Yosemite Valley Railroad - Installment 2 - Merced to the Merced River - SPRR and 1912 Shaffer Bridge

We finally make it back to Merced and continue exploring the abandoned YVRR roadbed and sites leaving Merced. We finish this installment at the Merced River, just southwest of Snelling. Along the way we stop at a few abandoned bridge sites, and look at some aerial video of the abandoned roadbed as it leaves Merced and runs North towards Highway 59. We also take a short detour to explore the 1912 Shaffer Bridge over the Merced River, and discuss the Oakdale to Merced branch of the Southern Pacific Railroad, which operated from 1890 until 1942. Both the SP and YV railroads briefly paralleled each other along Highway 59 into Merced, and co-existed for approximately 40 years before both were abandoned in the 1940's. It seems I've included a great deal of aerial video in this installment. Typically, I like to keep this style of video and photography to a minimum. However, while researching, driving and hiking the YV, I've discovered a great deal of the old route is inaccessible, at least on foot. What to do? Where relevant, I've included the aerial clips as a way to share with you what remains of the YV. And it seems the aerial clips have really helped show, and even locate, what remains of the old roadbed, particularly in those areas we'd otherwise never see. So thanks for stopping in, and I hope you enjoy coming along for the journey. #abandonedrailway #steamengines #yosemite #yosemitevalley