The Arizona and California Railroad - The SD40-2 Era

[@RanOutOnARail]

Excellent video. This is probably my favorite line in the US and I've rode it twice.

[@AcmeCinematography]

Awesome!!!

[@silverfox5319]

One thing all of your videos show is that whether at dawn, high noon, or twilight, the desert is so very very beautiful. We are so lucky to have this magnificent stretch of desert across our country. Looking at it brings peace and tranquility.

[@AcmeCinematography]

It is stunning!!!

[@richardhead1114]

After traveling through many parts of Arizona this brings back such good memories of how vast and beautiful it truly is. Thanks for sharing these amazing videos.

[@AcmeCinematography]

Our pleasure! Thank you!!!

[@Axatar]

I'm usually into high speed rail across the world, but I can't stop looking at these slow freight trains across beautiful landscapes!

[@AcmeCinematography]

lol yes they are slow! :). but very scenic!

[@chuckythedoll4815]

Those old sd40's just look neat. Rare anymore.

[@AcmeCinematography]

please download these for your own use... we are getting into issues over the music licensing so they are going to have to be taken down soon :(

[@James-bm8fh]

Visual spectacular once again, a true artist. Thank you

[@AcmeCinematography]

We thank you!

[@aztraingranny7015]

So sweet to see my stomping grounds by drone. Love details of the history of the line, and the iconic SD 40-2 workhorses. Long live the spirit of Tanya Cecil!

[@AcmeCinematography]

Thanks!!!

[@raycooney7632]

Acme does a fantastic job of melding trains,scenery together in one great package

[@AcmeCinematography]

thanks!!!!!!

[@brucearnold5846]

Ditto

[@AcmeCinematography]

please download these for your own use... we are getting into issues over the music licensing so they are going to have to be taken down soon :(

[@muzzikman8799]

You guys have hands down the best railroading videos. Amazing production💪🏼

[@AcmeCinematography]

Thank you!!!

[@alecs5150]

Ok, I'm hooked, your technique is perfect - absolute eye candy - and has ruined all other train vids for me...😊 You must have a monster drone setup to pace these trains for as long as you do!

[@AcmeCinematography]

Thanks!!!!!

[@rssii]

You REFUSE to post bad work...THANK YOU!! I continue to be overwhelmed by your content. Not only is your camera work/cinematography top notch, you provide really cool info in your on-screen text and your video descriptions. The safety warning on this video is a really nice add. Very Cool. I'm very intrigued by how rock solid your aerial shots are (like the one at 4:10) Are these all drone shots? If the camera isn't panning it looks like you're on solid ground -- you must have a really stable platform to record from 'cause I can see any vibration or spurious movement that wasn't intended (if the shot is a panning shot). Very well done.

[@AcmeCinematography]

thanks!!!!!! we use all different types of drones, cameras and tripods in this production but that was a drone shot and just "hanging in the air" while the train went by! :)

[@AZqyc]

Ditto your comments!! EXCEPTIONAL quality work!!

[@AcmeCinematography]

please download these for your own use... we are getting into issues over the music licensing so they are going to have to be taken down soon :(

[@brucearnold5846]

Your videos are great. The drone shots mixed with track side, nothing else out comes close! I am now spoiled by the beauty of these videos, I find it hard to watch any other railroad videos out there. Thank you, and keep up the good work! I looked forward to every new posting.

[@AcmeCinematography]

Thank you so much !!!

[@SebisRandomTech]

Seems a handful of GWI railroads are starting to replace their older EMD power with GE’s. There’s a handful of railroads in my area that still primarily rely on SD40’s for power - Wheeling & Lake Erie most notably. It’s great to see these older engines still proving their worth all across North America. Excellent video!

[@AcmeCinematography]

Thanks!!!

[@brookingsrail]

Very good and high quality video! 3996, 3997, 3999, 4001, and 4002 are now on the RCP&E here in South Dakota. I'm not exactly sure on the reasoning for the transfer of locomotives. The RCP&E is also a full-SD40-2 roster (with a geep or two hanging around the main yard), and the bigger trains usually run 3-5 engines. So far, 3999 has been remarked as RCPE and the logo was changed, but the cooperate orange remained untouched. It is already in regular service. 3997 is in a similar state. Currently, 3996 has yet to be repainted. 4001 and 4002 haven't been touched, and I have heard that they may become parts locomotives (but I can't back that up). As for 3998, I haven't seen it around, but I bet it's probably also on the RCP&E. For years, there has been talk of getting us some Dash 9's, but nothing ever came of it. I had heard that we were about to, but then some other railroad around California got them instead. Maybe this is the case for the ARZC. Seeing this video kind of makes me feel bad that we took your EMD's, but at least they will continue to live on - doing work for the RCP&E.

[@AcmeCinematography]

THANK YOU for this information! We were wondering where they went!!! So happy they found a new home at least. Speculation is that they had to leave the ARZC due to non compliance with California emission standards but that is speculation. ARZC is now fully GE with the CW-44’s and one B39-8 used as a yard engine.

[@RogerChilds-v5p]

Yet again - stunning video

[@AcmeCinematography]

Thanks!!!!

[@ronmorgan7502]

My second video on this channel and again…..spectacular 😃

[@AcmeCinematography]

Thanks !!!! Again!!!

[@thomasmackowiak]

Thank you for this splendid video of the trains of the Arizona & California Railroad as they travers the Mojave Desert in western Arizona and Eastern California. The drone footage and the trackside footage that you took over a four plus year period was beautifully edited to create this video. You spent a lot of time figuring out the best locations to capture these trains running through this mostly desolate landscape of the Mojave Desert to bring us this enjoyable video. Your SAFETY NOTE paragraph makes me realize that you had to put a lot of thought into planning your moves when you went out to capture these trains so that you could return safely.

[@AcmeCinematography]

The Mojave desert section of the line is extremely dangerous in high temperatures and that road is impassible when monsoons do pop up! Extremely dangerous road with little chance of rescue.

[@LuGaYe1955]

Maravilloso y sublime documental. Bello y magnífico. Muchas gracias y un saludo muy cordial desde M;adrid- España.

[@AcmeCinematography]

Thanks again!

[@CiscoHobo]

Beautifully crafted. Exceptional in every regard. Such a pleasure to watch and relax to. Gave me a wonderful sense of the route, scenery and those marvelous EMDs in action. Thank you!

[@AcmeCinematography]

It was a real lifetime event to get the last of the EMD’s in mainline service on the ARZC!

[@chuckythedoll4815]

Amazing job again achme. Those old sd40's look neat, especially with awesome scenery and the work you do.

[@AcmeCinematography]

Thank you!!!

[@chuckythedoll4815]

@@AcmeCinematography Thank you! You guys make a lot of days better. When I see a new video, I know. It's time to relax and enjoy a view. Great work and thanks to all involved! I can't say it enough.

[@AcmeCinematography]

please download these for your own use... we are getting into issues over the music licensing so they are going to have to be taken down soon :(

[@RailfanJunction]

This is an absolutely incredible video! I just checked out the DASH 9s on the road for the first time and felt sad that I hadn't been able to see any of their SD40s in Arizona in person much over the last few years, but this video more than made up for that loss. Instant sub, this is an amazing channel!

[@AcmeCinematography]

Thanks!!! Yes this is a bittersweet video with these classic engines now gone :(

[@kellymartin9783]

Wonderful and surprisingly scenic. Thanks for producing such uplifting work.

[@AcmeCinematography]

Thank you!!!!

[@valeriebassett3107]

GREAT VIDEO!!! You have an excellent write- up. Really like the safety note. You are a very thoughtful person. Be careful out there. Can't wait to see your next video. I actually have another one of yours to watch. Thank you for everything you do!

[@AcmeCinematography]

Yes that road to Cadiz is a death waiting to happen for a railfan that trusts their GPS!! :(

[@PCBill0622]

You have once again produced an amazing video. This particular one, in my mind, is more challenging because of the low traffic on the line. Yet you hold our interest throughout. (I must admit I did like those BNSF trains highballing in the background at Cadiz.) The scenic areas are well captured as well as the starkness of the Mojave. I found that container operation to be most interesting in the middle of nowhere. So I will end these comments as I have before-can’t wait for the next one!

[@AcmeCinematography]

Thanks so much !!!

[@PCBill0622]

@@AcmeCinematography I mentioned your videos on RR blog Trainorders-the barn door has been opened 😂

[@AcmeCinematography]

we hope you are downloading these for your personal use.. music license agreements are such that unfortunately these video are going to have to be removed soon :(

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

Thanks for that , very impressive and good looking.

[@AcmeCinematography]

Welcome!!

[@MikeG42]

Excellent video , I love those SD-40 locomotives and the camera work is great. Beautiful scenery too. Well done ACME Cinematography. 😁👍

[@AcmeCinematography]

Thanks!!!

[@MikeG42]

​@@AcmeCinematographyYou're welcome and welcome back.

[@AcmeCinematography]

Thanks!!!

[@MikeG42]

​@@AcmeCinematographyYou're welcome

[@rickdee67]

MAGNIFICENT VIDEO! I am in love with this RR!!

[@AcmeCinematography]

We thank you! We just started filming a new version with the CW44-9’s but that may be a year or so to get it complete. Such a stunning landscape for the entire line!

[@shivas6532]

Another master piece from you. I feel so relaxed watching you videos and they are therapeutic . Great Job again.

[@AcmeCinematography]

Thank you!!!!!!

[@DarkManifestMusic]

Truly enjoyed this! Thanks for the effort & sharing!

[@AcmeCinematography]

Thanks!!!

[@garymartz7587]

There's more than just a train video here. Just a beautiful production!! Great job sir!!

[@AcmeCinematography]

Thanks !!!!

[@RogerChilds-v5p]

Excellent video and sound track - well done to capture before they disappeared

[@AcmeCinematography]

Many thanks!

[@AcmeCinematography]

Capturing the sound of the EMD 645 engines was paramount for this production. I met Tanya Cecil for whom the 3999 was named. An amazing woman. I hope to lobby the ARZC to putting her name on another engine now that 3999 is gone !

[@tilerman]

Wow, WHAT a video, absolutely stunning, the scenery, the music and those loco's look amazing! Sitting here on yet another grey day in the UK, i think to myself being an engineer on that train with that scenery must be the best job going. Not suggesting it's easy, i'm sure it's not but there's worse things to do. A beautiful video, much appreciated.

[@AcmeCinematography]

We thank you so very much!!!! Glad they are brightening your day in the United Kingdom!!!

[@SPman8573]

GREAAATT !! Really Happy to watch this awesome movie ... AGAIN !! 💯💯👍👍👍. Hope you re edit SANDPATCH soon !! Thank you so much 😉

[@AcmeCinematography]

They will all be back by late fall!

[@chrissknutson]

Great job

[@AcmeCinematography]

Thanks !!

[@cagorrie]

Beautifully shot and edited, absolutely brilliant

[@AcmeCinematography]

thanks!!!!!!

[@antonioaraujo3029]

Parabéns muito bonito. Paisagens maravilhosas top .🇧🇷

[@AcmeCinematography]

Obrigado !!!

[@xstugee]

Such fantastically beautiful and informative shots along with superb information, but please forgive me...I just don't get the music that is behind the masterpiece. It is very sorrowful and seems to be the antithesis of the visual content.

[@AcmeCinematography]

Thanks!!! Going for dramatic. And it is a sad event. They are now gone :(

[@MikeG42]

I will watch when I have more time

[@AcmeCinematography]

thanks!!! these all had to be re-posted for the music licenses to be current... very very very few changes made we did edit it down a bit..so nothing new added..but a lot taken out that will be used on other videos someday to make this one a more "SD40" only presentation! :)

[@MikeG42]

Thanks for the info 👍

[@AcmeCinematography]

please download these for your own use... we are getting into issues over the music licensing so they are going to have to be taken down soon :(

[@monrezee]

Great work lads

[@AcmeCinematography]

Thank you so much from all of us!!!

[@slikrhodez3336]

Man! I want that job!! I'll bet they don't wake up in the morning saying "Crap! I gotta go drive the train!!"

[@AcmeCinematography]

Well they usually start out at 2:30 am on weekdays (or at least they did until recently when they began departing Parker for the east bounds around 9 am :)

[@stephen285]

What almost nobody ever realizes about he SD40 is that it rhymes with my cousin Morty...... great vid ty!

[@AcmeCinematography]

Thanks!

[@NotJeremy_]

What happened to the two sd45s still in og paint? I know that they were taken out of service.

[@AcmeCinematography]

As we understand it they have been repurposed on another G&W line in South or North Dakota!

[@andyward8062]

(37:00) Wye ? Did this used to connect to the mines in Swansea?

[@AcmeCinematography]

The wye here connects on both ends with the BNSF former Santa Fe transcon. As you can see in the video the ARZC used it to turn their power. They didn’t always use both legs of the wye when interchanging in the EMD era.

[@peteyblack8890]

Was wondering does A&C have two manifest trains with one crew. Or am I wrong.

[@AcmeCinematography]

Operations have normally have required 2 crews per day to operate between both ends of the line from the operations center at Parker AZ. They use one crew for the Parker to CHS interchange (or Matthie rarely). Then return with same crew to Parker. We are unsure of what is going on west of Parker but it is always a separate crew. ARZC just changed its hours of normal operation between Parker and CHS. For over a decade was a very early morning call from Parker to CHS… 3 am? But this has recently changed. They now appear to depart Parker around 9-10 am. And not to CHS until 1 pm or later. We are awaiting to see if this new traffic pattern is the new normal as it changes how you can photo the line. No idea at all on operation times now from Parker to Cadiz. Used to leave at 2:00 pm. No idea now (and make return trip with same crew)

[@birdman5223]

👍👌☺️

[@AcmeCinematography]

thanks!!!!