ALCO S2's. What great sounds from those 539T. 4/11/2000

[@fredbartels3958]

Great to hear the 539’s working. I ran an S-4 and found that they developed power quickly and had outstanding starting tractive effort.

[@1jackdk]

Thay were amazing to listen to. Loved those Alco switchers. I drove for Mobay Chemical in the late 70's early 80's. The Mobay plant in Bay Town Texas had an ex-Santa Fe S4. I would just lay in the sleeper of my White Road Commander and listen to that thing switch all night until the AM crew came in and loaded me in the morning. What great music to go to sleep with. LOL Thanks for watching.

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

ah i getting a model of an S4 for my model railroad i would to like to know what you can tell me

[@joshvellieux8693]

My home town, I used to sit and listen to these guys when I was a kid, it’s a sounds that you’ll never forget

[@1jackdk]

Those things just make beautiful music. Nothing like it. When we weren't filming, we just sat there and ate lunch, and just enjoyed the sounds. Thanks for watching...

[@mandyplodek639]

Good to see the oldies are still goldies.

[@alansklenar2848]

That whistling and bubbling of the turbo are some of the sweetest sounds around

[@1jackdk]

You just can't beat it Alan. I could listen to that all day. Thanks for watching...

[@michaelsmodelrailroading7665]

Thanks for sharing this video of these trusty venerable ALCOs still in hard-working daily service. Old ALCOs never die; they just cough and clatter onward in the short-line corners of the railroad world.

[@carbidejones5076]

It is great to see these old soldiers looking so sharp,

[@w.rustylane5650]

Great video of the S-2's. Love to hear them old Alco diesels.

[@joshvellieux8693]

Home sweet home, I lived in the Falls when I was a kid and would sit and watch these S-2s

[@zerozipper4299]

We had one of these s-2's on the local switching yard not far from where I lived growing up. Its a nonastalgic sound to my ears to hear that familar whine as it thottles up. Brings back good memories. Im very glad to see that these are still around. Just goes to show that things were once made to last. Great video!

[@1jackdk]

Thanks ZZ. Yah, they sounded neat. Sorry to say, they have been replaced with EMD's. So its not the same. Thanks for watching...

[@donaldcasselman]

I’m back. Love their sound.

[@markfortin421]

These are truly the workhorses of America...kept things moving for decades without a complaint. Really not much in todays rosters that compare to the smooth, gentle runs of an Alco switching. Thanks for posting!

[@daylightbigboy]

I'll never forget the sweet sound of an ALCo 539T. I have fond memories of going to OERM when I was little and they'd be running RSD1 #1956 and I'd always hear the burbley exhaust mixed with the wine of the turbocharger. Great sounds!

[@1jackdk]

Couldn't beet the sound of them things. Music to your ears. Thanks for watching.

[@blackbirdgaming8147]

Peter Ronney The sounds are even better when there’s 2 of them and you’re in the cab. A few years ago, OERM had 1956 and 1975 lashed up and they were doing mini-run ones. I was too young to be allowed to touch the controls, but my mom was able to get her hands on the throttle and had a great time. Really cool experience that I doubt I’ll ever get again. Only similar experiences I’ve had since were getting to run SP 3100 supervised and a somewhat interactive cab ride on the 45 tonner they have.

[@tomroise2318]

Loved your video. You have a unique perspective not seen in videos!! Even today it is hard to find any video of actual switching within a paper mill. Hundreds of cars a day. Many with different chemicals including fuel! You had a shot of a flat car at an intermodal ramp!! Love to know what was shipped there!! And this is just one angle view of the plant. Many modelers would love to know what was in those cars besides finished paper. Thank you for sharing

[@danieljones1861]

I love the M.D.&W. color scheme. Reminds me of the Burlington Northern.

[@4gauge10]

Nice sounding Alco's,they will live on forever long after most of us are gone.🚅💨

[@1jackdk]

I think your right. Those things just kept running. Thanks for watching...

[@4gauge10]

jackmp294.5™ Keep cranking out great videos like this one and have a Merry Christmas...🎅🎄🎁🚅

[@1jackdk]

Thanks 4 gauge. I'll sure try to, and Merry Christmas to you as well...

[@RWSBaden]

Jack, The sound those ALCO Switchers make, always reminds me of the sound George Jetsons flying car made. That was a great video, thanks for posting.

[@nigelterry9299]

Love a whistling turbo. I keep coming back to this vid, thanks for posting!

[@ajfedor]

Ah! Sweet nostalgia! I usta run those back in the sixties. Love the sound at full throttle with the super charger screamin' Deep sigh!

[@1jackdk]

They do sound fantastic. They had one at the Mobay plant in Baytown Texas back in the early 80's. I use to pickup loads for the NE there, and would spend a couple hours sitting there listening to it do its switching at the plant while getting loaded. Thanks for watching...

[@ajfedor]

I actually found a picture of one of my old babies. They sold it to someone else (maybe for scrap??) but here's one my old girls. facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155336825866253&set=rpd.616091252&type=3&theater

[@1jackdk]

The link is not working A.J. Says its not available right now.

[@philliplee980]

awesome sound of these old school Alco's.

[@petersmith4455]

we don't have exciting locos like this in England.love the bell, the wildwest steam locos used to have a bell as well

[@PENETRATEONTIME]

What is with the Deltric ?

[@beeble2003]

We had plenty of older locomotives until 10-15 years ago. The Alco engines sound a lot like an English Electric -- especially the whistling turbo.

[@joshvellieux8693]

I lived in the Falls and watched these S2s on daily basis

[@sheilasembly-crum8447]

AlaskaRailroadguy Wow! How lucky can one get!

[@joshvellieux8693]

Sheila Sembly-Crum, I had relative work for the MD&W including a stepdad, pretty cool

[@waltersobchek2465]

So did I ! Funny thing is I'm still watching them on KZbin 👍

[@rockdawg1467]

lov these old engines glad to see them still running and being used

[@donaldcasselman]

Love this video. Watched and listened many times.

[@lanemorrow7417]

Good looking stuff, they obviously take care of their equipment

[@1TexasAllyn]

That was a real treat to the ears! Thanks Jack!

[@1jackdk]

Glad you enjoyed it. They do sound fantastic. Thanks for watching...

[@jmream2618]

jackmp294.5™ are these locomotives still in use

[@1jackdk]

I think they all have been replaced with EMD's...

[@blackbirdgaming8147]

That's a shame.

[@dieseldave71]

Has to be one of the best sounding engines ever made! Neat looking, too- always reminded me somehow of a scaled up Mack Thermodyne. We had one in an RS1 at the shortline I used to work for. That engine is still sitting in the yard as far as I know, vandals have gotten to it and smashed all the glass and gauges out of it and it's pretty much abandoned now, what a shame.

[@williamh.jarvis6795]

Very sad to hear about the workings of those vandals!

[@SteamCrane]

Takes me back! They were everywhere when I was young. I might have been aboard one of those ex-B+O's, back before lawsuits. Wonderful!

[@1jackdk]

Yes they were. Just one of those things you took for granted, and now missed. Thanks for watching...

[@rossbryan6102]

LOVED IT!! I WATCHED ON THE AT& SF USE A PAIR OF THEIR UNITS BEING RUN MU ON A HUMP PUSHER JOB WITH 40 + CAR ONE TIME!

[@1jackdk]

They sounded great I bet, working that hump. Thanks for watching.

[@mybrotherskids1086]

I enjoy watching this video, I enjoy hearing it even more. Those engines sounded epic!

[@davebolyard6808]

I thave watched this video many times now its great thanks Dave

[@pretzelogic2689]

Really nice bell there.

[@XBOXShawn12thman]

WOW ... Just Beautiful Loco's!!!

[@cementer7665]

When I was working in the North Sea back around 1990, I was on the Odeco Ocean Odyssee, a semi-submersible that had ALCOs as its power for its gensets.

[@JBlairmagic]

How can someone not love this video?

[@1jackdk]

Not sure Jonathan! It sure puzzles me! Thanks for watching...

[@andreialexiev7858]

@@1jackdk I suppose someone anti-train or a steam fanatic might dislike the video. But few of us under 70 remember steam in everyday action. Here in Western Pennsylvania, we have one of these Alcos on the Oil Creek and Titusville. It's a great to ride the open car behind it.

[@donaldcasselman]

Love their sound.

[@W7DSY]

I always thought the early Alco's sounded like they had asthma. Great sounds. Friction bearings!

[@nelsonbeaudry4847]

Great sound from those 539T's. Remote controlled at that!

[@joshvellieux8693]

They have 2 EMD SW10s MDW #21 & #22, I read article that in 2015 I believe MDW moved over 13,000 cars, I can't see those S2s going anywhere soon

[@1jackdk]

I hope they hang in there for a long time. Thanks for the info.

[@Robotechnology101]

Great video, love those old ALCos. I get to run a couple of different models of ALCo at the Southern California Railway Museum soon to be formerly Orange Empire Railway Museum as the museum has decided to undergo a change to the name they do business as.

[@1jackdk]

That's got to be a treat to run these old ALCO's. Thanks for watching, and thanks for the info on the name change.

[@joshvellieux8693]

I was there in 2007 and they were running, they did pick up a former UP SW10

[@1jackdk]

Good deal. I have been seeing pictures of EMD's running there now. Wasn't to happy to see that.

[@tomheck2205]

Awesome sounds! Too bad some of these old relics are gone

[@charlesklein9169]

Great video's. Thanks !

[@scottiebartz2534]

Great video and the sound of the alco is beautiful

[@ronniefarnsworth6465]

I know it's the Reg's, but it seems so unnecessary for men that know there switching job day after day, it would be more of a health risk I would think to the Rail workers from the "Deafness" coming from that Bell every day !!!!! Geesh Lol I see this everywhere now, I guess I'm just to Old school smart to be aware !! Lol A Railroad family and ex Military too. : ) Nice video, Love Alco's as you know from my past post on the Alco Heaven of NY/PA now !!!

[@gravelydon7072]

I always enjoyed operating the museum's S-2 because of the sound, ride, and the fact that if you wanted just a little bit more speed, you just moved the throttle a hair and you got it. The ALCo RS-1 I also got for the museum was not as much fun as it had been upgraded to GP-38 controls. Which meant you had 8 speeds and that was it. The one problem with them, torquing down the head bolts to the proper torque. You are up on top the middle of the hood with no place to anchor the torque multiplier.

[@donconklin1770]

Hello Jack! Boy did you get around...Canada, Arizona, Minnesota, NY, PA, etc... Cool though or else these videos wouldn't exist. Excellent catches and the engines sound great. Beautiful catches, engine, and rolling stock as well. -Don

[@1jackdk]

Did a lot traveling through the years. Just so thankful there was plenty of neat stuff out there yet to get. Take care brother... Jack

[@donconklin1770]

jackmp294.5™ It figures :). Exactly, thankful is good! Take care Jack and God bless. Thanks for your hard work and lots of traveling

[@parteibonza]

nice turbo whistle

[@1jackdk]

You can't beat that sound. Thanks for watching...

[@RonStanek]

Nice....!

[@iusetano]

Excellent video Jack.

[@Chessie1985]

Them S2's sound awesome Jack!

[@1jackdk]

You bet Jeff. I love the sound of those old girls. Thanks for watching...

[@Chessie1985]

Your welcome!

[@JoshsTrainVideos]

Good stuff, Jack!

[@1jackdk]

Thanks Josh, and thanks for watching...

[@alcopower5710]

Best sound at 2:40...... Thanks for sharing

[@JoshsTrainVideos]

4:45 is also great

[@alcopower5710]

Josh's Train Videos .....sure is

[@terrywitkowski9486]

That's not the Y&N I saw at the roundhouse in Stevens Point WI That engine was medium blue in color.

[@davebolyard6808]

Dave Here can I ask is there any set size switching engine that I should use on my small4x8 layout SD 7 SD 9 Alco S2 your thoughts please thanks Dave

[@alcobufff]

Hi I'm putting together a KZbin video on early Alco locomotives. Would it be ok if I used some of this footage?

[@CSX_Doolittle]

Do you know b and o 500 is a alco Fpa working for the Cuyahoga valley nation park

[@donaldcasselman]

Agreed Keith

[@CRFProductions2023]

You can't beat an Alco!!! Tree vs. Alco: Alco wins!

[@LexAveExp]

Great video Jack ! Your pal Jr. Luciano :-)

[@154Colin]

Mr. Kulphoff, What are the 4 protruding shapes on either side of the roof of the cab?

[@1jackdk]

CK, These locomotives can be operated by remote control belt backs from the ground. So those are the indicator lights on the roof, so the operator knows what direction the locomotive is set for at a glance. Thanks for watching.

[@154Colin]

@@1jackdk Thank you.

[@joshvellieux8693]

I'm pretty sure the MD&W has the most S2s still in revenue service today

[@1jackdk]

Not sure how many they use, if any. They had four the last time I was there, but EMD's were taking over. Thanks for watching...

[@ivanfangio]

What great sound of ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding

[@XBOXShawn12thman]

Is this Boise Cascade in Maltby/Woodinville Wa.???

[@1jackdk]

This was Boise Cascade in International Falls MN.

[@BNSFandSP]

I notice 18 has the Blunt trucks, while he photo of 103 shows AAR trucks. Is 103 an S4, or is the photo showing it on shop trucks while the Blunts are being repaired?

[@1jackdk]

Yes! You are right! Good eye. I never saw that. When we toured the shop, the MD&W does all their own heavy work right there. Must have been something wrong with the AAR trucks, or they wanted all units the same so they didn't have to keep different parts in stock for differenet trucks. I was really inpresses with the shops. They even had a couple of rebuilt 539's sitting there ready to go if needed. Thanks for watching...

[@BNSFandSP]

Ok, apparently the 103 slot was used twice, the first being the S2 you filmed, the second being an ex-C&O S4 bought in late '72, shown in the photo. On a side note, it seems odd that a lone Blunt truck is pictured directly in front of the S4. At any rate, great video as always and thank you for sharing!

[@Travis-kw3mo]

That bell is a killer

[@rungcox4823]

damm, it sounds like a Damm cummins truck.

[@keithode1737]

The bell ruined most of it. What a shame.

[@nelsonbeaudry4847]

Bell is required during switching moves by FRA when ever personnel are on the ground working. I will admit it does get annoying but the rules are there for good reason.

[@keithode1737]

Nelson Beaudry The bell doesn't have to be ringing non stop. But for whatever reason, the bell is louder in this video than most others. Could be the camera too, who knows.

[@stephenhunter70]

I think the requirement for the bells is a hang over from the days of steam locos. It's a bit like someone whispering in your ear hay the trains coming, when you heard the diesel engine 10 mins ago.

[@AusMiner]

Funny that - the bell is not required in any country other than America as far as I am aware. Does that tell you anything ????

[@daylightbigboy]

It's kinda like when someone gets a video of some rare diesel and all their shots are at crossings where the horn drowns out the prime mover. Not ad badly as the bell but it does add a level of annoyance.

[@briansweet8904]

I suppose a 539T is the type of bell used, as that was the only thing I heard.

[@myeyeisnotblue]

539T is the type of engine on this locomotive

[@rubblerover]

Good sounding engines very similar to the UKs English Electric with there whistling turbos!

[@TrainTrackTrav]

I agree. To me they sound slightly similar to the Class 20s the UK has.

[@beeble2003]

Yes, they sound a lot like English Electrics. And EE locomotives don't have that damned bell! :D

[@JamesBond-wy6sb]

Sounds a bit like a uk class 37

[@jschmid]

I always thought alco's sounded like trucks with a real whinny turbo. Also you can always tell if a foamer has made the video, all attention is on the locomotive and nothing else. 6:17 is a good example of that. Shooting nothing but the locomotive for minutes on end, zooming in and out with it, and only watching it.

[@1jackdk]

LOL. You got it. Beautiful old girls they are. They deserve the limelight. Thanks for watching...

[@haroldreardon3039]

I ran an S1 numerous times but most of this video is filled with that horrendous bell ringing. Didn't get much ALCO sound.

[@terrythorn1300]

The bell from Hell ! -. You say there's a motor in there somewhere ?

[@philburrows6036]

I have an S2 and S4 on my model railway which are both sound chipped to their original Alco engine, bell and horn sounds..

[@1jackdk]

I have several on my railroad as well. They do sound nice.

[@kellcash6800]

International paper? I know that logo.

[@ajfedor]

Ahh (deep sigh!) Best sounding locomotive on the planet! Kinda weird! I could just close my eyes and feel the seat on my butt and the controls in my hands. (and yeah, the bell does kinda ruin it for me too)

[@1jackdk]

Those old Alco switchers sounded fantastic, and yes! That stinking bell drove me crazy! Thanks for watching.

[@ajfedor]

@@1jackdkYeah, but in the main yards, (on the "ladders") you had to keep to a four mile an hour limit AND keep that stinkin' the bell on.

[@jamielacourse7578]

That damn bell is a pain........

[@johncox2284]

Remote control. It's typical for the bell to be ringing almost constantly.

[@billfitzpatrick6910]

Gees , between the loco's bells and the crossing bells, there isn't much left to hear

[@robert_hughes1970]

End cabs Rule

[@dougkubash8673]

sounds a bit like a big Cat engine.

[@williamh.jarvis6795]

He also has a clip posted here on KZbin of the Minnesota Commercial Railroad, their #71 M636CAT (ex-CP #4711) accelerating. Sounds cool! (That video clip is 2 minutes and 32 seconds in length.)

[@davidjmyrand8012]

why cant you get rid of the bells and whistles they just ruin the sounds of the engine working

[@PeterWalkerHP16c]

Too bad about the effing bell.

[@TRUMPPOWERMAN]

We want to hear engine sounds not a bunch of bells & horns

[@billbibeau4747]

tractors vidoes Tractors

[@jerrygreen9851]

Too much bell

[@ricardomierz8467]

WAY to much bell, should change the title to S2 bell.