Cab Tour of an ET44C4 & the BNSF Business Train!!!

WATCH IN HD
I came to the Stockyards in Fort Worth, Texas expecting to see the BNSF business train taking off. When I got there, I ended up getting a cab tour as well! I've had one cab tour before, but not in nearly as new of a locomotive. After the tour, I went back out and set up to see it depart on another of it's charity runs with 9 business cars in tow. Thanks for watching! If you have any questions, comment below.
The engine was:
BNSF 3943 GE ET44C4
Special thanks to TREFan570 for the heads up on this train and the AWESOME BNSF employee who let me onboard!
Disclaimer: Yes, I know it's a shaky video but I took this years ago when I wasn't as knowledgeable as to what to focus on. Whoops...

[@GasCityGuy]

The last time I got a good look inside the cab of an engine was when I was 10 or 11 in the late 70's. My Dad(probably violating about 12 regulations) let me ride along on a short 15 mile trip. Interesting to see all on the equipment that's on them now.

[@ahjeezrick]

When I was in elementary school, me and a friend got to climb aboard one of these. Actually IN the locomotive. We had to squeeze past the engine and everything. It was immensely hot and loud. Still a great experience

[@general5104]

Nolan Abell, hidy...imagine working on and driving these evey day for 36 plus years. It always gives me the warm & fuzzies when I tour a unit. Thanks!

[@carsonfarist8590]

Amen I just have to say praise GOD I have nothing to fear or worry about because I’m saved and going home are you? Turn to the LORD and have all!!!! GOD bless you all keep doing for the LORD using your special gift amen hallelujah praise GOD!!! GOD bless all!!! Amen GOD is so good amen!!!!

[@carsonfarist8590]

@@general5104 Amen I just have to say praise GOD I have nothing to fear or worry about because I’m saved and going home are you? Turn to the LORD and have all!!!! GOD bless you all keep doing for the LORD using your special gift amen hallelujah praise GOD!!! GOD bless all!!! Amen GOD is so good amen!!!!

[@eqlzr2]

When I was about 6 years old (66 years ago!), I got to go aboard a real locomotive of the day while it was in operation. HOT and LOUD sticks in my memory. My uncle was a railroad employee, and he accompanied me. Strangely, his name was Uncle Bus (real name).

[@dorianmcgowen253]

I miss driving these big boys.

[@ALL-bj7mj]

makes 2 of us....did plenty of miles in GP8s and GP10s.....as well as B23-7s.....

[@ian_the_random]

That's what she said

[@DFWTrains]

@@ian_the_random Lmao got me laughing

[@kylehill3643]

@@DFWTrains The best part is when you spin the locos around and around!

[@1sonic687]

You used to run trains? You can run a train on me.

[@lowercherty]

Nice to know BNSF still can do it if they want to. Rode about 160 miles on a shorter exec train about 20 years ago. LOVED the full dome!

[@Darth0308]

Never knew I liked trains till playing Train Sim World 2 now I can't find enough good videos on trains..

[@general5104]

Gave me the warm and fuzzies...I would have liked to have had a little SLOWER scan of the cab area, but I appreciate it anyway! Still gave me the warm and fuzzies...as many of the GE Dash 8's and 9's I worked on and did projects on. Brings back old memories! Thanks for making and posting this extremely nice video!

[@andyelliott8027]

Run it back on 0.25 speed.

[@WhiteRiverRails]

That was amazing! Those locomotives are really cool.

[@DFWTrains]

Thank you! Those locomotives are awesome!

[@justinmorgan4568]

Because of the size of these things and the crew always traveling I always thought the cab had beds in them (like semi trucks). I'm absolutely blown away by the fact that they don't... 🤯

[@natew48]

I always wondered the same thing. So if they dont, I'm assuming they stop somewhere to sleep?

[@justinmorgan4568]

@@natew48 I've seen videos of them just sleeping in the chairs kinda like what you'd do in your car on a long road trip.

[@jsmith5443]

​@@natew48 i believe i can answer this but I don't know if they want that information out in the public.

[@benjlar1902]

take a train down, crew change, stay over at a hotel, take a train back home

[@cloeprice1953]

This company has driver that drive the crew to and from hotels when it’s time for them to go to sleep my mom and step dad use to work for the driving company but I always thought they had beds in them too before she started working their

[@Tiffany_Qualley93]

That is a very beautiful train 😍 I love BNSF

[@terrellhoward5231]

Love those new GE's.

[@DFWTrains]

+Terrell Howard They're pretty cool although I don't like how the BNSF letters are so small

[@mdgfb05]

i find the new GEVOs boring i like the classic ALCOs and EMD

[@hakeemsd70m]

Terrell Howard Yeah the new GE's are pretty cool but noticeably quieter than older GEVOs, AC44s, and Dash 9s and 8s. Still T4s are some very cool units.

[@ALL-bj7mj]

I miss the C30-7s...to bad I need to travel to Brasil to see them...some are still in ATSF and BN paint!

[@thebops4180]

A beautiful looking locomotive . . .

[@Lost-In-Blank]

Cool experience, good on you for getting in to take the shots! When you shooting are up close in a small space like that, it isn't like outdoors. A small shift in where you're pointing makes a total shift in where you are looking. It makes viewers dizzy. Next time, try to move the camera more slowly and pan slowly. Try to keep your motions smooth. Also, pause for a one count over each instrument panel and bulletin board -- that lets us enthusiasts pause the playback and read what is there. It is easier said than done, so maybe you could find a small room at home with stuff on the walls to practice with. Still, cool experience and good on you for getting in to take the shots for us. Keep it up!

[@ThumperKJFK]

Hey guys, I really appreciate the atempt to show us fans the locomotive. But WTF you moving the cam around so fast it gave me a headache just trying to see what you were trying to show us. Next time, please take your time and SHOW us things with out flinging around like your on crack. Sorry I had to go there... Thanks Guy's :) I'm looking forward to your next show.

[@DFWTrains]

Gregory Spivey I didn't have much time in the cab so I was trying to get as much on camera as possible. Try putting the video on .5 or .25 speed or pausing every once in a while

[@ThumperKJFK]

Roger that. :) I probably would have done the something just from the excitement of being there. Again I really want to thank you for posting this, and don't stop filming.

[@DFWTrains]

Gregory Spivey Thanks. I have plenty more videos to post so stay tuned.

[@puffnstuff12]

+Gregory Spivey I noticed the quick jerky camera in the cab too but appreciate him trying to share his experience with us.

[@kamrankhattak93]

Yeah Correct!

[@manueltorres6518]

One beautiful train...

[@MsFred58]

Did get to ride in the dome car of this train when it was giving special rides for raising scout funds in Springfield Mo.. Went about 20 miles then returned. Had engines on both ends so no turnaround or switching was necessary. The engine was coupled to the dome car and the engineer had that engine crankin!! Was a sound!!

[@DFWTrains]

+Fred Marlin That's pretty awesome! I wish I was able to ride it.

[@Muggar62]

Awesome looking locomotive . . .

[@TheOnePackMan]

I've picked up crew off this train before. I dropped a crew right there by the Hyatt as well. There is a service shop for the trains farther down towards the hotel.

[@dlobes3285]

I played on RR Tracks as a kid in the 70's the best part of the train was always the Caboose and that always had a guy in it that would wave to us and throw candy to us kids in Garfield, New Jersey

[@lydiaanderson3312]

@Hello D Lobes, How are you doing?

[@thebotlagamerfreefire4936]

@@lydiaanderson3312 ll

[@melrose9252]

Great cab tour! Thanks.

[@DFWTrains]

Thanks!

[@jmcfarlandjr]

That was cool to watch.

[@btwitskhan7]

The maintenance of locomotive is awesome

[@wootle]

Nice but you need to slow down on your panning. You pan really fast and viewers missing out. Pan steadily, slowly.

[@andyelliott8027]

Run the video on .25 speed.

[@frankk1512]

he is like 17 dude

[@kylehill3643]

@@frankk1512 He thinks he is on a merry go round. I wonder if the throttle controls the spin?

[@thatoneguy611]

Lower the playback speed

[@Thegam4rpro]

He doesn’t have to slow down just play the video at a certain speed you’re so annoying

[@JJRicks]

So jealous! Then again, I did see the circus train so I'm lucky there.

[@DFWTrains]

JJRicks Studios Haha. I wish I could've seen the circus train but I was out of town. This special may come thru again this year. I'm not sure though

[@JJRicks]

@Gina Romantica Ringling Bros shut down years ago, what do you want from me. Also: Animals rode near the front for the smoothest ride. In cool, climate controlled railcars with amenities. They were allowed to exercise and stop and rest on every trip. Well fed and cared for. What else do you want?

[@TheTexasTrainMaster]

If that train comes back this year I'm hoping I can get a cab to or the locomotive and walk to the passenger cars I would love to ride it if I could

[@ATSF854]

haha oh wow I rode in the powder river car back in July during the military special. Nice interior on those

[@DFWTrains]

That's awesome! Thank you for serving!

[@quintinthemississippirailfan]

Cool catch!

[@donclark7699]

Nice Video. I spent 33 years on BNSF Railway as a Machinist. Good Job.

[@DFWTrains]

+Don Clark Thank you! That must've been a cool job

[@donclark7699]

Sometimes if the weather was nice.

[@southernpacific-vp8ho]

You mean 23 because BNSF isn't 33 years old yet

[@Trains-With-Shane]

Nice to get a look at a shiny new locomotive. I'm in the DFW area also. Just subbed to your channel.

[@DFWTrains]

Thank you!

[@srheams]

I’ve been hooked since seeing the Liberty Train in ‘76

[@tower2673]

Nice! I went inside a EX SP ac4400 once!

[@DFWTrains]

That's awesome! I wanna see the cab of an ex SP sometime. I bet that was amazing

[@railfanbryan7225]

Nice!!

[@TheTexasTrainMaster]

I can't complain I thought it was pretty cool

[@eddieg749]

Very awesome video!!

[@DFWTrains]

Thank you very much!

[@TrainsNStuff]

Awesome!!! I've been in the cab of a 1959 built GMD-1 for Oregon Pacific before!!! (and actually filmed it)

[@DFWTrains]

Thanks! I've had 3 cab tours: this one, an SD70ACe, and a P42DC

[@TrainsNStuff]

Oh, awesome!!!!!!! I want to get a cab tour on an ES44AC, and an older Dash 8 (B40-8S).

[@DFWTrains]

Those would be cool but I think a C44-9W warbonnet would be the best.

[@TrainsNStuff]

Oh hell yeah! Or a Heritage unit!

[@DFWTrains]

Trains N' Stuff I've been in a heritage unit. I'm not gonna say which one because the engineer told me to keep it secret lol.

[@AwesomeDesertTrains]

Lucky and when I was little I got to go in one in Tucson Arizona

[@ArkansasLocomotiveWorks]

Are most of the coaches on the business train ex-ATSF?

[@BNSFSDACeatnight]

i love that horn! i wish it's on BNSF 3804

[@manishgowda7761]

Super sir loved it

[@user-nl7jg9dn7x]

This is 💥 💥 💥 💥 💥 💥 super powerful train

[@arlingtontrains7]

Very nice video!!!

[@DFWTrains]

Thank you very much!

[@dfw_railfanner]

I might have been in the train at the time I rode the business train at the stockyards it was very fun to say the least

[@rjames45_3]

I saw that locomotive at Fort Worth when I was railfanning

[@DFWTrains]

Nice! These tier 4 locomotives are becoming very easy to see on BNSF tracks.

[@jamesburnside3023]

Nice job enjoyed

[@Thomas1980]

Excellent Railways Video! LIKE

[@DFWTrains]

Thank you very much!

[@jamessimmons8525]

In a cab once, a Saturday when I was 8, my dad was giving a tour to my older sister's future husband at SP's Sacramento yard. We were inside one of the erector shops and I got in trouble for blowing the horn. It's very loud indoors....

[@davew5383]

That was a very interesting tour. I have always wondered if how they handled going to the bathroom. I also have seen the door on the front of train engines open before wondering if it was an access to work on the engine or to get inside the cab. Thanks, Great Video :)

[@DFWTrains]

Thank you! It's always cool to see the inside and how everything works and where doors lead to

[@general5104]

Dave W Inside that door is a sand box, as well as a little corridor to a set of fairly steep steps, the fronts of which are removable for access to the piping and wiring under the cab floor, as well as the lighting for the step well. There are lights inside the wall cavities and overhead. The bathroom has a standard sized toilet. Some flush to a holding tank with redwood pieces inside the tank, to help break down the contents. Others are vacuum operated, like those used onboard airplanes. Another small room, in the nose, under tge area before the windshield, is an area where tge Sanding and forward horn relays and associated air magna-valves are mounted. Radio equipment and GPS racks and Cab Signal equipment are mounted in quick-change racks, welded to the floor and wall. Some units of some companies have a small refrigerator in this hallqay, too, as well as a urinal that has a small sink that also runs its drain-water to flush the urine down its drain. This, in most cases, drains out thru a rubber hose about a foot above the cross-ties behind the coupler area clamped to the back of the draft-gear pocket assembly. All the area ceiling to wall radiused areas have removable access plates about every two feet, to replace bad antenna and electrical circuitry that run inside a duct system. All the equipment runs on eight 8volt batteries, or, on the newer units, unitized batteries equal to four batteries each. Somw types of units have one battery box on each side of the unit and most GE's have the batteries on one side and the Air Conditioning unit on tge other, just outside the long hood cab window. Most of the circuit breakers are in the cab, situated below the Isolation Panel. The Control Stand is at the top of the steps, to your left, usually, and the main electrical cabinet is directly in front of you as you come off the steps. It houses all the relays and contactors needed to control the operation of the unit, plus take care of the charging rate of the batteries and control the many circuits of lights. Motor control equipment, Dynamic Braking equipment, as well as radio and telemetry equipment. The Engineer has his own seating area and can easily turn and face either direction and can drive the locomotive in either direction. The Fireman and Conductor also have their own seats, but on the opposite side of the cab than the engineer. There are, also, pull-down spring-loaded seating for use if additional seating us required. The area behind the center split I'm the windshield, is where the dash camera is mounted as well as the Cab-Signal tree. Aomw units still have individual cab heaters that use engine water for the heat. Some are all electric and some use "Strip-Heaters" just above the base-boards. I hope this gives you a little deeper knowledge of the cab area of a locomotive. This just scratches the surface, but will being your knowledge up a tad. Thanks for letting me share some of my knowledge.

[@user-yg2up4lg3r]

@@general5104 how do they empty the septic tanks? I have a few rail yards around me and I don't see any septic tanks unless its connected into the city sewer

[@GabrielViana-mg3vh]

Did you ever drove an older train like the SD-40-2? And how was it like?

[@markarrivi3818]

Very Impressive Nice Job

[@DFWTrains]

Thank you!

[@mcndev21]

This was in Fort Worth, TX? I used to always be able to hear the sound of train horns, very soothing. Thank you!

[@lmc4964]

i was always curious, on long routes in the US/canada, do the cabs ever carry a crew change, have bunks or not?

[@DFWTrains]

No bunks. They stop and swap for crew changes along the route

[@thebops4180]

I really hope engineers and fireman look after the inside similar to their cars :)

[@larryellison6942]

did anyone notice that the signals and crossing gates didn't activate?

[@TheOtherdawg307]

So why weren't the signals working here and the horn did not blow properly.

[@lawrencehaguewood5857]

Interesting that the crossing gate did not come down..... I did see they had someone there at the intersection because of that.... when the engineer has to make use of the “head“.. does the conductor drive or does the train stop...

[@christopherscott3639]

All nice and clean, not a road unit for sure....

[@Tegridyvs]

Is it me or does the logo on the sides of the engine seem small?

[@jerrysmith1929]

BNSF certainly gets the prize for the most drab business cars. They are bright and shiny which is good, but definitely lacking any color.

[@genuineapbt6690]

No thank you!! I don’t mess it one bit. Worked as a conductor out of LA for years. It all looks so cool until your stuck in a siding in the middle of nowhere for 20 hours. The cab in not your friend anymore.

[@Loverboy7789.]

Is this crossing broken cause the bells weren't Ringing and the gates Didn't come Down

[@raywyatt5368]

Broken probably because 2 trucks were blocking the road.

[@weatherstuff808]

fantastic crossing gates they got there....

[@DFWTrains]

They didn't work then but they do usually work. I'm not sure why they didn't go down that day.

[@GEES44DC]

Your point?

[@chrisgriffin5179]

The railroad crew, deactivated them.. that track, doesn't get used that much anymore.. there is a signal control box, near every crossing, that a crewman can control the signals..

[@TrainSounds]

Do the ET44C4 and ES44C4 use DC or AC propulsion?

[@kansasstatealerting2424]

I’ve been in the cab of Santa Fe #93 FP45, I’ve got a short engineers seat video as well.

[@DFWTrains]

Nice, I'd like to check that out

[@kansasstatealerting2424]

@@DFWTrains I’ll post a link

[@kansasstatealerting2424]

@@DFWTrains kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHqsiYlrlpt7fdE

[@SouthernRailPhotography]

How Do You Get A Cab Tour? Do You Ask? Or Is It Really Rare. Or Does it Depend On The Crew?

[@DFWTrains]

The crew asked me. I basically got very lucky

[@kookamunga2458]

They do a better job with soundproofing the interior of the cabin these days . I thought new locomotives would have like a small padded safe room to jump into in case of a collision .

[@everettrailfan]

The cab itself is pretty much a safe room. They're built to withstand pretty damn rough impacts.

[@micaember6303]

World of Trains Another Planet

[@BritishRail60062]

Great video there. A like from me.

[@__________.....]

Hi i watch ur vids

[@micahscharfenberg3295]

Happy Birthday Nature Cat

[@sthpac69]

Right around 4:21 has made me want to look at some old Royal American trains AKA (Barnum and Baily the greatest show on earth)

[@EpicThe112]

The cab layout is the same as a 2009-2014 ES44C4. Regarding the Alerter System where is the switch for it in the back panel? For ES44C4 you turn it on using the PTC Switch as seen on Train Sim world 3 Cajon Pass route. What BNSF should have opted for is the controls to be like a CSX UP ET44AC where up throttle engages Dynamic Brakes Down throttle Notch 1-8 to the right is your Independent Brakes then Automatic Brakes

[@railfanbryan7225]

Nice!

[@sandiegotrafficlightstrain354]

Why did the train go across while the gates were still up?

[@gordondarting5721]

Nice PPE getting off the locomotive.

[@DFWTrains]

Gordon Darting lol I jumped off😂

[@Joe26003]

Do they not have sleeping quarters for long hauls??

[@chrisgriffin5179]

No sleeping quarters, because they do their run, according to their orders, and park on a siding, or yard.. and either tied down, or wait on the new crew, brought by van, from yard, or hotel.. to relieve them.. And the van, takes them to another train, or home yard, or hotel, for their break..

[@christophersemmens3891]

Nice too see the crossing arms dont work looking like a accident waiting to happened

[@raj01209]

Whats the purpous of that bell sound in the locomotive?

[@hectorsapere8390]

amazing video! just an observation: when showing the inner part of the locomotive, would you do it more slowly? in order that we can appreciate all the details. Thank you and congrats!

[@mattwalsh9278]

AMEN.. like he had the camera on a string and whizzed it around.. a bit of description would not go astray either.. Thumbs down,, no sub

[@KC_FlightChief]

@@mattwalsh9278 Huge loss

[@Dansvideos03]

Yo why aren’t the gates working?

[@MikMoen]

Mother kept telling me she always thought I'd end up working for the Railway, like an Engineer. But just looking at all that shit to keep track of which does what, I'd probably end up derailing myself day one.

[@jswaggart01]

What do they use these carriages/consist for?

[@jeffduckett69]

Interesting. I wondered how the workers on trains went to the bathroom.

[@rhettrobinson1361]

Nice how did you get into the engine

[@2380Shaw]

I heard those even have sleeping quarters and lunch room for long distance trips. Maybe I was lied to

[@lilred-devil2725]

As a truck driver I've always wondered if they had a bathroom in one of these, since they can't pull into a rest area. 😃. Now I know..

[@g.k.32]

when they take a siding near some businesses if they know its gunna be a while they run and get fast food and use the bathroom.

[@SkateboarderRobley]

I'd like to know why the RR Signals wasn't on! 😅

[@kansasstatealerting2424]

Skateboarder Robley They shut them off so they wouldn’t be holding up traffic.

[@njfinests]

When you have to go Pee, do you stop the train??

[@darrellwaters6854]

DId they show the throttle of the train?

[@ZadenZane]

IMPORTANT QUESTION: is there a secret tunnel running from the back of the cab past the engines to the other cab? What happens if you need to use that other cab in a blizzard? Are you allowed to use the secret tunnel? Or do you just have to brave the elements and hope some hobo trainhopper doesn't leap in the front cab and drive off at top speed while you're gone?

[@thechannel9637]

Bru 😂

[@everettrailfan]

No secret tunnel. They go out the back door along the engineer's side and cross over at the back of the locomotive. In case someone hops on board, they take out the reverser and automatic brake handles so anyone who happens to be on board is unable to release the brakes and get the locomotive moving.

[@jameswalden353]

How loud is it inside

[@robertwa1975]

2:14 A own toilet on board! Engine drivers in Europe, on the other hand, can very often only dream of it because it is unusual there! At the moment I can only think of the LKAB in Sweden, whose locomotives have their own toilet!

[@everettrailfan]

Yeah, it's interesting to see the difference in design between American long-haul locomotives and European locomotives where their longest route is less than half of what an American locomotive would have.

[@dlobes3285]

The Fox River Car. Is that the Fox River in Illinois? I live on the Fox River in McHenry Illinois

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Cool video.

[@DFWTrains]

Thanks

[@Trackside_magpie_7535]

Is the crossing broken?

[@TheFailBros]

Where do the conductors sleep in for those long hauls

[@danielg6209]

Conductors don't sleep on the train. The railroads are divided up and crews each take a shift on a train across the country.

[@cmoney220]

Not sure what a 'long haul' is but the crew has a 12-hour shift whether they make it to their destination or not. If not they will most likely get relieved by a fresh crew then get vanned to a hotel for their FRA mandated rest. Then the cycle repeats again the next day going home. MOST runs are somewhere between 100-300 miles. Dispatchers will use every minute of your 12 hours too.

[@Aaa1111gol]

I'd grew up in trains cuz my grandpa, my dad and my uncles were a railroad employees and I was working in the train yard in my youth time but I resign from it I regret for it when I'd tried to get back it were late I am getting old and still missing my time on the rails. But specially I'm missing my old ones

[@johnmoore8016]

How many people are assigned to an engine when pulling cars? I notice a right and left seat in the cabin; who set in each seat? How much training does a person get before he /she get to drive the train? What is with the names on the cars? Thanks for the video.

[@cmoney220]

As for the names on the cars not sure. But el cajon is a steep grade in san Bernardino county next to the I15. Powder River is a division on the Bnsf. Up to 13 weeks of training to become a conductor, then another 15 weeks training for the engine program. Engineer sits on the right and conductor on the left.

[@arthurwest9329]

13 weeks minimum for BNSF conductor than another 2 weeks for RCO cert or 2 weeks to become a hostler. Engine program is right at 6 months for BNSF if you get selected after bidding or if not enough bid then they force the junior guys from the bottom up.

[@elizabethcb2329]

Where

[@george50]

What brakeman.

[@railfanbryan7225]

Nice!!!! How did you get the locomotive tour?

[@DFWTrains]

Luck lol

[@TwinLitz2]

Dang I wish I could be in a train Cab its been my dream

[@harris-fortbend-railfan8870]

why are the gates not going down

[@signalpops]

CSXT POLICE911 Crossing was disabled?