Central Penn Rail Productions
Norfolk & Western 611 - Blue Ridge and Christiansburg Grades
updated
You can ride this train, by viewing events and tickets at:
rbmnrr-passenger.com
As of November 2022, 425 has undergone the last excursion for now, replaced by recently restored 4-8-4 number 2102. You can view this mighty steam engine in service here:
youtu.be/-9A_4xhzx1g
Many thanks to those from the Reading & Northern railroad that continue to make this possible!
Central Penn Rail Productions - 2022
Our day started in North Reading Yard where the train is being prepped by end cab switchers for the 4-8-4 to take North up to Haucks, where they divert from former Reading trackage to the CNJ Nesquehoning Branch. They then run around the wye at Jim Thorpe Junction into the gorge, shoving back across the Lehigh River through Nesquehoning Junction into town. After laying over in Jim Thorpe for couple of hours, they depart heading back up the grade on the Nesquehoning Branch. Once the hoppers reach Middle Yard in Tamaqua, they cut away from the train and take the 2102 north back to Haucks to turn the locomotive around on the wye.
2022 Central Penn Rail Productions
I recommend watching my previous video leading up to the new station: youtu.be/8GOSJjEfCWM
This video was filmed throughout the end of January 2022 and since then the old Middletown Platform has been fenced off.
Central Penn Rail Productions 2022
It was a fun day along the former Pennsylvania Railroad, or what I call "the land of poles" due to existing and former electrified track, with scenes from what is now the Amtrak Keystone Corridor, Norfolk Southern Royalton & Port Road Branches, driving under the A&S, and Amtrak Northeast Corridor.
Filmed in February 2021. Central Penn Rail Productions 2022
I also stopped by my favorite spots in Mt Joy and to get my first snow shots at the then relatively new Mount Joy station, which offers a great place for railfans and passengers alike. A few other locations were visited as well.
In the next video, I'll start my day in Middletown and chase a train down the Royalton Branch all the way down to the Northeast Corridor where we were met with snow & ice.
Central Penn Rail Productions 2022
Thanks for watching!
In fact, the Minersville Branch still serves an integral part of Reading & Northern Railroad's anthracite coal traffic from the New St. Nicholas breaker above town, on former Reading Railroad rails, not too far from CNJ, PRR, and LV remnants. Speaking of Saint Nicholas, he is seen riding the train as well! More information about this locomotive below:
Built as a switching locomotive by Schenectady Works in 1923, the anthracite burner is right at home in the Skook region of Pennsylvania with a history of hauling rich anthracite mined from the region. As an 0-6-0 switcher, or CNJ class "6S46" for '6' Wheel 'S'witcher '46',000 lb Tractive Effort, the duties were limited around yards or shops to build and break up trains; therefore, these locomotives did not require the front or rear guide trucks for the slower speed operations.
Visit Project 113's website for more information:
http://www.rrproject113.org
Thanks to the Project 113 volunteers and to the Reading & Northern railroad for hosting these trips on their rails.
Central Penn Rail Productions
N&W 611 is quite young for a steam locomotive at 71 years of age at the time of filming. In fact, the streamlined J-class is 10-15 years younger than the GG1 electrics than ran on the former electrified Pennsylvania Railroad route seen during the ferry move in this video; however, none of those survive in service today, though 4800 can be seen at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania at Strasburg.
I returned in the early fall to see both 475 and 611 in action, gathering some typical scenes of the Amish country, I hope you enjoy!
2021 Central Penn Rail Productions
I continue to chase the train to the Amtrak Northeast Corridor, which is dominated by dozens of high speed passenger trains, so seeing a long freight train under the wires was certainly a treat!
The previous video has some more trains and context from this location, so please check it out! youtu.be/gK8GMiXctLs
Control points on the Norfolk Southern Harrisburg Line are located about 10 miles apart and have dispatcher controlled signals and switches or cross overs so trains can change tracks. Dispatchers communicate with trains letting them know what will happen miles in advance. I include some radio conversations to help explain what the trains are doing.
Scanner conversations were provided by both my Yaesu FT270R radio and Norfolk Southern Harrisburg East Broadcastify feed archives through a premium membership. I highly recommend Broadcastify Premium, it's not very expensive!
If you wonder why I haven't posted much lately, this video will explain that too. I hope to get out a massive backlog of videos in 2021, though I will be going through a lot of changes this year in my personal life. Stay tuned, subscribe, like, please comment and ask questions and I will get back you!
Recent cool railfanning videos:
Unexpected CSX railfanning in March: youtu.be/sf9E94IP-S4
A fun day of short line railroading with street running: youtu.be/JYrnp4ACSok
Copyright Central Penn Rail Productions 2020
We staged some pretty interesting shots, including next to Amtrak's Keystone Corridor where modern electric passenger trains meet our classic freight train with the railroads restored Western & Maryland ALCO S6.
Of course no train on the M&H is complete without the unique street running scene, where we did run-by at Kuppy's Diner in the morning and a train parade in the afternoon with two trains on Broad Street at the same time, with the second train of 2 GE 65 Tonners pulling loaded storage tank cars.
Throughout the day, we rode on the train up the line for more photo locations. The railroad runs to Hummelstown, but is currently truncated due to a washout next to the Swatara Creek at Indian Echo Caverns.
Overall it was a day of laughs and fun, but I think I got some good video out of it too - money well spent.
PLEASE leave a comment and let me know what you think!
BIG THANKS TO: Virtual Railfan, Jersey Mike's Rail Videos, and Mike Huhn for the additional content to make this video possible!
Filmed May 29, 2020 with a Panasonic X1500, thanks for watching!
Shot in various seasons in 2019 unless otherwise noted, including some Pennsylvanian double-header shots in Spring 2016 when ACSES was being installed on the line.
More Amtrak videos:
Keystone Corridor in the Snow: youtu.be/AiK0ceje-GA
Freight Detours on the Keystone Corridor: youtu.be/WXZ2v4kfvyg
Amtrak Capitol Limited Trains: youtu.be/w28TBfUc6zc
Thanks for watching - Copyright 2020 - Central Penn Rail Productions
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SPECIAL THANKS to those who contributed photos and video clips for this video:
YouTube djstrains - Detailed drone video of the Greenville shops and roundhouse here: youtube.com/watch?v=iLiXYC1Lw68
Austin MacDougall flickr: flickr.com/photos/ajm9339
Jim Stanton flickr: flickr.com/photos/teeveejim
Jacob Rink rrpa: http://sjrailroader31.rrpicturearchives.net
This is Day 2 of our fall trip to western Pennsylvania, Day 1 we visited the Buffalo & Pittsburgh railroad: youtu.be/kSyYmA7ulio
Filmed October 19, 2019 - Copyright 2020 - Central Penn Rail Productions
Facebook: facebook.com/CentralPennRailProductions
As always, I try to do my best research with what is available on the web, but if any information seems incorrect, please let me know in the comments and I'll pin the post.
Thanks for watching!
Please subscribe and watch more of my railfan videos!
youtube.com/c/CentralPennRailProductions
Here is my video from the previous fall: youtu.be/XkQ8XX-mDQU
Throwback to 2010, which has cool GP9 switching action at Bradford: youtu.be/Xj8Yda2Tg3E
This was my first attempt at narration, so I am overwhelmed by the positive feedback. Thanks a lot!
Check out the switching playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL02SJYDMhhAsSq14VKxk_-h6RrS7BSgGB
Watch the previous videos of this local to learn more details about these switching operations:
The GAF / ELK Shingle plant: youtu.be/_O9M2LoHcBM
Lebanon Chemical: youtu.be/xL7zjaA0yXo
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I hope you enjoy this throwback of switching action! I had previously uploaded these videos, but the quality was bad from the old editor so I remastered them into the original 1080p format and cleaned them up a bit.
I could listen to these EMD idle and throttle noises all day. I do miss the former Southern high nose SD40-2's being a common sight, but there are still 10 former Norfolk & Western high nose SD40-2's running today (none in this area).
Thanks for watching!
Recorded on March 17, 2009 in 1080p with a Canon VIXIA HG20
Central Penn Rail Productions 2019
I shot this train the day after Thanksgiving while visiting family. Not much runs on this route, maybe 3 or 4 trains a day if you're lucky (two during the day). This was the second train I caught that day. I will return here in the future to get more videos in the famous Clinchfield Loops which has several tunnels and horseshoe curves, so I hope you enjoy this preview until then!
Please let me know what you think of this video by giving it a like and leaving a comment!
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0:00 - 0:40 - Info & Maps
0:40 - Train 25V - September 29 - Palmyra: NS SD70M-2 2718, NS D8-40CW 8383, & NS ES44AC 8042
2:45 - Train 211 - September 29 - Lebanon: NS ES44AC 8117, NS SD70ACU 7333, BNSF Dash-9-44CW 1119, & BNSF ES44DC 7275
4:45 - Train 65K - November 3 - Myerstown: NS D9-44CW 9161 & NS ET44AC 3655
6:15 - Train 212 - November 4 - Prescott: NS SD70ACe 1172 & NS AC44C6M 4152
8:35 - Train 11J - November 4 - Richland: NS ES44AC 8031
10:10 - Train 16T - November 6 - Myerstown: GECX C40-8 7544, NS SD70M-2 2682, NS SD70M 2642, NS ES44AC 8165, & NS D9-44CW 9730
13:00 - Train 94M - November 6 - Richland: NS SD60I 6758 & NS GP38-2 5201
14:25 - Train 16N - November 6 - Richland: NS SD70ACe 1125 & UP AC4400CW 5568
16:15 - Train 25V - November 17 - Richland: NS SD70M-2 2669, NS AC44C6M 4079, NS D9-44CW 9698, NS D9-44CW 8995, & UP SD70ACe 8961
18:15 - Train 25Z - November 18 - Womelsdorf: NS D9-44CW 9907, NS SD70ACe 1140, & NS SD40-2 3413
20:20 - Train 19G - November 18 - Avon: NS D9-44CW 9933, NS D8-40CW 8317, & NS D9-44CW 9104.
Thanks for watching!
Filmed in 2018 by Central Penn Rail Productions
It is the highlight of Amtrak's Capitol Limited route (trains 30 and 29), which run between Washington DC and Chicago, Illinois, via this portion of railroad tracks between Cumberland, Maryland and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, sharing the tracks with CSX freight trains (we'll see one of those too!).
Watch fast and snowy trains in eastern Pennsylvania: youtu.be/AiK0ceje-GA
Other great Amtrak videos (playlist): youtube.com/playlist?list=PL02SJYDMhhAtqKWtJjkliiivKjVoBQMfm
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Thanks for watching!
Filmed between 2015-2019 in stunning 4K with a Sony FDR-AX100.
Central Penn Rail Productions 2019
Also check out this rare look at BNSF switching on the Willbanks Industrial Spur in Fort Worth: youtu.be/8FN6RwGY2Wg
It was nice to sit at a location for a couple hours and not see one GEVO roll by. I was also impressed how clean and sharp BNSF keeps the locomotives! Train information below (I did not get a symbol on every train).
Train 1: BNSF 504 north. This local went north on the Fort Worth Sub, then onto the wye at CP 3548, over to CP 11 on the Wichita Falls Sub. BNSF B40-8W 504 (Dash-8-40BW)
BNSF GP39M 2899 (BN paint)
BNSF SD60M 1423
BN 10715 Caboose / Shoving platform on the rear.
Train 2: Y-ALT1041 heads south onto the transfer from the Fort Worth Sub to the Wichita Falls Sub, bound for North Yard. One of the few SD45-2 carbody locomotives is leading.
BNSF SD40-2 1576
BNSF SD60M 1476
Trains 3: A NB grain train snuck up faster than we thought with a nice pair of H2 locomotives.
BNSF C44-9W 5281 (Dash-9-44CW)
BNSF SD70MAC 8951
Trains 4 & 5: Taken earlier in the morning, I put these clips at the end of the video because I didn't find them as interesting, although it shows a view of the north end of Saginaw yard. Of interest, though, is the Ferromex SD70ACe and the clean pair of H3 SD75M's on the Y-NYF3051.
BNSF C44-9W 4389
FXE SD70ACe 4024
BNSF SD75M 261
BNSF SD75M 266
Filmed on June 18, 2019 in Saginaw, Texas
Thanks for watching! Central Penn Rail Productions 2019
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If you like railroad switching, then check out this awesome video of older switcher locomotives!
youtu.be/s_SPQIkgZz0
Thanks for watching, Central Penn Rail Productions 2019
See N&W 611 out on the mainline in the mountains of Virginia:
youtu.be/wePxjrCOL6w
Filmed on September 28 & 29, 2019.
Learn more about the Strasburg Rail Road here:
strasburgrailroad.com
Check out some live cameras on Virtual Railfan!
youtube.com/watch?v=-ejEjn57h3A
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Thanks for watching!
In this video (Part 2 of 2) , we'll see throttling SD40-2's roaring down the mainline on various railroads in Pennsylvania and Vermont. (Norfolk Southern, Canadian Pacific, CSX and New England Central). Train and location information is listed down below.
Please watch Part 1 for more SD40-2 locomotive action! youtu.be/hoMrqU2sMRE
0:00 - 7/17/09 - 64J - Richland, PA & 0:35 - Womelsdorf, PA
NS SD40-2’s 3380 & 3389
1:10 - 12/05/09 - 64J - Richland, PA
NS SD40-2’s 3435 & 3425
1:45 - 12/31/10 - H48 - Richland, PA
NS SD40-2’s 3338 & 3353
2:30 - 7/08/10 - H48/64Q - Richland, PA
CEFX SD40-2’s 3154 & 3167
3:20 - 7/14/10 - 64J - Cleona, PA
NS SD40-2’s 3424 & 3383
4:00 - 6/22/11 - Q359 - Mance, PA
CSX SD40-2 8158 and CSX C40-8W 7801
5:10 - 7/16/11 - 258 - New Milford, PA
IC&E SD40-2 6446, CITX SD40-2 3177 & 3077
6:30 - 9/24/11 - 323 - Richmond, VT
CEFX SD40-2’s 3398, 3771
7:25 - 12/23/11 - 30J / 158 - Richland, PA
CP SD40-2 6017 and CEFX SD40-2 3181
8:40 - 12/23/11 - H48 /65Q - Sheridan, PA
NS SD40-2’s 3405 & 3353
9:10 - 12/29/11 - H48 / 64Q - Womelsdorf, PA
NS SD40-2’s 3405 & 3353
10:35 - 12/28/12 - H48 / 65Q - Richland, PA
NS SD40-2’s 3338 & 3383
11:15 - 1/09/13 - 11J - Myerstown, PA
NS SD40-2 3437 and NS SD60M 6786
12:10 - 10/03/14 - Q216 - Glade City, PA
CSX SD40-2 8025 and CSX AC4400CW 5106
13:15 - 1/01/15 - H68 - Mertztown, PA
NS SD40-2’s 3542, 6132, and 3323
If you like this video and want to see more like it, give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more, and let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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Thanks for watching!
A BNSF freight made a surprise appearance during our visit—there are an average of 3-4 BNSF trains daily, but most run at night to not conflict with the TRE trains.
Filmed on our Texas Trip: June 18-20, 2019. More Texas videos to come!
If you like this video, give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more, and let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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Central Penn Rail Productions 2019
But it wasn’t until Spring 2019 here in Central Pennsylvania on the Norfolk Southern Harrisburg Line that DPU’s made a mainstream appearance, with only a few uses dating back to 2014. The clips in this video are all of train 34A, which is a Oak Island, New Jersey to Conway, Pennsylvania (northern New Jersey to west of Pittsburgh), which is essentially a combination of the old 19G and 15T, making two trains into one mega train in order to move more freight with less engines and crews. Most of these trains measure around 11,000 feet (2.1 miles / 3.35 km) in length, but not too heavy on the tonnage (around 10-12,000) as it is mostly empty traffic returning to industries out west.
Train 1 - 0:00 34A - Richland: NS ES44AC 8080, NS SD70ACU 7324 - DPU - NS ET44AC 3600, NS SD70ACU 7301, NS ES44AC 8122
Trains 2 - 3:30 34A - Wernersville: NS SD70ACC 1802, NS C44-9W 9559 - DPU - NS C44-9W 9224, NS ES44AC 8043
Train 3 - 6:40 34A - Richland: NS AC44C6M 4008, NS C44-9W 9659, NS ET44AC 3640 - DPU - NS AC44C6M 4120, NS SD70ACU 7339
Train 4 - 9:45 34A - Myerstown: NS ES44DC 7632, NS SD70ACE 1120 - DPU - NS C44-9W 9273, NS AC44C6M 4045
I still have not caught one more than 200 cars, but 38G, an eastbound through here, has been running up to 230 cars at around 13-13,500 feet! I will post those videos too if I get them, so remember to give a thumbs up and subscribe for more and let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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Central Penn Rail Productions 2019
I spent the afternoon of August 17 at the unique four-way crossing in Richland, where Main & Race Street—the town's two main roads—intersect with a busy two track mainline right in the town square. With this being the only grade crossing in Richland, the presence of a train literally divides the town in half, since the square is at the geographical center. Since the crossing was closed for 24 hours, I figured I could document the crossing, getting shots of the trains without many cars around, but I WAS WRONG!
Check out this video of the same crossing where someone breaks the crossing gate!
youtube.com/watch?v=rDZnAyDw73I
There weren't any close calls but I was concerned the gates would start going down as someone was slowly driving across, causing them to panic and freeze on the spot.
By the afternoon, the sun came out and it was train after train! Eventually, workers showed up the remove the signs.
If you like this video and want to see more like it, give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more, and let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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Recorded on August 17, 2019 in 1080 60p with a Sony FDR-AX100
Central Penn Rail Productions 2019
The Lebanon Seaboard Corporation specializes in manufacturing fertilizers and turf building products for profession and lawn & garden applications.
You can find out more here: lebsea.com/ourhistory
0:00 - March 19, 2010: H31 heads west through Womelsdorf with NS 3001 & 5303. 3001 is a former Reading GP40-2 wearing Conrail Quality paint at the time of this video.
June 17, 2010:
1:15 - After working Elk, H31 storms west across Railroad Street in Myerstown.
1:55 - I caught a rare, short-lived loaded coke train 408 at Myerstown right behind H31, then moved to Prescott for 15T with a lot of BNSF power.
3:30 - Maps & Diagrams of Lebanon Chemical and switching process.
4:30 (to 8 min) - H31 switching at Lebanon Chemical at dusk, 261 passes by with NS SD60M 6800 leading, also in Conrail paint at the time.
July 12, 2010:
8:30 - Once again, 261 heads west in the evening, framed by Lebanon Chemical and Triple M Farms. The ducks were out today, crowded around the pond.
10:00 (to end of video) - H31 shifting Lebanon Chemical with NS GP38-2's 5662 & 5303. H33 also returns from PACMA in Palmyra, passing at 16:15 with NS GP38-2's 5355 and high hood 5171.
If you like this video and want to see more like it, give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more, and let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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Recorded on June 17 & July 12, 2010 in 1080p with a Canon VIXIA HG20
Central Penn Rail Productions 2019
0:00 - April 3, 2009: A duo of Conrail painted locomotives NS GP40-2 3061 and NS SW1001 2107 passes through Richland on the way to the plant. 1:25 - Backing toward the plant.
4:40 - Maps / Diagrams of the shingle plant
6:00 - June 28, 2010: 3061 is the sole power of H31 this evening, but a surprise in the form of H33 (at 7:15) makes an unusual locomotive swap.
10:46 - After the locomotive swap, H31 heads west for Lebanon Chemical at Ramona Road in the setting sun.
11:40 - May 16, 2013: Another sequence of H31 arriving and backing toward the shingle plant with NS GP40-2 3048 and NS GP38-2 5355.
If you like this video and want to see more like it, give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more, and let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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Recorded between 2009 - 2013 in 1080p with a Canon VIXIA HG20
Central Penn Rail Productions 2019
In this video (Part 1 of 2) , we'll see throttling SD40-2's roaring down the mainline on various railroads in Pennsylvania and Vermont. (Norfolk Southern, Canadian Pacific, and New England Central). Train and location information is listed down below.
If you like this video and want to see more like it, give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more, and let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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0:00 - 7/09/09 - 19G - Sinking Spring, PA
NS SD40-2 6194, NS SD60M 6781, NS SD60I 6750, and NS SD40-2 3376
0:55 - 8/04/09 - H48 / 65Q - Richland, PA
NS SD40-2’s 3353 & 3338
1:30 - 8/25/09 - 64J - Richland, PA
NS SD40-2’s 3401 & 3402
2:00 - 5/15/10 - 64J - Robesonia, PA
NS SD40-2’s 3373 & 3424
2:45 - 6/11/10 - 64J - Richland, PA
NS SD40-2’s 3424 & 3383
4:00 - 7/27/10 - C23 - Hartstown, PA
NS SD40-2’s 3435 & 3260
4:20 - 8/18/10 - 30J / 158 - Richland, PA
CP SD40-2’s 5946 & 6025
5:30 - 5/17/11 - H48 / 64Q - Richland, PA
NS SD40-2 3353 and GMTX SD60 9051
6:10 - 6/01/11 - H33 - Myerstown, PA
NS SD40-2 3201 and NS GP40-2 3052
6:50 - 8/15/11 - H48 - Wyomissing, PA
NS SD40-2 36120 and NS C40-8W 8434
7:35 - 12/29/11 - 905 - Wyomissing, PA (Geometry Train)
NS SD40-2 3393, NS Research Slug 34 and NS Research Coach 33
8:10 - 8/23/11 - 258 - Glenburn, PA
CP SD40-2 5910, HLCX SD40-2 8139, DME SD40-2 6087
9:15 - 12/19/11 - H48 / 64Q - Richland, PA
NS SD40-2’s 3353 & NS SD40-2 3405
10:25 - 11/01/12 - 324 - Northfield, VT
CSOR SD40-2 3771, NECR SD40M-2 2680, and NECR SD40-2 2714
11:10 - 5/06/14 - H31 - Womelsdorf, PA
NS SD40-2 3419 and NS GP38-2 5351
11:55 - 6/21/14 - 64E - Temple, PA
NS SD40-2 3417, CP ES44AC 8718, and DME SD40-2 6070
13:05 - 7/23/14 - 64K - Prescott, PA
NS SD40-2 3401, UP ES44AC 8035, and UP UP ES44AC 7895
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Recorded between 2009 - 2014 in 1080p with a Canon VIXIA HG20
Central Penn Rail Productions 2019
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0:00 - Introduction of maps and video information - (SKIP INTRO: 1:20)
1:20 - June 16 - 60N - Daily Loaded Steel Slabs: Paulsboro, NJ - Farrell, PA (NLMK)
NS SD60E 6999
NS C44-9W 9329
NS C44-9W 9534
2:45 - June 1 - 570 - Anthracite Loads: Reading, PA (RBMN) - Leetsdale, PA (Mol-Dok)
NS ET44AC 3680
NS C44-9W 9718
NS C44-9W 9721
5:40 - 211 - Tuesday - Sunday Intermodal: Croxton, NJ - Atlanta, GA
BNSF C44-9W 4611
BNSF C44-9W 4426
FXE SD70ACe 4079
7:10 - June 30 - 211 - Tuesday - Sunday Intermodal: Croxton, NJ - Atlanta, GA
UP ES44AC 5447
NS C44-9W 9055
NS C44-9W 9101
9:10 - July 1 - 11K - Daily Manifest: Allentown, PA - Elkhart, IN
NS ES44AC 8100 “Nickel Plate Road”
NS C44-9W 9790
11:00 - July 10 - 24Q - Tuesday Baretable: Charleston, SC - Croxton, NJ
UP SD60 2188
UP SD70M 4904
13:10 - August 10 - 212 - Tuesday - Sunday Intermodal: Atlanta, GA - Croxton, NJ
UP SD70M 4365
NS ES44DC 7568
NS AC44C6M 4167
14:15 - 211 - Tuesday - Sunday Intermodal: Croxton, NJ - Atlanta, GA
NS C44-9W 9064
NS SD60I 6757
NS AC44C6M 4055
15:25 - August 17 - H31 - Monday -Friday Local - Reading, PA - Lebanon, PA (Turn)
NS GP40-2 3029
NS GP38-2 5661
NS GP40-2 3001
NS GP38-3 5827
16:40 - August 20 - 20W - Friday - Tuesday Intermodal: Chicago, IL - Croxton, NJ
NS SD70 2568
BNSF C44-9W 5355
BNSF ET44AC 3870
18:10 - August 24 - H31 - Monday -Friday Local - Reading, PA - Lebanon, PA (Turn)
NS SW1001 2105
NS SW1001 2104
19:55 - September 3 - 11K - Daily Manifest: Allentown, PA - Elkhart, IN
NS SD70ACU 7248
NS ES44AC 8006
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Recorded with Sony FDR-AX100
Thanks for watching!
Central Penn Rail Productions 2019
July 14, 2010: Reading Local H33 heads to Palmyra with covered hoppers for the PACMA feed mill, which closed in 2013. Train info below.
I ended up making a lot of maps and descriptions for fun, hopefully you find them helpful. SKIP MAPS: 2:30.
0:00 - H33 heads west on main 1 at Annville, with 4 loads for PACMA and two empties from Cargill.
0:55 - 2:30 - Maps and description of shifting and mainline movement.
2:30 - Mixed freight 33A heads east on main one with a mixed locomotive consist:
NS SD70M-2 2727, NS C40-8 8760, NS GP38-2 5223, and NS SW1001 2104.
4:25 - PACMA track diagram
5:05 - to end of video H33 switches the feed mill
6:30 - Here's where the title of the video comes from, not sure what happened here, but it looked like a violent coupling!
10:05 - RoadRailer 262 passes the shifting H33.
PREVIOUS H33 SWITCHING VIDEO: Switchers & High hoods!
youtu.be/Ft__06E4fEE
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Recorded on July 14, 2010 in 1080p with a Canon VIXIA HG20
Thanks for watching!
Central Penn Rail Productions 2019
In this video, we'll see full throttle and Notch 8 SD40-2's climbing grades on various railroads in Pennsylvania, New York, and Vermont. Train and location information is listed down below.
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Canadian Pacific Sunbury Subdivision (Yatesville & Belden Hill):
0:05 - 8/23/11 - 159 - Yatesville, PA
SD40-2 5739 and CITX SD40-2 3026
0:55 - 8/23/11 - 258 - Pittston, PA (on the Reading & Northern)
SD40-2 5910, HLCX SD40-2 8139, DME SD40-2 6087
2:05 - 6/02/11 - 159 - Laflin, PA
Iowa Chicago & Eastern SD40-2 6413 & 6446
3:00 - 5/10/11 - 253 - Tunnel, NY (Canadian Pacific Freight Subdivision - Belden Hill)
SD40-2 5698, 6054, HLCX SD40-2 6206, CEFX SD40M-2 2797, StL&H GP38-2 7308
3:55 - 7/16/11 - 258 - Pittston, PA (on the Reading & Northern)
IC&E SD40-2 6446, CITX SD40-2 3177 & 3077
4:40 - 7/12/12 - 159 - Laflin, PA
CITX SD40-2 3055 & 3067
Norfolk Southern Pittsburgh Line (Allegheny Mountain West Slope):
5:30 - 6/11/09 - 65J - Gallitzin, PA
NS SD40-2 3354 & 3348 (helpers), NS SD40-2 3414 & 3425
6:25 - 6/11/09 - 536 - Carney's Crossing (Lilly, PA)
NS SD40-2 3343 & 3346 (helpers), NS SD60I 6728 & 6722, and NS SD40-2 3348 & 3354 (helpers)
Reading & Northern (Lofty Grade, Quakake Mountain):
8:25 - JEQA - Lofty, PA
RBMN SD40-2 3056, 3058, 3057, SW8 801, SW8M 803, and SD50M 5014
CSX (Sand Patch Grade):
9:35 - 8/09/10 - Q277 - Manilla (Sandpatch, PA)
CSX SD40-2 8858 & C40-8W 7694
10:40 - 3/16/11 - Q352 - Keystone, PA
CSX SD40-2 8867, AC4400CW 424, SD40-2 8082, GP39-2 4293, SD40-2 8242, and AC4400CW 122
11:20 - 10/03/14 - Q359 - Manilla (Sandpatch, PA)
CSX SD40-2 8312 & AC4400CW 125
13:40 - 2/20/10 - Q216 - Keystone Viaduct (Glade City, PA)
CSX SD40-2 8853, SD40-2 8091 and C40-9W 9040.
New England Central (Roxbury Grade):
12:45 - 10/30/12 - NECR 324 - Northfield, VT
NECR SD40-2 722 & SD40M-2 2674
14:35 - 2/10/13 - NECR 324 - Roxbury, VT
NECR SD40-2 2716 & CSOR SD40 3771
16:05 - 3/03/13 - NECR 324 - Northfield, VT
NECR SD40-2 722, SD40M-2 2674, and SD40-2 2714
Disclaimer: I know some of these clips appear in other videos, but I wanted to make one ultimate up-grade compilation of SD40-2's from my older videos, so I hope you still enjoyed these clips!
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Recorded between 2009 - 2014 in 1080p with a Canon VIXIA HG20
Central Penn Rail Productions 2019
This train consists of a box car "spacer", tank cars for water, and an old box car converted into a spraying machine which houses a crew and the herbicide supply.
I caught the train at Richland (0:05) where they were just lightly spraying, then got ahead of them at Prescott (0:55) where there were plenty of weeds to destroy—they laid on the spray pretty hard here (1:35).
This is the first time I've seen a train line this, but many railroads across the country run these in late May / early June.
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Recorded on June 09. 2019 in 1080 60p with a Sony FDR-AX100
Central Penn Rail Productions 2019
Reading & Northern coal train JEQA travels from the Jeddo Mine, north of Hazleton, to the interchange with Norfolk Southern in Reading, Pennsylvania with:
3 SD40-2's, all working hard: 3056, 3058 & 3057 (ex-Union Pacific)
2 SW8 switchers, in tow: 801 & 803 (ex-Lehigh Valley)
1 SD50 in tow, 5014 (ex-Missouri Pacific)
Anthracite coal is exported from Fairless, Pennsylvania by ship to Sorel, Quebec for metallurgic use at the QIT Fer & Titane (Quebec Iron & Titanium) facility, owned by Rio Tinto Group.
Check out another cool video of this railroad!
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Recorded on May 30, 2012 in 1080p with a Canon VIXIA HG20
Central Penn Rail Productions 2019
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These trash trains run daily from North Jersey to Mingo Junction, Ohio. Trash is arguably one of New York City’s greatest exports. Back in 2009 & 2010 these trains with sets of SD40-2’s, giving railfans a great a show! I guess this is truly a case of “One Man’s Trash is another Man’s Treasure.” Video information is below:
0:00 - Struggling up a 10-mile hill at Robesonia with a near 0.5% grade, the NS SD40-2 3424 has shut down, leaving NS SD40-2 3383 to do all the pulling.
2:36 - 6.5 miles later at Richland, the train continues to struggle. They made a brief pause to allow the 3383 to cool down and attempt to restart the 3424, but no luck. Unfortunately, the clouds were not cooperating.
4:10 - 6 miles later at Avon, the train gains speed as the grade starts a slight descending grade into Lebanon city.
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Recorded on July 23, 2010 in 1080p with a Canon VIXIA HG20
Central Penn Rail Productions 2019
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Despite these dirty catches, most trains don't spew smoke like this all of the time. In fact, on average, hauling freight by rail is 3x more fuel efficient than by trucks on the highway!
6/08/09: 0:00 - Mance, PA - CSX SD70MAC's 4573 / 4568
6/08/09: 1:10 - Mance, PA - CSX SD70MAC 4712 / CSX C40-8W 7343
7/08/09: 1:55 - Richland, PA - NS GP40-2 3020 / NS SD40-2 3375
3/08/10: 2:20 - Richland, PA - NS SD40-2's 3423 / 3433
6/23/10: 2:55 - Kempton, PA - WK&S GE 65 Ton 734
6/24/10: 3:25 - East Stroudsburg, PA - DL RS3's 4118, 4103, & 4068
7/27/10: 3:50 - Oil City, PA - WNYP C424 426
7/27/10: 4:45 - Hartstown, PA - NS SD40-2's 3435 & 3260
7/28/10: 5:30 - Meadville, PA - WNYP C425 4264, C424 426, and C430 431
7/28/10: 6:00 - Jamestown, NY - WNYP C424 426 and C425 4264
7/28/10: 7:05 - Falconer, NY - WNYP C630M 630 and C430's 432 & 431
7/28/10: 7:50 - Kennedy, NY - WNYP C630M 630 and C430's 432 & 431
3/11/11: 8:40 - Meyersdale & Keystone, PA - CSX SD40-2 8867, AC4400CW 424, SD40-2 8082, GP39-2 4294, SD40-2 8242 & AC4400CW 122
5/10/11: 10:05 - Oswego, NY - HLCX SD60 5984, NS C40-9W 9283 & NS C40-9 8772
6/07/11 - 11:00 - Sheridan, PA - NS SD70M-2 2696, GMTX SD60 9082 & NS C40-9W 9408
6/08/11 - 11:40 - Myerstown, PA - NS SD70 2514, SD60 6709, SD70 2575 & C40-9W 9421
6/23/11 - 12:45 - Richland, PA - NS C40-8 8300 & SD60 6647
8/01/11 - 14:05 Newmanstown, PA - NS C40-9W's 9950 / 9237
8/06/12 - 14:55 - Richland, PA - NS SD60 6704, UP C44-9W 9753 & NS C40-9W 8909.
5/17/13 - 15:30 - Lyons, PA - NS GP40-2 3048 / NS GP38-2 5355
7/09/14 - 16:15 - Womelsdorf, PA - NS SD60M 6793 / IC C40-8W 2466
7/25/14 - 16:55 - Richland, PA - NS SD40-2's 3394 / 3338
9/12/14 - 17:40 - Robesonia, PA - NS SD40-2's 3338 / 3347
7/14/09 - 18:15 - Sinking Spring, PA - NS SD40-2's 3389 / 3380
Recorded 2009-2014 in 1080p with a Canon VIXIA HG20
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These videos are from 2009 & 2010, so every locomotive in this video no longer exists in the fashion that you see it: they have either been retired, sold, scrapped, or rebuilt! I made some maps and diagrams to explain these locations and industries, let me know if you want to see more videos like this because I have a ton!
Train 1: (0:00 - 5:45): H33 switches Rigidply and 7D on July 9, 2009 with NS MP15DC 2406 and NS GP38-2 5172, both former Southern units with the "SOU" sub-letters on the cab.
Train 2: (5:45 - 12:00): Two blue GP40-2's 3001 and 3061 switch out 7D and pass a few main line locations on July 15, 2010.
Train 3: (12:00 - 20:30): On a cold & windy December 23, 2010, a rare GP38AC high hood is on the west end, and SD40-2 3394 on the east end, passing a few main line spots and switching both Rigidply and 7D.
Recorded 2009 & 2010 in 1080p with a Canon VIXIA HG20
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Train descriptions, including the time they appear in the video are listed below, as well as captions in the video. I wanted to try something new here, I planned on narrating this but didn't have the time, so I left the captions in place instead. Let me know what you think (criticism too!)
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March 20: Snowing on the first day of spring, 39G crosses over West Reading with a former BN Executive SD70MAC leading.
0:00 - 39G - Pavonia, NJ - Allentown, PA
PRLX SD70MAC 9554
NS SD70M-2 2683
March 24: A loud set of ex-Conrail SD60's pull a heavy M4G through Lebanon with cars for Morrisville Yard and Abrams Yard.
1:20 - M4G - Conway, PA - Morrisville, PA
NS SD60 6707
NS SD60 6706
April 7: By the first week of April, some trees start to bud, 36Q is framed by a nice red tree.
3:55 - 36Q - Linwood, NC - Allentown, PA
NS ES44AC 8164
NS C44-9W 9233
NS C44-9W 9926
April 14: 10N crosses 8th stret in Lebanon, passing the two train stations from the days of the Reading Railroad and Cornwall & Lebanon.
5:30 - 10N - Conway, PA - Allentown, PA
NS C44-9W 9941
NS SD60E 6921
April 21: Some color on the trees in Hershey start to show as 21M crosses Derry Road, passing the Hershey shifter which is parked for the day.
7:25 - 21M - Croxton, NJ - Chicago, IL
NS SD70ACe 7280
NS C44-9W 9201
NS C44-9W 9889
A couple hours later 15T passes the nicely restored train station at Swatara, which is named after the nearby creek.
9:05 - 15T - Allentown, PA - Birmingham, AL
NS SD60E 7017
NS ES44AC 8131
NS SD40E 6346
April 28: A think morning fog shrouds marine container train 23M, lead by the so-called "sonic bonnet"
10:30 - 23M - Elizabethport, NJ - Chicago, IL
NS AC44C6M 4000
NS C40-8W 8450
April 29: Abandoned silos and flowering trees surround a heavy 14G heading up the hill in Annville.
12:15 - 14G - Conway, PA - Morrisville, PA
NS SD70M 2632
UP SD70ACe 8898
NS C44-9W 8940
May 2: The CNJ Heritage Unit leads domestic and marine stacks out of Harrisburg at Robesonia on a sunny morning.
14:40 - 22V - Harrisburg, PA - Elizabethport, NJ
NS SD70ACe 1071
NS SD70 2577
That afternoon, a C130 flies around Reading as 15T enters the Harrisburg Line at Wyomissing Jct. with an ex-Conrail SD60M leading.
16:10 - 15T - Allentown, PA - Birmingham, AL
NS SD60M 6769
NS SD70M 2605
NS C44-9W 9294
May 5: New empty gondolas head east under a flowering tree in Hershey, passing the cocoa bean silos and former location of the chocolate factory.
18:35 - 61N - Farrell, PA - Paulsboro, NJ
NS ES44DC 7675
NS C44-9W 9113
May 29: H31 local passes some flowers at Milepost 81 on their way west to work another customer.
19:45 - H31 - Reading Yard - Lebanon, PA (Local)
NS GP38-2 5663
NS SD40-2 3521
NS GP38-2 5618
Recorded with Sony FDR-AX100
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This video is from August 2011 on the Norfolk Southern Harrisburg Line near Lebanon, Pennsylvania, 75 miles west of Philadelphia. Train 19G is a mixed freight that travels from Oak Island, New Jersey to Conway Yard west of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Someone decided to hitch a ride, but got spotted!
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Train hopping is quite common, although as a railfan I have seen only three hobos in ten years and this was the first time I saw a train stop because of it. The local police showed up to inspect the area but never found him.
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Recorded on August 14, 2011 in 1080p with a Canon VIXIA HG20
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Central Penn Rail Productions 2019
I made a map that shows where this train operates in Pennsylvania on the Reading Line. I figured I would try something different, but skip to 1:35 if you just want to get to the train action!
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In the previous video, we saw H47 using end cab switcher locomotives. youtu.be/s_SPQIkgZz0
This video focuses on Electro Motive GP "General Purpose" locomotives, which are a series of 4-axle road-switchers that are mostly used on local or yard trains. We’ll see H47 using both the 2,000 HP GP38-2 and 3,000 HP GP40-2. Both of these locomotives use a 16-cylinder EMD 645 prime mover, but sound different because the GP38-2 uses a roots blown supercharger while the GP40-2 is turbocharged. Carefully listen to the difference between 5304 and the 3001 or 3048.
August 17, 2010: NS GP38- 5304 and GP40-2 3001 passes through Laurel (0:00), Topton (1:35), and works Lyons (3:20). A CSX Detour train passes at 5:06!
Watch the CSX detour train video here!
youtu.be/KSFy4vtN5f0
January 11, 2011: NS GP40-2 3061 leads H47 west on the single track at Blandon with empty boxcars from Deka (8:00). GP38-2 5359 is also ex-Conrail, but was painted black in 2005.
March 10, 2010: NS GP40-2's 3001 and 3061 enter the Reading Yard at BELT with a train from the Evansville Industrial Track (9:05).
May 18, 2011: 3001 pulls H47 west off of the Evansville (11:00). 3048 then leads the train east toward Lyons (12:50). Not long after this, both units were painted into NS black.
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Recorded in 1080p with a Canon VIXIA HG20
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“They belong at the bottom of a river!” Switchers like these were built for light duty yard or industry switching, being advantageous where room and weight limits are tight. They are not often sent out on the mainline due to limited size and power, as we see NS 2107 in this video struggle with just 6 loaded cars on a ~1% grade.
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NS SW1001 2107 and SW1500 2221 were both built in 1973, still wearing blue paint 10 years after the split of Conrail. These SW1001’s were built for Reading Railroad, so it is neat to see them still in home territory over 40 years later.
Electro-Motive Diesel (previously General Motors Electro-motive corporation) built end-cab switchers as far back as World War II, the SW “Switcher” series ceased production by the mid-1970’s, with the exception of the SW1001 which was produced until 1986 alongside the more robust MP “Multi-Purpose” end-cab switchers. The number is simply the amount of horsepower; however, the “1” in SW1001 denotes this is an upgraded model to the SW1000, using an improved cab design with a 645 engine, instead of the earlier 567 series.
Today, SW series switchers are almost complete gone from Class I railroad rosters, only to be seen on tourist or shortline railroads. NS 2107 and NS 2221 were both retired in 2011 when Norfolk Southern purged most of their SW’s. 10 years later, 0 SW1500’s remain, and 5 SW1001’s are kept as shop engines at Juniata and Enola. GP “General Purpose” road switchers, like the GP38-2 and GP40-2, have replaced most end-cab switchers.
Recorded June 29, 2009 in 1080p with a Canon VIXIA HG20
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Central Penn Rail Productions 2019
On two different days I followed this train around on their short line branch between Sinking Spring and Ephrata after interchanging with the Norfolk Southern Railway in Reading, Pennsylvania: We’ll see several locations where the locomotive chugs and sounds it’s nice Leslie RS3K horn, as well as switching another industry on the line.
These General Electric “Universal Series” locomotives are known for having that distant 4-stroke “chug” which is also heard in the Dash-7 and early Dash-8 engines. These new GEVO’s just aren’t the same! I think they sound like vacuum cleaners, but I would appreciate your thoughts about older vs newer GE locomotives in the comments below!
The industry switching starts at 5:45.
Best chugging clip start times: 0:15; 0:45; 3:25.
My favorite railroad crossing shot with horn: 4:40
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Recorded on December 28, 2011 & January 6, 2012 in 1080p with a Canon VIXIA HG20
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Central Penn Rail Productions 2019
First, this aging locomotive has trouble moving only a couple of loaded rail cars. It did not appear the sand box was loaded. Old 4-axle GE’s are notorious for their lack of tractive effort due to wear at such age. Second, the train was switching a new customer that had only been receiving cars for less than a month. The locomotive had a hard time fitting in the place it needed to place the rail car!
SteelCo in Fritztown (which has since closed and re-opened as another business) was a short-lived customer, so it was a treat to see a train here. PRL 2204 was sold in 2015 and left the property for Eastern Washington Gateway railroad.
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Recorded January 2012 in 1080p with a Canon VIXIA HG20
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Part 8 concludes the series, featuring the Leslie RS5T dubbed "The King of Train Horns" although, many would probably argue that title belongs to the M5. I'll let you viewers decide: please comment your thoughts below!
If you like train horns, please check out my playlist here:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PL02SJYDMhhAsVhFiR30Vcw4tUFtPaghAc
More information about the Leslie RS5T can be found below the video timeline:
0:00 - NS 6322 RS5T - 3/05/15
0:35 - NS 6920 RS5T - 5/24/15 "Honoring our Veterans"
1:15 - NS 9564 RS5T - 6/30/15
2:00 - CSX 7703 RS5T - 10/05/15
3:00 - CSX 6977 S5T - 3/20/15
3:30 - NS 2642 RS5T - 4/20/16
4:35 - NS 6920 (again) - 6/14/16
5:20 - NS 2502 RS5T - 7/29/16 (fouled)
6:20 - NS 6967 RS5T - 3/10/17
6:50 - NS 9921 RS5T - 6/17/17
7:17 - NS 6916 RS5T - 3/20/16 (fouled)
8:00 - NS 6959 RS5T - 4/11/18
8:50 - NS 6943 RS5T - 4/14/18 (partially fouled)
9:25 - NS 6967 (again) - 9/08/18
10:20 - NS 9172 RS5T - 3/03/19
Once common on just about every carrier in the country, especially on eastern railroads, this horn has become scarce over the years, but still exists in some capacity on Norfolk Southern and some CSX yard locomotives. Norfolk Southern retired a lot of yard locomotives that had RS5T's, but many of those horns ended up on SD60E's that were rebuilt during the same time period, which we'll see in this video. A lot of horns ended up on short lines or in the hands of collectors. CSX, after all, literally threw out hundreds out these horns when fitting their fleet with Nathan K5LA's.
Central Penn Rail Productions 2019
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Part 7 features the Nathan Airchime P3. This video is a bit shorter since this is all of the recordings I could find. Some of these trains appear in longer videos, which links can be found below (or in the cards tab).
If you like train horns, please check out my playlist here:
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More information about the Nathan P3 can be found below the video timeline:
0:00 - Canadian Pacific 9726 P3 - 3/30/16
1:00 - CEFX 1047 P3 - 2/21/15
1:45 - NS 3366 P3 - 3/30/15
2:15 - NS 9553 P3 - 5/06/15
2:50 - D&H 7303 P3 - 9/17/15 - (youtu.be/N2VU872rWrA)
3:25 - SOO 6053 P3 - 12/07/15 - (youtu.be/029BlZkP468)
4:20 - NS 6711 P3 - 2/10/16
4:45 - NS 2408 P3 - 4/15/16
6:05 - CN 5428 P3 - 6/28/16
7:05 - NS 5171 P3 - 7/22/16
7:45 - NS 3521 P3 - 5/01/18
8:40 - PW 4301 P3 - 10/23/18 - (youtu.be/XkQ8XX-mDQU)
9:15 - NS 9321 P3 - 11/03/18
9:45 - GECX 7544 P3 - 11/06/18 - (I accidentally placed this in the P5 video and forgot to remove it, so sorry for the duplicate upload).
The P3 was a common horn on the Southern Pacific, and found to a lesser extent than the P5 on the Illinois Central and Southern Railway. This horn has become scarce over the years, but still exists in some capacity on most Class I railroads: most former SP horns are now on Union Pacific locomotives; some early UP SD70M's were delivered with P3's. Some ex-BN and ex-Santa Fe units can be heard with these horns as well. Most P3's on Canadian railroads were added to their roster from acquiring units from US locomotives (SOO and former Oakway SD60's), but this is not always the case as a few Canadian Pacific and CEFX AC4400CW's wear P3's. We'll see some ex-SOU units still retaining P3's, as well as some NS units that ended up with these horns. Norfolk Southern has been swapping out P3's on many of their locomotives since 2017.
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Part 6 features the Nathan Airchime K3 series. I decided to mix the K3LA and K3L into one video, along with one example of a K3HL and K3LB (K3LP).
If you like train horns, please check out my playlist here:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PL02SJYDMhhAsVhFiR30Vcw4tUFtPaghAc
More information about the Nathan K3 series can be found below the video timeline:
0:00 - BNSF 9776 K3LA - 2/20/15
0:40 - NS 6808 K3LA - 5/12/15 - (ex-BNSF SD60M)
1:05 - Canadian Pacific 5690 K3L - 6/05/15
2:10 - Canadian Pacific 9811 K3L - 6/10/15
2:50 - Canadian Pacific 4650 K3L - 6/10/15
3:15 - CN 2586 K3L - 6/26/15
4:10 - Canadian Pacific 9755 K3L - 8/15/14
5:05 - UP 4553 K3LA - 10/13/15
5:35 - NS 7284 K3HL - 11/13/15 - (ex-UP SD90MAC)
6:05 - MEC 609 K3LA 12/09/15
6:50 - Canadian Pacific 8540 K3L - 2/17/16
7:25 - UP 6684 K3LA - 6/14/15
8:10 - NS 7238 K3LA - 7/02/16
8:50 - UP 4572 K3LA - 8/19/17
9:30 - NS 9559 K3LA - 4/15/18
10:15 - NSHR 1946 K3LA - 6/26/18
10:55 - UP 4824 K3LA - 8/08/18
11:30 - PRLX 228 K3LA - 10/05/18 - (Sorry for the rendering error, I don't know what happened)
12:05 - NS 5827 K3LB aka K3LP (1L, 1, 3B) - Rare! - 2/01/19
The standard K3LA uses the 1, 2, and 4A, bells, while the "Canadian" K3L uses the standard 1, 2, and 3 bells. The K3L, and the 5 chime K5L have been in production since since 1954, while the "American" tuned K3LA was introduced in the mid-70's with the arrival of the 4A bell.
The K3LA is typically found on BNSF and Union Pacific locomotives (built prior to the GE Evolution series and SD70ACe) while K3L "Canadian horn" is common on Canadian Pacific and Canadian National (except SD70M-2's). This is part of the reason the K3LA has primary become known as an "American-tuned K3", while the K3L is referred to as "Canadian-tuned". The K3LA is also a common choice on American shortlines, while the K3L can be heard on Canadian shortlines, such as the CM&Q.
In rare instances, K3 horns come in modified bell arrangements, most commonly using the newer 1L bell introduced in 2004: NS 5827 is an example of this with it's K3LB horn (1L, 1, 3B) with a similar bell arrangement and tuning heard on a Leslie RS3L. The K3HL (1L, 1, 2) is often found on Union Pacific AC6000CW and SD90MAC (AC44CW and SD9043MAC) locomotives.
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Part 5 features the Nathan Airchime K5LA, which is the most common horn found on Amtrak, CSX and Norfolk Southern locomotives. You will hear a variety of K5LA sounds and a K5L.
If you like train horns, please check out my playlist here:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PL02SJYDMhhAsVhFiR30Vcw4tUFtPaghAc
More information about the Nathan K5LA can be found below the video timeline:
0:00 - NS 8301 K5LA - 2/15/15
0:35 - NS 6705 K5LA - 3/22/15
1:05 - AMTK 138 K5LA - 5/08/15
2:00 - CSX 5311 K5LA - 5/08/15
2:45 - NS 6739 K5LA - 5/12/15
3:15 - NS 2600 K5LA - 6/04/15
3:55 - NS 4270 K5LA - 7/08/15
4:40 - NS 6648 K5LA - 8/31/15
5:15 - CSX 4563 K5LA - 10/05/15
5:50 - NS 9965 K5LA - 1/25/16
6:30 - NS 5669 K5LA - 2/02/16
6:55 - NS 2581 K5LA - 2/09/16
7:30 - NS 9046 K5HA - 3/20/16
8:10 - NS 7144 K5LA - 4/15/16 - (Long hood forward)
8:40 - CSX 4821 K5LA - 6/17/16
9:15 - NS 5607 K5LA - 9/16/16 - (fouled?)
10:00 - NS 6770 K5LA - 11/12/16
10:40 - NS 9372 K5L - 4/14/17
11:30 - NS 7227 K5LA - 12/23/17
11:55 - NS 2566 K5LA - 3/31/18
12:30 - NS 2551 K5LA - 4/07/18
13:10 - AMTK 97 K5LA - 5/11/18
13:50 - CSX 7849 K5LA - 5/12/18 - (backwards...K5LAR135)
The standard K5LA uses the 1, 2, 3A, 4A, and 5 bell. K5's have been produced in three generations since 1954, starting with the K5L/K5H. K5LA's weren't introduced until 1975 when the 3A and 4A entered production. 3rd Generation K5LA's tend to sound harsher: this is noticeable on the new K5LA's received by locomotives in Norfolk Southern's rebuild program.
The K5LA is typically found on American locomotives, while the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 bell K5L, much like the more popular K3L, is almost strictly Canadian. BC Rail had the most notable K5L's. K5 horns on high manifolds are called K5HA or K5H, though this does little to the sound. Occasionally, outside of BCOL or CN units, one can hear a K5L or K5H on NS or CSX, some apparently exist on BNSF and UP as well.
While Amtrak and CSX are almost exclusively K5LA's (except for CSX GEVO's), Norfolk Southern K5's are found mostly on Dash-9, AC44C6M, SD70 or SD70M (and now SD70ACC), SD60E and GP38-2 or -3 rebuild locomotives. In the past, several C40-8 and C40-9 locomotives had K5LA's. Norfolk Southern has a variety of sounds due to the different valves and generations of horns on each locomotives. For example, in this video we'll hear the whiny manual valve horns on the C40-8's, SD60 and SD70's, compared to the average K5LA on the Dash-9's and the rough sounding ones on the SD70M's and SD60E's.
Central Penn Rail Productions 2019
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