Down Howards Gulch on the UP Modoc Line (4K) | April 17, 2021 | DJI Inspire 2

[@dhd951]

Always a Great Job! Dan!

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thanks Dwight!

[@fredkharrison]

Nice video and thanks for posting. Back in 2011 the Lake Railway was taking loads at that time to Perez to exchange with the UPRR. I was fortunate to catch one train assault Howard Gulch. It was powered with an ex-Alaska Railroad GP 49 pulling 10 loaded hoppers and one empty centerbeam flat. It sped through the Hwy 299 crossing near Canby at track speed, but was beginning to struggle by the time it had reached Loveness Road at the foot of the canyon. Nevertheless, the train did make it up to the top of the hill at Ambrose, albeit at a crawl. The engineer and conductor were thrilled they didn't have to double the hill that day.

[@robertlloyd7167]

Dan, I enjoyed this SO much! I grew up in Klamath Falls, and worked for years in contract logging for Weyerhaeuser and other mills there. We hauled thousands of loads of logs from the Warner Mountains to the east of the UP right of way, and thousands more out of the Medicine Lake Highlands to the west. It's the most astonishing landscape I've ever seen. The diversity truly defies description.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thanks Robert that's great to hear! It is quite a landscape no doubt. I love it out there.

[@johnpetrovitz935]

Great video, Dan! Thanks!!

[@thomasmackowiak]

Nice video, Dan! The scenery looks so desolate. Thank you for uploading this video for us!

[@khajiitkitten5679]

It looks much greener right after the winter rains. When there ARE winter rains. And without two or three very large fires just a bit west...

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thank you Thomas! It is quite desolate. I wouldn't want to live out in a region like this but I always love visiting!

[@markmercier2757]

I remember when the line extended into Wendell, CA

[@TheRailfanDan]

I wish I wasn't as young as I am and could have witnessed the entirety of the line when it was in operation.

[@sergiovalencia3031]

The modoc line extended all the way into Flannigan NV merging with the WP mainline until 1996 but originally until 1962 the line reached the SP overland route in Fernley NV th

[@DesertTOON]

Great Vid. Looks like central Oregon around Madras

[@TheRailfanDan]

It is definitely similar.

[@markarnold8160]

Even in n scale you'd need a big board to create that amount of depth. Great vista and feeling of space and, dare I say, freedom!

[@TheRailfanDan]

Freedom indeed!

[@melperry3576]

helluva rift in the geography, what's the track speed 15mph? ;-)

[@TheRailfanDan]

Only 10!

[@camauedd8042]

20 years train watching/chasing in Modoc...

[@TheRailfanDan]

Lucky guy!

[@Atsf1976]

Another good video. Is the camera that came on your Inspire 2 the regular camera or is it some upgraded camera? I just got the mini 2 because I'm new to this drone stuff, but your videos inspired me. I know that they won't come out like yours as I am sure that I have a lot of learning ahead of me, but keep posting because your videos are awesome.

[@TheRailfanDan]

I wouldn't say regular camera. There are 3 camera options for the Inspire 2. I use the Zenmuse X5S which is the middle of the road option. It takes a lot of time and practice to become smooth with your movements so don't get discouraged too quickly. Thanks will do!

[@Atsf1976]

@@TheRailfanDan Sorry if it sounded like I was saying that the camera wasn't any good. I should have asked if you had the 4s, 5s or 7. The image quality of yours is great. It's great to watch it on my television using Apple TV. I look forward to many more videos of yours in the future.

[@TheRailfanDan]

@@Atsf1976 No worries didn't feel that way at all. I enjoy them on my TV as well once they're finished. I've got quite a few good ones in the works for the coming months.

[@kamranshabbir6258]

this is smallest train i have seen in America

[@TheRailfanDan]

Yeah this is very short especially for being a class 1 railroad and the distance it travels from Klamath Falls to Alturas.

[@kamranshabbir6258]

@@TheRailfanDan thanks indeed for your reply, i m very fond to watch usa train. i m from pakistan

[@TheRailfanDan]

@@kamranshabbir6258 You're welcome! Very glad to hear from you from Pakistan! I'm glad you enjoy our trains in the US.

[@hcrun]

Another stunning piece of aerial videography, Dan. Many thanks from Australia. The music accompanying the clip is perfect. A question: do the engineers ever acknowledge the presence of the drone?

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thank you Ken. Yes once in a while they do notice it or give a wave but it is rare.

[@ragnarsbrother6049]

I don't understand the economics of this. How is it possible to justify once/week. Is there other trains on this line? Do the power units sit idle between the weekly turn?

[@TheRailfanDan]

I ask the same question. There must be some obligation through some form of government to the UP to service the Goose Lake Railway which operates out of Lakeview. It's a 2 day operation from Klamath Falls to Alturas and back so these units would spend the majority of their time in Klamath Falls. I think they might also be used for local work there as well.