BNSF's OLDEST and WACKIEST Locomotive!

In today's video, we look at one of BNSF's most unique locomotives. It's old enough to have shared the rails with steam engines, and is the only one of it's kind!
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[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Merch, anyone? okieprint.com/SPR/shop/home

[@BloxxeeOfficial]

all hail the beep

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Lol

[@ATSF2926Productions]

THE BEEP

[@SD40-2]

Beep

[@Railfan166]

ALL HAIL DA BEEP

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

BEEEEEP

[@BnuuyBoi2005]

The Beep is the longest lived locomotive ever on the ATSF and later BNSF. The railroad sure did made a great decision to preserve it

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Most definitely! Happy endings like this are rare on the railroad.

[@Hogger280]

Destroying a Baldwin VO 1000 is not what I would call preservation.

[@nathanw7114]

@@Hogger280 other railroads did the same thing, there’s an MKT unit preserved that also was repowered, the USN also has some examples in base service..

[@Hogger280]

@@nathanw7114 Hundreds of ALCO's were repowered with EMD engines, but they are not nearly as rare as Baldwins. ALCO engines and parts are still made but not the Baldwins.

[@rossbryan6102]

@@Hogger280 LOL CALL IT A KIT BASH, AS IN MODELS!! LOL

[@WasatchGarandMan]

"Its Called the Beep" I dont know why but that sent my sides into orbit.

[@gamingwithlukeJToH]

Always nice to see the oddballs being donated. Such an incredible story!

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

For sure!

[@rockguitarist931]

It's astounding that a locomotive survived in the pinstripe scheme into the modern era.

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Agreed! There’s no way it wasn’t the last pinstripe in service.

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

I am not nearly oppsed to scrapping, however, I however I do appreciate it when companies retain and leave at least one engine or rolling stock.

[@rossbryan6102]

WORKING FOR SANTA FE ARGENTINE SHOPS ON THE 4/ MIDNIGHT SHIFT , I WOULD OCCASIONALLY WHEN PAYDAY WAS ON FRIDAY , MAKE A TRIP TO WORK TO PICKUP MY PAYCHECK! MY OLDEST GRANDDAUGHTER, THEN 5 YEARS OLD WOULD RIDE ALONG. THEN WE WOULD DRIVE AROUND THE LOCOMOTIVE SHOP AREA A BIT TO SEE ALL THE ENGINES!! THE 1460 CAUGHT HER EYE AND BECAME HER FAVORITE UNIT!! NATURALLY I AM QUITE PLEASED IT WAS PRESERVED AT BARSTOW!! KEEP THEM ROLLING BROTHERS!!👍👍

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

That’s really cool! Will do!

[@rossbryan6102]

@@Southern_Plains_Railfan AFTER I RETIRED IN 1995 IT WAS STILL BEING USED AS THE SHOP GOAT! NOT SURE, BUT, I BELIEVE IT WAS WORKED AT ARGENTINE UNTIL RETIRED! I AM ALSO WELL AQUAINTED WITH LEONARD DALE WITH THE BARSTOW MUSEM

[@moreedcola6837]

This guy is the most American-sounding American I’ve ever heard

[@worldtraveler930]

It's Good to hear tales relating to the Cleburne Facilities!!! 🤠👍

[@keitheckensviller250]

Canadian National did a similar thing with some old GP-7/9 and SW-1200. Had the cab of the SW, long hood, prime mover and trucks of the GP. They called it a Sweep

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Interesting. Never heard of a Sweep.

[@dellvostro3008]

1:23 correction the k-37 class (490-499) of locomotives were not quite made by Baldwin. they built them from already existing standard gauge consolidation locomotives. they used the boilers from the older locos and made them narrow gauge Mikado's. the k 36 class (480-489) was built by Baldwin though.

[@j8ded]

your knowledge on all of this is absolutely astounding

[@ryandavis7593]

I got to see her at work in 2002-3 from a private passenger train. Double treat.

[@thomasmoje5926]

Switcher locomotives don't get a lot of the glamour of rail work..but they provide valuable and needed service to the rail lines. Great that BNSF preserved this locomotive and it found a good home.

[@michaelkohutek1113]

I had the pleasure of seeing the Beep in action at Cleburne…..fascinating!

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

That's cool!

[@dx1450]

Seeing the Santa Fe locomotives in their blue & yellow markings like that takes me back to my childhood when the ATSF rail line ran just a couple blocks from our house. I always enjoyed sitting on our front porch watching the trains go by.

[@edwinbullock7393]

Oh YES, YES,YES,and triple and truly YES, The Beep are the most popular and most important "Saved" Locomotives EVER in Santa Fe History!?!?!?!! 😂😊😂😊❤

[@brucewallace4337]

Well they did not save their streamlined 4-6-4 Hudson #3460 The Blue Goose that would have been far more significant than some homebuilt Baldwin/EMD ugly creation. At least they did a good job on donating their FP45 Warbonnets

[@ImpendingJoker]

My mom is from Cleburne, TX, and my grandfather worked as a machinist at the Santa Fe yards there for many years after WWII, and did a lot of the F7>C7 modifications before he died, well before I was born so I never knew him but, I have toured what is left of the Cleburne yard many times. Oddly, my father, working for my mom's uncle, was the company that tore down the old round house in the Cleburne yard. So, to say that I have rail roading in my blood is an understatement.

[@lorenzobeckmann3736]

as someone who rewound traction motors I find it amazing that never mention of the electrical in these videos. Kids might think that the gen prime mover powers the axles - not to concern with what up-grades occured at axle level. Different paint scheme easily researched.

[@XL883CNick]

This video popped up on the KZbin and found it very interesting. Had no idea I had seen this unit last September in Barstow looking a lil rough.

[@danhoyland142]

What a great little locomotive

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

For real

[@JohnBachofer]

I always thought it was a GP7 that had it's short hood chopped off. Turns out the story's even more interesting.

[@vikingmike8139]

I had this exact same locomotive when I was a kid. Of course, it was 'N' scale. Thanks for the video, cheers!

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

That's cool; you're very welcome!

[@railrider2000]

I did too. Still have mine, and it's still in working order. Sadly, it's painted as a conrail loco. I might have to change that now.

[@timwright3592]

Good to know! I'll be out in Cali in July. I'll make it a point have a stop in Barstow on my list.

[@jameschamplin1742]

Always thought this was a unique and cute little locomotive. Didn't know that it had a previous life as a completely different model! Great video!

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Thank you! I'm glad you learned something new!

[@kens.3729]

Most Unique Locomotive I’ve Never Heard of or Even Seen. Thanks! 👍🙏

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

You're very welcome!

[@rogerthornburg8794]

I seen these Beeps doing switching on short line private railroads and also in the steel mills

[@rogerthornburg8794]

Is it possible that some were sold to short lines and steel mills across the US?

[@mattberg916]

BNSF had some pretty cool oldies hangin around in the early 2000s. A gp30 in Santa fe paint and an sd9 in cascade green.

[@modelrailpreservation]

I remember seeing those Cascade green SD9s in Galesburg around 2002 or so. A family friend of ours was yardmaster there, so he let me get some great pics of them.

[@Bill-sp8kb]

Always loved the stack talk of a four-stack, EMD!

[@definitelynotakgbagent6612]

Just saying 491 is a Burnham shops K-37, the home built version of the the K-36 which is the actual Baldwin locomotive such as 488. You can tell the difference between a K-37 and a K-36 by looking at the smoke box door which would be flat on the 37s. Great video though.

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Interesting, I didn't know 491 was a rebuild of sorts. Thanks for the info!

[@travis5376]

@Southern Plains Railfan not a rebuild, just home built by the d&rgw

[@beardypeacock1815]

We called this particular unit “dinky” when I occasionally ran it to switch locomotives around the yard and spot the locomotive shop. Most fun I ever had switching cars using dinky. Cool video

[@nsvmmwhy]

i love this man's accent and how i could immediately tell he was from the south in the first 0.5 seconds keep trucking, you'll get to 100k soon

[@yourlocalrussiankid9162]

The beep is prolly the most cutest locomotive ever made

[@presbyterosBassI]

My father worked for Baldwin in Eddystone, PA during WWII.

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Very interesting story of a unique ole switcher. Thanks.

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

You’re very welcome!

[@thenekom]

The Union Railroad in Pittsburgh used to have some EMD repowered Baldwins, DS44-1500s I think. They called them buffalos.

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

That's cool!

[@danielbackley9301]

Katy had some as-16s that were rebuilt like that they later worked for the C&NW in the 70s.

[@blueticecho5690]

Back when I went on job back in 1973 in Omaha the old timers called them Hogheads..

[@Wikkus]

Great video of a unique loco. Best wishes from the Mediterranean!

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Thank you! Best wishes from the USA!

[@cooltrainsinmontreal4883]

This reminds me of the CN SWEEP, putting a larger engine and Geep hood on a SW1200 frame

[@BrokenFootRailfan]

This was a great video! I had never heard of this and now I want to see it. I was happy to hear you mention that it's in Barstow-I was actually just there yesterday and drive through frequently. I would love to stop and see it!

[@STHSIndustries2K6]

The Beep is a funny looking locomotive. The Beep has a long history behind it. The Santa Fe CF7 is the inspiration for the beep. The Beep served for BNSF until 2009 and it's at Western America Railroad Museum. That's a good one

[@shadetreeforge]

Nice! The lite engine that could! Reminds me of an engine that was rebuilt by NS ( Norfolk Western at the time) It was called the Hermaphrodite it was an EMD that had Baldwin cab to repair the unit, the unit was basically 2 damaged locos made into one

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Thank you! That's really cool, thanks for the info. That's a rather... interesting nickname lol

[@danielbackley9301]

The Erie Lackawanna had a S-2 that was repaired using a Baldwin switcher cab also.

[@nathanw7114]

Any idea of what road number that thing carried?

[@danielbackley9301]

@@nathanw7114 No I'm afraid I don't have any idea as I only learned about as it was mentioned in a magazine article back in the 1970s as being the last example of anything Baldwin on the EL which thanks to the Erie had at one time dozens of Baldwin switchers and road switchers.

[@jonathanthefirst5164]

I saw this locomotive at the museum there in barstow and despite being an avid railroad enthusiast had no idea how unique it was! Thanks for this info!

[@FreihEitner]

I just saw the Beep in Barstow on my Amtrak trip at the end of April! It was late at night (like midnight) and dark out so I wasn't absolutely certain, but I had a suspicion that it was the Beep due to hood and cab configuration. Nice to get confirmation. Thanks for this video of an amazing locomotive!

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

You're welcome; that's really cool that you got to see it!

[@ableone7855]

This is a great video site! I enjoy the history and back story of the engine’s. I can tell a lot of work goes into the production of this channel! I think every child who has ever seen a train go by instantly became a rail fan. I know I did! Excellent work on the narration. Thanks!

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Thank you so much! Yep, that was me as well, lol! You're welcome.

[@ableone7855]

@@Southern_Plains_Railfan Keep up the good work.

[@ATSF2926Productions]

THE *B E E P*

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

THE BEEP 💪💪💪

[@RailRider9571]

Man, you explained things perfectly and even I can understand them!!! Thanks for the history!! By the way, LOVELY voice!!! New subscriber here!!

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Thank you so much!

[@RailRider9571]

@@Southern_Plains_Railfan no problem!!! I accidentally clicked on this, best accident ever!!

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

@@RailRider9571 lol

[@patriotsam5721]

This is by far the best channel Ive stumbled upon recently! Your accent sounds like one that should belong on any of my fishing buddies, glad to see there are more good old boys into horses of the Iron type than just me. Lmaooo, liked and subscribed, keep up the videos! I really enjoy them

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Thank you so much! lol, thanks for the sub; I certainly will!

[@anthonyeveler4820]

Great video nice locomotive thanks for all the history and info the Beep is one of a kind.

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

You're welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! It sure is!

[@yuckyool]

I worked in the Cleburne Shops, as an Industrial Engineer, between 1981-1984 and there were lots of rebuilds going on. Frankly, I didn't understand the global perspective of what kinds of locomotives were being transformed into others, and for what reason, but I knew they were all EMD's with turbo-charged and non-turbocharged 16-cyl Diesel engines. There were hundreds of skilled craftsmen, doing what their fathers had done (as Steve Goodman wrote). It was a transformative time in railroading as the expense of so much labor was being revisited under deregulation and many jobs were eliminated (including, eventually mine). Still, I was blessed to see the remnants of a different time -- roller bearings, high-side hand-brakes, cabooses, division stations every 120 or so miles, CTC and even a few dark-territory lines. And of course, I was proud when the combined BN-(AT)SF was eventually managed by some of the same folks I had worked with. They carry a lot of freight on those rails.

[@EastEndProductionsArchiv-lm3lq]

Excellent! Great information. Great editing. Great narration. Our kind of railfan program!

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Thank you!

[@alexander1485]

The Alabama State Docks railroad (Terminal RR) has 4 modern "butt head" switchers but also it has a few SW1500 or MP1500s without ditch lights still!

[@barbaradorris337]

My dad work the Argentine yards for 46 yrs. One particular job he had was the pit. He set in a small room under the rails on the west bound hump , and inspect the cars going over the hump and through the switches to make up trains heading west. He would get permission for me to spend a shift with him and watch the beeps hump those trains. The pit had two windshields where you could see the under carriage of the train cars. I even got a chance to go for a ride in the beep. Good times

[@xxantyaboixx104]

The beep Is love the beep is life

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Beep

[@jeeper360]

Very interesting video. A couple of times you refer to it as a cab forward but the F is clearly seen on the opposite end from the cab.

[@scottmccullough6136]

Another amazing video and thanks for the education/history lesson. You do a great job with ur video's and I like all of the information/education that you provide to us all. Reminds me a lot of DISTANT SIGNAL'S videos on the KZbin. Keep up the great work and keep the videos coming.

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Thank you so much; will do!

[@chaseman113]

Looks like a B unit with a cab, I’m completely wrong and enjoyed the look into this unique unit. I adore hearing early EMD gear running, I worked with a 1956 GP9 short hood and a 1969 GP38 on 22 miles of hills & corners.

[@trainsbyben]

It served for as long as I have lived save 1 year. Nice to see these video's and history of the units. Keep it up, great video.

[@user-mz1pd2ug9t]

Saw the ATSF steam engines at stops along Southwest Chief ( should be the Grand Meth.Labs Tour) in both Colorado and Illinois and it’s a damn shame Im hearing that sorry BNSF whistle now instead of the real ATSF. The chimes of the SP got swallowed by UP, so everyone is going through it. There was a locomotive like the this at Indiana Ports (Clark or South facility) paired with a red RS-1. They have sense been retired and there was a CF-7 there and a pair of GP38s doing the work.

[@soupdragon12345]

Just watched your video, you made it so interesting and informative. Thanks very much .

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed.

[@BeingRomans829ed]

"I rode The Cannonball!" "Oh yeah?? I rode The Beep!"

[@rateyesmertz3785]

2:43 into the video. This is called a drop. It requires the brakeman to have 3 handsOne hand to haang on with, one hand to pull the pin and one hand ( neck ) to tell the eengineer to speed up because he has pulled the pin. The engine speeds ahead and clears a switch another brakeman throws the switch so then cars rolls to a spot. They don't do this anymore on class 1 railroads because of crew reductions

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Interesting, I didn’t know that.

[@normansilver905]

ATSF had 2 FM 10-44's at Wilmington Shops and Yard. Occasionally 1 would get sent to San Diego when the regular San Diego switcher was in the shop. The crews loved them due to their power.

[@CoryAY82383]

491 (K-37s) were home built using standard gauge 2-8-0s. The K-36s were built by Baldwin

[@robertschmidt6383]

I love these types of engines.

[@sirrliv]

D&RGW #491 was NOT built by Baldwin. It was built at D&RG's own Burnham Shops essentially as a big middle finger to Baldwin. Baldwin DID make 491's predicessors, the K-36 Class, which the D&RG liked so much that they wanted 10 more. "Sure thing, happy to do business with you," said Baldwin, "Just finish paying for the first 10 and we'll get right on it." "Um, yeah, about that..." D&RG shifted awkwardly, "We... can't actually afford to finish paying you, so..." "No payment, no more locos," Baldwin stood their ground. "Fine! We didn't need you anyway," replied D&RG impetuously. They then took the boilers and maybe the tenders from their aging but still hearty C-41 standard gauge consolidations and used those as the basis for a new locomotive of their own design based closely on the K-36's. And thus the K-37's were born. P.S. It's long been a myth that the K-37's were "converted" to narrow gauge. Word of advice: Don't say that in front of a Colorado railroader unless you're done having kids because their steel-toed boot will be in your groin so fast... Okay, maybe not that strong, but you will make them madder than a wet swan; and you thought wet hens were bad. Swans are vindictive little buggers; they will chase you around and their pecks HURT.

[@TonyLasagna]

Great narration as always! It is a shame Baldwin failed in the diesel world in the end.

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Thank you! Agreed

[@John-jy4dj]

I think there is a pbs , channel 9 St . Louis story of the last Baldwin diesel ever made if you can find it

[@douglasskaalrud6865]

Baldwin treated diesels as an afterthought, convinced that once railroads saw the high price tag of a diesel they’d be back clamoring for their old steamers. Baldwin actually built steamers and diesels next to each other for a time but they started building diesels late in the game and they never really committed to them.

[@PharaohDeathMask]

Thank you for making and uploading this fabulous video.

[@awesomeaustin5704]

Good on BNSF for not scrapping it

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

For real

[@yukonjohn9480]

I remember ATSF 1460 working as a shop goat in Argentine in the late 80’s.

[@HistoryForEveryoneProductions]

Great job man. As always keep up the good work.

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Thank you, will do!

[@jovanweismiller7114]

I worked for the Santa Fe, but before it was the rebuild before the rebuild when it became the Beep.

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

What was it like working for Santa Fe? What were your job duties?

[@jameskirkman2942]

A similar design was the result of rebuilds by CN, the "SWEEP". SW1200RS units rebuilt with GP9 long hoods. Unit numbers 7100-7107.

[@erikmcc804]

wow Merch this was amazing, loved it thanks and man i love your voice awesome again thanks

[@mr.sir.]

Well with the oldest SD-9s (Ex GN) being taking out of service, this really is the oldest in the fleet now. The GN power were around in the steam era and GN took all steam out in the early 50s, luckily one will be saved. The eldest of the bunch thats 76 years old.

[@ProtonTheProtogen]

Baldwin also made #1225 (the insperation for the Polar Express), and Eureka And Palisade #4 Eureka

[@jmd1743]

It's pretty cool to see them keep it in such great condition like that. If there's a locomotive to put in a corporate lobby perhaps it would be something like that.

[@microbusss]

I hope that gets preserved!

[@yogiperogy]

Your channel is my absolute favourite among all the railfanning channels on YT! Thank you very much for your efforts. They’re very much appreciated.

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Thank you very much!

[@RandomRailfan828]

Neat little locomotive, nice video!

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

For sure; thank you!

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

Santa Fe wanted to standardize the parts supply system-wide on EMD EMD engine electrical systems and parts. The amount of money to remoter a non EMD locomotive with an EMD locomotive was too much. However on the other hand if they had simply bought parts from alco power and bldh parts supply they could have just rebuilt their first generation engines for much less than the motoring them with a EMD engine would have I remember the story about this locomotive in an old trains magazine.

[@Engine1988]

Well, here's a coincidence: a model train (the prototype of which never really existed) produced by RMT in O scale happens to also be called the "Beep", due to the fact that the majority of it's styling is based upon an early EMD GP.

[@kylehc15]

gotta love train simulator cause even though the graphics are dated compaired to other games you get to drive trains no longer in service and some that are 1 of a kind or ones that failed and were scrapped cause issues

[@ctwalston1565]

Great video! What an excellent candidate for a custom scale model builder, could build every iteration and have them all on a layout!!

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Thank you! That would be a cool project!

[@Flowercityrails]

Im glad its still around today

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Me too! Good to see these oddballs preserved.

[@JacobCothren]

Just stumbled across this channel, love the production quality! Subbed and can’t wait to check out more

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Thank you so much!

Great video! Very interesting!

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Thank you!

[@ScaleSpeedGarage]

Great information about this oddball locomotive!

[@dth54]

I got to see it many times when it worked in Houston for The PTRA

[@carlbentley80]

Great story and an interesting loco, thanks for sharing. Regards from Australia.

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Thank you! Regards from the USA!

[@JonPorter94087]

I would have preferred this unique engine going to an operating museum, but at least it's preserved. I don't think any other re-engined Baldwins were saved.

[@soniomagr5498]

Correction: The PRR only has one prototypical turbine.

[@jkleylein]

Actually, CN built a few 'Sweeps' which were similar, but based on GM components exclusively. They kinda looked like this thing in many ways, though.

[@KSRailfan]

Nice video of one of the coolest engines I’ve had the pleasure of photographing. My only regret is not making it back more often for it. However, it might be nice in these videos to credit the photographers whose photos you’ve used.

[@fuzzwork]

Reminds me of CN's SWeeps, a mashup of SW1200RS base with a GP9 long hood, uprated to 1300hp

[@BrightsTrainsNTrucks2023]

The Beep doesn't beep anymore, but its still The Beep.

[@MichaelLR07]

Idk what to think about that thing, but it’s pretty uhm… interesting…

[@steverudder3321]

Since Barstow is an hour away, I may need to pay the Beep a visit!😁👍

[@SteamCrane]

Really good looking engine!

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

For sure!

[@rsmith3033]

@ 2:15 tha kinda engine i wish was n service today. i myself love tha looks of these ole units