Eagle Mountain Railroad - DIY Speeder - Stopped by the U.S.A.F. - The Rocket Scientist

The U.S. Air Force's "Range Patrol" stopped us from going on the tracks east of the cannel. So we could only go west. (East side is better, including the Salt Creek Trestle). This video was filmed at the Eagle Mountain Railroad (EMRR) in the Chocolate Mountains.

[JBennett]

I smiled as the jet flew over, confirming the airman's instructions to vacate the area. I'm retired USAF, I see your USN, congratulations on your retirement!

[SteveH-TN]

Thanks for sharing this video. I’m retired USAF. Interesting rail car.

[ronniepirtlejr]

This is like the railroad version of riding a Harley with the wind at your face.
I would have a blast doing this!👍

[JayEnn-pb]

Why did I watch this? I was in the USAF from 1962 to 1966. In South Dakota. After that I became a hobo riding on freight trains Later I became a motorcycle mechanic. I finally settled down and became a schoolteacher. I love this video... Why?

[davidedgar]

I went to Eagle mountain back in the 90's and collected mineral samples. This was some very unique iron and manganese samples. Just recently I've started to cut up these samples and I'm amazed at the high iron content as well as the high quality of manganese that was produced there.
This was a basically abandoned mining site prior to the "landfill" project that was taken over by the govt
I seem to recall that it was a Kaiser Steel mine and produced some of the most highest quality iron ore during WW2.

[derrickflippen]

THIS WAS GREAT RIDE FOR ME, JUST LIKE I WAS THERE WITH YOU TOO. I SITTING IN THE BACK WHILE YOU DRIVE US AROUND.THE SITES WAS GOOD ON THE EYES.THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME INTO YOUR ADVENTURE.FROM NEW JERSEY. KEEP ON RAILING.

[michaelshultz]

I grew up in the desert southwest and this was so awsum and relaxing. I could just about smell the desert plants and feal the warm dry air on that beautiful overcast partly cloudy day. Now i want to start doing this .you have definitely inspired me. Thank you so much.

[TheLawCoyoteTLC]

The train horn is a nice touch. People will be expecting a train coming around the corner

[rogerhaag]

The roadbed built up so high and for such as long distance!!!! Amazing hasn’t eroded!!! Not much rain there!!!!

[davekreidenweis]

Very cool trip thru the desert, thanks for sharing this

[Britcarjunkie]

Interesting that the USAF stopped you, as that range belongs to the Navy!

It's the Chocolate Mountains Aerial Gunnery Range, and it's where the original "Top Gun" combat scenes were filmed.

I used to go target shooting off of I-10 and Red Cloud Rd., between 1989-2002, and was buzzed by F-14's, A-4's, F-18's, OV-10's, A-6/7's, and even the odd C-130, while playing out there.

The area where I would shoot was about 6 miles south of the freeway - just a tad inside the edge of the range, and while I was never stopped by the military, one of the last times I was out there, I was finally approached by a federal Ranger, that checked to make sure my rifles were legal (and they were...and a bit collectible - and to my surprise, his book that he used to check serial numbers told him that!)

I'd occasionally see him out there over the years, maybe 4 or 5 times. He only stopped the one time, because I was parked about 50 yards off the trail - a no-no. I did this all the time out there, but during the Clinton years, he was told to enforce it! I was never cited, though, as I always cleaned up all my spent casings, and all my targets and trash, hence why he never said hello before.

[stevearmstrong]

Who needs a round-house anyhow? I will use this here jack...Cool! This is on my bucket list for sure! Love it! This is real adventure.

[billy]

Suggestion: Aluminum bars in front corners will push brush off too sides, and a piece of plexiglass would be helpfull for the front. Have a nice day !!

[Craigs_car_care]

Now there's something new I've never seen before. That looks like a heck of a lot of fun on a lot of different levels. Thanks for sharing.

[Jreb]

What a great trip that was! A recent vid says the rails are gone now. What a shame. Greed has no bounds...

[johnjomennelsonForEveryone]

What a classic video idea, & the fishlens camera was a magnificent way to start. Hat's off to our "Flyboys". Thank you for serving our country. What an exciting experience this must have been. Right from the getgo, I was concerned for your over~all safety. Those chairs, I didn't think they could handle the weight. What with the added pressure of G-force. Then there was the concern of you tipping over at the curves & speeds you moved at. Loved it

[lawrencejneuser]

You guys are the official track inspectors. All one has to do is watch your video to know whether the track is good or bad.

[bergydermeister]

Out of all the hobo channels I have seen this is definitely the most unique LOL

[silkEluv]

Fantastic Voyage! Incredible Journey! I loved every second of that ride! I don't know about the east side but I would think this west ride is more scenic with all of the oasis greenery through the 'palm corridor' and that HUGE massive 'monster' palm at around 17:00.

[yelyab]

That old Briggs & Stratton sure makes a lot of racket. A Honda 4 cycle and and some 100 durometer rubber on those wheels would be nice. Some guys put sails on the cars and fly like ice boats. Mostly done in Arizona and New Mexico. 80-90mph on one of those is a death wish.