UP 5005 Leads Amtrak Eastbound on the Union Pacific Geneva sub

[SWChief34]

Great shot! love the sunlight

[basicbill1]

@SWChief34 Thanks for watching an older one.

Bill

[RochelleXing]

UP had to put one of there engines up front due to the Cab signal rule on the Geneva sub. Nice Ctach Bill

[basicbill1]

@RochelleXing Thanks for watching and the comment.

Bill

[goodeye03]

This is a great video!

Would someone tell me why they had to put a UP unit on this train? Instead of just a crew.

[basicbill1]

@goodeye03 I believe it has to do with the in-cab control system UP uses on the Geneva sub. Thanks.

Bill

[goodeye03]

@basicbill1 ,Thanks.I didn't thnk of that.

[bananewoman]

wow ! beautiful ! Magnifique !

[basicbill1]

@bananewoman Thanks a lot!

Bill

[FlyBikes089]

Beautiful video!

[dwkcamman611]

Love It!!! Your quality of work is superior!!!

[basicbill1]

@dwkcamman611 Thanks for watching and the comment. Much appreciated.

Bill

[UP5140SD70M]

The Punk42DumbCrack's always break down GE TRASH > SUPERIOR EMD

[bnsf4]

So, this WOULD have gone through Geneva, LaFox and Elburn? Wow, I miss stuff like this alot.

[basicbill1]

@bnsf4 Yes, through those towns.

Bill

[CQDX018]

Just got the 5005 last night! Great shot, Bill! I remember when 1989 led 2 P42DC's.

[basicbill1]

@CQDX018 Great. And thanks for watching.

Bill

[DYP1420]

Nice! Whenever Amtrak detours its Empire Builder on the BNSF, they run with a normal consist but also have BNSF crew along for the detour.

[basicbill1]

@DYP1420 Thanks for watching and the info.

Bill

[BNSFnick]

Really neat video, Bill. The lighting looks great and having a UP engine leading an Amtrak is pretty cool as well.

[basicbill1]

@BNSFnick Thanks. Yeah, this is a favorite of mine.

Take it easy.

Bill

[modemeyes]

Good vid Bill! I liked the lighting at sunset -the gleaming rails and train- and your camerawork. Great stuff!!........Mike

[basicbill1]

@modemeyes Thanks. This did turn out well.

Bill

[spacecalander]

Nice!

[basicbill1]

@spacecalander Thanks.

Bill

[railfanstreator94]

I'll bet it's probably the California Zephyr and when was that shot out of curiousity?

[basicbill1]

@railfanstreator94 A little after 8 pm. It's in the description. Thanks for watching.

Bill

[railfanstreator94]

No I mean what day

[dieselburner]

My guess is that the amtrak engineer doesn't know the terrain on this unusual route so the UP, who knows the terrain, takes over.

It's a good one to end the day with, Bill.

[basicbill1]

@dieselburner I've heard the term "pilot" used in reference to getting an engineer who is familiar with a route. But don't know if that applies here. Thanks for watching.

Bill

[MP36er]

@basicbill1 The Amtrak engineer runs the train, while the UP pilot will tell the Amtrak engineer what to expect up ahead. The pilot also will be the one using the radio since he's familiar with UP's operating practices and it frees up the Amtrak engineer to give all his attention to the unfamiliar territory.

[basicbill1]

@MP36er Makes sense to me. Sounds similar to a ship coming into a seaport.

Thanks for watching and the comment.

Bill

[CPR1433]

@MP36er Joe, Matt was on both of the trains and actually this time, the UP had a freight crew running the train, Matt just sat in the conductor chair, I know most times Matt would run the engine and the pilot would be along for the ride, maybe ask Matt why he wasn't at the helm.

[UPMGR93]

@MP36er The Amtrak engineer DOES NOT run the train. He is invited to ride the head end, or stays back in one of the Amtrak engines. The Amtrak engineer is not qualified on UP territory and UP signals. The UP crew runs the train with and on board Manager of Operating Practices riding along. We run to Western A-2, then an Amtrak pilot qualified on Metra-Milwaukee territory runs the train the remaining 2 and half miles into Union Station. Tom H. UPRR MOP

[CPR1433]

Great video!! The reason for the UP SD70 is because UP has cab signals and Amtrak units do not. The SD70 just probably was the engine that was ready to go out.

[basicbill1]

@CPR1433 Thanks and thanks for the cab signal information.

Bill

[CPR1433]

@basicbill1 Your welcome, glad to give some info that helps.

[FGLK1751]

Nice job Bill!!! weird, why is there a UP SD 70 leading Amtrak?? It looks so odd for Amtrak.

[basicbill1]

@FGLK1751 Thanks. UP 5005 is leading due to the re-route.

Bill

[trainmaster55]

Cool! Weird to see UP leading!

Alex

[basicbill1]

@trainmaster55 Thanks! I guess it's not uncommon but the first time I've seen it.

Bill

[trainmaster55]

@basicbill1 Yea, up here once and a while they'll put a BNSF leading.

Alex

[MP36er]

@trainmaster55 That's only when a P42 craps out. In this case, the UP leader is for cab signals, not because a P42 died.

[trainmaster55]

@MP36er That's good to know! Why would they need a UP leader for the cab signals though?

Alex