Lone SD40 FAILS TO CLIMB Steep Grade Twice, Making Freight Train Back Up!

[@traviscurlutu7723]

Wet rail and fall leaves is your culprit. I've been running locomotives for 27 yrs and have been bitten by this scenario many times. Fall is beautiful time of year but absolutely sucks for those of us running trains. Great vid by the way.

[@Terk131]

Happens on the rails here in the Adirondacks. Wet cold tracks, wet leaves and steep grades don't add up to anything good.

[@litz13]

Did that once on a scenic railroad in a thunderstorm. Rain was literally washing the sand off the rail before the wheel got to it. Took us 3 tries to get enough momentum to crest the hill. 2 GP9s and 10 passenger cars (and 450 people) adds up to a lot of weight.

[@scottriggs6014]

Jason, he is going up the hill, light engine, and sanding the rails as he goes. We used to do the same thing when I worked for CSX. He will back down on his cut again, and give it another try. We would do this quite often when we had contaminated rail....

[@johnalder6028]

Wet leaves on the tracks snow on the cars and an atumnal colored 503 struggles to complete it's mission as autos and Jason wait patiently. Life goes on.

[@johnzeller1338]

We had our biggest problems in the fall. Rain and wet leaves on the rails makes for a very slippery situation. Plus that's a lot of cars for just one loco on a day like that. Bad dispatching! Great video.

[@wiseolesage]

I have to say this is something more rarely seen now than in the past. With computers and calculator a dispatcher should get it right. Now with weather conditions being added into the problem I personally think the engineer did a fantastical job without adding a extra engine or splitting the train up. Good video Jason A. Good catch.

[@RogerDiotte]

For sure eh Ted (nice meeting you btw)....that's common on short lines about now with fall and dew-leaf lined rails! I'm working on one myself (short line) and this is the dreaded season to fear as a railroader!

[@Sven_Okas1967]

Autumn time, smear from the leaves on the rails without sands there is nothing. Greetings from Berlin/ Germany. Sven

[@libby5335]

That was really interesting. Not enough speed the first two times. But he had it going good on the third try. Have never seen that scenario before. Thanks for hanging around to make sure he made it up and over the grade.

[@thomasmackowiak]

Wonderful catch, Jason! I am glad that you stuck around to see they finally make it up the grade.

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

hi tks irish fan

[@JawTooth]

That was cool! I have seen trains stall on grades a few times but never twice that I can remember. That makes short line interesting. I love that line

[@davecruzen9352]

Priceless video captured. This gets an A! Boy, you lucked out. Even my wife loved it hearing me laughing. Great video!

[@mandm339]

Wet leaves on the rail. Every engineers nightmare

[@winifrednorwood5428]

Great Video!!! Put me in mind of “The Little Train that Could”, The rhythmic sound of the steam locomotive becoming, “I think I can, I think I can!” Eventually , that diesel locomotive knew it did!!

[@mattl9687]

This happens frequently here in PA on the short line grade. Mainly in the fall and spring when rails are wet. Especially at grade crossings. Just was slipping, so backing clear, sanding, and getting a run-in is the easiest and cheapest option. Now if this were a tonnage unit coal train, not happening. Nice catch though. Love hearing that old 645 pulling its guts out👌

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

hi gt comments from Ireland winter set n 2 wks ago

[@ChiefCabioch]

Sanding is automatic if the wheel slip indicator detects wheel slip and if it continues the system drops that traction motor out or seriously derates power to the wheels slipping.

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

hi tks for d information gd guy Jason n like Pennsylvania too Brian Ireland Fan

[@CutterJ]

Wet leaves and rail can make even the smallest of grades difficult Cutter & Ms C

[@robertbate5790]

EPIC !! Rails must have been extra greasy with the damp. Great engineer skill wins the day 👍👍👍👍👍

[@joshjones3408]

You get in lock the hubs in an gramer down in low winder up right befor she blow an let the breaks off...👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@larrythumper1559]

Wet leaves really makes for a nasty time climbing any hill. I had my first accident in Michigan on wet leaves only going 15 MPH, Thanks for another great video.

[@pierrevandyk9242]

That was quite nail-biting. A long train for one engine. I was chasing a train up Sir Lowry's pass and the train stopped due to traction. Was a wet Black Southeastern wind blowing. The sand towers in Belleville were empty. The driver got out and had to put ballast on the track!!! It worked.

[@LeahK2018]

This is most likely the train couldn't make it up the hill because if the falling leaves off the trees. When the wheels go over the leaves it squashes them resulting making the rail more slippery. There probably getting a ton of wheel slip on the locomotives. Ohhh I do know what I'm talking about , I have worked for CSX for over 22 years and autumn 🍂 leaves are a issue in some parts of the country

[@matthewclark8898]

Leaves are a bitch

[@randknu1]

My guess is they are sanding the grade, going slow gets more sand pr length. Then going back to get the cars. I am an engineer myself i have stalled on a grade but was able to slide back a few carlengths while sanding and get started again.

[@jackvetra2844]

Thanks for leaving a comment Leah

[@bradhardy2629]

Looks like an old Milwaukee Road engine. Or maybe a Great Northern / BN..

[@tredworthtt120]

An RHTT is needed Rail Head Treatment Train for this exact purpose

[@johnwinter8273]

I think I can! I think I can! Maybe not. This would be a good time to have a scanner and hear their conversation with the office.

[@7892rl]

Brilliant commentary !! Sometimes silence is golden.

[@spiderkidLarry]

Man, they should know there routes by now, thats silly, BUT good video any how, I enjoy trains so watching something unusual is ok,,,, glad you didnt get the snow, heard it was a bad one

[@philknerr4587]

Wow. Railroading is not all fun and games. Great catch Jason

[@conceyullena]

Like 38 beautiful video, greetings 🚂👍🚂🔝📽️🙋‍♂️

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

hi love ur symbols n comments Gt Fan Jason's Greetings 4000miles away in Ireland Brian

[@kawasakiz76]

As an engineer, what I would've done, is shoved as far down the hill as I could, left the conductor with the train, and sanded the hill up and back with the lite locomotive. The branchline that I work had several 2 and 3% grades. We have to do that at least twice a week.

[@leslie-up7qs]

When i worked for BN on the local frum Great Falls to Laurel we took 3 runs at a long grade bfore 2 extra units showed up to help pull us

[@ronaldhass8413]

Awesome video Jason that was great I think I can I think I can

[@donnlowe9129]

If he stalled On the hill it is because he didn't have enough momentum or he had A tremendous amount of wheel slip which is possible because of the residue from the leaves hitting the rail. Rails are very slippery in the autumn when you have condensation and wet leaves on the rail. He will have to backup and get a running start. Having full Sanders that work is imperative in the autumn.

[@mr.wilson8340]

There is an old steam locomotive that runs up a canyon near my home pulling passenger cars with sightseers. When I was young we put axle grease on the tracks. Lots of spinning and steam.

[@thefaballbowler]

Thank u for posting this video bet it was a cold one hope your warm now

[@petermiller9878]

That was really cool. First it was crazy with the 2 cars that’s pulled out in front of him, even though he was going slow that was dumb. The both of them. But it was cool to see the train have to back up twice. I was thinking the engineer is probably like…. Why does there have to be a guy there filming this? Lol. But he figured it out, whatever they did when they went up with just the engine. So good on them for getting that train through, and look at all that lumber it was hauling up that hill, makes sense it was getting stuck.

[@leonardovalladares4315]

I would do the same i first stop look if train goin fast i would stay still seeing going slow stop and go

[@davidtattersall7684]

This was the first clip I watched of your channel. Loved it. Subscribed and been a fan from down here in New Zealand ever since 🙂 Keep up the great work. Makes my day watching your content 😎

[@sernajrlouis]

That's happened to me before. Had to physically put sand on rails to help. Great video

[@sernajrlouis]

Just subscribed too

[@TravisTLK]

Don't just stand there. Give the guy a hand and PUSH! 😋

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

It brought out d best n You n All of us better than a movie

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

Tks J Please show again i ckd Google ur videos its not on it I'm sure it will be Soon!

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

hi Jason when i get money I Will Meet U Brian

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

hi J put dat video on Again

[@tomdickinson8450]

Great job Jason! If you ask me it was a combination of everything everyone mentioned. And with the cost of fuel today I feel the engineer/contractor made the right decision. Thanks for another riveting video! WINTER IS COMING!!!

[@tomdickinson8450]

Of course that’s conductor, not contractor.

[@tomdickinson8450]

Sometimes spellcheck sucks.

[@garykuipers2696]

Slippery rail due to weeds, leaves, poor track conditions, not enough motive power=formula for failure. Imagine the frustration for the engineer. Before the aqua train we used to couple two locomotives together and sand ahead of the electric powered trains since the MU's weren't equipped with sanders. Diesel powered trains sanded as needed. I've had trains slide through station stops due to leaf accumulation on the rails, especially during rain.

[@ojarskrumins8476]

Yeah. Wet leaves on the rail and some rust makes a lot of trouble. And here main issue is a weight for the locomotive. It is too light. Power of engine and traction motors is sufficient to slip the wheels and in conditions like we have in the video, you can run out of sand very quickly even if you started a shift with all sanders top loaded.

[@jimwilloughby]

I've never seen that either. I wonder if the wet rails were a contributing factor in not making the hill. How far away was the top of the grade? Kinda looks like he did what you said. he sanded the rails in reverse which gave him enough traction to build speed and make the grade.

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

hi thanks for ur education n words (im learning) on dat train i don't live n America but i felt for d engineer a truly gt feat n Jason on video

[@pamelawarren5405]

The little engine that couldn't ! 😄

[@erict5234]

This time of year the leaves and wet rail creates a grease that causes wheelslip like crazy...

[@flyingfortressrc1794]

Wow I guess I never thought about trains not making it up hills. Cool video .

[@N9IBZED]

Now That's a first for me as well but then I was never near a steep grade when I lived near the tracks before

[@spuwho]

It was apparent he was slipping even before he reached the crossing. It sounded like he had the handle at the highest notch the first two times (but not the last). So he dropped his load, came back to the summit and dropped his sand rolling backwards so it would be in place for his third and final attempt. Seems it worked.

[@yvindHvaal]

Hi Jason! That was fun to watch. Slippery rails, I guess. But they made it in the end.. have a marvelous weekend, Jason.

[@N4UPD]

Proper planning prevents piss poor performance.

[@Jleed989]

Love the fall colors! Strange. They’ve made that grade hundreds of times before.

[@fullscale4me]

Fall leaves season stinks for trains. Decaying leaves is very slippery on the track. NYC area commuter agencies spray the rails to help their trains stop safely and make schedule. When commuting I've seen a train trying to stop slide right past a station stop and have to back up.

[@alfredboyd1673]

great video of locomotive getting it done 👍

[@scotthayes4135]

"I Think I Can, I Think I Can, I Think I Can!"

[@mirkomiskov477]

Great video, experienced Enginer.

[@josephcrowshaw950]

Interesting video, thanks for catching the whole episode too. Don't pay any mind to the nay-sayers who didn't want any commentary either, you're informative and don't get carried away. I read a comment below about leaves on the track and some about possible engine power being an issue. Maybe you could update on this? Thank you, Joe

[@Florida8499]

Wet rails and a heavy train usually don't work well together. Good video.

[@randallkuehnle8228]

That is quite common in the fall. Falling leaves on top of the rail combined with rain or wet rails makes the top of the rail very slippery thus causing loss of traction . It makes a goooey mess.

[@Realroyrogers]

That is a jewel of a R/R video, a great catch

[@danielneeley5480]

I love seeing an EMD maxxed out!!

[@RobertSanders-mp2ef]

He had to back up sanding the rails. Nice video. I enjoyed

[@davenitsch6094]

Great capture Jason, wet leaves on the rails are a bear!

[@jasonasselin]

Yes they are!

[@jocokscopwatch6641]

i still watch from time to time keep up the great work

[@thedesertdwellerfromutah4354]

SD40's are about the toughest units ever built. If one is unable to haul the tonnage like what's seen here you know it's loaded to the gills.

[@juicyfruit7995]

Watching from South Wales in the UK, love these trains.

[@walterfink9782]

I've seen videos where this happens. The majority of the time, more power is needed and wasn't figured correctly. On flat land you can use less power. But., any change in elevation no matter how much or how long, more power is needed. Like this. Many times you'll see trains with what looks like too much power. But with hills demanding more power, it's added in the beginning. Sometimes "helper engines" are added and then removed when not needed. The weight of the train and what elevation is going to be traveling helps in determining power. Weather can also make a difference.

[@kleetus92]

One of three things happened... Either his solo run was to prep the rail surface of fresh rust with some sand, they dropped a couples of cars, or, if any retaining valves were set, they may have kicked them all off to reduce drag on this particular run. Ok, maybe a 4th option, they exceeded track speed somewhere at the bottom for another 5-10 mph additional speed to carry the hill.

[@WhitfieldProductionsTV]

now these are the types of videos I like, trains struggling.

[@rons3103]

And I was expecting the title to be, "The Little Train that Could!" or "The 3rd Time is a Charm!" 😁😁😁😁

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

hi J watching this Again its Superb the train n d video Happy Hallo----

[@garyhoffman4653]

Good clip Jason. Thanks

[@keithshayle123]

Being in the UK I am amazed at the 'have a go' approach adopted by the driver. Over here they would have to call a meeting, get some additional staff to make an assessment of the situation, then do a health and safety check to ensure there is no risk to the staff or public, and then when it was all over carry out an investigation in to what happened!!!! There's probably a few steps I've missed in that, maybe involve the Police and Fire brigade in case of potential disaster!!!!!

[@adventurekid9242]

Not to turn it political or anything but that's difference between more of a socialist based economy and society and this free range free-for-all we have in America. Often times things need to be tackled with a group mentality but then oftentimes the group is not with us and it's a goet alone thing. I admire his thoughtfulness and creative thinking

[@keithshayle123]

@@adventurekid9242 The UK whilst currently undergoing somewhat of a Political upheaval, we are on our third Prime minister in four months, has currently a centre right Government (Conservative party). Our latest is Rishi Sunak the first British Asian to be elected into the role just today when the King offered him the job, so in that sense we are certainly a very diverse country. The main opposition party is the Labour Party and they certainly do believe in socialist left wing policies, and regrettably given the current state of the Country there is a very high likelihood of them winning the next General election. Their leader - Sir Kier Starmer described himself and his party as centre left, however behind him is his deputy leader - Angela Raynor, and she is very far too the left, some would say almost Communist! The problem is, she will probably end up ousting Starmer and her and her 'Trotski' nutter friends could take over! No surprise I am centre right i.e a Conservative voter. Beyond the Political lesson, in answer to the point, the UK and Europe have always been a heavily governed society, with legislation and rules to cover every aspect of life, but society is used to it and generally don't complain as it's just the way things are. So when it comes to 'British Rail' as it's called overall, it's no surprise that health and safety take a front seat, and any mishap such as in this video, will require an extensive procedure to be followed to avoid any risk to the public or staff. As another example, in the UK 99.9% of all rail lines are securely fenced to prevent the public even getting near the track!

[@rustyshackleford6637]

@@adventurekid9242 kind of like baseball

[@davesweeney8377]

I've worked on the Union Pacific, on the Marysville Subdivision. There a pretty good size hil you have to climb just before you get into Marysville, Kansas pulling a coal train up over the hill, a couple of times we stalled out, so I had to go half way back and tie down the rear portion and make a cut and pull half at a time over the hill. And a couple of times the conductor and I had to walk ahead of the train with some old coffee cans and scup up sand off the right-a-way and pour it on the rail for extra traction, we were going about 5 to 8 miles an hour, that extra sand really helped. I was the head breakman at the time.

[@caseyjones1950]

Wet rails, and out of sand? Bring in a pusher! Somebody didn't figure the tonage right! Seen this happen a few times here in Plymouth, Michigan a few times ,in the past going West to Lansing! First one was a rail train, & several coal trains that used to run to Holand. One time a mixed freight with 2 Chessie B&O GP40's, stalled coming out of Detroit, and had to have a 3rd

[@caseyjones1950]

Cool video Jason!

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

hi I used to watch Casey Jones when a kid gee All Aboard!! oh gt comments d Real thing watching from Ireland this video brought me hope in Humanity! Brian

[@EL-sp5zi]

Great video, amazing how sand is so important to a locomotive at times....if I had to get up a hill with too much tonnage and a single unit, give me an 80 MAC all day every day.

[@mrkeopele]

the cars couldn't slow that train down, other issues caused this, great video, thank you. i like the narration,

[@SS-qf3di]

Congratulations! Loco driver did it. I think loco wheel slips on the iced rail In the winter season. The loco needs high speed and more powerful notch on this situation. Loco driver made a good decision.

[@SS-qf3di]

It was great video. Jason Thanks a lot.

[@raddek99]

Keep up the good work buddy. Watch you from Maui all the time. Former Michigander now working in paradise :)

[@Hyrev1]

Awesome video Jason!👍👍👍

[@curtfenslau3645]

They were just doing some run bys for you

[@databang]

In a certain railroad yard in Northern Wisconsin there stood an extremely heavy train that had to be drawn up an unusually heavy grade before it could reach its destination. The superintendent of the yard was not sure what it was best for him to do, so he went up to a large, strong engine and asked: "Can you pull that train over the hill?" "It is a very heavy train," responded the engine. He then went to another great engine and asked: "Can you pull that train over the hill?" "It is a very heavy grade," it replied. The superintendent was much puzzled, but he turned to still another engine that was spick and span new, and he asked it: "Can you pull that train over the hill?" "I think I can," responded the engine. So the order was circulated, and the engine was started back so that it might be coupled with the train, and as it went along the rails it kept repeating to itself: "I think I can. I think I can. I think I can." The coupling was made and the engine began its journey, and all along the level, as it rolled toward the ascent, it kept repeating to itself: "I ---think ---I can. I ---think ---I--- can. I ---think--- I ---can." Then it reached the grade, but its voice could still be heard: "I think I can. I----- think-----I-----can. I -----think----- I----- can." Higher and higher it climbed, and its voice grew fainter and its words came slower: "I -------think --------I-------can." It was almost to the top. “I ---------think" It was at the top. "I ---------can’t… I cannot. I’m leaving, too many friggin’ leaves." Altered version of _Story of the Engine that Thought It Could._ This is an early version of the story that became known as _The Little Engine That Could,_ published 8 April 1906 in the New York Tribune en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_Engine_That_Could

[@wilber53]

Been there done it! Nothing new...Leaves on the tracks greases up the rail. You can back down and sand the rail while backing down,then retry again. 2nd choice is cut the train in half and take the first half to a siding and then go back and get the second half. Why they were going slow back n forth,they were sanding the rail. I did 37 years of doing this.

[@lydiafife8716]

Great video - and yes we don’t see this often - thank you 🙏

[@richdiscoveries]

That was pretty cool.. nice catch

[@deaneastwick]

37 cars on the train. I could not believe they got the train over the hump that was crazy only one locomotive pulling that with 37 cars. Thanks, Jason

[@thud9797]

37 empty cars. 😀

[@unutentequalsiasi5669]

Is a sd-40, not very powerfull

[@GregoryZucco-z6m]

Was not totally empty, didn't you see the cars with the logs on them, what about the box cars and hopper cars, you can't see inside so how do you know if they are empty or not?

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

this is real life comedy ur words mk me laugh, now what stuck etc., i agree d cars messed up the momentum! Jason in right place at right time real life drama man wish u n them Well Never saw on video b4!! Brian Ireland Sla'inte

[@DannyC379]

I don’t blame those cars. After seeing how slow it was going. I woulda went too.

[@jackthegiantkiller388]

after many times going back and forth we find we have an orange freddy on the back good video and Thank you Jason interesting video!

[@stephenhenion8304]

Great video!! We just don't see this in our part the country... new England..

[@steelydan42]

The little Engine that couldn't 🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂

[@happyjack880]

Every curse word known to man (and some that aren't) was used in that cab on that day.

[@frankfelice4048]

Excellent video, thanks

[@ratbag359]

Damp and leaves affect adhesion very much id say on a dry day no problem. may even be able to start on the grade.

[@fogdan]

Awesome Video!!! Thanks for posting.

[@jasonasselin]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MeigsCountyRR]

Great video Jason! They should have given him two engines before he started. I think that's decided by a dispatcher or operations person when they're making up the train. I think they misjudged on this one. They're going to get their winter brains working! Greg in TN :)

[@hughsmith790]

We used to have that problem here where I live. It was the MKT that shared trackage rights with the Frisco back in the old days. There was a 1.5-2% grade from the yard 12 miles northeast of us to the station here. Many times, MKT would be underpowered for the loads they were pulling and when they reached the crossing here by the train depot, they stalled out a lot. So thankfully, this was back in the caboose days so you had people on the rear to spot traffic when you had to back up 12 miles to get extra power put on the head end of your train. I had some super 8 film of one of the MKT’s great mess ups but I have no idea if it even still exists. It would be fun to see again. Thanks for this very interesting video.

[@lelandgaunt9985]

Ship it on the frisco.

[@ericrueth1946]

Great video keep them coming...

[@thelovertunisia]

I've seen that happen in the middle of a main station here in Tunisia. It was a freight train hauled by an old MLW loco from Canada. They tried 2 times then cut the train in two.

[@98grand5point9]

Wet, leaves, not enough sand. We ran out of sand one day with damp rails and falling leaves sticking to them.

[@jordanw8382]

The little engine that could.

[@Ma007rk]

More like the big engine that COULDN'T!

[@MICKLUCE]

Nice Never seen one have to try 3 times. Thanks for sharing

[@paprna]

Leafs on the track.

[@randallellison6421]

Nice video! I've seen this happen on a number of occasions on BNSF! This is what happens when you don't have enough power to pull the train, combined with rail that is wet and/or littered with debris at which point they were only left with about 3 options. Either split the train in half and take each section over the grade and then reassemble the train, add a second locomotive, or the option you see in the video, which was cut away from the train, coat the Rails with sand, couple back and shove the train backwards to a spot where they can get a run at the hill!

[@CWAIGN82]

Great catch!greetings from Chicago!

[@jasonasselin]

Thanks for coming