ALCOs Return to Napa Valley!

Napa Valley Wine Train's classic ALCO FPA-4 locomotives take to the rails once more! Catch them while you can, more genset locomotives are arriving soon!

[@remsterrailroading2679]

Hello! As a NVWT conductor I want to let you all know our 2 running FPA-4 ALCOS along with the ALCO RS-11 will run whenever we need them! They’re not leaving anytime soon until our new locomotives arrive. Once I hear any news about their fates we will make an announcement. They’ll probably be here for maybe another few years at best but again we’ll have answers when the time comes. Until then, enjoy our OG locomotives run for the time they’re still here.

[@SOU6900]

Will still be a sad thing when they do leave.

[@joshthetrainfan]

Wait, you’re not getting rid of them right now? And if you do, is there chance for preservation? What about the scrapping of unit 71?

[@remsterrailroading2679]

@@joshthetrainfan as I’ve just stated they’re probably gonna be here for another few years at best until we get the last 3 new locomotives between 2025 & 2026. There’s been rumors of 71 like turning into a little walk through museum piece but nothing is concrete. 71 & 73 are out of service completely and are only used for parts for 70 & 72 which are the ones still operating in the video along with RS-11 #62. Once again when I hear about their fates we’ll make an announcement when the time comes but for now enjoy them while they’re still here and running.

[@joshthetrainfan]

@@remsterrailroading2679 that sounds good to me

[@RailPreserver2K]

Could they donate the operable alcos to another museum?

[@buecomet831]

Honestly, when I think of Napa Valley, those Alcos FPAs are the first thing that comes to mind because there are Lots and Lots of Trains.

[@richrenwick3123]

Damn, why is this video so good, I love how you've captured the essence of the surroundings before focusing on the train

[@oaksub510]

@@richrenwick3123 Thanks, Richard!

[@andyfletchertrains]

Awesome video!!! It is great to see the NVWT Alcos #70 and 71 still pulling the wine train! I drew these two locomotives in 1997 for my mom to give away as magnets on the train. They are such classic Alcos and the train I looks amazing!

[@oaksub510]

@@andyfletchertrains Thanks, Andy! They are iconic, that’s for sure!

[@AlexTrain5249]

Great to see the FPA-4s back.

[@bryanwithers4997]

Hostled these units back in the 70s at CN Moncton N.B, Loved them.

[@oaksub510]

@@bryanwithers4997 Awesome!!

[@georgegong6813]

Thank you for sharing this very nice professionally produced video. Pictures are very nice & crisp. Especially evening into night shots were excellent.

[@pv4669]

Did the Wine Train experience about 15 years ago. A bit pricey, but overall was a nice experience.

[@georgegong6813]

Thank you Oaksub for sharing this very nice professionally done video.

[@oaksub510]

@@georgegong6813 Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ЛЬВИНИ]

Very nice, like

[@oaksub510]

@@ЛЬВИНИ Thanks!

[@SPNGMalibu18]

The lighting It’s perfect!

[@tonysamtraktrainvideos]

Kinda surprise that your popoed on my end out of nowhere and another thing that surprises me, that they still using the "strobe lights like ditch lights" thats somethin

[@sernajrlouis]

Cool video and channel just subscribed

[@oaksub510]

Thank you!

[@TravisDGordon]

I would love to think that were the NVWT ever to thin out their fleet and remove these locomotives from their roster entirely, that they could find a good home with some place that would take care of them and maintain them in operable condition. But…California

[@bomthd]

Someone at my n scale club has a Napa valley consist. It’s beautiful!

[@oaksub510]

Sure is!

[@gorillatagfan-w4v]

This man is underated

[@oaksub510]

Thank you!

[@gorillatagfan-w4v]

@@oaksub510 your welcome

[@FallenFlagVideography]

Awesome.

[@oaksub510]

@@FallenFlagVideography Thank you!

[@JohnPeterson-n2l]

Engine number 70 at 2:14 didn't have the headlight on when entering main line and crossing the road crossing. That's a big NO, NO. Some railroads would remove the Engineer from the train right there and call out a replacement.

[@oaksub510]

@@JohnPeterson-n2l NVRR isn’t a class 1

[@JohnPeterson-n2l]

@@oaksub510 They aren't a class 1 Railroad but they adhere to GCOR, like just about every Class one Railroad in the USA, probably because they are carrying the public and are required to if they are crossing a public road crossing, connected to another RR, or even another RR's grade crossing. General Code of Operating Rules Eighth Edition Eff ective April 1, 2020 These rules govern the operation of the adopting railroads and supersede all previous GCOR rules and instructions. Adopted by: Mount Vernon Terminal Railway, Inc. Napa Valley Railroad Company Nash County Railroad The tourist railroad must comply with the Code of Federal Regulations Chapter 49, Sections 240 et. seq. These are the FRA regulations requiring the railroad to file a training plan in conformance with the regulations and train its engineers according to the filed program. Most tourist lines are connected to the general railroad system and even those that aren't are often required by the state DOTs to comply with the same regulations. Accordingly it is safer to presume that locomotive engineers on any railroad operating in the United States unless you are made aware of a special exeption or exemption. There are certain tourist lines that are obviously not part of the national railroad system such as narrow gauge lines, but many of these require their engineers to receive training which complies with 49 CFR 240 et. Seq. If you carry the public you need Insurance. Now your Insurance Company will require ------- GCOR 5.9.4 Displaying Headlights Front and Rear. 5.9.5 5.9 Headlight Display Turn the headlight on bright to the front of every train, except when the light must be dimmed as outlined in Rule 5.9.1 (Dimming Headlight) or turned off as outlined in Rule 5.9.2 (Headlight Off).

[@Ricky40369]

Why get rid of them? They are the most interesting and charming thing in the whole valley. These engines should be preserved and run right where they are.

[@oaksub510]

@@Ricky40369 They don’t meet Tier 4 emissions standards

[@videomaker133]

How can I predict when these beautiful machines will be out and about? Anyone have any tips?

[@lucastrainverse8618]

Great video! Come lucastrainverse!

[@SamLovesTrains]

What camera do you use? Excellent video!

[@oaksub510]

@@SamLovesTrains Thanks Sam!! Sony A7

[@paulkalff6408]

ALCOs were meant to run on products made by Chevron, Shell, and Texaco, not PG&E.

[@paulkalff6408]

Smudge pots and Sulphering grapes are also bad for Ma Nature according to the greenies out there who only take and never give to society. And, they are most likely aficionados of Bartles & Jaymes or Carlo Rossi radiator fluid, er, "wine."

[@00Zy99]

Quick Question: What happened to bring the ALCOs back?

[@mr.sir.]

Probably the new gensets being garbage

[@oaksub510]

@@mr.sir. they got air conditioning 🤷‍♂️

[@oaksub510]

@@00Zy99 genset broke down

[@remsterrailroading2679]

@@00Zy99 I work for the wine train and during that time period our new locomotive was going through our 92 day inspection so the new one wasn’t available until the inspection was complete and the ALCOS needed to run anyways

[@alexrobison19]

@@mr.sir.not a genset KLWs are conventional locomotives

[@devernepersonal3636]

they probably could have reengined these. they will regret getting rid of these at some point. EI have to imagine even the non railfans (most people that ride it) will even think the gensets are ugly.

[@2A3A66]

No. The ALCo 251-series engines are bullet-proof. With good stringent maintenance and proper lubrication, they'll soldier on for a good long time. ALCo really got it right with that series with many of them still operating today in railroad, marine and stationary applications. Many attribute ALCo's demise to the previous 244-series engine which was overly prone to catastrophic failures particularly with the engine's crankshaft.

[@billr8667]

Nice camera work. I'm sorry there's no narration.

[@stretchlimo7275]

Narration would’ve been nice. Can’t win ‘em all

[@oaksub510]

Some viewers prefer no narration and others do, what topics would you like me to cover in future videos?

[@oaksub510]

@@stretchlimo7275I appreciate the feedback, thank you!

[@qjtvaddict]

Upgrade tracks and link to Caltrain

[@WAL_DC-6B]

And they're not Canadian built MLWs? Anyway, thanks for sharing!

[@2quintly]

Some of the equipment is looking a little "raggedy". Maintenance must end up being deferred. Not a good image, . . . .

[@oaksub510]

Really? How so? I think most of the stuff is in pretty decent condition.

[@ki6enf]

Sadly the grants provided to help pay for the new locos mandate the destruction of the prime movers in the units they are to replace. California and the federal government want them dead. A tier 4 repower of these beauties would be amazing but I don't think they'd get near the same level of grant money for it.

[@venussavage]

ugh, those ancient engines, puking oily diesel smoke. Napa wine train sucks

[@andyevans2336]

Someday, you may just find a reason to understand history and the value of honoring you and our past. But I seem to have my doubts.

[@stevee4636]

Typically California dumb Ass, stuck on the Left, with Zero commen sense.

[@2A3A66]

Troll much.

[@georgegong6813]

Move on then no one's forcing you to view this video. Your opinion appears to be within the minority here.