Recovery Engines Hook to Stalled Train in Highland Cut - Norfolk Southern 6K4 Ethanol & C80 Light

[@DavidLovesJesus]

Thanks!

[@HistoricBF]

@@DavidLovesJesus Thank you, much appreciated!

[@Rob-tr1st]

Man that overhead shot is absolutely amazing!

[@HistoricBF]

Thank you! Appreciate you watching & commenting.

[@stevenmifsud7496]

Well done guys the other two drivers would been also happy to see you guys going to help out 😊😊😊😊

[@gordonbryan8381]

HistoricBF, kudos for your very detailed description of exactly where your video was filmed (towns that can be found on maps) and exactly what happened. Those of us that don’t have the entire US railroad system memorized find it hard to locate where most all videos are filmed. DGBryan

[@run8nohorns305]

Hands down one of the best train videos on KZbin

[@HistoricBF]

Thank you so much!

[@lennymiller9308]

That old GACX airslide buffer car , I've unloaded it a few dozen times , good catch

[@HistoricBF]

Very cool! Thanks for watching!

[@stephenpowell5912]

Pure Muscle here 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲Hello from the UK 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@robertcharlessceats3647]

Good footage and many thanks. I very much like the way you always appear to answer questions; top marks for that. Btw, I'm a 77 yr old retired Brit living in northern Spain and a great British steam aficionado but also a great fan of Norfolk Southern. I'm on board your channel now for sure. Again thanks

[@HistoricBF]

Thank you so much for those kind words, I do appreciate it. It's my pleasure to have you along!

[@pierre7548]

Thanks for that, from France ...

[@HistoricBF]

Thank you for watching!

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Great capture of this situation. We enjoyed watching and have a great rest of your day.

[@HistoricBF]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed! Have a wonderful evening!

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

@@HistoricBF you also!

[@siskokidd]

I was born and raised not far from that location. In fact, my earliest years were spent in a neighborhood near a very busy train route along the river, so we were used to the sound of rail traffic, horns... I appreciate you (HistoricBF) posting this, and providing as many specifics as you did, but you did not include something I consider a very important part of the story: The actual elevation of that high spot, and the gradient specifics. Without much difficulty (an elevation filter layer on Google maps), I was able to determine the high point is 1057 feet above sea level. The start of the Ohio River in Pittsburgh is just over 700 feet above sea level, which gives some perspective about the regional geography. On that rail line eastbound after passing through New Galilee the elevation is 950 feet above sea level, and within less than 1.5 miles from the peak at Highland Cut, that line climbs 100 feet in elevation. Combined with the curves you mentioned, that indeed is a good reason for any long train to struggle getting over that hump.

[@LisbonRailProductionsandF1]

Magnificent catches of the train coming by and pass, I like it 5 stars, keep up the great work, my friend, Greetings from Portugal to the USA.

[@HistoricBF]

Thank you for watching, best wishes!

[@LisbonRailProductionsandF1]

@@HistoricBF no problem.

[@davidb5952]

some good old fashioned smoke!

[@HistoricBF]

Sure was!

[@CRBTrains]

Man that UP engine has seen better days. love your tripod setup. Awesome of you to include that picture. Keep getting those ACUs. I hardly ever see those

[@HistoricBF]

Thanks! I was pretty proud of that setup and it worked out well lol. I think there are only about 20 or 30 still on the roster. Most are in manned pusher service around Horseshoe Curve & Gallitzin but I've been seeing 7309, 7300, a couple other leading through here regularly. The are good looking locomotives, in my opinion.

[@gusperry1]

Excellent HistoricBF video with that country music at the end. B&W photography has always been part of this hobby. Very good A cordial greeting from the city of Cordoba, Argentina

[@HistoricBF]

Thank you so much for those kind words, I am happy you enjoyed it!

[@adriaanboogaard8571]

Such a great place to make it video with having a ground level and over head view. A lot of people use Drones to take great videos but you can't here the ground sounds of the Locamotives or anything else. Thanks for the good job.😁

[@HistoricBF]

Thanks so much, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@finalizedtrains]

Precision railroading strikes again? Nice catch!

[@HistoricBF]

You know it! Thanks!

[@陳茂坤-l4t]

太棒了，世界上鐵路迷影片很多，但是像這種個別重點詳細介紹的；你最棒！ 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@davidhorner5655]

One of my first jobs with Norfolk southern was running helper service for westbound coal trains going past Conway. The cut was no joke.

[@dalton1583]

That emd is clean burning.

[@keonikaig9247]

A W E S O M E..... Glad I found you... Thank you 👍😎

[@HistoricBF]

Welcome, glad you found us too!

[@robertteap8052]

Like the "black & white" stills at the end and the choice of music.. Well edited.....

[@HistoricBF]

Thank you so much! It had been about 20 years since I had shot on film when I pulled my old 35mm out, not long before this incident. I appreciate the kind words!

[@robertteap8052]

@@HistoricBF 35mm on film?? That takes me back.... Used to love high-speed film back in the 70's and 80's..liked the grain and the texture, especially in black and white prints.. Greetings from Ireland.

[@HistoricBF]

@@robertteap8052 Yessir! I was getting burnt out on digital so I pulled my old film stuff out & dusted it off. I need to do more photography related videos but I've been using a lot of antique (100+ year old) cameras lately. I didn't realize how much I loved it until I got back into it. Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@bryanphillips6666]

@historicbf, when was the derailment, do you have any details??

[@HistoricBF]

The derailment occurred in late February of 2022. If you look back through my videos, you will find several from when it occurred. Looking through my "Rail Incidents & Maintenance" playlist would probably be the fastest way to find them.

[@mikegenset5228]

I’m sure I can hear at least one mighty GE engine in there with its characteristic exhaust miss-beat 💪🇺🇸

[@aydensheehy]

The people still down there working?

[@HistoricBF]

Yes, they are still cutting up scrap and making a mess of the area! The mud pit now extends onto the road. Track gang is still in the area, as of yesterday anyway.

[@bhproductions1061]

Cool catch

[@HistoricBF]

Thanks!

[@bhproductions1061]

Your welcome

[@netrainvideos1501]

what are those old freight car trucks from? An old derailment?

[@HistoricBF]

At that time, it was actually a fairly fresh derailment, but yes. At the 2:30 mark you can see some of the derailed cars sitting on the right side if the frame. They were finally cut up & removed about 2 weeks ago.

[@tucobenedicto109]

Nice, Arlo! :)

[@HistoricBF]

Thanks!

[@simplyamazing880]

Great video

[@HistoricBF]

Thanks for watching!

[@busrailfan]

Very Nice! Subscribed!

[@stretchlimo7275]

Wow that was pretty cool, not something you get to see everyday. To much train for the ACe and Dash 9 I’m guessing. Great catch👍🏼😎🇺🇸 I’m southwestern PA btw

[@HistoricBF]

Thanks for watching! I'm sorry for the delayed responses, had some trouble commenting over the past week. The UP kept kicking out but yeah, I think they were probably under powered to begin with.

[@dhmalcolm]

I used to live above the Erie Lackawanna line in Ridgewood NJ above the big incline and would go to sleep and wake by the thunder of frieghts hourly and multiple passengers trains in the morning as 4 sets of rails ar this point.

[@HistoricBF]

Awesome!

[@mshum538]

So, is this the “ruling grade” for this subdivision?

[@HistoricBF]

I can't answer that, I do not know. If I remember right, it is about 230' in 2.6 miles making it something like 1.6%. I believe out around PC 52, New Waterford, OH to East Palestine, OH is a little steeper/shorter but with less vertical rise. I don't know any numbers and I don't know if I have detailed grade charts past CP ENON, I think I only have speed charts. If I have the time, I'll take a look.

[@bryanphillips6666]

​@@HistoricBF do you know anything about the derailment that happened before this train stalled?

[@HistoricBF]

@@bryanphillips6666 The derailment occurred in late February of 2022. If you look back through my videos, you will find several from when it occurred. Looking through my "Rail Incidents & Maintenance" playlist would probably be the fastest way to find them.

[@davidcurtis5398]

Noticed that there are several wheel sets on the bank of the cut. What happened??? A wreck or something???

[@HistoricBF]

From a previous derailment about a year ago.

[@KTnc-f4z]

Thanks for sharing

[@HistoricBF]

Thanks for watching!

[@JosePerez-cg9hb]

Excelente video saludos desde Querétaro México 😮😮😮

[@HistoricBF]

Thank you!

[@macmikey]

Some of that film looked like tri-x and some ilford stuff?

[@HistoricBF]

I don't have my notebook handy but I think I was shooting Double X, TMax or Tri X, and Acros II.

[@gregking7926]

Did someone goof on the manifest and how may locomotives were needed?

[@HistoricBF]

If I remember right, the original crew reported to PTC or the Road Boss that they should've had 3 engines and said so when they took over the train, but Transportation advised them that 2 were sufficient. Whoever they related that to after the stall confirmed 2 engines provided enough horsepower for the train, according to "the book." The crew replied something like "Obviously 2 was sufficient, that's why we stalled, right?"

[@syedraza7277]

Hello....how two engines are operated same time...

[@HistoricBF]

They are linked by computer and synchronized. The engineer has control over all units from the leader.

[@syedraza7277]

@@HistoricBF yes....is there any video of operating of double engines....thanks for detailed reply

[@Dsmpsn63]

Norfolk southern helping out Union Pacific, am I missing something here?

[@HistoricBF]

The UP engine was foreign power on a Norfolk Southern train.

[@normsweet1710]

So where is the “highland cut” on this line ? I’m guessing Pa or E. Oh

[@HistoricBF]

Yes, approximately PC37.7 on the Ft Wayne Line in Big Beaver, PA between CP WOOD and New Galilee.

[@normsweet1710]

@@HistoricBF thanks, I grew up in S. Mi 11 miles N. Of Oh line in Lenawee Co. my great grandad worked near Archbold Oh and never mentioned any grades etc. A wild guess on my part as to where it may of been, or I payed attention to what he taught me 🤔😉. I appreciate your knowledge and candor on the subject. Kind of a rare commodity these days.

[@timbrewer7318]

Also known as summit cut in big beaver of beaver county

[@kraz904]

This video is proof that the trains are too damn long. Also I'm struck by all the debris left on the sides of the tracks from a derailment that happened how long ago...

[@HistoricBF]

I believe that derailment was February, 2022.

[@chicnwing4519]

So do you want one long train or two short ones?

[@gheffz]

Thanks! That was good. Was it the Gold Engine or the Black Engine that was stalled, or both? Subscribed. All.

[@HistoricBF]

Thanks, I appreciate it! It was the yellow Union Pacific that went offline and caused the stall.

[@demil3618]

The seem to be holding the engine under load for quite a while before the train suddenly starts moving. Trying to burn the traction motors?

[@HistoricBF]

The train was on an approximate 1.5% grade, short of the summit, in intermittent light rain conditions (misting) with empty sanders on the original power set and only head end power. At several points you can see it move slightly then rock backwards. It wasn't simply "holding," they were balancing between wheel slip and exceeding drawbar forces. The whole time, they were communicating amperages and other vitals. If I remember correctly, prior to hooking up, the recovery crew wanted to go on the rear as manned pushers due to the forces and weather. That was squashed by higher ups as "not necessary" because the original crew had already outlawed and they didn't want to dispatch a second crew to man the head end.

[@HammondOfTexas0]

@@HistoricBF I was wondering the same thing. I saw them rocking back and forth thinking they still didn't have enough power, then all of a sudden they started moving as if it wasn't a problem. Someone forgot and left the brakes on?

[@demil3618]

@@HistoricBF How long do you think traction motors can stand high amps. and slow movement.

[@HistoricBF]

​@@HammondOfTexas0 As previously stated, they were also fighting to keep the UP online. Nope, no brakes.

[@HistoricBF]

@@demil3618 ​My charts predate the AC44C6M and SD70ACU locomotives. However, assuming their performance is comparable to the ES and SD80MAC series locomotives, they would be rated to a minimum speed between 8-11mph at about 1350 amps. Based on this footage, they can maintain lesser speeds at unknown, variable high amperages for at least 1 minute 40 seconds without burning up with an air temperature around 75°, if i recall the day correctly. But that's a guess because I'm neither a locomotive nor electrical engineer... Have a nice day!

[@schrap72]

Impressive!

[@HistoricBF]

Thanks, it's always an adventure here in The Cut!

[@mountainryder3056]

Why so many train wheels off to the side?

[@HistoricBF]

A previous derailment; please see elsewhere in description and comments if you'd like more info. Thanks for watching!

[@dknowles60]

I can belive How bad of shape the Prr fort wayne line is in I thought Conrail Rebuilt it where is Highland Cut Located

[@HistoricBF]

Highland Cut is in western Pennsylvania just west of CP WOOD. I can't speak for the rest of the FTW, but Pittsburgh to CP ENON is very well maintained.

[@ronnybriggs2426]

How come the lead unit doesnt have its headlights on????

[@csx4402]

Should of been 3 units for the start. That converted 90mac still held it own the best it could.

[@HistoricBF]

I would agree but it seems like they aren't happy unless they stall at least one every month in The Cut!

[@general5104]

You know, I worked for them almost 4 decades and never got tired of the locomotives! They're like my kids. I retired before the 3 phase AC change-over. It's a hoot, not to have brushes in the traction motors?

[@HistoricBF]

They certainly are something to see, for sure!

[@JeffreyStrader]

Was there an engine failure or was she too heavy for the hill crest?

[@HistoricBF]

Yes. It was underpowered to begin with, and the UP went offline on the hill.

[@JeffreyStrader]

@@HistoricBFI thought so...........I never could catch a glimpse of any exhaust out of 7309

[@emd6456]

Toasters on the point.

[@rearspeaker6364]

and no toast....bummer.

[@stephenbroughman3231]

Yes, and rescuing an SD70AcE

[@ianconder1626]

That is hard job of day

[@noahknowstrains9640]

3:30 Train collision

[@HistoricBF]

Boop!

[@thepubliceye]

Don't they have a Yankum rope?

[@yaad2226]

the blinking light look like yo mama walking like humpty dumpty

[@TheTheratfarmer]

a beast can move slow, couple up.

[@HistoricBF]

It was neat to watch!

[@declissonolivier9376]

Very, very interesting. But... When American railways will have Very High speed trains (300Km/h), as Japanese, german, french... We'll talk again.

[@HistoricBF]

It would be nice but our government is too worried about teaching our daughters that they can grow up to be fathers, so they have no time to address really issues!

[@declissonolivier9376]

@@HistoricBF A lot of "humour". I love! Cheers from a french who visited USA three times (road trips) and one in Canada.

[@gerardorecinos8727]

Very fast railways are for lightweight only passenger trains. USA railway system is for very long distance heavy freight trains (12K-13K tons). Infraestructure, energy needs and purposes are very different

[@RobertGratz-os5zg]

Tricky operation coupling up to a train on a grade. You got set your air just right to take over as the controlling locomotive of the train and the locomotive consist.

[@Dachamp2001]

Too thinking I thought U.P locomotives were powerful considering their territory. 😅 Plus, I thought both sets of MU air lines had to be connected.

[@HistoricBF]

Breakers kept kicking out on the UP, it wouldn't stay online.

[@Dachamp2001]

@HistoricBF Yep, that will do it and also it having only 2 power units looks like it was under powered from the beginning.

[@mow4ncry]

Would you like the 611 to come out and show you how it's done 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@HistoricBF]

🤣🤣🤣 right?

[@donaldcross7978]

Wow ,look at the Axles up on Holl when they are Connecting the 2 motors to the Train. Talk about How a Railroad is Run , Look no Farther the N.S , can't Even Clean up a Derailment Seen !!! Poor Workmanship !!!

[@HistoricBF]

They just cut up the cars & hauled them out a few weeks ago. On the heels of the East Palestine derailment, it was just a couple days after the Pittsburgh news did a story on the mess still being there a year later.

[@Jacrazzz]

🤜🏿

[@dieseldave3879]

🚂👍

[@leslieadkins5774]

Horsepower versus tonnage...

[@HistoricBF]

You'd think it would be fairly simple!

[@Amirali-lg6js]

💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@metro673]

They kissed herself

[@jerryjohnson6929]

Hay love trains I very sad when the train left athens oh last time

[@claudiomoraes6482]

🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍😛😛😛😛😛😛🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@ابوسارةابوسارة-ز6د]

س ح م سكك حديد مصر❤❤❤❤

[@JohnWeems-y3e]

Kissing Cousins 😲😖😬💯👍👍

[@Lion-e-b1w]

If used electric locomotives, no smoke, no sound. Only moving forward.

[@HistoricBF]

Unless you happen to consider the power plant generating the energy, the open pit mines to produce the thousands of miles of additional infrastructure, or the other dozens of types of issues that aren't actually eliminated, just relocated, by doing away with standard point of use fuels... But it's easy to forget that going green isn't actually green when you buy propaganda and ignore a good look at the big picture.

[@craigtalbot6930]

They are electric locomotives. They just happen to carry their own electric generating stations with them :)

[@Greatdome99]

A "hook" is a crane to railroaders. I think you mean 'couple' to connect rolling stock via their, uh, couplers.

[@HistoricBF]

I guess you should've, uh, read the description. You can only have so many characters in a title. But thanks for the comment to boost me in the algorithm, my bank account appreciates it!

[@Moktarsardar-s6p]

😅

[@daveporter8351]

Who is running this rail co ..what a f joke

[@daveporter8351]

Ns cheapskates

[@anatoliykolosov3781]

да вотета мощ сила..особо обожаю типловоз сша три симёрки 777 вотета апарад видно буксует большой а тяги нет вот бы наш типловоз туда мидветь или машка вразы бы вытащил без напряга

[@adriaanboogaard8571]

Such a great place to make it video with having a ground level and over head view. A lot of people use Drones to take great videos but you can't here the ground sounds of the Locamotives or anything else. Thanks for the good job.😁

[@HistoricBF]

Thank you, I appreciate that!