Railroad Crossings of the BNSF Mendota Sub
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- The BNSF Mendota Sub runs between Chicago and Galesburg along the old route of the CB&Q. This line has many scenic areas going west from Princeton towards Galesbug. Trains that run this line include many coal trains, sand trains, mixed freights, some intermodal, and 8 daily Amtrak trains.
The Mendota Sub still has many older WCH signals from the BN days that retain the old light frames, bases, and gate mechanisms. Unforunately, like most other BNSF lines, it's filled with mostly GS Type 2 E Bells and Dialight Ball LEDs. There are a few Harmon Fading LEDs and GS LEDS, plus GS Type 3s and 1 Safetran Type 3 to fill in some spots though.
This video features many of the crossings I filmed between 2015 and 2017 while following the Mendota Sub.
Support me on Patreon: / tommybnsf
0:01-0:55 That was the MOST BEAUTIFUL CATCH I HAVE EVER SEEN!! I loved the backround.
I can't believe that today almost all of these BN Signals in this video have been replaced within the last couple of years. It's crazy to see how fast things change over 7 years.
Great video! Love all of the old BN equipment, especially the WCH installs and Federal Signal lights! It kinda reminds me of the CSX S&NA North Sub, in that way, with how everything is pretty much modern CSX equipment, but there's still some old L&N equipment and a few pieces of older and rarer CSX equipment. I noticed the first crossing had a broken gate light on it as well, as well as the one at 30:40. Love that high-pitched Safetran Type 3 also! The GS Type 1s at 36:25, 43:20, 50:01, and 53:32 are great as well. I especially like the crossing at 56:25 with the WRRS/Safetran 8 inch lights and General Signals Type 1!
freebrickproductions the bells are amazing
56:25 Probably only incandescent signal lights
O
Many years back, my grandmother lived near a railroad crossing in Urbana, IL. I loved everything about it, even the diversity of sounds the train horns made and how the engineers blew them.
I now live in Japan near a railroad crossing. Depending on the time of day, trains pass 1-3 minutes after the gate comes down and the gate blocks the entire width of the street. There’s nowhere to pass if there is a malfunction.
What’s more, in Japan, all vehicles must stop before crossing the train tracks.
14:56-15:55 Whats with these catches having such beautiful backround!!!
23:00 That one gate was like the athletic kid in our class, and he’d go super fast only to fall just like the gate stand shook
At 23:04. Holy crap. That gate went down quickly.
+No bad words!
@@USABridgesEASSirens_More the fuck you mean
@@USABridgesEASSirens_More he said crap
mattprestegaard531 that cuz gate mechanism broken
@@USABridgesEASSirens_Morecrap is not a swear word
my favorite railroad crossing signs are the cantilever styles.
5:17 A UP locomotive with a BNSF locomotive awesome
Cool train is good
Nice video when you zoom when it's near you
27:04: I remember being on an Amtrak train when it stopped. The conductor proceeded to say, "If you look out the window to your right or to your left, you will see that the train has stopped."
That was like a "apply all the brakes" stop. Sheesh. They ever mention why they had to? Engineer run a signal and had an "Oh F**k" moment and had to wait to get the ok to proceed?
I love trains I just found your yt and I love it
Thank you! Welcome to the channel!
Thank you for the awesome videos Tommy BNSF. Trains are amazing machines.
39:48 good catch of amtrak 2 in night with that k5la
6u
TommyBNSF, you realize that I have subscribed to your channel! Awesome catch!
I Love the crossings
And why at 23:04 the gate goes down fast
23:03
You know they say about gate arms. They go down like rocks.
Hello
at little rock rd, Nice rare catch!
The Mendota Sub runs from Aurora to Galesburg
It is
I love you tommy and your videos
23:04 Woah!! The Gate went down in 2 seconds!
No it’s might broken I think.
23:04 woah! It went speeding down!
It was a broken gate mechenism
puppylove 269 h
puppylove 269 hu
puppylove 269 gy
Sana Maraachli you
The first level crossing closed surprisingly close to the arrival of the train
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Elaine Notman Are you having a stroke?
26:00 is the main street Princeton IL. crossing. I drive over that crossing all the time.
I thought you meant the one on vrf live feed but then I saw IL and was like. “Oh wrong I state.”😂
23:04 Woah, that gate went down fast…
Weird high-pitched bell on that crossing though.
@@USABridgesEASSirens_More Oh that gate broken
Odd freight train horn as well
@@USABridgesEASSirens_Moresafetran type 3 high pitched
1:40 Amtrak 184 visits Illinois
21:00 41:58
These are my really best one because I love the sound of the horn!
36:42
that sound of horn is surreal
Yeah me too it's more better and quiet
Why do you think BNSF hardly has any WCH Electronic Bells? Those bells appear to have a louder and more alarming noise than GS E-Bells, which makes sense in places where trains travel at rapid speeds. The million dollar question is - WHY NOT?
Amazing Video
I used to live in this area when I was a kid...
Andrew, my uncle has lived there since the 1970s, and I first biked down to the station area back then. Milwaukee and BN crews were there. It has changed a lot. When were you in Mendota?
Nice video! 😋
Nice video I liked and subscribed
Nice Video
17:40 weird looking lead engine what company insignia is that?
It looks like an old conrail train but in green or an old bnsf loco back when they did the green locomotives
BC rail
31:03 That’s the shortest Amtrak train I have ever seen!!!!!?!
Thats an amtrak service that runs from Quincy to Chicago. It usually has a short consist
On to Chicago!
At 10:40 why did the signals flicker when the gate finished rising?
The light was at the same framerate as the camera, so it looked like it was off, then the framerate fell back down
5:26 That one had it's rival locomotive from Union Pacific.
In "Building America" scheme at that.
I have an idiot question.
Where does the bell sound come from?
The dohickeys on the top above crossbuck
The Gate at 23:04 when down in just 2 seconds!
Samuels Toy Review wow! I really would hate that if I was stuck
Comment down below which of the following is your favorite kind of railroad crossing:
With signs but no gates, flashing lights, and bells.
With signs, flashing lights and bells but no gates.
With signs, flashing lights, bells and crossing gates
23:04 That Gate Went Down Fast!
RailfanGam
Wtf
I bet
RailfanGamer love the Christmas train I videoed it
RailfanGamer for u
20:24 what is this street? Ah wyanet IL.
Is this video taking place in Illinois?
Good CSX train video 📷📷📷📷📷📸📷📸
Amtrak 2 in the night is cool and I like that horn on the p42dc
39:48
K5la
9:37 sounds like music from "The Shining".
0:00
Isn't it dangerous for trains to be on the ice?
23:00 that gate ain't supposed to do that!
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what
@@extremeneils Drop down like that and not that quickly either.
At 56:43 that’s a cool crossing. Is it still there in 2024 or has it been replaced?
56:22 AND WHAT KIND OF CROSSING SIGNALS ARE THOSE!??! 💀💀💀💀💀💀
dat sick crossing 20:40 blud! av it!!!
What was that Amtrak engine number at 41:00 I couldn’t see
Lookd like 822 (OOS) or 145
9:38 Man that train was scwaken!
12:59 crossing looks like it’s a million years old
56:27 that’s so unusual
That’s bad place for the bells
can they add signals
There is some snow
I like these videos any chance you will do something like this in Wisconsin?
+dvferyance I don’t know but I might do some in SD (South Dakota).
4 TRACKS??
14:00 that’s a weird pedestrian gate 🤨🤨
Another one seen on the right @ 20:25.... and it's a separate system.... Notice it's direction is the same as that of the gate on the right side of the street.
@@mfohawk6779 I’m talking about it cause of how long it is 😂
Looking at the satellite imagine of the crossing, the sidewalk(s) are a little farther away from the road....
So my guess is to ensure it blocks them and are a bit longer to be a deterrent to people who might want to walk around them.
Dropped pin
Near Leland, IL 60531
maps.app.goo.gl/Z62xHwjasXWxfG3y8
@@mfohawk6779 yeah
It’s the one my dead grandpa played hockey with. RIP
23:00 that was a recent vid wasn’t it?
40:56 Sounds like the horn is dead
at 20:24 , Nice type 3 E bell!
When they go slightly out of sync, it's kinda memorizing lol
Yes that’s true
I can’t tell about that street name
@@unknownprofile2830it looks like it’s at Main Street in wyanet
This Railroad Crossing Was Recorded in 2017
I'd like to know exactly how l ong the camera operator act ually had to sit & wait for the lights to come on & the arm- s to come down once he got to a crossing? There's just n o way the cameraman could just pull up to a crossing & h ave the warning bells sound & the arms to come down; h e'd need time to get his cam era set up.
The camera operator (me) is usually out photographing crossings, and when he sees a headlight or hears a horn in the distance he knows it's go time. He knows where the nearest crossings are and how far apart they are from where he is and usually starts recording anywhere from 2 seconds to 2 minutes before the train gets there. It's a calculated game that has a big payoff.
17:11 they are mad
There like why you bully me
Nah. It's natural for them to go down. Many slap down on vehicles, usually trucks or busses though, most likely meaning a crash.
Everyone: watching the video
Me: muting my moms Christmas music
Interesting. I like the different variations of crossing bells and light positionings. What camera did you use for this?
5 years, and *never answered*
Peter griffin as jay ninjago holding ladder and Buddi chucky falls into the darkness
I don't get it
23:04 Woaaaah Do You List The Sound? Sorry I Dont Speak English
Kata Valderrama Hablas español?
They do go down
the railroad arm slamed in 22:59
Actually at 23:04
That went down really fast I call that a malfunction at the junction
Oh holy hell of sounds....my ears @ 09:30
Either a bearing that's beyond failed, one of the cars brake shoes is gone and that's bare pad backing on wheel squeal. Bet either one would make for a show at night. (I've seen a bad axle bearing throwing sparks at night....which can, and have, caused fires along side tracks).
I love the shot of the full moon at 15:32
Quentin Ratliff drh sa. You r
Quentin Ratliff ,
Quentin Ratliff 6
ElizabethH,L Trewyn 🐮🐅
Quentin Ratliff ikr
16:30 I like that k5la
I prefer the K5HL myself.
11:00, K5ST?
It’s been a while since I’ve seen this
cool train
4:50 NICE HORN!
Missouri Trains yup
Bro it’s a K5LA
Missouri and Illinois trains h
F
Missouri and Illinois trains was that Texas eagle
Eww a K5HL
Nice
I agree Quentin Ratliff
At 2:50, how fast?
50 mph seems like I doubt it's at 70
Could me 90 mph
What is the crossing at 20:24
00:00:08 That third light on the crossing hand has blown out you need to fix it
piktureit what do you mean?
You know Tommy can't fix it. He's not a railroad worker! BNSF can fix it.
He's not a train worker smh
that loud bell who coming
Hello
What are those things that hang down from the gates
On multi-lane roads....like 2 in each direction + center R-lane, they use longer gates, but because they're so long, they are prone to sagging when down (or swaying around in windy conditions) which can eventually cause damage. To help prevent such, they put small resting poles/stands that on the end so the arm can rest on the ground/be stabilized.
23:04 wow look at that gate it went fast like 2 seconds that gates need replacing
Why did the train stop at 27:00?
There is a station in Princeton where the crossing was filmed
I LOVE TRAIN
SUE!
I'm surprised this line isn't quad gated.
22:58 the gate 💀
Why did you have to zoom in to the railroad signal?
Because I wanted to. I like to provide closeups of the lights to show what kind they are.
Because the videos are about the crossings themselves, not necessarily the actual trains.
Just let TommyBNSF do his thing
Do they run steam engines here?
At 23:04 why the hell did that gate went down so fast xd
Fart?
Lol fart 😃😃😃😃
Fart lol
Ok I fixed it
It was so funny on that gate hope I do not get stuck
17:36 the heck is that!
Commonly used on the BCOL.
Oh ew wtf
AwesomeDesertTrains cfsx and cn rail
2 of them are burnt out because there supposed to be both on
An old British Columbia Rail loco, which are VERY rare to see in the US!
The train in the 1st clip was Amtrak
No way
One are those trains went so fast it could’ve wrecked
31:36 thats a creepy horn
No it isn't. Probably the main horn on that leading locomotive
you're damn right
Creepy for a Nathan k5la