Soldier Summit Coal Trains Battle The Grade (4K) | Autumn in Price Canyon | Oct. 2023

Feast your eyes and ears on some of the best railroading to be seen in the West! Utah's Soldier Summit where loaded coal trains battle the Price Canyon Grade.
I have long wanted to spend an extended time along the old Rio Grande through here and am very glad to bring you this production!
I said it in the video but will say it again here. I know that this video of just UP trains is a far cry from the golden days of Utah Railway when they ran coal trains. I'm just happy to have captured any coal trains battling the grade here. Especially with the slow and painful decline of coal traffic in general.
Locations are numerous between Helper Utah and Solider Summit Utah.
Recording equipment used:
-Mavic 3 Pro
-Sony ZV E-10
Music is used from Artlist and Soundstripe.
Please like and subscribe if you enjoyed!

[@brianburke6350]

Railfan Dan, the best videos by far. Professionally done every time.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thanks so much Brian!

[@brianburke6350]

You’re quite welcome my friend

[@jds6206]

Exceptional in every respect. My highest complements, Dan. Overwhelmingly scenic, I believe this film was such a tribute to the natural beauty of our United States. Very, very well done. And, though you wished for daylight to catch Amtrak passing the coal train, you did film a very unique scenario....the Amtrak engineer dimming the Amtrak locomotive's running lights as it passed the manned-helpers.....watching both trains, at night, from the rear as Amtrak passed the coal train. Outstanding.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thank you so much I'm humbled you think so highly of it! I do see your point too about that night shot with the Amtrak and coal train. That was neat to get the headlights on and back on again. This video is actually kind of a spin off from the next video of mine which will be posted this Saturday. It's a much longer video featuring most of Soldier Summit between Helper and Spanish Fork. I think you'll really enjoy it!

[@MikeinUt]

Thanks for sharing and bringing back memories. Too bad you weren’t around to watch D&RGW tunnel motors and Utah Railway Alcos climbing and descending the Summit.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Man oh man do I wish I could have been around for the golden days. Actually probably the biggest thing I will forever kick myself for is just barely missing the Utah coal operations. I started flying drones in 2017 which I believe was that year or 2016 that they ceased operation? Barely barely missed it...

[@trapdriver7006]

Excellent video which I enjoyed watching 👍😀😀😀🚂🇬🇧

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thanks so much!

[@shaunaustin7848]

I like videos of this area, because I was born in Price and lived there for three years. But I got to go back every summer and stay with my grandparents. Whenever I get home sick I watch a video of this area, thank you for sharing.

[@bradleyjanes2949]

The helper movements at the end are very cool😅,not to mention that amtrak😅thanks again

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thanks glad you enjoyed the helper movement at the end! That was a very last minute choice to film. It's not particularly something I am interested to see but I thought others would probably enjoy it so I'm glad I took the time to do so!

[@fulviobosano7395]

In Italy we say “bellissimo!” that’s “very nice!” Waiting for the next episodes! Congratulations!

[@TheRailfanDan]

Bellissimo! I like the sounds of that! Thank you kindly.

[@richblacklock]

Really appreciate the narration.

[@joshjones3408]

Its cool that you got the footage eather way its good stuff wouldn't matter if they hauling pillows it's still nice to see good footage of trains even if it was pillows👍👍

[@TheRailfanDan]

Ha thanks! I wonder if I've ever caught anything with pillows being transported before? Maybe!

[@claudecjs]

Well done! Great camera work!

[@cagorrie]

Your drone videos are some of the most, if not the best shot aerial segments I've ever seen. Excellent work.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thanks very much I'm humbled you think! Some more great stuff coming up next, stay tuned!

[@mitico7328]

Congratulations for your videos....beautiful....greetings from Italy....Piemonte region,city of Turin

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thank you very much!

[@Perfusionist01]

Absolutely delightful! Being a UP fan, it was really fun to watch. I really liked the end scene with Amtrak. You are a video artist.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thanks so much I'm humbled you think so! I am pretty proud of this one and really glad I could actually add some sound to the drone video!

[@ivanoffw]

I drove through there on my way from Moab back to Oregon and remember seeing the east bound Amtrak during the summer a couple of years ago. I had not realized until then that the U.S. Route ran along the tracks. Thank you for showing the parts I missed.

[@TheRailfanDan]

It's a great drive and it was my first time Southeast of Helper out to Moab. Glad you enjoyed!

[@RonStanek]

U.P. Wings over Utah 🇺🇲🦅 Thanks ....Dan! You never cease to amaze! The grandeur of it all! 🖐

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thanks a lot Ron!

[@RonStanek]

​@TheRailfanDan I guess the audio, helped alot! Good going.👍 Now what else, can be tweeked.🤔 Ahh. I know it's a lot of work. So maybe after the holidays. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year....Dan....for you and yours...❤. As always.....Happy Trails!!!!

[@joshjones3408]

I don't how yall match the music to this but its great it goes with it 👍👍👍

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thanks a lot! I almost always have a hard time deciding one music when I put one of these together and you can't please everyone so it's nice to hear when someone actually enjoys it!

[@Midway_CV-41]

13:20 oh that's cool that bridge is made of a flat car

[@TheRailfanDan]

There were a number of those throughout this canyon actually! Pretty cool.

[@quintinivey9359]

Great production! This couldn't be done 20 yrs ago. Imagine DRGW, SP and Utah engines blasting up to soldier summit. 😊

[@TheRailfanDan]

I so wish I was around for those golden days! A far cry from this modern era.

[@timothyiseler8225]

Excellent video injoyed it very much keep up the good work.

[@billmorrison3714]

Too busy right now, I can’t wait to watch.

[@stewartdeerfield]

Nice video Dan, tell Charles and Jill hello, Stew.

[@dugldoo]

Good equipment, experience, planning, patience and skill ... you put it all together for outstanding results!

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thank you so much I'm so glad you think so! Definitely a lot of planning!

[@Zsolti0NYM]

As a UP fan I loved every minute of this masterpiece. It's great you could record the sound of the locomotives and could attach it to the video. The autumn colors are indeed spectacular, just like the different rock formations. This line is very special and your video shows it perfectly. It's sad the last train's rear DPU is covered with graffiti. Unfortunately this is a common thing in California. Sensational footage again Dan, this will be a fabulous series and I can't wait to see the next episode.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thanks Z I did think of you at times when I was working on this. I thought you would especially enjoy! I too was disappointed with that last DPU and the graffiti but I figured better to just include it than leave out a chunk of video. Do you think I made the right call? This video was actually a spin off from the main Soldier Summit video I'm working on now which is going to end up being the longest video I've ever uploaded. Originally I had the idea to put it all together in one massive 2.5 hour long video but decided that was too much to mentally try and deal with so I split it up. This one being more specific of just the loaded coal trains climbing the canyon and the next video you'll see is the main one of everything else I captured while I was there which was A LOT.

[@Zsolti0NYM]

@@TheRailfanDan I think it was a good decision that you left the vandalised engine in the video. Of course I'm not a fan of vandalism, but at least the locomotive stands out from the crowd. Your next video's description sounds pretty exciting. I like long videos, so I won't complain about the runtime that's for sure. I'm certain the natural beauties will be wonderful there too, just like the trains. I can't wait to see what your longest ever upload can offer to us.

[@mikekey6906]

Another fantastic video. Each video you do is absolutely amazing Dan. Thank you for your hard work to put these together for us to enjoy.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thanks so much Mikey I appreciate that! I have started timing how long it takes me to edit these and this one was about 27 hours total.

[@richardcorn5090]

In October I travelled SLC to Moab and really enjoyed the trip though this canyon, observing the rail route and several coal trains. I kept thinking "this would be a great location for a RFD video", and viola! one appears. Fabulous video of a great rail route. I particularly liked the view of the upper section of the loop, which you can't see from the highway.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Ha lone behold huh? I guess it was meant to be! I have been longing pretty badly to visit here again since my brief visit before in 2019. This was probably the biggest check off my bucket list.

[@bertcresta6685]

Fantastic video!! 👏👏👏

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thank you!

[@bertcresta6685]

@@TheRailfanDan …any time. Are you going to do one of Cajón Pass any time soon?..

[@TheRailfanDan]

@@bertcresta6685 I really would like to go back there and I actually have some old unreleased footage from when I was there in 2018 but I don't know if I could stand to upload that material now ha! My skills were not at all then what they are now! I have a hard time even watching my older videos.

[@robertlloyd7167]

Fabulous video, Dan! I love being able to hear the exhausts from the locomotives.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thanks a lot! Me too!

[@craiglordable]

Brings back plenty of memories, I was last in Helper and Castle Gate in 2004 and the Power plant was still operational. Beautiful area.

[@snchilders]

I love those shots of that long train snaking thru the canyon.

[@cjbeyer8340]

Wow what wonderful video of the hard work the UP encounters each day to supply the west with its energy! Thanks for sharing this wonderful video! LOVE THE UNION PACIFIC!!!!

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thanks so much glad you enjoyed!

[@EntertainmentWorldz]

great video sir ❤❤❤❤

[@thomasmackowiak]

This video is one of your best, Dan! I enjoyed all 50 minutes and 38 seconds of it! The coal trains were beautiful in their efforts to climb to Soldier Summit. They were powerful and long. The manned helpers were needed to get the coal trains up the grade. Thank you for including the segment showing the manned helpers cutting off from the coal train and then helping the headend crew put the train back together so that the loaded coal train could continue its way to its destination. I enjoyed the night sequence of the Amtrak California Zephyr passing the loaded coal train. If you caught the California Zephyr during the summer months, would the sun be shining or does the California Zephyr usually come through this area in the dark?

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thanks a lot Thomas! If you loved this video then you will REALLY like the next one! This one is actually a spin off from a more extensive Solider Summit video I'm working on right now. I originally thought it was going to be one massive 2.5 hour long video but the thought of that was just too over whelming for me so I split it into what you see here plus the next one being everything else I captured while I was there which was A LOT! The next one will be the longest video I've ever uploaded at just a couple minutes or so over 1.5 hours. I just looked back at my video details and I recorded that Amtrak race in the dark at 6:47pm so yes indeed if that was in some of the Spring or Summer months it would have been in the daylight! It was on time at 6:47pm there as well.

[@jds6206]

Concur!

[@jeffpalmer5502]

Rolling coal! Heck yeah. Great vid Dan! 🍻

[@billmorrison3714]

Absolutely gorgeous! Nice to see the grades from a vantage point that’s not the shoulder of the Highway.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thanks so much Bill!

[@bradleyjanes2949]

Great action, beautiful country, thanks for sharing

[@dennisworkmansr.714]

I guess this will teach me to wait till the end of the video to ask questions........lol

[@trainmaster9323]

Beautiful !!

[@Qigate]

Your videos just continue to be better and better..... time mark 12:12 & 49:01 are beautiful captures. I love watching the Helpers fly on their own. I don't know why that is so pleasing, but it just is... !

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thanks a lot I'm humbled you think so! I'm glad I decided to take the time to film those helpers detaching and running back down the hill a little. That was a very last minute choice and not something that personally captures my interest but I knew others would probably appreciate it and that it would round out this video pretty well. So far I think you and one other person have said they enjoyed that part so thanks for letting me know I made the right call!

[@BaronvonBavert]

👏👍🤟

[@Stefan_Boerjesson]

Great shots and incredible views. One thought is about rocks falling down on the tracks. A big boulder will derail the loco or take cars off the tracks I think.

[@Blk_GT8]

Dan, another banger video! Thanks for the taking the time to film and create this for us. I like that you included more ground footage. Seeing the trains from the air is great, especially in remote locations because we get a good idea of the scenery. The video on the ground is a good modeling resource to see what cars and types make each train. I model the Rio Grande and got to spend a little time in Utah photographing this line about 15 years ago. Your video brought some good memories!

[@justinrobertshaw7182]

Any future chance of yourself coming out to film things in and around Atlanta area? I found lots of great areas. Austell or even the NS yard in Atlanta.

[@TheRailfanDan]

I hate to be one to disappoint but I don't have any plans to go that far East. Everything I desire to do isn't farther West than Nebraska. Sorry! 😬

[@ralphaverill2001]

Beautiful video. Well done. The autmn colors are indeed beautiful. But... I take serious issue with your statement, "...painful decline in coal traffic." The best thing that could happen to Planet Earth is a decline in coal traffic to zero. Rail is still the cheapest way to move freight so you would still have lots of trains to film, though alas, maybe not many through the beautiful Utah canyons.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Yes I am sure a big enough boulder could easily knock part of a train into the river!

[@dennisworkmansr.714]

I guess this would be a continuation of my other comment, I didn't notice the other track being used so would it be that it is used for return traffic meaning empties or return helpers being those 4 is the only helpers available

[@dennisworkmansr.714]

Does the empties travel the same way or is there a different direction?

[@dennisworkmansr.714]

How long did it take you to video this, I know you are a long way from home.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Yes so trains can use either track in either direction but what you saw here was normal for the loaded trains and it is then normal for the empties to return back into the desert Southeast of Helper and even into Colorado where they load at a facility or two. This trip was a big one for me! In total it was 9 days with two of those being mostly driving days. I recently started timing how long it takes me to edit these videos as well and this one was about 27 hours at my PC.

[@timothycook2917]

What video editing software are you using?

[@TheRailfanDan]

These days I'm using Davinci Resolve for my color and light editing and I use PowerDirector for everything else like clipping all the footage together, adding and adjusting the audio including the voice over, and adding the subtitles.

[@timothycook2917]

@@TheRailfanDan Thank you for responding to my question

[@jtrailfan9150]

How many trains a day does solider summit see?

[@TheRailfanDan]

I would say the average is 5 to 6 in 24 hours not including the Amtraks.

[@sequoiasemperviren3163]

Coal fired power plants are critically important to our electrical generation grid. I thought "helpers" are are referred to as APUs or Auxiliary Power Units?

[@TheRailfanDan]

Referred to as "manned helpers" if there is actually a crew running them or DPU "distributed power units" for units in the middle or rear of the train that are unmanned.

[@2PiratKvadrat]

Can anyone please say, what's the max grade in this area?

[@TheRailfanDan]

Timetables I have seen show 2.4%.

[@2PiratKvadrat]

@@TheRailfanDan Thank you! I'm really interested now in the maximal possible grade for trains