At this time the Post Road branch wasn't rebuilt, so the Boston section had to go down the Hudson to Stuyvestant, back up the branch to the Castleton Cutoff and then go forward onto the B&A. Sometime around 1981they got the Post Road rebuilt. I took the LSL in January, 1979 and we did the reverse move to get to the B&A. We stopped on the middle of the Castleton Bridge. Great view!
When I was a kid back in the 70s Amtrak was using SDP40Fs. I loved trains and those red nosed Amtrak engines quickly became my favorite. I live in N California, which was Southern Pacific territory back then. I liked how the SDP40F's horns sounded different than SP's. The SDP40Fs were more melodious and nicer sounding. Me and my family rode Amtrak to Reno. Back then they were still using dome cars. I'll never forget riding a dome car through the Sierra.
@nev594 - I agree with you. The sweet sounding horns on the SDP40fs were Leslie S4T and SL4T series. You can find a couple of clips on YouTube where you can hear them. Type this in the searchbox:
Leslie SuperTyfon RS-4T Diesel Locomotive Air Horn.
The initial runs of #449 and #448 were handled by the SDP units. In a few months, they were replaced by lone E8's [mostly of PC origin] which were still in black paint with the PC logo faded or painted over.
Nice video. One point of a possible correction to you comments. It seems that the first section to leave was bound for NYC because it was longer and it has the sleepercoach in the consist. The second section was shorter and it contains the 10-6 sleeper that has the name plate. I saw #448 in Worcester, MA several times in this era and it had a constant consist. Thank you for the posting. It has brought back memories.
wow this is cool I remember the early Amtrak years with my mom and dad untill 1982 when he died he used to take me down to watch the Amtrak in Ft Worth and Dallas I was 2 years old in 1977 when this video was made but I remember these red Amtrak engines I was about a year old standing next to one in temple texas when one hissed or blew off steam I ran like hell scared but it stuck with me years later I still ride Amtrak and love trains LOL
The 70's was about it for railroading in the US. Once the 80's rolled around we had the mega-mergers and wholesale abandonment of track. We thought that there would eventually be a "renaissance" of trains with gas prices and the 55 mph speed limit. Alas, Detroit, large oil, 2-man crews and that damned Staggers Act combined to make railroading the nightmare it is now. I was on it for two years and finally left to drive a truck. I get more sleep and the work is far easier.
This is about the only video I have ever seen of those big SDP40Fs. I saw so many in the 70's that it was a delight when they got replaced with F40s. On the RF&P, they had no speed restriction. The horn was VERY loud and obnoxious. But seeing them in the station was an awesome sight, idling quietly while they got the water tank filled. I took many photos of one, the 644 in Aug 1981, thinking it would not be long for that motor, now years later, it's the only "real" SDP40F left.
This is a classic footage. Out of all the engines Amtrak had in it's 39 years the E units and the SDP40Fs have to be the best. Don't get me wrong though. The F40s, Dash 8s, and Genesis are pretty good engines themselves, but they can't compare to the E units and SDP40Fs. By the way to point something out to the user, 425 and 421 are both E9As. The other two diesels are E8As though.
That is the original sound. This I took with my Super 8 sound movie camera. The guy that reproduced it for me to VHS, didn't do the best job on the sound. Hopefully, some day I can get all 11, 400' reals redone. But that will cost big bucks. Thanks for watching. Jackmp294...
Kmillard, At that time, the E-units had collectively racked up millions of miles and were slated for retirement until the problems with the SDPs came up. To be fair though, a number of the E units that Amtrak bought from various roads were in decent shape, especially the units from SCL, which had been well maintained, mechanically. Some of the E8s could still clip 90+mph!
I know. It's just hard to see such an iconic locomotive look so forlorn. It would have been nice however if Amtrak would have gotten the
FP45's from Santa Fe and the SDP45's from BN since they were built and purchased for passenger use anyway and from all accounts were terrific locomotives.
@s7o0a0p - Doomy and dreary in the 70s?! What? I remember the 70s well and it was a fun time to be a teen or young adult. The economy was "roughing out" but NOTHING like what we have today. Don't forget that in a lot of areas, railroaders welcomed "polite" railfans, inspite of the "no trespassing" policies. Cab rides were a common occurence, especially in the southeast. I miss those days.
Forgot to mention, one SDP40F survives today. ( Special-Duty-Passenger-40 series-Full width carbody) It was last painted in the blue and silver "MAERSK" scheme.
I enjoyed those SDP40s, even got a cab ride in one! They could easily take off fast with a train. For years FRA officials couldn't agree on the actual cause of the derailment issue: Truck hunting, water sloshing around in the tall tank that fed the boiler, being close coupled to baggage cars that were too light while rounding curves of certain radiuses. Ironically, the 18 that were traded to the Santa Fe performed well with no problems! Latest theory has been the sloshing water.
or because the water tanks were removed. these things had water tanks to feed the steam generator and the uneven track caused water to slosh back and both. track back then was is WORSE SHAPE then it is today...except for CSX track lol.
That and the boilers were removed eliminating a suspected cause of them becoming unbalanced. Take a look at :51 through :54 a few times and note how they sway back and forth looking a bit top heavy.
I remember those SDP units and the E8's in that early Amtrak scheme. Brings back lots of good memories. Didn't they have to limit where the SDP units could operate because of some incidents where these monster caused the rails to spread?
From what I understand, they had a problem with the locomotive hunting on the rails, so they where restricted on there speed, but don't recall how fast it was. Thanks for looking. Take care. Jackmp294
@1jackdk They were built on a frieght frame and trucks which were not meant for high speed. They were similar to the SD45s. When they went over 75 MPH the trucks would lurch off the rails...
I'm not sure how long that E8 would've stayed in PC black because that's an Amtrak number and it's had all the logos painted out. Plus it's already 1977.
Those are called SDP40Fs not SDP45Fs. They were full-width cowl versions of the SD40-2 built 1973/74 which was six or so years after the F45 and FP45 (the full-width cowl version of the SD45 and SDP45, respectively).
those train's was monster's i miss those Amtrak era's
jiggy588 1 week ago
At this time the Post Road branch wasn't rebuilt, so the Boston section had to go down the Hudson to Stuyvestant, back up the branch to the Castleton Cutoff and then go forward onto the B&A. Sometime around 1981they got the Post Road rebuilt. I took the LSL in January, 1979 and we did the reverse move to get to the B&A. We stopped on the middle of the Castleton Bridge. Great view!
manidig 1 month ago
I miss the old amtrak paint schemes.
360Nomad 4 months ago
When I was a kid back in the 70s Amtrak was using SDP40Fs. I loved trains and those red nosed Amtrak engines quickly became my favorite. I live in N California, which was Southern Pacific territory back then. I liked how the SDP40F's horns sounded different than SP's. The SDP40Fs were more melodious and nicer sounding. Me and my family rode Amtrak to Reno. Back then they were still using dome cars. I'll never forget riding a dome car through the Sierra.
nev594 9 months ago
@nev594 - I agree with you. The sweet sounding horns on the SDP40fs were Leslie S4T and SL4T series. You can find a couple of clips on YouTube where you can hear them. Type this in the searchbox:
Leslie SuperTyfon RS-4T Diesel Locomotive Air Horn.
ACLTony 7 months ago
The initial runs of #449 and #448 were handled by the SDP units. In a few months, they were replaced by lone E8's [mostly of PC origin] which were still in black paint with the PC logo faded or painted over.
amtrakatsfnyc 9 months ago
Nice video. One point of a possible correction to you comments. It seems that the first section to leave was bound for NYC because it was longer and it has the sleepercoach in the consist. The second section was shorter and it contains the 10-6 sleeper that has the name plate. I saw #448 in Worcester, MA several times in this era and it had a constant consist. Thank you for the posting. It has brought back memories.
amtrakatsfnyc 9 months ago
I half expected to see Superman sweep in with Lois Lane in his arms.
JetMechMA 11 months ago
wow. was that the old Herrick st. bridge ? walked it many times, also had many breakfasts at that old station with Annie behind the counter.
hope2prosper 11 months ago
wow this is cool I remember the early Amtrak years with my mom and dad untill 1982 when he died he used to take me down to watch the Amtrak in Ft Worth and Dallas I was 2 years old in 1977 when this video was made but I remember these red Amtrak engines I was about a year old standing next to one in temple texas when one hissed or blew off steam I ran like hell scared but it stuck with me years later I still ride Amtrak and love trains LOL
gaycowboy31 1 year ago
@gaycowboy31 Great story! Thanks for sharring...
1jackdk 1 year ago
The 70's was about it for railroading in the US. Once the 80's rolled around we had the mega-mergers and wholesale abandonment of track. We thought that there would eventually be a "renaissance" of trains with gas prices and the 55 mph speed limit. Alas, Detroit, large oil, 2-man crews and that damned Staggers Act combined to make railroading the nightmare it is now. I was on it for two years and finally left to drive a truck. I get more sleep and the work is far easier.
JJRaff18221882 1 year ago
Good stuff!
Donoltmann 1 year ago
I'm so glad I'm helping out restore DLMX 644. I can't wait to get it back into what it once was :D
4449steam 1 year ago
This is about the only video I have ever seen of those big SDP40Fs. I saw so many in the 70's that it was a delight when they got replaced with F40s. On the RF&P, they had no speed restriction. The horn was VERY loud and obnoxious. But seeing them in the station was an awesome sight, idling quietly while they got the water tank filled. I took many photos of one, the 644 in Aug 1981, thinking it would not be long for that motor, now years later, it's the only "real" SDP40F left.
DQE347 1 year ago
Great film!
Intransitman 1 year ago
awesome!!
sUpErShIeFbOy 1 year ago
My dad is in this video he worked for Amtrak then. He is crossing with the baggage cart and tractor at the beginning!:)
Targetsignal2 1 year ago
This is a classic footage. Out of all the engines Amtrak had in it's 39 years the E units and the SDP40Fs have to be the best. Don't get me wrong though. The F40s, Dash 8s, and Genesis are pretty good engines themselves, but they can't compare to the E units and SDP40Fs. By the way to point something out to the user, 425 and 421 are both E9As. The other two diesels are E8As though.
kmothersil 1 year ago
Real.... Stinky back in the day when Amtrak was Amtrak...
badboymrpappy 1 year ago
Very great old historic footage, 5*****
Those were the days.
BNSF7776 2 years ago
OMG My father remember's this!!! He worked out of this station when he worked for Amtrak as a ticket person and baggage clerk!!
Targetsignal2 2 years ago
WOW! Great video. I love old Amtrak. Thanks for posting this.
danklein3255 2 years ago
Is the sound original or inserted?
classicalman114 2 years ago
That is the original sound. This I took with my Super 8 sound movie camera. The guy that reproduced it for me to VHS, didn't do the best job on the sound. Hopefully, some day I can get all 11, 400' reals redone. But that will cost big bucks. Thanks for watching. Jackmp294...
1jackdk 2 years ago
@1jackdk Im English and British, You WANNA visit the UK, They have superfast trains!!!!!
spongebobpaul 1 month ago
If only the phase I scheme still existed as of today. :( Well, memories are still good.
TheADude213 2 years ago
in later years the sdp40f was fitted with HEP. it looks like these ones are.
lexmarks567 2 years ago
Comment removed
kmillard 2 years ago
Kmillard, At that time, the E-units had collectively racked up millions of miles and were slated for retirement until the problems with the SDPs came up. To be fair though, a number of the E units that Amtrak bought from various roads were in decent shape, especially the units from SCL, which had been well maintained, mechanically. Some of the E8s could still clip 90+mph!
ACLTony 2 years ago
I know. It's just hard to see such an iconic locomotive look so forlorn. It would have been nice however if Amtrak would have gotten the
FP45's from Santa Fe and the SDP45's from BN since they were built and purchased for passenger use anyway and from all accounts were terrific locomotives.
kmillard 2 years ago
yeah KM! Everything was doomy and dreary in the 70s! How else could Sabbath have made such awesome music?
s7o0a0p 2 years ago
@s7o0a0p - Doomy and dreary in the 70s?! What? I remember the 70s well and it was a fun time to be a teen or young adult. The economy was "roughing out" but NOTHING like what we have today. Don't forget that in a lot of areas, railroaders welcomed "polite" railfans, inspite of the "no trespassing" policies. Cab rides were a common occurence, especially in the southeast. I miss those days.
ACLTony 1 year ago
oh really kmillard have you even seen a india train. besides this video is from the 70's things are better today.
lexmarks567 2 years ago
Forgot to mention, one SDP40F survives today. ( Special-Duty-Passenger-40 series-Full width carbody) It was last painted in the blue and silver "MAERSK" scheme.
ACLTony 2 years ago
i'm lucky enough to live near portland. ive seen that engine a couple of times
UberNoobtard 2 years ago 2
I enjoyed those SDP40s, even got a cab ride in one! They could easily take off fast with a train. For years FRA officials couldn't agree on the actual cause of the derailment issue: Truck hunting, water sloshing around in the tall tank that fed the boiler, being close coupled to baggage cars that were too light while rounding curves of certain radiuses. Ironically, the 18 that were traded to the Santa Fe performed well with no problems! Latest theory has been the sloshing water.
ACLTony 2 years ago
Maybe the 18 SDP40Fs that were in frieght service did better because they didnt have to run at passanger train speeds.
DASCO2136 2 years ago
or because the water tanks were removed. these things had water tanks to feed the steam generator and the uneven track caused water to slosh back and both. track back then was is WORSE SHAPE then it is today...except for CSX track lol.
lexmarks567 2 years ago
That and the boilers were removed eliminating a suspected cause of them becoming unbalanced. Take a look at :51 through :54 a few times and note how they sway back and forth looking a bit top heavy.
kmillard 2 years ago
i live 15 minutes from here and took the empire service out of this station 3 times 2 of which pulled by f40s an 1 by a p32acdm
trainamtrakcsx 2 years ago 2
I remember those SDP units and the E8's in that early Amtrak scheme. Brings back lots of good memories. Didn't they have to limit where the SDP units could operate because of some incidents where these monster caused the rails to spread?
bubba2781 2 years ago
From what I understand, they had a problem with the locomotive hunting on the rails, so they where restricted on there speed, but don't recall how fast it was. Thanks for looking. Take care. Jackmp294
1jackdk 2 years ago
@1jackdk They were built on a frieght frame and trucks which were not meant for high speed. They were similar to the SD45s. When they went over 75 MPH the trucks would lurch off the rails...
TheZeke1974 6 months ago
Yes there were restrictions on them from PC, (and later CR), as well as the B&O and C&O. The result was the E-units being put back on those trains!
ma7799 2 years ago
The best Locomotive that was ever built SD's.
tator68 2 years ago
Great video! Love the older stuff!
elrodjones 2 years ago
Absolutely brilliant Jack, I'm thoroughly enjoying this vintage footage...Thanks 5* Bob
robmasterman 2 years ago
I'm not sure how long that E8 would've stayed in PC black because that's an Amtrak number and it's had all the logos painted out. Plus it's already 1977.
cbehr91 2 years ago
Do you have more footage of first generation diesels? Thanx!
owlking149 2 years ago
Love them E8! 5/5 Rich
cuzinitr 2 years ago
Great footage.A piece of history. Thanks for sharing.
iusetano 2 years ago
I love these old locos! Thanx fur sharin'!
owlking149 2 years ago
Those are called SDP40Fs not SDP45Fs. They were full-width cowl versions of the SD40-2 built 1973/74 which was six or so years after the F45 and FP45 (the full-width cowl version of the SD45 and SDP45, respectively).
cbehr91 2 years ago
this station looks soooo much different now then it does here. they rebuilt everything about 4 years ago.
Nec1228 2 years ago
Great Footage!
coryrusch 2 years ago