It takes 7 diesel engines = 30,000 hp to pull a UP grain train out of Cheyenne up Sherman Hill

[@nogod7184]

It took that much horsepower to pull my mother-in-law away from the All You Can Eat buffet.

[@oubrioko]

Wonder how much _dynamic braking_ she generates at the doctor's office approaching a scale?

[@ryantaylor1820]

This comment is legendary

[@trevorauld1039]

Jeez you are brave

[@michaeld53]

That’s funny, be glad she’s not Endora !!

[@TheLosamatic]

Makes you wonder about the biggest lobbying group in the USofA being the food lobby. To think there are several USofA food additives that even China and Russia protect their citizens from! Their were not people like your mother-in-law before high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated vegetable oil. Gotta love a country that has politicians who let the food industry poison it’s people to the point of it being legal to go anywhere and buy solid or liquid diabetes and consume it, then let a company raise the price of insulin. Insulin that manufacturing of was invented in a tax dollar funded university To no longer need the pancreas of a pig (I think) so much cheaper and no cost to the company! Now you people need to stop and think when any scum politician uses the word socialism! Because can you name some socialism in the USofA how about the largest socialistic entity in the world? That would be the USofA’s military! All the socialism here is for corporate costs. Notice how the middle and top men always get growing capitalistic profits. Since 1970 the workers in the USofA have blown productivity thru the roof for nothing but our food being cheaper for producers to make and much more poisonous for US to consume! We pay for a military to protect them with 170 military bases around the world spending more than the next, top, five countries. Ask yourself when was the last time you were so mean to any foreigner. None of them care about US here they care about our politicians allowing our corporation to rape them and spew their pollution where ever cheapest. Those so called terrorists are fighting for their freedoms not against US but against the corporation that contribute to our politicians. All for told by George Washington in his farewell address! It’s a short read. For all the founders faults they were of the time they lived in. Love the constitution then realize it was written around the concept of never giving the federal politicians the power to tax an individuals income. That’s why they had to pass the 16th amendment. Folks there’s a reason, now the tax code is over ten feet tall grows every year. Founders knew it would just be a means for corruption, as it is it’s just more loopholes for the latest big contributor! Before it’s too late realize any country that maintains secrets cannot possibly govern by rule of law!

[@parrychapman7703]

If you watch the video again and listen closely, the last 3 locomotives were offline (or idle). In actuality, the train was being pulled by the first 4 locomotives only. If locos are needed elsewhere on the railroad, it's not unusual for them to hitch a ride on a train to their destination. It saves the railroad the expense of having to pay a crew to drive the locos as light power to their destination. It also saves the dispatchers the headache of having to route traffic on the line around the light power move.

[@ralphmiller2265]

I've heard of this before, certainly makes sense. I wonder if a single UP Big Boy steamer or a C&O Allegheny might be able to do the job?

[@Glum1964]

Thank you for the info! Some of the RR experts who post on here get very technical and hard to follow. I appreciate the simple explanation.

[@jroncallo]

Maybe the last three weren't on line because they weren't going up the hill at that point.

[@TheFrogfeeder]

They probably aren’t needed until the grade, then they get fired up and help brake down the other side? It’s costly to have them running for no reason.. be my guess anyway

[@wildcoyote34]

@Charles Richter the first 4 engines were the only ones running ,, this was also a train of empty cars if it was a loaded train there would have been a lot less racket ,,and if you watched the cars you would have seen that the springs in the trucks were not compressed ,,if this had been a loaded train the extra engines would have been at the rear for helper pushing to lessen the strain on the cars and to increase the speed of brake activation

[@kylevice6768]

As a conductor, it's an FRA regulation that if more than 3 are required to pull, it must have distributed power. The last 4 locomotives in that set were idle. They might be used for dynamics if the grade gets steep, but, there is about a 98% chance they are just being taken elsewhere for various reasons. But using more than 3 locos on the head end to pull on the head end can literally rip the train apart. I've seen this first hand.

[@factChecker01]

Thanks! I wondered why they were not distributed.

[@jimburrell6842]

Bunch of empty hoppers...get real.

[@raygottschall9101]

Seen his all the time at Roseville yard….

[@nigelrg1]

I wondered about that. If all locos were operating, the strain on the last loco's coupling would be unbelievable.

[@MelC636]

It’s not FRA, it’s a railroad rule. But, the last 4 locos in the lead consist were offline. I worked for the BNSF and many times on certain trains we had 4 or 5 units online and it’s totally legal.

[@2ndbar]

I was up in Cheyenne last fall and saw two super long trains approach each other on a curve at a pretty good clip. With the endless horizon, the powder blue sky meeting the toasted buck brown earth was a truly amazing experience.

[@danielbackstrom6381]

There must be a time zone difference between the first loco and the last car... Massive train. Thanks for the video!

[@Bulletguy07]

I timed it.......5 mins 32 seconds!!

[@justiceprevail1552]

The Union Pacific "Big Boys" had a power capacity of more than 7,000 horsepower (depending on the type of coal used) and were designed primarily to handle heavy freight traffic and could haul a 3,800-ton train (120 cars)unassisted up the Wasatch Mountains where trains faced a continuous grade of 1.55 percent on a stretch of track east of Ogden, Utah at 40mph. Pulling freight on level track, it could achieve a speed of 70 miles per hour. The Big Boy steam locomotives weighed more than one million pounds and were 132 feet, 9 inches long. Each one cost approximately $265,000 in the early 1940’s to build, or about $5.6 million in today's money. Twenty-five Big Boys were built exclusively for Union Pacific Railroad, the first of which was delivered in 1941.

[@georgelugenalt200]

I heard 6295 hp drawbar. qt 35 mph, likely more at higher speed like all steam locos do. Niagaras at speed for example were rated at 5000 or so, but made 6600+ in the cylinders. Best steam locomotives ever made, aside from the Hudsons (without those stupid fairings)

[@RODALCO2007]

I counted 159 wagons, that was a very long train. It sounded that 3 of the 7 engines were actually doing the work. Great video.

[@timothygeiger8271]

Wagons??

[@snydedon9636]

@@timothygeiger8271 that’s what he said. Confused?

[@pbear6251]

I knew what he was talking about , didn't you?

[@timothygeiger8271]

@@pbear6251 if you bothered to read my comment, you would clearly see i knew what he was talking about. They are NOT called wagons, never have been. Back before they had the electronic rear end device, the end car of a train was called a caboose, the locomotives propel the train & everything in between the two are called cars!! There are different cars for a specific kind of freight. Hopper bottom cars to haul grain, & other dry freight, box cars for palletized bulk freight, tanker cars for liquid freight & animal fat, there are cars specifically for hauling new automobiles, & flat cars for that type. I left out other kinds of cars, but i made my point.

[@micsayre]

@@timothygeiger8271 Wagons in Europe...

[@AJ-jy6lb]

I watched one go through our neighborhood crossing Thursday i believe, with TEN mixed facing locos (most i've ever seen in a continuous string), at the forward travelling end, and ONE at the other end, forward facing. Counted it at a 120+ car train, a few boxes and open top carriers, but lots of the big, standard tankers. Loaded & HEAVY.

[@lawjwab]

This is real America, not the flashy cars, no Hollywood, no big malls. Yeah this is my America 👍

[@robertcamble3543]

There's a video of the mighty Challenger pulling 143 fully loaded c ars up Sherman Hill without diesel assist at 35 m.p.h !! It was impressive as hell !!.

[@nightrider6769]

Wow! I'd love to see that.

[@ohboy2592]

That was around 7,000 tons so it’s not that big of a deal.

[@georgelugenalt200]

No way thats only 50 tons per car and the car itself weighs 20-30.. leaving only 20 tons or 40kip, half the max allowable weight of a semi. I heard someone say 17,000 tons, but that seems a bit too heavy, but 7000 for 143 cars is light. If it's true it means those containers were half full or less... which is possible...

[@mattgamble9907]

This is clearly a general manifest train with 7 engines. Only 3 of them were actually running however. I see by some of the comments below we are on the same page. Great video though. I have always been in awe of the freight train.

[@stevengoldstein7890]

I spent seven years in pool service as a locomotive engineer on the Cascade subdivision late '80s early 90s the big Power then was sd40s and sd45s I did get to run some of the dash nines but I use those primarily between Seattle and Portland much better paying rent easier work can't imagine what the future power will be but it'll be big enjoyed every minute of it

[@stevengoldstein7890]

Hint do not dictate two comments better to print them out however I'm blind

[@genpowerengineers]

I also spent 18 years in Saudi Arabia 1980 to 1997 as locomotive mechanic . Now i have my own work shop for cranes and road construction machinery.

[@joestrainworldvideos3977]

Awesome train video my friend. Great job. Greetings Joe 😊

[@Pantherlvr44]

Hobo Shoestring would’ve loved that one! There were a few “Cadillac Grainers” in that one! 😂

[@toddgittins5692]

Those are soda ash cars

[@MrEferrell]

Common practice among all railroads is to limit the driven axles on the head end to 18(3 six axle locomotives) to protect the couplings of the cars. 7 engines were not required or the extra 4 would be distributed power(2 mid-train, 2 end train). My conclusion is most of those cars were empty. I have seen many UP loaded grain trains in central Oklahoma with 3 up front, 2 in the middle and 2 in the rear.

[@Georgiagreen317]

It just seems a bit strange that empties are headed westbound. There's not much grain to haul west of Cheyenne. Maybe going out to the coast to pick up some of that Chinese cement.

[@Cherokeelion]

Yeah i was gonna say, wheres the spacing? Protect the couplers

[@kensingtonchapp4819]

Depending on the specific type of train, the maximum number of 6 axle locomotives on the head end is actually 5, or 6 for solid intermodal, and fewer if there is also DP. I don't know of any railroads that limit conventional head end power to 3 locomotives other than in very specific instances on certain territories listed in their timetables. For example, at my railroad, there is a turnout from my railroad onto the UP that limits us to no more than 2 locomotives online to traverse that curve, but that's to prevent a stringline derailment, not protect couplers. Once we clear the junction we can put maximum scheduled power back online.

[@bobgarske9579]

I agree with 1: there were only 4 power units on line 2: the cars are mostly empties because 3; I noticed the train sure picked up speed quickly as it departed.

[@walterburger5281]

How do you tell if a power unit is on line?

[@trainanimator8150]

@@walterburger5281 look at the smoke and see if anythings coming out

[@Georgiagreen317]

Likely true, mostly empties as a train that long would usually have a helper at the rear or even in the center. It's not always the power necessary to pull these long trains but relieving the strain on the couplers. They've been known to actually pull the drawbars right out of a car to the front of a train.

[@mesothelioma5024]

I’d think that once it got moving it’d be easier to pickup speed

[@colinclenton7693]

I thought it a bit unusual for all 7 locomotives at the front of the train, and not have a couple in the middle and possibly a couple at the rear.

[@michlo3393]

Trains empty, and not all 7 units were online. So, it's no big deal.

[@rx7sportscar]

Legend has it the bell is still ringing.

[@勝又祐介]

3 diesel engines ＋ very longest freight trains. 7 diesel engines ＋ very longest freight trains. Amazing video !! 😉👍️✨

[@andyerwin3535]

I am lucky enough to live close to the main line east of town, I sit and watch these trains all the time

[@gragor11]

Yes you are.

[@jogrady4560]

Been out there…looks like video shot from Accomplice Beer Company, old Cheyenne Depot

[@DirtyLilHobo]

I am a retired engineer from BNSF. Those trains that have several locomotives on the head end are being transported to another location. I usually set those unused locomotives to dynamic braking if they are capable. Even within the assigned consist there will be locomotives are ordered to be disabled, fuel savings. The train orders define which locomotives may be used. The railroad likes to utilize a ratio of 1.1 hp to 1.3 hp per ton. Some of those locomotives are mechanically defective and are destined for a maintenance facility and are tagged as such. To an outsider, it only appears these locomotives are required. To us, they are just another car along for the ride. The best use of those locomotives is for extra crewmen or deadheads that going back there and get some sleep!

[@garrykelso5642]

I didn't think all those engines were running. Thanks for the insight.

[@adiamondforever7890]

I counted at least 7 freight cars in need of wheel maintenance. BNSF runs a lot of grain consists, 170 grain cars, usually engined 2,1,2. 2 in front, one in middle, and 2 on the tail end, although sometimes 2,1,1 (empties going the other way?). Not Sherman hill, but a grade. Have fun

[@russellalderman6920]

It's been a long time since I visited my old stomping grounds in Oregon and Washington. I went back a few years ago and the formerly diversified cropland had nothing but wheat, wheat, wheat. The barges on the Columbia were shipping nothing but wheat. Now I've got some idea of how this has affected the transport system. Good show.

[@godbluffvdgg]

It's a shame you don't see a caboose on cargo trains anymore....Or, Very Rarely...Nice upload and BEAST engine hookups!

[@larrysproul9424]

I always wonder what happened to the caboose . I saw a caboose in Kentucky that had been converted into a bar.

[@halwilliams1682]

Maybe not interesting to many train enthusiasts but years ago in the little village of Merna, Nebraska the local druggist (now called a pharmacist) had a caboose in his back yard. Arthur Gordon was his name and he had a wooden leg, the result of an accident when he was employed by the railroad. None of us kids in town were allowed to go in the caboose but we would peek through the tall wooden fence he had built around it. Rumor was he had quite a gun collection. He and his wife Pearl never had any children. Wonder where the caboose and guns were taken to after they died.

[@coachbb899]

Seven locomotives pulling Sherman Hill would exceed the drawbar forces and train would break a knuckle or drawbar. Coupler limits are 350000 lbs. Also, horsepower is only small part of the equation. You need to know the tractive effort of each locomotive, grade of track and coupler forces. More Science to properly powering trains than just diesel locomotives.

[@mfgc2610]

But Coach... try doing all that without the diesel locomotives! Science ain't worth a damn without that brute force. ;)

[@coachbb899]

@@mfgc2610 agree that power is needed, what is critical is the tractive effort must be in the correct place in the train. Putting that much power on the head with that much tonnage, the train will break in two before reaching the summit. I’ve only railroaded 42 years.

[@wildcoyote34]

@@coachbb899 they musta known what they were doing cause the train pulled out with only 4 engines pulling an empty train ,,i've never worked on a railroad but i have been around enough trains in the last 30 years to know when they are loaded or empty and what they look and sound like in every possible configuration

[@cz1mmt]

Hey mister smarty pants. Locomotive engines are factually electric. The diesel only powers the generator.

[@coachbb899]

@@cz1mmt You are correct, one fact of Physics you can’t have more electric power than mechanical power, internal combustion engine, solar, wind, hydro or other. My point is horsepower don’t mean anything without tractive effort. 3000 hp GP 40 can’t pull sand tonnage as SD 40

[@Posttrip]

What is it about a train rolling by that gets my attention EVERY time????❤

[@1946luke]

The noise ? 🤔

[@Posttrip]

@@1946luke Tis a symphony…☺️ But, there’s more!😃

[@johnhyout]

The presence of so many locomotives doesn't mean that all are being used, some of them are just being returned for their next transport.

[@aaronharvey7523]

Holy shit man...!! That was sweet to see and hear... American trains are just Beasts.... Blown away to see 40 foot containers stacked on each other, and also truck trailers on flatbed wagons... I'm in New Zealand, nothing like that tonnage here... I saw a clip of cabooses the other day... Funny, we call them Guards Vans... None have run on the network for around 30 years or so...

[@ljreed8671]

All 7 locomotives, were NOT ONLINE. The UP 8690 was isolated, UP 5852 was working, UP 5962, 8010 & 7900 were isolated, and UP 8715 I believe was online. If a flip to record the consist as it was departing, the exhaust could be seen on all the working locomotives. Per Special Instructions of the timetable, under Tonnage Per Locomotive Power, for the territory, the Engineer could not have that many power units pulling online, without risking damage to the rails. That's why the power units were spaced behind the lead locomotive, and 3 locomotives, were sufficient power to pull the train over the territory. Also, that was an empty grain train. If you look at the wheel sets, the springs are not compressed like a loaded car would be, the train picked up it's speed early, then a fully loaded train would, DPU power would be needed on a loaded grain train to make it over Sherman Hill.

[@douglasdowling4773]

Love watching theses videos . Thanks rail fans .

[@zakazfajcit1314]

Omg, 159 cars and 7n locomotives? Nice! Thx!

[@jeffnorbert1871]

I'm in what used to be CNW territory. When I first saw the new C44CWs I couldn't believe my eyes. Actually talked to one of the train crew and he said they had to run the train from one of the other engines an SD40-2 because they weren't trained on the new locos yet. Then came the AC4400s. Then UP bought CNW. For awhile you still saw the CNW lightning bolt paint. Miss the CNW and I am old enough to remember the 400s. They were still using those engines in the 70s but for freight. Used to run to the nearby gates to watch trains roll by. Taconite, coal, grain, syrup, you name it, it rolled through on the double track main in Racine,WI.

[@MedusalObligation]

I lived on the interlocking between the C&NW and EJ&E on the NW commuter corridor in Barrington. I still love the color scheme and have ever been a fan of E Units. I remember old heavyweight lounge cars at the front of a string of St Louis Car bi-levels doing 90+ on the triple track out of town.

[@daleshipman7139]

Great video. i have been in Cheyenne three different times doing video's. Great place. I also just subscribed to your channel.

[@donz327]

The train was not using power from all of the locomotives. Most were not under power. More likely a transfer of power to another location on the railroad.

[@bobjohnson1587]

Exactly!

[@georgecrane3334]

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[@georgecrane3334]

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[@georgecrane3334]

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[@georgecrane3334]

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[@cliffweinan3907]

About 150 cars without intermediate or end diversified power. Maybe many empties and not that heavy. Like other commenter said, some locomotives sound like they are at idle. Still fun to watch and think about. Thanks for sharing.

[@toddgittins5692]

You mean Distributive Power?

[@deconteesawyer5758]

@@toddgittins5692 What are you some kind of racist ? He said diversified Power.

[@Chris_L034]

the diesel engines are actually generators making electricity for the motors that actually do the work.

[@MainMite06]

No, its more like the electric traction motors, and the main generator from the ICE are acting more like a direct-drive transmission forcing the axles to move: The main generator replaces a clutch/torque converter, and the gear sets in a transmission that are mated to their ICE. Since the main generator is not mechanically connected to the axles, the generator's output power is wired to either a circuit controller, circuit computer, or a stepped resistor pack before all the power is sent to the *traction motors* THEN FINALLY electric traction motors whether direct axle drive or geared axle drive move the whole loco.

[@gragor11]

@@MainMite06 I take it you are an electrician or a locomotive mechanic. Do you know what amperage and voltage those traction motors work at? Isn't there 2 driven axes per truck? I was looking at the rear axle/"differential" end of an electro haul dump on the back of a low boy being amazed at the size of the 6 conductors laying there. They appeared to be about 4/0, enough to carry 200a each per phase. That was 400a per phase conductor pair. No Idea what the voltage was. Those series wound traction motors apparently run away when the axles breaks.

[@MainMite06]

@@gragor11 I am an auto mechanic yes, I cant find the electrical specs for any loco model depicted here, but i can guarantee you that SD70s in this depiction are C-C arrangement, meaning every axle in both bogies are driven axles, no idlers

[@Jordi-Jan]

I see many have written the same I was going to. Off course I thought I might be wrong, but I hear that only the 3 firts engines are pulling (maybe 4). It would also be strange move to put 7 locos pulling all in front if consist were that heavy. More logical would have been set some of them as DPUs, like 3/4 in front, another 3/2 in the middle and 1/2 at the end. With all the power in front there would be couplings in serious danger...

[@R7300]

I'm a manager for UP and I can tell you if a train has that many engines there's almost always gonna be one bad ordered or down for fuel savings.

[@R7300]

@@relaxinmaxin7246 that's a pretty broad statement

[@R7300]

@@relaxinmaxin7246 have you ever managed anything before? Or been a dispatcher or an MTO, or a Corridor manager?

[@kensingtonchapp4819]

@@relaxinmaxin7246 How was he being immodest? It sounds like he was perfectly reasonable by offering his professional opinion. But, if we want to play that game, I'll tell you this: I'm a locomotive engineer for a large railroad, not a manager (not UP), and I run trains all day, all night, and he's not wrong. There easily could be bad order motors in there, or they're repositioning locomotives to terminals that need power. That's a very regular, common, and typical type of move. Now tell me how I need "accolades" from anyone simply by offering my expertise along with my statement. You are welcome to pat me on the back for my awesome life choices though... I'll allow it.

[@pappysshoes6563]

@@relaxinmaxin7246 How does anyone know you are making a statement from a stance of Experience by trade in a topic about it unless you say so, neither of them were playing games, You Are, you don't have his experience to reference a response on, yet here you are. It makes far more sense for them to comment here than You, that Pisses you off, even more so that we all don't care. My Jack Russell Terrier can offer a deeper and more intelligent opinion than this, and he is less petty about it.^^ Oh and I am a deeply experienced **h*l*, and feel no need to prove it.

[@pappysshoes6563]

@@relaxinmaxin7246 Lol, you mistake my motives, I will let that simmer in that shallow mind of yours.

[@adriancarter2863]

Surprised 7 locos on point… Surely best to run 3 units on point, 2 units DPU, and 2 pusher units on the tail. Will help dynamic brake efficiency on the following downgrade after cresting Sherman Hill Summit. Also will lessen the load on the lead knuckle coupler by distributing the power over the whole length of the train.

[@wildcoyote34]

the answer is it was an empty train ,, DPU/Pushers weren't needed

[@greggminkoff6733]

To all the wannabe RR men, WE call them 'power units' NOT locomotives or diesel engines.

[@patkelly6349]

Big deal mate. Who fu#&ing cares. From Australia 🇦🇺

[@SouthernArkansasTrains]

Awesome video!

[@lynnmcculloch-m4h]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@kingmike40]

I just drove through Cheyenne in a 75,000 lbs 18 wheeler and the mountains do slow you down.

[@geezer652]

If you look closely at the springs you will see, those hoppers are empty. They are probably empty Soda Ash cars going to Green River, WY to the Trona mines. Coming east, after loading, all seven locomotives will be powered up.

[@lorenlieder9789]

We get our salt cars from SLC some could have been our salt cars heading back.

[@robertmoir5695]

Thank you for this video I look forward to seeing more

[@steveharleyfan]

Not sure if it's the same railway line, but there is a line running parallel with the I80 in Cheyenne which has railway line crossings at intervals. If you need to cross the railway line while a train passes, you will be there for a long time.

[@billhoward7354]

Hi that was amazing. i counted 159 bogies and i dont know whether they were full or empty but that is some weight.

[@lucmarchand617]

We have near same here cprail.when leave calgary to vancouver with grain or potash lots Black smoke off on downtown calgary.we have huge hill with macdonald tunnel huge task.cn edmonton too big trains to vancouver or prince rupert grain car.the winter is hell due snow slide yup.i saw one time very bad.thank video😊

[@charliebrooks2570]

Cool UP trains! Lots of power!

[@liftingweights]

I counted 164 cargo cars 👍👍awesome

[@EntertainmentWorldz]

Wow! Great video

[@timosha21]

I'm a tram and I approve this video!!!!

[@Luis997353]

159 vagones de carga y 7? Locomotoras esperaba más vagones jejejeje muy buen video..

[@michelbeauloye4269]

You never see such long freight trains in Europe. My question is: is there only one operator to drive the multiple locos and how is the power managed between the locos?

[@glennschwass5360]

The first 3 or 4 engines are MU'd togther and controlled by the first engine's throttle and brakes.

[@brentboswell1294]

Although the majority of the cars were covered hoppers, it's most likely not a grain train. A grain train would not have other types of cars mixed in the consist. Too many tank cars and box cars in there! Lots of commodities other than grain can be hauled with covered hoppers. Grain trains are usually 100% covered hoppers, and lately on the Union Pacific, they have foreign power (locomotives from other railroads) mixed in if the train originated on someone else's track 😉

[@aMulliganStew]

Many of the one's I could read belong to the trona mines in Sweetwater County. Empties going back?

[@jvaneck8991]

At 159 cars, if they were all loaded to max gross weight of 245,000 lbs., that train would be pulling 19,450 tons. You would need all seven locomotives operating to pull that load up the grade. If a number of cars are empty, or not loaded to max gross, then that changes the picture. You have to assume some of the cars are empties or the couplings would pull apart with that kind of load. Just my opinion, you are free to disagree. Incidentally that train at 85 ft/car would be 2.55 miles long. God help you if that thing derails at speed.

[@Liammcgowan]

"At 159 cars, if they were all loaded to max gross weight of 245,000 lbs., that train would be pulling 19,450 tons. " am i the only one who can see the sinister implications, in light fo the probable destination?

[@nsl.4994]

Once I stayed in a college hostel, and some seniors we NOT in favour of diesels. They said that diesel is not strong enough, which is why you MUST combine multiple units together. But with a steam engine, it is NOT NECESSARY.....NOT NEEDED AT ALL. Steam is powerful ON ITS OWN. Its just like a school teacher who cannot control the class on his/her own, and needs help from other teachers. Same with diesels, they can't control the "class" of train cars individually, so they call for help from other diesels. This in NOT the case with steam! Now which is more impressive: one teacher, JUST ONE teacher controlling the entire class...... or.......multiple teachers controlling the same class? Obviously, the one controlling the class without any help. Same with locomotives, one engine pulling the train is more impressive than many engines pulling the same train. These were the words of senior people residing in the same hostel as me and they said: NO LOCOMOTIVE IS EQUAL TO THE BIG BOY IN SIZE OR POWER." Well, I think they are DEAD WRONG. The behemoth called the BIG BOY only has 6000 horsepower and 135,375 pounds of tractive effort. A SINGLE AC6000CW also has 6000 horsepower as well and the tractive effort EXCEEDS 135,375 pounds, correct? The Big Boy is basically TWO steam engines permanently connected under one big common boiler. But if I put two diesel units together, they CRY FOWL and say: Oh NOOOOO! You can't do that. We are only comparing single unit locomotives. The centennial diesel has two engines as well with a total of 6600 horsepower, correct? Here in India we have a 6000 horsepower SINGLE unit diesel called the WDG6. W stands for wide/broad gauge tracks, D for diesel and G for goods/freight. And the 6 at the end stands for 6000 horsepower, same as the Big Boy. So, the Big Boy uses TWO steam engine units under a common boiler setup. Then I will do the same for diesel to be fair and square. I will put two diesel units together and steam LOSES.

[@cestmoi1262]

I think you learned a valuable lesson: just because somebody goes to college does not necessarily make them smart. Like these idiots.

[@iceman5891]

Most impressive Video. Good detail & excellent shot.

[@SilverBullet22250]

Has anyone else ever seen a locomotive in the "middle" as to where there are cars in front and back of it? One in the very front pulling it all, but a locomotive mixed in with the others? 😳

[@philipstaves2994]

Yes, it’s called a dpu,or distributed power unit.

[@ken76918]

I see the big coal trains often with 2 pulling, 2 in the middle, and one or 2 pushing on the rear.

[@JohnFairstein]

Great filming, thanks 😊

[@roberttaylor6600]

Very cool Rail on my friend.

[@travisgoff99]

I'm from Rawlins Wyoming, seen many of trains straggling up the east side of Sherman

[@manhoot]

This is what I call carrying the freight

[@tompoleet7665]

In both train consists, the third engine had a lot of smoke coming out of its stack! 👍🏻

[@KE7ACY]

That means it is actually working not idling.

[@勝又祐介]

These diesel locomotives are, large and ultra high horsepowers and muscle and can pull to ultra longest freight trains !! 😉👍️✨

[@jimbronson687]

It is torque in those engines far more than horse power. Assuming these are 4500HP there are drag boats and cars with similar HP they could not move these trains much as their Torque is very low compaired to these engines. They are very cool engines though

[@billmoran3812]

@@jimbronson687 that is the benefit of the diesel-electric propulsion mode. It allows the electric traction motors, one per axle, to deliver 100% of the maximum torque from a standing start. Without that, many thousands more horsepower would be required. The diesel-electric system takes all of the power from the locomotive’s engine-generator and provides that as electrical energy to produce maximum torque at the 6 motors.

[@jimbronson687]

@@billmoran3812 Yes Yes cool that is how it is. the diesel needs a lot of torque. The Generators and some use alternators are very hard to turn under load even though these only turn about 200 RPM. Those Traction motors eliminate a very complex transmission and bunches of trans-axle network would be wasteful imagine IF a clutch and manual or even automatic were used. Those electric traction motors like most electric motors have more torque than horse power Its irritating when someone ONLY gives horsepower. It really does NOT tells you the power of the engine or motors You can really understand torque abd HP in my two older 70s motorcycles. One a 4 cylinder high rpm short stroke gives me lots of HP 82 torque of 52 vs the Harley with 2 cylinders and long stroke much like a diesel has 79 HO and 78 FLbs torque. Going flat then up a steep hill with the harly I do not need to shift down nor have to give little if any throtle wher the 4 cylender requires usualy two downshifts plus more throttle and high RPS. OK taje care.

[@EETechs]

@@jimbronson687 It is not torque of the diesel engines doing the pulling, but it is the electric motors and gearing. When turning generators it is POWER that matters, which is both RPM and torque. Torque by itself does not translate into electricity. POWER does. The diesel could just as easily be replaced with a gas turbine engine and two pole generator of the same power and still have the same pulling performance. Again, power is what matters. The formula is 1 hp = 746 watts. There is no such formula for torque equaling watts. The higher resistance of the generator is because of higher pole count. A lower speed engine uses a higher pole count generator where as a high speed engine uses a low pole count generator like a 4 or 2 pole (1800 RPM and 3600 RPM).

[@jimbronson687]

@@EETechs I get your point but there is toeque as a mesurment and a very important measure. I used to repair engines for UPRR. I reakize turbines can and have been used but are not a good choice but do work. I dont care who uses what mesurmnt or math.

[@borismedved835]

I saw a video of a train with around 50 engines. Nothing else. They were just parking them somewhere in Nevada. I wonder how many were under power.

[@geraldblackburn4883]

Per Parry Chapman, I wonder if some of the power in the first engines is just used to power the traction motors of the non-running engines ? like a slug ? ? And can someone explain the forces on the couplings and pins ? there must be oversized pins on some of these cars ? ?

[@davidwhiting1761]

The front 3 or 4 locomotives are actually doing the pulling. The rest aren't doing anything at all. They are just along for the ride en route to another yard somewhere else where they are needed. The couplings in general can withstand about 390,000lbf, maybe more if they are "high capacity" couplings. Each of the leading units can probably produce about 180,000lbf, but the engineer doesn't apply all that power at once. He advances the throttle notch by notch, and as he gets faster the locomotives' tractive effort naturally begins to drop off so as long as the driver is careful and manages his in-train forces once he's either at track speed or at full throttle, whichever comes first, he should have a good balance of force that's enough to keep the train moving without snapping a coupler.

[@anthonykeough8467]

Going by the bolster heights, we’re the hoppers empty?

[@smunro851]

It wouldn’t take so much hp if U P took better care of their engines!!!!

[@nsrailfann4life91]

No, "Big Boy" would not pull this by itself.... Big boy isn't all that powerful. It is just a big locomotive because of it's wheel configuration. Just because something is big doesn't mean it is the most powerful thing out there...

[@MainMite06]

Name a one piece diesel loco that can pull 200 freight cars unnassisted

[@nsrailfann4life91]

@@MainMite06 considering the fact that Class I railways are running 18k+ feet long consists weighing upwards of 14,000 ton with only 3 locomotives, the average GEVO or SD70 series could easily do it. Pulling 200 empty boxes, gondolas, or centerflows on even grouns isn't some great feat... Big Boy could not pull 200 empties or loads up a 1.9% grade just like a single GEVO or SD70 couldn't. Many more variables to it than just the locomotive type. Fact is that your beloved "Big Boy" is just that..... Big.... It isn't some extraordinary freight moving marvel like everyone pretends it is and there is a reason it along with the rest of the steamers have been put into retirement. Are they nice to look at? Sure. Are they still efficient? No they are not.

[@MainMite06]

@@nsrailfann4life91 Big Boy was definetly insane to maintain in both effort and cost compared to running 4 diesels. But i have a good question: *Do you have a video proof of a GEVO or SD70 can pulling a train of 200 freight cars alone/unnassisted?*

[@michlo3393]

@@MainMite06 Dude, a Big Boy has less tractive effort than an SD70M and those things are weak as hell. Big Boy pulled trains in an era when a loaded box car weighed 40 tons. Today they weigh 140 tons loaded. It's not the same comparison. Steam trains were usually only around 3 - 5 thousand tons. Today's Class 1's are running trains up to 40 thousand tons. On a level grade, ANY modern diesel locomotive will out pull a Big Boy. And that is a fact.

[@sernajrlouis]

Cool video and channel just subscribed

[@jesusemilioposso7221]

Conté 5 locomotoras . 162 vagones .buen video . Dónde es y para donde viajan los 2 trenes . Gracias

[@MedusalObligation]

Can you imagine the defect detector going off? My luck it would be axle 666. (the last one of that train! 156 cars and 7 engines) Nice day for a walk.

[@Puymouret]

8m 50s watching a train go by. back to watching pain dry, just cant stand the excitement

[@kingy002]

So many fuckin' experts on here. Outside its america!

[@hughmainwaring9187]

I made that 157 cars behind the engines. That was staggering. (Certainly nothing that long in the UK)

[@earlharman2040]

How do you leave Cheyenne and go up Sherman Hill. Sherman Hill is west of Cheyenne and goes down into Laramie. I’ve trucked it many times.

[@campkohler9131]

Mmmmm! Nothing like grain with oil spritzed on it for a nutritious and filling breakfast.

[@taj1460]

3:13 ya gotta love the sound of the 7 engines burning that fossil fuel nothing sounds better!!!!!!

[@donrum545]

nice! can you make video inside the cabin this locomotive&

[@charliebrooks2570]

Nice UP catches!

[@flossietube2065]

Wow! I counted 160 cars!! Looks like those 7 Engines were pulling all that weight with relative ease! 🤯

[@brnmcc01]

Mostly empties

[@stevengoldstein7890]

Seems like they took everything out of the yard but the yard office

[@GODOFHELLFIRE3]

149 cars is no joke, moving that kind of weight from a standstill is like having to jump-start a dead planet.

[@guillermopampena5444]

Thi is big power machine 💪💪💪💪💪 only in my country

[@bills6946]

What’s really amazing is all the weight of that entire train is on the coupler of the first car to the locomotive. MADE IN USA. No Chinese junk here

[@jonesgang]

I think I counted 159 cars, 7 engines, for a total of 165 couplings. Might want to get comfortable while waiting for that one to pass!

[@JPGuay]

159 cars plus 7 engines... wow !!

[@dimievers5573]

you say it is a grain train , but with them liquid tankers mixed in it doesn't that make it a manifest and thus not just grain ?

[@oriolesfan7807]

The later train seemed so long the engine could reach it's destination before the rest of the train left the yard.

[@sumanamjs]

😆

[@jimbentley9363]

Aren’t the Diesel engines used to generate electricity to power the electric motors that actually power the locomotives?

[@michaelwalter3399]

It would be interesting to know how many steam locomotives would be required to pull this same train.

[@jvaneck8991]

A decent steam loco can generate 5,000 hp; these diesels are 4,200 hp. So, figure three engines of the 2-10-0 class with smaller drive wheels. Top speed under steam: figure 40 mph. Maybe 50 on the flat.

[@kfl611]

or if trains didn't exist and we had to use teams of horses, how many horse would it take?

[@MrKotBonifacy]

"UP TRAINS LEVAING..." - whaaa??! I know, I'm a knocker and nitpicker, but then again, it's an openinig line, innit?

[@paulsmith5398]

Thats not a full grain train, there was mixed freight in there too. But geeeeez, it sure picked up speed fast, gotta get speed going to get up Sherman Hill. Bet the 4014 would be going much faster...............!

[@nsrailfann4life91]

No, 4014 would not get it going any faster....

[@paulsmith5398]

Well, larger drive wheels, and all roller bearing axles on the cars vs the friction bearings of the 1940s..........

[@adrianlaroche7158]

Given the double stacked waggons and number of units - not unexpected!

[@勝又祐介]

Union Pacific ＝ largest freight railway companies in United States of America. The company's diesel locomotives are largest and ultra high horsepowers and can pull to ultra longest and heaviest freight trains.

[@CarlosAlberto-ii1li]

You caught me with that one................Levaing?

[@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391]

I wonder how long it takes from applying the brake, to the last wagon to brake. That's a lot of hose ( and couplings ) for the air to get through.

[@SuperOldandSlow]

The brake pipe pressure change propagates at the speed of sound. In a 100 car train, about 4.5 seconds will elapse from when the engineer does a service brake application until the last car "sees" it. Emergency applications are somewhat quicker because each car's triple valve will locally vent the brake pipe.

[@Gunrunner4532]

2 way end of train device speeds up the process substantially

[@michlo3393]

@@Gunrunner4532 only if you plug the train and then plug the EOT. For a regular brake pipe reduction, it's all coming from the head end.

[@janpavelek2097]

In the long railroads od thé USA, Austrálie and Africa IT Is normal. When in those Linea come ONLY one train on the week, that Is O.K. But fór thé often connecting by trains will good to built electric trolley system, Wich van concentrated more power in everyone locomotive. But that unsual using Is Věry originally!! Thank you from the Czechia!

[@randallfawc7501]

Couldn't tell for sure, but didn't sound like all 7 were running. Probably wait till they get closer to the hill to have all of them running?

[@kensingtonchapp4819]

The crew will have them all configured how they want to run them at the beginning of the trip, throughout the entire trip. There are horsepower and dynamic braking limitations. At my railroad, conventional manifest trains (meaning there's no DP), are limited to no more than 5 engines online for power, and no more than 3 for dynamic braking if there are cars less than 100 tons too close to the head end. If there are enough cars over 100 tons on the head end, then we can use 4 engines for dynamic braking. But we will not stop the train at the grade to put more online, unless we forgot to do that at the beginning of the trip haha

[@railfansammy4974]

Nice catching