I like the the history and information you present with a spot of train watching. The fact that you talk to us like the average bloke does to neighbor over the back fence is great!
Thank you! There are enough channels just watching trains go by. I wanted to bring the viewers to the locations with me and people seem to appreciate it. I'm certainly glad you do! Thanks for checking it out!
Really appreciate your historical knowledge about the railway 🚃 where you work and reside. Very Interesting from my perspective living in Nevada but having grown up in Canada.
Pulled that mountain for over 30 years! Watched many a train go up and down. Used to drive the old road from Majave cement plant, (going up the back side) and dropped to to hwy 58. Back in the ‘80’s, we had a contract for “Sumatomo” corporation. We hauled windmills all the way to the top of mountain, getting drug up and held to on the downslope by D-8’s! Such great days and memories. Try being on top of that mountain, so high when weather is clear the old scales on 58 looked like a postage stamp! Next trip, so foggy that all you “hear” are those damned windmills swishing in the clouds!! Many a windmill would come apart with blades flying everywhere. Me no likie!!!
Back in the late 70’s early 80’s we would stupidly hang out in the tunnel in Chatsworth. There was a dug out cavern where we would tuck up as the trains would pass through.
"Shoofly"????? Please define. Not in large dictionary. Love these videos. Super fun. At last somebody is paying attention to our beloved San Joaquin Valley the way Huel Howser, rest in peace, used to do. The train appears to be really, really heavy and long, with so many double deckers. Poor baby.
With my novice level of knowledge, wouldn't a long, winding, heavy train like that be subject to an increased chance of a string derailment? Great video and I LOVE seeing old stuff like the old roadbeds and the ruins of the tunnel. Fascinating! Thank you!
Stringlining is a common occurrence up there and longer trains do create more opportunities for it to happen. The last two have been just that and I did videos of them in my "Derailment" playlist. Thanks for checking it out!
I've been up to that spot several times. I didn't know the shoefly road had been washed out. That portal there is an amazing spot to watch trains, especially when there are a lot of engines working through. The smoke show is awesome, but not like it used to be back in the day of pre-emission engines. Checkout 1MTSRider th-cam.com/video/wXpTRpn_fuQ/w-d-xo.html "Tehachapi_(1991) SP "Oil Cans" Exit Tunnel #5" to see what I mean. Plus, inside the tunnel, the walls look like they are lined in black velvet because of the 1+ inch layer of soot stuck on them. Even that Stop sign you see at the crossing, the one that's 50-yards out of the portal is covered in soot on it's backside!
The tunnels are numbered uphill from the north (or west, if you prefer) from Caliente with one being just above there. Numbers become bigger as you head toward L.A.. Here is a link to a playlist in which I have two videos about the history of the tunnels. th-cam.com/play/PL6ge3Roxmyvoy7MZv6Z8Lks_QmeqTwh9J.html
I’ve posted this comment a few times in the last week, but I suppose you just haven’t had the time to respond to all of your comments lol. You had said on a discussion post on this site: www.gendisasters.com/california/15652/kingsburg-ca-train-oil-truck-collision-feb-1947?page=0,1 that you had photos of an old SP wreck in the late ‘40s. I’d like to make a mini documentary-type video of this wreck and was wondering if you still had access to those photos and if I could use them in my video. Credit would be given, of course. Just let me know, thanks! -Jacob
@@MarkClayMcGowan I worked for a shortline in Oregon that ran ex- SP branches. A lot of our folks were former SP managers, track guys and train crews. Great guys all. Then the company went big and downhill. I'm retired now and enjoying it. Stay safe out there!
@Caveman Ballistics: It is a temporary track around a problem area. In this case the tunnel was damaged during an earthquake so they built a temporary track (shoefly) around it so trains could keep moving while repairs are made.
I like the the history and information you present with a spot of train watching.
The fact that you talk to us like the average bloke does to neighbor over the back fence is great!
Thank you! There are enough channels just watching trains go by. I wanted to bring the viewers to the locations with me and people seem to appreciate it. I'm certainly glad you do! Thanks for checking it out!
Just found your channel and I am enjoying catching up with your videos. Thanks for posting
I'm glad you found the channel and are enjoying it. Stay tuned...much more to come!
Very enjoyable for an ex-railroader (very short time) but I know all the terms and enjoyable the way you do it! Many thanks Mark!!
Great being that close to the rails. I liked the history lesson.
Good access, good videos!
Really appreciate your historical knowledge about the railway 🚃 where you work and reside. Very Interesting from my perspective living in Nevada but having grown up in Canada.
Thank you and thanks for checking it out!
I have been between tunnel number three and five but i was well away from the right of way. It's very cool watching the trains in this area
interesting learning where tunnels 4 & 6 were located. i dispatch this sub and love learning more about it.
Pulled that mountain for over 30 years! Watched many a train go up and down. Used to drive the old road from Majave cement plant, (going up the back side) and dropped to to hwy 58. Back in the ‘80’s, we had a contract for “Sumatomo” corporation. We hauled windmills all the way to the top of mountain, getting drug up and held to on the downslope by D-8’s!
Such great days and memories.
Try being on top of that mountain, so high when weather is clear the old scales on 58 looked like a postage stamp! Next trip, so foggy that all you “hear” are those damned windmills swishing in the clouds!! Many a windmill would come apart with blades flying everywhere. Me no likie!!!
Thanks Mike. Another great video.
Back in the late 70’s early 80’s we would stupidly hang out in the tunnel in Chatsworth. There was a dug out cavern where we would tuck up as the trains would pass through.
Great sound of those DPUs pushing.
Cajon and Tehachapi both have their own uniqueness when it comes to places to railfan but to me Tehachapi is tops in that discussion
I agree. The terrain is much more varied and the curves and tunnels make it much more dramatic.
Thanks for checking it out!
"Shoofly"?????
Please define. Not in large dictionary. Love these videos. Super fun. At last somebody is paying attention to our beloved San Joaquin Valley the way Huel Howser, rest in peace, used to do. The train appears to be really, really heavy and long, with so many double deckers. Poor baby.
With my novice level of knowledge, wouldn't a long, winding, heavy train like that be subject to an increased chance of a string derailment? Great video and I LOVE seeing old stuff like the old roadbeds and the ruins of the tunnel. Fascinating! Thank you!
Stringlining is a common occurrence up there and longer trains do create more opportunities for it to happen. The last two have been just that and I did videos of them in my "Derailment" playlist.
Thanks for checking it out!
The way he says shoe fly like all inhabitants of earth know this shoe fly lol
I searched to see what he was talking about.
Sorry. It's a temporary roadbed around damaged parts of the line. I do tend to overlook such things!
Thanks for checking it out.
Kind of a reach here. Was that a fuel tender before the dpu's on that train?
No, just a couple of tank containers.
We need some drone footage of how long this train is.
another cool video thanks.hope you find those snow pictures someday.
Found them. Im thinking of putting a still photo piece together. Just need to figure out how to do it!
@@MarkClayMcGowan thats fantastic.whatever works best for you .
If you ever get back east in Pa, there's a 🐎 horseshoe curve outside of Altoona. Quite impressive!
I've seen pix and footage of it. I'd love to get back there someday!
Hmmm what's a shoe fly I'm wondering
How many trains comes through this area in regular basics
David, check out the Tehachapi Live Rail Cams. We show an average of 30-40 trains per day through here.
I've been up to that spot several times. I didn't know the shoefly road had been washed out. That portal there is an amazing spot to watch trains, especially when there are a lot of engines working through. The smoke show is awesome, but not like it used to be back in the day of pre-emission engines. Checkout 1MTSRider th-cam.com/video/wXpTRpn_fuQ/w-d-xo.html "Tehachapi_(1991) SP "Oil Cans" Exit Tunnel #5" to see what I mean. Plus, inside the tunnel, the walls look like they are lined in black velvet because of the 1+ inch layer of soot stuck on them. Even that Stop sign you see at the crossing, the one that's 50-yards out of the portal is covered in soot on it's backside!
Neat.....one long train. Barry
Did you ever see Mid-DPU’s up in Tehachapi Area or were they 1-2 Rear-DPU’s ? Thanks Mark! 👍
On my one visit back in the 90s I saw mid train helpers. Weren't called DPUs back in the day!
Is it dripping leaky inside that tunnel
Is tunnels one at South end nearer LA and numbers go higher as they go north
The tunnels are numbered uphill from the north (or west, if you prefer)
from Caliente with one being just above there. Numbers become bigger as you head toward L.A..
Here is a link to a playlist in which I have two videos about the history of the tunnels.
th-cam.com/play/PL6ge3Roxmyvoy7MZv6Z8Lks_QmeqTwh9J.html
Dang that's a hella long 🚆 train 🙂
Best stuff
How can you tell the difference in signals? Such as intermediate, switch, line and any other types?
How would you get hired from sp ?
One thing that you are NOT: a narrator!
@@walterjaygould6110 I actually liked his presentation. It was very informal and conversational.
I’ve posted this comment a few times in the last week, but I suppose you just haven’t had the time to respond to all of your comments lol. You had said on a discussion post on this site: www.gendisasters.com/california/15652/kingsburg-ca-train-oil-truck-collision-feb-1947?page=0,1 that you had photos of an old SP wreck in the late ‘40s. I’d like to make a mini documentary-type video of this wreck and was wondering if you still had access to those photos and if I could use them in my video. Credit would be given, of course. Just let me know, thanks!
-Jacob
What's a shoe fly?
Were you originally hired by SP?
Yes, Sir. I hired out in Palmdale. May 7, 1979
@@MarkClayMcGowan I worked for a shortline in Oregon that ran ex- SP branches. A lot of our folks were former SP managers, track guys and train crews. Great guys all. Then the company went big and downhill. I'm retired now and enjoying it. Stay safe out there!
I had a friend who worked some of those lines in the Medford area back in the 90s
why is that chocho train crazy?
I really good narrator voice.
Mark… I’m sorry for referring to you as Mike.
LOL! I play golf with a friend who always calls me that after all these years! No worries!
Flies in the buttermilk...shoe fly shoe
I don't know why she swallowed a shoe fly ...
WTF is a shoe fly?
@Caveman Ballistics: It is a temporary track around a problem area. In this case the tunnel was damaged during an earthquake so they built a temporary track (shoefly) around it so trains could keep moving while repairs are made.
What the Hell is a shoe Fly? Here in PA the Amish make Shoe Fly Pie’s!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A shoe fly is a temporary track around a damaged section of track.