"Groan, Squeak & Screech" NYS&W FX Matt Brewery Utica NY

This video features a look at New York, Susquehanna & Western's FX Matt Brewery switching job in Utica NY on the chilly morning (47 degrees) of May 26, 2023 as GP40 No. 3040 spots one car amid a cacophony of sounds.

[@johnpatterson4272]

Trains and a brewery, a marriage made in heaven. When you know the train conductor by his first name, that is golden. This is what makes America Great. Thank you Rambler.

[@TheClockwise770]

Wonder if that brew is as good as that engine manoeuvring

[@johnpatterson4272]

@@TheClockwise770 You know it baby!

[@ur10dogs]

I was at that brewery as a kid in Utica, now in roseville,CA.

[@ThisIS_Insane]

That was the switchman, not a conductor.

[@gregorybentley5707]

​@@ThisIS_Insane no sir the conductor is the switchman, this is a conductor.

[@TaylorMMontgomery]

this is so great to see a company using rail transport for their commodities!

[@allenra530]

A lot of that screeching and squealing on a tight curve is caused by the fact that the wheelset is one solid unit. So, in a curve the outside wheel is traveling further than the inside one and it has to skid on the rail a little bit to stay with the inside wheel.

[@anubratachakraborty1370]

Well, that's only one reason. But the main issue was the track curve was too acute for such a long wheelbase carriage. Generally in Broadgauge tracks, track curves are way too large so that the wheels don't screem.

[@MrThatnativeguy]

Hence why automobiles use differentials

[@FS2K4Pilot]

I don’t think that’s true. The wheel tread has a taper that allows the outside wheel to ride up a bit, effectively increasing the circumference of the outer wheel and decreasing the circumference of the inner wheel.

[@QuazarCGI]

Yeah, the differential is from the wheel taper, pretty sure it's the flange of of the wheel doing unpleasant things.

[@sterlingodeaghaidh5086]

The wheels of a railed vehicle are tapered to form a double sided cone (one taper per wheel), this allows the wheel to "technically" run at the speeds needed to make curves with monoblock wheels. The reason for the screeching is rather the flange, on tight curves the flanges are pushed against the side of the rail which causes the screeching and other noises. I don't know about rail cars but locomotives actually have a lubricant that is applied to the flanges for this reason.

[@charlesbaran1106]

Nice to see an experienced crew of a small railroad at a small brewery, performing a task that is generations old, but that the big railroads can't be bothered with. Good video!

[@bennetts-revenge_2]

I love seeing the train running in the middle of the road. Thank you for showing the closeup of him switching the rails. Always wondered how they did that. It amazes me how that the engine and car fit inside the brewery like that

[@HavelockYard]

Gotta be the coolest spot to set of a car caught on tape

[@Crusader1815]

I measured the radius on Google Earth, and it's about 160 feet, which is really tight. If you wanted to see what a 22" HO radius (which is pretty common for mainlines on ordinary layouts) would look like in the real world, this is it.

[@counterfit5]

Like running O trains on an O27 curve

[@raymondleggs5508]

more like 15 radius

[@Renard380]

I've been driving trains in Europe for ten years now so i'm pretty much used to it by now, but that horn sure is a thing of beauty! Not to mention the street running and the direct service to a local industry :)

[@Belleville197]

North American railroading has so much more visual and audial beauty when compared to other railroad systems in the world... right down to the literal bells and whistles. For all of America's faults, railroading was definitely something they got right, aside from not utilizing MORE of it... the auto industries are to blame for that. And you can thank Canadian inventor Robert Swanson for that beautiful horn.

[@robertland3190]

Now I’m gonna lookup trains in Europe….lol

[@torquetrain8963]

​@@Belleville197 freight yes, but Europe and Asia , passenger rail is much better than here. I wish we weren't car centric and had better walkable cities .

[@Belleville197]

@@torquetrain8963 totally agree... North America used to have excellent and frequent passenger service... and lots of it too... a vast network of lines... all gone in favor of cars.

[@kabeiganteng]

@@Belleville197 correct

[@douglasalan5783]

Great video! Last mile industrial ops are fascinating. And a bonus: friendly crew. Nice.

[@DougCeleste]

Just amazing how close that engine and train car come to the building walls inside and out. Thanks for sharing!

[@royreynolds108]

This is classic "close clearance" where there is less than 8.5 feet from the center line of the track to both sides for obstructions. The 8.5 feet dimension would need to be increased because of the curve. This location would have had to get an exemption for the close clearance requirements.

[@DougCeleste]

@@royreynolds108 Thanks for the interesting reply.

[@litz13]

I would also bet that GP40 is darned near the max size locomotive that could get in that building. I'd bet the original design (and usage) was for SW series locos or GP7/9 sized frames.

[@DougCeleste]

@@litz13 Thanks for sharing your interesting notes.

[@armandoperez7967]

It is awesome to see active street trackage and an active switch in the street! Short lines and regionals take way better care of customers such as these. On a class one this beautiful stretch of track would’ve been abandoned at best maybe even removed!

[@thirzapeevey2395]

I used to work in a warehouse just like that. It too, was part of a brewery, abandoned by the time I worked there. The warehouse was wedge shaped with rails in the floor in an equally tight curve. Ours didn't have a platform, however. It was being used as a shipping hub for a small franchise package delivery warehouse. That job ended one bright, winter day when a heavy, wet snow brought down the roof. The brewery was later sold, restored, and is back in service.

[@TheJonathanc82]

Love this! I’m not too far from Utica and I would love to come see this operation someday.

[@rfalcone]

What a great modeling idea.

[@andrewpalm2103]

So glad you caught this! Until the late 50's the South Shore had a passing siding on 11th Street in front of the Michigan City Station. Both ends had a single point switch, which I remember looking at as a kid. The siding was removed, but after decades as a single track the line will soon be double tracked. Cheers from Wisconsin!

[@realpillboxer]

As of summer of 2022, they are removing the street-grade trackage through town, sadly. I only learned about the operation *after* it was announced it would be removed! Missed a unique opportunity but much thanks to all the people like Rambler here that capture these moments for everyone to witness in the future.

[@flickrscreen]

@@realpillboxer that's a terrible shame.

[@pacificelectric1955]

Greetings from France. Very interesting video, especially the technical aspects like the doors hidden in the street surface to access the switch mechanism. We had such sidings in the past accessing plants and industrial sites, but now most have vanished, with just remnants that are difficult to locate. Good to see that such great rail stuff still exists in your country!

[@railroadingrambler218]

Thanks for your especially interesting comment!

[@Igel_und_Maulwurf]

Wow, its great to see this...greetings from Germany...I love the American Railway

[@cat441]

very cool video, that switch moves so smoothly pretty neat. Thanks for sharing

[@trespire]

Looks like well engineered infrastructure, will probably last 100 years of service.

[@silverharvester8481]

I love this! I love trains. I remember as a kid The Erie Lackawanna RS-3 dropping box cars at Fay St. warehouse

[@brendamuhammad6015]

Thanks for sharing this video with me. I remember the trains coming to the warehouse across from us on Fay St. in Utica when we were kids. I also lived on Schuyler St as a young adult and the train used to ride down the middle of the street. I forgot about how that used to sound until this video brought everything back.

[@LarryButler-kp3se]

Tonight I'll dream about a few Schultz and Dooley UC commercials from Channel 3 WSYR, the only channel we got in Moravia on my dad's 75' high double conical VHF antenna. The German street band will go by the tavern's window, but Dooley's crush on the girly mug still has him fascinated. No beer company would DARE giving us kids so much pleasure, today. Thank you Utica Club for being part of this 77-year-old's childhood memories!

[@roberttapken1139]

To quote an old 1970 commercial, " You just can't argue over Utica Club, cause they put so much love in to it" I lived in Utica for a very brief time in 1970. I thought the brewery's name was West End Brewing Co, I could be wrong. PS Is the Obelston still there on Genesee St?

[@galaxieman1964]

FX is probably my favorite switching job to watch. Thanks!! U.C. for me!!

[@ScottRails]

That was amazing. It's only when you see these things on a street that you really appreciate their size and power.

[@envirovore]

Lived a block away from this line for a long time at one point, neat to see this randomly pop up in my feed. Make some good drinks there.

[@pantera6672]

Best one yet . Mister. that's Kool how our little town still survives. PEACE

[@kalebjohnson6090]

That K5 sounded great. Especially when you were following the train. Beautiful echos. Love how the conductor said love you to his daughter.

[@flyonwall360]

It's good to see videos like this. I grew up in the Utica area and have fond memories of this location. Thanks for posting.

[@CNP-rn3gd]

My daughter graduated from Syracuse; I was lucky to spend time in the area. I absolutely love it! thank you for the videos

[@wallyman292]

Too cool! Takes me back to simpler times. . . ;)

[@Roger-zo1eb]

Thanks for posting this video. This is the type of trains video I enjoy the most.

[@t.j.carroll8512]

Thanks for sharing some unique switching at the brewery. Do see street running in Kentucky but the brewery work is special. 👍

[@metalstorm242]

Awesome video. I believe Model Railroader magazine made a building just like this for one of their layouts

[@davidimhoff2118]

Fascinating track switch. I love the connection with the guy on the train. Pretty cool video

[@davidhill7914]

Looking in from N. Yorkshire, England. Wonderful videos.

[@poekhali1961]

Thanks for bringing back some childhood memories. Haven’t lived there for a long time but it will always be home.

[@ur10dogs]

Toured Utica club when I was a kid , in Roseville ,ca. Now

[@jamesconnor4302]

That is awesome, very good catches here! GP40 sounding absolutely gorgeous!

[@anquljolsiber]

Thank you for taking us along for the ride…it’s a great gift for people like myself who can’t travel to different destinations

[@DK-nv9zu]

I saw a photo of a locomotive hugging that curve a while back and wondered what it was. There was no info on the photo. Thanks for filming. So cool to see its actually from modern times.

[@NoewerrATall]

3040! Good to see that locomotive back. Street running and switching. Twice as good!

[@FS2K4Pilot]

I have that very engine from Atlas in HO scale.

[@shawncosmos5431]

I miss all these sounds…Having grown up right next to a busy track it became a reassuring sound each time one came through. Night or day..

[@Boxelder1]

one of the best train vids out there!

[@swampfuel20]

Well Done! I’m from Cooperstown NY. Not far from Utica. Love to see the old streets. Such fun. Cheers!

[@orangefaygo1]

Fantastic video & so cool seeing a historic brewery.

[@twrldr1]

Love the NYS&W. I see them in and around Binghamton, especially the Frito Lay plant bringing in corn oil, and vegetables to make all our snacks!

[@CassidysWorkshop]

Now that's cool! Thanks for sharing.

[@user-rm7ye8ct6p]

MOST EXCELLENT VIDEO 😮💯👍👍👍

[@tallmike6598]

I bet that switch is a joy in the winter.

[@thedevilneveraskstwice7027]

I am always happy when I see a railroad connection into any sort of industry still functioning.

[@lightcapmath2777]

Pure lovely ..many thanks DVD:)

[@gp3829]

Wow, great stuff. I see the Elevated Gate Tower down the street - just like the Atlas HO model. Brilliant that all these things still exist.

[@railroadingrambler218]

Here's a closer look at the tower: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6Pcm5KNgJxjaKc

[@ExploringAmerica]

Now that was cool!

[@annettelaurence5716]

Is Ethan now a Hollywood mega star having appeared in one of you videos? I think he is!! Thank you for taking the time to make this film 🙃

[@monolight1327]

Excellent video, thank you so much! I love street running, and I was not familiar with Utica, New York until your video. Excellent references for scenicking on my own layout. Thanks!

[@castercamber]

Wow! This takes you back to the old days.

[@georgetarabini6552]

Great video, thanks for sharing

[@johnfahey7215]

We were in Utica Monday, 08 April. I made sure we saw the iconic street track!

[@waltereturner]

This was an awesome video that brought back a ton of memories. Thanks for sharing this!

[@railroadingrambler218]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mikesacksteder2865]

Great video. I love small time operations

[@SteveH-TN]

Fantastic video of local brewery switching combined with street running. 70 years ago my grandparents lived two houses from Steam street running which included switching for Coal storage, meat packing, industrial industries in Chicago.

[@GrnArrow092]

The picture at the end is quite interesting. The boxcar being pulled out of the brewery looks like an old Maine Central Railroad boxcar.

[@datalasse]

Great video! Thanks for sharing.

[@RC944jim]

👏🏻👏🏻Your videos never get old, thank you! 😉

[@musoseven8218]

Fascinating stuff, thanks for sharing 👍✌️😊💜 A lot of workings, and inset rail in the road, have long since gone in the UK☹️ Weymouth UK was always interesting with passenger trains along the road/docks etc, fairly tight radii too. Nothing like your local railway though! If that was modelled (it's given me some ideas) with bogie locos and stock, some know-it-all would come along and in a nasally voice say "that's unprototypical!" There's a prototype for everything 😉😉 That flange squeal is almost deafening too😲😲😲😯😄

[@bradleyjanes2949]

Great video ,a historical railroad video, thank you👍

[@francisnewmarch6837]

Thouroly enjoyed your little film even though I lost my hearing! Regards and thanks from London

[@FlippersPool]

This is so cool! I am so glad I found your channel. I live near here and always hope to catch a train when I am on this street.

[@ajdown]

I love the way that they have the flashing light on the inside of the building, just in case you couldn't hear the train...

[@railroadingrambler218]

Lol, I noticed that as well!

[@MarkInLA]

6:26 Yikes ! In HO scale this looks like even smaller than 16" radius; maybe even 12" !!! Also the single point switch I believe is, or used to be called, "tongue switch".. They're all gone now but we used to have many in the middle of Alameda st. and off 26th st. here in Los Angeles and most other industrial towns.. 9:35 Check out the very old green grade crossing tower !! Nice Utica Gov. let it remain ! Very nice video, RRR !! Street running is so rare now !!

[@railroadingrambler218]

Thanks for commenting! Here's a video "starring" the green tower kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6Pcm5KNgJxjaKc

[@bobmeginnes324]

Truly enjoyed this video. Never heard of an in-ground switch before, nor have I heard of that brewery before, so my ongoing education is all the richer. Thanks for making it.

[@railroadingrambler218]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@timothybeyer4618]

Outstanding! I love the old watchman tower in the background. It's good to see one still extant.

[@davida.taylorcmtchds871]

Thanks for all your great videos. Left Little Falls about 5 years ago after living there my whole life and do miss the rail action.

[@EdmontonRails]

Thank you for taking the time to document this interesting operation, great video!

[@mickd1239]

Neighbourhoods need trains 😊 Fantastic film !!

[@SirLANsalot]

one thing to also note, that is the tightest curve in the US, and has significant restrictions in terms of locomotive and size. Aka it can only be switched by a GP38 or smaller locomotive due to such a tight curve. In terms of Model Railroading curves, that curve is equivalent to a 19" radius curve (15dg) in N scale (Atlas track). To give you the idea that in Model Railroading, all curves used are tighter then IRL counterparts but that is entirely because of the compression done in model railroading.

[@tcbtcb]

I lived 1 street away for 2 years and I don’t think I ever seen the train during the day. Thanks for posting.

[@blainenodes8182]

We had 2 breweries in St Paul as a kid in 1950, Schmidt's and Hamm's this switching I saw 4 20.yrs...all important " sidings" every other block,10 mph tracks...great post ❗

[@davecrupel2817]

Definitely gotta visit Utica again. Passed by once on 95. Stopped briefly to grab a bite to eat. Thought those tracks were abandoned. Absolutely gonna visit again! Cheers from MA!

[@christopherpuylara6355]

As a kid I got to go to the old Utica Club Brewery with my parents. I think back then (60s),they had a street car that you could ride. I remember taking the tour, and then having root beer at the end. And my parents drank UC.

[@kwf484]

Thanks for posting this

[@dream.machine]

That was amazing! I actually loved the wheel sounds 😊 That is so cool that you see a locomotive on a trolley looking track like this.

[@OregonCrow]

That is one heck of a tight fit! Thanks for the video, this was very exciting!

[@Whitehousebeetle]

Man! This is industrial heritage!

[@PhilBender612]

What a cool vid, nice GP-40. What a tight curve that is to, wow.

[@gearheaddesignz]

I subscribed just because of this video! Love seeing Railroads like this still being used.

[@matthewadams9149]

Very cool to see

[@Timmo737]

Great video. Thanks for filming and sharing. Fantastic to see that small branch line activity 👍

[@UDX-yo1sl]

Thanks for sharing, that was awesome.

[@tfs4499]

Switching at a brewery: doesn't much cooler than that! THANKS!

[@daviddepalma8603]

Great video! I saw the 2 CSX engines delivering 2 hopper cars to the brewery Thursday morning.

[@ryanstaab9310]

Relly cool video!!! Loved it!!!

[@PolarCub64]

This was fun to see! Thank you!!

[@Boxelder1]

I've never seen a track in the middle of the street. super cool!\

[@mikeyfromnj]

Great vid, thanks for the post, have never seen an in street switch involving freight, saw an in street in street involving trolley cars in the city from time to time, and btw thanks for zooming in!!!!!

[@cmdrflake]

Greetings from Tonawanda, NY! Cool as always! ❤️👍🏻I dig the EL GP7 pic.

[@greghayes9118]

I enjoyed that so much that am going model something similar into a public display.

[@raydunakin]

Very cool! I've always wondered how in-street switches worked. The derailer is neat too.

[@ernestpassaro9663]

We used to take a pry bar on those street switches

[@railroadingrambler218]

I’ve seen a pry bar used here on occasion as well.

[@TasRail-enthusiast]

Great video really enjoyed watching that 👍

[@TheKurtsPlaceChannel]

Very nicely put together video and very entertaining as well. Thanks for posting this.

[@JumpOverYourShadow]

It's always nice to see some railroads still working just like it did half a century ago. In my country so much is automated. The procedure with keys for the switch and the derailer is so old school it feels nostalgic.

[@kitchener2200]

Excellent video. Great action!