Oh Jeremy, thank you for this great video of the territory of my first UP management position . I operated my last train as an engineer on the former Missouri Pacific Council Grove sub July 7, 1995 in Kansas. A loaded coal train. On July 13, I made my journey to LaGrande Oregon to start my management career as a Manager of Operating Practice. (MOP). The east mountain as we called it was my territory. LaGrande to Huntington. I also covered the West Mountain, LaGrande to Hinkle. At the time we had 6 helper sets of SD-40’s , and as many as 16 helper turns working both sides. GE-Harris had just completed the Locotrol III equipment. The UP was the first railroad to utilize this updated technology between Nampa and Hinkle in manifest service. I had several great hog heads running the east pool who allowed me to operate the trains which allowed me great mountain railroading experience. Both sides were awesome to operate on. I spent 7 years in LaGrande before being promoted and sent to Eugene to DP the Cascades. I had the opportunity to pilot the UP steam 3985 from Nampa to Hinkle a couple times while working the Blues, even some circus trains. Spent two years as the MOP and then took over the MTO position. Even made Trains magazine with an article of DPU operation in the Blues. Great Article indeed. Boy do I have some stories to share sometime. Thanks again from the Traindude. Aka Ben Ritter ✌️
You Ben, have been around the high iron! Definitely a wide variety of experience and territory, as well as equipment knowledge, and operations expertise! I think you’ve also had some fun doing it. Thanks for your insights. Always feel free to fill in information whenever appropriate! I hope your stories get written or recorded!
The Oregon scenery is so different from that in PA where I live that I wouldn't even need to see the trains to make this video interesting. Of course, the trains just make it more so. Thanks.
I’d imagine if you were to spend a whole day watching trains in Caldwell on the UP. Cause that’s where you’ve got a good chance of seeing a 60mph train.
I also look at many things as its rolling by ,like the fence posts and see that they are railway ties creosote that have possible gave /sold to farmers that have been replaced with concrete.
Great video. The number of trains was a surprise to me since some of the trains you videoed were 3 miles long. Back in the late 80s I traveled for business in the are from Ontario to Waso County. Going west on I-84 from Ontario to Baker City I would pass 7-9 trains each separated by 10+ miles. Back then these trains would be considered small by today's train lengths. A phrase I am hearing is to big to fit. I have read one or more railroads are limiting train length to siding length. Are there any thoughts you can share without getting your self in trouble?
Trains are fewer partly due to length and also car sizes are larger on average today. The final piece is the economy which has been slowing. Our trains have been shorter for a while, which is good for fitting in sidings, but not a good sign for the economy.
Excellent video, I appreciate hearing information about the size of the train and destination. Do you shoot the video with a regular video camera or a smart phone? Nice to see Eastern Oregon, so much different from our green side of the Cascades, thank you.
![Arizona Desert Main Line [Union Pacific's Gila Subdivision]](/img/n.gif)
Love the these beautiful videos, thanks for sharing! LOVE EVERYTHING UNION PACIFIC!!!!
Simply spectacular, Jeremy! Thanks again for taking all of us along with you.
When you're out there again, be sure to have dinner at the Haines Steakhouse just outside of Baker City.
Sounds good! I ate at an Italian joint…I had a Stromboli. Thanks for the suggestion!
Outstanding!!
Good views of my stomping grounds. I make the trip to Pendelton.often, taking old 30 when I can. More train watching that way.
very good video
Excellent video Jeremy. I used to go to Huntington twice a year with my buddies. They went fishing, I chased trains
Great railroad country, great catches, thanks for your time
Stunning scenery. Top notch commentary. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Can you Imagine working for the Railroad and Seeing these Picturesque Views ALL around you ? Doesn’t seem Fair does it. 😬👍🙏
Best train video i seen ever seen, love the sound at the 2% grade
Thank you Razz!
Oh Jeremy, thank you for this great video of the territory of my first UP management position .
I operated my last train as an engineer on the former Missouri Pacific Council Grove sub July 7, 1995 in Kansas. A loaded coal train. On July 13, I made my journey to LaGrande Oregon to start my management career as a Manager of Operating Practice. (MOP). The east mountain as we called it was my territory. LaGrande to Huntington. I also covered the West Mountain, LaGrande to Hinkle.
At the time we had 6 helper sets of SD-40’s , and as many as 16 helper turns working both sides. GE-Harris had just completed the Locotrol III equipment. The UP was the first railroad to utilize this updated technology between Nampa and Hinkle in manifest service. I had several great hog heads running the east pool who allowed me to operate the trains which allowed me great mountain railroading experience. Both sides were awesome to operate on. I spent 7 years in LaGrande before being promoted and sent to Eugene to DP the Cascades. I had the opportunity to pilot the UP steam 3985 from Nampa to Hinkle a couple times while working the Blues, even some circus trains. Spent two years as the MOP and then took over the MTO position. Even made Trains magazine with an article of DPU operation in the Blues. Great Article indeed.
Boy do I have some stories to share sometime.
Thanks again from the Traindude. Aka Ben Ritter ✌️
You Ben, have been around the high iron! Definitely a wide variety of experience and territory, as well as equipment knowledge, and operations expertise! I think you’ve also had some fun doing it. Thanks for your insights. Always feel free to fill in information whenever appropriate! I hope your stories get written or recorded!
Small world.
Great video! Grew up near this area and have driven through the Burnt River canyon many times.
That first two trains looked like PSR specials...
The Oregon scenery is so different from that in PA where I live that I wouldn't even need to see the trains to make this video interesting. Of course, the trains just make it more so. Thanks.
Thanks Roy! Pennsylvania? I didn’t know you lived all the way over there! Pretty cool! What town?
I’d imagine if you were to spend a whole day watching trains in Caldwell on the UP. Cause that’s where you’ve got a good chance of seeing a 60mph train.
One ge and 4 emds
Incidentally, I caught that exact same NPHK with the CSX unit on it, just a few miles to the east in Parma.
You can almost hear the rattlesnakes in this video..lol
So far…no bites! 🤞🏼
@@pacificrailproductions5281 Thank the Rail God.!
I also look at many things as its rolling by ,like the fence posts and see that they are railway ties creosote that have possible gave /sold to farmers that have been replaced with concrete.
Great video. The number of trains was a surprise to me since some of the trains you videoed were 3 miles long. Back in the late 80s I traveled for business in the are from Ontario to Waso County. Going west on I-84 from Ontario to Baker City I would pass 7-9 trains each separated by 10+ miles. Back then these trains would be considered small by today's train lengths. A phrase I am hearing is to big to fit. I have read one or more railroads are limiting train length to siding length. Are there any thoughts you can share without getting your self in trouble?
Trains are fewer partly due to length and also car sizes are larger on average today. The final piece is the economy which has been slowing. Our trains have been shorter for a while, which is good for fitting in sidings, but not a good sign for the economy.
Thanks for explanation. Up has picked up container business From Schneider and the Hub group from BNSF.
@@joecarlson6428 it has really helped too!
Excellent video, I appreciate hearing information about the size of the train and destination. Do you shoot the video with a regular video camera or a smart phone? Nice to see Eastern Oregon, so much different from our green side of the Cascades, thank you.
I appreciate that! I travel light; I film with an iPhone ProMax.
State College where Penn State University resides.
Happy Valley! It’s kinda funny that my Oregon Ducks are going to be in your conference next year! It’s like we’re neighbors;)
Is this in Oregon
It is Oregon