Donner Pass Part 1

[Elin48]

I traveled on the old route many times, and in 2007 when I took the train to Reno it was on the new route. I was really disappointed. Can you tell me when the last time the old route was used? I think it's now part of a scenic pathway, it looked to be that anyway as I drove past that area since 2007 on hwy 80.

[boardman49]

@Elin48 I don't know when the old route was last used. There might be an article about it on Wikipedia, or you might find something in a Google search.

[htc6600]

I've been over the entire Milwaukee Road line from Minneapolis to Tacoma, Wa. on Google Earth. It's great that so much of the right-of-way is still easily visible after all these years since the rails were taken up. If you can't go in person Google Earth is the next best thing!

[Chesterbarnes1]

Awesome, I cannot believe any one can drive Donner's Pass, especailly in a 18 wheeler, or Greyhound Bus!  Is it possible?

[boardman49]

Only on Interstate 80 which is on the opposite side of Donner Lake from the railroad.

[crapper1]

@Chesterbarnes1 its done all the time but sometimes you have to really hold back on the brakes

[cgarmier99]

@Chesterbarnes1 I am an 18 wheeler driver and i have been over it 3 times and every time i was scared for my life that is one mountin that you dont take it for granite or you will be killed and kill outhers when in a 18 wheeler you have to obay the posted speed limit...

[bbbbb1999]

This is bloody amazing!

[musicandtrains]

Great video. Is there a part 2?

[boardman49]

Actually I haven't done part 2. I checked it out on Google Earth and the area that part 2 would pass through doesn't look nearly as spectacular as part 1.

[mrsooline]

I can think of another video I'd love to see like this one: the Great Northern's old line through the Cascades (before the 8-mile tunnel). Don't think there's much of that left though.

[boardman49]

I don't know if I can find it but I'll take a look around on Google Earth and see if anything turns up.

[jigbobby]

That's an excellent video. Glad to see you took the old Track #1. Nice.

[boardman49]

Thanks. I would sure like to go up there and see it in person.

[mrsooline]

What a great video. I'd hoped to ride Amtrak over Donner Pass but I guess I waited too long. Seeing this really makes me wish I had.

[boardman49]

Yeah, if you can't be there I guess a virtual trip on Google Earth is about the next best thing. I jokingly say that if Google Earth was real I'd have traveled about 60 million miles.

[ghcghc]

neat video.how about one on tehachipi.

[railfanalways]

My question is how did you follow the tracks like that with google earth??

[boardman49]

Under the "Add" heading on the toolbar click on "Path" and then use your cursor to create a path along the railroad tracks by clicking the mouse. You have to be zoomed in close to see the tracks and follow them. After you've created and saved your path you can play back the tour. I usually set the viewing angle at about 75 degrees and the distance around 300 meters.

[055292312]

Nice vid.

[boardman49]

Thanks. I appreciate the feedback. If anyone has a request for a particular area I might be able to do it depending on the resolution of the of Google Earth's photos.