Engines of Amtrak - EMD SDP40F

[@northwoodsrailproductions4538]

“You couldn’t live with the past, so where did it bring you? Right back here to me”

[@CNMikado]

Old but the was perfect that put a smile on my face so you my friend earned a like

[@evanveres7483]

Isn’t it just “Back to me”

[@biker944]

vcool

[@tom-and-mom]

5:50

[@tom-and-mom]

6:29 Sloshing out...

[@Jamiak.P]

I’m glad that Engines Of Amtrak is getting remade and what a way to kick off this remastered series keep up the great work Amtrakguy365.

[@FPHFan]

F40PH 90208 I thought you were dead

[@Jamiak.P]

Yes I am

[@FPHFan]

Are you in heaven right now

[@Jamiak.P]

Well on the inside anyway

[@FPHFan]

Do you remember getting scrapped?

[@robertjanicki5906]

I was the EMD-GMC District Engineer in Los Angeles from 1973 to 10/31/85. Amtrak was my secondary service account with the Southern Pacific Transportation Co. (SP Railroad) being my primary service account. I was EMD's service department interface with Amtrak, the SP and a handful of copper mine accounts in Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. I would spend about two half days a week at Amtrak's maintenance facility between the LA River and Santa Fe Avenue in Los Angeles. As District Engineer I would provide technical advice and information on the installation, operation and maintenance of EMD locomotives operated by Amtrak and was intimately familiar with what locomotives Amtrak ran out of Los Angeles. That has been so long ago, 35 years, it seems like a dream. Thanks for this video. It brought back a lot of memories that I haven't thought of in those 35 years since leaving EMD and after 19 and a half years with EMD.

[@realcanadian67]

Yes it is called eggs of Amsterdam Overdue edit: Im not sure if this was supposed to be funny or not, i dont remember making this comment, it was 3 years ago pre-pandemic. Feel free to critique because im clueless to the meaning of the comment and im to bothered to watch the video again.

[@penkagenova7073]

I had to laugh my ass off for that

[@traindev1]

@@penkagenova7073 It wasn't even funny though

[@dvnrhillary]

@@penkagenova7073 Good sense of humor!

[@wcrails]

@@traindev1 how it that not funny?

[@vetterplane]

@@LJRailfan-Gamer_07. bruh. You dont get the fucking joke. r/whoosh

[@CaptainJoey63]

*flashback to GE Genesis episode* “You didn’t talk about the F59PHI, and it’s MY favorite engine”

[@Fadhiil5112]

"And it is STILL in service for your information!.."

[@jetseekers]

He already said in a previous vid that CoasterFan2105 did a good video on that loco. Tho he may still do one in this revamped series

[@joshbrony2204]

But you did the F40 and AEM-7 And so did Coasterfan2105!

[@StocktonSubber]

Josh Brony/train/pilot “Shhh. It’ll be ok. Don’t go breaking your keyboard. Back to the video”

[@WindyCityExpeditionist]

Hm, I wonder who owns it now, I remember now! It's located in the midwest, say some commuter rail road that connects to 5/6 class one railroads.

[@MemeReviewer]

Love the G-Man intro, Fits so well.

[@1230james]

I thought I accidentally clicked on a Valve News Netwotk or that an ad was playing at first lmao

[@trainmemes9115]

Ah yes, the legend has returned.

[@churrodead7191]

the legend 27

[@oliviawhite8833]

Yes

[@robertbalazslorincz8218]

Gotta storm utub HQ for what they did

[@spekt909]

Welp, I have never been this early. last time I was, Amtrak was on time.

[@nekomasteryoutube3232]

the funny thing I find with unrealiable transit is that sometimes when you try to be ontime, its early and leaves before you get there :D

[@MrBigMac9647]

I would argue about this but I have to say its true

[@wasatchrangerailway6921]

The SDP40F was a damn good locomotive! When I was investigating the derailment problem, there was always on common denominator---poor track conditions!

[@nathancorcoran5347]

They were amazing locomotives, despite the issues.

[@wasatchrangerailway6921]

@@nathancorcoran5347 When two SDP40Fs were on the point, the derailments always happened when the second one was facing to the rear! When the water in the big tanks was swinging from side to side in unison, it caused the rails to spread with the trucks under the second unit derailing, and taking most of the train with it!!! If the two units were coupled in elephant style, the water sloshing in the second units tank wasn't enough to roll the rail over on its own! The derailments always occured when the two were ass end to ass end! If EMD would've just baffled the tanks, the wrecks would've just faded into history, but EMD saw dollar signs with the manufacture of the replacements to the SDP40F, the F40PH!!! If everything would've worked out the way we had hoped, the SDP45F (20 cylinders) was on the drawing board!!!

[@nathancorcoran5347]

@@wasatchrangerailway6921 I already understand.

[@rearspeaker6364]

@@wasatchrangerailway6921 you are dead on point!!

[@Slim_Slid]

At least a portion of these units got prolonged usage as SDF40-2 rebuilds for ATSF...Without derailments. 18 SDP40F's were traded to ATSF (5250-5267) so that Amtrak could get 43 light duty units such as 25 CF7's & 18 SSB1200's. The SDP40F's for ATSF were heavily rebuilt and modified for freight service while 4 SDP40F's in addition went back to EMD as testbed units (EMDX 134, 169, 218, and 268) and were repainted into the demonstrator scheme. EMDX 268 in particular became a prototype and was redesignated as an F50CM with AC traction motors. That unit and one of the other SDP40F's were scrapped. The SDP40F's as rebuilt SDF40-2's for ATSF survived well after the BNSF merge until 2001 & 2002, which was pretty much the end times of the cowled units. Before all of them were retired and sent to the deadline in Topeka Kansas one of the SDF40-2's was involved in a wreckage within Cajon Pass and suffered from frame damage. It was used as a parts donor until becoming scrap. The same fate was towards the other SDF40-2's in deadline storage being stripped of parts until inevitably getting scrapped.

[@notjojopo27rblx59]

Me: sees a amtrak 3 story car. Also me: wait, thats illegal.

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

1:20 not a bad thing, GG1's are reliable as hell, and were in service for 50 years.

[@Mnrr6131]

They were in service until 1979/80 because the AEM-7 entered service in 79

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

@@Mnrr6131 Actually until 1983 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnSZiGOOetaCgtk

[@Crlarl]

The GG1 is one sexy electric.

[@AndrewTheRocketCityRailfan4014]

Parts were however becoming scarce into the 80s, one of few signs the GG1s needed replacements, not to mention they were big

[@loubna1627]

J g brill bullet cars says let me introduce my self

[@cloudthelibrarian9651]

F40PH: Your weak. SDP40F And P30CH: I'm You.

[@cloudthelibrarian9651]

Zeta0001 Yeah, Although, I Kinda Like The SDP40F.

[@neilexploreology]

The P30CH and SDP40F are the F40PH's mom and dad! :)

[@ICrailroadprod.2007]

Best Amtrak loco ever.

[@superbaddy4]

R.I.P. that F40PH "Beat Their Meat Over" joke from the original video

[@vitissubrailfan2540]

oof.

[@YaoboyProd2K15]

Forgot to mention Metra's F40C units. Double oof.

[@ROTE]

Engines of Amtrak and Train talk are my favorite series!

[@lowcountryplanespotter2816]

Railfaner 232 same

[@ICrailroadprod.2007]

The SDP40F had the greatest horns ever. Leslie SL-4T horns are the best.

[@StationRailfan]

I clicked on this video to see "Eggs of Amsterdam", but this was much better.

[@russellgxy2905]

Missed this by an hour but damn this is a huge improvement over the original! I actually had no clue that 644 actually ran again after being preserved, and knowing that two more survive as test units is even more surprising! Now I'm even more hyped for thee next episode as you review the PHI's! Keep up the good work!

[@danielmaloney128]

It is nice to see you again AmtrackGuy365

[@speedster1093]

I like the GG1 and f/e series. Great locomotives for Amtrak. Best Amtrak loco ever has got to be the f40ph. ❤️

[@rearspeaker6364]

if the F40PH had all the water, in the same positions as the SDP40, it would have been a flop too.

[@stalkinghorse883]

A few SDP40F's were fitted with pass through HEP cables and run with F40PH's.

[@TheAustinSubRailfan]

0:25 when railfans ascend to heaven this is what they hear Beautiful sound!

[@sumeetbeniwal6365]

Mhm

[@spark9540]

You know, I just wanna say this. As a British person, I generally have little to no interest in American railroads, or anything outside of the UK. I just find them dull, uninteresting etc. But I find myself time and time again coming back to this series. Just everything about it keeps me engaged and interesting, which is surprising considering my lack of interest in the topic. So, I'm so glad that this series is getting remade, and that you're making an already great series, even better. Hats off to you my guy.

[@ShawnTheDriver]

6:47 THIS WAS PURE GOLD omg

[@lilcattythewildnorwester7786]

Incredible Job on the remade Episode of Amtrak SDP40F & Welcome back

[@markschroeder2578]

Interesting video. It should be noted that Amtrak intended to convert the SDP40Fs to HEP. One of those 2 steam generators was mounted on a skid (the other one was permanently mounted) to facilitate it's change out with a HEP alternator driven by an auxiliary diesel engine. Also the first F40PHs were bought for short-haul corridor service. To replace the SDP40Fs, Amtrak had to order the F40PHs with bigger fuel tanks. Many F40PHs have been converted to material handling/cab control cars, colloquially referred to as "cabbage" cars, for push-pull trains.

[@chatanugadotorg]

Interesting that Chessie System banned them from their routes in 1976, but in the 1980 and 1981 Ohio Division timetables that I have, they have the SDP40F listed under (if I remember right) speed restrictions.

[@TheTacticalAviator]

Am I the only one that loves to watch these after a few drinks?

[@TitoQuintana1]

1975, the first time going from Va. to Ca. was on a train pulled by that engine. As a kid I thought it was so cool. When I started model railroading it was the first engine I bought, I still run it today 29 years later.

[@Lucius_Chiaraviglio]

Wow, this actually has some new stuff in it. And now I want to see Eggs of Amsterdam . . . .

[@learn_with_gern]

Just finished watching Engines of Amtrak recently. A surprise to see more for sure, but a welcome one!

[@IGuessIDoThings]

Funny coincidence, this video turns 3 years old today, May 13, and today also happens to be Train Day in Toledo, Ohio

[@pahogger]

This reminds me of the PRR’s T1 story with their wheel slippage issue, they were scrapped before a remedy could be found. It’s crazy that EMD could have built such an engine with design flaws, after building similar engines for the Santa Fe. All things considered, the SDP40F’s are one of my favorite Amtrak engines. Thanks for the video, it’s very enjoyable!

[@amtrakinoscale9811]

The T1 is kind of a different story though. The Raymond Loewy streamlining did not lend itself to easy maintenance, which led to poor maintenance and corresponding performance. Another factor of note is the valve gear. The very tiny handful of T1s that were equipped with Walschaerts valve gear performed much better and more predictably as far as wheelslip goes than the rest that were equipped with Franklin B1 poppet valves. The poppet valves were incorrectly made and were not rotary cam, which did not help. A third major factor is the majority of crews simply didn’t know how to run the T1s properly, thinking it could be run like a K4s on steroids. Didn’t work that way, which caused lots of wheelslip.

[@amtrakinoscale9811]

It’s also interesting to note that EMD built similar engines for the Milwaukee Road as well. They built what was essentially an SDP40F but with HEP instead of steam generators. It was called the F40C. Seemed by then EMD had learned from their mistakes, thank goodness. The F40Cs were a great success and served the Milwaukee faithfully until the end of Milwaukee-run commuter services. Metra took over the Milwaukee services, and the F40Cs continued to serve their new owner happily, soldiering on until the mid-2000s.

[@Slim_Slid]

EMD already had issues with other units, not just the SDP40F's. The SD45's, SD45-2's, SD45T-2's, F45's, FP45's, SDP45's, and SD45M's all had crankshaft failures. The 645E7's were just too much that caused serious stress or block flex which was a primary cause for fractured frames. That's why many units were rebuilt or derated to avoid those problems. The main problem with the SDP40F's was weight distribution involving the water tanks and steam generators. At the same time it doesn't help that Amtrak has horrible trackage conditions. The units that went to ATSF and were modified as well as redesignated into SDF40-2's lasted several years after the BNSF merge. 4 SDP40F's were sent back to EMD and repainted into demostrator livery but listed as testbed units.

[@tedhead1042]

Holy crap, first of all, what a huge twist to pull up with the insane editing and crazy microphone quality switch. Second of all, I want to thank you for using the Great Northern locomotive designs as Great Northern's original RR is close to me and it's one of my favorite RR companies, keep up with the amazing content!

[@eggballo4490]

That intro was like an Amtrak creepypasta.

[@762Media42]

You've made a already good series even better, well done I'm excited for the next episodes Cheers from Australia

[@malachimuhammad-dy2ow]

I think the SDP40F was the first passenger diesel for Amtrak's intercity services. Pulling both steam heated, and superliner trains. They were also the stars of Amtrak's intercity long distance services.

[@jeffshadow2407]

My 1976 GMC Motorhome will be painted as SDP40F # 644 next year! In Amtrak Phase II colors. I have painted a 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette GL and a 2005 Buick Terraza CXL likewise in the recent past.

[@luv2fly452]

AG365, sweet video and very informative. I rode on Amtrak in the 70's from Florida to NY being pulled by those SDP40F engines.

[@salemite]

Oh no way! I always wondered why there was a random blue engine moving freight around in weird back rail areas in the Portland Metro. I feel so much wiser now.

[@oliviawhite8833]

It feels so nice that it's back

[@entitygames9751]

Your videos are AMAZING!! They are both funny and informative. Thank you for making these videos :)

[@paulj6756]

Interesting that Milwaukee Road operated the similar F40C, which later went to Metra, and didn't have any derailment issues with them.

[@rearspeaker6364]

they didn't carry 1800 gallons of water over the rear truck in un baffled tanks.

[@paulj6756]

@@rearspeaker6364 And look how well the SDP40Fs worked as freight locomotives for the Santa Fe, once they had those water tanks removed. The water tanks were just one of the suspected culprits. Santa Fe never had problems with the SDP40Fs.

[@himbourbanist]

Man seeing the old footage of the state of the infrastructure and equipment that Amtrak inherited from the collapsing private railroads really brings to my mind just how much Amtrak has improved in the last 40 years. They went from "yeah there's no way this is going to last long, everyone is going to forget about Amtrak and trains" to "biggest funding boost and expansion plans in the history of American passenger rail" in like, a generation

[@dizguy89]

Awesome video!!! Super excited that you redid the original!!

[@SouRwy4501Productions]

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. If Amtrak had simply converted their sdp40f locomotives to HEP, we could have seen them hold on alongside the f40phs. I personally modified an Athearn blue-box sdp40f to be a representation of what an HEP-equipped sdp40f would look like.

[@vpisarski]

Love it! Great redo. Very excited for the F59phi!

[@tonyromano6220]

Amtrack is an example of the Fed never stopping a program.

[@Ostermond]

It's good to have you back!

[@_LLevi_]

Great vid! It is sad that only 3 of those locos exist, but it is better than nothing......

[@ferris-fam]

Oh my gosh!!! It’s back Engines of Amtrak is back!!!

[@mgr_video_productions]

Great video! I love this remake and the added info. This video series is how I found your channel back in 2017. And I've been enjoying your videos since.

[@reesochacon1448]

You know what? I like this newer version better. Usually, the content suffers 1:14 as a result of being taken down for copyright reasons. I also was hyped regarding the Sonic reference. Good on you, mate. I hope that no copyright law in the universe will ever stop you now.

[@ALTheCollie]

The railroads were suffering "dreadfully. And no one cares." Nice reference. Haven't heard from this series in a long-*ss time.

[@kevincook7524]

Telling us about the problems it had as well as showing us is what I love about this, and I hope for more in the future! Keep em' coming!

[@alexstaf2000]

I liked the original EOA a lot, but damn this is a thousand times greater! Keep up the good work!

[@epiclad9685]

I love the remastered version! Keep up the good work!

[@sarahbethsmile]

Down here we have a railroad museum called the Galveston railroad museum and it started back in the early 1840’s as a train station

[@southwestlimitedproduction9738]

Nice Remastered SDP40F Episode Nice Job Keep up the good work

[@harrisonofcolorado8886]

Horray! Engines of Amtrak returns!

[@jacksonskyline]

YAY!!! You’re doing the F59!!!

[@cabcar82]

That intro though. Yes I'm glad this is back!

[@Alerrecks]

YES! And more EOA videos are coming? What's not to love!? Legend has it Engines of NYC may still happen someday...

[@davechupp7922]

Thank you for your effort in putting together this video. You offered a wealth of valuable historical information.

[@sirrliv]

Love the slick new presentation and deeper dive here. Bravo, sir. A worthy second draft of an already excellent series. Wishing you the best of luck in bringing the full series up to current standards bit by bit.

[@nathancorcoran5347]

Love the Amtrak SDP40F.

[@blackbirdgaming8147]

One thing I think you should have mentioned is how the SDP40Fs in their later years (especially Phase III) were equipped with HEP run-through cables. Helps explain to the uninitiated how Amtrak was able to successfully mix SDP40Fs and F40PHs. Great video regardless.

[@I_just_like_trains]

You do not know how happy I am to see you doing the series again and remaking the videos that got copyrighted keep up the good work

[@nathancorcoran5347]

That is still happening all the way to now.

[@jfreelan1964]

A good remake. I find it worth sharing.

[@solarflare623]

If you think about it the SDP40F is technically the last ever E unit.

[@amtrak462productions4]

Believe it or not 5 SDP40F units might still exist today! 509, 531, 569, 609 and 644! 509 became EMDX 218 in the early 80s and just like you mentioned there is not that much information on it other than that google maps image. 531 was retired in 1981 and went to EMDX and was rebuilt into an F50CM test bed unit with the number 268. There are a few photos of the locomotive in 1988 in Illinois as an EMD demonstrator unit with AC traction motors. I have no idea where the engine is today. 569 was retired by Amtrak in 1977 or 1978 and went to EMDX and was numbered 134. It was used on different types of test trains in 1979. It was probably scrapped not long after that, but there still is a chance that it still exists today. 609 became EMDX unit 169 and as mentioned in the video at 14:19 there is not much info on them other than the google maps image. You already explained what happened to 644 between 12:12 and 14:04.

[@Slim_Slid]

I had no idea that there was an F50CM prototype, on top of that being a testbed unit with AC traction motors. I know that 4 SDP40F's went back to EMD and became testbed units while being repainted into the demonstrator livery. Now I know what was going on individually for every unit and the background on top of that, thank you very much for this. I acquired 3 SDP40F body shells over a month ago from a fellow modeler's collection whom unfortunately passed away earlier this year. The body shells aren't painted minus most of the details already put into place. Two of them will be modeled into the modified ATSF SDF40-2's which became of the SDP40F's that they purchased from AMTK. I want the third unit to be one of the EMDX units, which you've greatly informed about. But I know now that I want to model that one as EMDX 268. Once again, thank you for writing about all of the information.

[@claytonrowe8103]

This series is very much needed. I hope that if/when the sole survivor or the 2 others become operational you'll append them into this. Thanks!

[@simpsons4567]

Glad your back to making videos love the series

[@komradkolonel]

Way back in the mid 70s I used to ride Amtrak's Floridian. At that time they were using the SDP40F. That particular line was a problem for Amtrak because so much of it had substandard track and the trains were limited to about 50 mph. That slower speed might have made them more stable. One thing for sure is that those big SDP40Fs made the F40PH look wimpy in comparison. Those 40Fs were huge.

[@Chick_Hicks33]

I went onto the Transportation Technology Center’s KZbin channel and in their video talking about the facility they briefly show a clip where SDP40F #218 can clearly be seen, along with #169 behind it

[@q.h.s5051]

I was just thinking of binge watching this series again. Glad to see some nice remakes coming soon. This was really cool. I am a fan of this locomotive for the look and less of the disasters it went through

[@emmanuelsavage1271]

Well detailed! Learned a bit more about this troubled loco and that there's still a happy ending!

[@sergefeuze9249]

At least we have e and f units still around

[@amtrak462productions4]

Awesome Video! This is the best Engines of Amtrak episode yet!

[@Kmaster2007]

more eggs of Amsterdam, it’s what the people want

[@BILL-2002hst]

Excellent remake of the original and I love the extra information

[@TheReeferRunner]

I had the opportunity to deliver some freight to the Transportation technology center and the SDP40F's are still being used as test engines

[@jam_brubs]

honestly, this was better than the original. I really y enjoyed it also if you are ever going to sale merch may I suggest stickers of the cover page locomotives

[@goldgamercommenting2990]

Hey Amtrakguy365, I found out that in the 1970’s, the SDP40F helped assist an excursion trip with 4449 and it went successful for both locomotive Luckily the steam engine’s weight cause problems for the sdp40f and helped it stay stable and prevent the common accidents that we see with the diesels at that time.

[@raymondleggs5508]

One thing about Amtrak's creation is that it saved tons of old Heavyweight ad smoothside coaches for preservation :-D

[@LongIslandCityLayout]

Very informative! I actually knew nothing about the SDP40F. Very informational.

[@average_joe8905]

Glad you brought this series back, keep up the great work man!

[@jacoblyman9441]

6976 is not in the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City. It's in the Nevads State Railroad Museum in Boulder City. The museum has two separate main branches, and Boulder City is hundreds of miles away from the Carson City branch.

[@BaltimoreAreaTransitfan]

Rip the people that drived the train and derailed and died you will be remembered

[@TalenGryphon]

I knew from your references and jokes in the first minute and a half of video that I would like this channel. I would like to see you do a video on the venerable F40PH that superseded these engines

[@maxrailroad]

Great work. Happy to see this series return!

[@brucec954]

Apparently, my Athearn HO SDP40F is very prototypical because it will derail even though I have minimal problems with SD40-2, F45's. Would help if I had bigger radius curves but can't be helped. So if I get an occasional derailment, I say it's just like the prototype!

[@helmutsandner867]

Very enjoyable presentation. Thanks

[@aidanstuart4835]

This is a wonderful educational video! I am looking forward to more!

[@supernpstr]

Lovely and entertaining as always

[@jerseyrailbuff4147]

I have to say, good job man, this was way better than the original! Keep at it!

[@chuckgilly]

I have two of those in Overland Brass HO scale, both Santa Fe, SDF40-2 (EX SDP40F) 1 notch nose, 1 pre-notch nose.

[@eX0dus77]

Fact: Athearn Ho scale SDP40fs have an HEP mode even though in reality it had steam generators. If Amtrak was smart and replaced the steam generator equipment was replaced with an HEP, I think the Road identification for the rebuild would be SDF40ph or F40c-2.

[@davechupp7922]

Nice that you mentioned this. I have an Athearn SDP40F. While watching this video, I wondered if adding baffles in the water tank, such as those installed in OTR tankers, would have helped with the problem.

[@davechupp7922]

Showing my ignorance, what is an HEP?

[@HomerPenguin5516]

Dave Chupp head end power

[@HomerPenguin5516]

I think the rebuild should be called The SDF40F-2D Or the SDP42F

[@christopherchoice106]

In the later years amtrak did upgraded some of the Sdp40f with HEP hookup to use when they are trailing an f40ph like unit 634 have it some did pull the new superliner passenger car's the lucky ones sometimes they led or trailing I have two myself one in phase 2 and 3

[@dannyvasquez4581]

the old version includes clips from My Life as a Teenage robot, There goes a train, and Spongebob

[@LegoWormNoah101]

The exact reason it was taken down

[@justahillbilly7777]

Me oh my how yer editin' skills have improved. Well done man. It's great to see just how much you've grown. Edit: Replaced far with much.