Classic Baltimore Light Rail-Timonium MD to Camden Yards (1992)
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- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2024
- Probably the most comprehensive video of the first section of Baltimore's light rail system, opened in 1992. A video that would be impossible to make today, with all the security!! I challenge anyone to try!
Once upon a time-before 9/11-one could make detailed videos like this. Incredible detail here, including the train's control panel! Of particular interest is this video dates back when the line was still 40% single track (all double now). The REAL interest? I made this video in the presence of security, with a large VHS camera! Also featuring: the changing of the motormen.
Forgive my lack of narration! I know it's unusual for me, but I provided subtitles so you'll know what's going on.
So, sit back and enjoy this classic view of Baltimore's light rail line! It's been extended further north and south since. I did previously upload a light rail video, but this one's way more comprehensive. And check out all the security cops at the end, who were literally impervious to what I was doing, gargantuan camera and all!
Taken on June 8 1992.
Things really have changed since 1992. The line is double-tracked, the extension to Penn Station was completed, the line continued north and south of the destinations in the video. The area around Mount Royal is further developed... Thanks for capturing this and sharing.
Yes, things have certainly changed since 1992! Glad I made this when I did-not just because of the changes since that time, bit today I probably couldn't get away with making such a comprehensive video, with all the security these days! Looking back, really surprised I could do it back then as well, with a big, conspicuous, and obvious VHS camera, standing up front all that time! Thanx for viewing and commenting. -Gus
I love the sound of the bell. Brings back memories of Baltimore's PCC streetcars. The curvy right of way going up through North Baltimore is reminiscent of the old Ma & Pa line.
Actually I once spoke with someone who rode the NCRY when it still ran to PA, and he said it had its curves too, not too unlike the Ma & Pa. Also-ridden many a PCC myself! And, come to think of it-rode the Ma & Pa too! Actually, just the reopened section in PA recently, not in its classic days. Though I'd better clarify that! Do recall seeing the line as a kid, but never saw a train.
When I was still attending Poly on Cold Spring Lane, I had a mid-morning class on certain days that faced out to the JFX and NCRY. The morning local freight to Cockeysville usually would go up the line during class around 10:30 or so with about 20 cars, with mostly boxcars for the Hunt Valley Industrial Park. Only rode the line one time in 1969 on an excursion train - Balto. to Harrisburg and return. Yes, heard plenty of squealing flanges coming down from York. Only part of the Ma & Pa I rode was a bit of industrial trackage within York on their original line. That was back in 1977. Fun times!
Fond memories on the Lightrail as a kid with my mother. I always loved those semi-circle lights on Howard street. Sad those are gone now.
I haven't noticed that those lights were removed! Might be attending a Ravens game, in which case I'll be riding the light rail, so I'll be sure to look!
👍 Another great, nostalgic video, Gus! Except for some reason, I didn't get the informative chatter and occasional dry humor from my speakers????? Haha, great job anyway! It's always a good thing to be able to go back in time and see these things. 🚂🚌🚌🚌🚌🚌🚌🚌🚌
Thanx, Dave! I felt conspicuous enough standing up front with that big heavy camera during the entire trip, let alone trying to narrate! Figured most of it would be self-explanatory anyway. I wish I could do this again today, and get the entire line from Hunt Valley to Cromwell, but something tells me I'd be arrested and arraigned if I tried, and it's important that I stay a free man. But-sure was great to have been able to do this! Shame times have changed.
Hello! I have been riding the Light Rail since I was 3 years old. That's a good video you have
Thank You very much!!
You're welcome.
Seeing the section at Penn Station without the spur tracks, a parking lot and no huge building blocking the view is so very foreign and simple to me. I was just over 5 months old when you shot this video!
I'm so glad I found this video. It's extremely rare to find pictures of the light rail's beginning let alone video.
Glad you enjoyed! Looking back, it's good that I did this while I could, because now-with all that added security-I'd never get away with making a comprehensive video like this! Those were the days! Thanx for viewing. -Gus
Good Video. This was before it ran to Shawan Road (Hunt Valley).
Thank You! It didn't run to Glen Burnie yet either! Glad I got this when I did, as I could probably never get away with making such a detailed video today, with all the security concerns!
@@bullfrog1954 I liv with my Parents in Rockville
Nice area! Passed through by train back in 1984!
Really nice video of how Baltimore looked in 92! I really enjoy seeing all of these types of videos & so glad there is people like you Gus that enjoy preserving our history on video! Thanks so very much for sharing ! I hope all is well with you & Dolly! Stay safe & take care until !next time!
Thanx Lynn-and nice to hear from you again! Those were great days for me back then, with nowhere near the back pain I have now! I could never haul that huge VHS camera around today! Back then, preserving history wasn't on my mind; rather just making a video for my own personal use of a just-opened rail facility. Glad now that I did it, and that security let me get away with it! Glad you enjoyed, and I hope you're doing OK yourself!
Every time I watch one of your videos, it's off to history class !!! Quite an interesting timeline with Camden Yards, especially with the Great Strike of 1877. Hey, by the way, on May 21, and July 9, I took my first and second train rides -- in 45 years !!! Nothing really special, just down to New Haven and back, but I enjoyed it immensely. I even did a little video on my channel, about 20 minutes long. I did it with my iPhone and it didn't come out too bad. As always, love your videos. And lots of Love to you and Dolly.....and my bud, Kramer. Sharon Lee
Hello, Sharon Lee! How've you been! Glad you got to take a couple train rides! I'll bet they were fun! Had a quick look at some of those short videos you posted-might connect 'em into one and watch on my big screen!
Glad you stopped by, Sharon Lee! All the best from me, Dolly, and...Kramer! But...in the process of moving with Dolly on a permanent basis, and if I do that-won't get to see much of Kramer! I'll pop in on him once in a while.
Don't know if it's at the beginning or the end, but I did put all of them together, it's about 20 minutes long.... even got a video with an old water or coaling tower. I can't tell. But yeah, it was interesting. Good luck with the move, and yes, keep an eye, and a video or two, on Kramer, our fav furball !!!
Thank You, Sharon Lee! Will do!
It's interesting to see that there were no buildings in the spot around 0:08. Now around the fairgrounds, there are buildings that have been built up now.
Yes, things have changed quite a bit since 1992. Guess we can't stop progress...
as of 2017 a few small parts of the line like near hunt valley are still single tracked
Interesting how a small 3/4 mile section between Schilling and Beaver Dam Roads stayed single. but examining the area, seems like no room to put a second track! Fortunately too short a stretch to affect scheduling. Thanx for viewing. -Gus
Nice Video from the Beginning of the LRT. Funny they only built half of it in the beginning.
Thank You! I could never get away with making this video now, with all the post-9/11 security!! Glad I did it when I did! Made light rail videos since, but none of the actual ride on it. Would've loved to video the part that didn't exist back then, but too much security now!
Great video, Gus. I know that another RUclips had an encounter with a cop when he was recording a video of the light rail after 9/11. Explains why there hasn't been subsequent videos of the expanded system. That's a shame. For a while you couldn't are rr photos in NJ, but I believe that has been rolled back.
Thanx, James! I recall that situation too several years ago, where someone got detained here for doing less that I did here. He made train videos in other cities, but got into trouble only here in Baltimore. In 2011 my lady got accosted by some big apelike woman security cop just for taking ONE photo of a light rail train when we were down by Camden Yards. Security is now reputedly a bit kinder and gentler, but I still wouldn't tempt fate. I'm still surprised what I got away with here! I stood behind the cab, shooting thru the window, very conspicuous with a big camera, and no one said anything! Today, one can stand by the track and catch one going by on video, but I wouldn't try getting all the detail inside the train, like the control panel! Trains now have security cameras, and I'd be caught in no time-and probably booked!
That heightened security has always puzzled me. Unless you've lived under a rock anywhere in the world you know how a traditional railway works - flanged wheel cars coupled together roll along a steel track pulled by some type of motive power. There's no more "secure" information on your trackside photo or video than you can find in any railroad related book in the library. If someone wanted to sabotage a certain train they sure don't need a camera to do it. It wouldn't show anything they didn't already know about trains from other sources or their own personal experience.
Hello. Would it be OK to use this in a short film Documentary I'm doing on Baltimore to show Baltimore in the 90's. I will credit you
Yes-you may use it as long as I'm credited. Not a problem! I've done documentary-type videos myself! Let me know when your finished product is up!
@@bullfrog1954 Yes sir I will. Thank you very much
Thank you very much. I will credit you. Did you want your personal name or (The Frog Pond-bullfrog 1954's)
Well...if you could mention my name and my channel name which is bullfrog1954. YT apparently stopped using labels a ways back so the name Frog Pond is no longer there. As a lifelong Baltimorean I want to wish you good luck with your project! 👌✌
Amazing footage!
That Royal Farms is still there at Seminary.
Yes it certainly is!
wasn't the railbed originally a B&O Line at one time?
Actually, no, but it was chartered on almost the same day as B&O back in 1828. Began as Baltimore & Susquehanna RR; became Northern Central RY in the mid-1800s before being bought out by the PRR and becoming their Northern Central "Branch." Freights operated by PRR, PC, Conrail and lastly NSRR, though I'm told not much freight goes up that way anymore.
Yes, back in the 1960s the new Hunt Valley business/industrial park generated a lot of carload freight. A daily local would go at least as far as Cockeysville sometimes having 20 or more cars to be delivered. Plus some passenger train service still ran on the line. Even in the early 1970s when I was working in that area, freight business was still brisk along that stretch. By the early 80s freight traffic was down considerably and some sidings at Hunt Valley warehouses had actually been torn up. By the time the line was rebuilt for light rail there was only a trickle of freight traffic left.
When did they complete the southbound line?
I think it was the late 90s they finally completed the other sections, along with the double tracking. If they could go further north to Phoenix and south to Harundale, I think it would really help.
Oh, yes-I'm familiar with ALL those stations! Back in the 80s I'd buy train books, and do research at the central library. I know Union Station got remodeled into Penn Station. It was the 'union' of the PRR, WMRY and NCRY-hence the word 'union.' Calvert Station was the NCRY's along with Bolton. The WMRY terminated at Hillen Station, a bit south of Calvert. As far as light rail extensions, my understanding is they can still restore service to Annapolis-if they don't mind spending bucks to restore the Severn River crossing. Of course, that line is now a bike trail, but I hear it's supposedly 'legal' to make it a RR again. Probably won't happen in my lifetime.