Rotaries and Flangers on Donner Pass!

[@cheeze5875]

It's amazing how quickly the snowdozer population bounces back each winter. Nature is truly a wonder to behold.

[@b3tomm12]

😂

[@shafimuhammad2268]

0k

[@JMiskovsky]

Yeah hebitat is nice but I also like population of Track layers. Thou it is endemic

[@jasoncarswell7458]

Though bold in numbers, they quickly scatter at the appearance of a larger, louder apex predator.

[@kuhndj67]

They were majestic weren't they...

[@paull8678]

I find it hilarious that the KZbin algorithm decided to suggest this video. I watch a lot of guitar gear demos (guitars, effect pedals, etc) and Donner is a brand of guitar. Rotary and Flanger are two types of guitar effects. So I guess this seemed like the perfect video for YT to recommend. 😂 And now I've learned about two types of train. Too cool.

[@7ideaproductions]

Thanks for stopping by even if it was by accident!

[@paull8678]

@@7ideaproductions sure thing! Who doesn't like trains? I even take heavy rail to work.

[@andyharman3022]

You also get an opportunity to appreciate the music of an EMD 2-stroke.

[@7ideaproductions]

@@andyharman3022 Music to my ears !

[@chrisparker2118]

The annual snow dozer migration, beautiful! Such majestic creatures. This herd appears to be mostly juvenile snow dozers.

[@karlmckinnell3944]

So cute the one snow dozer turns around and tries to outrun the plow. lol

[@michaelhudecek2778]

😊😊😊

[@happyhighway106]

#193 Thank you for a fine video! I am 73. Fifty years ago I helmed some of the Railroad Car Ferrys on Lake Michigan during the Winter months. These vessels were coal fired, steam powered with Skinner Uniflow Engines. They all were Ice Breakers and could punch through "The Wind Rolls". Winter seas were cold and rough! However, Food in the Galley was the best served!!

[@passthepipe1]

The clean edge left by this machine once it's done it's work, pleases me.

[@NoBody-ht1oh]

Its wonderful to see a family of dozers in the wild making their way to lower ground, a rare find indeed. We don't have them in Australia, except in zoo's sadly.

[@7ideaproductions]

Yes these are rare but fortunately Donner has a healthy herd.

[@beeble2003]

@@7ideaproductions Yeah, but just wait until those Caterpillars grow up into butterflies!

[@kennethdodge3779]

That is hilarious.look at them run for greener pastures.lol

[@22Oatie]

Yeah that place is historically great for groups of anything, dozers... people

[@TravellinOn2010]

@Kagens Looking Glass How dare you! You've shattered my dreams! :-)

[@haventthoughtofanameyet6364]

I'm a machine operator for a living(any and all heavy equipment) and to hear "a herd of bulldozers" just tickled me to death lol

[@SPJBR]

This is strangely satisfying to watch.

[@mainecoastrailfan]

Excellent video! The rotary plow alongside the "herd of snowdozers" makes for quite the sight!

[@ChainsawFPV]

I have never even seen a rotary plow in person, but love these videos. The perfect balance of horsepower and traction. I grew up in New England, so totally understand what it takes to move snow like that. Impressive.

[@davemcmahon8140]

I wonder what my grandfather would think about winter work on the rails. He was an engineer on Australian steam and electrics during WW2 and till his retirement. Its amazing as I have his lisences all printed on rice paper!!

[@7ideaproductions]

He would have been interesting to talk to! It takes a special breed to do winter service. I know engineers who live for it.

[@davemcmahon8140]

@@7ideaproductions he was deemed essential service during the war, his brothers served in Burma while Pa took arms and men up the east coast of Australia.

[@barryroberts2196]

I'm very impressed. 2 inches of snow here in the UK & the Country comes to a stand still !!!👍

[@ИгорьПетров-г2ь]

@Dark Code Можешь не поверить, но в России так же, маленький снежок и уже обьявляют стихийное бедствие.

[@Gravity461]

@dark code I’m in Connecticut and we didn’t even get an extreme weather warning for a snowstorm that happened today with over a foot of snow.

[@simplywonderful449]

In Illinois, we get an "EXTREME WEATHER WARNING" when it goes above freezing!

[@jimsmith9819]

2 inches here is nothing

[@Senor0Droolcup]

Awesome. When I-80 is closed both directions, I should be thinking of the thousands of people stuck in traffic, unable to reach loved ones, but my initial reaction is pretty much: "I wonder if they're powering up the Rotaries at Roseville!?!" Kinda pathetic but that's what a love of trains will do to you...

[@francisschweitzer8431]

I think that same thing…. Parked in Reno because Donner is closed and I am dreaming of Rotary Trains. Lol.

[@davemcmahon8140]

Now thats a thought!

[@davefroman4700]

Yeah and its more likely the Zepher will get across the mountain before any of the people stuck in ditches.

[@ThePaulv12]

Yeah that's what a Gunzel would think. Gunzel is a derogatory description for the insatiable hard core rail enthusiast. A true Gunzel always wears the the name with pride.

[@Senor0Droolcup]

@@ThePaulv12 Well, in that case, if being a true Gunzel is wrong, I don't wanna be right! 😆

[@caroldavis7169]

This is just spectacular !!!!! I live in Australia snd we never see anything like this …..

[@harrisonofcolorado8886]

I received this DVD for Christmas a few years back. I liked seeing the rotaries, and it's amazing that they're still in use even today.

[@Harry-zz2oh]

Last week I saw the rotary from the narrow gauge in Durango, CO-Chama, NM and the Silverton, CO RR. Very neat to watch the video.

[@larryjanson4011]

best tool for the job.

[@gardenogauge]

What's the alternative?

[@hootwho3640]

Electric?❤😂

[@GhostDrummer]

That’s gotta be an eerie feeling to not be able to see where you’re going. At least at night the locomotive lights up the tracks. What an amazing video. Thank you for sharing.

[@7ideaproductions]

Yes I understand it can get spooky in those situations especially with avalanche danger.

[@Aaronontheradio]

In 20 plus years as a CTC Operator in East St Louis, only two times did we have a significant snow fall to bring out the snow blower car with the jet engine. Our Maintainer loved the call at 2am in single digit temperatures to refill switch pots and frozen points.

[@resdupbug]

That whistle!!!!! Incredible footage, thank you for sharing it.

[@heinzbreuer2674]

Ein Meister Werk an der Kamera ☃️☃️📽📽📽📽📽greetings from Germany Rhein side Düsseldorf

[@nikospapageorgiou57]

Two SD70ACe's that is one mighty snowblower consist! And the way the bulldozers scattered at the first sight of the snowblower, was so funny!

[@leehuff2330]

Love the sound of those 567s getting after it!

[@markthomas6436]

That's the "B" unit right behind the plow.

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Wow, Spectacular video of this operation.

[@7ideaproductions]

Glad you liked it!

[@duck_rifle5879]

That group of dozers was brilliant. Maybe since we usually only see one or two together at a time makes this herd more interesting.

[@anb7408]

Arnold Schwarzenegger would be proud of these snow plows! No “girly man” plows around on that pass. Any plow that can chew through 5-6 deep wet snow is a manly plow!

[@nc4tn]

Love to hear those 567’s powering the plows.

[@Peter-pv8xx]

They had one of these rigs at steamtown in Scranton PA, standing in front of that massive turbine gave one pause.

[@jrea424]

Amazing to watch! And to think, people would traverse that pass long before any rail was laid in search of a better life in Cali

[@brendacoffman6259]

Just so glad to see snow again in Northern California Love this !

[@phildavies9082]

I love going up to the tracks in and around Truckee. It's a great way to spend the day.

[@DJust_Me]

Amazing videos. God bless you, protect you, and keep you safe. Thank you for your great job.

[@7ideaproductions]

Thank you and you as well!

[@sergiolandz6056]

thank you so much to the people who took this video and stills, amazing ! Love the wintery train scene so awesome !

[@coopercarguy]

America needs more trains.

[@jayswarrow1196]

12:26 - That idle-to-work gurgle of old 567 series is biblical. Like the Ford FE-block trucks of an era, torque orchestra, at the lowest end possible. Also, i enjoyed the wildlife commentary alot :D

[@geomodelrailroader]

always good to see The Roteries in action. If you have 16 feet of snow on Donner Pass this is who you call they will make sure The Transcontinental Railroad stays clear and the trains keep moving.

[@EATSLEEPDRIVE2002]

@Bobb Grimley do ya feel smarter now?

[@skimmer8774]

Spectacular to say the least. I would love to be there for real. Very nice video.

[@keithgeisen]

To have narration added is well received - Thank you.

[@lindawebster815]

😘 Love to see this amazing sight!! Mother Nature came through again for the great opportunity bestowed the crew!!!Thank you 😊 Sincerely yours, a greatfull railroad family from Roseville CA 🤗

[@scottkelley883]

Very cool. Downtown truckee has an old retired one on display!

[@judyhereid9723]

I could watch this allday

[@1JUSTGOTLUCKY1]

What a great video!!! Great vantage points and beautiful definition!!

[@LM.P]

That transition at 7:50 was perfect

[@SongMom8]

It’s basically a train-sized snowblower. Cool! 👍🏻

[@fhowland]

Man versus nature. Seriously impressive!

[@allenra530]

Not that long ago they were still using the Southern Pacific steam powered rotaries out of Roseville. The diesels may be more efficient, but the steam machines were much more appealing.

[@7ideaproductions]

Steam powered rotaries put on the best show. Good idea for a future video!

[@averageguy7136]

Those are the same steam powered rotaries. They are around 100 years old. In the 1950’s they converted them to use a diesel powered steam generator rather than use the original boiler and firebox. The B unit powers the steam generator.

[@jeffkrob4972]

@@averageguy7136 Sorry, must disagree. These may be the same steam-powered chassis but the rotary is now powered with traction motors powered by the generator in the (EMD F-7 Type) B units (LOVE that roar, BTW). You can see the electrical cables between the rotary car & the B unit. Yes, there is a steam-making boiler in the B unit but that is to melt snow off the front collection doors around the rotary blade opening.

[@kleetus92]

@@jeffkrob4972 Yeah I thing that is an F7P where they're using the steam generator that would have been used for car heat to keep the rotary thawed out... But absolute the 1500hp 16V567 is definitely running a traction motor, or two, in the rotary head to spin her up.

[@ronbelnap8370]

@@kleetus92 when I had a rotary on my SP territory on Oregon it had a steam generator in the plow car body for heat, blade heating, and whistle. It also had 3 traction motors turning the blades. All electricity came from the power unit behind.

[@josipskrticdomin]

Train 🚂 and the snow ⛄️! Beautiful 😍

[@erichughes284]

That train is moving an incredible amount of heavy snow.Very i.pressive

[@geoffreylee5199]

Great footage!

[@scottmorris2601]

I’ve heard that being a fireman has the highest job satisfaction, but I bet driving that train throwing snow is a close second.

[@Parents_of_Twins]

Wow making the diesel or diesels in that engine work, that's amazing.

[@Luredreier]

It's nice to see the rotary working fast and efficiently. =) This is more like how they looked here.

[@Marlene-Ferreira]

ANYONE FOR A SNOWCONE..... YOU JUST HAVE TO ADD YOUR OWN FLAVOR...... It's mesmerizing we dont get snow like that in our Country.... It's Awesome to watch... thank you for sharing 🌟❤☃️🌟❤☃️🌟❤☃️

[@TheDukeOfThunder]

I genuinely had to laugh at the "herd of snow dozers" passing

[@connie7226]

That is so cool to watch

[@7ideaproductions]

Thank you!

[@VirtualJMills]

Interesting that the Rotary Plows are using the same spinning-disc window-clearance technique as larger CNC equipment. :-)

[@jasonharrison25]

it's actually the other way around. Trains, boats and ships have been using them long before CNC ever adopted them. but I get your point

[@schwags1969]

Very impressive. Thank you.

[@drive9997]

Awesome great footage

[@willmetz1490]

I remember that big storm, I had to dig my car out of a huge mound of snow

[@Gorthaur42]

Why did I watch this? No idea. But do I impractically want one for my driveway now? Absolutely.

[@-PLAYER0NE-]

So cool! I just saw one pass by us in Auburn a while back. Definitely heading for the pass we’ve gotten a lot of snow lately.

[@alcopower5710]

Outstanding footage 👍

[@keithfreeman5204]

My dad worked for the C&O/B&O for 35 years. He was on the Track Maintance crew, he ran the Ballast Regulator. Any and all information on what my Dad's job involved is just interesting to me. Dad passed 3 years ago. Simply , thanks for the info.

[@7ideaproductions]

You are welcome!

[@chuck3441]

What is a ballast regulator?

[@rx7cl]

So Wicked, I live in Illinois just went this last weekend on the holiday train at Illinois railway museum so Kool... They had One of the Snow blower train's there, standing in front of this beast is crazy.........

[@KPen3750]

It is very interesting to me that the rotaries have yet to be converted from steam power. Not that I'm complaining, that whistle is glorious

[@caseyalan5812]

Those snow dozers are so stinking cute! 😂😂

[@milkman81]

Black looks amazing when it’s not covered in salt!

[@jimmyhook4852]

Now that's a long preview though. ^^

[@ms.annthrope415]

Near the west end of Truckee Is the Donner Monument. The base of thr Monument is 22 feet high to commemorate the 22 feet of snow that fell and trapped the Donner party that fateful winter. The western side of the Sierra mountains get so much snow because the clouds get stuck in the west side and dump snow all over before moving east over the tops of the Sierra. The snow has so much water content that the snow on the roads freeze and refreeze overnight into solid slabs of ice. We called that Sierra Cement. Driving up and down I-80 sometimes feels like driving in a slot canyon as the snow is more than half way up to the overhead light poles. Lived in the foothills close to I-80 for 20 years.

[@nosaya3]

Some serious action!

[@darrellborland119]

We are "Original Transcon RR" fans, so hit Bloomer Cut, etc., this past Oct. Then Tunnel 6, Summit Tunnel, is pretty awesome to walk thru and consider how it was built. Thanks, and the "Wedding of the Rails" will be this May 10, at Promontory Summit...subscribed.

[@BNforever2009]

Love this!!

[@ryanfrogz]

No kidding about the herd of snowdozers!

[@stbu9709]

They need a fancier collective term……a gaggle of snowdozers!

[@spentacle]

Was the orange one the dominant male?

[@ryanfrogz]

that’s the dozer-herder, responsible for keeping them in line

[@ronbelnap8370]

Actually pushing snow far away from track is critical to keeping the line open. If snow is more than 15 feet deep next to the track rotaries dig a trench, and you are in trouble. Got to have someplace to put it.

[@Papag53]

What a great video. Thank you.

[@7ideaproductions]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@barbararoberto1258]

Great video will watch again

[@dwkcamman611]

Nice work!

[@robinatkinson6275]

Great production verry atmospheric

[@teamidris]

Stopped because dozer window glass ain’t cheap :o) Where I worked the rail hedge cutter put a bit of wood through a guys bathroom window.

[@williamrosier5558]

Ol Man Winter. . LOVE YOU.

[@sceneanuerebelrebel9244]

This Winter ought to really keep you busy ...

[@robertbeck97850]

Really enjoy your videos. Your are the Danny Harmon voice of the west🤓. If you have never heard of Danny Harmon just KZbin Distant Signals by Danny Harmon and you will see what I mean. His voice is so perfect for the railroad videos that he does. Robert in Lagrande Oregon.

[@7ideaproductions]

Thanks Robert. I got into radio in the early 90's and it followed me into my video career.

[@QbutNotTheQ]

2:25 A majestic herd of snow dozers.

[@djohnsto2]

Very cool. I guess those engines don't wet stack much.

[@nitaleach6816]

As many time I was on Donner, I had no idea this really happened.

[@sammisworkshops3762]

When UP took over the SP they retired all this snow equipment, they brought it back PDQ come winter. it IS essential equipment to keep this line open.

[@ronbelnap8370]

They picked the best and rebuilt them. But there are fewer than there used to be. Most are in museums.

[@timgreen4137]

A herd of snow dozers. 😆🤣🤣🤣 Yeah, I've heard of dozers. Haven't you???

[@jamescampbell7780]

Impressive!

[@edadan]

Can't imagine being in the "Donner party" that got trapped in these harsh conditions back in 1846!

[@7ideaproductions]

I think about that every time I go up there. Filming on Donner in the winter is not a picnic but the images are worth it.

[@ldegmtrainspotter]

Amazing video! Great winter capture! Good work! Mega Thumbs Up ☃️🚂🚂🚂☃️❄😎👍👍👍 Greetungs from Romania Andrew

[@7ideaproductions]

Thanks for watching!

[@angeloavanti2538]

whoa. impressive.

[@shaunroberts9361]

This was so Cool to watch..

[@jamesorr2832]

Very Cool >>But that diesel smoke would make a Tree Hugger Cry>> LOL

[@tennesseegregario7253]

This is so relaxing to watch. This and rat shooting.

[@bikerider4326]

They could have created snow shoes and even SKIE’S and toboggans if they had any common sense!😂

[@bluecollar58]

You don’t see those dozer herds much. The snow must have drove them down from the hills.

[@thespaceelefant2441]

a HERD OF SNOW DOZERS😂😂😂

[@artavproductions8987]

admiration for the people, the ingeneers, and their strenght

[@wildbillanderson9100]

VERY KOOL TO WATCH THANK U

[@spectrastar2749]

UP borrowed a lession from southern pacific. Keep the snow on the run along with keeping the equipment and the snow moving

[@sotl97]

That would be a fun job.

[@traina26]

These may be the last steam whistle in revenue service in all of North America very neat to see