Mark, I’m from Chicago, and many of the older homes had oil burning heating systems. Basically kerosene. The tanks inside the home, that were in the basement, were installed in the basement prior to the building being built above it!. So there is no way to haul the thing out of the basement in one piece. D‘ OH! So they had to be cut up into smaller piecesWith an acetylene torch. So they were flushed out, and filled with nitrogen source to prevent the impending explosion
Big crane for a big job , getting the scrap cars that will be cut into smaller sections across both tracks will take less time and not take as much tracking time . Seeing the size of the crane answered the question if there was suitable access for the scrap trucks and trailers . I might add that a railroad employee will be on site while the contractors are working possibly getting in the way of train movement . Action is the attraction when they get the torches fired up and start cutting up the cars . Thats a lot of heavy gauge steel to cut into scrap size pieces to haul to the scrap facility off site . Very good video and your explanation was spot on . Great video Mark and y'all have a great and Safe vacation and be Careful .
Autorack wheels have a smaller diameter than other cars. The last pile you checked near the two damaged racks are much smaller than the first pile of wheels. I suppose to keep the car's height lower for clearance. Love the updates.
Gross weight rating also affects the diameter of the wheels. Next time you see an autorack, try to count the number of vehicles and multiply by about 4,000 and you will be close to cargo weight. A typical load is about 22 cars, so the cargo weight is only about 66,000 to 88,000 lbs or so. According to BNSF, empty weight is about 100,000 pounds and a gross load of about 180,000 pounds. With four axles, that is only about 45,000 lbs or 22.5 tons per axle.
I have to agree with all of the comments below. Very interesting and informative to a person like me with a keen interest in railway operations! Thank you for making another great video.
You do a great presentation keeping the non-railroaders informed. And yes the cleanup, burnout and inert gas are a very serious part of the safe recovery of those tank cars. Thanks again Mark and have an enjoyable vacation.
Thank you Mark for sharing your years and years of railroading knowledge, the local mountain terrain, community history, and your unique access advantage on the Tehachapi grade -- a field classroom each time!!! Enjoy your vacation -- rest up and be safe!!
I really like your videos. I like learning more about railroading. Seeing the trains go by is great but it’s the what is this and what is that explanations that add just alittle more to your videos. Thanks for everything.
Mark that was another great video. You did an awesome job explaining about the signal system and signal aspects. You covered the derailment site very well. We enjoyed it. Thanks 👍👍👍❤️
Thanks. I wish I could have caught them moving the cars out but when I stopped by this morning nothing was going on. It'll all be cleaned up by the time I get back from vacation. GRRRR!
You packed a ton of great information into less than 15 minutes. I enjoy learning about the RR and the gear and can probably be diagnosed as a MCM addict :)
Thanks Mark, your videos are always very good, informative and awesome. Thank you for your time and I really appreciate your enthusiasm for railroading.
Mark! If you get a chance to see why they drilled the hole in the middle of that track last video let us know. Thanks and have a cool trip I thank you for your time. Paul
You're welcome! The official cause will be determined. If the FRA gets involved it will be a matter of public record but I have no idea where to find it. Thanks for checking it out!
Anything that crosses under the tracks is in bores. digging across the tracks has been a non-no for a long time. It's impractical to put track wires from the underground cable to the rail in conduit as they need to be unhooked from the rail and moved out of the way anytime a track or track structure project comes through. Much better to just get them under the ballast so they can be moved more easily. Thanks for checking it out!
great video coverage and informative ,but as a railroad employee and a railroad fan the best advice is to stay off the tracks and the railroad property completely.
Good question, now here is the answer. Go back and watch some of his older videos BEFORE retirement. He knows everything about this line except how to run a locomotive, that is why he is trusted.
Mark... have question on all them axle and wheels from the Cable Derailment will they be repaired or scrap ? can you just take a guess at the total cost of that accident. THANKS MARK ENJOY YOU VIDEOS
They will be inspected and, at the very least, refurbished. It's hard to say where the cost of the cars are concerned but they are insured. Maybe close to a million in signal and track repairs (which are still incomplete), equipment and labor. The bigger cost were the train delays. Thanks for checking it out!
Does this line have over the air ATCS ? I don't see any satellite dish on the bungalow or cell phone antenna. I don't see any ATCS antennas, but maybe they are hidden
Right now it is a combination of ATCS and MDS working as auto backups. These are going away, most likely this year, to be replaced by the WMS that operates the PTC. They just cut a big section over from Fresno to Stockton.
Some are pretty badly damaged. They'll all be taken to be inspected but I am not conversant with wheel policy after accidents. I would imagine, at the very least, they'll be recycled.
@@MarkClayMcGowan All tank cars in service, no matter the type or what they are hauling, are required to have double shelf couplers. They are optional on freight cars, so sometimes are seen on plastic pellet hoppers.
I noticed a truck trailer door next to an autorack. Were there loaded intermodal next to empty autoracks? Also I could not help but notice the short distance between the end of the curve and the crossover switch. Not being any kind of expert I would wonder if this is a badly engineered piece of track.
Much like you i’m not an expert but I’m sure if this crossover was a bad thing they would probably remove it. Dispatch seems to prefer the Tehachapi x overs but this one still gets use seeing as they are still maintaining it. Not a lot of places on Tehachapi to stick a crossover that isn’t shortly after a curve
All rack were empty. I believe the door you're talking about was part of the auto rack as, other than the tankers, no other types of car were involved and no trucks are in the area. The Cable crossover isn't the problem. It was never the actual cause of any of the half dozen or so derailments I worked there over the years and had nothing to do with this one. Thanks for checking it out!
Maybe a million all told in parts, equipment and labor but no more than that; I don't know what cars cost but they're insured. The bigger cost was in train delays.
@@MarkClayMcGowan haha. Well that changes things. Glad you do. You have a great channel with great content. I understand you are retired from RR service. We appreciate all those years you contributed keeping America moving. Keep the great videos coming and, as much as I like following Shoestring, I’m glad you’re not riding a grain car to bring great content. Incredibly dangerous what these guys do. Appreciate the reply!
As I said, they will bury them when all the work is done. It's actually a CPUC mandate that there be no tripping hazards like that. Vandalism isn't an issue in this area. Thanks for checking it out!
Back in the day, hobos could not afford a ticket. The RRs do not run passenger service anymore, the only concern they have is you do not get yourself killed on their property. They usually do not look TOO hard. In Mexico, they could care less. It is not uncommon to see 100 riders on a freight.
I agree they ain't Hobo's per say but there's a few of us left that still live by the hobo code I do work when it's available I don't drink I ride I work I respect the rails an the workers an especially the train.
They're insured by the owners (railroads rarely own cars these days) and the railroads are bonded. I don't know the details of how it all works out but I'm sure, in the end, it works out even. Thanks for checking it out!
@@MarkClayMcGowan Railroad property is privately owned, therefore the owner of the private property has the right to control use of the property, subject to applicable State and Federal laws. If you (hobo or not) hold title of ownership to some property, then you can allow people of your choosing to enter onto your property (or not). You could even put up a sign "Trespassing by hobos prohibited". The beauty is that ALL incidents of trespass are 'prima facie' are a violation of property rights. Lucky for you, my friend, for I'm sure you would not want a bunch of strangers, whatever they might call themselves -- hoodlums, homeless, hippies, hobos, etc. -- cavorting about on your property in some unapproved manner while establishing a presence that is likely unsafe, unwanted and even destructive, irrespective of the moral and ethical code espoused.
This is a Railfanning and Learning Channel. You discuss a Lot of things us Railfans have wondered about. Thanks! 👍
Enjoy your Much Deserved Vacation and Please Don’t Forget to come back and resume the videos. Thanks Mark! 👍
Oh, I'll be shooting and posting long the way!
Mark, I’m from Chicago, and many of the older homes had oil burning heating systems. Basically kerosene. The tanks inside the home, that were in the basement, were installed in the basement prior to the building being built above it!. So there is no way to haul the thing out of the basement in one piece. D‘ OH! So they had to be cut up into smaller piecesWith an acetylene torch. So they were flushed out, and filled with nitrogen source to prevent the impending explosion
Big crane for a big job , getting the scrap cars that will be cut into smaller sections across both tracks will take less time and not take as much tracking time . Seeing the size of the crane answered the question if there was suitable access for the scrap trucks and trailers . I might add that a railroad employee will be on site while the contractors are working possibly getting in the way of train movement . Action is the attraction when they get the torches fired up and start cutting up the cars . Thats a lot of heavy gauge steel to cut into scrap size pieces to haul to the scrap facility off site . Very good video and your explanation was spot on . Great video Mark and y'all have a great and Safe vacation and be Careful .
Autorack wheels have a smaller diameter than other cars. The last pile you checked near the two damaged racks are much smaller than the first pile of wheels. I suppose to keep the car's height lower for clearance. Love the updates.
Gross weight rating also affects the diameter of the wheels. Next time you see an autorack, try to count the number of vehicles and multiply by about 4,000 and you will be close to cargo weight. A typical load is about 22 cars, so the cargo weight is only about 66,000 to 88,000 lbs or so. According to BNSF, empty weight is about 100,000 pounds and a gross load of about 180,000 pounds. With four axles, that is only about 45,000 lbs or 22.5 tons per axle.
Very informative. Thanks so much for the virtual walkthrough of the derailment site.
Union pacific should hire you back as a PR person.
I like that idea, If Mark is onboard. Methinks he rather likes retirement.
I have to agree with all of the comments below. Very interesting and informative to a person like me with a keen interest in railway operations! Thank you for making another great video.
My pleasure. I love to share what I know!
You do a great presentation keeping the non-railroaders informed. And yes the cleanup, burnout and inert gas are a very serious part of the safe recovery of those tank cars. Thanks again Mark and have an enjoyable vacation.
Thank you very much!
Thank you Mark for sharing your years and years of railroading knowledge, the local mountain terrain, community history, and your unique access advantage on the Tehachapi grade -- a field classroom each time!!! Enjoy your vacation -- rest up and be safe!!
My Pleasure! Glad you enjoy it!
I really like your videos. I like learning more about railroading. Seeing the trains go by is great but it’s the what is this and what is that explanations that add just alittle more to your videos. Thanks for everything.
Thank you! I'm glad I can help you understand some of this stuff!
Mark that was another great video. You did an awesome job explaining about the signal system and signal aspects. You covered the derailment site very well. We enjoyed it. Thanks 👍👍👍❤️
Thanks. I wish I could have caught them moving the cars out but when I stopped by this morning nothing was going on. It'll all be cleaned up by the time I get back from vacation. GRRRR!
You packed a ton of great information into less than 15 minutes. I enjoy learning about the RR and the gear and can probably be diagnosed as a MCM addict :)
Thanks! I truly appreciate the kind words and am happy to share what I can!
Thanks Mark for the great update on the accident site. Have a great day.
Thanks Mark, your videos are always very good, informative and awesome. Thank you for your time and I really appreciate your enthusiasm for railroading.
My pleasure! Thanks for checking it out!
You can rebuild a car carrier or hopper. Once a tank car is damaged, it is not safe to rebuild.
Thant makes perfect sense. Thanks for the info!
Have a fantastic vacation! Thank you for all the informative videos.
Thanks for great content and taking time exsplaining to new folks also update . Have great safe trip love UP toboggan
Lots of great information Mark, I am from a train town,Cumberland,Maryland, but never got that bug to work on the railroad.
It wasn't a bug for me either. I just needed a job and that turned into a career. Thanks for checking it out!
I applied at UP many times but no luck. It’s okay, I managed to find my own way. I really like the company however!
Mark! If you get a chance to see why they drilled the hole in the middle of that track last video let us know. Thanks and have a cool trip I thank you for your time. Paul
I'm stopping by there in the morning and will check it out!
@@MarkClayMcGowan Thanks well catch you later
Great video documenting the derailment site!
Great information Mark. A lot of questions answered.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for checking it out!
Tnx for the additional followup on this derailment. Some great info here. Is there ever any info available on the root-cause of these incidents?
You're welcome! The official cause will be determined. If the FRA gets involved it will be a matter of public record but I have no idea where to find it.
Thanks for checking it out!
Good presentation there Sir, learning more everytime.
As always a really good informative video.Keep up your good work.
thanks for the info Mark!
My pleasure! Thanks for always supporting the channel!
You think they would have put conduit in those wires so they don't get supposed to the elements
Anything that crosses under the tracks is in bores. digging across the tracks has been a non-no for a long time. It's impractical to put track wires from the underground cable to the rail in conduit as they need to be unhooked from the rail and moved out of the way anytime a track or track structure project comes through. Much better to just get them under the ballast so they can be moved more easily. Thanks for checking it out!
great video coverage and informative ,but as a railroad employee and a railroad fan the best advice is to stay off the tracks and the railroad property completely.
Very informative. Thanks
Are you allowed to trespass on RR property after retirement from the RR? Honest question. Love the videos!
Good question, now here is the answer. Go back and watch some of his older videos BEFORE retirement. He knows everything about this line except how to run a locomotive, that is why he is trusted.
They know me and know I'll stay out of the way. They also know I'm not there to make waves or deride the railroad.
Thanks for checking it out!
What caused this derailment?
So are all tracks through Tehachapi are UP owned and BNSF has trackage rights?
That is correct. It is an agreement that dates to 1898 between SP and Santa Fe. Thanks for checking it out!
Mark... have question on all them axle and wheels from the Cable Derailment will they be repaired or scrap ? can you just take a guess at the total cost of that accident. THANKS MARK ENJOY YOU VIDEOS
They will be inspected and, at the very least, refurbished. It's hard to say where the cost of the cars are concerned but they are insured. Maybe close to a million in signal and track repairs (which are still incomplete), equipment and labor. The bigger cost were the train delays.
Thanks for checking it out!
Does this line have over the air ATCS ? I don't see any satellite dish on the bungalow or cell phone antenna.
I don't see any ATCS antennas, but maybe they are hidden
Right now it is a combination of ATCS and MDS working as auto backups. These are going away, most likely this year, to be replaced by the WMS that operates the PTC. They just cut a big section over from Fresno to Stockton.
Will they recycle the wheelsets? They look undamaged, but some of the trucks looks damaged.
Some are pretty badly damaged. They'll all be taken to be inspected but I am not conversant with wheel policy after accidents. I would imagine, at the very least, they'll be recycled.
Did the tank cars have shelf couplers?
I didn't notice but assume the lpg cars all have them. Anyone else know?
@@MarkClayMcGowan All tank cars in service, no matter the type or what they are hauling, are required to have double shelf couplers. They are optional on freight cars, so sometimes are seen on plastic pellet hoppers.
so what was the cause of derailment?
So you didn't watch the other videos? DUDE! Nothing official as of yet.
@@MarkClayMcGowan yes I have seen all of your videos I was just wondering if there was a reason for the derailment
So they use the crane to lift the cars and put them on to flatbeds to take them out of there ?
I'm not sure what their plan is! Hopefully I'll catch some of it in the morning! Thanks for checking it out!
My dad was one of the real hoboe's who rode the rails back during the great depression. He had a lot of stories to tell us when we were growing up.
I noticed a truck trailer door next to an autorack. Were there loaded intermodal next to empty autoracks?
Also I could not help but notice the short distance between the end of the curve and the crossover switch. Not being any kind of expert I would wonder if this is a badly engineered piece of track.
Much like you i’m not an expert but I’m sure if this crossover was a bad thing they would probably remove it. Dispatch seems to prefer the Tehachapi x overs but this one still gets use seeing as they are still maintaining it. Not a lot of places on Tehachapi to stick a crossover that isn’t shortly after a curve
All rack were empty. I believe the door you're talking about was part of the auto rack as, other than the tankers, no other types of car were involved and no trucks are in the area.
The Cable crossover isn't the problem. It was never the actual cause of any of the half dozen or so derailments I worked there over the years and had nothing to do with this one.
Thanks for checking it out!
What is ITD and how does it work ?
Mark, How many hundred of thousands or millions did it cost to repair the damage of this derailment?
Maybe a million all told in parts, equipment and labor but no more than that; I don't know what cars cost but they're insured. The bigger cost was in train delays.
@@MarkClayMcGowan Thank you for the information.
They let you walk on railroad property and trespass ???
I worked there for forty years and am still connected. It pays to have been helpful and easy to get along with! Thanks for checking it out!
Mark..Will those exposed cables be buried or put into conduit eventually?
Yes. I explained it in the video!
@@MarkClayMcGowan Yeah..I was too quick on keyboard.
I don't see any snow melters
Do they not need them at this crossover ?
Very rarely gets cold enough to need switch heaters. Sunny California is not like the Midwest with 2-3 months continous of snow and ice.
They use small, diesel filled pots that fit between the ties under the points when necessary. Which isn't often!
I happen to like Hobo Shoestring. He trespasses like you to make videos to post on UA-cam.
Except that I have permission to do it!
@@MarkClayMcGowan haha. Well that changes things. Glad you do. You have a great channel with great content. I understand you are retired from RR service. We appreciate all those years you contributed keeping America moving. Keep the great videos coming and, as much as I like following Shoestring, I’m glad you’re not riding a grain car to bring great content. Incredibly dangerous what these guys do. Appreciate the reply!
The "hobos" are really criminals: trespassing, etc., in my opinion.
There is no doubt but it's a misdemeanor for which few will ever make the court appearance.
Seems strange that they didn't bury the switch control cables. Open to vandalism. Tank cars are never really empty of gases.
As I said, they will bury them when all the work is done. It's actually a CPUC mandate that there be no tripping hazards like that. Vandalism isn't an issue in this area. Thanks for checking it out!
👍👊😎
Back in the day, hobos could not afford a ticket. The RRs do not run passenger service anymore, the only concern they have is you do not get yourself killed on their property. They usually do not look TOO hard. In Mexico, they could care less. It is not uncommon to see 100 riders on a freight.
stay safe on you adventure, not sure you should call it a vacation, you are retired! I am also retired, on vacation permanently. thank you!
It's a vacation from the house and the area. I'm looking forward to it!
LPG could have been really bad
I agree they ain't Hobo's per say but there's a few of us left that still live by the hobo code I do work when it's available I don't drink I ride I work I respect the rails an the workers an especially the train.
Good to know! Thanks for checking it ot!
Amen on the hobo rant. They couldn’t be further from hobos.
Seeing some of the Hobos, they don't want to be filmed, ever.
I would guess they are wanted by police for something bad.
Those poor LPG tanks :(
Bad things that caused derailment
Who pays for the wrecked cars.
They're insured by the owners (railroads rarely own cars these days) and the railroads are bonded. I don't know the details of how it all works out but I'm sure, in the end, it works out even. Thanks for checking it out!
Hey! There's nothing wrong with riding the rail for free and having instagram and a cell phone!
Actually, there IS something wrong with it. It's illegal, but I didn't say there was. I just said they're not really hobos.
@@MarkClayMcGowan Railroad property is privately owned, therefore the owner of the private property has the right to control use of the property, subject to applicable State and Federal laws.
If you (hobo or not) hold title of ownership to some property, then you can allow people of your choosing to enter onto your property (or not). You could even put up a sign "Trespassing by hobos prohibited". The beauty is that ALL incidents of trespass are 'prima facie' are a violation of property rights.
Lucky for you, my friend, for I'm sure you would not want a bunch of strangers, whatever they might call themselves -- hoodlums, homeless, hippies, hobos, etc. -- cavorting about on your property in some unapproved manner while establishing a presence that is likely unsafe, unwanted and even destructive, irrespective of the moral and ethical code espoused.