A HUGE Military Train At Kern Junction

There are actually three trains and a hi-rail in this video. A manifest and and intermodal on Sandcut Hill, and the military train at Kern Junction in Bakersfield. I was feeling very unwell on this day, but I wanted to get the military train for all of you, so here it is!
Kern Jct 35d 22' 29"N 118d 58' 53"W
Sandcut Hill 35d 19' 45"N 118d 45' 55"W

[@Espeelover]

Hey Mark! The trucks you mentioned about with the suspension being cinched down are JLTV’s. They have an airbag suspension that allows for different ride heights and lowering the vehicle profile when needed. The nearly identical looking, but larger trucks(only about 6-8) were M-ATV Guntrucks. Majority of the other trucks were HMMWV’s, both unarmored and up-armored. Along with logistics, fuel, and Stryker (LAV) Light-Armored Vehicles.

[@danstrunk8828]

I've subscribed to your channel right from the beginning. I live on the east coast so i really enjoy seeing the trains in a different setting/landscape than where i railfan. Keep the great videos coming.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thank you sir! It is my pleasure to share my corner of the world with you!

[@jimdimwitty8740]

The U.S. Army has the Fort Irwin (National Training Center) in the Death Valley area for desert warfare training located not terribly far from Yermo where we offloaded and then convoyed to NTC. We "rail-headed" all the vehicles in our Brigade from Fort Hood, Texas when I was in the 1st Cavalry Division. Also, the U.S. Army sometimes rotates combat vehicles/units in and out of both Kuwait and South Korea (via the Port of San Diego, California). I see long militarily trains every now and then coming through downtown San Diego. Many times they have M-2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles and M-1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks loaded on heavy-duty 6 axel DOD flat cars.🇺🇲🪖

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thanks for the information! We lived in Kileen briefly when I was in 7th grade (1971) while my stepdad was stationed at Ft. Hood. It was an awesome base!

[@MrMopar413]

You talk about plus other people , about people breaking into containers on the top of a double stack. I’m a retired heavy duty diesel equipment mechanic. I don’t know if my idea would ever stop all thefts from containers but it might stop a lot of thrifts ; but this is a vary simple idea . Take a piece of steel flat bar 1.50 inches wide by 3 / 8 inch thick by maybe 8 inches long or a little longer. Weld it securely in the middle of the right side door then when you close the right side door last that piece of flat bar should overlap the left side door then put down 3 tach welds about 1 / 2 long one on the top , side and bottom. In doing so it’s my opinion you’d never put enough heat into the door to effect the inside cargo. Then the reciever would have to cut the tach welds to open the door. It sounds complicated but it’s not. A competent individual with minor metal working experience with a 5 inch die grinder could cut through the tack welds pretty easily. Then just a little clean up on where the tack welds were and it’s ready for the next customer. It would be dam well impossible for someone out in nowhere to cut those tach welds. I used to work for a mining equipment manufacturer and when we shipped a order of equipment into Russia we’d weld 1 / 8 inch steel plate over all access parts of the machine and tack weld it but our tack welds where longer. It works . If it will detour thieves in Russia, it will work here to. The investment in welding and metal working equipment is minimal compared to the product thief loose inquired. I suppose a few might try it but I’d say it would stop 99% of it.

[@tonyczuleger4591]

A very long Train for a military move. I have not seen one this long in years. Thanks Mark.

[@frankdemski7242]

Wow. That train must be more than miles long. Never saw that before. Great👍

[@trevormaxwell8134]

Despite you not feeling very well thanks for sharing ok 😮

[@iiigraghu]

Excellent Presentation 💐

[@thomasdeturk5142]

Thank You Military Trains For Your Services. 🫡🇺🇸🚂🚄

[@nscalestation]

Interesting what you said about he lower containers not being broken into. I noticed that all of the Amazon containers were in the lower position. Perhaps the old type of well car that had high ends would protect the top containers from being broken into?

[@paulkalff6408]

Yep....UP/BNSF have been running milvans and equipment for years....between Yermo (29 Palms and Ft. Irwin) and Ft. Lewis-McChord....even to Camp Roberts on the Cali coast.

[@KutWrite]

Nice coverage. A bit shaky. Even a monopod would help. Also a wind muff. They even have them for cellphones. It'll make a big difference in your product! As we used to say on our railroad back east, "Practice safe CSX!"

[@michaelmorgan7893]

Was watching a video on Cajon Pass last year, and they seem to have the special agent on call, pulling people off the trains, and re-sealing open container doors. Never ending problem.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Tehachapi has a "rapid responder" who closes up containers if they're reported. They usually stop at Summit or Edison, but they don't deal with the actual thieves.

[@lordsherifftakari4127]

another reason Military equipment is on the move is for units transiting to or from the National Training Center outside of El Paso TX.

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Some super cool catches and your great commentary! I always enjoy your videos Mark! Have a Great day our friend! (Dave).

[@MRRAILFANVON]

I saw the consist with the 2 Norfolk southerns and the ferromex and the military train I saw the military train at my school in the 21st of May hope to see you soon mark!

[@dmorgan28]

Hey Mark that was a cool video. I enjoyed all the train action and I really enjoyed seeing that military train. Have a blessed Happy Father’s Day and hope you get to feeling better. 👍❤️🙏

[@randydobson1863]

Hi Mark & it's is Randy and i like yours video is Cool & Thanks Mark & Friends Randy & Super Cool Video Mark Thanks Friends Randy

[@oisiaa]

Lots of aerodynamic drag on a train like that military train!

[@HobbesBaxter]

great catch! Thanks Mark!

[@chiefjim8178]

Notice the equipment is changing to the forest green from desert tan. Must be a clue where they will be needed next🤔

[@ccrx6700]

Excellent presentation Mark. You had a good day 😊👍😎

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thank you, sir! I just wish I'd felt better!

[@bradleyjanes2949]

Great action Ty

[@JohnnyCarroll-wi6tx]

never give up,never surrender.

[@PCBill0622]

Military vehicle types indicate that it was an engineering battalion, likely headed back to Ft. Lewis. Nice catch of BNSF’s hottest train: Z NBYWSP 1. That’s a BFL crew on a scheduled turn to Needles. Usually they run that in 6.5 hours with a 1,000 mile inspection stop in Barstow. Nothing but clear signals once they get on home tracks.

[@EntertainmentWorldz]

great video sir ❤❤😍😍

[@trevormaxwell8134]

8 locomotives hauling inter-modal train wow incredible 😢😮

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

When that many are in a consist, some are generally just being moved around and are not even running. It sure looks cool though, huh?!

[@howardnielsen6220]

Thank You from La Pine Oregon.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

My pleasure! Thanks for checking it out!

[@chessiecat619]

Nice catch Mark 2 NS's and ferromex

[@corycampbell9811]

Good morning!!!! Awesome video to wake up to. 😊

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Glad you liked it!

[@caseyvillemodelrailroad3877]

Great vidio, like the loads, nice shot and info about the chained down loads for modeling.Thanks for the morning coffee...

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

My pleasure! Thanks for checking it out!

[@turkfiles]

Loved the military train! Hope you got over what ever was troubling your health at that time.😊

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thank you! I'm feeling MUCH better!

[@chessiecat619]

Glad your feeling better

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Me TOO!

[@sc8243]

They're getting ready for something.

[@trevormaxwell8134]

Wow that's a long military train isn't 😮😊

[@garykcs5532]

Awesome

[@Merv-Bob]

Great mix of stuff, THX Cheers, Mark (PS I am also a Mark)

[@kenrosser8160]

The troops are flowen out to the training grounds an there stuff go out there on trains

[@remylopez4821]

If they brought back the original double stack container car it would stop the people from breaking in for those of you who remember what the original double stack container cars used to look like I believe they’ve originally built for Sealand

[@ronaldpiper4812]

A sheet over doors, a blank seal every container loaded or empty. Seals bolt ones all handles!!!

[@corycampbell9811]

Exploding dye packets might be a deterrent to rail theft.

[@michaelmorgan7893]

Might make it easier to locate suspects too, since denial isn't an option.

[@contracostaexpert]

The BNSF container was head ro head with the manifest that stopped. The first train must have held the eastbound.

[@mikemissel7785]

When deployed to Iraq all our stuff got sent to Ft Hood from California via rail, then sent by rail again to Houston loaded on the ship to Kuwait.

[@joshthetrainfan]

I've seen 4 military moves through here in the last two months.

[@CodeResp]

The free hand shit

[@johnboughton7451]

Hi Mark, On the first consist where all 8 locomotives working? Or were some dead in tow living in South Wales I really enjoy watching your videos & learning about American Freight 🛠️

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I wasn't paying attention, but there are rarely more than four running in a consist like that. Thanks for checking it out!

[@Robert-bp7gm]

My dad used to watch the trains there before he died in 1999. Don Mozier.

[@trevormaxwell8134]

Some trains are slow today aren't they 😢😮

[@alexschmollinger6576]

There has been lots of Military Trains Because of the Tensions Between United States and Russia I love ❤️ Watching your Tehachapi KZbin Videos Mark 💯💯💯💯💯💯❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[@bigcatauna]

Yermo depot NTC training

[@chessiecat619]

You went to the train event at union station I wanted to go to that

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Yes, we did. It was pretty cool, but VERY crowded!

[@corycampbell9811]

Open the door and get a surprise.😂

[@vincentcalvelli6452]

There is a huge D.O.D. Supply Depot at Dagget.

[@MikeT-TheRetiredColonel]

Marine Corps Logistics Base - for the West Coast deployed USMC units, Camp Pendleton, Twentynine Palms, among others

[@chessiecat619]

Someone told me the bnsf with yellow letters is not a H1

[@chessiecat619]

I posted the picture of the bn paint derailment on my community page if you want to look at it

[@chessiecat619]

I want to get back up there I won't be able to anytime soon

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

If you head this way again, have someone let me know and I'll give you all a tour of the mountain!

[@chessiecat619]

@@MarkClayMcGowan ok

[@chessiecat619]

I won't be able to see the big boy

Coming or going to/from the Sierra army depot

[@bjjt-nu9dx]

Why can't they break into lower containers on double stcks? The well blocks the doors?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Yes, the doors won't open

[@curtisharlan9230]

Mark where do they have Auctions at

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Auctions?

[@WaltANelsonPHD]

What is the gradient on Sandcut?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

While it isn't specified in the timetable, I've been told it is 2%

[@WaltANelsonPHD]

@@MarkClayMcGowan Thank you. The video made it look pretty steep (telephoto lense effect). Best wishes.

[@lathamarea1437]

it is true military trains have priority over all other freight trains..?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I don't know, but I've never seen one sitting in a siding!

[@user-vh1uc6in7b]

☕

[@paulmurray3837]

Why is it called Cable?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

No one really knows. The hill where the Hwy. 202 exit is located is called Cable Hill, but we don't know which came first!

[@TimMik135]

What's a Ferromex diesel doing at the head of an American consist?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

They put them where it is easiest to do when making up the train. It was probably the last unit in the consist going the other direction. I see CP and CN units heading all the time.

[@MrDavil43]

Filming a military train would get you arrested in many countries!

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

That's one of the reasons I love America. Our might is on display for everyone to see. If they don't want us to see it, we won't!

[@anthonydouglas1169]

Change out the crow

[@charlesrmcintyre1698]

These are not military trains. They are all third party logistic company containers. The other is called a manfest train. How do l know.l worked in this industry for 40 years.

[@Espeelover]

The last train was 100% a military (US Army equipment) train movement. There was no 3rd party log, majority being Stryker, HMMWV, and JLTV trucks.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Ummm...So did I. I retired in 2019. That WAS a military train and they run them all the time and have since I hired out in 1979. I also know the difference between a manifest, a Z, an I, and a MoW train.

[@PatrickCrossfire.]

So this guy expects us to believe that the government just spends hundreds of millions of dollars each year moving vast amounts of military vehicles back and forth across the U.S. is just a normal logistics training exercise? He must think we are as stupid as he is.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

They've been doing it since I began with the railroad in 1979, and I'm sure they were doing it before that. I am actually much more informed than you on every subject you could possibly come up with, including how the military conducts training exercises, on land, sea and air, as I have had many friends and acquaintances in each branch who have been part of these types of movements, while all you have is an uninformed opinion. Keep on guessing. The world needs people like you.

[@PatrickCrossfire.]

@@MarkClayMcGowan Does not matter if they have been doing this for years. Its a titanic waste of money and fuel to keep moving this stuff everywhere all the time. Incredibly wasteful. Why not just leave all these vehicles at their training bases? Why keep moving them around and upsetting the general public that has paid for them? Did you even consider that? No you have not. Just another example of the the U.S. government spending billions and billions of BORROWED dollars and sqaundering it again and again. And by the way Trains are my passion. I was born in the 60's and we hardly ever saw these military vehicle trains until the late 1990's. So i disagree with your statemate they have been doing this since 1979.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

So, you say that no one should believe me when I say that this is SOP for military training involving the railroad, THEN you say you know it is happening but are asking why. Make up your mind. Either you believe it or you don't. Yes, the government squanders money. What do you want me to do about it? I just made a video of a train going by. You want change? Stop bitching and whining to me and go do it to your elected representatives. And your knowledge of railroading as well as military training stems from what? Your opinion? Your military service? What you happen to see during whatever time you have to go watch trains go by? Trains may be your passion, but they were my career, and they are what sustains my channel. I guarantee you that I have a much more intimate knowledge than you about what the railroads have and haven't been doing since you were born. Also, the billions the government have wasted in the last 3.5 years wasn't borrowed, it was simply printed. That's why inflation is killing the dollar. Building Back Better. Let's Go BRANDON!

[@PatrickCrossfire.]

@@MarkClayMcGowan We know why. Pre-positioned equipment put everywhere. They were caught red-handed in AZ in 2019 off loading at 2 am and driving them all into the mountains where no known facility exist but they disappeared. We want YOU to realize this. Sure they are logistics ops movements. But they have secretly prepositioned a lot of equipment and store it underground in mostly remote rural locations that are unknown to the public as well in every State. But your videos give the public the impression that theres nothing to worry about when all lot of people are worried about this. Thats whats irritating. They have everything in place for Marshall Law. Thats the problem.

[@jimpikoulis6726]

Please these are not for Ukraine