Here in the western US, railroads played a massive role in western expansion, for better and worse. My father worked for one of the major US rail conglomerates for decades. His job brought our family from the Midwest to the Pacific Northwest. I've taken Amtrak a time or two, and wish rail transportation were more readily available in North America. I also worked a few summers at Silverwood Theme Park in North Idaho where the rest of the park was built around a historic narrow-gauge steam railway local rich dude Gary Norton bought when a simple train set wasn't cool enough for the money burning a hole in his pocket, so he allegedly outbid Disney at an auction.
I'm not obsessed with trains, but railroads have played a role throughout my life, and I think steam power is just plain cool. I like seeing railroad museums and taking the occasional ride on a historic train. Here in the wild west, there are living history museums about industry from days of yore, and Hyce volunteers at one such museum in Colorado. He explains everything from steam engine operation to railroad history to bizarre oddities and dead ends from past efforts to improve things.
There are also glimpses behind the scenes about everything from restoration and inspection to the common-sense explanations for things which may seem odd without proper context.
There are some clarifications on terminology, internet rumors, and folklore which the layman may have heard that has no real application or real historical basis.
He has also worked in modern railroad maintenance, and explains the pros and cons of different diesel-electric hybrid systems used in most locomotives today along with some of the maintenance reasons diesel replaced steam.
And then there are visits to other museums or old rail grade to look at how things used to be done and what is left over from the past.
Lastly, of course there's also the occasional look at model railroads, too.
Whether you're loco for locomotives, coal powers your soul, or even if you're attracted to anything on the tracks, you should check out his youtube channel.
Wesley Treat
Techmoan
Rose Anvil
Tasting History
Dave McKeegan
Mentour Pilot
The Art of Manliness
Oceanliner Designs
Practical Engineering
