I have just discovered these train videos. I am 73 and grew up not far from tracks. I’d hear the trains in the distance at night and it always lulled me to sleep. I’m so grateful for their hard work and your documentation of these men and their work. God bless. 🚂✝️🙏🏻❤️🚂
every time I see one of your videos, I’m in awe of your knowledge, your ability to educate while keeping your audience captivated by the drop dead gorgeous scenery, and all the extra work you go through to get the shots and tell the story. There is no other rail video person or production company that can hold a candle to what you’re able to accomplish, period full stop!!
I love it when the engineers get close to the camera they notch up the throttle an roll that black smoke to get noticed, used to do the same thing when i drove my old R600 mack pulling heavy equipment as a young man, those were the days.
As a teenager I lived right behind the trestle at 8:44. We spent so much time fooling around out there. Fishing the creek and riding dirt bikes. Brought back so many good memories from the early 80's
Last winter we received 601" of snow for the 22/23 season at our cabin, just east of Donner Summit and north of Truckee. Outstanding video, really enjoyed it.
As an "Original Transcon RR" enthusiasts, we enjoy walking thru the Summit Tunnel, originally #6, remembering the historical background of it's construction.
Yet another feast for the eyes and the ears. Stunning views, and as I have said before, I simply cannot imagine what you all have to go through to get this footage, especially in the winter. That part where you’re up at the fire station and you’re zoomed in on the train below and then you slowly pull back to eventually show the flowers in the foreground is pure art. You guys should get Academy Awards or Pulitzer prizes or whatever for the directing, writing, cinematography, the editing, the research and narration. And I LOVE the behind the scenes shot of the photographer. You should do a whole video on the productions of these videos! “The Making of Winter On Marias Pass” for example. 🥰
It's been almost 15 years since this video was recorded but I'm still absolutely loving it. It reminds me of the old Two-in-One DVD I used to have with "Across Donner Summit" and "Battle For Donner Pass" which are excellent showings for SP in its twilight.
Remember the Donner party whom braved the summit in a blinding snow storm. ⛄ Became stranded & resorted to cannibalism after food supplies ran out -???😲.
@hiker. Agreed. The camera, angles and settings were stunning even if a little intimidating at times. I would have a hard time snowshoeing that country!
I had the privilege of staying at an air bnb on the north side of Donner Lake in late June and was able to watch trains coming down Eastbound from my front porch
I always enjoyed working on "The Hill", probably hasn't changed much since I was marked up on the territory! Also enjoyed the "Winter on Donner Pass" DVD!
I didn't even know that I liked train videos until I found your channel. As I'm recovering from major ankle surgery last week these will keep me occupied for quite a while.
wow, who else is going to climb up Red Mountain to an elevation of 7841 feet to get to Signal Peak in order to get the gorgeous shots of trains snaking through Donner Pass?? No One goes to the effort and trouble to get the shots and tell the story better than 7idea Productions!
Thanks for sharing these beautiful videos, with excellent content and amazing background shots! Can’t believe you are able to get the views that you achieve! Your excellent explanation of each train with its unique engines-and train numbers. Thanks again! LOVE EVERYTHING UNION PACIFIC!!!!
Brilliant! Magnificent! Enjoyed that so much. I can only agree wholeheartedly with the comments above. No need to repeat them. Need to have a vacation in that location - both in the summer and winter. Sheer bliss.
My late Dad Steve Schmollinger has lots of Photos of the Southern Pacific on Donner Pass including at Rocklin California of a SP Coal Train with SP GE AC4400CW's on the Front in 1996 Donner Pass And Tehachapi are my favorite Railfan Locations Awesome Footage of the Union Pacific on Donner Pass 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
For me, and I hope for many, this channel has instantly become my favorite! I enjoy it totally ! Your videos are excellent and the photographers are very skilled and, at times, a very hardy bunch!👍
Many thanks, Awesome Video !!! Trains are running during meters of snow, German Rail are not able, they stop when the snow is more than 5 inches...:)))
Currently with eastbounds waiting in Roseville on the west and westbouds in Truckee,Sparks on the East waiting to cross the Summit,perhaps UP will decide to restore the old number 1 track along with Switch 9 to Shed 10 1 day!
at 22:41 thats NOT a flange greaser! Thats a Top of Rail Lubricator. Those bars are attached to the outside side of the rail. A flange greaser has the bars attached to the inside edge of the rail and it protects the flange in a curve.
Interesting/informative/entertaining. Excellent photography job/detailed train 🚂route maps. Enabling viewers to better understand what the orator is describing. Noticed graffiti art work on box. & tanker cars. Wonder if the artists are seeing 👀 their creations on this presentation -??? 😲. Remember the " Singing Break Men " Jimmie Rogers -??? Whom was a genuine break men till changing careers for a singing entertainer 🎸🎶career. ( 1926 thru 1933 ). Popular tune " Break Man's Blues 😭 " . Had the good fortune to travel for a living. Enabling me to spend time in the areas in the presentation. Viewing this presentation from the comfort zone of my computer room. Along the " Space Coast "🚀of Florida 🐊🐊. Wishing viewers/R.R. employees a safe/healthy/prosperous ( 2024 )🌈🎉😉.
You ever get the feeling that the narrator I bet, had an electric train when he was a kid I bet he dead, and the joy continues for him to this day👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Yep I did. And a camera and a microphone. I can assure you I'm not dead. At least by the Good Lord's grace not today! (I'm sure that was a typo, but it gave me a good chuckle!)
Reminds me of the Rosevill train bombs explosions. My aunt lived a little over a mile away, and looked out her kitchen window to see a bird flying that the concusion either killed or knocked out.
Welcome to Donner Pass! This legendary line is the western end of the Transcontinental Railroad From Roseville Yard in the west to Sparks Yard in the east this line sees everything. In the summer we see heavy trains headed over the line and in winter The Rotaries and the Spreaders head up the hill to battle the mountain. This is Donner Pass!
I love your videos. They have such a calming effect on me as I am w... W... Working( yea, right! I am just screwing around faking the work! Great videos though. 11:56 Is that a squeaking bearing I hear?
It maybe worth noting after the floods and slides in the Feather River in 1997,UP had wanted to do away with the Canyon in favor of Donner,however City of Reno wouldn't stop complaing about the number of trains,leaving UP no choice but to spend 100 million to fix up the Canyon,This was pre Reno Trench!
I've been buying your videos for years (just dropped 60 bucks on the two Toledo Branch Blu Rays like 5 minutes ago), and would love to see you cover in some future videos: a) Vancouver, BC (as there seem to be a lot of fascinating a fairly varied operations there), b) the Central Valley in California, c) Los Angeles, and d) San Francisco and the Bay Area (since it's lovely). Coos Bay Rail Link would be a good option, too (although the line is difficult to access in places).
Actually the railroad had just completed a tunnel notching project so that double-stacks could go through them. That is what you see at that time stamp. The railroad didn't make it look pretty but it works.
UP 600 is an ex SP locomotive, you can tell by the distinctive tale light bracket. Nice to see some old units still earning their keep. Snow removal was a MAJOR issue for SP and still is for the UP. Donner will not treat you nicely if you slight her during the winter months.
Great work 7. Living in Soda Springs/Norden area I can attest to the unbelievable amount of snow. This year we had over 700". Anyone willing to go out in those conditions to take video is a true foamer. BTW: It's Sierra not Sierras 😊
Perhaps it's on UP RR radar to do so as the 2 sections of single track have wide signal bridges that would allow such to happen should it become necessary!
It seems that UP tries really hard to avoid sending westbound freights over donner pass these days. My perception is most of the westbounds get routed over the feather river canyon leaving donner pass with eastbound traffic. Does anyone know if this is just my perception or actual UP practice today?
Yes you are correct UP does this to avoid delays with trains coming eachothers way. I actually work on the mountain out of Roseville and they will send all WBs except for the WB Z trains,G2LT, and the MROMI, Roper Yard(UT) to Malpitas, along with normal SPRV, Sparks to Roseville, and light power helper moves returning to Roseville after being taken off in Sparks. But besides any detour Z train, everything WB will go the canyon. And all EB except for on train going to Gerlach will go over the mountain. But it isn't like its nothing, on a Saturday normally you will probably get the WB Z, Amtk5, the ROMI, an SPRV and a helper power move all depart WB from Sparks what seems like one after the other, and in return about 8 to 12 trains EB from Roseville
![Winter on Marias Pass Part 2 [The Frigid Climb to the Continental Divide]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/T6qCJAOCi3g/mqdefault.jpg)
I have just discovered these train videos. I am 73 and grew up not far from tracks. I’d hear the trains in the distance at night and it always lulled me to sleep. I’m so grateful for their hard work and your documentation of these men and their work. God bless. 🚂✝️🙏🏻❤️🚂
2 hours of trains. Great way to start an evening.
Same here!
Nice travel
Agree! I listen to these as I fall asleep, the only issue is I try to stay awake to watch it haha
@@dmw2132😅 12:11 12:11
@@WilliamLinder-xx6wh2:00:25
2 hour train video. I’m in baby!
every time I see one of your videos, I’m in awe of your knowledge, your ability to educate while keeping your audience captivated by the drop dead gorgeous scenery, and all the extra work you go through to get the shots and tell the story. There is no other rail video person or production company that can hold a candle to what you’re able to accomplish, period full stop!!
Thank you very much!
I love it when the engineers get close to the camera they notch up the throttle an roll that black smoke to get noticed, used to do the same thing when i drove my old R600 mack pulling heavy equipment as a young man, those were the days.
As a teenager I lived right behind the trestle at 8:44. We spent so much time fooling around out there. Fishing the creek and riding dirt bikes. Brought back so many good memories from the early 80's
Oh hey I've got this one! One of the best railfan purchases I've ever made.
Glad you enjoyed the program!
Watching trains will never get old.😊
Last winter we received 601" of snow for the 22/23 season at our cabin, just east of Donner Summit and north of Truckee. Outstanding video, really enjoyed it.
That was a good snow year!
As an "Original Transcon RR" enthusiasts, we enjoy walking thru the Summit Tunnel, originally #6, remembering the historical background of it's construction.
Yet another feast for the eyes and the ears. Stunning views, and as I have said before, I simply cannot imagine what you all have to go through to get this footage, especially in the winter.
That part where you’re up at the fire station and you’re zoomed in on the train below and then you slowly pull back to eventually show the flowers in the foreground is pure art. You guys should get Academy Awards or Pulitzer prizes or whatever for the directing, writing, cinematography, the editing, the research and narration. And I LOVE the behind the scenes shot of the photographer. You should do a whole video on the productions of these videos!
“The Making of Winter On Marias Pass” for example. 🥰
Whoop whoop, 2hrs on the donner here we go!
This a very good video of Donner. Clear and crisp photography.
Thank you!
It's been almost 15 years since this video was recorded but I'm still absolutely loving it. It reminds me of the old Two-in-One DVD I used to have with "Across Donner Summit" and "Battle For Donner Pass" which are excellent showings for SP in its twilight.
@@jojoreztorc0396 I think “Battle for Donner Pass” is the best railfan video ever made.
A terrific video. The snow coverage is just outstanding. Even more amazing is that someone braved the weather to make the video. Greta work!
Thank you!
They (as well as the rest of the US and most of the world) get nowhere near the amount of snow that they used to get. That's sad.
Remember the Donner party whom braved the summit in a blinding snow storm. ⛄ Became stranded & resorted to cannibalism after food supplies ran out -???😲.
Great job! The 4K is awesome. Such a beautiful location and you did a perfect job capturing it.
Thank you!
@hiker. Agreed. The camera, angles and settings were stunning even if a little intimidating at times. I would have a hard time snowshoeing that country!
Fantastic filming
I salute you for freezing your nuts off to capture the magical snow scenes
Thank you for sharing
I shot this over 10 years ago. Still thawing out!
@@7ideaproductions Ha Ha
@@7ideaproductionsThat cold, huh?
Love Donner Pass, I always go to Truckee When I visit The Sierras
I had the privilege of staying at an air bnb on the north side of Donner Lake in late June and was able to watch trains coming down Eastbound from my front porch
@@Retired88M That’s really Lucky! I just go to a Cabin near Downtown Truckee
@@McNeilRailfanner if you know where the little ice cream stand is just past the boat launch is close to where I stayed
Beautiful! Grand! If they gave awards for train videos, Aaron, you would walk away with them all.
Pure professionalism! Excellent video with great narration. Precisely what railfans yearn for! Thanks!
Loved seeing the snow removal sequences as it really gives a good representation of what it takes to keep trains running in the winter.
As everyone commented, the video is beautiful in every aspect, but I’d like to commend you for excellent sound as well. Amazing production!
Thank you!
Beautiful ride -- I love the snow!!
I always enjoyed working on "The Hill", probably hasn't changed much since I was marked up on the territory! Also enjoyed the "Winter on Donner Pass" DVD!
How lovely. Thank you for sharing
Wow, these videos are amazing!
I didn't even know that I liked train videos until I found your channel. As I'm recovering from major ankle surgery last week these will keep me occupied for quite a while.
Glad to hear you are enjoying our channel. Praying you are back on your feet soon!
That's just amazing. I love going over Donner pass in the winter.
The views from the fire lookout station are spectacular! Thank you!
Just getting up there is an adventure.
Yet another superb video, many thanks for them all and a Merry Christmas to everyone at 7idea from Old England!
Thank you and Merry Christmas to you!
Top winter action,thanks guys🙂
Wow! Another great video! Very enjoyable and informative! Great work 7idea!🙂🙂💙👍👍
These videos are amazing. Thank you so much to them!
Watching these videos is a good way to pass the time.
Another fantastic work of railroad action over Donner Pass. 10/10 👏👏👏👏💯💫
wow, who else is going to climb up Red Mountain to an elevation of 7841 feet to get to Signal Peak in order to get the gorgeous shots of trains snaking through Donner Pass?? No One goes to the effort and trouble to get the shots and tell the story better than 7idea Productions!
Thanks for sharing these beautiful videos, with excellent content and amazing background shots! Can’t believe you are able to get the views that you achieve! Your excellent explanation of each train with its unique engines-and train numbers. Thanks again! LOVE EVERYTHING UNION PACIFIC!!!!
Great work verry cool thank you !!!!
It looks like a long winter for snow removal, love the videos! Thanks for sharing! LOVE. THE UNION PACIFIC!!!!
Brilliant! Magnificent! Enjoyed that so much. I can only agree wholeheartedly with the comments above. No need to repeat them. Need to have a vacation in that location - both in the summer and winter. Sheer bliss.
Fantastic. Loved it all. Thank you
Amazing piece of history about the last watchman's death. History and scenery combine in your videos.
My late Dad Steve Schmollinger has lots of Photos of the Southern Pacific on Donner Pass including at Rocklin California of a SP Coal Train with SP GE AC4400CW's on the Front in 1996
Donner Pass And Tehachapi are my favorite Railfan Locations
Awesome Footage of the Union Pacific on Donner Pass
💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
I love your Dad’s photos
Thanks for sharing these wonderful videos! Love the UNION PACIFIC!!!!
Great video thank you
Thank you. Kevin
Great job, I love the double stacks!
the legendary and infamous Donner Pass.😎🤠
🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🇺🇲💨
Fantastic video. I was completely expressed with all the sights and travel. 😂❤
Just can't help but love the sight of raw power.
Your videos are definitely professional and first class
For me, and I hope for many, this channel has instantly become my favorite! I enjoy it totally ! Your videos are excellent and the photographers are very skilled and, at times, a very hardy bunch!👍
This guys voice could narrate the apocalypse and I would listen happy and content.
miss when donner was controlled by searchlights... sad to see them go
I hope you gave Kevin more than just a cup of hot coffee!
It was Kevin who made this video what it is.
Stunning Work!
beautiful video matey.. loved it..
Awesome video !
Awesome vid. Thank you.
Great film-making in spectacular surroundings. I still can't get used to the fact that US locos at the rear of trains have a white light, not red!
Many thanks, Awesome Video !!! Trains are running during meters of snow, German Rail are not able, they stop when the snow is more than 5 inches...:)))
Beautiful
i love this channel. such great content
Currently with eastbounds waiting in Roseville on the west and westbouds in Truckee,Sparks on the East waiting to cross the Summit,perhaps UP will decide to restore the old number 1 track along with Switch 9 to Shed 10 1 day!
at 22:41 thats NOT a flange greaser! Thats a Top of Rail Lubricator. Those bars are attached to the outside side of the rail. A flange greaser has the bars attached to the inside edge of the rail and it protects the flange in a curve.
thanks for amazing impressions never seen before
Interesting/informative/entertaining. Excellent photography job/detailed train 🚂route maps. Enabling viewers to better understand what the orator is describing. Noticed graffiti art work on box. & tanker cars. Wonder if the artists are seeing 👀 their creations on this presentation -??? 😲. Remember the " Singing Break Men " Jimmie Rogers -??? Whom was a genuine break men till changing careers for a singing entertainer 🎸🎶career. ( 1926 thru 1933 ). Popular tune " Break Man's Blues 😭 " . Had the good fortune to travel for a living. Enabling me to spend time in the areas in the presentation. Viewing this presentation from the comfort zone of my computer room. Along the " Space Coast "🚀of Florida 🐊🐊. Wishing viewers/R.R. employees a safe/healthy/prosperous ( 2024 )🌈🎉😉.
Great trip!
Masterpiece! And the editing rhythm is fantastic.
You ever get the feeling that the narrator I bet, had an electric train when he was a kid I bet he dead, and the joy continues for him to this day👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Yep I did. And a camera and a microphone.
I can assure you I'm not dead. At least by the Good Lord's grace not today! (I'm sure that was a typo, but it gave me a good chuckle!)
Reminds me of the Rosevill train bombs explosions. My aunt lived a little over a mile away, and looked out her kitchen window to see a bird flying that the concusion either killed or knocked out.
super video ❤❤❤❤
Welcome to Donner Pass! This legendary line is the western end of the Transcontinental Railroad From Roseville Yard in the west to Sparks Yard in the east this line sees everything. In the summer we see heavy trains headed over the line and in winter The Rotaries and the Spreaders head up the hill to battle the mountain. This is Donner Pass!
I love your videos. They have such a calming effect on me as I am w... W... Working( yea, right! I am just screwing around faking the work! Great videos though. 11:56 Is that a squeaking bearing I hear?
Really didn’t do the stretch between Roseville and colfax justice. There’s so many sweet spots to watch and photograph trains through there.
It maybe worth noting after the floods and slides in the Feather River in 1997,UP had wanted to do away with the Canyon in favor of Donner,however City of Reno wouldn't stop complaing about the number of trains,leaving UP no choice but to spend 100 million to fix up the Canyon,This was pre Reno Trench!
These are great video’s. You guys did a good job filming.
Just subscribed Awesome video
I've been buying your videos for years (just dropped 60 bucks on the two Toledo Branch Blu Rays like 5 minutes ago), and would love to see you cover in some future videos: a) Vancouver, BC (as there seem to be a lot of fascinating a fairly varied operations there), b) the Central Valley in California, c) Los Angeles, and d) San Francisco and the Bay Area (since it's lovely).
Coos Bay Rail Link would be a good option, too (although the line is difficult to access in places).
I appreciate your requests. Thank you!
Did this on Amtrak twice. in October and March but then I do live in the Northern Sierra foothills
Awesome to see train simulator stuff!
Lovely videos, always a pleasure to watch! Btw, is there any chance of a St. Maries river railroad video some day?
At 13:46, it looks like that tunnel mouth has seen a few knocks, and the wobbling double-stacks may give a clue as to how!
Actually the railroad had just completed a tunnel notching project so that double-stacks could go through them. That is what you see at that time stamp. The railroad didn't make it look pretty but it works.
Interesting - thanks.@@7ideaproductions
Great scenes but the statement that the Central Pacific built west out of Sacramento is a bit off.
Yeah that was one glitch I wished we could have fixed.
UP 600 is an ex SP locomotive, you can tell by the distinctive tale light bracket. Nice to see some old units still earning their keep. Snow removal was a MAJOR issue for SP and still is for the UP. Donner will not treat you nicely if you slight her during the winter months.
very interesting video, maybe also about some canyons or interesting routes in Canada?
It would really suck to have to get out and change a knuckle in that weather.😢
I love trains cause trains love me❤
I wonder if Shoestring was on that eastbound grainer? Also noted that that they are still running SP painted licomotives!
Hey 7idea, when your out my way, could you do a video of the BNSF’S Aurora subdivision?
Great work 7. Living in Soda Springs/Norden area I can attest to the unbelievable amount of snow. This year we had over 700". Anyone willing to go out in those conditions to take video is a true foamer.
BTW: It's Sierra not Sierras 😊
it's both.
Need to put number one main back in service and fix it up won’t cost that much and will improve shipping demands amongst more trains can pass
Was that the shorter tunnel portal?
@@sbrunner69 that was the abandoned track that went above main2 portal
Perhaps it's on UP RR radar to do so as the 2 sections of single track have wide signal bridges that would allow such to happen should it become necessary!
One one one 😆 computer voice ..if I'd been in the cab I'd been laughing like I am now..
It seems that UP tries really hard to avoid sending westbound freights over donner pass these days. My perception is most of the westbounds get routed over the feather river canyon leaving donner pass with eastbound traffic. Does anyone know if this is just my perception or actual UP practice today?
Yes you are correct UP does this to avoid delays with trains coming eachothers way. I actually work on the mountain out of Roseville and they will send all WBs except for the WB Z trains,G2LT, and the MROMI, Roper Yard(UT) to Malpitas, along with normal SPRV, Sparks to Roseville, and light power helper moves returning to Roseville after being taken off in Sparks. But besides any detour Z train, everything WB will go the canyon. And all EB except for on train going to Gerlach will go over the mountain. But it isn't like its nothing, on a Saturday normally you will probably get the WB Z, Amtk5, the ROMI, an SPRV and a helper power move all depart WB from Sparks what seems like one after the other, and in return about 8 to 12 trains EB from Roseville
@@zsoren42 Thank you for the information! Very informative 👍
At 40:21 - Those tracks look real healthy.
Does the Amtrak need extra power to make it over the summit or is it normal to run the up power?
16:40. Amtrak swapped their lead in Truckee. Mechanical defect.
I Have That Movie
Wish they re finish and or update for 2 or more.
Why are"ny the lead train more streamlined to reduce drag?
With Amtrak's California Zephyr and Union Pacific Freight Trains