Loaded Oil Cans started running 5x7, then went to 5x6, then 4x6. SP tried 4x5 but the train wouldn't make it up the hill and Santa Fe got upset when they had to give up a unit to get the district running again. Thereafter it was 4x6 until train ran via Palmdale Cutoff to avoid Metrolink traffic at which time the train would run 5x5 with the helper cutting out at Summit Switch.
Sp used whatever power was on hand so, a gp9 at the end of the consist was just fine. Who knows it could of been a mp15 instead. or even a gp20. That's why we liked the SP!
If you watch the video...there is exhaust and sound coming from every locomotive. I think the 36 axle story you read may be incorrect. Or possibly a daydream. The SP commonly ran trains with 10-12-heck even 17 powered engines. However, they were NEVER all on the head end. That may be what the article you read has to do with. They split the power and the train by running manned helpers! Its all weight,length, and grade to horsepower ratios.
jpipe420: That's what I meant when I wrote that Model Railroader claims no more than 36 powered axles can be placed at the FRONT of a train. Additional powered axles (in the form of helpers) presumably are put in the middle of the train or at the end. The trains I've seen in Pennsylvania for many years all seem to adhere to this "rule."
Usually the motive power rule for the SP during that time was to run a four by six combination four up front with six midtrain helpers. lots of times this was the exception not the rule.maybe that particular train had problem with particular engines and needed whatever was available to get the train over the hill.
In a world of yellow widecab junk today,and a yellow nazi regime,it's refreshing to see a throwback to good ol awesome espee power and a time when it WAS exciting to go trackside and see some of the best power shows around.
Every bit of HP helps, no matter how "small" the engine capacity is, The GP9 still cranks out an additional 1,750 needed HP for the run. That's more HP than the average Subaru could ever dream of making! LOL The SD? @ 1:09 is probably experiencing a leaking turbo seal. You can hear the turbo barking as it goes past the camerea.
Wow. That was quite a power combo! Don't be to judgemental of such a wonderful engine though! The 'ol SPee GP9 looked like she was giving everything she had, & then some (the little engine that could) for the engineers. I guess they needed as many helpers as possible (no matter what model) to get that consist where it needed to go.
Notice the fourth unit in the second consist kept puffing smoke, and when it goes past you hear it "bark". I think it's a turbo problem; there's one similar in this video: /watch?v=ASiUmxyVI-o
i dont know much about trains, but 13 locomotives?? Haven't seen so many locomotives in one train, what is it that is so heavy in those tanks that they need so many of them?
Its SP, that's what makes them so great, they weren't afraid to use more than one locomotive, and they weren't afraid to run an ol GP-9 or SD-9 every now and again, Go SP
I don't believe that every one of those locomotives was powered up. Some of them probably were just being towed to a new location where they were needed. I read in Model Railroader Magazine that there can never be more than 36 powered axles (six SD's) at the front of a train; it has something to do with the laws of physics. So, I'm assuming that some of those engines weren't running!
This is a rule of thumb with NO helpers. As you can see, there were several mid-train helpers, and all the loco's were at notch 8! There are so many factors that go into the physics of railroading, each railroad had it's policies for distributing HP to tonnage ratio for the grades to be encountered for each train. SP pushed the "limits" so to speak with a ton of HP to get the trains over Donner, Tehachapi, etc.
7 diesels on a frieght train? This has to be in say 1992-1996. I think the SD40T-2 in the mid-train helper set was trying to impersonate an Alco C628 or a C630
Great video, as are all your SP vids!!!! I also miss the SP!
richsd40 3 weeks ago
Go little Geep! :) SP always had surprises...and it's another reason why I miss the Southern Pacific! Great vid!
pointyguitarz 3 months ago
where is the mechanic when you need him?
S3KSiiMiX3DMAMii205 9 months ago
WOW, the sound of that GP9 really stands out from the rest. A 567 in run eight and workin' hard is a sound like no other.
TrainTrackTrav 1 year ago
the gp 9 is the little engine that could! LOL awsome footage of classic motive power.
rockinrollfan37 1 year ago
Loaded Oil Cans started running 5x7, then went to 5x6, then 4x6. SP tried 4x5 but the train wouldn't make it up the hill and Santa Fe got upset when they had to give up a unit to get the district running again. Thereafter it was 4x6 until train ran via Palmdale Cutoff to avoid Metrolink traffic at which time the train would run 5x5 with the helper cutting out at Summit Switch.
rjforgues 1 year ago
if this was power move,i call it a yard move! great video 5 star!
jettrainfan 2 years ago 2
blown turbo anyone?
thejoshmeister 2 years ago
Looks like one of the mid-engine EMD was trying to be a ALCO. lol.
Bellwestern80 2 years ago 3
what if alco was still around?
rockguitarist946 2 years ago
All those locomotives?,very nice it must be a loaded long tank train!!.
CSX2665 2 years ago
Sp used whatever power was on hand so, a gp9 at the end of the consist was just fine. Who knows it could of been a mp15 instead. or even a gp20. That's why we liked the SP!
jschmid 2 years ago 15
shifta: Its cool, i wasn't criticizing you...but sometimes MR doesn't know everything LOL.
jpipe420 2 years ago
If you watch the video...there is exhaust and sound coming from every locomotive. I think the 36 axle story you read may be incorrect. Or possibly a daydream. The SP commonly ran trains with 10-12-heck even 17 powered engines. However, they were NEVER all on the head end. That may be what the article you read has to do with. They split the power and the train by running manned helpers! Its all weight,length, and grade to horsepower ratios.
jpipe420 3 years ago 3
jpipe420: That's what I meant when I wrote that Model Railroader claims no more than 36 powered axles can be placed at the FRONT of a train. Additional powered axles (in the form of helpers) presumably are put in the middle of the train or at the end. The trains I've seen in Pennsylvania for many years all seem to adhere to this "rule."
shifta65 2 years ago
Usually the motive power rule for the SP during that time was to run a four by six combination four up front with six midtrain helpers. lots of times this was the exception not the rule.maybe that particular train had problem with particular engines and needed whatever was available to get the train over the hill.
hobbeekid 2 years ago
thats good ol SP power. i love how they used all that power to move those big trains.
justkiddin08 3 years ago
why the hoses between the tankers? here in Ohio you dont see those except in the actual "Tanker-Train"
Automcanic 3 years ago
The inter-connected piping enables the emptying of several cars from one valve.
zartok35 3 years ago
In a world of yellow widecab junk today,and a yellow nazi regime,it's refreshing to see a throwback to good ol awesome espee power and a time when it WAS exciting to go trackside and see some of the best power shows around.
hobbeekid 3 years ago 3
to many engines maybe?
TheGondorian 3 years ago
Excellent shot, good ol SP.
SF3751 3 years ago 2
or it could have been pluged filters
jtogto05 4 years ago
i love SP I got a AC4400CW LOCO,long live the bloody nose, and the tunnel motors
DUraggs05 4 years ago
Every bit of HP helps, no matter how "small" the engine capacity is, The GP9 still cranks out an additional 1,750 needed HP for the run. That's more HP than the average Subaru could ever dream of making! LOL The SD? @ 1:09 is probably experiencing a leaking turbo seal. You can hear the turbo barking as it goes past the camerea.
GP9railfan 4 years ago 2
Wow. That was quite a power combo! Don't be to judgemental of such a wonderful engine though! The 'ol SPee GP9 looked like she was giving everything she had, & then some (the little engine that could) for the engineers. I guess they needed as many helpers as possible (no matter what model) to get that consist where it needed to go.
GP9railfan 4 years ago 4
Gasoline? What were they hauling?
Gotta love the SP! Nice Video (it
kevlar1212 4 years ago
Crude Oil
trainmasterfm2 4 years ago
Notice the fourth unit in the second consist kept puffing smoke, and when it goes past you hear it "bark". I think it's a turbo problem; there's one similar in this video: /watch?v=ASiUmxyVI-o
syncplay 4 years ago
You can also tell by the black smoke coming out the stack.
DASCO2136 4 years ago
That is some fine carbon.
AndrewNeilFalconer 3 years ago
Nice!
Arthur81Sword 4 years ago
that one mid-train helper is about shoot a turbo ski high
gotta love the GP9 trying to help out
trainmasterfm2 4 years ago 3
i dont know much about trains, but 13 locomotives?? Haven't seen so many locomotives in one train, what is it that is so heavy in those tanks that they need so many of them?
ahzarit 4 years ago
Its SP, that's what makes them so great, they weren't afraid to use more than one locomotive, and they weren't afraid to run an ol GP-9 or SD-9 every now and again, Go SP
joshjefflawn 4 years ago 10
I don't believe that every one of those locomotives was powered up. Some of them probably were just being towed to a new location where they were needed. I read in Model Railroader Magazine that there can never be more than 36 powered axles (six SD's) at the front of a train; it has something to do with the laws of physics. So, I'm assuming that some of those engines weren't running!
shifta65 3 years ago
This is a rule of thumb with NO helpers. As you can see, there were several mid-train helpers, and all the loco's were at notch 8! There are so many factors that go into the physics of railroading, each railroad had it's policies for distributing HP to tonnage ratio for the grades to be encountered for each train. SP pushed the "limits" so to speak with a ton of HP to get the trains over Donner, Tehachapi, etc.
BudmanPackfan 2 years ago
I second that, Fuck up!
jschmid 4 years ago
Love those oil cans and SP tunnel motors. When was this filmed, 1996?
Paul1953H 4 years ago
Yeah, I like GP9 hammering away at the end of the front section!
allyn788 4 years ago 3
Tss, southern pacifique gp9.. Vive Up
Franckocp 4 years ago
I love the smoke SD that was cut it
thetrainman407 4 years ago
Just imagine the noise back when all trains ran with the non-turbo F's and Geeps.
CRPULSE300 4 years ago
Sourthen Pacific RULEZ, it´s the best railway...fuck UP.
Flakkkworld 4 years ago 3
Amazing video.
dutchtrainmanserie22 4 years ago
Man, that train always put on a show! Glad me and my dad got it on tape below the loop!
likestallwomen 4 years ago
Gotta love the SP!
zwsplac 5 years ago
right back at ya
DASCO2136 5 years ago
Its a shame they dont run the tank trains over the loop anymore
DASCO2136 5 years ago
7 diesels on a frieght train? This has to be in say 1992-1996. I think the SD40T-2 in the mid-train helper set was trying to impersonate an Alco C628 or a C630
DASCO2136 5 years ago 2