Repost--Fallen Flags: SP works hard up Cajon--turn it up Loud!

[ChachaChapati]

Ah, yes; watching SP's "long and slow freights" policy in action. My favorite RR nonetheless.

[Joshuajlawn]

Great Video! Its good to see doing what it did best. Dragging heavy trains over the mountains!

[RRYankfan]

This is perfect for MSTS sounds

[tugaman1000]

Yamaha Power.

[MrCzechers]

Great video. Loved the BW caboose at the end. Bring back the caboose!

[Dproud2700]

I believe from what I have read that the early double stack cars the SP had built have been donated to the Calif. RR Museum now.

[megatwingo]

Cool video. Very nice diesel sound. Thumbs up! :)

I´m from Germany and I have two questions:

1) The expression "Fallen Flags" means, that something (line / railway company) is out of service, right?

2) If it means that, what I said above:

a) does it mean, that a company stopped to exist?

or

b) does it mean, that only a railway line stopped to exist and is abandoned now?

Thanks in advance for replies

Greetings

Mega

[alladinmoua]

@megatwingo

Fallen flags means the railway company no longer exists. The railway tracks are still in use.

[megatwingo]

@alladinmoua

Thank you very much for that information! :)

[cahrn262]

what a symphony of espee power

[Landaux]

Alot of TRAIN-STRAIN! Boy the noise is so deafening in those cabs, you have to make sign-languages to eachother.

[Landaux]

Alot of TRAIN-STRAIN!

[likestallwomen]

Classic SP, can't get any better than this!

[hobbeekid]

This Captures the essence of the late great SP. No other rr now or then could come close to it......

[offamychain]

What's up with the 2 loco's at about 5:16 & 5:19, the ones with a hole through the back of them? Are they missing something (other than just a panel), or did they forget to build anything in that spot, or are they just suppose to be like that, or is there another reason?

[alladinmoua]

@offamychain

Those are modified locomotives nicknamed Tunnel Motors and they were very common on the Southern Pacific. Those gaps along the bottom of the locomotives are the radiator air intakes. Usually, they are located along the top of locomotives, but there were many tunnels on the SP system's mountain passes. Therefore the intakes were moved down to the locomotive's deck to draw in the cooler air near the floor of the tunnels and not the hot exhaust fumes that rise and collect at the top.

[offamychain]

Saw a Cotton Belt car or two in there. I've spent many hours watching trains being put together at the big CB gravity yard at Pine Bluff. Have a really good museum there also, including the old 819 engine, which was actually built right there at Pine Bluff. What makes the museum so great is that it's staffed with retired RR'ers, NOT just paid curators. Because of that, safety & rules are a bit lax & you can just crawl all over most everything in there. :) :)

[kenpalmer1965]

Wow! What a great piece of footage here! I surely miss these days of railroading! It's been a while since I have seen helpers in the middle of a train. Just about all the ones I see now are on the tail end of trains. And what a great surprise to see that caboose on the end of that freight train! I am 45 and remember growing up seeing cabooses marking the end of freights,both Southern Pacific and Santa Fe. Wonderful memories as well as awesome sounds indeed! Thanks for posting it here!

[celica825]

can you like put this as an mp3 on itunes so we can listen to this masterpiece of sound every night?

[xxxDeath9572xxx]

There's a sound we'll never hear again.

[RECHOBO]

Your vid really captured that wonderful roar. I, uh, rode the 3+%, EB, up Tennessee Pass (Colorado) near Camp Hale shortly before the line was abandoned. 4 SD45s on the point and 5 SD45 helpers, midtrain. All D&RGW; at night.  WOW!!!! Love that 2-cycle roar. Thanx for posting!!!

[LGLG69]

Very nice! I didn't realize that double stacks were being run back in the mid 80's. I didn't start seeing them 'till the early 90's.

[railfanallen]

Espee sure did  haul the heaviest and longest trains in the west and the best power for hauling these goods. I always lived on the eastern seaboard of the US, but I miss Espee.

[alladinmoua]

I miss seeing all those huge 89' flatcars. Nowadays I mostly see spine cars being used for trailer traffic.

Rest in peace, SP. You'll always be my favorite.

[Jerry2665]

Good video. I have to get over there and spend a day. Looks like a lot of fun.

[Skyhawk501]

love that sound of the turbo pulse dont the 45Rs have a V20 turbocharged

[DASCO2136]

@Skyhawk501 yes. When the SD45s were rebuilt, they retained their 20 cylinder engines and werent deturbocharged.

[Skyhawk501]

@DASCO2136

kool they do sound tough man. theres even a V20 out here in Australia the NoHaBs

[DASCO2136]

@Skyhawk501 sadly, there aren't alot of SD45s operating in the US that still have their 20 cylinder engines. Most 45s that operate today retain their outward appereance but inside have the same mechanics as an SD40-2. The only road to my knowledge that still operates SD45s with their original 20 cylinder engines is the Montana Rail Link but even that road only has a small handful.

[stlgevo51]

Amazing sounds! I wish I could go back in time to see that. Those are about 3 times louder than your average SD70ACe or GEVO.

[balddanny72]

by far the best audio clip of EMD locos on youtube

[Gadeto]

Yes indeed!!

[JIMBOSKI58]

The set of 5 double stack cars behind the lead deasels appear to be the original Gunderson type bulkhead well cars that were used with Sealand Containers. They were painted in orange and first appeared about 1979-1981. Am I close??????

[columbo468]

super Video´s,spitzen Qualität, guter Sound!

[veronicafan2000]

The Golden Empire Shall Rise Again!

[Jhachman]

In old footage from the 1980's, why does it seem like SP trains are always louder than their competitors?

[DASCO2136]

@Jhachman Probably due to the engines employed. Santa Fe, UP & BN by this point employed SD40-2s, U-Boats & Dash-7s to handle their frieghts while SP had the largest fleet of 20 cylinder locomotives ever (600+ mainly SD45s & SD45T-2s but they also had SDP45s & SD45X which were prototypes for a proposed SD55 which wasnt built). Even though they also had SD40T-2s & SD40s, it was more likely to find SD45s on SP frieghts than on any other road. That might answer your question

[hobbeekid]

@Jhachman Most SP locomotives back then didn't run exhaust silencers as there were no gov't noise mandates then. It was the greatest sound to hear! Maybe some roads ordered their units with silencers,but the majority of railroads ran without....

[huettmr]

ahhh...the days when you could actually hear the engines!!

[MrW6MX]

Outstanding video. Thanks.

MrW6MX

[pablof59]

Are the helpers commanded from the front end or they have radio communicated engineers? Before and after the helpers the wagons are in pull or push mode?

[e44e33]

That would be the Locotrol era. It's possible that it could have been remotely controlled. I don't know enough about SP's operations although I seem to recall that they borrowed some BN units for testing. Couldn't quite make out if there are any extra antennas on the lead helper, although there is what looks like an antenna platform. Maybe.

[sw1sd70]

@e44e33

No radio control here... none of the units are the 8300-class SD40T-2s which were the ones equipped with Locotrol.

[a5ea51relic]

@e44e33 the SP tested Remote control along with the likes of the coal hauling Southern Railroad. but due to the lack of proccessing power in the systems back then there was a delay in long trains like the SP and SR used to run in the mountains, causing issues such as hunting and slack run in derailments.

therefor(at the time) it was more effective to have two crews.

[wastedapathy22]

@e44e33

The helpers should all be manned. None of the units in the helper set appear to be Locotrol receivers (a "snoot" 8300-series SD40T-2, odd-numbered). Also, the lead unit would have had to have been a Locotrol master (another "snoot" 8300-series SD40T-2, but an even number) to send commands to a receiver unit in the helper set. From my understanding, use of Locotrol in the 70s-80s on the SP was very, very limited, what with radio signal continuity issues.

[Joshuajlawn]

@e44e33 From what I have studied SP experimented with localtrol, thats what the SD40T-2 "snoot" noses were all about. But the problem SP ran across, at Tehachappi, Cajon, Donner, Natron Cutt off, and pretty much any mountain pass they ran through. The rail line is curved and goes through tunnels, so the signal from the lead locomotive to the helper set can be disrupted and cause accidents.

[Joshuajlawn]

@Joshuajlawn UP (that great and mighty flat land bean counting railroad trying to run in mountains) after they took over for SP in Oregon , went a head and ran remote helpers. Well a train was going up the hill. And the lead locomotive set had to go into emergency breaking. Well when they did it they were in a tunnel so the helper set didn't receive the signal. So instead of slowing down they were still in run 8 and cause a huge accident. That was the main reason SP didn't use remote helpers.

[TrainDr101]

@pablof59: The Helpers are manned helpers. No remote controlled stuff in this train. SP did experiment with remote controlled helpers in the 70's using equipment stored in a BN F7B unit that was gutted for that purpose.

[HotZTrain]

@pablof59 No remote helper there. Those are "Through Helpers," to Bakersfield. They will be cut out of the train just east of Bakersfield at Bena. I once worked one all the way from Beaumont to Bena, then ran light ahead of the train north of Bakersfield to a place called Delfar, put the power in the spur track there and deadheaded ALL the way back to West Colton. Biggest helper payday I ever had.

Paul from Green Valley, Arizona

[o00o00ozy]

Watching videos like this make me want to cry because you can't see things like this any more... and thank goodness for CSX Sand Patch and NS West/East slope to see things comparable with grinding 645's/710's, but it's not the same. ATSF and SP (and Conrail for us in the east) were definitely the golden years, and now everything is declining.

[LordoftheKaty]

You speak the sermon of us all. But don't worry, when America finally gets back on its feet and when industry flocks back here, you will see a new emergence of the railroad, since it is the most efficient and economical form of transport. And the line which I weep for and would love to see again is the MKT (KATY) railroad. That or the Rock Island.

[dannymetcalf]

I am amazed.. Awesome video

[CSX5851]

haha the hills have eyes.... wait no just a gaggle of tunnel motors.

[totallygonegearhead]

...."the hills are alive, with the sound of music......"

[pavabo]

Things you don't see everyday anymore...the SP, SD45's, Tunnel motors, cabooses in regular service, 4-20 foots containers on 89 foot flats, containers on flat cars and real railroading. Nice vids *****

[Jhachman]

I remember being about four or five years old and hearing trains go by in the distance at night, having the distinct sound of the EMD two stroke 645. It's funny what you remember from your childhood. Probably the coolest sound ever...

[flyrock45]

I wonder how many gallons a minute those engines are consuming right now?

[rockisland57]

200 gallons an hour IIRC

[SD70E]

Nice Video!  Great sound! Nice camera work too! Those were the days. Those EMD's were cracking it out!

[tda7294a]

that's greatest sound ever, all those 645's just a little off rpm. EMD vibrato, excellent!

[creator4all]

kind of fun!

[spacecalander]

Nice work and great sound!, i love the SP

[est86leo]

This is a great video! Mars strobes, early stack wagons, The TUNNEL motor and wide view crummies. Thats awesome and to think this was videoed a year two months before I was born. Go ATSF in NM!

[JoaoT805]

out of this world sound! very nice.

[hallsflat]

They sound incredible!

[Learnin2Fly08]

Awesome!!! Love it!!! 5 stars....

[RailFanRick]

Fantastic Video!! Unreal what them things can pull.

[cbehr91]

I don't think there were any SD45Es, just SD45Rs.

[e44e33]

Right. The 45s were rebuilt after 1977.

[SSW8040]

Well the SP first rebuilt their SD40's in 1984.

[a5ea51relic]

@cbehr91 SD45E's are downgraded SD50's that couldn't handle the uprated output in there engines.

[SUNSETRETREATSXM]

Me too!!

[Nighthawk262]

This is why I love youtube.

[307OLDS]

Caboose!!!!!! I know that wasn't a desert mirage, that was a caboose!!!!!! gotta love pre 1990 railroading.

[arrowguy173]

Fantastic. Love the sound!

[Baronbug]

I come from a southern pacific family and i miss those days of long ago. Never again will we see the southern pacific operating in all its glory.

[Landaux]

2:50: "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!" :D

[mpaulk7800]

Sadly, we all know this is railroading at its best. I highly doubt anyone will ever see a railroad ran like the Southern Pacific--just enough engenes to make it over the pass, manned helpers with at least one helper about to blow a rod, and loong freights with screaming flanges and a bay window caboose at the end.

Todays trains have more than enough locomotives (mostly GE btw), DPu's, and FRED's. How boring. If only something would happen to bring those days back, then I would be happy again.

[est86leo]

You wrote one of the most beautiful and knowledgable comments that I've seen! Thumbs up

[prairiecpr]

You need to come to Canadian pacifics bredenbury subdivision in manitoba canada. We still run jointed rail, sd-40's, and barely enough power to make the six to seven mile climbs up 1.8 to two percent grades. cabooses are gone but the wail of two stroke diesels is still common place. The intermodels run modern GE power but most potash/grain is all EMD. It makes me smile every time i go to work and the consist is EMD.

[vigo894]

@mpaulk7800 Me too. I miss the cabooses and the Mars lights.Southern Pacific never ran through my town. Though we had a beloved railroad too. The Texas Mexican Railway. Now, it's a part of KCS. The old locomotives replaced by the new ones. Boy, I loved the Mars lights.

[jmm2000]

Check out the early double-stack cars. Quite a setup.

[likestallwomen]

All I can say is "WHOOOO!" Nice video man!

[XxTheatregeekxX]

Great Video. Reminds me of my days on Cajon in the 80's.

[trainboy94]

SP SD40T-2s look very wierd in UP paint I saw two of them on manifests in Roseville, CA

[milw189]

HEy there,

Did you by chance record anything 5/25/85? (or any 5/25 for that matter)

[trains1919]

Wow, to see intermodal mixed with general merchandise and mid-train help. Those were the days!

[totallygonegearhead]

'Tis a shame the SP died, I lived in Los Angeles for 30 yrs and was always near their mainline(s) Oh how I miss the sound these loco's made. Many a night I fell asleep to the sound of EMD power.

[jpipe420]

God im long winded. To expand on that. The engines done under the ownership of the SPE were as follows.

SD9E SD35E

GP9E SW1200E

GP20E U25BE

SW900E

Again once the SPE was dissolved the remainder of locomotives rebuilt were designated with an "R" under GRIP I and II. Which is everything else. SD7R, SD35R, GP35R, SD40R, SD45R, SD45T-2R, and so on.

It truly is confusing even to someone like myself who knows the SP well. LOL. So dont feel bad. Ok, Im done being a long winded Italian!

[jpipe420]

There were no SD40E's only SD40R's. The "E" designation referred to the first of Southern Pacific's three rebuild programs as the locomotives in that program were transferred in ownership to the Southern Pacific Equipment Co., hence the "E" for the SPE ownership. This company was dissolved once the GRIP I and GRIP II programs started. Which oddly started in the middle of some of the rebuilds. Hence the reason there are SD35E/R's GP9E/R's and GP20E/R's. The SD40's were done way after SPE time.

[o00o00ozy]

Incredible! I would do anything to have those days back. The audio quality is spot-on, 645 in 8 at its finest! SD40E in modern times refers to rebuilt SD50/SD50S locomotives; NS is currently doing this in their rebuilding program. The SD40E keeps the SD50/SD50S carbody, but is re-fitted with a 16-645-E3 engine. They are currently working out the bugs and using them in Altoona-Johnstown helper service. The numbers are in the 6300 series, rebuilt from exSOU SD50's/SD50S's.

[texaswestern70mac]

SP had them technically designated SD40R's and were basically upgraded to -2 status (electrical improvements) in the early 1980's along with other improvements. railfans sometimes designate them sd40e's although no technical documentation on SP rosters lists such a name offically from what research i pulled up.

[Independofuck]

Excellent! Thank you!

[garetharogers]

what is SD40E

[e44e33]

Rebuilt SD40. Don't know exactly what the E stands for--maybe an SP guy can tell us.

[sw1sd70]

@e44e33

"E" after the model number stood for Southern Pacific Equipment Company... the division to which the units belonged after being rebuilt.

[DASCO2136]

@e44e33 The E stands for enhanced meaning it recieved improvements in the engine and electronic controls giving the engine a longer lease on life.

[xxxDeath9572xxx]

Rebuilt from a SD50 & SD50S models. Norfolk Southern has currently 29 of them in service in the Helper pool in Altoona, they replaced the SD40-2's.

[BudmanPackfan]

@e44e33 wasn't that the electrical upgrade on the older units to take advantage of essentially the -2 upgraded electronics?

[silicon212]

@e44e33 IIRC it meant 'enhanced' as in SD40 rebuilt with 'enhanced' dash 2 features and electricals.

[henriktog]

Fantastic video!!! It is the best locosound in the World.

[UPTurner]

Boy, I wish you heard that everyday!!

[lonewolf2777]

EMD's 645s at work

[RailFanDavid]

great video.love the sound of those EMDs.

[OhioRails]

Amazing!

[irishmanO1]

awesome video five stars*************

[FlyBikes089]

Sweety video!

[Railfreak78]

Thanks for sharing some great SP footage! I loved the bay window caboose at the end. Luckily for me, i get to see an old SP (patched grrr) and unpatched SSW local at my fishing hole :-)

[ubuibiok]

*****