CSX HLS1 - "Huntington's Hidden Gem"

First proper video of the year, as we talk about an obscure odditity on CSX's roster in the form of the "HLS1". Starting off as a regular Clinchfield unit to a humble load test unit, here is the short history of the unit.
You can get the CSX HLS1 liveries here:
steamcommunity...
Music from:
ABBA
Nintendo
Toby Fox
ALL PHOTOS AND MUSIC USED IS NOT OWNED BY ME, AS IT BELONGS TO THERE RESPECTIVE OWNERS

[@chancebrown4172]

HLS1 still serves its purpose today! Operated it the other day actually testing an SD70

[@SDTrains]

The X means multiplier, CSX was going to be CSC, Chessie-Seaboard-Connector but a Virginia trucking company had that name, so they decided on Chessie Seaboard Multiplier, but CSM was also taken so they went with the X, originally their logo had the C and S crossed to form an X but that was changed

[@milepost26.69]

X means consolidated.

[@indiscriminaterailfan]

@@milepost26.69 why would x mean consolidated ? At least X being multiplier makes sense as in “ we merged so now we are 2 times as powerful/efficient. “

[@katies6426]

I mean, it basically is the combination of the east-coast rail lines, based on the map I looked up.

[@indiscriminaterailfan]

@@katies6426 well yes, but they could have chosen other letters to represent this, such as U for United or C for combined but CSC was already taken. U still remains another viable option. X would not work for Combined when U can also work.

[@milepost26.69]

@@indiscriminaterailfan consolidated means the same thing. It means the 2 railroads were consolidated into one so we are both right.

[@sudriansignalman9387]

Before I was hired on as a conductor with CSX I had a in person interview at Huntington last November for a shop job. HLS 1 was inside the building at that time, though I don't know what for.

[@rtrfan7398]

NS also has a test SD45. It was a non dash 2 unit. It was used by Conrail. In the 90's it was renumbered to Q1. Then NS repainted and renumbered it to 1000. Part of the long hood is gone. Also, even know there is a NS SD70ACe numbered 1000, the SD45 is not on the locomotive roster so it is not a conflict.

[@ditchpatcher]

I remember riding the train past Huntington shops and seeing their black hornets man were those beautiful.

[@railfanmicahturner]

5:19 That photo is by the marvelous Austin West

[@WVRails10]

Yes sir!

[@Carter_H]

Awesome video! Love the choice of music in here as i regularly listen to the songs, ABBA and i believe to hear Imagination by Rosentwig. So awesome to see videos about these obscure and awesome diesels.

[@detroit_2200]

Nice video man! I've always been pondering about what goes down with HLS1- let alone load test units as a whole. props to CSX I guess for making a one-off YN2 and YN3 livery for its role.

[@BERT.MCCR6]

Great content as always, I was surprised to hear the ABBA in the mix of music, I do like the choice as I’m a fan of their music

[@GP30_DRGW]

I only just realized that the S in HLS1’s number is in the same font as the CSX logo

[@TheLocomotiveEngineer]

Genuinely hadn't heard of this one before. Pretty cool!

[@VirgotheDrusky]

the x in csx is a multiplication symbol meant to mean and more, so the name of the railroad is Chessie, Seaboard, and More

[@RonnieThePRRLoco3750]

Amazing story! Since HLS1 is very famous for her history, she might be preserved in the future.

[@CBrailfan]

The SD45-2 leasing company picture that was on screen had one of the units that ran on my local rail line HATX 914 as well as two other SD45-2’S worked on the line through out the 2000’s

[@Pensyfan19]

Nice to see more mini documentaries from this channel. Great use of Rolling Line for background footage btw. Definitely helps if there aren't that many photos of the original engine, which is a problem that I've definitely run into plenty of times while making narrated videos.

[@RadioactiveSherbet]

1:54 Wait, what? "Mamma Mia?" Not a criticism, but I *am* a bit bamboozled by the choice of music. lol

[@OfficialSEIC2K6]

CSX HLS2 is a forgotten locomotive. It's unclear the future of HLS1

[@strenesperu9956]

3:46 RR Pictures archives claims that unit is scrapped

[@AndrewTheRocketCityRailfan4014]

The SD45’s were also fuel hungry due to their massive 20 cylinder engines, which made them fall out of demand when the oil crisis hit. Talk about somewhat bad timing.

[@SOU6900]

I like how the Clinchfield units had yellow number boards. Also I'm still kinda lost as to how this unit still works. Is it an unpowered unit they wire to the unit being tested, kinda like a slug, or is this a powered unit that they put in full dynamic braking and basically use as a dynamometer in a sense while being drug around?

[@oldsamuelmcnabb7448]

The safety man at the Huntington shop said it was a sd 50

[@sjenkins1972]

Baller flex my dad works here

[@SolidCold]

Great video! Also, just FYI The X in CSX means merger.

[@Lackingawanna]

Could you make a video about the Penn State University sd60 please?

[@JNRC62fan]

I hope HLS1 is preserved

[@nikerailfanningttm9046]

2:02 ironic how my son was born on June 11th (6/11- 611) this is the 7th locomotive I’ve found that has his birthdate in it. (Foamers don’t even start with N&W 611, I already have shitloads of foamers asking me “why didn’t you name your son “Norfolk Western”). To be honest, living in a city that is served by CSX, I might just start calling him by “Clinchfield” and not his actual birth name.

[@oldsamuelmcnabb7448]

I was just at that the tour gid side they still Use it

[@samdeckard201]

Always thought CSX stood for Chesapeake Southern Railroad lol

[@codyrapp7253]

Yeah I would say x is xpress.

[@mokan9815]

"unknown" HLS1 is constantly doing load tests back and fourth on a regular basis lol. RR picture archive is not very reliable for modern information.

[@alexander1485]

Do a video on csx 9969

[@Orientguy]

So if I understood the video it is basically a NPCU

[@Misterjaythegreat]

wow

[@WVRails10]

Hey I took that photo with 9280, HLS1, and 4579! It still does load tests, and it moves all the new rebuilt and repainted engines out of the shops.