A HUGE Military Train At Kern Junction

[@Espeelover]

Hey Mark! The trucks you mentioned about with the suspension being cinched down are JLTV’s. They have an airbag suspension that allows for different ride heights and lowering the vehicle profile when needed. The nearly identical looking, but larger trucks(only about 6-8) were M-ATV Guntrucks. Majority of the other trucks were HMMWV’s, both unarmored and up-armored. Along with logistics, fuel, and Stryker (LAV) Light-Armored Vehicles.

[@frankdemski7242]

Wow. That train must be more than miles long. Never saw that before. Great👍

[@MrMopar413]

You talk about plus other people , about people breaking into containers on the top of a double stack. I’m a retired heavy duty diesel equipment mechanic. I don’t know if my idea would ever stop all thefts from containers but it might stop a lot of thrifts ; but this is a vary simple idea . Take a piece of steel flat bar 1.50 inches wide by 3 / 8 inch thick by maybe 8 inches long or a little longer. Weld it securely in the middle of the right side door then when you close the right side door last that piece of flat bar should overlap the left side door then put down 3 tach welds about 1 / 2 long one on the top , side and bottom. In doing so it’s my opinion you’d never put enough heat into the door to effect the inside cargo. Then the reciever would have to cut the tach welds to open the door. It sounds complicated but it’s not. A competent individual with minor metal working experience with a 5 inch die grinder could cut through the tack welds pretty easily. Then just a little clean up on where the tack welds were and it’s ready for the next customer. It would be dam well impossible for someone out in nowhere to cut those tach welds. I used to work for a mining equipment manufacturer and when we shipped a order of equipment into Russia we’d weld 1 / 8 inch steel plate over all access parts of the machine and tack weld it but our tack welds where longer. It works . If it will detour thieves in Russia, it will work here to. The investment in welding and metal working equipment is minimal compared to the product thief loose inquired. I suppose a few might try it but I’d say it would stop 99% of it.

[@TheMrDarius]

I could see that working and I could also see that generating more jobs in the railroad industry and that's straight money in our pockets.

[@jimdimwitty8740]

The U.S. Army has the Fort Irwin (National Training Center) in the Death Valley area for desert warfare training located not terribly far from Yermo where we offloaded and then convoyed to NTC. We "rail-headed" all the vehicles in our Brigade from Fort Hood, Texas when I was in the 1st Cavalry Division. Also, the U.S. Army sometimes rotates combat vehicles/units in and out of both Kuwait and South Korea (via the Port of San Diego, California). I see long militarily trains every now and then coming through downtown San Diego. Many times they have M-2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles and M-1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks loaded on heavy-duty 6 axel DOD flat cars.🇺🇲🪖

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thanks for the information! We lived in Kileen briefly when I was in 7th grade (1971) while my stepdad was stationed at Ft. Hood. It was an awesome base!

[@echohunter4199]

You’re quite correct sir. I’m a retired 11H/11B (1983-2009) and I’ve seen a lot of videos like this where folks often think we’re moving vehicles for some deployment but it’s usually just units rotating through Irwin for their fun-filled desert warfare training session, lol. As you know, we do these unit moves so the unit can gain experience in strategic deployment with rail and often aircraft and that way a unit can be somewhat certified for a while.

[@TheBuckeyeJeff]

I use to be stationed at Ft Irwin as OPFOR (Opposing Force) right after we came back from Desert Storm where they put us through russian military tactics and procedures school and we fought as russians against US Army units who were coming in monthly with different Brigades to fight against us in a huge laser tag style warfare. I was also at Ft. Hood and deployed to Iraq from there the 2nd time around in 2004. I ended up retiring from the 101st at Ft Campbell after a tour in Afghanistan.

[@jimdimwitty8740]

@echohunter4199 Thank you for your service. I'm a former 11A and commanded a Mechanized Platoon with the 2nd Armored Division (Forward) based out of Germany and we were attached to the 1st Infantry Division as their 3rd Maneuver Brigade during Operation Desert Storm 🇺🇲👍

[@TheBuckeyeJeff]

@@jimdimwitty8740 I went with 1st Armored Division, 69th Chemical Company, smoke platoon mech.

[@samueldelozier2227]

Hello sir. My name is Sam DeLozier and I recently started watching your KZbin channel becase use of my interest in old railroads . And as I was going through your older videos I saw you did a video on Cantill Calif a few years back. In your video you visited the old Cantill school and an old abandon ranch with a two story Spanish style ranch house on it. I think you called it a hacienda. Well sir that was our ranch the Thunderbird Ranch many years ago and my father John Delozier built that house himself. And we lived there for many years until life took it's many turns and we moved on. I went to that Red Rock school and there were 3 grades all in one classroom. The old building you thought might be a living quarters was a classroom. The building was brought there by mile team in 1920 And the old Koehn ranch was a rock house later owned by Pancho barns the Aviator who had the bar the Happy bottom riding club at Edwards Air Force Base which is shown in the old movie the right stuff. Just wanted to share that with you for you own knowledge. The piece on Cantill brought back a lot of old memories and it's good to see someone keeping the history alive. Enjoy your channel

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

WOW! What cool information! I knew Pancho Barnes had lived out there, but wasn't sure exactly where. Thanks for sharing that, and thanks for checking it out!

[@dboatube]

Great Vid! At 6:05, just after the train stops, a person can see very well how cars 'lean' into a curve as they pass thru. The lean differs depending on the speed limit for the curve. The mill train was great! Thanks for the hard work and all your time to bring us these vids! It was sad to hear of your fathers passing. In your announcement vid your showed great control for the moment along with dedication to, and respect for, your father. Remember him and the good times your had together whenever you can as time goes on. The smallest of things can invoke memories from decades ago. Hold on to them and when you can, share some of them with others. It will help. My father departed in 1994. To this day most any manual labor task I do brings back his teachings. His love to us was mainly in the form of teaching us how to be independent and doing all we can ourselves and to be proud of each thing we do. db

[@tonyczuleger4591]

A very long Train for a military move. I have not seen one this long in years. Thanks Mark.

[@MrGrumblier]

War is coming.

[@danstrunk8828]

I've subscribed to your channel right from the beginning. I live on the east coast so i really enjoy seeing the trains in a different setting/landscape than where i railfan. Keep the great videos coming.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thank you sir! It is my pleasure to share my corner of the world with you!

[@dcmkris]

Excellent video that consists on the first train was awesome! The military train was equipment from 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team; 2nd Infantry Division from Joint Base Lewis McChord, WA returning from the National Training Center (Training) Rotation 24-07 @ Fort Irwin, CA

[@michaelmorgan7893]

Was watching a video on Cajon Pass last year, and they seem to have the special agent on call, pulling people off the trains, and re-sealing open container doors. Never ending problem.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Tehachapi has a "rapid responder" who closes up containers if they're reported. They usually stop at Summit or Edison, but they don't deal with the actual thieves.

[@scottwilkins3577]

Hey Mark i hope you’re okay out there, keep your head down, fingers crossed no after shocks.

[@iiigraghu]

Excellent Presentation 💐

[@paulkalff6408]

Yep....UP/BNSF have been running milvans and equipment for years....between Yermo (29 Palms and Ft. Irwin) and Ft. Lewis-McChord....even to Camp Roberts on the Cali coast.

[@nscalestation]

Interesting what you said about he lower containers not being broken into. I noticed that all of the Amazon containers were in the lower position. Perhaps the old type of well car that had high ends would protect the top containers from being broken into?

[@KutWrite]

Nice coverage. A bit shaky. Even a monopod would help. Also a wind muff. They even have them for cellphones. It'll make a big difference in your product! As we used to say on our railroad back east, "Practice safe CSX!"

[@MRRAILFANVON]

I saw the consist with the 2 Norfolk southerns and the ferromex and the military train I saw the military train at my school in the 21st of May hope to see you soon mark!

[@PCBill0622]

Military vehicle types indicate that it was an engineering battalion, likely headed back to Ft. Lewis. Nice catch of BNSF’s hottest train: Z NBYWSP 1. That’s a BFL crew on a scheduled turn to Needles. Usually they run that in 6.5 hours with a 1,000 mile inspection stop in Barstow. Nothing but clear signals once they get on home tracks.

[@haljackson4064]

Looks like you were out by the Bena Landfill. Many years ago I used to haul water out of Yermo and it was very interesting to read the names solders put on the tank barrels. At Yermo they take all kinds of things apart and make them new again.

[@icosthop9998]

Beautiful view of that up hill *S* Bend. 👍

[@lordsherifftakari4127]

another reason Military equipment is on the move is for units transiting to or from the National Training Center outside of El Paso TX.

[@oldgysgt]

Or the National Desert Training Center at Fort Irwin California. It's just North East of Barstow. 30 miles or so.

[@johnnytwotimez]

Great day to be out, glad you had a good one. Thaks for posting!

[@oisiaa]

Lots of aerodynamic drag on a train like that military train!

[@alexschmollinger6576]

There has been lots of Military Trains Because of the Tensions Between United States and Russia I love ❤️ Watching your Tehachapi KZbin Videos Mark 💯💯💯💯💯💯❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Some super cool catches and your great commentary! I always enjoy your videos Mark! Have a Great day our friend! (Dave).

[@russeljavier]

Looks like it's heading west which likely means it's a brigade out of Fort Lewis, WA and returning from a rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin.

[@turkfiles]

Loved the military train! Hope you got over what ever was troubling your health at that time.😊

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thank you! I'm feeling MUCH better!

[@randydobson1863]

Hi Mark & it's is Randy and i like yours video is Cool & Thanks Mark & Friends Randy & Super Cool Video Mark Thanks Friends Randy

[@dmorgan28]

Hey Mark that was a cool video. I enjoyed all the train action and I really enjoyed seeing that military train. Have a blessed Happy Father’s Day and hope you get to feeling better. 👍❤️🙏

[@ccrx6700]

Excellent presentation Mark. You had a good day 😊👍😎

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thank you, sir! I just wish I'd felt better!

[@JohnnyCarroll-wi6tx]

never give up,never surrender.

[@trevormaxwell8134]

Despite you not feeling very well thanks for sharing ok 😮

[@HobbesBaxter]

great catch! Thanks Mark!

[@sameemas1723]

Thats a cool hang out spot during the winter . Summer time theres rattle snakes . . . Me and my Daughter go out there in the winter time to fly our drones and drive our remote control cars . . . If you drive further down theres that railroad bridge , when it rains it like a mini river through there but a cool spot to fly drones and enjoy City Sandwich cold sandwiches with the Kid

[@rvierra7235]

Cool video. Thank you for posting.

[@caseyvillemodelrailroad3877]

Great vidio, like the loads, nice shot and info about the chained down loads for modeling.Thanks for the morning coffee...

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

My pleasure! Thanks for checking it out!

[@howardnielsen6220]

Thank You from La Pine Oregon.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

My pleasure! Thanks for checking it out!

[@chessiecat619]

Nice catch Mark 2 NS's and ferromex

[@corycampbell9811]

Good morning!!!! Awesome video to wake up to. 😊

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Glad you liked it!

[@kenrosser8160]

The troops are flowen out to the training grounds an there stuff go out there on trains

[@joshthetrainfan]

I've seen 4 military moves through here in the last two months.

[@bradleyjanes2949]

Great action Ty

[@chessiecat619]

Glad your feeling better

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Me TOO!

[@Robert-bp7gm]

My dad used to watch the trains there before he died in 1999. Don Mozier.

[@trevormaxwell8134]

8 locomotives hauling inter-modal train wow incredible 😢😮

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

When that many are in a consist, some are generally just being moved around and are not even running. It sure looks cool though, huh?!

[@ronaldpiper4812]

A sheet over doors, a blank seal every container loaded or empty. Seals bolt ones all handles!!!

[@remylopez4821]

If they brought back the original double stack container car it would stop the people from breaking in for those of you who remember what the original double stack container cars used to look like I believe they’ve originally built for Sealand

[@trevormaxwell8134]

Wow that's a long military train isn't 😮😊

[@EntertainmentWorldz]

great video sir ❤❤😍😍

[@thomasdeturk5142]

Thank You Military Trains For Your Services. 🫡🇺🇸🚂🚄

[@Merv-Bob]

Great mix of stuff, THX Cheers, Mark (PS I am also a Mark)

[@chiefjim8178]

Notice the equipment is changing to the forest green from desert tan. Must be a clue where they will be needed next🤔

[@oldgysgt]

No, unless they are going to be delayed, they usually leave them in what ever paint the unit received them in.

[@johnoconnor-h4k]

I lived upby the Roseville yard when i was younger in 1961

[@corycampbell9811]

Exploding dye packets might be a deterrent to rail theft.

[@michaelmorgan7893]

Might make it easier to locate suspects too, since denial isn't an option.

[@TheMrDarius]

Where the trains stopped is the area where the Bena landfill is. I know exactly where you recorded this 😁

[@Afriqueleblanq]

Is it wise/prudent to report on movement of military eqpt, infrastructure, etc? Spies from all around the globe are having a field day watching Uncle Sam. I say this as a retired career soldier.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

While I understand your concern, these are common logistics exercises, and are not secret. Were we at war, these trains would have military personnel on board, and we would have been instructed as to whether or not filming them was going to be allowed. These are actually pretty popular trains for railfans. Thanks for checking it out!

[@MrRockydee07]

Great video, How many train loads of equipment did we leave behind in Afghanistan.....thanks

[@bigcatauna]

Yermo depot NTC training

[@sc8243]

They're getting ready for something.

[@jakerazmataz852]

Training.

[@Morpheus187]

They’re headed for Mar lago to arrest trump for treason !

[@contracostaexpert]

The BNSF container was head ro head with the manifest that stopped. The first train must have held the eastbound.

[@garykcs5532]

Awesome

[@johnboughton7451]

Hi Mark, On the first consist where all 8 locomotives working? Or were some dead in tow living in South Wales I really enjoy watching your videos & learning about American Freight 🛠️

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I wasn't paying attention, but there are rarely more than four running in a consist like that. Thanks for checking it out!

[@vincentcalvelli6452]

There is a huge D.O.D. Supply Depot at Dagget.

[@MikeT-TheRetiredColonel]

Marine Corps Logistics Base - for the West Coast deployed USMC units, Camp Pendleton, Twentynine Palms, among others

[@chessiecat619]

You went to the train event at union station I wanted to go to that

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Yes, we did. It was pretty cool, but VERY crowded!

[@Zulutime44]

The idea counter to thievery at parked RR cars is a special agent operating a large FPV drone armed with speaker, microphone and pepper spray. Oh yeah

[@mikemissel7785]

When deployed to Iraq all our stuff got sent to Ft Hood from California via rail, then sent by rail again to Houston loaded on the ship to Kuwait.

[@billyhunter2161]

What are those green crops in that area? They sure are green

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Oranges and grapes. The San Joaquin Valley produces most of the fruit, vegetables and nuts in America, and this is the southern end of it.

[@corycampbell9811]

Open the door and get a surprise.😂

[@SPICY_BEAR]

RAMBO 😎

[@chessiecat619]

Someone told me the bnsf with yellow letters is not a H1

[@trevormaxwell8134]

Some trains are slow today aren't they 😢😮

[@oldgysgt]

They go slow going over the Tehachapi Pass. Once they get North of Bakersfield or East of Mojave, they they can pickup speed.

Coming or going to/from the Sierra army depot

[@chessiecat619]

I want to get back up there I won't be able to anytime soon

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

If you head this way again, have someone let me know and I'll give you all a tour of the mountain!

[@chessiecat619]

@@MarkClayMcGowan ok

[@CodeResp]

The free hand shit

[@bjjt-nu9dx]

Why can't they break into lower containers on double stcks? The well blocks the doors?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Yes, the doors won't open

[@chessiecat619]

I posted the picture of the bn paint derailment on my community page if you want to look at it

[@chessiecat619]

I won't be able to see the big boy

[@TimAndyMik]

What's a Ferromex diesel doing at the head of an American consist?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

They put them where it is easiest to do when making up the train. It was probably the last unit in the consist going the other direction. I see CP and CN units heading all the time.

[@danoc51]

Does anyone know where all the military equipment is coming from, where it is going and for what purpose?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

These are logistics training moves, and are done fairly regularly. There are many logistics bases in the west, so there's no telling where it originates and terminates. Possibly from Yermo (east of Barstow) to a port facility. There's just no telling. Thanks for checking it out.

[@MrDavil43]

Filming a military train would get you arrested in many countries!

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

That's one of the reasons I love America. Our might is on display for everyone to see. If they don't want us to see it, we won't!

[@curtisharlan9230]

Mark where do they have Auctions at

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Auctions?

[@oldgysgt]

Barstow, at the Marine Corps Logistics Base. But I think you can bid online.

[@lathamarea1437]

it is true military trains have priority over all other freight trains..?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I don't know, but I've never seen one sitting in a siding!

[@dogman490]

I believe the Alphabet Agencies are involved in this work.

[@paulmurray3837]

Why is it called Cable?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

No one really knows. The hill where the Hwy. 202 exit is located is called Cable Hill, but we don't know which came first!

[@WaltANelsonPHD]

What is the gradient on Sandcut?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

While it isn't specified in the timetable, I've been told it is 2%

[@WaltANelsonPHD]

@@MarkClayMcGowan Thank you. The video made it look pretty steep (telephoto lense effect). Best wishes.

[@charlesrmcintyre1698]

These are not military trains. They are all third party logistic company containers. The other is called a manfest train. How do l know.l worked in this industry for 40 years.

[@Espeelover]

The last train was 100% a military (US Army equipment) train movement. There was no 3rd party log, majority being Stryker, HMMWV, and JLTV trucks.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Ummm...So did I. I retired in 2019. That WAS a military train and they run them all the time and have since I hired out in 1979. I also know the difference between a manifest, a Z, an I, and a MoW train.

[@user-vh1uc6in7b]

☕

[@anthonydouglas1169]

Change out the crow

[@PatrickCrossfire.]

So this guy expects us to believe that the government just spends hundreds of millions of dollars each year moving vast amounts of military vehicles back and forth across the U.S. is just a normal logistics training exercise? He must think we are as stupid as he is.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

They've been doing it since I began with the railroad in 1979, and I'm sure they were doing it before that. I am actually much more informed than you on every subject you could possibly come up with, including how the military conducts training exercises, on land, sea and air, as I have had many friends and acquaintances in each branch who have been part of these types of movements, while all you have is an uninformed opinion. Keep on guessing. The world needs people like you.

[@PatrickCrossfire.]

@@MarkClayMcGowan Does not matter if they have been doing this for years. Its a titanic waste of money and fuel to keep moving this stuff everywhere all the time. Incredibly wasteful. Why not just leave all these vehicles at their training bases? Why keep moving them around and upsetting the general public that has paid for them? Did you even consider that? No you have not. Just another example of the the U.S. government spending billions and billions of BORROWED dollars and sqaundering it again and again. And by the way Trains are my passion. I was born in the 60's and we hardly ever saw these military vehicle trains until the late 1990's. So i disagree with your statemate they have been doing this since 1979.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

So, you say that no one should believe me when I say that this is SOP for military training involving the railroad, THEN you say you know it is happening but are asking why. Make up your mind. Either you believe it or you don't. Yes, the government squanders money. What do you want me to do about it? I just made a video of a train going by. You want change? Stop bitching and whining to me and go do it to your elected representatives. And your knowledge of railroading as well as military training stems from what? Your opinion? Your military service? What you happen to see during whatever time you have to go watch trains go by? Trains may be your passion, but they were my career, and they are what sustains my channel. I guarantee you that I have a much more intimate knowledge than you about what the railroads have and haven't been doing since you were born. Also, the billions the government have wasted in the last 3.5 years wasn't borrowed, it was simply printed. That's why inflation is killing the dollar. Building Back Better. Let's Go BRANDON!

[@PatrickCrossfire.]

@@MarkClayMcGowan We know why. Pre-positioned equipment put everywhere. They were caught red-handed in AZ in 2019 off loading at 2 am and driving them all into the mountains where no known facility exist but they disappeared. We want YOU to realize this. Sure they are logistics ops movements. But they have secretly prepositioned a lot of equipment and store it underground in mostly remote rural locations that are unknown to the public as well in every State. But your videos give the public the impression that theres nothing to worry about when all lot of people are worried about this. Thats whats irritating. They have everything in place for Marshall Law. Thats the problem.

[@robertmaltbie1188]

Slava Ukraine🇺🇸🇺🇦

[@jimpikoulis6726]

Please these are not for Ukraine

[@Alberto-ed3xo]

He talks too much.moves camara too much also.😷

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Feel free to not watch, but if you're going to watch, don't complain. This ain't National Geographic. If that's what you prefer though, check out this guy's channel. No talking, high quality video with one angle, and expensive editing www.youtube.com/@spencerhughes2255