Many years ago I revisited Madras, OR, having spend a boyhood year there when my Dad was in the US Public Health Service. I stopped at the BN/UP Madras station, then with a staffed operator. I introduced myself as a Southern Pacific employee and asked what trains would be running in the next few hours. He gave me a lineup...and said, "If you were about to ask, you have plenty of time to walk the bridge (over the Crooked River, 15:35 in the video), set up on the other side, and come back." So I did. He was, fortunately, correct. I had set up and was waiting for nearly an hour before a southbound train showed up. I got my pictures and walked back to the station, to thank him. He said, "Don't leave yet...there's a really unusual train coming next, it's a nuclear waste train, all-SP, and he's got the railroad, priority over everything. They just ran him around one of our trains." I took his word and waited for more than another hour. That really unusual train was two Southern Pacific SD40T-2, two SP boxcars as buffers, one nuclear containment flatcar, two more SP boxcars, and an SP caboose. They were on their way to the nuclear disposal facility in Washington. The BN/UP depot at Madras was demolished in the mid-1980s when dispatching was centralized.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for all that great info!

It's good to see a Ferromex engine here. She's definitely pretty far from home. The scenery is very interesting from start to finish. The deep valleys are really magical. I'm sure building the track wasn't the easiest job. And everything looks remote. If something bad happens out there, like a rock slide or a fallen tree help is far away. The lava field is truly mind-blowing, a rare place that's for sure. Wonderful aerial footage again Dan. I really enjoyed this update, it's high quality and spectacular as always.

@DIY_Semi-Pro

2 ай бұрын

I didn't know the Fero's made it up that far; pretty cool color contrast on those units

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much Z! I love it out there. Yes they do deal with rock slides and it can be a pain to deal with. Even sections where the gravel road follows the line in the canyon on the other side of the river there is very limited access to the railroad side of the river. Oddly enough I have caught a few Ferromex units on this line which is interesting. Glad you enjoyed!

Stellar drone work!!! Spectacular! Oregon landscape I didn't know existed.

Dan, I just wanted to say thank you once again! I am always amazed at how you are able to capture the beauty of Oregon. It's difficult to get the same perspective of the landscapes from the highway, but there's something so serene about a train moving through a quiet area carved out amidst the natural beauty. Dwight

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thank you so much Dwight you're too kind! Yes indeed it is quite a different perspective and gives the ability to go places you straight up wouldn't be able to go otherwise.

Beautiful video. Can't imagine the difficulties overcome to create the rail-bed through those huge lava fields. The tool, boot and glove suppliers must have been ecstatic!

Been through Maupin so many times and never seen a train running along the Deschutes! Finally, damm great to see!

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

It's not easy to do! One could spend a very very long time waiting if they didn't have any inside info.

Another amazing catch with breath taking natural beauty. Always a pleasure to watch!

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks a lot!

Excellent. Just wonderful.

@TheRailfanDan

28 күн бұрын

Thank you Tom!

Forever amazes me the engineeering that went into creating these rail lines!!

I so enjoyed this video , love My New England Berkshire hills however this is a totally different experience. Thanks.

Coś niesamowitego ♥️😱

Masterful. Thank you Dan.🙏

Stunningly beautiful footage as always even on a cloudy day.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

I know! It's amazing how wonderful it can be even on such a gloomy day! This was the most gloomy day I have ever seen out there.

Awesome as always Dan! I really enjoyed the low light scenes you captured around Lava siding, beautiful production.

Beautiful, as always! These are works of art, imo.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much Miriam!

outstanding video quality! just plain awesome!

Great Video!

Dan. Easy to see why this is one of your favourite areas. The vision is stunning.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

It is quite magnificent! I never get tired of visiting.

Great footage!

My grandfather worked for the Prineville Railway. 1940's. Well before I was born.

Another beautifully shot and edited video. This country is really rugged; the line must have cost a fortune to build. The lava field segment is impressive and shooting it in the fading light of dusk must have been as challenging as it is artistic. The low altitude view of the rear of the train leaving the siding and disappearing into the blackness of the lava field was a strong and artistic ending. Well done, Dan.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much my friend! It was fun shooting that section in the dark but I wished it was a little lighter so you could see more detail in the rock. I wasn't sure if I would add that last section down low like that so I'm really glad to hear you liked it!

the scenery is so lush, wow... that's so amazing with the drone shots too.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!

Incredible footage!

Well, that was enjoyable, thanks.

Poetry in motion. Another great video. 🙂

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much Dennis!

Spectacular video! The scenery is breathtaking.

I ❤ That Trestle 😊

That DJI sure tracks nicely...pun intended! :-)

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Ha nice one!

Man Dan, honestly, this is top-notch content, my friend! And though I crashed my drone, I was inspired to get another to redeem myself in the skies due to your awesome footage. Definitely one of the best Railfanners by drone!

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much KC you're too kind! Man I have crashed my fair share too and I'm sorry to hear that but glad you replaced it! What are you flying now?

@KCTopDawg

2 ай бұрын

@TheRailfanDan I haven't got it just yet but I'm eyeing a DJI MINI 3 OR 4

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

@@KCTopDawg Ah gotcha! If you could swing it I would highly HIGHLY recommend the Air 3. Having that second 70mm focal length camera would totally change your life! I am even thinking about getting an Air 3 as a backup to my Mavic 3 Pro.

@KCTopDawg

2 ай бұрын

@@TheRailfanDan ok!

Breathtaking is an apt description!

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks a lot Bill!

Great work! Great choice of music! Many thanks!!!

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!

Beautiful! I love your videos and will always be a fan of the railroad. My Dad and Grandpa were retired Railroaders. Grandpa with L&N 1930’s through late 60’s. Dad was 1946 through 1986 Eugene to Dunsmuir, Ca. (Klamath Falls was crew dispatcher) Love seeing trains. Dad would have been 100 this year! Wow. I wonder what that large abandon structure was north of Madras?

I'm not a train junky, but we have a main line BNSF track next to family property near Olivet, Kansas. I got a drone last fall and thought it might be cool get some shots of a few trains. I went searching for some and well here I am several videos in. We don't have near as cool of country as this, but still could find some fun shots. Mostly intermodal going by anymore. Awesome videos!

Your videos are always fantastic!!!

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks a lot!

Great video, thank you so much! ❤️

Very well done video!!!

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks a lot!

I was surprised that you didn’t include the Crooked River Gorge. That would have been fun to see. I grew up in Madras and actually climbed the center tower of the trestle when I was a kid. I was born in 1951 and remember watching steam locomotives crossing that trestle when I was very young.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

I really wanted to get the Crooked River Gorge but I had never shot at Prineville Jct. before and I had to pick one or the other. It was pretty fogged out at the Crooked River too so I'm not sure that would have looked very good. Probably couldn't have even seen the bottom.

NBSR! Never Before Seen Railroad! Beautiful documentation.

Great video, Thanks!

As usual Dan your video are awesome & very enjoyable and very presented, many thanks Steve from England ❤😊

@TheRailfanDan

14 күн бұрын

Thank you so much Steve I'm glad you're enjoying!

Another beautiful production! I love the way you include the incredible scenery in your videos. It’s mesmerizing to watch the trains make their way through the landscape. Another brilliant video! Thank you!!!

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thank you thank you!! I love this region so much and am very grateful it isn't so terribly far away.

Oregon Trunk, I've see the entrance close to Wishram, but this is certainly on my list as one main favorite. Great! Many thanks.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

I'm obsessed with it! It's magnificent. I highly recommend driving the canyon road North of Maupin someday. Even without a train it's a marvelous sight.

Thanks!

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thank you so so much Dave! That helps out my channel a lot!

Dan, this is the first time I have seen your videos and I am thoroughly impressed.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Well thanks so much Jerry you're too kind! I hope you will enjoy more or what I offer. You might like my video just before this one from Moab Utah.

Great video, Dan. In my next life I think I'll live in Maupin. But on one of the hillsides overlooking the RR and the river.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks a lot and I agree that would be a paradise of a place to live!

It is Amazing, rather Astounding to see that how much pain you take to record such movies.

I have been wanting to go do this run for a while now. Great video! I really enjoyed wathing while drinking my Saturday morning coffee.... Thanks!

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much Mitch!

The bridge at Madras crosses the Willow Creek Canyon. The dirt path at the bottom of the canyon is the original Oregon Trunk. The current route is the former Deschutes Railway between South Junction and Metolius.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Yes correct! I did know all that but sometime I pick and choose how much info to put in a video. This one not so much with the history of the line so I didn't add that.

@youngwarrior2

2 ай бұрын

I was born in Redmond and still have family in the area so know a lot about the history. Also, my dad's brother's wife's father was a brakeman on the Trunk working out of Wishram. His name was John Wilde.@@TheRailfanDan

Another great video. Thanks for the wonderful railfanning.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!

Ah, great job Dan. Perfect balance of narration and music to help immersion into your world of railfanning. Your videos are right up there with Danny Harmon my man. Keep up the great work.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much that's quite a compliment to be compared to Danny! I only just started narrating really and am getting some great feedback about it.

Simply awesome. Loved the last tank car joining the main line via the switch at the end of the video. Thanks!!

Been to Maupin myself many times. Has been a long time since though. Do like it. 😊

Awesome video!! 👍

An outstanding video! Thank you! Glad we found you all!

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Glad you found me too thanks a lot!

Outstanding footage there Dan!!! 👍🏻🎥💯

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!

@brandonreeves5979

2 ай бұрын

@@TheRailfanDan yes sir. You are welcome.

Great Video! The beginning part of the stretch near Deschutes River at Maupin, is special to me. My brother and I used to do some whitewater Rafting there and I think I can even recognize the spot where he fell in water and lost his very nice glasses in the water. We searched afterwards, but LOL! As if you are going to find the glasses in the river when you don't even know where exactly you lost them.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

I am absolutely obsessed with that whole canyon! I can never get enough of it! Oh no that's a sad day for sure!

@suryamitra7397

2 ай бұрын

@@TheRailfanDanNot a sad Day! Glasses-Shmasses, who cares about them. That was one of the best days we will always remember. You are right about the canyon! Thanks for the whole video though, a work of art!

Nice job railfan dan

Hi Dan. First time viewer here. Your cinematography is spectacular. Really something special. I very much enjoyed your rear of the train work. It’s so rare to see that view for any length of time and i loved it. Your work along mud creek was awesome. I would really enjoy seeing you work the Southwest Chief through New Mexico. Keep it up!

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much John you're too kind! I love flying and following the rear because I can comfortable get very close and know I would hit something unlike flying backwards. I really pride myself on my backwards flying abilities but there is always risk with that and I have crashed drones in the past because of it! I would absolutely love to visit a number of locations in New Mexico but I don't know when that might be. If you enjoyed this you might really enjoy my videos from Utah that are all uploaded just before this video.

Impressive landscape. One of the most interesting railway lines in USA. Volker from Germany

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

It is one of my all time favorite that I luckily don't live too far from. Glad you enjoyed!

Spectacular production. Congratulations and thank you.

One drone pilot to another, fantastic flying and framing! Well done. Your Moab line video is spectacular also!!

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Well thanks so much I'm humbled you think so! Yeah that region around Moab is just unreal. Even being there it felt hard to believe was real.

This is impressive drone footage. Oregon has extremely varied topography and geology and it came through well in this video. And you can surmise from this footage why things cost more in the West than in the East.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!

Awesome video dan

Nothing beats the impressive, long, snake looking, US trains. The geography where they progress.... Just incredible. Amazing. The "naked" landscape, no alleys of trees around the tracks allows those fantastic shots. Here, in Sweden, the standard sidings are 750 meters, some 2400 feet and the length of the cargo trains apply to that. 1600 tons are pulled by one standard, RC, loco. Heavier trains use double headed. The speeds used vary from 50 mph to 75 mph. One special train type runs at 100 mph. A lot different....

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Yes a lot different for sure! I bet they are much more efficient there than they are in North America. It's all about profits here. They don't care about doing what makes the most sense.

@Stefan_Boerjesson

2 ай бұрын

@@TheRailfanDan I guess the words "just in time", used in the industry, plays a role here. We don't tranport the same amount of cargo as in the US. Logistics is not my number one subject....

Awesome video, Dan. Very well done with such beautiful footage and informative narration. Love the music also. Keep ‘em coming!

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much Rick!

Absolutely beautiful! I used to live in Bend, and even drove the trucks, hauling powder cement, that were shown on the right, when your video first came into Bend. I sometimes wonder why I ever moved back to Nebraska?? You did miss one main feature though, the Crooked River Gorge bridge, between Madras and Redmond, 350 feet high! If I had unlimited funds and space, I certainly model the Oregon Trunk! Using your videos for reference in the hard to access areas! Beautiful! Thank you for what you do!

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Oh cool I know exactly where you are talking about. Yes you're right I did skip out on Crooked River. I've shot it quite a bit over the years and really wanted to shoot Prineville Jct. this time around. I wasn't able to get both those locations since they're too close together. Thanks so much for your kind words!

Excellent work Dan; thank you so much!

Amazing work well done

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Great video work! Thank you for posting.

I pulled into Bend that evening for NYE, so I would have just missed this train. The next day there was a train parked on a siding all day, which I thought a bit excessive. My guess is that the crew died on the clock and they couldn't get another crew up from K Falls because of the holiday. Great flying! I love central Oregon too. Deschutes Brewery is the best!

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Ha small world! Very cool. Yeah that must have been due to crew availability. Something this line struggles with quite badly at times. A good buddy of mine worked out of both Wishram and Klamath Falls at different times in recent years and always talked about that.

What an absolute fantastic video of the rails!! I appreciate how well you inform the audience about the trains, the area, the inclines, and the towns all along the route. Really look forward to watching more of your video. Just found you today, so subscribed and thank you for all the miles traveled and the time put into this to bring us the rails. Until next time!! Many thanks!

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much Millie you're too kind! I am glad you discovered my channel and subscribed! It's such a fun hobby and it's great to be able to share it with the world. If you have time I would suggest the video I uploaded just before this one from Moab Utah. That has some of the most fantastic scenery a railroad traverses in the entire country in my opinion.

Very nice. Not a region of the country I've spent a lot of time in. Thank you for sharing.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR POWERFUL CREATING 😊😊😊😊

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

You're welcome and thank you so much!

I just don't understand how anyone can not love trains. Hell, I even love the NYC subway.

I’m with you wishing I could have one of those homes in Maupin. If available I’m sure they would be out of my price range. So I’ll just have to “settle” for your amazing videos. Thanks!

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Haha "settle" I catch your drift! Thanks so much for the kind words!

That was an awesome video man and is that the same track that ties into the Highline subdivision and ties into the Kiddy Y or what but anyway, stay safe out there, my friend. We’ll see you on the Nixon.

Absolutely stellar!

Beautiful scenery and very well done drone footage. Thank you for sharing.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks a lot!

Just fabulous work!

Awesome! I rafted from about warm springs (near madras) to the Columbia a few summers ago and remember seeing countless trains! cool to see the other bits of the line!

Your videos are exceptional and I've come to expect that, this was no exception! What made this video extra special was the shots at 11.20 (following the helpers through the cut), around 15.00 at Gateway Gulch and then that end shot following the cars out the loop. I appreciate you can't do shots like that everywhere but getting close and personal with the trains was spectacular. Thank you.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! I love getting up close like that when I can which is the most comfortable when following and flying forward. That is much more risky flying backwards.

Very nice and a pleasure watch!

Id imagine that these incredible tools have pretty much put aerial photography with aircraft out of business 😮

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

I think they still have their place but more so on massive production sets.

Way to go Dan !

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much my friend!

Very Amazing Sir 👍 Love From Pakistan 🇵🇰❤️🇺🇸

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

Thank you for this video of a portion of the BNSF Oregon Trunk that we had not seen before. It was interesting to see the green landscape in this area at the end of December 2023. Was the green scenery due to the rains that were brought on shore by the waves of rainstorms that hit the west coast in late 2023 and early 2024? This was a long train. The length of the train was visible after the train came out of tunnel #5 and the view you gave us of the train. I liked the views of the train coming through the rock cuts before the train came to the Lava Siding.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much Thomas I'm glad you enjoyed! Yes I am thinking the green was due to rain. The region did see quite a bit of that recently but usually it needs some warm sunny days to go with it which I didn't think had happened much. I love that section around tunnel 5! Yeah that section through Lava fields is pretty amazing!

Awesome drone video, beautiful landscape👌👌👌

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Well, that was fun. Im not a railfab, but Central Oregon is my home, so I enjoyed this. I was wondering if you would go into the history of the drama when building the lower part of the rail line, but soon realized that isn't what you do, and thats fine. But for those interested, its worth looking into. Two men racing to be the first to build the line, one on one side of the river, one on the other. Lots of old tyme drama.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Oh yes! Considered the last well known railroad war to play out. I know much of this but haven't gone into any history of it in my content. Maybe someday I will but yes you're correct that isn't really what the channel is about. But I find all that very interesting.

Outstanding video. I love that part of central Oregon as well.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thank you!

So enjoyable too watch this. I’m an Oregon resident and love the area this train was rolling through. Your drone flying is top notch, so smooth and easy to watch. A really professional looking production! You have a new subscriber!

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much Rick I'm glad you found my channel and are enjoying! I will continue to strive to keep bringing you stuff like this!

very good video. i lived in Prineville and Bend for about a year when i was younger, nice to see familiar territory again

😮 breathtaking ! ❤

Great drone work. Very smooth both flying and zooming/panning.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@mriley4955

2 ай бұрын

@@TheRailfanDanHow did you manage to get all that drone footage over 160 miles of the same train. Impressive!

Another mesmerizing Video! Simply awesome, I could watch for hours, Great music selection as well very fitting.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much I'm humbled you think so! I sometimes get pretty picky about the music so I'm really glad to hear comments like yours!

@user-bg8uw7sd8k

2 ай бұрын

I"m curious as to where you were located in order to fly the intro scene basically non stop! I'm alway looking at the video trying to spot you in the frame somewhere. Where's waldo? I thought up on a hill on the opposite side of the train in order to have a good vantage point.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

@@user-bg8uw7sd8k I know many like to play where's Waldo with where I am haha! I try to keep myself out of the frame as best as I can. That first shot I was on the road that parallels the other side of the river so I had good line of sight being on the outside of the curve.

Fantastic drone control makes for great video!! I use a drone and wish I were as talented.

@TheRailfanDan

Ай бұрын

Thanks so much! Well many years of flying have improved my skills for sure. Been flying 7 and a half years.

Awesome drone piloting and film footage that tells the train trip story in video alone.

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks a lot!

Great camerawork, fabulous scenery but I think you need to include information regarding the types of locomotives in use.

awesome video, full screen is key to watch. Oregon has vast landscape changes from west coast to Idaho side.

❤❤❤ Awesome !!! ❤❤❤

Good heavens, this video is fabulous, and it earned you a new sub! Absolutely AMAZING aerial shots! 👍👍

@TheRailfanDan

2 ай бұрын

Well thank you that's very kind and I'm glad you subscribed! I hope you will enjoy more of what I have to offer. Some of my recent material from Utah uploaded just before this video is pretty neat.