The World's Largest Backyard Railroad?

For over 25 years Van has been laying track on his land in the Great Basin. With 10 miles of track he just may now have the world's largest estate railroad.
I (Dale) helped lay the first mile of track in 1996. Hard work but fun and interesting. Van's goal was to build the railroad entirely from the train and track a=so that the land would be undisturbed. So that it really feels like heading out on the narrow gauge into the wilderness. Well, he did it! After the first mile of heading into the landscape, you understand that you are in fact on a railroad in the wilderness. No roads, no other tracks, no trails other than deer trails, you are in the middle of nowhere on a narrow-gauge train.
The gauge is 7 1/2 inches and most of the equipment is 2.5-inch scale or models of three-foot narrow gauge trains. The flagship is a huge model of Uinta 50, the articulated locomotive that ran on the Utah-Colorado border years ago. However, there are several other models of 1/8 scale steam and diesel locomotives.
Van's railroad is never open to the public and he has asked us not to tell the location or his real name. He just wants to run his trains not to have meets or people over.

Пікірлер: 351

  • @HerksTrainShed
    @HerksTrainShed3 жыл бұрын

    I remember this place my grandfather had build a water tower for him many many years ago.

  • @Shadowfax-1980
    @Shadowfax-19803 жыл бұрын

    This isn’t a hobby. This is a vocation! I bet it’s fun to load some camping equipment, haul it out to one of the clearings, and just spend the night.

  • @robertemmons2260
    @robertemmons22603 жыл бұрын

    Out in the middle of nowhere, just how I like it. The silence is music to my ears.

  • @Chaomhainn
    @Chaomhainn3 жыл бұрын

    Wow ! Such a dedicated big toy lover huh ? I respect the mans ambition passion and privacy among the most . You folks are special to have and give us this presentation thanks in this time of need of wonderment .

  • @sgttombailes3380
    @sgttombailes3380

    LOVE this video ! I Pray everyday that I can build a railroad for the kids where I grew up on a RR. Old Gainesville Midland RR is now CSX and it runs by the Farm house 2 to 3 times per day.. Love It !!

  • @DrummerJacob
    @DrummerJacob3 жыл бұрын

    Steps to having worlds largest backyard railroad:

  • @geralddeering2248
    @geralddeering2248 Жыл бұрын

    This is a labor of love.When you go for a ride,you should take another engine with you just in case you break down otherwise it is a long walk back.

  • @Flying90
    @Flying903 жыл бұрын

    Wow this is so cool!! This is one of the reasons I want land too and not living in some urban neighborhood where I can hear the neighbors fighting with each other

  • @grantbassett2048
    @grantbassett20483 жыл бұрын

    Hidi hi, that is an amazing place. I love the size ,but love the fact theres nothing but earth and trees all around it. And beyond. Nice to see the Younger Dale in photos. Great bridge. It looks a hot dry place. Thanks for shareing trip out. Love it. Keep srewin around & traveling around you two. Grant ☆

  • @jeffgentle6497
    @jeffgentle64973 жыл бұрын

    This is my 1st time commenting but I just have to say you guys are such an adorable couple and I really enjoy all of your videos! I have a fairly extensive HO scale layout and I love the real trains as well. Thanks again for all the wonderful videos that you share.

  • @StressLessCamping
    @StressLessCamping3 жыл бұрын

    We can't get track one laid on our garden railway and this gent has 10 miles of track. What a cool video as always!

  • @louisgurske8179
    @louisgurske81793 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much. Looking forward to next Sunday.

  • @stephenriley9084
    @stephenriley90843 жыл бұрын

    Dale, Karen, Wonderful! You are both good storytellers. Regards Stephen.

  • @jessicavanwagenen7776
    @jessicavanwagenen77763 жыл бұрын

    So much fun Thank You!

  • @ParkerTyler
    @ParkerTyler3 жыл бұрын

    I used to ride the trains all the time in Tooele when I was younger! And as I grew up and we would drive to St George from Tooele to visit my grandparents, I would always catch a glimps of some of these tracks in the Meadow and wonder what this railroad looked like! Now I know! Thank you for sharing!!

  • @bigwoz78
    @bigwoz783 жыл бұрын

    Just awesome, can’t wait until next Sunday

  • @TheKurtsPlaceChannel
    @TheKurtsPlaceChannel3 жыл бұрын

    Very nicely put together video and very entertaining as well. Thanks for posting this.

  • @johnkuzma7066
    @johnkuzma70663 жыл бұрын

    I would love to bring my little engines American now that I know that one can handle the gradients.

  • @islandofmisfittrains5114
    @islandofmisfittrains51143 жыл бұрын

    This is awesome. You guys see some of the coolest railroads and layouts.

  • @DavidDragonhammer
    @DavidDragonhammer3 жыл бұрын

    wow,beautiful....