Exclusive Look: BNSF Freight Train Cab! | DASH 9

In this video, we're taking an exclusive look inside a freight train cab! Jon gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to ride in a freight train cab, as we travel along the BNSF Railway line in New Mexico and Texas. The locomotive is a BNSF DASH 9 and the video was recorded while I was deadheading home from Belen, NM.
🔻🔻Watch Our Other Videos 🔻🔻
⏩ BNSF Freight Train Cab Ride - Abo Canyon In 4K Ultra High Def - • BNSF Freight Train Cab...
⏩BNSF Freight Train Cab Ride - Belen, NM to Amarillo, Tx (Deadhead) - • BNSF Freight Train Cab...
⏩STUNNING BNSF Train Cab Rides From Across The Country - • BNSF Cab Rides On Vari...
💯Our Links
➡️ Discord / discord
Our Merch ➡️ www.rtt-travels.com
Railroad Gear ➡️www.amazon.com/shop/railstail...
Video & Studio Gear ➡️www.amazon.com/shop/railstail...
RV Gear ➡️www.amazon.com/shop/railstail...
Join The Railheads ➡️www.youtube.com/@RailsTailsan...
Come Chat With Us ➡️ / discord
Email Us ➡️[e-mail]
Facebook ➡️ / railtailsandtrails
⛔️⛔️⛔️⛔️ Rails, Tails and Trails - All Rights Reserved ⛔️⛔️⛔️⛔️
This channel for entertainment purposes only. We simply share our thoughts, opinions, and experiences about the railroad and railroad industry and full time rv life. We encourage everyone to do their own research and make your own decisions. Any paid endorsements will be clearly stated. I am an employee of BNSF Railway Company. The thoughts and opinions expressed are mine and do not necessarily represent the views of BNSF. I am not an official representative for the company nor do I speak on their behalf.
#railroad #trainvideo #railfans

[@AC-ro6ib]

I do not miss being a conductor or engineer. It was nice on the rare occasion that we'd get a brand new EMD SD70ACE/AH or a new GE with comfy seats, but most of the time it was some old, run down SD70 . Guys would spit sunflower seeds all over the floors, leave spit bottles on the console, the toilet always smelled like an out-outhouse, and there'd always be something stupid written on the walls. It wasn't that the locomotives were particularly bad; it was the fact that some of the people who used them just didn't care that someone else had to use it too.

[@KutWrite]

My subdivision on the CSX had one of the two overhaul shops. We got the locomotives that were close to overhaul, so no working air conditioning or on its last legs, lots of squeaks and rattles, lots of rockin' and rollin' on the rails, and dirty everything. My OJT mentor taught me to bring some cleaning gear with me to keep my arms, pants, and hands from getting too slimy or dirty from the build-up, especially from the rubber on the armrests of the seats and the windows. Lots of problems with the trailing units, too. The new or rebuilt power seemed to go to the southern divisions. You know, where HQ was. For me, like the Navy, the job was not so much a great thing to DO as it was to HAVE done!

[@johnsnow1355]

Thanks for showing the toilet no one else dose in cab tours 🎉

[@brohamster]

I’ve always thought working in a train would be a vibe. Chilling in the cockpit for a few hours always seemed like such an interesting experience. Must feel like you’re on top of the world when you’re traveling in a freight train.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

it does have it's moments at times!

[@brohamster]

@@RailsTailsandTrails haha! The scenery must be beautiful!

[@Knigozvuk]

I work as a diesel locomotive driver in Russia and I was interested in how a diesel locomotive works in the USA. thanks for this video.

[@Upstatedeerhunter]

Both of my grandfathers worked on the rail road. One was a conductor on a freight train and the other was a car knocker, he told me that was slang for mechanic. I admire what you guys do!!

[@SweetSunrising]

Thank you for the tour & satisfying our curiosities!

[@Eddy63]

Please do more of these cab tours ... Thx for posting these ...

[@kens.3729]

Thanks for helping us Better Understand what your and the Engineers Office looks like. It’s more roomy than most people realize. Litter Box is for short visits. 😬👍

This is such a cool video. Thanks for posting. The bathroom is not where I guessed it would be!

[@marcuscrossgrove1700]

Thanx for this vid.. I always have loved trains every since I was a child but now as a trucker I still love them so I had to subscribe to ya channel. Thnx

[@aloner245]

Love your video- I used to be a conductor- ended when I was injured in the Hoxie head on train wreck of 2014.

[@ethanwestermeyer77]

Awesome tour! 1073 is lead qualified I’ve caught it on a few Galesburg freights up in Iowa/Illinois

[@luismanuelmartinezcastaned8880]

All BNSF C44-9W H1 still look in excellent condition, I have been on AC4400CW KCS and FXE... 👍

[@HSETM]

It's cool to see what it looks like on the inside.

[@billclements3879]

Thanks for the tour … be safe

[@bwnotredame06]

Cool Videos. I understand and respect you wanting to protect your job. But the Rail Companies should know there are plenty of Training Simulators and Actual Videos, Pictures, and information online. And I also would think that corporate, would see these as good recruiting tools, for people who might want to be an Engineer or Conductor. Love the Videos, keep it up.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

One of the stipulations on my company approval from corporate was not to show any proprietary technology. Since I'm not 100% about what each and every box is down in that area I wasn't going to risk it. There's a lot of stuff down there.

[@maxrshelltrack7443]

I'm sure train hoppers have posted enough videos of the inside of the cab.

[@Douglisthe1111]

You should buy some merch! Great stuff 😎

[@minnesotarailfan11]

@@maxrshelltrack7443well yeah because they don’t have to worry about being fired if they show shit that train crews might not be able to show.

[@robertgardner8680]

@rubykirov1549 sure you have been in it.🙄

[@lesliebrennan3351]

This is very cool, thank you.

[@TheAntweld]

My dad work for SP or T&NO all his adult life, from the time he was 20 till he died at 52. I can’t remember much about the RR. When he-came in he looked like they cleaned the inside of pipe with him he loved it 😍 He was a fireman and engineer.

[@ellisjackson336]

Sorry to hear your dad passed away at 52. RIP 🕊️

[@tracylarson1935]

Jon thanks for the walk through.

[@KutWrite]

LOL "Here we go." Used to say that a lot on the CSX.

[@paulbergen9114]

It's the basics. Only one number off from my badge number at work and those are at least 20 years old. I half expected to see papers tucked in at various crevices to quiet squeaking plastic and rubbing sounds or metal clunking. Looking back at older locomotives with all the circuits behind you the clicking was really something especially when switching. Thanks for the updates

[@archiebunker7688]

The GE units had very few defects in infancy which was a million miles. Maybe a loose terminal nut or fitting. All systems are monitored at global control centers for any possible failures before they become serious enough to shut the unit down.

[@ellisjackson336]

I’ve seen like 5 different control stand layouts for this body style of locomotive…c44s and c45s. I’ve also seen different railroads order the cabs with the displays in different positions too

[@GeatOlafsson]

Thanks for the tour bud. Hope you are enjoying your birthday

[@cleenlivin]

I just came across your channel and this video. Pretty cool to see inside the Dash 9. It definitely looks well with. As an engineer or conductor I imagine deadheading must take some getting used to since you can’t see or control things.

[@notmuch_23]

My dad was a conductor and my sister is an engineer for BNSF, so I liked seeing where they work(ed) for YEARS, and the reason the bathroom you showed smelled like shit is because it's the second unit. Crews _NEVER_ shit in the first unit if they can help it.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

They all smell like a litter box. Everyone of em

[@sasquatchhadarock968]

@@RailsTailsandTrails never have understood why so many people treat shared bathrooms as an opportunity to fling feces like a baboon.

[@kelmd1030]

Cool video nice to see a fellow co worker videos I work for BNSF also the Chicago division I’m on B&B bridge & building

[@thatcurveguy]

Used to work for GE. I saw so many parts I used to issue on a daily basis.

[@alainaarrhodge5900]

Thank you for the tour.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Any time!

[@brfts2001]

Awesome! You're in 1073, which still wears H1 BNSF wagon wheel scheme. PSR has kept me from wanting to even work for the Class 1's. BNSF does it too, despite not really calling it that lol. I'll gladly watch your videos though and enjoy it!

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

I believe BNSF spins it off as "Common Sense Railroading" which is the same dang thing! lol

[@terrywebb8636]

Great video, very educational.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jordialfonsoaragones4978]

Nice video, thanks

[@edwardchamberlain3504]

😆 u look very enthusiastic

[@NorlandBoxcar]

That was cool. As a rail fan I get it that some engineers and conductors don't care to wave or honk. Not a big deal. It's just a job for most. I can see that being inside that cab does not really give one the majestic feeling of machine power that a rail fan sees when this enormous machine of well engineered power goes by on the tracks from a lower level. I always just hope that the rail persons don't think we are just a bunch of idiots to be admiring it and filming it. Having said that, it is always really cool when you guys wave and/or honk. The old fellas back in the day always did. Again, not a big deal if you don't. Just try once in a while. lol

[@njcurmudgeon]

I'm in my 50s and still get a kick out of getting a wave from the engineer or conductor when railfanning. I'm sure it can get irritating to have people shoving a camera at you at work and then getting second-guessed by the keyboard warriors on KZbin and so on because they played Train Simulator. But a lot of us are just interested in how this stuff works and respect the folks who do it for a living. Even as a "civilian" I've been able to stick up for the railroad folks I know in criticisms of them by the ignorant over the recent contracts or derailments in the news. These kinds of videos give the rest of us some idea of what they do and what they deal with. A whole lot of our economy and ability to get from here to there is down to these people. They deserve a whole lot more respect and consideration than they historically get. As annoying as railfans might be sometimes, we can also be advocates.

[@mtheoverlord7840]

One of my favorite parts of the job is blowing the train whistle for kids. Doesn't matter how crappy my day was before then, or if I'm ever upset with the job or company. Seeing a kid's face light up when they see the train go by and the whistle blown puts me in a good mood for the rest of the day.

[@NorlandBoxcar]

@@mtheoverlord7840 Cool..That is nice to hear man. Cheers to that..

[@railfandepotproductions]

Rail person?

[@JF-lt5zc]

Great vid. Put the lid down on the toilet to keep smells at bay. :)

[@canucksfan2024]

Love trains!!

[@HDCanadianTrainVideos]

Engineer myself, I'm so glad 99% of my company's units have the control stands rather than the desktop controls. Way more ergonomic that way.

[@Bassotronics]

I was looking for Dash-9's on KZbin. I saw this channel. I say to myself "I Love Dash-9's...Let Me Check!" **Checks video**... and the first thing I hear is "I Hate The Dash-9's!" The irony! LOL I still love the video though. :)

[@randallellison6421]

Cool tour, especially of one of the BNSF Heritage 1 Dash 9s, would love to see more tours of these locomotives, thanks for sharing!

[@azrailroader]

They all look the same except he picked the worst Dash 9 doesn’t even have radio tone buttons on conductor side or a handset. All except the 1000s 900s do.

[@randallellison6421]

​@azrailroader that's interesting, wonder why only those units lack that stuff? Most of the complaints I hear from crews here at Thayer are that they're rough riding, they don't like the desktop controls, and they're just plain worn out (their words, not mine).

[@Matty_Saves]

Sometimes you gotta go back and flip that switch to idle and then back to run. At least we had to sometimes. Gotta love when that power starts going up for no reason

[@brianmurphy6452]

Very cool!

[@DieselDucy]

This is awesome. I work for ns as a locomotive engineer. I’d love to be able to do this. I’d get in trouble if I got caught doing so. Is bnsf more lenient about photography?

[@Ridealonggang]

Nice view

[@brooksallenyoung]

I'm trying to get on at UP with some of my buddies.

[@RanexzProductions]

So you were in a BNSF DASH 9 in a H1 scheme, nice.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Sure. It’s just another motor to me

[@osuoiler3605]

Just stumbled upon this video. I have to say that I'm surprised by how basic and rough the cabin seems. I sort of figured that modern locos would be pretty nice on the inside. I do believe I've seen oilfield equipment cabins that would put that to shame, and that's saying something. It sucks for the workers because you guys have to practically live in those things!

[@RonStanek]

How is the air conditioner/heater? I've seen in some EMD built Australian diesels, have a "tool room"; refrigerator & microwave. Some Canadian engines have an electric stove burner. Is there a track radar obstacle detection system on those? Oh yeh, PTC detection.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

That really varies with the ac and heater if they work. You never know what you're going to get.

[@7DirtRyder]

Just wanted to say thanks for all the videos The information you be given on the videos has helped me get a job with BNSF on my 10th week of student conductor training. It is a very intimidating job. It's definitely the hardest easiest job you could have. Definitely away from home alot, going to take some getting used to. But that's railroading right?

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Glad to help

[@CharlesSlater-mq2jz]

Awesome video I am new subscriber

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Thanks for subbing!

[@bradh4421]

I used to run between St. Louis and Memphis on the River sub. Where do you run between?

[@vonbryanalicaya6374]

Good stretch

[@bouffant-girl]

Rail 🚈 Pail is a great name for the toilet

[@VishnuKamath]

The people who work on the ground should really get paid more. This is hard work. There should be a coffee machine for you all in this.

[@eugenenewton1909]

When dead heading are you getting paid or on the clock of some sort. Are they positioning you for a future run? Did you have an conductor and engineer dead heading with you on your way out…. Now you get to dead head on the way back…? Thanks, I enjoy the content.

[@The_friendly_railfanner]

I wished i could actually see inside a locomotive its on my bucket list and i love this vid can you please do a emd70ace please

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

I'll see about get some more motor types for you buddy

[@carlospada9586]

Hi, I'd like to know how the engineer controls the operation of the other locomotives in the train. What the titular locomotive performs is repeated by the others? Thank you and congratulations for everything you give us with your videos. Ciao

[@arrowguy173]

Correct. MU cables are connected between locomotives and they can all be controlled by the head unit. In addition it’s possible to remotely control locomotives as well. DPU locos and trailing units would be controlled this way.

[@deadeyedickification]

What do you guys do when the engineer has to go drop wolf bait? Do you stop the train? Or do you man the horn on your side until he's finished?

[@robertd.7060]

Do all Freight trains have a CAM on them to video the rails , as you guys go down them ? If they do , I"D like to know some of the STRANGE things in the wilds you have seen ? I do mean [ STRANGE ] things , not the normal things out in those woods ?

[@graysontheginger]

Dude you look EXACTLY like the WWE wrestler Baron Corbin! I swear you guys are twins lol!

[@DogenSao]

Nice trainz

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Thank you very much!

[@CLAelev1]

I just watched a video on the 1986 CN railroad collision. Am I right in assuming that audible alarm early in this video was indicating an overspeed, yet the actual speed on the dash was normal?

[@dylanmccallister1888]

The opening of this video made me understand the crime pays but botany doesnt guy a lot more I hope you are paid enough lol 😂

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

lol love that phrase! Thanks for watching =)

[@steviebettelyoun]

Never thought that conductor could be the One to blow the horn I thought the engineer that did it

[@nong1993h1]

I love trainz

[@eddie75935]

are any of the locomotives equipped with a/c?? it's hot here in Texas and it seems like you would also pick up some heat off of the 'workings' around you

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

they're supposed to all be function. Now if that's the case or not is like buying a lotto ticket. You never know what's going to happen =)

[@Unknown_Ooh]

I'd have to find the fuse for that beeping noise ain't no way I could take more than a couple minutes of that non stop 😂

[@user-te9br5sr8h]

You think you can take a closer picture of the controls for my friend trying to recreate a train model? Would appreciate haha

[@johnsnow1355]

What about the dead mans switch? Hows that work in modern engines

[@stephenhottle6783]

I'll have to disagree about the litter box lol

[@MeowzerzGaming]

When I was 18 I was going to do this for the army. It didn't happen but this was what I would've been going to do.

[@ThePeyton301]

What does the fra 223 glazing mean?

[@FalconWing1813]

Does the restroom have any sort of vent ? lol Or does all the fumes go out into the cab area lol ? Thanks

[@samfuller6273]

SP used to have a master and slave radios. The Conductor could actually change the channel! That's the way it should be. How many times am I busy, and I need to change the channel ? Remember happily the Con is the boss! 3 paragraphs of responsibility to my one. Never single man crews ( crew??) !!!

[@c.harris9989]

I interviewed for this job and was doing well, until they learned during the physical that I had a weak immune system. They told me the trains are Petrie dishes and so I failed. I thought they were overreacting but I can see now that they were not 😂 Wow. So they sent me to the Dispatch Center. I didn't take the job. Way way way too stressful.

[@bconppp]

hi i really like this i am new here but i also like trains, i want to ask a question, what is a reverser and what is it used for ?

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

The reverser sets which direction the locomotive will travel.

[@metronorthrailfan2244]

@@RailsTailsandTrails Pretty much works similar to your transmission found in your car or truck.

[@Siriusblck55]

You said you hate the Dash 9. Which locomotive do you like? Is there a railway company where the locomotive bathroom is cleaner?

[@powerofthepizza3280]

If one wanted to work for BNSF as either an entry level job/trainee Conductor & work up the ladder of jobs from there, is college necessary in order to be hired?

[@brandongallaher8220]

No

[@jairveloso9952]

Hello, I would like to know how the maintenance of the diesel engine is done.

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

I wouldn't know anything about that as I'm a conductor and not a carman or diesel mechanic

[@davidimhoff2118]

It’s funny how they tell you that you can’t film “important” stuff but I’ve seen the inside of trains recorded on police body cams. In this one case someone had locked himself inside and they showed the area with the electricals because he was most likely hiding in the bathroom. I’m guessing they don’t want you showing them the how to operate the train via the screens etc. It’s not like a train is so secret lol. The beeps would drive me crazy. I’d take a hammer to my head.

[@tacticex5300]

Do any train models that BNSF runs have a bed for long stretches where it might be a day or two before you reach a stop, if those kind of trips even exist?

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Not even close.

[@tacticex5300]

@@RailsTailsandTrails What’s the farthest between stops any trips get? I would’ve imagined some trips would be a day or so if you are going through mountainous regions, but I have no idea.

[@The_friendly_railfanner]

I have dash9 experience because of some games i know how to run one i have been dieing to be in one for one time its on my buckest list

[@curtisrobinson-gc5dm]

I was alwas told the rest room was was in the nose of the loco and i DID know people rode in the trailer loco i thought they followed directions from the lead loco

[@PatrickBrady-uq4bk]

I didn't know they had bathrooms in locomotives I thought they had to stop and use one lol

[@myfavorites1016]

I have a question , why does the conductor side always have that emergency brake valve lever , doesn't the engineer control that ? And is that the lever that is used to put train into emergency ?

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

It's so we can put the train in emergency as well if needed.

[@myfavorites1016]

Oh i just seen your reply , thanks , but isnt the engineer incharge of that basically to drop the emergency lever ? I guess i didn't know you as conductor could control that to , thanks for your reply

[@benjlar1902]

@@myfavorites1016 put it this way, if your coming in hot to a red light its your responsibility to make sure your hog has a brake on or if need be put the train into emergency, if the conductor feels its necessary to soak it they will. its your job on the line too

[@davidward3147]

Aren’t these power units ever cleaned?

[@scottnichols309]

When the head engine moves . Does it Control the rest of the frate engines . Power

[@RonStanek]

Does the restroom have a fan?

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Some do, but most don't and if they do they're not worth a crap

[@myfavorites1016]

Sorry but I'm still a little confused on why the conductors side has the emergency brake and air horn , aren't those only the engineers responsibility. Sorry that I'm not clear on that topic. Bye the way I love the channel. It's awesome

[@MrsGreen173]

The conductor needs to be able to stop the train safely and warn oncoming traffic in the unfortunate event that the engineer becomes incapacitated.

[@myfavorites1016]

@MsStephaneebrown173 oh I understand now . Thank you for your reply

[@MrsGreen173]

@@myfavorites1016 Np!

[@scotty4579]

Good tour , CN & CP cabs have the hotplates and microwaves and air ride seats

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Yup. That was a comfy deadhead

[@samfuller6273]

BNSF has way better USSG seats than UP. The butt part is SOoo much better. UP is like sitting on a CONCRETE BENCH.

[@Paducahandlouisville]

What railroad spikes are on bnsf

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

I dont have a clue

[@ang9968]

How do you get around filming with no electronics allowed in cab? Per FRA?

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

Not in the controlling locomotive and I am dead heading. There’s no fra violation

[@ang9968]

@@RailsTailsandTrails ok. Nice to know.

[@Sebastian-xy5en]

Is the engineer more senior than the conductor? Are they both qualified to drive? Is there a pay difference?

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

No correlation typically. Some times a conductor also has their engine card, but not always the case. Lots of variables in that. To become an engineer you have to be a conductor first though.

[@someoldguy109]

I'm a truck driver and wanted to see how life is for ya'll.

[@railfanjk8964]

What line do you run?

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

A lot. I’m an extraboard guy

[@YellowFunnyMan]

How hard is it to get into this job

[@Big_mac_specail]

The extremely promising bathroom

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

The possibilities are endless =p

[@Big_mac_specail]

lol

[@Big_mac_specail]

@@RailsTailsandTrails a bit to endless

[@Big_mac_specail]

@@RailsTailsandTrails that toilet has endless diseases

[@Big_mac_specail]

@@RailsTailsandTrails thankfully if I got cancer or kidney disease I would get free health care with 1-800 railroad protection

[@Elfnetdesigns]

Radio = Motorola "Clean Cab" Astro Spectra VHF Hi band, 60 watts. or JEM Communications clean cab kit for Kenwood NX series or Icom mobile radios 12, 36, and 72 volts DC supported

[@Csxt_type_guy]

Dash nines are painted in h3 and h2 right

[@RailsTailsandTrails]

hell if I know. I just work on the pieces of crap

[@GardenerTobak]

What's the difference between a conductor and an engineer?

[@fluxthelycanroc9603]

Idk if its a fra thing or a company thing but its not uncommon for us conductors or engineers to open that front door to go between units while in motion.