[SFS] That time I helped Doyle McCormack...

[@robertbalazslorincz8218]

*imagine Doyle himself appears in THIS very comment section and starts TYPING...*

[@tlow1324]

Remember…he’s a guy…a normal person…puts his pants on like everyone.

[@osageorangegaming5128]

"But I mean that's just boring- literally. Literately boring. And just boring because boring. Yeah." This quote deserves

[@web1bastler]

As a fully trained and qualified machinist I can confirm: Boring is boring. Unless you misconfigure your feeds/speeds at which point boring turns into a mess.

[@osageorangegaming5128]

@@web1bastler I take it you've made your share of accidental scrap because of the slightest of boo-boos?

[@SchrottiJr]

If you know, you know.

[@Pyrotrainthing]

Having someone you idolize turn to you and say "What do we do next" is such a wild thing, things like Stories from the Shop are what make me want to get into railroading!

[@buckduane1991]

I met his fireman from the Bicentennial runs of the 4449. I learned who he was after he heard me repeating to other tourists a story Doyle told in the 1991 video of their run to Sacramento, where one of the guys still with him at the time had a bunch of oranges in his shirt and heard Doyle whistle off, but when he went up the bank and back into the tool car, his pants stayed in the ditch. The fireman saw this and according to Doyle said “Uh, Doyle? So-and-so just mooned the train!” Imagine my surprise when that old guy who stopped and started listening gave me his name and corrected a few details of the story: “No, I said ‘Hold up, Doyle! You just caused [so-and-so] to moon the train!’ He was a bit impatient back then, and the southern heat was getting us all. We were in southern Georgia, stopped for a hot box, not sure why [Doyle] keeps saying it was Florida.” This was while standing next to the UP 833 (used still to scavenge parts for 844) at the Ogden, Utah, museum on May 9, 2019. 844 and 4014 had just concluded the noon hour whistle battle. I swore I would never forget his name, but sadly I have after the events in life since then... He actually offered to send Doyle a text message to come over and meet me if I had time to still be there a couple hours later, pulled up the contact and everything in his phone right in front of me to do it, had Doyle as a primary contact, but I had no idea what I would have even said to the guy… and sadly, my family who were there with me were already extremely impatient about the whole thing and wanted to sit down after having been there since 7 AM, which forced me to have to decline. So sadly, I missed my chance to meet one legend… but I got to meet another legend all the same. They’re getting old, and their stories forgotten… any chance you can get, take it! I did, and you sure as heck did, Mark! And me being at the big Transcontinental 150 the next day made me feel like a legend. I had on my old black cowboy hat and a white duster, if anyone saw me, I was back on the passing track near where all the period actors were set up.

[@MachRacer4]

I thought UP 838 was the one being scavenged for parts for 844?

[@TitanicKid]

Don't think I've ever clicked on a Hyce video this fast. Post-watching edit: What. A. Story. For ~10 years I went up to the ORHF at least thrice a year to see the 4449. Over the years I got to watch the progress on 700's 1472 inspection & rebuild, I got to watch OR&N 197 slowly progressing in its restoration, I got to see the 4449 at Portland Union Station back in 2017 when it did that trip to Bend, I got to experience more than could ever fit in a single KZbin comment. But never did I get the chance to meet Mr. McCormack. You, sir, are a very lucky man. Treasure those memories of that day you got to spend with him.

[@Jopsyduck]

This story sounds like "Imagine you were helping God run the universe and he asks you how big should this puddle be"

[@Trainiac_EXE-4449]

When I went to the ORHC, I happened to get to meet Doyle. I can agree, the man is indeed an absolute legend.

[@doubleutubefan5]

It was Doyle McCormick's work with the 4449 that got me into trains. Specifically the 1991/1992 Skyfire productions "mother of all train shoots" vhs video tape. What a American legend he is. He's the one man. I would very happily sit down and have lunch with

[@CMDRSweeper]

Bad news Hyce, you now have to go back there and bring a recorder and make him do a repeat ramble to you! :D Call it a Century of diesel thing as a cover story or something.

[@Lectrikfro]

Heck, Hyce could extend SFS and have occasional guests share their stories from their shops

[@railhead5000]

I met Doyle briefly in the summer of 2009 when the 4449 came up to Owosso where I was a volunteer at the time. I found him very personable along with the confidence he projected. I can run any machine he said. Truly a legend.

[@porthuronerieproductions9980]

That is absolutely fantastic! Doyle has had a hand in numerous steam and diesel restorations from both sides of the United States, some of which include two former Nickel Plate 2-8-4's (759 and 765 respectively). The fact you were able to work with him on his PA is a near once in a lifetime opportunity! Thank you for sharing!

[@andrewadams3894]

My Doyle story dates back to the 2001 Railroad Passenger Car Alliance annual convention in Kansas City. The hotel we stayed at for the convention was across from Union Station and had several eateries and retail shops. It was lunch time and I recognized Doyle sitting alone at a restaurant table. I was going to ask him if I could join him. I walked up and introduced myself, "Hi I'm Andrew Adams." Doyle immediately replied, "No You're not." I laughed because I knew there was a fireman on the Freedom Train with my name. Anyway, I sat down, ordered lunch, and had a nice conversation about Huron plugs and other appliances shared between 4449 and 1225.

[@BazilYat]

You saved a legend the most important resource of all: Time. And also probably stopped him feeling like an idiot because when he figured he'd flipped the two numbers... a very stupid mistake. A mistake we've all made.

[@crazypickles8235]

The ALCO Pa locomotives are some of my favorite post war diesel electric locos in the US. They're big, they're gorgeous and they reasonably powerful

[@SodorTrain1225]

I had a VERY distant relative who worked on the original Nickel Plate Road PA-1s, nicknamed "The Bluebirds".

[@TSMGL_Youtube]

Nothing like volunteering with a veteran from the older days of the railroad and listening to their stories, let alone it being someone as prestigious as Doyle! Loving these stories a lot! How about some from the steam side of your career?

[@ColtonRMagby]

Wait, a descendant of the guy who founded the Huber Traction Engine Company and Marion Shovel Company got to work with THE Doyle McCormack? WOW!

[@wxdave5448]

So happy that you had that experience. Often the best experiences are the ones we never planned and would not have dreamed to try for.

[@andrewnelson3751]

Doyle would deadhead with us on AMTK 11 and 14 and I finally talked with him years later at the Brooklyn RH in the early 90's while doing the 700. If you are in touch with him have him tell you about Chris who kept the steam engines like the 4449 and 700 oiled for many years while they sat in the rain at Oaks Park in PDX when he was a kid. Maybe you know his backstory, it would be a great episode and tribute to my friend who I knew from our days at Amtrak. Thanks.

[@SPRailfan4449]

As a SP 4449 Railfan I am so happy Hyce met the man himself. Great video. ❤️👍😎

[@crystalrock18]

I would find it funny if Doyle sees this, reaches out to you, and then you guys do an interview together. If there’s one thing I know about the internet; it’s that word somehow gets around.

[@jasongoodman3495]

Just remember nobody robs trains anymore

[@martinadams7949]

Thats a standard way to greet Doyle

[@om617yota8]

One of my favorite movies!

[@maverick13_bro87]

From what I've heard and seen pictures of, the engine in it is a 12-251C taken out of a wrecked BC Rail M420B that Doyle bought for that purpose, so I'm not exactly sure where the marine part comes in. The alignment issues could still make sense considering it's a 251 vs the original 244 that the PAs would have had, though.

[@ApartmentRR]

I got to meet Doyle on similar circumstances one day. I was taking an Amtrak trip from San Jose to Spokane Washington, but missed my connection because Amtrak was late (big surprise). That meant I had a day to do whatever in Portland, so after getting settled in my hotel, I wandered off to see if I could take a peak at the daylight. The building was closed to the public that day, but one of the volunteers was out and noticed me trying to get a peak of whatever I could from outside the fence. He invited me inside and I got a personal tour with one of the volunteers, got to shake Doyle’s hand, and even got to go in the cab of the daylight. It was awesome. The story of how Doyle got the PA up from Mexico and the condition he received it to what it looks now is incredible. Someone should start a podcast where these old guys just tell some of their stories before they are no longer with us.

[@mikesewell2536]

I remember reading about Doyle in an issue of trains magazine over 20 years ago as he was restoring that locomotive at that time..

[@Redshirt214]

Ditto!

[@patricksheary2219]

Hi Mark, what an ultra-cool story! Those kinds of impromptu moments are just amazing! Like you said, you never know until you put yourself out there. I always say, don’t ask, don’t get. Many thanks for sharing your beautiful shop story and as always cheers to you Professor!

[@om617yota8]

This is great. The normal advice is "don't meet your heroes." Glad it worked out this time! My dad told me that a friend of our family was the guy who taught Doyle how to run 4449. My dad was always FOS so I never believed it, but I've wondered.

[@lsswappedcessna]

The problem with meeting your heroes is that most people are not mature enough to realize that their heroes are normal people, too. They eat, sleep, shit, and put their pants on just like everyone else, and when you worship someone you become disappointed when meeting them and discovering that they have flaws. There are people I would very much like to meet, but I don't want to meet them in a situation that would cause them discomfort or distress. Nobody, no matter how famous they are or how interesting their life is, deserves to have their privacy constantly infringed upon.

[@om617yota8]

@@lsswappedcessna Agreed completely. I've heard about people barging into KZbinr's shops and even homes uninvited, thinking they're buddies - absolutely ridiculous. At the same time, those heroes chose to make themselves heroes and to meet their public, don't be a dick when that happens.

[@aarondivel1752]

I got to check out the cab of 190 in spencer. It's like looking out over a ship's bow in that cab. Doyle is a cool dude, for sure.

[@Nareimooncatt]

"A story I've never talked about before..." Yes you have. As soon as you mentioned the 3" alignment issue, I recognized it. I don't remember when you mentioned it, but you have told us this before on a stream. Even still, it's always nice to see these get a stand alone video.

[@Hyce777]

Yeah I told it once on stream. Only about 2% of the audience watches streams from what KZbin tells me so I always approach it like no one's heard it before.

[@Nareimooncatt]

@@Hyce777 then I'm glad to be part of the top 2%. Lol

[@nordisk1874]

There’s tug boats with Fairbanks Morse engines off of locomotives. The engines from two Long Island Rail Road H16-44’s 1504 and 1509. Her name was the Socrates she is now in Africa.

[@martinadams7949]

We have 3 boats in Astoria OR with FM motors

[@nordisk1874]

@@martinadams7949 I got to play with one in college. It was air powered! Shook a lot on the stand.

[@wapatocreekrail]

Wow, that’s really cool! Portland really does shut down around any amount of snow, it’s almost funny. I think that the PA has an Alco 251 engine in it. Some nice memories of that unit, too bad it never ran in Portland.

[@brentmiller3951]

My father worked for Southern Pacific.He started out doing teletype on the Oregon coast out of Vietnam and retired from Brooklyn yard in Portland around 2009. I got to Rude on some geeps dash 2" s a few cabooses and explored many trestles from the coos bay depot to Florence Oregon. We are losing a lot of history so people like you are important to the documentation and restoration.

[@ericwillcoxen7856]

I remember, as a kid, I saw a rusty hulk of an Alco PA sitting on a far off siding in the UP Albany, Or yard for a couple of years. I didn't know what it was at the time, but I could see it from the overpass if I was sitting on the driver's side of the car. I like to think that it was what eventually became the NKP 190, after I heard the story of Doyle and a museum purchasing two wrecked hulks from Mexico to bring them back to the states. I saw the 190 back when it was still at the ORHC the couple lf times i've been there and remembering the rusty hulk of a locomotive sitting in Albany and being amazed at the restoration. I was saddened by the news that the 190 was leaving Oregon because I couldn't wait to see it operational, but I understand that Doyle needed to part ways with it.

[@tatecarlson]

NKP 190 is one of my favorites of the ALCO PA diesels and I got to see 190 in Spencer, NC all the way back in 2014 for the Streamliners at Spencer event

[@Greg-ue5yq]

Heard you comment on doing alignments I've done many on EMD's I think the most difficult were the aux/Gen on an old yard engine that used what we referred to as a "rocker" the term came from the legs on the generator looked like the rails on a rocking chair, I think the easiest was the main alternative alignment on ge fdl

[@Drockthe3rd]

I remember seeing the 190 before it got sold to the Delaware Lackawanna in 2021. Majestic locomotive My dad also got to see it on BN's PASKC as it stopped in Missoula on the way to Scranton

[@farmdog93]

Love watching and hearing people take about doyle, the video of him running npr 765 is just awesome like all he's done, great vidya hyce, keep up the awesome work man 🤘🤘

[@PBMRR]

If it was the Nickel plate road 190 then I've actually seen it when it was at Steamtown NHS in Scranton PA. I actually took a shop tour and ended up meeting some of the people on the board of directors for the D&H and Erie lackawanna. I can't remember if I met Doyle or not though

[@martinadams7949]

I have a got the t shirt story about Doyle. I had been to the Tourist Railroad convention in Harrisburg, the next week is always the FRA steam loco engineering standards meeting (steam gods) at Strassburg. Everyone was gathering, Doyle had a bag from the state of PA museum, Asked what was in it. We both got the same T shirt. Had a K4 and said, "PRR standard RR of America" not the world. Going back to Ford's model levels. Narrow gauge like your stuff is economy, PRR was standard, everthing else was , "deluxe"

[@guyfromtma]

As someone that has worked on vessels of all sizes: If it's small enough to use a locomotive engine for propulsion, it's still a boat to most of us. Towboat. Supply boat. Tugboat. It's easy to find any of those examples with single or multiple EMD main engines on waterways across the country and almost none of them would be labeled "ships".

[@wilfstor3078]

The 1000 Footer Stewart J Cort would like to know your location

[@Hyce777]

Interesting! I appreciate the expertise. :)

[@SYH653]

Submarines, regardless of size, are boats too.

[@Interceptor00X]

If this engine was a marine diesel then saying that it was used in "boats" could be fine. Since a lot of diesel engines intended for locomotives were used as submarine engines in ww2. And the sub crews called their subs "boats" as a way to mock the navy. But it would depend on the engine itself.

[@LRF152]

Let’s get Doyle on the channel

[@mattg5852]

I remember you telling this story on stream. It’s as great hearing it now as it was then

[@Oceanus_Rex]

@Hyce777 They say to never meet your heroes, but I think you had an awesome time and proved the old adage wrong for once! I am also curious to see if you have heard about the restoration of ATSF 2926 down here in Albuquerque. She has been beautifully restored to operational condition by New Mexico Heritage Rail! As a native New Mexican living outside of Albuquerque I was thrilled to learn that there was a restored steam loco so close to where I live. Next time I am up Denver way I am definitely swinging by the museum, hopefully I'll see you there!

[@jimyeetast9335]

Hyce you are awesome!!

[@HighballMachineWorks]

I know this comment is a day late but I just can’t believe that a story about Doyle appears on my birthday (which is the 14th, and this comment is posted on the 15th) and I also discovered today that there’s a railroad themed brewery in Florida called the Rule G Brewery 😂

[@Hyce777]

I need to go there... Happy belated birthday!

[@sabliath9148]

Just recently, I went to support one of Oregon's tourist/heritage railroads, the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad in Garibaldi, OR (that's a little ways north of Tillamook for those unfamiliar with the area). It was a good time, but I wasn't lucky enough to get one of their steam locomotives (I believe they have both a saddle tank logging Mallet and a Heisler), instead I got their F7 diesel, still wearing its Great Northern livery. Still a fun ride, though.

[@NoahDutkewycz]

You’re definitely right Hyce you never know who you will run into. Example I got to meet 1/4 of an idiot , the man the mith the legend Brett at the Colorado Railroad Museum.

[@srajfnly2]

You got a chance to help Doyle out, and I got speak with Ed Dickens

[@sargentrowell81]

Love the shoutout to Oceanliner Designs. Didn't expect mention of that channel here. lol Actually, might some of his stories you heard fit in the 3/4 show format? Like the story format where the other 3 fill in the blank as the story continues (forgetting that formats name). I know you said you don't remember quite enough of those stories to share them, but maybe he could? Or you could just try and arrange an interview? Or maybe you could interview him off camera, THEN bring those stories to the 3/4 show (with his permission).

[@Hyce777]

That would be so much fun.

[@Gunny426HemiPlymouth]

Awesome story Hyce

[@chrisparsons949]

Some entertainment for an evening in England, so much better than some sports on! Thank you Hyce! It seems we have a mutual friend, Mike Brady from Oceanliner Designs 😂

[@stevew270]

I would have been nervous and not able to speak, Doyle is a superstar imo!

[@Hutch.N2O]

Brother, are you familiar with the GVRX 2248? I Volunteered at the Grapevine Vintage Railroad for a few months back in 2012 and it was such a surreal experience. The one day out of the month when they ran the 2248 they let me ride in the cab. And wow Hyce I will never forget how the fire was breathing through the fire box. It was so bright and hot, the smell of the oil burning with each stroke of the piston I will never forget that ride. When it was being shut down for the day after she cooled down the fella that was in charge of the roundhouse let me find my way to the top of the boiler to cap off the Smokestack. I still remember the smell of the steam oil grease and soot, gives me a happy excited buzz when I think about it. Just wanted to share that with you. Hutch, AKA EddieFriday

[@ryancooney3219]

Loved hearing this story during the stream and love that it got its own spotlight video!

[@YourLocalRailfan]

I heard freedom train is coming back in 2026

[@bluescrew3124]

Awesome story! Loved it! (Even with the mathing)

[@MrDgwphotos]

My dad knew Doyle, though I'm not entirely sure how.

[@MrDgwphotos]

My dad was involved in logging locomotive restoration, I know he was involved in efforts to restore the locomotive that is at the World Forestry Center in Portland, and he may have been involved with the 4449 (which would certainly involve Doyle).

[@railwayjade]

There is nothing as great as listening to lovely railway/railroad stories

[@Dan_Gyros]

Aight thats pretty fkin awesome!

[@Alawo-]

Not only did you work with THE Doyle, you worked on an ALCO PA????????? GOT TO LIVE MY DREAM😭

[@TrainMedia00]

And I was also a volunteer for the Austin steam train association, and helped my boss Matt Jackson and we worked on the GP40-3 number 3134 air dusting the electrical cabinets on the little basement and I also helped Noah to restore ALCO number 442, and she is thilthy as hell, lots of dust and things that are remined from 2016 and 2024, we removed 442's windows and I'm grinding the holds to flatn in the wall, and yeah I had a blast with them, this is my first time working on a railroad, and it changed my life now, and well me and my dad had to leave back to Dallas and it's just stupidity sucks I left my favorite work site and yes I got a little scar on my arm and I said "Don't fix my arm, I'll never forget" I might come back to Austin in December and maybe come back to work at the ASTA but I don't know when, and god dammit I have school and the Union Pacific Big Boy number 4014 will be going to Fort Worth Texas next month!!!!!! , and I hated because my school is now stuck with me.

[@royreynolds108]

I was the track foreman at the Huckleberry RR and worked in the shop during the winter, from 4/79 to 10/83. The Huckleberry was given the HK Porter 75-ton 3-ft gauge C-C diesel 1203 from the US Gypsum Co railroad in Plaster City, CA in 1979 or 80. Dennis went out to Plaster City to load it on a flat car. It was unloaded in the C&O yard at Flint and trucked about a mile over to the Huckleberry. I wound up cleaning the engine bay of about 2 or so inches of oiled gypsum dust and caked gypsum from under the cab. After it derailed while pulling 2 cars, it was rerailed with a crane and brought back into the shop. While inspecting it, we discovered several cracks and the side bearings on the trucks were hard down on the frame causing the cracks. We jacked the engine up off the truck bolsters, cleaned them, and inserted disks of HD plastic to allow the bolsters to turn freely and have about 3/8-inch clearance for the side bearings. I was the one to go into the pit and up and over the trucks to get between the main frames to get the bolts loose so we could jack the engine up(I was the smallest person there). There is not much room between the 2 main frames on a 3-foot-gauge diesel. This loco is now at the D&SNG

[@Lazarus7000]

Well that's awesome!

[@Elliottblancher]

I always though SFS stood for 'Some Fun Shit'

[@Alcochaser]

I am not sure where the marine story, Came from. All the internals for the PA came from wrecked M420B BCRail 688

[@billyrueckert5113]

That's one of those lifetime core memories!

[@QuorkQTar]

Lovely story ❤

[@MachRacer4]

I bet he told you about the “West Texas Drawbar” Incident.

[@spiercephotography]

What an awesome experience and story!

[@shanemccullough143]

Does Doyle Mccormick uave any relation to the Stillman Mccormick RR park in Scottsdale Arizona?

[@aydenthes10man72]

You should talk about when rgs 20 was in a film

[@PowerTrain611]

Alco fan shafts are wacky. I bet that was a great experience though! I always wondered why they don't use a universal joint on the driveshaft to allow for all kinds of mismatches and avoid all this trouble.

[@Hyce777]

Great freaking question... lol!

[@MrAwesome7123]

never seen short haired mark before... kinda assumed you came out of the womb with the long hair lol

[@andrewframe8046]

That wouldn't have been Scott Gordon, would it?

[@Hyce777]

It was, in fact!

[@andrewframe8046]

@@Hyce777 Scott and his brother Tim are the entire reason I got involved with MRSR back in the day.

[@Hyce777]

@@andrewframe8046 Nice! I haven't met Tim but I taught Scott to fire coal on the 346 back in 2016. It was how I got to know him. Random FB friend, then we started chatting and he was able to come visit. Good dude.

[@RailFanAthena]

"Cjane would like to know your location"

[@joshuagothier1111]

Yo hyce when are we gonna get more you and kan videos

[@AllisonChainz3718]

FIRST (comment to say first)

[@thegamingtako9779]

Yay early!