SP Beaumont Hill incl. pacing & helpers 1992

Feb. 9, 1992: Various locations incl. pacing of lead SD45.

[@travelingtom923]

Those SD40T-2's were certainly tanks! When I worked for Union Pacific in the early 2000's there was not many left on the system. We would still get them on our trains now and then and they were excellent locomotives. I watched one blow a turbo going up a steep grade in the middle of the night pulling a 10,000 foot stack train. Blue/white smoke and sparks coming out everywhere. Certainly was a great way for a old locomotive to go out with a bang. We used a SD40T-2 for switching cars in the yard once and it would pull 40 cars like it was nothing. The SP maybe gone but video lives forever. This former UP Conductor and locomotive mechanic of many SP locomotives salutes your videos!

[@vidwilzvids9587]

Thanks for the kind comment. I only recently learned that the SD40T-2s (8000s) were not produced until more than 2 yrs. after the SD45T-2s (9000s), an example of which is seen as the second unit in the pacing sequence.

[@rustyscupper2936]

@@vidwilzvids9587 I remember I was 14 in '74. my dad took me to Watsonville Jct. SSW 9404, the last SP '45 (T-2) was at the yard. The engineer invited us into the cab. Quite a thrill for a train lusting teenager!

[@TexanMAGABOI]

Give your take, was it stupid for UP to rebuild and repaint the tunnel motors just to sell and retire them after a few years

[@liamcooper5202]

First clip had 1 40t-2 at the head end. The other 2 were 45t-2. The only spotting difference between then is the 40s only have 2 radiator fans and the 45s have 3. These can be stopped by the white hazard lable under the top grill

[@kentcourtney5535]

This film brings John Signor’s book on Beaumont Hill to life. The black-and-white images in the book now have color and movement, thanks to this film.

[@vidwilzvids9587]

That is a very much appreciated compliment.

[@gaffney788]

Thank you for posting!!! Never got to see them in Cali, but I got to see them pulling all though Texas!

[@patricknoveski6409]

I live in Carpinteria. 10 miles south of Santa Barbara. I grew up rail fan of S.P. along the ocean. Watching the spring beet trains go south. Got to do ride along on a local to hawrdad lumber once. Thrill of a life. Now just U.P. yellow. Miss S.P. thank you.

[@jamesg2609]

SP was my railroad. Hired out in 1970 and ran these engines day after day.. miss the scarlet and grey😢

[@enriquecontreras5503]

Bad ass! Thank you for documenting the railroad of my youth.

[@vidwilzvids9587]

Thank You. SP was certainly showing off that day!

[@brentboswell1294]

4:18 wow, a cut of Cotton Belt helpers, with two rare SSW GP60's! As I recall, the Cotton Belt units were repainted into SP Speed Letters and became SP units as they were sent into the shop...

[@122048trainman]

It doesn't get any better than a dirty SP Flare in Run 8! Most excellent pacing shot. Thanks for that segment.

[@vidwilzvids9587]

This was a good location to see that kind of action. On that day we were lucky to get a 20 cyl. brute crankin' on the point. Thanks for the comment.

[@midlandcompound]

Superb video! On my first visit to the USA in 1987 we chased Santa Fe freights across the desert and paced SD45s. We soaked in the 20 cylinder music (at night too) and observed that it was quite different to a 16 cylinder loco. This video brought back happy memories. Many thanks for sharing.

[@vidwilzvids9587]

You're very welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the comment.

[@seabulls69]

Deeper, louder, and meaner sounding. I call it "music" also.

[@trainknut]

And just like musical instruments, 16 and 20 cylinders harmonize well.

[@ChachaChapati]

I mentioned this on an early video of yours, but I I lived near during the SP's Alhambra sub during that railroad's final days and eventual absorption into Union Pacific. Never at a loss for activity, and heard that unmistakable Nathan P3 horn nearly every night from my bedroom window. Thanks again for a look into a bygone era.

[@vidwilzvids9587]

That hill sort of magnified all of SP's uniqueness.

[@rustyscupper2936]

Camping at Robinson Flat in Placer County in the early 80s. Even though the railroad was over 25 miles away, at night you could here those 645s grinding up the hill towards Norden and Donner Summit

[@amessman]

1:55 listen to those turbochargers (and their planetary gears, which is what makes that noise) sing! Awesome footage!

[@westernpacificrr]

I always loved the sound of tunnel motors. Thanks for posting!

[@marcelomenendez1971]

anmeter needle near red in this houling sD 45, before the helpers, nice videos regards from argentina

[@vidwilzvids9587]

Thank you very much for the comment.

[@michaelpowell3980]

Genuinely superb video, from my favourite era - and great quality too. Thumbs up for the Hi8 format. Would love to see so much more. The highlight? I thought it would be pacing the '45, but actually it was the single tunnel motor momentarily losing its feet and running hood first! Great days! Wish I'd been there, but I didn't get to the south-west until 2003. Had a couple of good years before the final extinction of all interest caused by the unstoppable tidal wave of GE tractor clones...

[@vidwilzvids9587]

Thank You for the kind comment. The power used to run out of sand in that area, especially local power, which had to be hefty enough to make it over the hill.

[@NYSWWC6633]

This is great! Please keep them coming. Love the SP. SAD these machines are almost gone. THANKS!

[@vidwilzvids9587]

You are very welcome. I never anticipated that SP would eventually disappear; I'm glad that I got what I did.

[@Mrruneight]

The ESPEE I remember! Great Video! Thanks so much for sharing.

[@vidwilzvids9587]

Thanks for your comment. I Agree. UP techno-toasters climbing this hill just doesn't seem to have the same drama.

[@gilbertjimenez8878]

Awesome power beasts....

[@timpriddy349]

Thats a crisp video for 92....nice

[@vidwilzvids9587]

Thanks for the comment. That was shot with a Hi8 camcorder.

[@markhayes6407]

Long live the SP! Great shots.

[@gilbertjimenez8878]

Forever!!

[@markschroeder2578]

You can say that again!

[@remylopez4821]

Thanks for the memories I used to pace EB SP freights on San Timetio Cyn on my Harley to Beaumont in those days that’s if I wasn’t at Cajon Pass I am a subscriber and I have seen other videos of yours we probably crossed paths at one time and didn’t even realize it how the time flies thanks for the memories once again although I no longer ride I know pace trains in my jeep

[@remylopez4821]

By the way I might add I was on that same road in October 2019 when big boy for thousand 14 rolled through one of the best pacing of my life made me wish I had my old motorcycle instead of the wife’s car

[@vidwilzvids9587]

We may have crossed paths. I used to shoot Cajon a lot. I liked pacing shots but I always avoided chasing and pacing restored steam. Professional productions were good enough to save me from fighting the crowds. Thanks for the kind comments.

[@dennisbailey6067]

Sd45 in SP scheme.👍Looks even better in Demo.

[@Thibbs136]

I live in the hills surrounding San Timoteo canyon. I railfan there all the time. Very unique place.

[@vidwilzvids9587]

It was sure a good place to catch Run-8 SP. Thanks for the comment.

[@tommythomason6187]

SD45s at that late date, 1992? That's pretty amazing. And, looked like some four-axle GP60 hood units, too.

[@vidwilzvids9587]

Some of the SD45's were re-engined with 16cyl. 645's and lasted longer. Which one's? You'd have to find the right roster. The GP60's were fairly new at the time. The helper consist shows the change in the dynamic brake blister through the order. Thanks for the comments.

[@tommythomason6187]

@@vidwilzvids9587 I think Southern Pacific bought the most GP60s. Santa Fe also had some, including Wide Cabs in the red Warbonnet scheme. I had read that the SD45s had been re-engined. The same with the troublesome SD50s, which many roads downrated to a 3000hp SD40. From what I understand, they were pretty good engines after that.

[@markhayes6407]

You can still park by these tracks today and watch trains but it surely isn't the same as this.

[@vidwilzvids9587]

Thanks again for the comments.

[@trensavioeseetc.9843]

Maravilhoso,som das SDs 40 ,lindo

[@vidwilzvids9587]

Thanks for the comment.

[@spacecalander]

Another fantastic video!

[@vidwilzvids9587]

I'm glad you like one of my favorites.

[@guillermopampena7448]

Big power machine

[@vidwilzvids9587]

This was definitely the place for big power. Thanks for the comment.

[@NS6677]

Great video. I enjoyed it a lot.

[@vidwilzvids9587]

Thank You. I'm glad you enjoyed one of my personal favorites.

[@jefftoft5568]

Nice video, I like the pacing shots including the instructions to your friend who was driving, Lol! Great job.

[@vidwilzvids9587]

Terry had a knack for providing a smooth dolly shot. I was standing in his sunroof to get these shots. On most of my pacing shots he was the driver.

[@jefftoft5568]

That's cool!@@vidwilzvids9587

[@robertmoir5695]

Another swell video !

[@creosotetie6637]

Awesome!

[@vidwilzvids9587]

Thank You for the comment.

[@westernrailroadvideos99]

Fantastic video, as good as it gets!

[@vidwilzvids9587]

After seeing your work I really appreciate that!

[@devyncampbell3210]

From 3:17 to 4:10 is a classic shot

[@vidwilzvids9587]

20 cylinders at Run 8. Thanks for the comment.

[@BurlingtonNorthernProductions]

Hello, may I use some of these clips in a Yuma Sub documentary? I will give full credit for every clip I use.

[@vidwilzvids9587]

You would have to connect with youtube on that.

[@beeble2003]

Since you easily answered my last "what's that bit of the locomotive for?" question, here's another one. 😊 What's the sloping thing on the side of the long hood, just behind the cab on the left side of most EMDs? (E.g., just above the bell a 5:10.)

[@pootispiker2866]

I'm pretty sure that's a traction motor blower duct

[@beeble2003]

@@pootispiker2866 Ah, thank you!

[@dmxman2110]

Love it

[@vidwilzvids9587]

Thanks for the comment.

[@GarrettsTrains95]

Hey, were the trains you recorded mostly in CA?

[@vidwilzvids9587]

I tried to include the location of every video, either in the description or with a subtitle. Several videos were shot outside of California.

[@GarrettsTrains95]

Oh, ok

[@scoobycarr5558]

And did you notice there's ZERO graffiti on any of the freight cars?

[@vidwilzvids9587]

That's what triggers many of my "dislikes".