Those types of tows have to have a "bridge assist" by law. The tow that came close to the bumper wall was way out of whack, I've never seen one that close, although the current is horrendous right there. He could have radioed ARTCO for bridge assist but with as few barges as he had, I think he just misjudged.

@user-ii5gt6ny8c 19 күн бұрын

What day is your birthday on.

@Jumpingoffthecliff 18 күн бұрын

October 7th.

@jameschristiansson3137 27 күн бұрын

5:58 you attended church.

@user-ii5gt6ny8c 28 күн бұрын

Are you gonna make a train hopping video on Independence Day 🎆?

@Jumpingoffthecliff 28 күн бұрын

Hmmm, I doubt if I'll be riding on the Fourth, but you never know.

@tdtvegas 24 күн бұрын

Deindustrialization of this once great country, makes me sick to my stomach….

@remnanteighty 17 күн бұрын

Boats have the right of way over trains. Interesting fact.

@Jumpingoffthecliff 17 күн бұрын

Yes, I think back in the day the fought the whole concept of bridges across the Mississippi.

@BrandonLetgo-qc3uh 27 күн бұрын

Beware, Karen's are everywhere.

@teddyc.newton4874 25 күн бұрын

Interesting as usual, however the foul language leaves adds zero and leaves a lot to be desired. Anyway, safe riding.

@lvl76hobo11 25 күн бұрын

I prefer the authentic raw uncensored adult version. If you said it, lets hear it…

@cyb3rdecker 26 күн бұрын

Did you lose weight?

@Jumpingoffthecliff 26 күн бұрын

Yes, I dropped a few pounds. I’m using Trulicity for my diabetes and one of the side effects is losing a few pounds. Plus I always drop a few pounds on the road, but that comes back pretty quickly when I get home;)

@NocturnalIntellect 28 күн бұрын

Great to see you back out George! You rolled right past my house while you were sleeping. I’m right by the tracks in DeKalb. Looking forward to watching the rest of your adventure. Thanks for taking us along.

@bigmonmagoomba9634 28 күн бұрын

George, you look like you’ve lost some weight. Amirite?

@Jumpingoffthecliff 28 күн бұрын

Yes, I'm on Trulicity for my type II diabetes and one of the side effects is dropping a few pounds which never hurts;)

@haylieg2780 27 күн бұрын

Stop trespassing get a job

@Jumpingoffthecliff 27 күн бұрын

Job? I've been more or less retired since I was 59 when I sold my airplane and my wife and I hit the road wandering the country living full time in our diesel pusher RV. I'm 67 now, and we settled down and sold the RV a couple years ago so I wander on my own occasionally to fulfill my nomadic spirit. That's how it works when you ignore folks who tell you to "get a job". I found it to be far more lucrative to start my own ventures and live life on my terms. Thanks for watching though.

@bruderschweigen1259 28 күн бұрын

" FEELS GOOD OUT ON A TRAIN , HAVING A ADVENTURE. " HATE YOU GEORGE... SOOOOO JEALOUS..... LOL ===DRIFTER===

@Jumpingoffthecliff 28 күн бұрын

Hahaha, I understand;)

@RickHosee 27 күн бұрын

Dude, I go to college for 4 years in a month an a half. I want to catch and a train and feel the wind before I have to go to school. Please contact me or help me with the sauce to find the correct trains and train yard. 1 day ago, and it’s in Chicago, this is perfect.

@Jumpingoffthecliff 27 күн бұрын

It’s not quite that simple. I would suggest finding someone in your area that rides trains, they’ll be much better equipped to help you and ideally show you the ropes first hand.