BNSF Freight Train Cab Ride - Belen, NM to Amarillo, Tx (Deadhead)

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Thank you all for your feedback and support at my first attempt of filming and editing a cinematic style video. I really want to do a lot more of these for you all! I have added chapters in the description for the entire trip! Let me know if you see something you want added in the chapters!

[@slowb4lls1]

Please also post the raw footage for us who are not siskl and ebert and just want the trains actual audio. But good job on the editing for the other folks I guess lol

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

@@slowb4lls1 ooooo ya know that's not a bad idea, can do a cine style then just an unedited raw

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

I owe you a beer, you gave me a great idea

[@edkammerman2533]

Great ride, thank you very much 😊 👍

[@stefugg5668]

The amazing music makes it even better. Especially the hill climb is mighty. Well done !

[@Mrruneight]

Knowing you could have spent your deadhead kicking back and relaxing, it is greatly appreciated your taking us along with you. Thank You for the ride and a great video.😊

[@bjtheduck]

33:53 So that's what the Double Cross Ranch looks like. Terry Funk was one of my favorites growing up. Thanks for sharing!

[@stanhumphreys9282]

The spirit of this video reminds me somehow of an engineer I worked with periodically who when he came on duty, no matter the time of day or night or how much rest he had, always said " it's a great day for a train ride".

[@cousineddie7898]

Thanks for taking us along on the tour. Beautiful country and beautiful music to match the scenery. Looking forward to your next adventure.

[@roberthenry9319]

Absolutely awesome. The music, the innovative video, the editing and the audio are all the work of an artist. And this is your "first attempt". Truly amazing. Perhaps the best indicator of how good an internet video is can be appreciated by reading the comments. Your commentors love this video. And the comments are well thought out and fun to read. If you have class commentors like this, you know you have a class video. This means that you will have a devoted following of viewers. Cannot thank you enough.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Wow, thank you!

[@trains4one]

Lived in Amarillo from late 1979 until 1984 and then would go back to visit in-laws up through 1994 or so. I knew the Santa Fe (at that time) tracks well from Amarillo to Clovis and also Amarillo out to Canadian. Spent many a railfan afternoon sitting under the S. Washington St bridge. Thanks for the ride!!

[@jesusdisciple5038]

I'm a former BNSF conductor. Now retired, thank the Lord! Railroading is fascinating to many, but BNSF is a miserable company to work for. I did enjoy my job however as much as the crap I had to deal with many many years. This was an outstanding filmed video. Loved it! Bet you love all the double track CTC you are blessed with too.

[@buckhorncortez]

Most every company is miserable to work for today. I have a friend who's retiring from Sandia National Laboratory because he can't take the PC BS he has to endure to work there. He likes the work, but can't stand the atmosphere anymore. I worked for the largest engineering company in the United States. Was a great place when I started, was a PITA when I retired in 2014.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

I’ll be totally honest, I love running abs/twc and dt more than ctc

[@uk-martin4905]

Fascinating scenery. A rewarding way to spend 37 minutes. Thoroughly enjoyable and well produced.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Many thanks!

[@devernepersonal3636]

so refreshing to see an actual railroader filming in a cab instead of a train hopper.

[@danielwatson8612]

Very nice job on the soundtrack. I enjoyed it all.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Thank you very much!

[@naskarkev]

I used to live at Cannon AFB there outside of Clovis, (the 2 high speed lines) ran right beside the base. As a railfan I would chase those trains from Ft. Sumner to Texico and sometimes as far as Friona and Hereford.... Awesome! Thank you for sharing this one!

[@billyborden7447]

I really appreciate you posting this video. I ran this line for 16 years out of Clovis and miss it!!! Thanks so much for this video, friend. And some spectacular shots and camera work! Super well done!!

[@TheDirtyRam]

Outstanding effort RT&T, I do know what it's like. Retired hog from Toronto, thought I was going to hear warp 7&8 turbo whine. Your sound track was exceptionally well done. Right on Bro, hope to see more. You made me feel warm inside, again thank you so much

[@tedmaas3588]

Some of the most beautiful scenery you will see is from the window of a train. Sorry to say that a lot of the back water towns you went through are very depressed. But from the looks of them though, they used to thrive in their heyday. Nice large station stop platforms, silo loading, etc.. Thx 4 the ride...

[@drywallisinmyblood]

That was a great ride along . Thanks for sharing the experience. This is really the only way for most of us to experience a freight train ride!!

[@arthurm.3565]

Your video was beautifully done. The background music was right on. I really enjoyed the scenery you are privileged to see often. Thank you for sharing..

[@bennetts-revenge_2]

I've been to pretty much every state in US in a semi, this country is amazing in places. Seeing some of it from a freight locomotive is really special. Thanks for sharing. Just love the sounds of trains!

[@RTWest-kn5fr]

Great job for a 1st time. Sure looked professional to me. That was fun. First time crossing that part of the country was in 1962 as a 12 year old when my dad got transferred to a job in Palo Alto, California from my hometown in Hamburg, New York. We went almost straight south to cross the country in better winter weather. First snow was in Flagstaff, AZ. Was a great experience. This just shows how BIG the country truly is. You did an excellent job in all aspects of producing this trip. Gracias por tu video. RT sends, Colonia Centro Histórico, Puebla, México.

[@dvdbluraydude3038]

I work for an East Coast Class1 and have driven I-40 to see family in Arizona, and have seen some of that BNSF mainline.

[@MichaelSmith-kn4eu]

Great video I’m in the food industry and I tell people all the time that they don’t know what it takes to get a plate of food in front of them at a restaurant you put that on a whole different level people don’t realize that about everything in their house come on a train. I got to thinking about the stuff that works in the background. Like the loggers that cut the trees for the cross ties the sawmills that cut the cross ties the gravel that comes from Rock quarry’s and I can go on. There’s a whole lot of people to be thanked for what they do. thank you for everything you do. I hope people read this and contribute so I can learn more of what goes on out there. I work in a warehouse 9 to 11 hours a day. keep up the good work thanks again.

[@alainaarrhodge5900]

This was a great video! Thank you so much for being willing to video on your trip home. I grew up in Belen, and yeah, legally, a train is the only way to get really good videos/pics of Abo Canyon. I'd love to see more of your deadhead trips wherever they may take you. In the meantime, take care and be safe out there!

[@jeffbyland7128]

Really enjoyed your ride back home on the locomotive showing out on the track and the country side since I'm in the Eastern States of Norfolk Southern & CSX it's good to see the new countryside I appreciate you doing that on the train own your way back looking forward to more Rails N Tails for 2023..

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Thanks 👍

[@Tinskipper]

More than enjoyable being a train fan. Loved the music as well. But I really enjoyed is catching a glimp of a building or train station or a water tower where I cold track you area you were passing through on Google earth!. I really enjoyed the journey! Thank you for sharing!

[@TracksideNW]

Love that you took us along for the ride - Thank You!!

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

More to come!

[@ut000bs]

I've always thought one of the most awesome prizes you could ever win for anything would be deadhead privileges on all railroads in the US. Free trip just about anywhere in the country.

[@DesertHighIron]

Great footage! I personally loved the music, and it was really cool seeing the chapters in the description. I’ve heard of places like Belen, Clovis, Amarillo etc but since i’ve never actually been out that way before it was nice to see a bit of what they looked like. Even if it’s flying through town at 65+ in some cases lol. Thanks for taking the time to film and edit this, very well done considering it was your first attempt

[@brentgreen9364]

Thanks for the ride along. Not sure if it could ever happen but riding in one of these locos would be on my bucket list.

[@Socaltrainwatcher]

Great video. Really enjoyed the view. It was a great diversion from my hospital room.

[@mikephfl]

Wow. As a railfan that chases trains out of Belen, this was so cool to see things from the other window. Thank you for making and posting this.

[@tomhoffman6531]

Really enjoyed your video. Have been in the Abo Canyon area twice and really loved the scenery and history of the area. Your video brought back many pleasant memories. Wonderful job.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johncamp2567]

36:01 I like how you caught your own signal drop as your lead locomotive passes under the signal bridge!! 🚦

[@ldegmtrainspotter]

Amazing video! Great train ride and awesome places! Good work! MEGA THUMBS UP All the best from Dublin Andrew

[@PaulGrant-rq3wm]

Incredible video. Will watch many times. Thank you so much. Enjoyed the music also.

[@MrTomDT]

Thanks for the trip. I grew up in Belen back when it was only Santa Fe. Rode the passenger train from there to Texas and back once or twice back in the 60s. My retirement job is working on the ATSF 2926 locomotive here in Albuquerque. Come and see us sometime.

[@Dgoertzen3]

Great beautiful music, so in concert with the landscape. Looking forward to more of your videos.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Thank you very much!

[@harrychest4303]

Great job, thanks. I love seeing other parts of our Country.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

More to come!

[@NathanCEnyart]

Oh man I just found your channel. I absolutely love the scenery. This is the only way I get to see it. Please, please keep up the good work!

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

More to come!

[@ATSFSuperChief]

Very enjoyable video, drove that route several times in 69 Volvo 1800S, 76 F-250 and 66 Lincoln Continental. The cab ride view from mostly sides made it different and Abo Canyon was great. Thanks a lot from an old ex-railroader and Santa Fe fan.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a comment Don Allender!!

[@officialFortherails]

The bushes curving in that upward fashion around the rim of the mountain pass in the video at the 10:59 timestamp reminds me of an orchestra playing before a great crowd of bushes below.

[@AdamTreff]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I live in Hereford, but have been in a nursing home with a torn ACL since April 2022. I really miss watching the trains at the corner of Lawton and HWY 60. But your video has cheered me up so much! This is the coolest video, and I'm glad somebody finally took serious notice of the BNSF Transcon between Belen and Amarillo. So much train action and truly beautiful scenery. Thanks again.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

You are so welcome!

[@jmeyer4321]

Being a lifelong railroad fan i can now say I understand what it is like to ride with a train engineer! - just noticed the journey/line identifier! what a great touch - and this is your first effort!! Nice work!

[@alanbrockmeier6871]

Very nice! I live in Clovis and have heard many times how beautiful the ride through the mountains from Belen is. So true well done. Blessings. Alan

[@tumbleweedking5668]

I thought you used to chase bad guys on I 40 when you worked for the NMSP?

[@alanbrockmeier6871]

@@tumbleweedking5668 true I did. Have a great day!

[@garyfeltus9801]

Great ride . Loved the music you had with it. Thanks for sharing.

[@bikerb62750]

Awesome video good soundtrack not the same old BS. I was a brakeman for 25 yrs in the pacific northwest for BNSF .Got to see a lot of senery like this ! keep this up you have a good style ! BIKERB

[@johnkennedy528]

Wow! fantastic video and thanks for sharing. The music was a very nice touch also.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Thank you very much!

[@larrysierens1029]

This was one of the coolest cab ride videos I've seen thank you for posting this

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Wow, thanks! That means more than you know! Thank you!

[@desertratsss]

Thank you so much.! Please keep it up without getting your behind chewed by the man. Gorgeous!

[@sandysmithvideos228]

What a very nice thing to do by recording this trip and posting it for all of us. Thank You for your efforts. I never made the trip over the Abo Canyon route and you are correct many places you can't get to by highway. Looking forward to a westbound view someday.

[@laurentjallet233]

Merci beaucoup pour cette vidéo en France on a pas des trains aussi immense

[@Radiotexas]

Very nice video. Also really enjoyed the music track! I grew up in Amarillo and my grandparents lived in Clovis. Can't tell you how many times I've made that portion of the trip in my 70 years. My first cab ride through Abo Canyon was in 1984. It was single track then and a lot of the old rock crusher at Sais was still there. I've walked the canyon several times as well. Despite the monumental track changes one still can appreciate the beautiful New Mexico scenery. Once upon a time, the Ancient Cities Cafe in Mountainair served up some of the best green chilie there ever was. However you did miss the Pecos River bridge west of Ft. Sumner. It was the last stretch of single track on the BNSF Transcon. Now double tracked I believe. Haven't been out there in years. All in all, very nice job and it brought back a lot of memories!

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

believe it or not my battery died right as we were coming over the hill =( I barely got the depot

[@NarbonneGauchoBoingo]

Outstanding. Love your view from the office. Thank you. 😊

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Thank you kindly

[@vincentcalvelli6452]

Thank you for taking us along on your deadhead ride.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Any time!

[@dajacksonful]

I love The BNSF Southern Transcon scenery!! Great video

[@jasondale2789]

Thanks for sharing the ride, hope you are able to take us along soon on another adventure! Stay safe and have a blessed day!

[@patrickmcgoldrick8234]

What a great way to see the rails of the country.always wanted to see the inside of a cab of a locomotive. Nice to see the other side of a railroad crossing.great job thanks again.

[@Kendallian132]

Totally enjoyed the ride. In a slightly different universe, I would be a trainman on the AT&SF/BNSF. I applied for work at San Bernardino in July, 1978 when I was 18 years old. They had an immediate opening for an electrician at the shops, which were quite extensive at that time. Had things in my workplace back in Somerville, MA been just a LITTLE bit different, I would have been an apprentice electrician. The railroad did not require a license but I had, for my age, pretty extensive knowledge of locomotive wiring systems (it was my hobby) and feel confident that I could have scored. It didn't happen. I ended up working for Cambridge (MA) Electric Light Co. as a power plant operator and kept the railroad as a hobby. In retrospect, things worked out about as well as they could have. Still, here 45 years on (I've been at CELCo for 43 years), it's interesting to see what may have been. Rail on!

[@Jay-vo4ec]

Excellent video. Love the music. Thanks for the ride!

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bostith2236]

Hey Man Thank you. That is the closest I'll ever get to a Cab ride up and through Ado Canyon. That was awesome.

[@James-px8ji]

I love riding in the cabs. I'm always amazed You guys leave them unlocked for just anybody to ride in, but it's a free ride for me. Pretty cool. Free water and toilet privileges. You just can't beat it.

[@williamokeeffe9874]

Great video lovely scenery could watch it all day an to see where Billy the kid is buried best of luck from Ireland

[@johnniewelbornjr.8940]

Nice vid... Been all over this region in trucks (mostly permitted loads on "lowboy's" and hauling wind blades and other components), along just about all of this division at one time or another. Neat to see the old Santa Fe sign (even if from the backside) in Clovis... Love the station architecture there, as well. Only wish I had time to come down to shoot rail photography in the region (hard to do in a big truck lol) before some of the old Santa Fe heritage disappears for good. Even shooting around Amarillo would suffice for me, since it often seemed my home away from home. At least I still get to see the occasional stenciled Santa Fe unit up here in North Dakota or eastern Montana.

[@tarf1a]

How cool! Thanks for the great video and commentary on your ride through the mountain pass.

[@Little_Donut1]

Hey bud, I love this video. I know you probably cant talk about it but I, along with millions of people, support you and your fellow rail workers. I know class 1 workers have been getting absolutely overworked, abused and mismanaged. And you guys deserve better treatment along with better time off and working conditions (i.e. getting rid of PSR). I hope things in the future get better for everyone. God bless my guy.

[@danielholden5015]

Thoroughly enjoyable.

[@deanpesci8484]

It was fun getting on Google Earth and identifying specific buildings and silos as you went through those small towns!

[@glennbrammer]

I enjoyed this and would like to see more, this was awesome. I lived in Clovis, New Mexico for almost 5 years. It was cool seeing you go through Clovis. Hope to see more very soon. Thanks again.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@glennbrammer]

@@RailsTailsandTrails Thanks. Keep up the good work and look forward of more. I'm subscribing to your channel now.

[@johnnyboy55]

Cool video! I worked for KVVI back in 1980-81 as a stringer in Clayton NM(KAOL-AM. Been back in NJ since 82. Still have fond memories of my time in New Mexico. 😊

[@jtracy8882]

Beautiful country... Great video! Keep up the great work!

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Thank you! Will do!

[@larry4762]

Thank you. The best railroad video I have seen inspiring. The trains never stop running. The music the scenery the shots in the cab. Happy New Year.

[@paulmatulavich7321]

Thank you from Ohio. I have been to Belen several times for no other reason than to film trains there. Long before there were railcam cameras, I would climb (with permission) onto the roof of the Harvey House and film from that overlook. Have also hiked into Abo Canyon and filmed there. Last time was when they were doubletracking, and watched them build the new bridges. Stood on the Blue Cut and caught great trains climbing out of the canyon. This too was with permission of my close friends at the BNSF police. (I am retired Summit County Sheriff's Office, Ohio.) Looked at buying a home near Mountainair, along Route 60 (and Estancia) and would still like to move there. Look forward to more of your videos as they remind me how much fun I had.

[@jeffvandenberg8422]

Huge rail fan. Thanks for the great video. Brings back memories of my rides with crews in my home town. Mainly CSX, CN and CP crews.

[@Yormsane]

Thank you so much for filming and uploading this footage, really enjoyed the wonderful wild scenery through the Land of Enchantment.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@joeystrains.9316]

Excellent video, subscribed. Y'all have a tough job and the real American workers stand behind you! God bless.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Much appreciated

[@mrjaycam18]

You nailed the cinematography feel. Excellent music choice. This was very well done.

[@mmk5638]

Really enjoyed your video! Always wondered what the train view would be as a kid driving from Amarillo to Ft. Summer to see relatives … thanks for the virtual ride along 👍🏼👍🏼

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@iiigraghu]

Excellent Enterprising Emerging Evolving Endeavor💐🤝 Hearty Greetings from Hyderabad, India 🇮🇳

[@jamies274]

I’ve always loved the scenery in the southwest! Thanks for posting! As much as I like the scenery on my route, I do have to say, I’m jealous! Keep up the great work!

[@kenrangen]

Great footage, and a great soundtrack. Thanks for sharing your ride with us.

[@rmr24]

20:07 - Clovis Harvey House. 20:10 - Clovis General Office. Not sure about now, but in the late 80s and early 90s the Harvey House was used for storage and there was a few people who still officed in the old office building.

[@MrHonestZ1]

Very picturesque scenery and thank you for your showing the views are like.

[@vinnypinatelli221]

I sprayed the belen NM radio tower for bnsf and alot of towers all over the western US it was amazing to see all the beautiful countryside and the raton tunnel pass while I was in NM also that was cool also!

[@markphillipson8147]

What a fantastic video..good narration and no jumpy camera work…GOOD STUFF..!!

[@glenwitteman2585]

It was a great ride. Most enjoyable. I would guess most Americans have no clue about the stunning scenery and vastness of our country. "Of thee I sing."

[@PCBill0622]

Makes the Northern Lines jealous-more than - 1 hpt and 60 mph. thanks for the ride.

[@jamesgarley4728]

Cool video. Live in Los Lunas. You all have been a part of my whole life living down here. Safe travels .

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Wow, thanks!

[@coyotelarry]

What a blessing to see amazing sights like this and have it be part of your job! Thanks for sharing..

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Thanks for watching!

[@zebrashark23]

I had no idea crew could deadhead in helper locomotives. Learn something new every day! Cool!

[@elsadollful]

Great, I drove thru New Mexico in 71 from LA to home in Chicago but it was night and only saw headlights and lights from towns. Fantastic scenery. Went to LA via Colorado and took the Southern route home. I think it was 66. I had the C&NW running along my back yard and was always intrigued as to where they went. We had the old EMD F model engines as a kid along with a caboose on every train.

[@markr4563]

Thanks!

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Thank you so much!

[@jcur3118]

As a former Amtraker, It's fun to see how the "other side" lives. Looks like a good section of track and some nice riding. Motors look happy. Roomy cabs. Really nice video. I know I'd enjoy the ride. Maybe a little less music. The mechanical and rail sounds are the music I enjoy. Just me, I s'pose. Safe running.

[@andrewavvenire116]

Yes Indeed. Want to hear them working

[@jcur3118]

@@andrewavvenire116 I saw the "Cut out" on the display. Was the unit dead in tow?

[@formidable38]

Fantastic video!! Thanks for sharing. I remember a few years back, there used to be a guy on KZbin who called himself 'The Recorder', he was an engineer and he used to have dozens of cool video's taken from the head end, from atop of containers (using a mag mount, even from a freight car truck!!! etc etc), in the end his employer BNSF made him take them all down!! I often wonder if he kept his job, I like to think so but who knows! Best wishes from a UK railroader.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Thanks for watching and commenting! Have a great new year!

[@erichhouchens3711]

Thanks for the video. That territory looks familiar to me as I dispatched both the DS18 Raton (aka Belen Terminal Dispatcher) desk and DS7 Clovis West desk. The last five years of my 40 year railroad career was on the DS18 desk on 3rd trick. Prior to that I worked 2nd trick on DS7 during the building of the second main track through Abo Canyon. That job was not fun as you had trains backed up waiting at either end all the time. Now everyone just flies through the canyon. I retired in June 2017. Sometimes I watch the Belen feed on the Virtual Railfan camera at the Harvey House Museum. Brings back old memories.

[@SHOwner97]

Great video bud! You’d never know this was your first attempt, it makes you look like you’ve been doing this for years! 👍

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Thank you for that!

[@johnsimms6184]

The Belen cut off was built in 1910 to avoid Raton pass. They used mule and horse drawn equipment to build the grades and dig the cuts. For the drought going on right now, it was good to see water in Abo canyon. Thanks for not using some hokey railroad song! Very professional editing and production.

[@Starsnu1]

Wow, That was excellent. Thanks for sharing a little bit of your world.

[@NorlandBoxcar]

I enjoyed this ride! The landscapes you filmed are so cool and very different than up here in Ontario. And as another commentator said here: "Trains go places no one else can see" ..and that epitomizes it well. The added music is nice. You also filmed it in standard definition which is unique these days...lol Well done!

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

That's where I actually screwed up on my camera and by the time I realized it I couldn't change it up or it'd be miss matched. It was supposed to be 5k:60 in wide frame but did 5k:30 in 4:3. So I rendered in 1080p and adjusted accordingly

[@NorlandBoxcar]

@@RailsTailsandTrails Too funny..Yeah at beginning of video in was dark images in rail yard and I said to myself that he was using an old video camera. Then the music came on and I watched it all and enjoyed it. It was meant to happen. Gives it an artistic vintage feel.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

@@NorlandBoxcar I did want to do that. I wanted to do something different than ever other train or cab video out there. I also wanted to try to mix a modern but rustic twist to it as well

[@qd63991]

I really enjoyed this trip! Music fit nicely. Made me wonder how those families in wagons made it across this huge country. Thank you.

[@Jay-vo4ec]

Excellent video. Thanks for taking us along with you.

[@lilblackduc7312]

Great photography! Thank you...