Nothing quite compares to assembling a collapsible chair and a makeshift platform to create a railway buggy and then steering it along an abandoned rail track towards a target. This is how Preston Summerrow views his recent endeavor. He recently shared his second try at reaching a century-old bridge using his innovative rail buggy; the initial attempt was cut short due to a broken wheel.
Summerrow, the mind behind the Prestongoes channel, refers to himself as an “aspiring engineer.” While he kickstarted his YouTube journey as a travel content creator, he has recently shifted his focus to crafting peculiar items like a DIY jetpack and the specialized railway buggy.
The YouTuber has a fascination with ancient bridges, with a particular interest in reaching the Goat Canyon Trestle Bridge located on the southern edge of the Anza-Borrego Desert in California. This bridge stands as one of the most significant standalone wooden trestles globally, towering at 200 feet in height and spanning 750 feet in width, inaccessible without embarking on a strenuous three-mile journey with a steep ascent from the ravine. However, if you’re Prestongoes, you utilize a custom rail buggy.
Months ago, the creator initiated the project by constructing a wooden framework and affixing a 212cc Preston (no connection to the YouTuber himself) lawnmower engine onto it. Purchasing an inexpensive set of wheels from Amazon, he ventured forth with his idea.
Prestongoes/YouTube
In his initial Rail Buggy version, Summerrow utilized his feet as brakes, with a basic board acting as a brake in version 2.0. Due to oxidation on the wheels from the last ride, while several viewers suggested conical wheels for navigating the rails, Summerrow opted for an alternate cylindrical set which had mixed outcomes.
Without giving away the entirety of the video, suffice it to say that Summerrow, accompanied by his friend Mo, creatively navigated the journey and found satisfaction in the outcome. In the end, he delivers some motivational words. Take a look; it’s a worthwhile way to spend 21 minutes.
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