SD70MAC led coal train climbs Mullan Pass

[@gsp0113]

For whoever's curious, that's 125 gondola cars of coal or a total of approximately 15,125 tons (121 tons net carrying capacity * 125 cars). Damn!

[@yankeesforlife24]

Actually each of those cars are roughly 143 tons loaded. A full 130 car set will be roughly between 18.1 and 18.5 tons and cars combined.

[@gsp0113]

@@yankeesforlife24 Thanks. I know little about freight trains and coal, but I was amazed at the quantity of coal seen in this video. I recounted the train's gondola cars, and the number (per my first count) is exactly 125. Your figure of 143 tons loaded is confirmed online; the source I found broke that down as 37 tons for the gondola car, with a load limit of 106 tons. Assuming all 125 gondola cars in this video are fully loaded (which looks to be the case), that a grand total of 13,250 tons of coal. My limited understanding is that coal trains like this run regularly to the U.S. West Coast, where the coal is loaded on ships bound for China.

[@gilasquiggy7846]

@@yankeesforlife24 Ok, how much revenue on a pull like that? Just a guess.

[@stewiepid4385]

I had my 700W Subwoofer system running on this video. I am a Metal Guitarist. I am in Heaven!

[@Neilf10]

What a great video. No horns or bells, just great power on display. Nicely done

[@shak0009]

My wife and kids are on vacation and im home alone drinking a cold one and I have my Bose speakers turned up to max enjoying this, what I call the best train video on you tube. FANTASTIC

[@ScottHiddelston]

Ride Auto Sales Finance thanks so much for those very kind words !! I appreciate it. If you’re interested take a look at my video of MRL SD45’s at the same spot. Unique sound indeed. Thanks again

[@smartyjones7459]

Ditto good buddy... back at ya...

[@grindfreakmike5754]

Bose are overated but i get your point.

[@grindfreakmike5754]

Guess I'm like my dad ?we prefer thr sound of a steam engine

[@andrespalanco1771]

@@ScottHiddelston 6i

[@bennyringstrom7765]

Wow 8 locomotives and 125 big coalcars.that was a heavy weight,i guess. Your train and railroads are incridebly.amazing its realy nice to watch.

[@daveblakeney4657]

The unalderated sound of horsepower transferred through the exhaust of these monsters pulling coal up a grade is music to ones ears...Great catch🖒🖒

[@samdunnock]

Yes sir

[@Eternalelevators_and_more]

All the EMDs were just howling at full notch 8. Even the GEs were at notch 8. Probably the most intense noise I’ve heard on a coal train

[@craigymac5386]

Sitting watching this in Scotland, These trains and videos are just amazing. I love the look of those SD70 Macs. Great footage 👍

[@ScottHiddelston]

Craig Calibra thanks Craig. Scottish myself !! Eaglesham and East Kilbride. Glad you enjoyed the video

[@craigymac5386]

@@ScottHiddelston Hi Scott, I'm not that far from there, I'm in Baillieston. I'm in the middle of building an HO American layout so these videos are giving me plenty of ideas. 👍

[@jimgemmell2831]

I'm a bit further west, down on the Ayrshire Coast. Ardrossan

[@carlosignatov5903]

¡¡ TREMENDO TREN SUPER CARGADOS sus 125 WAGONES con 8 MÁQUINAS , HERMOSO y TAMBIÉN la BELLEZA del PAISAJE !!! . Bendiciones desde URUGUAY 🇺🇾❤🇺🇾❤🇺🇾

[@ScottHiddelston]

Thank you Carlos

[@TheRealJRC]

WOW! You know its an extreme grade when you have 5 SD70ACe's, an SD70MAC, and 2 ES44AC's!!

[@d2sfavs]

nothing beats EMD this is great with the long sound effects in the distance nice n slow with a heavy load from above and no silly disruptions of horns blowing. thanks for sharing

[@richardbedard1245]

If I had to sit at a crossing while THAT train went by I'd probably fall asleep. Thank you for keeping the camera on target-I have to count the cars! A habit since childhood, and I'm 74 now.

[@flflgh]

Great video! There's a huge amount of horsepower there, and they're not wasting any time getting up that hill. I still love the sound of those EMD's most of all. Thanks so much for posting this.

[@Angry.General1461]

8:15 What are they trying to hide with that rectangle?

[@MrTrashmasterfx]

I counted around 8 locomotives with around 4000 hp ( i think) which makes 24000 total. Really hat to laugh about the single engine at the back

[@Posttrip]

A magnificent concert! The choir was in excellent singing in perfect harmony. Bravo!

[@danielsebring3820]

In case anyone was wondering, the howl on the 2nd unit (ES44 6271) is the turbo bearing on its way out. GE had a recall on the turbos on earlier GEVOs.

[@docksidemarine4273]

the howl is the emd unit in the lead. you cant hear a bad bearing in a turbo over all that noise. coming from a locomotive mechanic.

[@danielsebring3820]

@@docksidemarine4273 I'll take your word since you're a mechanic. It just seemed to me that the howl passed by as the 2nd unit passed by the camera. I know the EMD SD70s are known for making weird howling sounds going uphill, but to me it seemed like it was coming from the GEVO...

[@ejdsndnj]

@@danielsebring3820 it was coming from the EMD.

[@sicilian12345]

@@docksidemarine4273 What causes that specific howling sound?

[@docksidemarine4273]

@@sicilian12345 radiator fans and traction motor blowers make a lot of noise when they are working hard. Turbo itself howls too

[@duncan5mcleod]

Amazing ! The power it takes to get this train must be colossal !!

[@9carcottrell246]

duncan mcleod umm running several v16. Fiat Alice tug boat engine with 3000 brake wheel horse power each wheel full lockers and sand spreader deployment, 850,000 lbs. tractive drive. On average 660,000 pounds per rail car. Let's go with throttle up. Notch 7. LETS PULL

[@oxolotleman7226]

That's why there are 5 sd70aces, 2 gevos, and an sd70mac.

[@Angry.General1461]

8:15 What are they trying to hide with that rectangle?

[@a1harrogate]

@@Angry.General1461 a feral sasquatch

[@jimgemmell2831]

See that comment from 9 car Cottrell? He's talking bullshit. Check the comment from yesterday from one X Recon usmc. Almost identical. This clown is all over YT spouting bullshit on train vids, Concorde vids (ex Concorde pilot), mining videos with bulldozers and minehaul trucks, Australian train vids and heavy haulage videos. Only thing he drives is his vivid imagination :)

[@earthgirl7267]

I remember when I was a little girl, my family would visit my grandma in Glade Springs, VA. back in the early 70's. The sound of the coal trains coming through the town was so similar to this. These engines are amazingly powerful. Thank you for sharing. 👍

[@El_angel_xd420]

exelente trabajo y muy cordinando de. chile felicidades

[@nevessl998]

Wow, thats a lot of horsepower and torque pulling up those wagons 💪

[@dogyerf21]

Great shot! That curved trestle is awesome. Lots of horsepower on this one.

[@Kwharshsingh]

Not much horsepower is required for this heavy art of engineering however they require lots of torque, around an average locomotive has 5000-6000 horse and 160000-250000 torque.

[@Beatlefan67]

As someone watching this in England, it is just plain staggering to see when you chaps come to shifting stuff by rail!

[@meanmrmatt]

As an American, I know nothing abouti railroading, but I’m fairly certain “Plain Staggering” was by Thomas Paine.

[@traceybonds8794]

@@meanmrmatt Thomas Paine from Lewes in england. Just plian staggering. Wonderful web site y'all

[@stretchlimo7275]

Seeing this always impresses me, love the sound of them 710’s screaming there guts out!

[@hadesdescent6664]

We think a like, my friend! 💪👌🏼

[@mikez1560]

Awesome. One of the best visually and audibly on You Tube for sure!!!

[@ScottHiddelston]

+mikez1560 Thanks Mikez !!

[@johnL72909]

Lead unit EMD with two GEs... Mid-train helpers are 4 EMDs, and lone rear helper is also EMD. Nothing like that EMD sound, but the older EMDs of the 70s and 80s had the best sound of all. Awesome vid!

[@driftingintoretirement]

Can’t believe this is ten years old Scott

[@Ntwadumela84]

I still say a clean Grinstein Green SD70MAC with a 20yr old paint job remains one of the best looking units on the rails today, especially one that doesn't have a dorky looking BNSF swoosh patch on its nose.

[@MrWestdayable]

Incredible! Seriously. Scott's train videos are best I have ever seen on KZbin or anywhere. And each one is better than the last. With a large monitor and good speakers I feel like I'm trackside. Masterful job! This one is my favorite of all.

[@ScottHiddelston]

A sincere thanks for your kind words Dan. I really appreciate the comment.

[@323railfan4]

Breathtaking video. Those executive macs are easily my favorite locomotives of all time.

[@shnimmuc]

Fantastic video. I love the variety of power. Thanks Robert

[@daleridgeway942]

Must say, thats one of the best shot videos I have seen in a while. Kind of puts Pentrex to shame!

[@ScottHiddelston]

+Dale Ridgeway Hi Dale, high praise indeed !! Thanks very much for your comment. Motivates me to get out more !

[@keithglaysher9201]

That's an impressive display of power right there!

[@michaelsullivan3581]

The best part is the two-stroke growl of the 4 MRL and the BNSF SD70Aces in notch 8. Very cool to see 4 MRL SD70Aces all at once and here on the west coast we virtually never see any BNSF EMD units (usually all GE). Great surprise. Brilliant video and audio work too! Thanks!

[@ScottHiddelston]

Thanks Michael.

[@ScottHiddelston]

I agree with all your comments. The EMD's really sound like they are working hard. MRL are EMD exclusively.

[@owenbarnhart5771]

Just Awesome , image the power that takes , the weight that is being pulled and pushed , just amazing , Good job ..

[@JMAC-rs6ey]

Thanks for watching I’m spooled up deep running around 17,573 h. p. Payload on one car roughly 660,000 pounds. About 850,000 tractive drive to dah rail, full inter axel wheel lock deployment and sand spreader at the ready. Extremely watchful of FLare up. Running hot. Can I get a throttle up. NOTCH SEVEN PLEASE PUUUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLL

[@detroit8v715]

While GE out sells EMD when it comes to locomotives since the late 80s, EMD will always outdo GE when it comes to full throttle sounds going uphill. EMD locomotives, to me, are still better.

[@RetigrT]

72 cars first half, 53 - second.

[@ScottHiddelston]

Thanks for counting!

[@rolpfeiffermuller935]

Thanks airing and sharing the outstanding video with magnificent locomotives.Railfan endeavors are promising.Bliss

[@RailFan1981]

Sounds great!! Great location as well!!

[@jimbos1567]

Oh my!! What a nicely done video. You have another subscriber for sure. This is one of the few train video's that didn't bounce around all over the place. Nice and steady, and what beautiful country. thank you sharing this with us.

[@ScottHiddelston]

Thanks very much Jim. I appreciate the comment

[@jimbos1567]

It's well deserved Scott. That's one of best video's I've watched, and I look forward to many more.

[@NorfolkSouthernES44AC]

Another killer video Scott, one of my all-time favorites on KZbin.

[@vrmntthb]

It may be old hat to the engineer(s) and all in a days work...but the f&cken responsibility and stress for this mother of a load has to be tremendous for a non seasoned employee of such trains as these. Awsome in its own right and thanks for a great catch..

[@ScottHiddelston]

I agree Todd. These guys are a class act.

[@9carcottrell246]

Todd Brown thanks sir

[@DL541]

Uphill is usually easier than down hill, sometimes boring. Down hill will make your hair stand on end, leave grip prints on the auto brake handle and sometime a ridge in the seat.

[@rancidbeef582]

@@DL541 I imagine so. There's probably a very fine line between "slow enough" and "too fast".

[@tpp4169]

Oh dear ! What a long Serpent like Train creeping creeping and crawling. I kept looking and looking to see its endless TAIL . How wonderful it's climbing to the TOP of the hill slowly bits by bit.

[@judefernandez827]

Such a beaut location and nice locos . Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺

[@worldcooking]

How beautiful is the train and its route!

[@ScottHiddelston]

They were howling weren't they? I could smell them as they passed. Nice to see that new Ace earning its keep at the back too.

[@oliverwabwire2836]

Wow!!.....just wow! Must be over 30,000 HP on duty in this power laden tandem......raw diesel power on display!

[@ScottHiddelston]

No, the middle ones have a crew. The middle locos are only in the train for the 17 or so miles climbing Mullan Pass. During this time the crew in the lead loco control the front and back locos. The front and back locos can handle the train throughout the rest of the journey. Thanks for watching.

[@tinnybird1971]

WOW! That is one long train! I wouldn't mind just getting a chair and sit by tracks and watch those trains all day. I sometimes do it when I have Borden time. Love those engines and this video.

[@korohekid]

Awesome video great sounds too. Im from Western Australia and get to see the Iron Ore train quite often, and yes I do chase after them. This is still impressive though, love your work.

[@nhrrman]

Hello Scott, Excellent videos, great channel! Thanks for sharing, Craig

[@carlosignatov6090]

¡¡ 125 Wagones y 9 Locomotoras : 3 al Frente , Después de 72 Wagones otras 4 Locomotoras y UNA al FINAL !!! . MAJESTUOSO . Desde URUGUAY .

[@shawnpowell5876]

Awesome catch and love a COAL TRAIN! I believe every COAL TRAIN should have a DPU either in the middle or at the end. Regardless of the hp placed at the front, when you get no less than 85 COAL CARS in a consist that excessive weight can certainly take a toll on the BEST equipment.

[@penelope8557]

What is "DPU"?

[@JohnnyCarroll-wi6tx]

@@penelope8557 distributed power unit.

[@penelope8557]

@@JohnnyCarroll-wi6tx Thank you!

[@johnparker7874]

Just spent a week on Mullans pass, and this was the only spot I couldn’t get to. Now I wish I had tried harder.

[@easyamp123]

that's one loud sd70, awesome

[@mro4440]

Yeeeeeowwwwsaaa…. Hard to wrap your mind around all of that power!!!!!!!

[@CRQ5508]

Great video and great location! I've seen more GEVOs than I can shake a stick at, but those two were, without a doubt, the loudest I've ever heard! Those radiator fans were screaming! No GE will ever sound as good to my ears as a C32-8, but those were darn loud! But those SD70ACes really stole the show.

[@beerdeddi1]

What´s the blind spot you are hiding on the other side of the tracks? 🤔

[@ScottHiddelston]

Thanks Ric. I thought I answered you but I don't see it here. Yes inter modals still running on Mullan, and I'd guess around 25-30 trains per day. Well worth a visit.

[@ScottHiddelston]

After I started filming a guy showed up to take photos. He didn't want to be in the video so I promised him I would mask him out ( he was bigger than me). Thanks for commenting.

[@Cass48]

He's probably wanted by the cops and wants to stay hidden!!

[@gp3829]

I really enjoyed watching and listening to this video. Executive SD70MAC livery is the finest. Also, Montana RL is good too.

[@rickeyhall5468]

I Miss Southern Pacific Coal Trains with Tunnel Motors and sd45s, Rio Grande coal cars.

[@lideresac44i41]

Jeez, this ramp is awesome, look at the strength of the sd70 and ac44i.

[@tonywaldon7801]

The 44's are awesome

[@lideresac44i41]

@@tonywaldon7801 certainly ☺️

[@Sahadi420]

It's amazing that you could take HUNDREDS of these coal trains, and it would power an aircraft carrier, or submarine for about the same time as a ping pong ball sized piece of Uranium.

[@donnebes9421]

The crew of that train have the best office view on the planet.

[@jeffwhite3021]

That front loco is beautiful 😍!

[@tonywaldon7801]

Front locomotive, "the executive Mac" Known as EMD SD-70 MAC

[@joseluispereznicolas615]

Excelente video saludos desde Queretaro México 🚂🚂🚂👍👍

[@ScottHiddelston]

thanks neilybob. That little canyon holds the sound in perfectly if you can get there on a calm day. Got lucky with this one.

[@michaelpass2176]

One engine, two power units, might more units at the end of train, four units in the middle of train could be used for braking go down hill and one unit a the end, is being used for power going up hill. Could be use as a switch engine when coming to siding to off load some of the coal cars.

[@hadesdescent6664]

Comment after 2 years of regular watching!!! My favorite video on KZbin! Notch 8! 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪🙋😎

[@ScottHiddelston]

Thank you Hades !!!!

[@plumbingstuffinoregon2471]

Fantastic video! Funny the way that train is set up you could play the video in reverse and it'd be hard to tell.

[@jimdailey1018]

It's mind boggling what railroads can move today.

[@KreativeFotoVideo]

Fantastic rail video

[@neilybobmojo_railfanning]

Beautiful scenery, amazing sound and great camera work make for another winner! Favorite for sure. Interesting exhaust sound mix of the EMD and GE as they move upgrade. Thanks for sharing.

[@linvanscott2108]

Great works.

[@Trainlm]

Great video! Beautiful scenery, mid train helpers and DPU. Awesome.

[@nxtyrjrslm]

WOW? Best video saw this year, and last, super heavy, green,

[@shiddelston]

+james cooley Thanks James. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@CarolinaCorrea-gl4sy]

Que lindos Videos .me encanta Ver el tren . Calientes California, Union .muy bonitos Videos Paisajes hermosos.❤❤ Ciemore sigo estos Canales de lindos lugares.desde Chile🇨🇱Saludos.

[@dfk4500]

Lost for words!!! I would hate to be at a crossing waiting for that to clear! 😁😁

[@demil3618]

125 cars, each assume 15m = 1,875km + the locos. So gets close to 2km total length I would estimate

[@ScottHiddelston]

I had to mask out someone who showed up after I started filming who didn't want to be photographed. I didn't like it either.

[@talusranch990]

Screw that person, he is in public and has no right (or reason) to cry.

[@hughjardon5869]

People in public settings have no say on whether they get photographed or not.

[@Goldarr1900]

@@hughjardon5869 very true.

[@WaterburnerActual]

Today, with cameras on every city block, and half a dozen in between, One Has No Expectation of Privacy Outside Their Own Home. Additionally and most importantly, I do believe this is the best exhibition of locomotive power video Ive watched.

[@mark_wooley001]

just an amazing train video ... the only thing missing is my cabin opposite the bridge with the porch at equal elevation as the tracks... : )

[@shiddelston]

+david pine whistle you buy it I'll rent it from you !!! Thanks for commenting.

[@progx8679]

LOVE Coal !!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep it coming !

[@eprn1n2]

Nice to finally see solar panels being used on the top of these locomotives.

[@andyharman3022]

Yeah, it makes enough power to run the fan to keep the engineer cool.

[@MrAdrianc100]

These loco's really hang in there on these grades. Great stuff and no grade crossing chimes either...even better!

[@ScottHiddelston]

+Adrian C Thanks again Adrian. I appreciate the comment

[@penelope8557]

3 questions: (1) How many locomotives altogether? (2) How many cars altogether? (3) How many engineers on this train?

[@kc8rbk73]

Where is this? What incredible scenery! Thank you for sharing such magnificence with us all who may never be able to visit.

[@ScottHiddelston]

Jason McLaughlin thanks Jason. This is about 15 miles west of Helena Montana USA

[@MrSnowy79]

Very nice!! I think that deserves a Tim Taylor grunt of manly approval......

[@ScottHiddelston]

MrSnowy79 High praise indeed Snowy !! Thanks.

[@ScottHiddelston]

Thanks LM. You've got the 3 reasons I like Mullan!

[@lawrencekedz]

Never seen anything like this. Finally, at 7:00 minutes, I thought I saw the end car, the caboose. But nooooooo, it's another freaking engine. Wow !!! But I do love a nice caboose, if ya' know what I mean. Know what I mean?

[@181le6]

8 locos and 125 cars. Awesome.

[@mybestieischloer2401]

love the roar of those traction motors

[@hooftey01]

That is an impressive show of brute force. ATTA BOY!

[@judithdeydamia]

Que belleza de tren, un gran abrazo desde Alajuela Costa Rica 🇨🇷.

[@koiesbow]

Wondering what was in front of that pine tree that kept being edited out by all the rectangles.

[@MilePost106]

Your videos are kick ass! Keep them coming! I love Montana, hauled lots of grain back in the day across the state.

[@trenesporjarucoyotrasprovi4694]

Excelente video y un lugar espectacular para poder realizar filmaciones. Saludos desde Cuba 🇨🇺👍📸.

[@balachdr5]

great shot.The Locos are at maximum power!

[@colvinator1611]

Fantastic use of God's resources ! Thanks a lot, Colin UK 🇬🇧

[@johnmoore8016]

Love those long train with a lot of power plant monving them. thanks for the video.

[@iansutton3176]

No wonder Warren Buffet bought BNSF, this would have to be one of the most efficient railroads operating anywhere in the world today!

[@richardgordon8110]

any locomotive that can handle this many coal wagons with out stalling has got my vote for loco of the year.

[@9carcottrell246]

RICHARD GORDON I'm running v-16 fiat Alice tug boat engine with 3000 brake wheel horse power each car. 660,000 pounds per rail car, full inter axel wheel lock deployment and sand spreader deployment, 850,000 pounds of tractive drive LETS PULL GOOOOO WITH THROTTLE UP

[@jimgemmell2831]

You're running fuck all 9 car. You probably need a train this long to carry all the bullshit you comment on here.

[@midlandcompound]

Amazing stuff! Thanks for sharing, brings back happy memories.

[@Cj-kh5po]

Thank you so much for filming the entire train. In 2022 I hauled freight back and forth across I-90 and always enjoyed seeing MRL helping BNSF trains over the pass. Does anyone know when the pass at Butte was put out of service, and why? I have hiked a small amount of the line, but would love to do more of it when time allows.