Old EMD's, epic struggle and stall : Australian trains

The train is 9162, a load of grain from Ouyen to Sunshine. One of the locos is not powering and the train powers to a stand on the 1 in 52 grade. The problem is rectified and then all are powering but the sand is gone and there has been a fine drizzle of rain. All efforts to lift the load prove futile and it is eventually taken back to Ballarat to try again with full sand boxes and all powering from the start out of the yard. The locos are all very old EMD units and are on hire from preservation groups.
Shot with my Sony HVR-Z5P
Edited in Sony Vegas Pro

[@lbowsk]

Call me an old dork, but I LOVE these EMDs. When I was a kid, we'd spend hours by the tracks just to watch them go by. Gorgeous. And the rumble and the sound? Heaven.

[@jackybeck2479]

I would never call you a dork, I love these things too!

[@raybesserdin7542]

What a ripper video. I watch repeatedly for the stunning display of power and those engines!!! They almost made it first run. No humiliation for these heroic engines. Man I love them👍😀😀😀

[@jeffhouse7282]

To hell with the criticizers, Rod. I put this on my favorites, and watch it every now and then just for the sound of 567s in the "old guys". This was well documented, and I thank you for posting this. GREAT WORK, Rod Williams!!!!

[@jamesrivis620]

War baby here too...29th Jan.1943

[@vsvnrg3263]

there are losers who like to hit the dislike button. but they're losers. i also come back to this one every few months.

[@malcolmabram2957]

I ha e Netflix, but I like watching videos like this. Real to life. Thanks for making the effort, driver through to video maker.

[@Rocketboy1950]

All of them are still in use. There are a lot of very old 567's still operational down here.

[@willk2623]

Well if it ain’t broke…

[@rahulgupta43701]

Still operational sir?

[@kennethjones6650]

@@rahulgupta43701 yes they all are

[@jonathantan2469]

There are two locomotives of that model that are often parked at the siding for the flour mill several blocks from my house. They're still used to haul grain.

[@jamieteal2107]

@@willk2623absolutely 👍🇦🇺

[@davidpoor8638]

Chances are, I've watched this and many others of yours 30 or more times. To an old hogger like myself, "raised" on EMD 567's in F units, GP-7's and 9's, I still enjoy the sound and action. Rod, I for one am very VERY thankful people like you share this stuff. Memories are made of these videos! PLEASE keep them coming!!!

[@Rocketboy1950]

Thanks David, as long as I can keep getting out there and fight off the inevitable aging process I will.

[@guido0582]

When were these old girls first built???

[@Rocketboy1950]

rottysaurus The 1950's. You can look them up on Google as Victorian Railways S class, B class, T class or possibly EMD A7, EMD ML2, EMD G8, EMD G8B.

[@davidpoor8638]

Rod Williams Rod, if I can fight off old age, so can you!!!! I'm "60" but my body says 80! Again, thanks for sharing!!!

[@Rocketboy1950]

David Poor Oh to be 60 again, I'm staring down the barrel of 65 mate

[@Thej611]

Bless it's heart. It put everything it could into it.

[@johnlow1201]

Beatynicevideo

[@stonecreek9621]

😂 😂 😂

[@jeeppeep517]

Justin Newhall bless it’s engine

[@anthonyj810]

Yeah, these old trains are only meant for passenger cars these days. They can't even come close to the power of a newer train which is why it couldn't handle this load even with all the help it had from the other engines. If it were hauling 10-15 passenger cars it wouldn't even need help, but this train had like 100 freight cars or more.

[@Aman-fv5if]

@@anthonyj810 If you'd bothered to read the description you would realise that one of the loco's wasn't operating at all, and because of that all the sand had been depleted, which is the real reason it stalled. These old trains still operate in revenue service without much issue today. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJ2qpaaqjteUY5o

[@coxsj]

I've watched this clip many times since it was posted. To me, no other clip captures Australian railroading as this one does - beautiful Australian landscape, antiquated 2nd gen museum pieces in mainline operation, infrequent train movements, broad gauge track and the train stalling out. I grew up with Australian trains. Once I learned about US railroading, it was hard to look at my beloved Victorian trains the same way. Many decades later I guess things are gradually changing with the introduction of more modern power and intermodal operations. Yet for me, Aussie railroading will never be far from unturbocharged VicRail EMD's slugging it out in obscurity. Who'd have thought you can still see what I grew up with still running today much as they did in the '60s and '70s. Thanks for sharing.

[@infinity3jif]

It's cool seeing smoke from the stacks from all of them simultaneously when notched up.

[@bravozulu51]

I find myself coming back here every now and then.. great video.

[@jonk6834]

Around 4:58 onward you get an idea of just how hard the engine is working by the exhaust blowing the overhanging tree branches around. My opinion only, but I like to see these glorious old machines doing real work rather than becoming museum pieces or scrap.

[@johndonovan7018]

the engine isnt really working hard.. its just revving at max to push out those amps. its those electric motors that are getting blasted. and the wiring taking in all that stall amperage

[@victorschepers6286]

Jjj Kkk ;

[@Terraceview]

Thats what I thought! @@johndonovan7018

[@thulasidalam]

Yeah

[@AzanAli-]

@@johndonovan7018 This train has an electric drive train? And the engines are there to provide power for motors?

[@bozodog428]

First time seeing a loco power to a stand. thanks for sharing!

[@TheNavalAviator]

Who would win? A load of grain ¦ Some noisy bois

[@thompsonmatthew]

Is that you John Wayne? Is this me?

[@susgamingidk3662]

@Vika Renatova wrong kzbin.info/www/bejne/oom5oWmAlsaLaMk

[@vsvnrg3263]

@Apollo Aden scam

[@thatonec_set3730]

@Apollo Aden ScAm BoT

[@mikespillman3075]

I don't care, I just love the sound of e units.....I could sit there along that right of way and listen to them fail to make that grade for hours....I could sleep to the sound of these locos...

[@Thetrucky69]

I AGREE MATE. THESE OLD EMD LOCOMOTIVES SOUND FUCKEN TUFF! THESE ENGINES SOUND FUCKEN TUFF! THE TUFFEST SOUND IN THE WORLD.

[@johnsergei]

Of course these are related to E units. They are all EMD machines. The streamliners are more like a double cab F series or GP. One 16 Cylinder 567 engine, rather than 2 12 cylinders as in E's, which are a little bigger. The smaller hood units are T class with V8 567 r 645 engines. So be it Australia or America (especially America, but for the heavy ore railways in Australia's Pilbara) 2 modern diesels would have considerably more power & tractive effort than these bunch.

[@Enzo20061234]

I wondered how could the electrical system inside that old EMD withstand that struggle for that long? That electrical system must be very strong.

[@jos110289]

Nice video Rod! Altough this train had a lost battle trying to climb this hill, we had such a great chance to hear this amazing sound coming out of those engines. made me remember my childhood, when I could here diesel engines like these echoing through the valley where I used to live.

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

Very nice video, that's too bad they didn't make it on that run, even after laying a beach! You were in the right place at the right time!

[@ericl2969]

These sound so much like the engines I knew as a kid - what I later learned are Roots-blown 567s. The smoothest sound in railroading!

[@hificanada372]

I remember the GM back in the mid 1950's, the two stroke locomotives and the sound,It is the best video on the GM F7's, or the F9's that brings back so many sound's and memories.Great pro filming, with good sound.Thank you so much for that.Looking forward to so many moreBob

[@bolts1111]

This has to be , hands down, one of the best sounds in the world! F**king amazing! It never gets old - especially with surround sound cranked!

[@Rocketboy1950]

I don't know what the load was but it was within their capability if they had all been powering. One had been left off line by accident.

[@paulmika5428]

Being an old EMD baby, I look at this poor performance as simply poor maint. My dad worked at EMD in La Grange, Il until 1976. I grew up with EMD as I was born in 1943 just a few weeks after my dad started working at the plant. Of course that was during WW II and they did engines for PT boats and other and other applications. Later years in the late 40's and thru to the 70's they specialized in locomotive work. They had the best locomotives that were know for their durability and reliability and still look good.

[@Texassince1836]

Woulda been alot better if they had sand, they're running wet rail with no sand

[@Geebax2]

Paul Mika. So you make that comment from a long way away without knowing the curcumstances of this train.

[@martintrodden2743]

Paul Mika here in ireland all our locos are emds great locos

[@dantemadden1533]

Read the fucking description of the video you mong

[@ChadsRailfanExperience]

Why am I just now seeing this? This is absolutely wonderful!

[@rhino2960]

those streamliners would look much more at home pulling some silver bullet passenger cars, than they do trying to haul freight.

[@johnsergei]

+rhino2960; They ( S class) did both when new, and back to back or single, were common on Victorian Railways passenger trains. Replaced on passes by N class & DMUs

[@Shame_Wizard]

dont hate the freight mate

[@consmyth1346]

Great work Rod- putting all those bananas on the line to get a perfect vid 10 stars

[@bengale7054]

f units were built for freight service

[@Geebax2]

@@bengale7054 They are not F units, these are GM locos built in Australia. Very diffrent machine to an F unit.

[@emd645e3c]

I see someone was having a go in a flat top. What loco wasn't powering ?

[@voidjavelin23]

The T classes(the short hood looking switcher and small high hood ones)

[@Rocketboy1950]

What would have solved it would have been having all of the units powering in the first place

[@matthewnorman9803]

Every unit was on and going because you can see smoke coming from every unit.

[@lorirocks777]

Great video. Are there differences between the two tracks? One appears to be newer and have wider rails...

[@alans9806]

The number of people who didn't read the solution but decided to crap on with daft comments about loco age is a worry. Two problems: 1. Dead loco2. No sandFix: 1. Get loco going2. Fill sandboxesPretty simple for those who bother to read.

[@Abbittibbi]

She is a beauty and she is giving all she's got. Not enough for the hill, but more than enough for us to enjoy her. Thanks a lot for this video. Very appreciated.

[@Dokker62]

That's awesome, too! It's a lovely location, and the freight-trains are just massive. Nice hard work for the good looking and time-honoured EMD's climbing up that hill with their inspiring engine roar.

[@sbentjies]

I'm confused-they've got two F units, two switchers and what looks like two slugs or different switchers and they can't pull this grade? If all units are not running, why not? Is it just the lead unit putting down sand or do all of them do that? Are the sandboxes empty on all of them or just one?

[@Rocketboy1950]

Read the description !

[@Gribbo9999]

Amazing you were at just the right spot at the right time. Bet you knew something - he he.. Great video - turned the base up on my speakers and got my desk rattling in harmony!

[@Rocketboy1950]

I certainly knew it was coming but had no idea that it would be a stall.

[@bemseer]

This video reminds me of when , as a boy, I would watch the f-units struggle up Fejervary hill in Davenport, Iowa, USA., on the Rock Island RR. They would often stall and would have to be cut in two to make it over the hill. Thanks for the memories!

[@andycsoe]

That name - Fejérváry - seems to have Hungarian origin!

[@RODALCO2007]

Great footage, love the engine sound after they stall and the engines are denotched from 8 to 1. Wonder hot hot the traction motors were under those strenuous conditions.

[@stephenpowell5912]

Fab footage from Down under, Beautiful sounding Loco ❤

[@stlgevo51]

Good to see 567 prime movers still earning their keep in hard freight service! This is great!

[@Goabnb94]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the signals on the left refer to the left side track. And orange indicates caution, as the next signals are likely to be a red (ie, stop). So, why are they still orange when the train is coming through the tracks? Shouldn't they be red, as in "you shouldn't moving on this track (or on this track at all)"? Its plainly obvious when a train is coming the opposite direction, so why are they orange? Or am I interpreting this wrong?

[@straightto8]

Most excellent, love that EMD sound.

[@kimsndergaard973]

I never ever get tired of looking and listen to this old E-unit locomotiv working.... fantastic sounding two-stroke 567 engines and i know its not good for nature with old two-stroke but its so reliable engine nothing can kill such an engine think about it over 70 year old and still working hard👍🔥🔥

[@chrisnzella]

The whole crew are probably leaning as hard as they can on the throttle.

[@denzel387]

+Chris Rasmussen it has got some wheel seelp

[@TheDarkFalcon]

hahahahaha

[@erkinalp]

put the earbuds and pull the throttle on notch 8, prevent governor to slowdown, on all three units.

[@tomburcher5237]

Add another engine, or dump the grain, What kind of fools are you?

[@consmyth1346]

to the point where they snapped it off

[@nathanlester9985]

So that thing is like at full throttle? What's driving the wheels? Is there some kind of torque conversion in between the engines and transaxle? I dont know much about locomotives 😅🤔

[@Dokker62]

This is undoubtedly the most impressive video I' ve ever seen- or let's say: devoured!- as far as diesels are concerned. Thanks for sharing! It's truely great stuff!

[@johndudgeon7954]

My. Dad. Was. A generator. Tester. At. EMD. Helped. Build a. Lot. Of. Locomotive s. Nn

[@ChristopherTrott]

Hmm just a random question. Are Australian train tracks the same gauge or width of American train tracks?

[@AdstarAPAD]

Most of the states in Australia use the Standard guage 1435mm or 4ft * 1/2 inch which is used in the USA.. Some of the Australian states use 1069mm or 3ft 6inch guage ( Queensland and Western Australia )

[@smitajky]

Victoria and South Australia used 5'3" gauge which is 6" wider than the US gauge. But Australia was saddled with a multiplicity of gauges. Only NSW used 4'8 1/2 " QLD, Western Australia, Tasmania, some of South Australia and the Northern Territory all used 3'6" making it by far the largest amount of track work. But politics being what it is meant that the other six states were required to gradually convert to the NSW gauge. These tracks are 5'3"

[@muttley8818]

I love the sound of those engines. Gorgeous stuff.

[@ThumperKJFK]

i OWE you a big THANK YOU, I have not herd that sound for many many a years. I used to watch freight being pulled up out of the yards by a mix of EMD'S, Alco's, and Fairbanks Morse. With Sparks of slipping wheels, smoke belching from the stacks and the ground shaking, I really miss those days as a kid, but you just made my day. Thank you on the great filming, with great sounds. :) Greg from Long Island New York. LIRR

[@22fret]

6 locos and they can't make it? What's their power output each? Is is a problem of traction or of power?

[@Rocketboy1950]

Read the description.

[@Grumpy_old_Boot]

Dang, that's some pretty small units then. We used EMD engines a lot here in Denmark as well, and I don't think we have any left that has less than 3300 HP. Heck, I think most of them was at 3900 HP, including the ones that was sold to Australia.

[@steamingeagle7552]

the B at the back is putting in 1500 hp each T in the middle is doing about 1000 hp and the S at the front is doing 1800 hp also there was a problem in one of the Ts

[@andycsoe]

@@Grumpy_old_Boot You are talking about the huge Mz's with either 16 or 20-645s, but you also had the roundnose My's with 16-567s, which were less powerful.

[@Grumpy_old_Boot]

@@andycsoe Oh yeah, I had forgotten that the old MY's used EMD engines too .. heck, even the MX used EMD engines, I think. To be fair, the last of the MY's were phased out in the 90's … so, about 25-30 years ago. AFAIK : - The light MX trains came with two engines, a 1425 HP engine, and a 1445 HP engine. - The MY trains came with a 1700 HP engine, and a 1950 HP engine.

[@sandrabalzano2203]

I wonder: how many locos together? how many HPs? how many cars? how many Tons? before going back, couldn't get a set of helpers on the rear? how many miles still had before them to the next yard? cheers

[@geoffjohnson7383]

Wow, motors screaming and current meters pegged im sure! That's a lot of wattage being disappated! Can you say "glowing" traction motors!

[@AnnaVannieuwenhuyse]

I don't think these were pulling as much watts as they were sucking liters.

[@johndonovan7018]

@@AnnaVannieuwenhuyse do you even understand how a loc works? they are pulling stall amp. the heat on every conduit is immense.

[@holysirsalad]

Well the rails got a good polishing eh?

[@emd6456]

Ahhh, EMD 567's absolutely the finest!!!

[@travelingman484]

I'm no engineer but I do know diesel motors. I don't think the age here is so much the issue of the motive power. lack of units I think is the problem. why beat the hell out of the locos just put more power on why the lack of power.

[@BarnyardEngineering]

+Danny Soldano If you read the description one unit wasn't powering. Would've made all the difference in the world. More than likely a power shortage on Australian rails at the time. I know there was reportedly one here in the US when oil was high. They were dragging out anything that ran and putting it in service just to keep up.

[@12smackers]

+BarnyardEngineering These units are from a heritage society, although several of the S class (leading) are still in commercial service.

[@johnsergei]

+Danny Soldano; None of these locos have anything like the power/traction combo of modern diesels let along your typicle 180 + ton 4,400HP American beast. But broad gauge ( 5'3") is now isolated in Victoria and most of its higher powered newer locos are now on the 4' 8 1/2" Dissregarding the gauge, 3 NRs or other modern Australian locos could haul this entire train (inc its locos, as dead) over this grade and 2 AC modern yanks should cope as well. You are correct about Diesel engines, they generate electric power for the traction motors, but 4 of these locos are lighter ( bad for traction)and have less powerful engines than even a modern or typicle US shunter/switcher.

[@pwhnckexstflajizdryvombqug9042]

There was enough power, it didn't have the sanding equipment so it just slipped it's wheels.

[@hterlijman]

No sand plus a rainy day. It's not a power problem , nor an "age" problem.

[@Tom-Lahaye]

The most sick trainvid I ever saw!!!! Until the sand was gone there was not really much wheel slip, but the power of the working 5 engines just wasn't enough to maintain uphill speed. A great word can be said about the build quality of these 50-60 years olds, being in notch 8 at low speed for at least double the recommended time. I know that these loco's can take this punishment from when I saw their European sisters still in use in Belgium, where they ran on heavy grades at 50 years of age.

[@nitetrane98]

Well, you can't say the old girl didn't try. She had her ears pinned back the whole time.

[@alexpaumen3937]

I see what you did there. ;)

[@susie154]

Well said

[@hairybob67]

When it was sent back to Ballarat, were the locos run around and put on the down hill end? or was the train allowed to roll back down the hill? Also curious to know how is the sand dumped on the tracks? Solenoid valves?

[@ElectricityTaster]

They should fit the locomotives with some kind of winch so they can loosen the winch, move forward, break, and then winch all the carts back. And that cameraman should have helped by pushing.

[@brendaneckhart9376]

agun17 If you think that would work you're an idiot.

[@nathanielpillar8012]

lol, if the winch can pull the rest of the train along, then surely the loco itself can.

[@OwenMessenger]

I hope you’re joking.

[@Thetrucky69]

HA HA that is funny mate. The bystanders should have pushed aswell. Slackos.

[@duggydugg3937]

like a inch worm ..good idea

[@jesstill7833]

They had a go still love old bangers they have style ,never get tired of watching them cheers

[@kcapel1976]

I saved this video to my classical music favorites :-)

[@hansenfiet2539]

Can’t beat the sound of a 567 prime mover in notch 8!

[@colbylawson7841]

Well I think I screamed my voice out. Someone else help the train out by cheering please.

[@harrothepilot]

I don’t know if anyone knows the answer to this, but, how long in a situation where you have high amps and little to no turning of a traction motor, would it be before you started to damage that motor?? This, to a railway lay person like myself, could be a concern?!

[@iainstenhouse8399]

Traction motor damage is definitely possible, however drivers are trained on what they can and can’t get away with. Hence the fact that they stop then have another attempt, rather than just staying in full throttle

[@harrothepilot]

@@iainstenhouse8399 Thanks Iain, i sort of knew they were pretty tough, but i didnt know how they would stand up to prolonged high current and load and few rpms. It is a great video though, to see the old warhorses still doing this sort of work. I think they have since returned to SRHC after the downfall of ElZorro though. Thanks again for your reply. Mike.

[@StuffBobbyDoes]

Don't know if any engines could be operated remotely, but I would have put two of them two-thirds the way back.

[@nakayle]

I always like the curved front of these EMDs. They were common when I was a kid and they still look more "modern" than current day styles.

[@danoc51]

Best looking diesel locomotives ever!

[@Rocketboy1950]

What would have solved it was if all the lead units had been on line.

[@jacobwarriner348]

Idk but I really really like trains because I live next to a train line all time we have big pn train and ssr s and the other day we had I one of those r train s never get vr trains tho but still I love train that come not just that they really really really long near shep but don't live there

[@Rocketboy1950]

What do you mean by "slanted" ?

[@Major_Tom98]

In the US trains that have to travel up a steep grade usually have some engines on the back (helpers) that push it over the grade.

[@15sixmedia]

They usually do here as well, not too sure why that technique was not employed in this particular scenario.

[@rickyspanish7851]

+TheThomasSproduction i dont know why we australians try to pull 1000 carriages with one train it will never work

[@Rocketboy1950]

+Meow 3000 I'm at a loss to understand why you are making a comment when you seem unable to differentiate between freight wagons, carriages, locomotives and trains.

[@rickyspanish7851]

Rod Williams sorry for my stupidness i dont know anything about trains

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

No shit

[@Rocketboy1950]

@otherranger probably at about the same time you come to terms with the contracts that say they will be maintained and returned as was plus did you ever consider the money that the groups are getting out of it to do other work.

[@Rocketboy1950]

most likely dust from the sand but they would have been close to cooking

[@lachlantrainvideos]

Would this be S303 T356 T378 or T395? T413 T320 B74?

[@codyniehaus8851]

I had an engineer, back when I was a conductor, who one day was getting stalled on a hill with a big train and not enough power. He wasn't running the train but he was the conductor or brakeman. Can't remember which. I wasn't on this train and this takes place in the United States, the state of Iowa, not Australia. (Sorry) Anyway, so the engineer running that train was about to give up because they were going under 1 mph. So my engineer took the engineers seat and applied the train brakes while keeping the throttle in notch 8. Unlike what anyone would think, the train moved and picked up speed. It was a technique that he was taught during engineer training. Not sure why it moved the train; one would think that it would make the train stop, not move. Thought I'd throw that story in, it kinda fits in with the video.

[@PanosSkarp]

@Michael Laing agreed

[@kk6aw]

Cody. you can do the same with a car

[@ziiofswe]

Kind of a "manual traction control". As long as you have more power than grip, you can equalize the load between the wheels a little. By applying the brakes a little, you reduce the slip on the wheels with the worst grip, while the engines still can overcome the extra load on the wheels with good grip. ...I guess.

[@mejestic124]

@@bonkeydollocks1879 relax man, can't you take a joke?

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

@@mejestic124 who the fuck asked you

[@vinsond25]

Thanks for another first-rate video. Just listening to the sound takes me back nearly 50 years to visits to my grandfather's house, where as a kid I'd be rocked to sleep by the familiar rhythmic hum of 567s pulling hard on the rail line a mile or so away. Please forgive the uninformed question, but when a train stalls like this, what exactly happens? Are the wheels slipping, or the traction motors simply unable to generate the torque needed to keep the axles turning, or the generators unable to produce sufficient current to keep the traction motors running given the heavy load?

[@Rocketboy1950]

It is almost always wheelslip.

[@victoriantrainchannel1450]

When you try your best but you don't succeed.....

[@wgw214]

It still gives me goose bumps to see an old F unit still working somewhere in the world

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

that is an E unit not an F unit see its got six axles not four

[@lachlanbaker2031]

@@IndustrialParrot2816not an E unit either, they’re a custom design based off the F’s built to the Australian loading gauge.

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

@@lachlanbaker2031 I know that now

[@easyamp123]

wow, they're are beating the hell out of those old 567's

[@MartinJG100]

Cos the bean counters in the office worked out on their spreadsheets that if they used one less engine they could reduce costs, improve productivity and get themselves an Xmas bonus. Clearly, it backfired but that wasn't their fault. After all, the computer never lies.

[@ericl2969]

@@MartinJG100 Yet another guy who was too lazy to read the text, but still "knows" more about it than the guy who was there.

[@GeneralBozo]

What effect does this sort of static effort have on the drive train? Does it damage it?

[@Terraceview]

oh yes

[@joecameron3512]

emd two stroke sounds f ing amazing

[@gmsyd09]

Is it struggling because it is over the load , possibly a run of bad signals before making the climb?

[@voidjavelin23]

Some of the locos(probably a T class) got stalled

[@Mukeshmiktecrep]

Becoming a Locomotive Driver was my dream and I regret my decision of not studying hard, I lost my dream.

[@spannaspinna]

You really don’t need to be a rocket scientist to drive a locomotive

[@Mukeshmiktecrep]

@@spannaspinna But where I live its impossible now

[@tripleLUFC]

So what are the three units in between the two locos? Are they the ones with the engines or are they a different loco for extra power? Also whats with the passenger trains running both ways on the same line?

[@voidjavelin23]

Theyre seperate line

[@impala327]

Love it. what a beast.

[@locomotion60]

In a magizine called Australian Railways illustrated [August 2010 edition] on page 61. There is a photo of S303 [leading]-T341-T357-T320-T378 and B74 at Warrenhelp bank on Tuesday 29th of June 2010. Was this photo taken the same day and the same time of the same train when the you tube video was recored? In other words what date was the video taken?Feel free to take a look at the photo in the Aust, R,I, magazine.

[@dennisvanoevelen]

what a Hauling power :) and what a beautyful Sound and beautyful movie ;)

[@yungmouse3850]

What is the name of this grade? I would love to see other trains run up it

[@lachlantrainvideos]

Warranheip bank

[@vettebecker1]

Love those E units!!!!!!!

[@Radzaification]

vettebecker1 Not E units, VR S class built in Australia.

[@wharris302]

+Radzaification Which are based on F units aren't they....?

[@Radzaification]

+dennis trident william Based off of F7's

[@dandygrow]

I do not understand what is happening exactly. Why would you ADD sand weight if the train is not climbing?

[@acts2211]

The sand is the help traction on the rails. The sand is injected Right Between the Wheels and the rails

[@jimmypatchett9642]

Ya just wanna get out and push ah

[@lyallboulton975]

the question I ask is did the train do the trip after the sand was filled and went up and over?

[@Scy]

Gravity's a bitch.

[@Dave-id6sj]

Does the sand get laid down automatically or does the crew decide when and how much to put down? Awesome sounding beasts.

[@rzvmad977]

that was a waste of diesel....

[@wharris302]

yep If they had just had the one loco that wasn't running on it would've made it probably...

[@bencarairplaneloverchristian]

Woooooooow what an effort from the old girl, you can clearly see no exhaust smoke from number 2 loco and number four loco, I was born in 1990 and as a small child my dad took me to see one of these at a train station doing rail works duties helping move the equipment back and forth from the platform

[@raymondleggs5508]

i think they needed four more locomotives

[@Rocketboy1950]

Raymond Leggs No they needed all of them to be 'on line'. One had been inadvertently left 'off line' for fuel conservation purposes. It should have been switched back on prior to tackling this grade. Had the bonehead driving been any good at his job he would have stopped much further back down the grade and checked. It was clear to me that he was in trouble as soon as it came into view. I have driven one or two trains up here and it's usually pretty obvious how you are going to fare before the heavy climb begins.

[@chris39351]

Rod Williams So what happens in these situations? More Locomotives are brought down to help?

[@Rocketboy1950]

In this instance there were no more. They backed it down the hill into town and had another go the next day with all the units powering.

[@denzel387]

+Raymond Leggs it has got some wheel selp

[@tyronewasup]

I've watched this video about 10 times now, the sound is incredible! Thanks for Sharing Rod!! You legend!

[@TEMPLE7D]

Beautiful sound from that 567 engine. Maybe these should be retrofitted with 710 engines. For this situation, it would be ideal to add more locomotives for this heavy train.

[@zelo1954]

To try to understand the decisions that were made by the crew and/or train control could you give us 1) an idea how far the train was from the top of the grade before stalling the first time? I've had a look at Google maps and I can't place where the video was shot from. Was it the end of Farrells Road? 2) given the conditions are there any issues regarding setting back a train downhill on a 1:52 - even such a short way back to Ballarat?

[@DFWRailVideos]

Sounds just like the Geeps and F units of America. What a beautiful sound and sight.

[@robmasterman]

An amazing video to watch Rod, it had me on the edge of my seat all the way...You were certainly at the right place at the right time...a fantastic location by the look of of it....Bob

[@WideWorldofTrains]

Wouldn't a pusher or 2 at the end have solved this?

[@voidjavelin23]

Well if the T class(the mid units with that switcher looking look) were online then it could have been solo it

[@TemplarKnight1177]

Perhaps it is better for a locomotive to rest at a museum and being polished and test-run now and then, but generally the worst that can happen to machinery is to be abandoned in some backyard to gather dust and rust. Being in use is far better than that and I believe these old ladies are having a good life on the tracks, as long as they get maintenance. At any rate I'm happy for seeing them in action.

[@adriannettlefold9084]

Old mate was certainly doing his best to keep them moving. You can hear the back units let go and grab again, so he may have been able to control the slipping to some extent if he had applied the locomotive independent brakes slightly... but at the end of the day without sand he was in a losing battle. I only had to divide once, and that was due to locomotive failure. So 10/10 points for trying.

[@WILLIAMHBAIRD]

Great video, loved the passenger trains blowing by. The grade does not look that bad. I guess just too much train

[@DHEngineerSpike1700]

It's amazing that the designs LaGrange came up with have lasted so long! I liked the colours and design of the paint. It reminds me of the Erie F units.

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

look more like the bigger six axle E units

[@Rocketboy1950]

Problem is they wouldn't fit under the bridges and would probably collapse a few under them as well. We could however use Dash 9 derivatives that have been built to suit the smaller and light loading gauge.