@@shauntrailskinner9645 Thank you VERY much for sharing your story! I too like seeing America from the ground, up close. :-) I've taken Amtrak, but I still haven't managed the California Zephyr yet. THAT would be a great trip!! Stay safe. -DeAnn
@@shauntrailskinner9645 The railroad scene here in Indiana is much different. We have Norfolk Southern, CSX along with many short lines. Then we have the big short line or small regional, the Indiana Rail Road. We have lots of CSX in the middle part of the state and then lots of NS in the Northern part of the state. -DeAnn
@@shauntrailskinner9645 We have a video coming up about early Amtrak! I know there is some Empire Builder footage in there too. Here is the link to the Wisconsin Central video. I'll bet you will like it. :-) -DeAnn ua-cam.com/video/HkP_AKhm4ow/v-deo.html
I was there, Union Pacific snow fighters. It was march 2012. I've got the commemorative fowl weather jacket. I helped dig the locomotive and the crew out of the Cab...
I was on the paving crew on the i-80 from Truckee to Nyack we were there for a couple of years we paved until just before it started snowing. Truckee has an awesome history.
Agreed, and really with few modifications. Yes, from steam to diesel...but the mechanical working parts of getting the snow off the tracks is essentially the same. Thank you for watching! -DeAnn
I rode that rail line many times back in the 90s and saw those monsters in use couple times, its amazing to be in a train and look out the windows and see snow higher than the car itself, I delivered trucks and drove the Donner and took the Train many times, It was always exciting. The train sheds and those huge Rotary were amazing. Great videos, I never took too many photos.
So many of us didn't take photos. And now we wish we had! I remember thinking I should take a picture of a GT freight building...and then one day I drove by and it was gone. Never got my picture. -DeAnn
This is amazing, my two year old loves watching the "snow trains" plow feet of snow and the story was suspenseful. I was fully invested in the video, it was awesome !! He won't stop yelling snow train now, it's great we can bond over something
That is awesome! It's been awhile since my youngest was two, and I don't think I can get him to yell "snow train" - but he does like these big machines. Just like his mom. 😀 I am glad others do too. Thanks for watching. -DeAnn
That equipment is anything but modern. Maybe saw its first refurbishment in the post-modern era! I would say iconic. I like the engineer trying to line his pockets!
Yes, this started out as a Southern Pacific Rotary, UP gave a big overhaul shortly after they took over - but yeah, the bones of this machine are shall we say....vintage. Thanks for watching! -DeAnn
There's a lovely old childrens book: Katy and the Big Snow. I used to read it aloud to all grades K-6 on the first day it snowed in Iowa. The kids caught on fast that this would be an annual event, and they enjoyed it. Retired school librarian
Expert on moose now too? There aren't any moose anywhere near Donner or Calif. And if there were a simple video would suffice. No video editing with women layed over pontificating about moose or train. P.S. if you actuall try to roll your "a" off on the floor take a cell phone, there's videos but they are video edited with moose and train ads to annoy and spoil the video.
Oh, Sparkly! This must have been one of those "moments" for the crew. Love their dead-pan tone of voice on the radio. You have some incredible equipment in the US.
@@aoilpe We have some in Norway too, not sure if they're in working order or not through. The railway museum isn't displaying them due to not having enough space to do so.
@@Railfandepot ua-cam.com/video/WhbEx9_XXo0/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/fKEaniu5vr8/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/jrK4MZJCwRU/v-deo.html Your wish is possibly to become true
I loved trains ever since I rode the first one out of New York City to Cleveland Ohio in 1957 when I was three years old with my parents who were moving to Cleveland where my dad's parents lived. I was born in upper Manhattan on May 3rd, 1954. I'm also happy to see the Union Pacific has restored the 'Big Boy' 4014 back to life
I had to giggle when I read the name of the train...or engine. I have a big, black Tom cat that I named "Big Boy". He showed up at my house a bag of bones, dull coat, just pitiful. He's fat and happy now! Anyway, you have a nice memory of riding a train. I have yet to do that, but it is on my list.
My Dad is why I love trains... he would take me with him on trips and point out all the trains. He had a story for each! Thank you for your story! -DeAnn
Here's a secret...before I had kids, I dabbled in HO. It was fun. Kids kinda ruined that (and a lot of other fun things), but I love those kids! -DeAnn
Hmmm... Orangeville...and a man named Orange Jull (Not Orange Julius!) had the first successful design. That is a lot of Orang! Thanks for watching and sharing! -DeAnn
Having grown up on a bud car here in the northeast. Watching clips like this is nothing short of amazing. The equipment and the team you have there on this mountain. Long Long short Long ………..
A Budd car! What a treat. Yes, the equipment the Union Pacific uses to keep Donner Pass (and other track) open, is pretty amazing. Thanks for watching. -DeAnn
Ever sense I was a kid in Nova Scotia watching the coal trains pull out of the Springhill mines, belching huge plumes of black smoke and ash. We kids would hear the train leave the mines with a blast of it's whistle. We would run down to the tracks and watch the steam engine pulling car after coal car down to Springhill Junction. What a trill... Thank you guys, great memories. great video.
Amazing equipment. Amazing men ! My late husband & I love trains. My cousin used to live in Truckee. Have been thru these mtns in a semi- but this train adventure is awesome !!! Thanks for the good video💟💟💟
i did over the road truck driving 10 years ago and traveled through reno and truckee, then down into the Sacramento valley. in February, so there was snow on the ground (several feet, cleared roads) and very cold (like 10 or 15 degrees) dropped down donner's pass and into the central valley. it was an hour before sunset and it was 65 degrees and palm trees. beautiful.
Thank you for the kind words! Indeed this can be a scary - and important - job. The video captured here is kind of amazing. You never know when you go out with your camera what you're going to catch! Thanks for watching. -DeAnn
Truly amazing...and how they just keep on working for the railroad. UP had the rotary out on Donner Pass in February od 2023! Thank you for watching! -DeAnn
Because she is bringing you additional information about the show. I feel like I should reminded you that this rare film, not on UA-cam anywhere else - is FREE. I suspect that won't matter, though. Suggestion: Don't watch if a woman talking for less than one minute drives you to leave nasty comments. -Tim
Been going to Roseville for years to check the trains out. Where we park the flanger is right in front of us. Lucky to live in a place with tons of train activity
I really enjoy your videos. I love to watch the trains. The big rotary in one of my favorites. I can't believe all the snow in the California Mountains. Some of those pictures are unbelievable!!!!!!!
@@Railfandepot I would love that. I used to drive from Santa Barbara to Buellton every night and I would often pull over and watch the train go over that trestle. One night the train was stopped with part of the train over that trestle and all of a sudden one of the coolest things I’ve ever heard. I heard the connector way up by the engine sort of snap as it tighten and then one by one all the way from front to back I heard those connectors. It was snap snap snap snap snap over and over as it came and past me and continue all the way to the end and the sun was just going down over the ocean. So yes Gaviota would be wonderful thank you
Amazing video! Good job to all involved. I was on edge of my seat most of the time. The rotary is Soo cool and the mechanics that makes it run was great to. Great job to you all. Godspeed to you all
I've always loved winter for the snow removal. I learned how to powerslide a Class 8 truck with a salt spreader and a blade. The job needed that kind of skill, because otherwise I wound up stuck. For those crews up top, I feel for them, having to use doers to clear around a stuck train, and wonder about the risk of damaging the track. Seems snow cats would be better, since they can walk on the snow without bellying out. The next piece of equipment I can recommend is an ASV tracked machine. I had a small service road that went to a cell tower to do every year. We called it "Devil's Tower," because someone would go out alone, get stuck, and try to get out. They would usually damage whatever they were driving pretty bad. The rule was, you never plowed it alone. I went out solo with our old ASV, and just a normal 4-in-1 bucket, not a snow bucket. I found that these machines could walk on drifts without sinking in, and could stack snow like you could stack dirt. The old style ones were very narrow, less than six feet. A good operator, with such a small dimension machine, could clear snow away from running gear. I've only seen one get stuck once, but that was a weird situation. Best machine for all around work, if you ask me.
...I've been taking rail and Amtrak for 40 years in California and across the Nation Is the rail in this video the same rail used by Amtrak? Thank you to the rail workers for their dedication to safety and service.
Dangerous and quite needed. When that snow comes measure in feet and then yards, keeping that pass open and much of the West Coast supplied is important work. Thanks for watching! -DeAnn
Good content about the snow conditions on Donner Pass. I am from Stockton, CA now residing in Indiana but we do not get snow conditions like what is depicted here. Cute presenter.
We're in Indiana too! Yeah, the snow is not quite as deep here. :-) And, by the way, thank you for the "cute" compliment. It seems not everyone on UA-cam likes me. Ah well. -DeAnn
@@Railfandepot The trees are changing early here. It's been irritating, they are all over the driveway. Cooler than usual mornings. I'm thinking this year may be another big Sierra snow year. Might get some more exciting rail snow fighting footage. I work for the Road Dept. We have large snowthrowers that mount to big cat loaders and large all wheel drive trucks, plows already mounted. I guess we will see whats coming soon enough.
I gotta tell you...I'm from Pittsburgh where a 12"-16" storm brings everything to a standstill and I can't even conceive of this much snow falling at one time. I mean, 200 inches with another 4'-6' expected? That's insane.
I think Truckee ( nearby city just east of Donner and west of Reno NV ) holds the record for snow in a 24 hour period in US - Alaska, but you have to look for all cities not just major cities.
Incredible commitment to getting out there and maybe stalling in all that. Was there at the lake and never forgot from a rented condo late at night a view way up above there was an engine that looked like a ufo from all the lights of it coming through what looked like a tunnel? That was one of the best parts of staying there for a week looking forward to that wild sight at night.🚂
Rotary snow plows are very impressive. I like steam engines. It seems like they have personalities. I like diesel engines too. They are these giant workhorses that really get a job done, but they don't have the personalities that steam engines have.
On a smaller scale is a rotary built and used by a street car operation. Clearly, a rarety. The Trolley Museum in East Haven, CT has such a rotary. While somewhat operational, it needs major work on its wooden body.
Much improved snow-removal equipment from when they were building the intercontinental railway thru there. Chinese workers were swept away in avalanches and their bodies not found until the Spring snow-melt. They tunneled thru deep snow-banks to reach the rock tunneling. Soon after the railway opened, they found they needed snow-sheds over avalanche-prone sections. When Donner Pass is impassable, I think the only rail alternatives over the Sierra-Nevada are Feather River Canyon 100 miles north or Tehachapi pass to Bakersfield 300 miles south.
I subscribed because of DeeAnn, what could be more fun an adorable host and great RR ops videos. I stayed because the videos are excellent and yes DeeAnn too.
Thank you for great video about brrrr cold place.poor train had to go through.till then keep smiling with lol politely and healthy safely freezing cold.
That is so cool!!! My grandfather was a telegrapher for the Chicago-Northwestern Railway in Tama, Iowa MANY years ago, probably close to a century ago but that's a guess. He passed away in 1967 when I was very young. I SUBBED YOU!!
Thanks for the sub! Also for the memory of your grandfather. The CNW is now part of the Union Pacific, so, if the track through Tama is still there, he'd be working for the UP (not as a telegrapher though). -DeAnn
@@Railfandepot Yep, the UP comes through every day. I loved when they started painting the flag on the engines and would be disappointed if I saw any without one, but it's been a LONG time now since I've seen one without our flag. I grew up on a farm, and until 1978, we also had the Milwaukee tracks and they were separated by 2 city blocks. When we came to town way back then, if it was for something important, you could only hope to miss at least one if not both trains to get to where you were going. Somewhere west of town, the 2 sets of tracks crossed but other than some old railroad concrete abutments over the Iowa River about 5 miles west of town, that's all that is left to show the Milwaukee came through. When highway 30 had some work on it to the east of town about 6 miles, they tore out all of the rails, ties, etc. and now, if you hadn't lived your entire life here, you wouldn't have known it existed. The Northwestern was ALWAYS switching tracks to add or remove cars, and the lines of traffic that got tied up were ridiculous. If you lived here, you did know where you could go to possibly get across where they didn't have the tracks blocked, and of course there were times when one train had to wait on the other to get out of the way before they could continue on. I would have to go to our county museum to verify this, but while the Northwestern had several derailments right there by highway 63, I don't think there was ever a collision of the 2 railways where the tracks crossed. It's been ages since there's been a derailment anywhere in my state that I know of. Thanks for your reply!
It looks to be arm wrestling with Mother nature. Diesel electric giants and 10 20 ft of snow. Impressive. Keeping the rails open. When supplies are needed most.
The railroad people knew that something like that might happen. Luckily no one was hurt these people make 12 to 14 hours a day, these people volunteer for these jobs.
This is really beautiful ❤️. But I never thought about the Dangerous Condition's these guys face on a regular basis. Avalanche is something that I never thought about period. These are some really brave people to say the least. I'M very glad that everyone is okay. WOW ‼️🙋🏽.
@@MegaSnow121 Thank you for your note. I believe it was the original commenter who is not polite. #1) As I indicated, when we put together this video we indeed put in only the interruptions necessary to carry the story along. #2) All caps is screaming. Not only that, but he offered nothing but negativity. I am open to constructive criticism, but none was offered. What interruptions did he consider unnecessary? Which ones did he appreciate? So, do you still believe *I* to be the impolite one here? -Tim
Great video although we don’t have this type of snow in Oz,still brings back memories of my railroading career ,keep em coming ,stay saf take care from ballarat in Oz,👏👏👋👋🇦🇺
I was on the edge of my seat! 10/10 good content.
Thank you! Yes, this is a particularly good - edge-of-seat -show. :-) -DeAnn
@@shauntrailskinner9645 Thank you VERY much for sharing your story! I too like seeing America from the ground, up close. :-) I've taken Amtrak, but I still haven't managed the California Zephyr yet. THAT would be a great trip!! Stay safe. -DeAnn
@@shauntrailskinner9645 The railroad scene here in Indiana is much different. We have Norfolk Southern, CSX along with many short lines. Then we have the big short line or small regional, the Indiana Rail Road. We have lots of CSX in the middle part of the state and then lots of NS in the Northern part of the state. -DeAnn
@@shauntrailskinner9645 You are MOST welcome kind Sir! -DeAnn
@@shauntrailskinner9645 We have a video coming up about early Amtrak! I know there is some Empire Builder footage in there too. Here is the link to the Wisconsin Central video. I'll bet you will like it. :-) -DeAnn ua-cam.com/video/HkP_AKhm4ow/v-deo.html
been plowin snow here in NY last 25yrs, did my 20+hr shifts, 6-8 ft drifts,,, But this is ridiculous,, Great stuff, Thnx
I was there, Union Pacific snow fighters. It was march 2012. I've got the commemorative fowl weather jacket.
I helped dig the locomotive and the crew out of the Cab...
You sir, did some tough work! And I am sure those guys were double-happy to see you. Thank you for your work and for sharing your story. -DeAnn
Once I saw the " Duct tape " I immediately knew the day was saved.
My Dad used to say, "If it moves and shouldn't - use duct tape. If it doesn't move and should, use WD40." 😀👍 Thank you for watching! -DeAnn
I was on the paving crew on the i-80 from Truckee to Nyack we were there for a couple of years we paved until just before it started snowing. Truckee has an awesome history.
The thrill of the rotarys is that they've been doing it that way for 60-80 YEARS. It's being in touch with History.
Agreed, and really with few modifications. Yes, from steam to diesel...but the mechanical working parts of getting the snow off the tracks is essentially the same. Thank you for watching! -DeAnn
I rode that rail line many times back in the 90s and saw those monsters in use couple times, its amazing to be in a train and look out the windows and see snow higher than the car itself, I delivered trucks and drove the Donner and took the Train many times, It was always exciting. The train sheds and those huge Rotary were amazing. Great videos, I never took too many photos.
So many of us didn't take photos. And now we wish we had! I remember thinking I should take a picture of a GT freight building...and then one day I drove by and it was gone. Never got my picture. -DeAnn
We're exactly is Donar pass?
@@danielmoffett1772 Donner Pass is in The Sierra mountain range in California USA, They get up to 20' of snow a year up there
This is an amazing job. I like to see more of these videos as long as everyone is making it out safe and sound.
This is amazing, my two year old loves watching the "snow trains" plow feet of snow and the story was suspenseful. I was fully invested in the video, it was awesome !! He won't stop yelling snow train now, it's great we can bond over something
That is awesome! It's been awhile since my youngest was two, and I don't think I can get him to yell "snow train" - but he does like these big machines. Just like his mom. 😀 I am glad others do too. Thanks for watching. -DeAnn
When you're working the Donner Pass and you realize there's nothing in your co-worker's lunchbox except fava beans and a nice Chianti...
No crackers? No Ritz? Thank you for watching! -DeAnn
Thanks🇺🇸🤗 Michigan 😊
Thank you so much for watching! I'm from Michigan! 🙂 -DeAnn
That equipment is anything but modern. Maybe saw its first refurbishment in the post-modern era! I would say iconic. I like the engineer trying to line his pockets!
Yes, this started out as a Southern Pacific Rotary, UP gave a big overhaul shortly after they took over - but yeah, the bones of this machine are shall we say....vintage. Thanks for watching! -DeAnn
Europe has these to push the snow.
Fascinating.
Drove thru Doner in a semi...never on a train...this awesome work...lots of snow....😁😙😊☺
There's a lovely old childrens book: Katy and the Big Snow.
I used to read it aloud to all grades K-6 on the first day it snowed in Iowa. The kids caught on fast that this would be an annual event, and they enjoyed it.
Retired school librarian
Awww. thanks for sharing a great memory! And, thanks for watching. -DeAnn
I'm a trucker, but also a whistle nut. Love you guys! Ran donner, been fucked with at Truckee coming out of Donner. Yep, know the weather.
Sorry for the late reply...yes, if you drive Donner, you know what the weather can do to transportation! Thanks for watching! -DeAnn
I can't get enough of these videos.
Thank you very much for watching...and for the kind comment. We have more videos coming!! -DeAnn
In Alaska, they’re nicknamed “moose grinders”.
No they aren't. Moose won't cross tracks in snow. You are probably a poser from Texas, half the size of Alaska.
ROTFL 😂😂😂
Expert on moose now too? There aren't any moose anywhere near Donner or Calif. And if there were a simple video would suffice. No video editing with women layed over pontificating about moose or train.
P.S. if you actuall try to roll your "a" off on the floor take a cell phone, there's videos but they are video edited with moose and train ads to annoy and spoil the video.
@@itsruf1 you seem like a real bitch of a human.
@AceHole - No but nice to meet you.
Why the stupid nickname?
I drove semi over Donnor many many times.
I went over Donnor on trains twice. Quite the rail adventure.
Thank you for watching! -DeAnn
Wow. I was raised in Roseville and now live in Australia. Went to RHS. Imagine my pleasant surprise to see the Roseville rail yard in a video.
I'm so glad we could bring back some memories! Thanks for watching. -DeAnn
I bought this...it was great. I love watching the snow rotary plows.
Thank you for buying the show! And, yes... it is a GREAT show. There is so much action with a rotary! -DeAnn
Oh, Sparkly!
This must have been one of those "moments" for the crew. Love their dead-pan tone of voice on the radio.
You have some incredible equipment in the US.
Yes...considering they had to crawl out the cab window after being hit by tons of snow...they were quite calm on the radio! -Tim
Sorry,in the Alps some of them are still working too...
@@aoilpe There is plenty of snow in the alps that need this kind of machine! I'd love to see a rotary working in the alps! -DeAnn
@@aoilpe We have some in Norway too, not sure if they're in working order or not through.
The railway museum isn't displaying them due to not having enough space to do so.
@@Railfandepot
ua-cam.com/video/WhbEx9_XXo0/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/fKEaniu5vr8/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/jrK4MZJCwRU/v-deo.html
Your wish is possibly to become true
The Flint PBS station showed this back in 2012. It's a wonderful program!
Yep, it is a fantastic program! Thanks for watching - DeAnn
i used to be a truck driver. i live in Carson City Nevada, i have 40 years going over Donnor Pass
I loved trains ever since I rode the first one out of New York City to Cleveland Ohio in 1957 when I was three years old with my parents who were moving to Cleveland where my dad's parents lived. I was born in upper Manhattan on May 3rd, 1954. I'm also happy to see the Union Pacific has restored the 'Big Boy' 4014 back to life
I had to giggle when I read the name of the train...or engine. I have a big, black Tom cat that I named "Big Boy". He showed up at my house a bag of bones, dull coat, just pitiful. He's fat and happy now! Anyway, you have a nice memory of riding a train. I have yet to do that, but it is on my list.
My Dad is why I love trains... he would take me with him on trips and point out all the trains. He had a story for each! Thank you for your story! -DeAnn
That is the biggest snow blower I have ever seen! Amazing
And yet.... even it was not a match when the mountain decided to fight back! Thanks for watching. -DeAnn
i remember many trips to Reno growing up and watching the trains way up along the mountainside from the car. Beautiful sights.
Thanks for the memory. It's amazing where the railroads managed to push track! -DeAnn
I love the rotary's whistle at 2:20 its so good and soothing. I give that 10/10
Thanks for watching...and commenting! I like the whistle too! -DeAnn
I'm a rail fan. I've built a N gauge when I was younger. Talk about FUN!
Here's a secret...before I had kids, I dabbled in HO. It was fun. Kids kinda ruined that (and a lot of other fun things), but I love those kids! -DeAnn
Living in Truckee for years, I always knew how deep the snow was when the Rotaries went up the hill (Donner). Miss those times.
Truckee is on my list of cities to visit one day. Thank you for watching! -DeAnn
I remember being next to Roseville when the railyard exploded from the munitions train that came thru.
I understand you could FEEL that explosion for miles and miles. Thanks for sharing. And, thanks for watching! -DeAnn
the rotary was invented in orangeville ont canada 1884 ,It saved a lote of lives
Hmmm... Orangeville...and a man named Orange Jull (Not Orange Julius!) had the first successful design. That is a lot of Orang! Thanks for watching and sharing! -DeAnn
So this woman is wearing a tank top talking about snow is giving me the shivers 🥶🥶
Being in a tank top is the BEST way to enjoy a snow fighting video. -DeAnn
@@Railfandepot Holy Ganzagas!!
Having grown up on a bud car here in the northeast. Watching clips like this is nothing short of amazing. The equipment and the team you have there on this mountain. Long Long short Long ………..
A Budd car! What a treat. Yes, the equipment the Union Pacific uses to keep Donner Pass (and other track) open, is pretty amazing. Thanks for watching. -DeAnn
Ever sense I was a kid in Nova Scotia watching the coal trains pull out of the Springhill mines, belching huge plumes of black smoke and ash. We kids would hear the train leave the mines with a blast of it's whistle. We would run down to the tracks and watch the steam engine pulling car after coal car down to Springhill Junction. What a trill... Thank you guys, great memories. great video.
Thank YOU for such a great memory! -DeAnn
Its amazing they can keep on the rails, in that much snow..
Amazing equipment. Amazing men ! My late husband & I love trains. My cousin used to live in Truckee. Have been thru these mtns in a semi- but this train adventure is awesome !!! Thanks for the good video💟💟💟
Thank you for watching! And for sharing your story. :-) -DeAnn
i did over the road truck driving 10 years ago and traveled through reno and truckee, then down into the Sacramento valley. in February, so there was snow on the ground (several feet, cleared roads) and very cold (like 10 or 15 degrees) dropped down donner's pass and into the central valley. it was an hour before sunset and it was 65 degrees and palm trees. beautiful.
That deep of snow is scary and dangerous stuff. You all did a remarkable job on this video. It made me a bit on edge. Thanx!
Thank you for the kind words! Indeed this can be a scary - and important - job. The video captured here is kind of amazing. You never know when you go out with your camera what you're going to catch! Thanks for watching. -DeAnn
For me the scary part would be to have that giant bladed flywheel spinning in front of you. The amount of stored energy in that is hard to control.
amen , there men are SCARELESS
Thats insane. Plain and simple..... That is crazy snow.. And amazing machines...
Truly amazing...and how they just keep on working for the railroad. UP had the rotary out on Donner Pass in February od 2023! Thank you for watching! -DeAnn
Why am I looking at her when I want to look at the snow blower?
Because she is bringing you additional information about the show. I feel like I should reminded you that this rare film, not on UA-cam anywhere else - is FREE. I suspect that won't matter, though. Suggestion: Don't watch if a woman talking for less than one minute drives you to leave nasty comments. -Tim
BOOBA
Deanne is a goddess.
Been going to Roseville for years to check the trains out. Where we park the flanger is right in front of us. Lucky to live in a place with tons of train activity
Roseville and Truckee...two ends of a great stretch of railroad. Thank you for watching! -DeAnn
I really enjoy your videos. I love to watch the trains. The big rotary in one of my favorites. I can't believe all the snow in the California Mountains. Some of those pictures are unbelievable!!!!!!!
Thank you for watching. I agree with you, these big rotaries are amazing, awesome and necessary! -DeAnn
Wow I’ve never seen something so cool like that
It is kind of amazing...and even more so that much of it was caught by a camera. -Tim
Thank you.
Graduated from UNR. Love the mountains.
Thank YOU for watching! I too love the mountains, but RailfanDepot is here in flat Indiana. :-) -DeAnn
Dem boys was locked into an ICE BOX🤣
Locked in an ice box - surrounded by snow drifts! 😳 Yikes! Thanks for watching. -DeAnn
I m a rail fan I generally enjoy rail videos
Me too! Thanks for watching! -DeAnn
Trestles and rain with the ocean in the background
You want the Coast Line! Let's see if we can find something nice. Maybe the Gaviota Trestle at sunset? Thanks for watching! -DeAnn
@@Railfandepot I would love that. I used to drive from Santa Barbara to Buellton every night and I would often pull over and watch the train go over that trestle. One night the train was stopped with part of the train over that trestle and all of a sudden one of the coolest things I’ve ever heard. I heard the connector way up by the engine sort of snap as it tighten and then one by one all the way from front to back I heard those connectors. It was snap snap snap snap snap over and over as it came and past me and continue all the way to the end and the sun was just going down over the ocean. So yes Gaviota would be wonderful thank you
@@MrVbobby THAT would have been VERY cool to hear, especially at that location - what a background! -DeAnn
I'm headed over to your site right now!.
Thank you very much! -DeAnn
Amazing video! Good job to all involved. I was on edge of my seat most of the time. The rotary is Soo cool and the mechanics that makes it run was great to. Great job to you all. Godspeed to you all
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you soooo much for the kind comment. Godspeed to you as well. -DeAnn
Excellent! Though less of the snow and more of that babe!! Best of luck!
💕 Joseph, I am afraid you have the minority opinion here in the comments...but I appreicate it! 😃 -DeAnn
YEAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!! We got the snowplow on Donner Pass!
Flangers, Rotaries, Caterpillars... oh my! :-) -DeAnn
Pretty cool and that steam whistle is pretty cool!
Agreed, Jesse! Thanks for watching. -DeAnn
That is absolutely insane, that much snow
Yep... when you're looking at that kind of snow, you just gotta call out the rotary. -DeAnn
And living in sunny california yet what a great job it must be!
Don't you just love American engineering... What a country!
We build some amazing machines! :-) -DeAnn
Thanks loved it it's not every day you get to see snow action
Agreed. And to have teh camera right there...that really makes this show. -Tim
That was good thanks for letting us see this and God bless all be safe and careful
I'm so glad you enjoyed the show! Thank you for watching. -DeAnn
The steam whistle (?) Is a beautiful sound in it's own way. Wish I could hear it live and more often. Thank you. Just subscribed.
Sorry for the tardy reply. Yes, a steam whistle is always a wonderful thing to hear. And they vary so much! Thank you for subscribing. -DeAnn
What does it have a steam boiler for?
Can't imagine being stuck up the pass 160 years ago
Stuck in the pass. Snow bound. And hungry... Thank you for watching! -DeAnn
I've always loved winter for the snow removal.
I learned how to powerslide a Class 8 truck with a salt spreader and a blade.
The job needed that kind of skill, because otherwise I wound up stuck.
For those crews up top, I feel for them, having to use doers to clear around a stuck train, and wonder about the risk of damaging the track.
Seems snow cats would be better, since they can walk on the snow without bellying out.
The next piece of equipment I can recommend is an ASV tracked machine.
I had a small service road that went to a cell tower to do every year.
We called it "Devil's Tower," because someone would go out alone, get stuck, and try to get out. They would usually damage whatever they were driving pretty bad. The rule was, you never plowed it alone.
I went out solo with our old ASV, and just a normal 4-in-1 bucket, not a snow bucket.
I found that these machines could walk on drifts without sinking in, and could stack snow like you could stack dirt.
The old style ones were very narrow, less than six feet.
A good operator, with such a small dimension machine, could clear snow away from running gear.
I've only seen one get stuck once, but that was a weird situation.
Best machine for all around work, if you ask me.
It takes a lot of skill...on road and rail! Thanks for watching. -DeAnn
...I've been taking rail and Amtrak for 40 years in California and across the Nation Is the rail in this video the same rail used by Amtrak? Thank you to the rail workers for their dedication to safety and service.
Yes, this is the route of Amtrak's California Zephyr. What a scenic ride this would be. (Unless during an avalanche!) Thank you for watching. -DeAnn
Looks terribly Dangerous. Great work guys keeping the tracks open.
Dangerous and quite needed. When that snow comes measure in feet and then yards, keeping that pass open and much of the West Coast supplied is important work. Thanks for watching! -DeAnn
Just bought it, Thanks Deann!!!
They only take those out when they're in deep deep snow. And up in the mountains you might get some good snow in the high parts.
Yep, you know the snow is gonna be bad when the rotary is called out. Thanks for watching. -DeAnn
Great show, give us moreThe railroaders get it done.
More is coming! Thank you for watching! -DeAnn
Another great video DeAnn and it’s always great to see and hear you too!
Thank you so much for the compliment - and for watching! -DeAnn
@@Railfandepot Happy Thanksgiving DeAnn
@@icecold1950 You too! :-) -DeAnn
I'm headed over to your site right now!!!
Good content about the snow conditions on Donner Pass. I am from Stockton, CA now residing in Indiana but we do not get snow conditions like what is depicted here. Cute presenter.
We're in Indiana too! Yeah, the snow is not quite as deep here. :-) And, by the way, thank you for the "cute" compliment. It seems not everyone on UA-cam likes me. Ah well. -DeAnn
@@Railfandepot The trees are changing early here. It's been irritating, they are all over the driveway. Cooler than usual mornings. I'm thinking this year may be another big Sierra snow year. Might get some more exciting rail snow fighting footage.
I work for the Road Dept. We have large snowthrowers that mount to big cat loaders and large all wheel drive trucks, plows already mounted.
I guess we will see whats coming soon enough.
A thousand thumbs up on this one!
A thousand thumbs up to you! 👍👏😃 Thanks for watching. -DeAnn
Stumbled on this channel and can't stop watching , great content
I injoy watching your videos of Donner pass
Thank you SO much for watching. We're putting together some more Donner Pass footage. -DeAnn
How did the rear rotary get back on the track
That's in part 2 (Which we should post!). The railroad had to bring in dozers and a small army of crew to dig and push. Thanks for watching. -DeAnn
I gotta tell you...I'm from Pittsburgh where a 12"-16" storm brings everything to a standstill and I can't even conceive of this much snow falling at one time. I mean, 200 inches with another 4'-6' expected? That's insane.
I think Truckee ( nearby city just east of Donner and west of Reno NV ) holds the record for snow in a 24 hour period in US - Alaska, but you have to look for all cities not just major cities.
I have taken Amtrak from Sacramento to Salt Lake City UT, very scenic route, especially in the winter
I’m happy to see that Europe is not the last continent to have them in use...
Yep, still in use here...just not a lot of use lately. Thanks for watching! -DeAnn
@@Railfandepot I love the look and sound of a rotary chewing it’s way through the snow, especially when it’s really flinging it
@@pacificcoastpiper3949 You can sure tell when a rotary is working! 😀 Thanks for watching! -DeAnn
@@Railfandepot no kidding! We don’t have them in north central Washington
@@pacificcoastpiper3949 Or here in Indiana. 😀 -DeAnn
Boy Like That Snow Like This Video
Thank you very much! Thank you for watching and letting us know you like it. -DeAnn
200 inches. Plus another 4-6 feet. Wow.
Just a dusting! ;-) Thanks for watching! -DeAnn
Global warming for certain😄
Incredible commitment to getting out there and maybe stalling in all that. Was there at the lake and never forgot from a rented condo late at night a view way up above there was an engine that looked like a ufo from all the lights of it coming through what looked like a tunnel? That was one of the best parts of staying there for a week looking forward to that wild sight at night.🚂
Rotary snow plows are very impressive. I like steam engines. It seems like they have personalities. I like diesel engines too. They are these giant workhorses that really get a job done, but they don't have the personalities that steam engines have.
I agree, both are amazing machines and seem to have personalities...especially the old rotaries that were steam powered. Thanks for watching! -DeAnn
Im from Truckee, seeing this video is so cool! im fascinated by trains and live next to the tracks
Trains are indeed endlessly fascinating. My Dad taking me down to the tracks when I was a kid is what got me interested. Thanks for watching. -DeAnn
As long as they don't starting eating each other it's all cool.
The Donner party could hv used that train when they were there 🤔☹️☹️🌹
I love watching this stuff wish i was there helping thanks for showing
Thank you SO much for watching (and your kind comments)! -DeAnn
I love the Diesel Rotary snow plows with extra horse power motive power.
It is an impressive amount of power! -Tim
On a smaller scale is a rotary built and used by a street car operation. Clearly, a rarety. The Trolley Museum in East Haven, CT has such a rotary. While somewhat operational, it needs major work on its wooden body.
I didn't know there were streetcar rotaries! They could sure use such a thing in Hartford and Boston today! -DeAnn
@@Railfandepot It was build in 1910 by Peckham for the Montreal Tramways system. (Regrettably figure out how to include images).
Heading over to the site.......Happy Thanksgiving everyone
Thank you! If you don't find what you need, let me know. :-) -DeAnn
Much improved snow-removal equipment from when they were building the intercontinental railway thru there. Chinese workers were swept away in avalanches and their bodies not found until the Spring snow-melt. They tunneled thru deep snow-banks to reach the rock tunneling. Soon after the railway opened, they found they needed snow-sheds over avalanche-prone sections. When Donner Pass is impassable, I think the only rail alternatives over the Sierra-Nevada are Feather River Canyon 100 miles north or Tehachapi pass to Bakersfield 300 miles south.
I subscribed because of DeeAnn, what could be more fun an adorable host and great RR ops videos. I stayed because the videos are excellent and yes DeeAnn too.
John, you made me blush. Not everyone here on UA-cam shares your opinion. Well, I'll ignore the young jerks and listen to you. Thank you! :-) -DeAnn
That VOICE (three seconds later, good night).
I looked for a snoring emoji... but couldn't find one. Thank you for watching! -DeAnn
Donner, party of 5.
Who’s on the menu today?
I love the power of the locomotives. And the snow.
Mother Nature and Union Pacific battle it out in Donner pass! Thanks for watching. -DeAnn
Thank you for great video about brrrr cold place.poor train had to go through.till then keep smiling with lol politely and healthy safely freezing cold.
Oh yes, cold and lots and lots of snow! And lot of work and potentially dangerous work at that! Thanks for watching. -DeAnn
That is so cool!!! My grandfather was a telegrapher for the Chicago-Northwestern Railway in Tama, Iowa MANY years ago, probably close to a century ago but that's a guess. He passed away in 1967 when I was very young. I SUBBED YOU!!
Thanks for the sub! Also for the memory of your grandfather. The CNW is now part of the Union Pacific, so, if the track through Tama is still there, he'd be working for the UP (not as a telegrapher though). -DeAnn
@@Railfandepot Yep, the UP comes through every day. I loved when they started painting the flag on the engines and would be disappointed if I saw any without one, but it's been a LONG time now since I've seen one without our flag. I grew up on a farm, and until 1978, we also had the Milwaukee tracks and they were separated by 2 city blocks. When we came to town way back then, if it was for something important, you could only hope to miss at least one if not both trains to get to where you were going. Somewhere west of town, the 2 sets of tracks crossed but other than some old railroad concrete abutments over the Iowa River about 5 miles west of town, that's all that is left to show the Milwaukee came through. When highway 30 had some work on it to the east of town about 6 miles, they tore out all of the rails, ties, etc. and now, if you hadn't lived your entire life here, you wouldn't have known it existed. The Northwestern was ALWAYS switching tracks to add or remove cars, and the lines of traffic that got tied up were ridiculous. If you lived here, you did know where you could go to possibly get across where they didn't have the tracks blocked, and of course there were times when one train had to wait on the other to get out of the way before they could continue on. I would have to go to our county museum to verify this, but while the Northwestern had several derailments right there by highway 63, I don't think there was ever a collision of the 2 railways where the tracks crossed. It's been ages since there's been a derailment anywhere in my state that I know of. Thanks for your reply!
Great reality show content
It looks to be arm wrestling with Mother nature. Diesel electric giants and 10 20 ft of snow. Impressive. Keeping the rails open. When supplies are needed most.
Mother Nature often wins the first round, but Union Pacific has the equipment and crew to win the round! Thanks for watching. -DeAnn
The railroad people knew that something like that might happen. Luckily no one was hurt these people make 12 to 14 hours a day, these people volunteer for these jobs.
This is a great video! Thank you!
Thank you for watching! And for the vote of confidence. :-) -DeAnn
This is really beautiful ❤️. But I never thought about the Dangerous Condition's these guys face on a regular basis. Avalanche is something that I never thought about period. These are some really brave people to say the least. I'M very glad that everyone is okay. WOW ‼️🙋🏽.
Carole, I agree. I knew about the deep snow, but really it never occurred to me how dangerous it can become - and how quickly! -DeAnn
@@Railfandepot 🙋🏽👍🏽❤️
Great video ,love it ,thank you and Big hugs from MN
We're back with more videos! Big hugs back at ya, from Indiana. Thank you for watching! -DeAnn
Now thats a lot of snow.
Indeed it is! That's why rotary snow plows were invented. In the 1880s by the way! Thanks for watching. -DeAnn
What I want to see is: LESS UNNECESSARY INTERRUPTIONS
So necessary interruptions are okay? Good, because that's what we have in this video. -Tim
@@Railfandepot Perhaps you should be more polite toward those you disagree with?
@@MegaSnow121 Thank you for your note. I believe it was the original commenter who is not polite. #1) As I indicated, when we put together this video we indeed put in only the interruptions necessary to carry the story along. #2) All caps is screaming. Not only that, but he offered nothing but negativity.
I am open to constructive criticism, but none was offered. What interruptions did he consider unnecessary? Which ones did he appreciate?
So, do you still believe *I* to be the impolite one here? -Tim
Great video although we don’t have this type of snow in Oz,still brings back memories of my railroading career ,keep em coming ,stay saf take care from ballarat in Oz,👏👏👋👋🇦🇺
I'm happy we could help bring back some good memories! Thank you for watching! -DeAnn
Amazing machines. Foreboding weather conditions. Crazy business trying to tame such adversity. I enjoyed watching the video.
Thanks for the kind comments! I agree, kind of amazing humans would attempt (and succeed!) such craziness. Thanks for watching! -DeAnn
Man this is a great channel. Thanks a ton for getting out there and making these vids 🇺🇸
Thank you for the great note! 💗 We're slow, but we do have more on the way! - DeAnn