A Morning With the San Joaquin Valley Railroad

[@proudfoamer2]

Shortlines, the hidden gems of modern railroading. Great video.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thank you!

[@w.m.6018]

Top interesting and informational video. Many thanks Mark.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

My pleasure!

[@lindahurley-bruce7575]

The SJVR is fascinating, with a varied roster, and it covers a lot of territory. I live in LA and try to make it up to railfan the SJVR once or twice a year. The most predictable branch I've found is the Buttonwillow branch, easy to get to and spot from the I-5.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

When I did my piece on the McKittrick Branch I caught them parked at Frito-Lay. I shot on two different days between Bakersfield and Buttonwillow but only saw them the one time. They switch the Oil City and are on the Minkler Southern most days. If you haven't, I hope you check out those videos. Both are in the "Branchlines" playlist. Thanks for checking it out!

[@LouT1501]

My former (corporate) employer - I worked for a line in Oregon. GWI was alright, mostly, and I appreciated being able to hold jobs in the area I lived (could not have done that with UP or BNSF). BTW, Mark, we labeled the corporate locomotive scheme 'circus train' colors. They are the school colors of Princeton University, alma mater of GWI's former CEO, Mortimer Fuller III, but we all called him Mort (he is a good guy, BTW).

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I've had the trainmen there tell me they preferred making less if they could be home every night. Interesting story about the colors! Thanks for checking it out!

[@geohig01]

Great video, explaining the step-by-step actions of a local train out in the Oil City/Minkler area.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

It was one of the fun ones to shoot and I figured folks would like it! Thanks for checking it out!

[@mutanay77]

What days do they operate the oil cars? I’m at manor street crossing at the tricor refining entrance

[@JosueRodriguez-kk6wn]

Whenever there is demand.

[@ictrains9731]

G & W purchase of Rail America, previous Rail Tex Railroad all short line/Regional lines.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

G&W operates all shortlines in America?

[@oubrioko]

​@@MarkClayMcGowan Basically, G & W is the parent company of dozens of short line (Class III) and regional (Class II) railroads. G & W owns more than 100 shortline-type railroads primarily in North America. Each of these railroads operate independently as subsidiaries of Genesee & Wyoming where the most recently acquired locomotive power is painted in a common orange paint scheme with a thick black stripe. As David Grounds correctly explained above, an earlier holding company named *Railtex* owned a handful of short line railroads with a locomotive fleet painted in a common maroon and grey scheme. Later *RailAmerica* purchased Railtex along with a variety of other assets. RailAmerica began painting newly acquired locomotives of its member railroads in a common red, white and blue scheme seen in this video at 2:14. In 2012, Genesee and Wyoming purchased Rail America. So, both the orange and black loco and the RailAmerica loco are San Joaquin Valley Railroad assigned diesels owned by G & W. It is possible to find current locomotives from G&W owned railroads that remain in the maroon and grey paint scheme of the former Railtex, or the red, white, and blue scheme of the former RailAmerca, however most wear the current orange and black G&W scheme. Cheers

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

@@oubrioko thanks for the info and for checking it out.

[@rynetreatch9558]

Had to do a double take on that motorcycle to see if it was me or my buddy! If you’re around there and see small planes with “PATROL” on the wings, that’s us! The Olive crossing is why I stay on Knudsen and take it all the way to Norris. I like trains, but I don’t want to get stuck on my way to work! Does SJVR switch out the big refinery off of 7th Standard or does BNSF handle that themselves? I know UP switches out all the industries up by Minter Field, just curious if BNSF does the same with that refinery since it’s off their main. Thanks for the videos, Mark!

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I'll keep an eye out for your plane and you know what my truck and bike look like! I always take Knudsen too just in case. BNSF does switch the gas plant. I believe they switch the industrial park behind the Target center too.

[@billtimmons7071]

I'm glad the crewman has some kinda grab rail to hold on to when he rides the rear of the consist. Dangerous job. Thanks for switching descriptions. I enjoyed your video about manual switches and electric locks. I was wondering what those padlocked electric stands are for. Nice video and go get hydrated will ya :)

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thanks! It's a very dangerous job. I always think about the danger at crossings. I always have iced propel and a case of water (still have perks at UP) in the truck! Thanks for checking it out!

[@finaldraft151]

Do a lot of UP and BNSF guys jump ship and get hired on at SJVRR..? Or do they pretty much have their own "OG" people..? I'd imagine that when SJVRR took over the branch lines they took on a lot of old SP and ATSF heads. About what year did this take place? Great video as always and very informative.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

The sale of the branches happened in 1995-96. At first they had retirees and furloughed SP and BNSF guys but it's pretty much in house now from what I hear. They don't make as much but they're home every night. Thanks for checking it out!

[@JP-dj2ro]

Great video. What is the loaded tank cars they pull from oildale?.

[@alexanderglushko2599]

Hey Mark! You said "have a safe day" to that guy, didn't you? Is it a usual wish in the US railroad? We have, here in the post-Soviet area, for example, another particularly railroad wish - have a green journey!)

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Hi Alexander! It's pretty common on all the Railroads here with so much emphasis on safety it kind of becomes habitual. I can understand the green journey though even in the signal department. Thanks for checking it out all the way from Russia!

[@hj-mr5gg]

When the SJV took over SP's branches do they need to change relay boxes or just change the company name on the box?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Just the name and the locks! Thanks for checking it out!

[@patchescessna7348]

Its amazing how the railroads are imitating the airlines by outsourcing and pushing capital expenditures down to the customer level, Very ironic but I guess the growth is now with the class ll and lll roads. Somehow, I have a bad feeling long term.. Anyone know how the financials work in terms of track/facility use by a local line? One plus is assuming a local line will go the extra mile to secure and grow their shipper base....

[@MyrtleBeach123]

What is an XT Circuit?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

A direct crossing control in which the control circuit begins near each edge of the road and trains have to occupy it before the gates drop so they have to stop until they are all the way down. No electronics, just rails, track wires and relays. If you go the "how the signal system works" playlist below I have an in depth video on how all crossings work there. Thanks for checking it out!