Great video. Love the extensive sidings and spurs. Leaves a lot for the imagination. Also love the white knuckle moments where you pray the switches are aligned correctly👍🏻
What a hoot! Hearing myself working the desk at Schiller when you arrived. At least you didn't say anything nasty. Remember we were in the dark then - no ctc screen and just a window that looked out on the Gauntlet. But ya gotta admit - we could cram lots of trains in there....
I run daily over a portion of this stretch. Really interesting to see how much has changed, signal placement, trackage that has been inserted, and at the same time, ripped up. I'm glad there's only a few crossing between those two points that are actually horn zones now days!
The two industry spurs were still in place just north of the Rosemont Horizon then. The first one is completely gone as I don't even think that factory is still there and the second one that crossed Mannheim was made useless because Rosemont decided a Target and condos was better for their image than industry.
Oh Deval Tower, so many memories. You will be missed. Awesome video!!! This video actually confirmed what I was looking for. There was a siding that crossed Mannheim Rd in Des Plaines, leading to what is now Allstate Arena. Thank you for this 👍
Thanks for posting this video. Growing up in Waukesha...this brings back a lot of memories. We had friends that lived right near College Ave and Maple at 51:40. I remember standing near that intersection and watching the old wig-wag crossing signals back in the early 80's! I also recall a derailment that happened in (I think it was) 1992 in Duplainville right about at 45:40. Thanks again.
Seeing the Wickes Lumber sign brings back a lot of memories for me when I was a little kid riding in my Great Uncle’s truck with my father and older brother to get lumber for our house for an additional room to be added.
Thanks for posting this kcbigbandjazz. Its nice to see what real railroading once was. I was a kid when this was filmed but I do remember the days when security was not stifling and you could be a railfan who got to wave at the crew as they went by and they would give you a horn show. Was great as a kid to have the crew in the cab waving back and going all out with the horn. A few times I was even invited into the locomotive to see it up close. Great times. Miss the great railroads of that era. Great railroads like Conrail (my home road who always had a local crew happy to tell the whole town they were there lol and who my grandfather would take me out to see), Wisconsin Central who turned what was a struggling stretch of railroad into a midwest powerhouse and then went out quietly under the CN flag, Southern Pacific who struggled to the end with filthy locos but friendly employees who kept the history alive and Santa Fe whose red and silver warbonnet went out in style under the BNSF merger. Thanks for the memories and all the hard work you guys do. It aint a glorious job, its hard and long hours sometimes with tedium to match. Sometimes the weather is horrible. But you guys show up day in and out and do your job with the dedication, the precision, and attention to detail to keep the economy moving.
It's interesting to see how much of this is so different now! I recognize where you are in all these places but it's all 2 mains, lights are in different spots, etc. Nice vid Chris.
I remember when these freights would connect to and run on the CSX alongside the CTA Blue Line and the Eisenhower Expressway. After being taken over by Canadian National and when Canadian National took over the EJ &E they no longer run on the CSX through Oak Park and Chicago's West Side. They now route their freights on the former Illinois Central now CN and the former EJ&E trackage. Today only the CSX runs on its tracks along the Eisenhower Expressway serving only one industry left. The Farara Pan Candy Factory which it serves just twice a week bringing loads of sugar and corn syrup.
I miss running down the CSX Altenheim Subdivision. It was very unique, and there was obviously a lot of industry along that line in the past. The old Chicago Great Western also used that line back in the day.
1:41:49 - There was a collision at this point (Slinger crossover) July 20, 2014. As you see is under construction in this video, the crossover is replaced by a pair of switches and a short common segment. A train had stopped after clearing the segment, then backed into the segment into the path of another train. Three crew injured.
It's amazing to see how much Burlington WI has changed since 1999 before the 83 bypass was in place over the track. That town has changed dramatically!
I watch trains around Wheeling and Prospect Heights and so much has changed! Cn really killed the line when they bought the J. Thanks for sharing the video!
Excellent video !! Barry > retired DBR Jct. WI Also for those interested activated a broadcastify railroad radio feed for southeast Wisconsin on 04 /23/23, covers Cn , wsor , Cpkc and Up . Listed under : Southeast Wisconsin Railroads .
A fascinating cab ride and brought back some great memories to me. I actually got to have a cab ride over this route in a visit to the USA in 1998. Two years previous, my British railroad employer had become part of the Wisconsin Central empire. After a visit t the WC HQ at Rosemont, my girlfriend and I were taken to Schiller Park. From there we boarded a Canadian Natonal freight manned by a WC crew as far as Burlington, Wisconsin and from there taken back to Chicago by a WC road vehicle. About that time CN had entered into a contract with WC to run their trains over this WC route. I discussed with the engineer about this arrangement and we both agreed that it was likely that Wisconsin Central and thus my employer (English, Welsh & Scottish Railway) eould ultimately become part of Canadian National. I returned to WC a year later and this time took the Amtrak Hiawatha service to Milwaukee then a bus to Fond Du Lac in order to visit the depot.
I grew up in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. I remember the Chicago and Northwestern tracks in Fond du Lac as well. The crossing at Scott St, as it appears in this video, was when the Chicago and Northwestern tracks were still there. It was a double crossing then. The crossings seen in this video in Fond du Lac are Scott St (now a crossing with only one set of tracks instead of two), Arndt St, Johnson St (now a bridge carries Johnson St in this location; there is now a crossing just south of the bridge called Satterlee St), then the video skips to Western Ave, Tompkins St (now closed), Grove St, 9th St (now closed), Military Ave, 11th St, Dixie St (the spur line that serves that industry is gone; there is only one set of tracks at this crossing), Pioneer Rd (now a bridge), and Kohlman Rd. You can see the crossing at Lake Shore Dr towards the end of the video ( Lake Shore Dr is now closed). Anyone got any nice railroad video on any of Fond du Lac's Chicago and Northwestern tracks?
Got to ride this on a High Iron Tour with only 2 or 3 private cars Schiller Park all the way to Ashland. Who knows if FOXY can revive anything as that north line has major washouts. Sadly the paper industry is on the skids and CN does not appear to solicit single carloads. Also FOXY will only be as good as their connection which is solely CN. Was assisting a friend produce a Kalmbach video and got to ride a SP AC44 shouldering a GTW ballast train up Byron Hill quite the ride so thanks for reviving memories
When you're on the North Central Service, it's easy to see how much double-tracking has been done since filming. For instance, the single track area north of O'Hare Transfer now starts closer to the junction with the Union Pacific Northwest Line.
1:18:27 - There's a odd-looking boom intruding almost into the 'railroad travel lane'. I looked on the current-day satellite image. There are a series of towers supporting the approach strobes for an O'Hare runway! This looks like one of the towers that got knocked over or something.
Is this really 1999? I was surprised to notice that the crossing signal lights at 33:01 are LED lights. Didn't realize that they had those on crossings yet back then. Usually its the dim incandescent lights.
This is it. Battery life was short on the camera I was using in 1999. My 4K rig I'm using now will go about 12 hours on a single charge! I had to preserve the battery life by not shooting "everything". A lot sure has changed on the line since this video was taken, though.
I just read in the comments that this video was shot using a VCR. I enjoyed watching; but couldn't make out the track-side signals--no color; they all looked washed out. I knew it was an (example) approach; b/c the crew calls out the signal indications. The locomotive horn sounded quite weak; I wonder what causes the staggered "strong then weak; strong then weak" sound? Almost as if something was stuck inside the horn. Regardless--I always enjoy the view from the engineman's seat.
A very interesting cab ride. Thanks! One suggestion, if I may, if you have the ability to add comments or titles or tag lines, it would be nice if you could label a few of the locations along the way so that folks who are not used to seeing it from your perspective can get a rough idea where you are along the way.
Nicely done. There's something appealing about a freight train rolling slowly through small towns and a rural environment in the dead of winter. No crew change?
That would be Lomira. I don't remember what our trailing unit was. I'm sure it was an NS unit of some kind. This train went to Calumet yard in Chicago (The old Nickel Plate yard).
Interesting two year's at the WC. Unbelieavable Weywegau(?) derailment...interesting that Burkhardt was at the helm at that time and just a couple years ago on the MM&A when 40 were vaporized in the Lac Magnetic, Quabec derailment. Beautiful area, unsafe RR to work at.
+kcbigbandjazz So they make crossings quiet zones so you can't hear something coming that can take your life if you ignore it, geniuses out there...Same with Dennison, IA, with UP's double main, the whole city is a quiet zone, with a track that busy and no horn, collisions are bound to happen..Regardless, very nice video. Thanks for posting this, good in cab rides are hard to find. (:
You pass green and yellow and red boards, but they don't seem to mean anything as far as slowing or stopping the train...? (Edit: 31:01 - Dispatcher says, 'Permission to pass the red board... without stopping')
Do you have to set off the crossing gates as you approach them or do they automatically activate? I heard a beep each time before they would go off and its made me question if they are actually automatic or not
Crossing signals are all activated automatically by relays based on the speed of the train. The beep you heard was probably the EOT receiver relaying information about the marker at the rear of the train.
Smart answer, KC. Many grade crossing systems today detect the speed of the train and activate the mee-mool lights *(o)T(o)* so that they give at minimum of 25 seconds of warning before train arrival.
First there is a Shunt that Calculates the Distance and speed that info is sent to the Bungalow as far as the system knows when to drop 30+ is a Good Crossing Activation anything less and that is bad My Buddy is a Signal Maintainer for BNSF so i learn about the Different Systems and how they work
***** Most American railroads begin mee-mool light *(o)T(o)* activation 25-seconds before train arrival. 30-seconds is good to allow more time before gates begin to descend. A sophisticated and far morexpen$ive "predictor" detects the train and calculates the train'speed to provide the minimum 25 or 30 seconds warning. On the simple "lead-in" track circuit, the locomotive and train wheels shunt (electrically short) the rails and the crossing signals operate. The length of that "approach circuit" is determined by the highest speed a train is expected to attain on that track. If train speed is 60 miles per hour, that approach section must be 2,200 feet to provide 25 seconds of warning. Americans do not like warnings too long. If too long, they will still cross when mee-mool lights are flashing.
I love watching this; can't tell you how many times I have watched through my lunch hour, at night to put me to sleep, and just for sheer entertainment. But may I ask, why do you shout "Clear?" And, "Approach!"? Or maybe it is, "State approach!" Thanks, bud!
+Paul Edstock We are required by the rules to call out trackside signals. Clear is the indication for the green aspect. Approach is the indication for the yellow aspect. "Straight approach" or sometimes "Straight Up approach" is a term coined by railroaders when the yellow aspect hasn't changed and we have an absolute signal coming up that will be displaying a Stop indication. We normally just say approach if the signal is the approach signal to another intermediate signal that is red, but does not require a mandatory stop (All stop signals are red, but not all red signals mean stop). We can go by a number plated signal at restricted speed if the aspect is red. (Note: Aspect is the color displayed. Indication is the information that the signal is giving you. A lot of people confuse the two). I hope this helps. We now use many, many varieties of signals since this video was taken.
I agree, John. I listen to this when doing paperwork, running my layout or just trying to sleep. Wish we could buy this on DVD. I think it would be worth the bucks to get a copy from the owner.
+peetre We are required by the rules to call out signal indications (the information the signal displays). A green aspect (aspect is the color or colors that the signal is displaying) is a "clear" indication. A yellow signal would be "approach", flashing yellow "advance approach", red (number plated signal) is "restricted proceed" -- no stop is required, and a red absolute signal (found at control points and interlockings) is a "Stop" signal.
The screeching noise is caused by the flanges against the rail. When negotiating flat curves instead of super elevated curves on the high iron, you tend to get flange squeal. You can apply the train brakes while in notch 2 or 3 when performing stretch braking, but not while accelerating. You never control train speed with the engine brakes alone (unless of course you are using your dynamic braking), but as all of our brake shoes today are composite, they don't make a lot of noise unless the are really warm, then you will begin to hear things.
Since they were just hot wheels and not a hot box, we pulled until we stopped clear of crossings in a place where the conductor could easily walk, and correct the problem.
In the last few decades, many local gov'ts have passed 'quiet zone' ordinances. For peace and quiet in populated areas. Controversial. Upgraded requirements starting 2006, all quiet zone grade crossings must have gates & lights & often also various enhancements.
Look at 1:01:43. A crossing with no lights, not even a stop sign, only a crossbuck. Yet, no horn. I think the 2006 requirements would forbid this, would require lights and gates at least.
+chaosdemonwolf1 It's not gone, but a great deal of this route has changed. This is now used by the Canadian National. Lot's of new, longer sidings, double and triple track mainline, new signals, etc.
Nice video! Thank you. Why so slow? Gethe train out of everyone's way. Blowing the horn at cars that are in no danger of being hit? They are doing exactlyvhat is done at crossings with no mee-mool lights *(o)T(o)* .
Like I have explained earlier, everything on the railroad isn't 60 mph! At the time this video was made track speed through Fond du Lac, Waukesha and Burlington was only 20 mph. I don't blow the horn at the cars because I'm worried that I will hit them. I personally could care less about the lawbreakers. I do it for the benefit of the morons following said law-breaker without looking to see what is coming at him. You'd be amazed how many people will simply play follow the leader through a grade crossing. The leader usually makes it across, not always so for the followers. I blow the horn at my discretion and for the sake of the morons following the leader. I also don't worry about getting out of everyone's way. The railroad was there first, they can deal with it. I don't care if it takes me all day to get through somewhere. I'm not going to worry about automobiles getting delayed!
Back when this video was shot, our average trains were kept to around 45 to 50 cars. Sidings were extremely short, and the volume of traffic was not what it is today. In this day and age, trains over this same territory run 150 cars, and average 8500 to 10000 feet. The heaviest train that I have handled was just over 21,000 tons (an oil train that we took to Stuenkel on the old Illinois Central). Each locomotive is between 4000 and 4400 horsepower. Many of our units now have A.C. traction motors which makes a big difference on Byron Hill.
At the time this video was recorded, territory through Waukesha and Burlington, Wisconsin was 20 MPH through the towns. It is still 20 through Fond du Lac. The speeds have now been raised to 35 MPH. You need to realize that freight trains in general aren't always running at 50 to 60 mph. Much of the territory we covered at the time was slow in spots. Our trains were never very heavy going south. This particular train, No. 50 was usually about 50 cars long, and pretty light. Train 51 coming back was extremely heavy as it was all mostly loads of kaolin from the NS.
If I remember correctly, they realigned some of the right of way in Burlington during the big city revitalization effort so the curve wasn't as tight and trains could pass through at a higher speed.
Sorry Wisconsonians, but that's a gloomy landscape... makes Bakersfield, the Searles Valley and Dorris, all three of California, look in the up n up. ; P
Horn "blasting" as you so amusingly put it is part of our job and is a requirement over many grade crossings. Many crossings in this day and age only require the bell to be rung without the horn, usually only in communities that can afford that privilege. Since people, for the most part, seem to think that they are above the law, that horn provides another layer of protection for the vehicles (a second chance, so to speak) to let them know that our train is real and does exist. If they disregard the crossing signals and our whistles, then they get what they deserve and I'm held blameless--rightly so. As to the so-called "horn blasting", does your computer not have volume control? Most computers that I have seen do, but apparently, yours is the exception.
@@kcbigbandjazz Note, I said "to many crossings". Some should be blocked. Or they should not up load videos that are so noisy. It is extremely annoying to have to listen to so much horn blasting.
@@electricsparks4251 I know what you said, but the correct word is "too". You must have been educated in Wisconsin or Illinois! All I can say is, turn down your volume. No one is holding a gun to your head to make you watch videos that have noise. The crossing question was already addressed.
+Kinopanorama Widescreen Preservation Association Incorporated The location information is listed in the description. That is all that I can give right now. I have my reasons for keeping it brief. I'm sorry you wasted your time watching the video.
+Kinopanorama Widescreen Preservation Association Incorporated Brah. I just checked out your channel right? Everyone of them is a waste of both yours and the viewers time. To the OP of this video. Thanks for sharing this. Can't really do videos like this anymore because of 9/11 and Chatsworth. It is a pretty badass video IMO.
Great video. Love the extensive sidings and spurs. Leaves a lot for the imagination. Also love the white knuckle moments where you pray the switches are aligned correctly👍🏻
What a hoot! Hearing myself working the desk at Schiller when you arrived. At least you didn't say anything nasty. Remember we were in the dark then - no ctc screen and just a window that looked out on the Gauntlet. But ya gotta admit - we could cram lots of trains in there....
Yes, we could!
What a great railroad it was indeed ..
And grab a sandwich at White Hen and get out before Connie W . gets back...
I run daily over a portion of this stretch. Really interesting to see how much has changed, signal placement, trackage that has been inserted, and at the same time, ripped up. I'm glad there's only a few crossing between those two points that are actually horn zones now days!
The two industry spurs were still in place just north of the Rosemont Horizon then. The first one is completely gone as I don't even think that factory is still there and the second one that crossed Mannheim was made useless because Rosemont decided a Target and condos was better for their image than industry.
50:58 gotta love that GE compressor 'whoop' :-D
Choo Choo loves that horn!
Very Cool!! One of the most kick ass cab rides I've been on for sure!
Thanks for sharing!
+Andy Roltgen Your welcome.
Oh Deval Tower, so many memories. You will be missed.
Awesome video!!! This video actually confirmed what I was looking for. There was a siding that crossed Mannheim Rd in Des Plaines, leading to what is now Allstate Arena. Thank you for this 👍
Thanks for posting this video. Growing up in Waukesha...this brings back a lot of memories. We had friends that lived right near College Ave and Maple at 51:40. I remember standing near that intersection and watching the old wig-wag crossing signals back in the early 80's! I also recall a derailment that happened in (I think it was) 1992 in Duplainville right about at 45:40. Thanks again.
Thanks for sharing. This is just what the conductor ordered.
Seeing the Wickes Lumber sign brings back a lot of memories for me when I was a little kid riding in my Great Uncle’s truck with my father and older brother to get lumber for our house for an additional room to be added.
Thanks for posting this kcbigbandjazz. Its nice to see what real railroading once was. I was a kid when this was filmed but I do remember the days when security was not stifling and you could be a railfan who got to wave at the crew as they went by and they would give you a horn show. Was great as a kid to have the crew in the cab waving back and going all out with the horn. A few times I was even invited into the locomotive to see it up close. Great times. Miss the great railroads of that era. Great railroads like Conrail (my home road who always had a local crew happy to tell the whole town they were there lol and who my grandfather would take me out to see), Wisconsin Central who turned what was a struggling stretch of railroad into a midwest powerhouse and then went out quietly under the CN flag, Southern Pacific who struggled to the end with filthy locos but friendly employees who kept the history alive and Santa Fe whose red and silver warbonnet went out in style under the BNSF merger. Thanks for the memories and all the hard work you guys do. It aint a glorious job, its hard and long hours sometimes with tedium to match. Sometimes the weather is horrible. But you guys show up day in and out and do your job with the dedication, the precision, and attention to detail to keep the economy moving.
Brings back memories of when I worked the Milwaukee road! Wish I knew your origination and tie up location in this video. Thanks for posting!
Great video from a different era. How people could give it thumbs down is beyond me. Thanks for sharing it.
One of my papa's friends used to work for Wisconsin Central
It's interesting to see how much of this is so different now! I recognize where you are in all these places but it's all 2 mains, lights are in different spots, etc. Nice vid Chris.
I remember when these freights would connect to and run on the CSX alongside the CTA Blue Line and the Eisenhower Expressway. After being taken over by Canadian National and when Canadian National took over the EJ &E they no longer run on the CSX through Oak Park and Chicago's West Side. They now route their freights on the former Illinois Central now CN and the former EJ&E trackage. Today only the CSX runs on its tracks along the Eisenhower Expressway serving only one industry left. The Farara Pan Candy Factory which it serves just twice a week bringing loads of sugar and corn syrup.
I miss running down the CSX Altenheim Subdivision. It was very unique, and there was obviously a lot of industry along that line in the past. The old Chicago Great Western also used that line back in the day.
That's some Chicago history right there too
great video! thanks for sharing.
1:41:49 - There was a collision at this point (Slinger crossover) July 20, 2014. As you see is under construction in this video, the crossover is replaced by a pair of switches and a short common segment. A train had stopped after clearing the segment, then backed into the segment into the path of another train. Three crew injured.
It's amazing to see how much Burlington WI has changed since 1999 before the 83 bypass was in place over the track. That town has changed dramatically!
+Scootaloo Yes it has, and it is still changing every day! It doesn't look anything like it did in this video.
@@kcbigbandjazz *IT´S VERY GOOD FRIEND*
Great video, great job. Brings back memories, I grew up watching the Wisconsin Central.
I watch trains around Wheeling and Prospect Heights and so much has changed! Cn really killed the line when they bought the J. Thanks for sharing the video!
Yihjmgjnn cvvbggjhjj jjhb. B
Almost all trains where re-routed onto the EX-EJ&E line. There are about 4 freights that go through there, 1 northbound, 2 southbounds and a local
Yeah, you can see how the North Central Service is double tracked all the way from just north of Mundelein to just north of Deval Junction.
Nice K5LA. Think the engineer loves the sound of that horn as much as I do. I Hate quiet zones. Love the video. Thanks!
Excellent. This is what we need on DVD.
Excellent video !!
Barry > retired DBR Jct. WI Also for those interested activated a broadcastify railroad radio feed for southeast Wisconsin on
04 /23/23, covers Cn , wsor , Cpkc and Up . Listed under : Southeast Wisconsin Railroads .
This is my second time taking this cab ride. Gotta love it.
My gosh that horn gets a real workout for grade crossings!
A fascinating cab ride and brought back some great memories to me. I actually got to have a cab ride over this route in a visit to the USA in 1998. Two years previous, my British railroad employer had become part of the Wisconsin Central empire. After a visit t the WC HQ at Rosemont, my girlfriend and I were taken to Schiller Park. From there we boarded a Canadian Natonal freight manned by a WC crew as far as Burlington, Wisconsin and from there taken back to Chicago by a WC road vehicle. About that time CN had entered into a contract with WC to run their trains over this WC route. I discussed with the engineer about this arrangement and we both agreed that it was likely that Wisconsin Central and thus my employer (English, Welsh & Scottish Railway) eould ultimately become part of Canadian National. I returned to WC a year later and this time took the Amtrak Hiawatha service to Milwaukee then a bus to Fond Du Lac in order to visit the depot.
Very interesting story. I didn't know that the WC HQ was in Rosemont...i figured it would've been somewhere in Wisconsin lol
I grew up in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. I remember the Chicago and Northwestern tracks in Fond du Lac as well. The crossing at Scott St, as it appears in this video, was when the Chicago and Northwestern tracks were still there. It was a double crossing then. The crossings seen in this video in Fond du Lac are Scott St (now a crossing with only one set of tracks instead of two), Arndt St, Johnson St (now a bridge carries Johnson St in this location; there is now a crossing just south of the bridge called Satterlee St), then the video skips to Western Ave, Tompkins St (now closed), Grove St, 9th St (now closed), Military Ave, 11th St, Dixie St (the spur line that serves that industry is gone; there is only one set of tracks at this crossing), Pioneer Rd (now a bridge), and Kohlman Rd. You can see the crossing at Lake Shore Dr towards the end of the video ( Lake Shore Dr is now closed). Anyone got any nice railroad video on any of Fond du Lac's Chicago and Northwestern tracks?
I've seen various locomotive power on this line: CSX, NORFOLK &SOUTHERN, BNSF, ICG,GTW, and even UNION PACIFIC.
Got to ride this on a High Iron Tour with only 2 or 3 private cars Schiller Park all the way to Ashland. Who knows if FOXY can revive anything as that north line has major washouts. Sadly the paper industry is on the skids and CN does not appear to solicit single carloads. Also FOXY will only be as good as their connection which is solely CN. Was assisting a friend produce a Kalmbach video and got to ride a SP AC44 shouldering a GTW ballast train up Byron Hill quite the ride so thanks for reviving memories
Fascinating cab ride on the railroads of Wisconsin.
Awesome video!
Thank you for the video. Wish I could ride in the cab of a freight train. That would be awesome!
good to see the old tec is still up to thej pb
When you're on the North Central Service, it's easy to see how much double-tracking has been done since filming. For instance, the single track area north of O'Hare Transfer now starts closer to the junction with the Union Pacific Northwest Line.
1:18:27 - There's a odd-looking boom intruding almost into the 'railroad travel lane'. I looked on the current-day satellite image. There are a series of towers supporting the approach strobes for an O'Hare runway! This looks like one of the towers that got knocked over or something.
Great video
+irelandbloke Thank you!
You're welcome
That’s crazy how many people run across the ungated crossings
Is this really 1999? I was surprised to notice that the crossing signal lights at 33:01 are LED lights. Didn't realize that they had those on crossings yet back then. Usually its the dim incandescent lights.
There's even a few crossings with Electronic Bells in this.
Some crossing I noticed back in 2001 had LEDs
Do you have the uncut versions of these? I'd love to see them all the way through. Great vid though!
This is it. Battery life was short on the camera I was using in 1999. My 4K rig I'm using now will go about 12 hours on a single charge! I had to preserve the battery life by not shooting "everything". A lot sure has changed on the line since this video was taken, though.
I just read in the comments that this video was shot using a VCR. I enjoyed watching; but couldn't make out the track-side signals--no color; they all looked washed out. I knew it was an (example) approach; b/c the crew calls out the signal indications. The locomotive horn sounded quite weak; I wonder what causes the staggered "strong then weak; strong then weak" sound? Almost as if something was stuck inside the horn. Regardless--I always enjoy the view from the engineman's seat.
The video was shot with a Hi8 camcorder. Not a VCR.
A very interesting cab ride. Thanks!
One suggestion, if I may, if you have the ability to add comments or titles or tag lines, it would be nice if you could label a few of the locations along the way so that folks who are not used to seeing it from your perspective can get a rough idea where you are along the way.
+curmudgeon66 There are reasons I don't right now.
Nicely done. There's something appealing about a freight train rolling slowly through small towns and a rural environment in the dead of winter. No crew change?
18:36 is that Allenton ? And what was your trailing power?
That would be Lomira. I don't remember what our trailing unit was. I'm sure it was an NS unit of some kind. This train went to Calumet yard in Chicago (The old Nickel Plate yard).
At 9:06ish a rabbit jumps off the tracks
1:35:47 What town is this?
Interesting two year's at the WC. Unbelieavable Weywegau(?) derailment...interesting that Burkhardt was at the helm at that time and just a couple years ago on the MM&A when 40 were vaporized in the Lac Magnetic, Quabec derailment. Beautiful area, unsafe RR to work at.
1:48:15. Would have sucked to hit the backhoe at the end of the run. The deer at 1:40:10 was almost rail-'road kill'.
Um those first few crossings were quiet zones I am guessing. Cool video!
+Trains N' Stuff Many of the crossings we go over are now quiet zones. Especially on the old EJ&E line.
Man, that sucks. Still a cool cab experience.
+kcbigbandjazz So they make crossings quiet zones so you can't hear something coming that can take your life if you ignore it, geniuses out there...Same with Dennison, IA, with UP's double main, the whole city is a quiet zone, with a track that busy and no horn, collisions are bound to happen..Regardless, very nice video. Thanks for posting this, good in cab rides are hard to find. (:
Brandon C., we have some here in oregon, and have WAYSIDE HORNS!
Nice cab ride! It's a shame I never got to see wisconsin central
You pass green and yellow and red boards, but they don't seem to mean anything as far as slowing or stopping the train...? (Edit: 31:01 - Dispatcher says, 'Permission to pass the red board... without stopping')
Ah... EIC - Engineer in charge? Is that the foreman at the work site?
Do you have to set off the crossing gates as you approach them or do they automatically activate? I heard a beep each time before they would go off and its made me question if they are actually automatic or not
Crossing signals are all activated automatically by relays based on the speed of the train. The beep you heard was probably the EOT receiver relaying information about the marker at the rear of the train.
Smart answer, KC. Many grade crossing systems today detect the speed of the train and activate the mee-mool lights *(o)T(o)* so that they give at minimum of 25 seconds of warning before train arrival.
First there is a Shunt that Calculates the Distance and speed that info is sent to the Bungalow as far as the system knows when to drop 30+ is a Good Crossing Activation anything less and that is bad My Buddy is a Signal Maintainer for BNSF so i learn about the Different Systems and how they work
***** Most American railroads begin mee-mool light *(o)T(o)* activation 25-seconds before train arrival. 30-seconds is good to allow more time before gates begin to descend.
A sophisticated and far morexpen$ive
"predictor" detects the train and calculates the train'speed to provide the minimum 25 or 30 seconds warning.
On the simple "lead-in" track circuit, the locomotive and train wheels shunt (electrically short) the rails and the crossing signals operate. The length of that "approach circuit" is determined by the highest speed a train is expected to attain on that track. If train speed is 60 miles per hour, that approach section must be 2,200 feet to provide 25 seconds of warning.
Americans do not like warnings too long. If too long, they will still cross when mee-mool lights are flashing.
I love watching this; can't tell you how many times I have watched through my lunch hour, at night to put me to sleep, and just for sheer entertainment. But may I ask, why do you shout "Clear?" And, "Approach!"? Or maybe it is, "State approach!" Thanks, bud!
+Paul Edstock We are required by the rules to call out trackside signals. Clear is the indication for the green aspect. Approach is the indication for the yellow aspect. "Straight approach" or sometimes "Straight Up approach" is a term coined by railroaders when the yellow aspect hasn't changed and we have an absolute signal coming up that will be displaying a Stop indication. We normally just say approach if the signal is the approach signal to another intermediate signal that is red, but does not require a mandatory stop (All stop signals are red, but not all red signals mean stop). We can go by a number plated signal at restricted speed if the aspect is red. (Note: Aspect is the color displayed. Indication is the information that the signal is giving you. A lot of people confuse the two). I hope this helps. We now use many, many varieties of signals since this video was taken.
Thank you, sir. I appreciate it.
I agree, John. I listen to this when doing paperwork, running my layout or just trying to sleep. Wish we could buy this on DVD. I think it would be worth the bucks to get a copy from the owner.
Thanks for the fun ride. When and why do they say "Clear"
+peetre We are required by the rules to call out signal indications (the information the signal displays). A green aspect (aspect is the color or colors that the signal is displaying) is a "clear" indication. A yellow signal would be "approach", flashing yellow "advance approach", red (number plated signal) is "restricted proceed" -- no stop is required, and a red absolute signal (found at control points and interlockings) is a "Stop" signal.
+kcbigbandjazz very educating. Thanks for that info! So you communicate that back radio to dispatch? thanks, pete
No, they say it to each other to confirm they both saw it & saw the same thing.
Why are there periods when the horn is not sounded, especially thru some towns that seem to have a lot
of traffic and crossings? Thank you...
Under a designated speed they are not required to sound horn except at discretion.
Jesse Biscoe quiet zone
I know Arnie's voice, but I cannot tell who the hogger is. I thought I remembered all three turns of who was on 50, as 99 was my last year. Oh well!!
which railroad required the Wisconsin Central was it Northfolk Southern or Canadian Pacific?
TexasRailfan21 Canadian National
TexasRailfan: It's the Canadian National Railroad .
Oh it is you responding too!!! lol
Is it normal for a train to apply it's brakes while the locos are trying to accelerate , is that whats causing the screeching noise ?
The screeching noise is caused by the flanges against the rail. When negotiating flat curves instead of super elevated curves on the high iron, you tend to get flange squeal. You can apply the train brakes while in notch 2 or 3 when performing stretch braking, but not while accelerating. You never control train speed with the engine brakes alone (unless of course you are using your dynamic braking), but as all of our brake shoes today are composite, they don't make a lot of noise unless the are really warm, then you will begin to hear things.
Wisconsin Central railroad fan from Milwaukee Wisconsin
It may have at one time, but it didn't when I worked for them in the 1990's.
There we go!!!! Thank you! Who is this?
Didnt see any mechanical bells left at all today.
1:15, ole Brian Buchannon.
that line is the old ICG Freeport sub I think now CN took over made it a Q zone
+David Schieler This is the Waukesha subdivision on the old Wisconsin Centrlal, now CN. We were not on the Freeport Sub at all on this trip.
that's what confused me cause there is a local that comes outta shiller park yard that runs on the Freeport sub I think
Thumbs up - Good ride. (But seems a bit heavy on the horn.)
*//WHEN YOUR AND VERY GOOD VIDEO THIS TREIN//*
At the beginning of your trip back north the defect detector said you had a bunch of hot wheels. What do you in that situation?
Since they were just hot wheels and not a hot box, we pulled until we stopped clear of crossings in a place where the conductor could easily walk, and correct the problem.
I think that unit has a ditch light out...
was the EMD paired with 9201 an SD45?
+Dylan Ruppert I really don't know. I imagine it was probably an NS unit. Probably an SD60.
37:45
Why the gates need to be longer to keep the stupid idiots blowing the gates from killing themselves.
Sure do miss Charlie Larson
Long train ride to Chicago
how long did this run take 2 days?
About 10 hours.
Interesting
Why no horn? at first part/
In the last few decades, many local gov'ts have passed 'quiet zone' ordinances. For peace and quiet in populated areas. Controversial. Upgraded requirements starting 2006, all quiet zone grade crossings must have gates & lights & often also various enhancements.
Look at 1:01:43. A crossing with no lights, not even a stop sign, only a crossbuck. Yet, no horn. I think the 2006 requirements would forbid this, would require lights and gates at least.
I thought I noticed Byron hill...
1:21:34 Ye haw!
thats one horn happy hogger.. jeez
1999...........So this post now means it's gone. Like what i'm seein' now is no more, riight?
+chaosdemonwolf1 It's not gone, but a great deal of this route has changed. This is now used by the Canadian National. Lot's of new, longer sidings, double and triple track mainline, new signals, etc.
BESAFE
Nice video! Thank you. Why so slow? Gethe train out of everyone's way.
Blowing the horn at cars that are in no danger of being hit? They are doing exactlyvhat is done at crossings with no mee-mool lights *(o)T(o)* .
Like I have explained earlier, everything on the railroad isn't 60 mph! At the time this video was made track speed through Fond du Lac, Waukesha and Burlington was only 20 mph. I don't blow the horn at the cars because I'm worried that I will hit them. I personally could care less about the lawbreakers. I do it for the benefit of the morons following said law-breaker without looking to see what is coming at him. You'd be amazed how many people will simply play follow the leader through a grade crossing. The leader usually makes it across, not always so for the followers. I blow the horn at my discretion and for the sake of the morons following the leader. I also don't worry about getting out of everyone's way. The railroad was there first, they can deal with it. I don't care if it takes me all day to get through somewhere. I'm not going to worry about automobiles getting delayed!
Anyone else spot the rabbit at 9:00? :-D
+gravelydon yup saw it.
gravelydon yeah
WINDOW RIDE,
Was your conductor from the south? His accent sounded like he was from deep Virginia or Georgia
Yes he was. Arnie was from Kentucky if I remember correctly. He is retired now.
it looks like you all are going slow
Back when this video was shot, our average trains were kept to around 45 to 50 cars. Sidings were extremely short, and the volume of traffic was not what it is today. In this day and age, trains over this same territory run 150 cars, and average 8500 to 10000 feet. The heaviest train that I have handled was just over 21,000 tons (an oil train that we took to Stuenkel on the old Illinois Central). Each locomotive is between 4000 and 4400 horsepower. Many of our units now have A.C. traction motors which makes a big difference on Byron Hill.
They didn't do the correct whistle - - · -.
He only did · -.
I know the voice, but forget the name!
+Stephen Fedorko : Hey Stephen it's Chris Gardner. Good to hear from you.
ungodly slow, must have been pulling plutonium or some such
At the time this video was recorded, territory through Waukesha and Burlington, Wisconsin was 20 MPH through the towns. It is still 20 through Fond du Lac. The speeds have now been raised to 35 MPH. You need to realize that freight trains in general aren't always running at 50 to 60 mph. Much of the territory we covered at the time was slow in spots. Our trains were never very heavy going south. This particular train, No. 50 was usually about 50 cars long, and pretty light. Train 51 coming back was extremely heavy as it was all mostly loads of kaolin from the NS.
If I remember correctly, they realigned some of the right of way in Burlington during the big city revitalization effort so the curve wasn't as tight and trains could pass through at a higher speed.
Sorry Wisconsonians, but that's a gloomy landscape... makes Bakersfield, the Searles Valley and Dorris, all three of California, look in the up n up. ; P
December to early March looks like this, except when there's snow. Which is less and less frequent these years.
Rob Garrett I really don't care.. there Horny girls tho boi
Had to leave this video after 38 minutes. Way to much horn blasting due to to many crossings.
Horn "blasting" as you so amusingly put it is part of our job and is a requirement over many grade crossings. Many crossings in this day and age only require the bell to be rung without the horn, usually only in communities that can afford that privilege. Since people, for the most part, seem to think that they are above the law, that horn provides another layer of protection for the vehicles (a second chance, so to speak) to let them know that our train is real and does exist. If they disregard the crossing signals and our whistles, then they get what they deserve and I'm held blameless--rightly so. As to the so-called "horn blasting", does your computer not have volume control? Most computers that I have seen do, but apparently, yours is the exception.
By the way, your review should read: "too many crossings", not "to".
@@kcbigbandjazz Note, I said "to many crossings". Some should be blocked.
Or they should not up load videos that are so noisy. It is extremely annoying to have to listen to so much horn blasting.
@@electricsparks4251 I know what you said, but the correct word is "too". You must have been educated in Wisconsin or Illinois! All I can say is, turn down your volume. No one is holding a gun to your head to make you watch videos that have noise. The crossing question was already addressed.
No location information. A waste of time watching this.
+Kinopanorama Widescreen Preservation Association Incorporated The location information is listed in the description. That is all that I can give right now. I have my reasons for keeping it brief. I'm sorry you wasted your time watching the video.
+Kinopanorama Widescreen Preservation Association Incorporated
Brah. I just checked out your channel right? Everyone of them is a waste of both yours and the viewers time.
To the OP of this video. Thanks for sharing this. Can't really do videos like this anymore because of 9/11 and Chatsworth. It is a pretty badass video IMO.
great video! thanks for sharing.