Finally got some running video of the 1968 EMD SW1500 Switcher ILSX 942 working the Bensenville Illinois industrial Park late October 2022. Thanks for Watching.! 😊Mark👍
That is an EX SP unit. You can tell by the blanked off custom bolted on sheet metal covers over the openings where the light packages used to be. The locomotives didn t come with those as new for any railroad that I know of. Those plates were carefully fabricated and professionally mounted to be permanent. You can tell these were well made pieces of sheet metal...not just some junk lying around and hastily and carelessly slapped on. I believe this work was done at the Sacramento California shops before Union Pacific Railroad bought Southern Pacific and shut down the Sacramento locomotive works MASSIVE shops. The work MAY have been performed at Roseville...,not to many miles away. Anyhow....great to see the old loco running.....great video...great catch.
Awesome information Scott.! Very cool it was a SP. I just saw a video on UA-cam of the Locomotive in it's UP colors.! Thank you so very much for insight here.! Mark
My ole man was a yardmaster in Galesburg for BN. When I was @ 15 he took me to his job once in awhile. Got a yard engineer to let me run 1 of these down in the bowl. Pushing & a pulling freight. I'll never forget running that 1500. Great experience! Thx DAD!
Also, look at where her number boards are located. This girl is a pure southern pacific veteran. And to see her still going after all these years, is truly amazing!long live emd locomotives!
Absolutly the number boards are a dead give away for sure.! I wonder what it looked like new. Did it have a bloody red nose like the SP is known for.! Love the Old EMD Switchers. Thanks for Watching
The sound of an SW1500 brings back so many memories. I used to sit at the southern end of Southern Railway's old Spencer Yard and watch them breaking and making up trains. Of course, it was also a veritable smorgasbord of Southern high hood power... SD45s, SD24s, SD35s, SD40-2s, GP30s, GP35s GP38s, GE U-boats, and FP7s. Always remember that today will someday be a "good ole day." 😀
These engines are a blast to ride on at mainline speed. Even with the Flexicoil B truck they love to buck you a little. I remember blasting through Orange, CA, Station at around 60-65mph in pair of these old Espee workhorses on the Costa Mesa Local working student trips on the UP out of Anaheim. I could see the startled whites of the awaiting passengers’ eyes on the platform as my hoghead split the air with the melodious symphony of the ubiquitous Nathan Airchime P-3! Good times!!
OMG Very Cool.! I can only Guess what it would be like. That is fantastic to hear about. They had this one going pretty fast with both smoke stacks blowing black smoke but I was not fast enough on the camera to catch it.! Good Times I'll Bet.! Awesome to read. Thanks so Much.!😀 Mark
Most other SW1500's actually came with Flexicoil trucks (friction bearings)...Both Southern Pacific and Cotton Belt however strictly ordered all their road switchers with equipped Blomberg trucks (roller bearings) to avoid extensive maintenance and for comfort at high speeds as mentioned. 240 SW1500's for Southern Pacific and 12 SW1500's for Cotton Belt (The unit in the video is formerly SSW) before ending up with 24 SW1500's additionally. N DE M ordered 60 SW1504's with Blomberg trucks as well which are still in usage if I remember correctly.About the Flexicoil trucks,one of the dumbest things I recall is how favorably those were for Conrail on literally all of their units.In mainline usage,I know that was miserable on long trips for the crews.They kept requesting Flexicoil trucks even on newer EMD units that were already factory with Blomberg trucks.Towards the final years,that ordeal finally came to an end once EMD debuted the SD70 series.
Man, I miss th SW-1500 locomotives. When I lived in Pensacola CSXT had two based there. They were 1109 and 1110. When I first got there in 1992 they were in Seaboard Systems paint; then very early CSX; then, YN3 (dark future) paint. 1109 was my favorite. They'd leave for 92-day inspections, then show up again. Little workhorses. Finally, one day they were gone for good. Last I heard 1109 went to LTEX (Larry's Truck And Electric - or something), in Ohio. If I had won the lottery............... They came originally from L&N I'm told. I sure miss seeing those little "butt-heads". For those who love SW1500's this is a great video with really good footage of one.
I didn't know about ILSX until I looked it up after watching your video. Beautiful switcher! Also looked up Tate & Lyle from the first tank car. Thanks for sharing.
You are welcome Steve.! I have been waiting and looking a long time for my chance. I had to be at the right place and the right time. Switchers and tank cars are my favorites.! Mark
From what I can find out about that ticking sound is that it is the moisture being blown out. The more humid it is, or the more loosely the valve is set, the more frequently it will blow out, which when happening rapidly makes a clicking sound. I guess this makes sense!?!
Well Said.! Fantastic old Southern Pacific Switcher still working.! He's in a pretty easy switch yard only working afternoons a few days a week. Thanks for Watching and Congrats on the Cup.!👍Mark😊
It's an ex-Southern Pacific with its lighting package removed. Those flexicoil trucks allows good speeds up to 65 mph on poor tracks. It seems to have to 800 or the 1,000 gallon fuel tank.
Awesome to hear.! It's been in the Bensenville industrial park for about 2 years. I have never seen it going any faster than in this video. Thanks for your comment.!
Nice Video Mark. Looks like a Super Nice Day to be out catching a Train and not a Cloud in the Sky. Didn't know you had this Channel until you told me. Just Subscribed to it.
Thanks Matt.! I have not promoted this channel as it was just getting started.! I cover delivery routes when regular guys are on vacation and got a few chances to catch him for a video. This one really took off like crazy as I was not expecting it to this well. EMD switchers are my favorites.! Thanks for watching and Subscribing Matt.! 😊
WOW great catch.! It sure was.! Corn Syrup I would guess from the plant they just pulled it out of I would guess? BIG 👍 for letting us know.! Awesome.! Thanks.! Mark
Me too.❤All the old switchers. They say this one was originaly Southern Pacific and that's even cooler.! I wonder if it ever had the bloody nose? Thanks for watching Mark
Loved the video but the music intro ramped up WAY too loud. Maybe even knock 10% of the entire audio in the video. It was a fair amount louder than most videos I watch. Regardless, great footage, good camera work. It is a good catch I love watching these old girls working, no matter who built them or who runs them now.
Sorry, I don't know why it ended up louder in that spot. I tried to fix it but it was too late. Not much of a fan of any music but someone sugested it would add to the video. Guess not this time. Again very sorry.! Thanks Mark
@@marksrealtrains7926 No worries. It does add to it when it is short and sweet. The suggestion is correct. Don't worry, things happen, I subbed anyway. :) Not every dart thrown is a bullseye. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
I Think it's the air dryer removeing moisture from the compressed air system when recharging the air brakes. The spitting sound is a little of the air being spit out with water to the underside. They all seem to do this. Great Question.! Mark
I Think it's the air dryer removeing moisture from the air system when recharging the air brakes. The spitting sound is a little of the air being spit out with water to the underside. They all seem to do this. Great question Henry.! Awesome.! Mark
Great Question Stephen.! 👍I Think it's the air dryer removeing moisture from the air system when recharging the air brakes. The spitting sound is a little of the air being spit out with water to the underside. They all seem to do this. Have a great rest of your weekend.! Thanks for Watching.!😊Mark
The LIRR was running MP15AC engines,in freight and passenger service! On the Oyster Bay branch,they ran MP15 sandwiches,with two MP's,and 3to5 ex MU cars in service! Add some FA/F dummies,and C420's,GP38-2's,Mineola was quite a interesting place in the 70's,80's! Memories,that can't be replicated! Forgot,a couple of ex-SP engines actually would up on the East Coast,and worked in Queens and Brooklyn[that's New York,not Oregon]! Interesting times!! Thank you!! 😇
Sw 1001’s were the toughest switchers I’ve worked in and around. Two together could easily handle 100+ cars switching and drilling traffic. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_SW1001
That is an EX SP unit. You can tell by the blanked off custom bolted on sheet metal covers over the openings where the light packages used to be. The locomotives didn t come with those as new for any railroad that I know of. Those plates were carefully fabricated and professionally mounted to be permanent. You can tell these were well made pieces of sheet metal...not just some junk lying around and hastily and carelessly slapped on. I believe this work was done at the Sacramento California shops before Union Pacific Railroad bought Southern Pacific and shut down the Sacramento locomotive works MASSIVE shops. The work MAY have been performed at Roseville...,not to many miles away. Anyhow....great to see the old loco running.....great video...great catch.
Awesome information Scott.! Very cool it was a SP. I just saw a video on UA-cam of the Locomotive in it's UP colors.! Thank you so very much for insight here.! Mark
Thanks for comment Scott.👏🏼👍🏻👏🏼
I've done some research on the web and she's been
Serial 33615
ex SSW 2484
ex UP 1086
😀
saludos desde 🇦🇷Argentina
@@ricardojuricic9027 This Locomotive has quite the History. Thanks for the Info.😊
@@TSmith-ns45 I am not be surprised with the history this locomotive seems to have.! Thanks
Sounds like grounds to give'r the ol' bloddy nose livery but with ILSX printed in white 😜
Look at what a great engineer he iknows exactly what he’s doing very professional
He the Locomotive is treated very well in his old age.!
I like the body design on those old switcher engines. I don't see many of them on the rails anymore like I use to back in the day.
My ole man was a yardmaster in Galesburg for BN. When I was @ 15 he took me to his job once in awhile. Got a yard engineer to let me run 1 of these down in the bowl. Pushing & a pulling freight. I'll never forget running that 1500. Great experience! Thx DAD!
That is Awesome.! Fantastic to hear.! Thanks so Much.! 😊
Thanking your father really tugged on my heartstrings.
Great video. I could watch her all day switching.
Thank You.! 😊
Also, look at where her number boards are located. This girl is a pure southern pacific veteran. And to see her still going after all these years, is truly amazing!long live emd locomotives!
Absolutly the number boards are a dead give away for sure.! I wonder what it looked like new. Did it have a bloody red nose like the SP is known for.! Love the Old EMD Switchers. Thanks for Watching
That baby sounds so healthy' I’m in love
The sound of an SW1500 brings back so many memories. I used to sit at the southern end of Southern Railway's old Spencer Yard and watch them breaking and making up trains. Of course, it was also a veritable smorgasbord of Southern high hood power... SD45s, SD24s, SD35s, SD40-2s, GP30s, GP35s GP38s, GE U-boats, and FP7s.
Always remember that today will someday be a "good ole day." 😀
Great to hear.! Thanks for your Awesome Comment.! When they moved him into our local yard I was very excited. Thanks for watching.! Mark
I grew up near a shortline that used the SW1500's "big sister", the MP15, for switching and road duties.
Very Cool.! Yes Sir the MP15 late 70s early 80s. Thanks for your Comment.! Mark
One of the mp15 ac's now used by lake state rr was off the old Milwaukee road.
@@erbewayne6868 Awesome.! 👍😊
These engines are a blast to ride on at mainline speed. Even with the Flexicoil B truck they love to buck you a little. I remember blasting through Orange, CA, Station at around 60-65mph in pair of these old Espee workhorses on the Costa Mesa Local working student trips on the UP out of Anaheim. I could see the startled whites of the awaiting passengers’ eyes on the platform as my hoghead split the air with the melodious symphony of the ubiquitous Nathan Airchime P-3! Good times!!
OMG Very Cool.! I can only Guess what it would be like. That is fantastic to hear about. They had this one going pretty fast with both smoke stacks blowing black smoke but I was not fast enough on the camera to catch it.! Good Times I'll Bet.! Awesome to read. Thanks so Much.!😀 Mark
Most other SW1500's actually came with Flexicoil trucks (friction bearings)...Both Southern Pacific and Cotton Belt however strictly ordered all their road switchers with equipped Blomberg trucks (roller bearings) to avoid extensive maintenance and for comfort at high speeds as mentioned.
240 SW1500's for Southern Pacific and 12 SW1500's for Cotton Belt (The unit in the video is formerly SSW) before ending up with 24 SW1500's additionally.
N DE M ordered 60 SW1504's with Blomberg trucks as well which are still in usage if I remember correctly.About the Flexicoil trucks,one of the dumbest things I recall is how favorably those were for Conrail on literally all of their units.In mainline usage,I know that was miserable on long trips for the crews.They kept requesting Flexicoil trucks even on newer EMD units that were already factory with Blomberg trucks.Towards the final years,that ordeal finally came to an end once EMD debuted the SD70 series.
Man, I miss th SW-1500 locomotives. When I lived in Pensacola CSXT had two based there. They were 1109 and 1110. When I first got there in 1992 they were in Seaboard Systems paint; then very early CSX; then, YN3 (dark future) paint. 1109 was my favorite. They'd leave for 92-day inspections, then show up again. Little workhorses. Finally, one day they were gone for good. Last I heard 1109 went to LTEX (Larry's Truck And Electric - or something), in Ohio. If I had won the lottery...............
They came originally from L&N I'm told. I sure miss seeing those little "butt-heads".
For those who love SW1500's this is a great video with really good footage of one.
Awesome to hear.! I love all the old History of these Locomotives. Fantastic this one is still around.!👍Thanks for watching.!
Best switch engines I ever ran..... Added AC? That's a nice improvement....
Awesome to hear.! Thanks for the comment.! Mark
I didn't know about ILSX until I looked it up after watching your video. Beautiful switcher! Also looked up Tate & Lyle from the first tank car. Thanks for sharing.
You are welcome Steve.! I have been waiting and looking a long time for my chance. I had to be at the right place and the right time. Switchers and tank cars are my favorites.! Mark
I used to love the SW1500 cow and calf units.
Oh Yea.! The cabless power units.! They look great together.! BIG 👍Thanks😀
Amazing footage! That old EMD workhorse is awesome! I especially love the placement of the number boards!
Thanks Eric and Welcome to the Channel. I was really happy to catch him running finally. Thanks for watching.! Mark
@Mark's Real Trains You're welcome Mark! Yes, that is one heck of a unit for sure!
A dead giveaway for a Southern Pacific Switcher
@@kendavenport1823 Yessir!
@@kendavenport1823 That's what I hear. Really cool to learn this. SP number boards👍😊Awesome. Specially like the bloody nose SP switchers.! BIG 👍
From what I can find out about that ticking sound is that it is the moisture being blown out. The more humid it is, or the more loosely the valve is set, the more frequently it will blow out, which when happening rapidly makes a clicking sound. I guess this makes sense!?!
Excellent.! As I recall it was very warm when I was filming this.! Thanks .! Mark
Never say die
Great to see that 1500 back at work with air conditioning, dig lights, etc.
Thanks for the video 👍🏻👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Saludos desde 🇦🇷Argentina
Well Said.! Fantastic old Southern Pacific Switcher still working.! He's in a pretty easy switch yard only working afternoons a few days a week. Thanks for Watching and Congrats on the Cup.!👍Mark😊
@@marksrealtrains7926 thanks Mark!
Great to know the lady nee SP👍🏻😊
And thanks for ⚽️ Qatar 2022
saludos😀
@@ricardojuricic9027 You Are Welcome.!
That switcher engine is cool lookin.
It sure is.! 👍Old Southern Pacifc switcher.! Awesome.! Thanks
Nice to see this ex SP Switcher in action. 6:02
Thanks.! Finishing out his life working a few afternoons a week.! 😊
I've heard that repower units with ECO friendly engines are the norm now. Its nice to hear that diesel rumble instead of a super quiet ECO engine.
Yes 👍They don't use this one very much but it really is nice to see when they do.! Thanks for Watching.! 👍
Nice job!
Thanks. It was reall fun to chase him around for two weeks filming.!
Nice video love the locomotive Engine that used to be Union Pacific now a nice private yard siide Engine
Yes he is.! You can still see Union Pacific very faint but it's there.! Awesome.!
ILSX 942 was sitting on the St. Croix Valley RR in east-central MN switching cars south of Harris before it left the line. This engine is a beauty.
Awesome.! Very cool to hear.! Thanks.!
Cool video and channel just subscribed
Thanks so Much.! Welcome to the Channel and Thanks for watching.! Mark
This a UPRR power and back in 1979 & 80 they were tore down and rebuild in the old Omaha shops..
Awesome to know.! Thanks.! It's a good one for sure. Yes, If you look close at it in the right light you can still faintly see Union Pacific.!
It's an ex-Southern Pacific with its lighting package removed. Those flexicoil trucks allows good speeds up to 65 mph on poor tracks. It seems to have to 800 or the 1,000 gallon fuel tank.
Awesome to hear.! It's been in the Bensenville industrial park for about 2 years. I have never seen it going any faster than in this video. Thanks for your comment.!
She's a beast
Agree.! Got some pulling power.! They use it a few days a week in the afternoon.!
Nice Video Mark. Looks like a Super Nice Day to be out catching a Train and not a Cloud in the Sky. Didn't know you had this Channel until you told me. Just Subscribed to it.
Thanks Matt.! I have not promoted this channel as it was just getting started.! I cover delivery routes when regular guys are on vacation and got a few chances to catch him for a video. This one really took off like crazy as I was not expecting it to this well. EMD switchers are my favorites.! Thanks for watching and Subscribing Matt.! 😊
3:27 LEAKY TANKER!
WOW great catch.! It sure was.! Corn Syrup I would guess from the plant they just pulled it out of I would guess? BIG 👍 for letting us know.! Awesome.! Thanks.! Mark
@@marksrealtrains7926 Good to hear it was just some corn syrup! I've seen grain getting dumped by accident but never anything from a tanker.
@@bilbobaggins1934 Good to know.! Thanks
I can tell it use to belong to the UP.
You are Correct.! It seems that it was UP 1086 from what I can dig up on the web.! Great observation and Thanks for your Comment.! Mark
I remember riding and watching these on the now defunct S.P. Burbank branch. Hope to see it converted to light rail before I cash in my chips.
I hope so too! Thanks for Watching.! 😊
Love the old sw1500's.
Me too.❤All the old switchers. They say this one was originaly Southern Pacific and that's even cooler.! I wonder if it ever had the bloody nose? Thanks for watching Mark
@@marksrealtrains7926 I think so too. 1. the placement of the headlights and 2. how much you wanna bet they didn't repaint the trucks?
@@somethingsomeonesaid6455 You are right.! SP Grey trucks.! Awesome.! I have a Lionel SP Switcher and was very disapointed it had black trucks.! ☹👎
@@marksrealtrains7926 lol All but the most recent Athern blue boxes did the same thing until the mid to late 90's.
Loved the video but the music intro ramped up WAY too loud. Maybe even knock 10% of the entire audio in the video. It was a fair amount louder than most videos I watch.
Regardless, great footage, good camera work. It is a good catch I love watching these old girls working, no matter who built them or who runs them now.
Sorry, I don't know why it ended up louder in that spot. I tried to fix it but it was too late. Not much of a fan of any music but someone sugested it would add to the video. Guess not this time. Again very sorry.! Thanks Mark
@@marksrealtrains7926 No worries. It does add to it when it is short and sweet. The suggestion is correct. Don't worry, things happen, I subbed anyway. :) Not every dart thrown is a bullseye. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
@@drwho135 You are very welcome.! Thank You.!
mute is best tool for odd music ,or music at all with trains
@@scottmoldenhauer8908 understood👍Thanks
Cool video
Thanks so Much.! 😊
What places was they switching out? Can't find specific places on maps.
Small industrial park in Chicago
SSW 2484.........4/68
Awesome.! Thanks.!
Very cool, know what the frequency is for this line?
Thanks.!😊I'm not sure even if they use any radio for this industrial park? They only use the Locomotive a few afternoons a week.
@@marksrealtrains7926 actually I did ask and they used one of the AAR channels but I forgot which one haha so I’ll ask again later
What’s the ticking sound?
I Think it's the air dryer removeing moisture from the compressed air system when recharging the air brakes. The spitting sound is a little of the air being spit out with water to the underside. They all seem to do this. Great Question.! Mark
Why? Does it purch air like that ????
I Think it's the air dryer removeing moisture from the air system when recharging the air brakes. The spitting sound is a little of the air being spit out with water to the underside. They all seem to do this. Great question Henry.! Awesome.! Mark
Love the number board location (SP). Thanks for sharing 👍
@@alcopower5710 Yes, old SP you can still make out Union Pacific very light on the side of the locomotive. You are welcome.
What is that psst psst psst sound its making sounds like air
Great Question Stephen.! 👍I Think it's the air dryer removeing moisture from the air system when recharging the air brakes. The spitting sound is a little of the air being spit out with water to the underside. They all seem to do this. Have a great rest of your weekend.! Thanks for Watching.!😊Mark
Ex-SSW 2484
Awesome.! Thanks.!
Pretty miserable units to take on anything over 30 miles in. LIRR thinks there the cats ass to this day. I hated being in them.
I have only briefly seen the cab but it looks not to be designed for comfort that's for sure.! Thanks for watching.!
The LIRR was running MP15AC engines,in freight and passenger service! On the Oyster Bay branch,they ran MP15 sandwiches,with two MP's,and 3to5 ex MU cars in service! Add some FA/F dummies,and C420's,GP38-2's,Mineola was quite a interesting place in the 70's,80's! Memories,that can't be replicated! Forgot,a couple of ex-SP engines actually would up on the East Coast,and worked in Queens and Brooklyn[that's New York,not Oregon]! Interesting times!! Thank you!! 😇
Sw 1001’s were the toughest switchers I’ve worked in and around. Two together could easily handle 100+ cars switching and drilling traffic.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_SW1001
Absolutely.! Not surprised.! They drag quite a few cars around with just this switcher.! Thanks for the History Link.!