The Lonely Modoc Line (4K) | UP's Alturas Local | May 11, 2024

[@2Tracks]

Dan, great vid! Glad to see somebody film the Modoc....... At Hackamore, 17:05 in your vid, the white things on the left of the motors are the concrete footings for the water tower. I have a picture of the water tower & new Hackamore yard. Behind the tower towards the north leg of the wye is the foundation for the 2 bay engine house. Yes, those were maintenance workers house foundations that you saw on the right side of the tracks. Two tracks from the Pickering Lumber Co. also merged here at Hackamore, one from the south and one from the north. The track to the north was headed for Badger well, about 6 miles distant, but was never completed. Hackamore was doomed from the start, that all the wells drilled for the water tank were dry. Water was hauled in by tank car. Hackamore lasted briefly into 1930. The fill for the Hackamore yard came from the Peninsula at Newall, across the road from the Modoc War Memorial cross.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Well thank you for all the info! I see those concrete footings now but didn't before. Did not know a logging railroad merged here. That's cool! Wow that's dumb luck about dry wells. Too bad! Thanks and glad you enjoyed!

[@RevN3]

Modoc National Forest is my favorite National Forest and one of my favorite places to camp is about a half mile from this railroad. I've hiked around the Hackamore ghost town at 16:46 So happy you have this documented!! I was just down here a few weeks ago and it looks like the branch between Alturas and Lakeview is getting some serious restoration. I can also confirm all those lakes were dry near Hackamore

[@TheRailfanDan]

Glad you enjoyed! I too love this region of California. It's wonderful out there.

[@sd40t-23]

Wow, this has to be one of the most remote branches on the UP system and one of the loneliest parts of California. It's very heartening to see trains still running on part of the Modoc!

[@michaelberger8137]

I genuinely appreciate watching these shorter and otherwise lonely routes. The big epic mainlines are great to watch but have been over-explained over the years and it's a nice departure to see these all-but-forgotten rails.

[@TheRailfanDan]

I agree entirely. This is why I like filming places that people don't take as much time to go to. I absolutely love the nearby Gateway Sub and that's part of the reason why.

[@ivanoffw]

It's a little amazing that some branches are kept around just as storage for rolling stock. Wonderful views, and thank you for showing the maps and the history of the line.

[@tigerphid9677]

Nice video... I hitchhiked through this area in 1976. It is beautiful and remote. It's nice to see something really different rather than the same old stuff.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Very cool! Yeah this one is a bit more on the unique side. Surprised UP still runs it at all.

[@derCanadier]

absolut top video again you have to see them on a big screen TV thanks form germany

[@jeffpalmer5502]

Rode my motorcycle thru that area a couple Septembers ago. Really liked that ride! Another fine video Dan! Thank you.🍻

[@Zsolti0NYM]

It's always good to see older locomotives in your videos. The veteran workhorses are still pulling hard and earning their keep. This was a nice relaxing journey. The scenery is beautiful everywhere, especially with the lovely spring colors. Mt Shasta is fantastic here too. As a UP fan I really enjoyed this update. Your high quality uploads are always appreciated Dan.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thank you Z! You're always too kind!

[@MG-ge5xq]

Hey Dan! Another great video! Here is Max, from Vienna, Austria. You not only present the rails - you also present those remote areas of your country. And it is very beautiful! And I love it!

[@TheRailfanDan]

Well hello there Max and thanks so much! I'm glad you're enjoying!

[@coptrn7861]

Hey Dan. Yes, the Modoc line is a "North-South" Line according to the Timetable. I've made this run several times. The UP 2180 is assigned to Klamath Falls for the Local work for the time being. Interesting fact for you, for right now(Jul 2024), the track speed is rated at 25MPH from Texum to Perez, and 10MPH from Perez to Alturas. Even though crews have rebuilt a large section of the line, the FRA has not yet allowed the speed to increase.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thank you for the info! I have seen the line several times over the years and yes now it is in the best condition I have ever seen it so hopefully at some point the whole thing picks up to 25mph even just for the sake of the crew!

[@J3scribe]

I love this corner of California, and really appreciate that you have taken the time to document it on video. It surprises me that UP is willing to run a local on this branch instead of leasing it to the Goose Lake all the way to Klamath.

[@TheRailfanDan]

The Goose Lake used to lease and run it from Alturas to Perez but a few years back UP took it back all the way to Alturas.

[@cceaton52]

Really enjoy watching this video. As a child in the late 1950's/early '60's, when my family drove this area camping, I remember quite a bit of activity on this old line. When I retired from teaching in southern California I moved to Spokane, Washington. I had to drive back and forth for several summers as we were still helping my mother-in-law and one of our sons. I used to drive this route for the memories and enjoyment. I was sad to see almost no activity, deteriorating trackage and right-of-ways. Then, just a few weeks ago, my wife and I drove this route down to see our son and his family in Southern Cal. What a pleasant surprise to see evidence of rail-replacement, ties, and several areas of new ballast! And yes, the area was green. It's really great that you have taken the time to put these videos together. Many thanks, Railfan Dan.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Very neat! Yes it is great that they are putting some money into it to keep it alive. This to me is for sure a line now a days that we are fortunate still has any activity at all. Hopefully for many years to come. Thank you and glad you enjoyed!

[@oldenbronie2210]

This is a great video, Dan! Thank you for sharing this branch line. The close up segments are a nice touch. Thank you for the maps and information about this line, as well. One of my uncle’s was an engineer on SP in Klamath Falls.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Very cool!

[@mpaulk2023]

That same SD60 was in Eugene parked in front of CORP's maintenance shop on the week of June 21st! I was pleasantly amazed to see it there, but now more amazed to know that it was very recently on the Modoc line as well! Great to see old power like that still in revenue service. :-)

[@mpaulk2023]

Oh and hell yeah I'm going there soon now that I see there's that much revenue cars on the line, including locomotives!!! What a great catch, Dan! Keep it up!

[@TheRailfanDan]

It was a very pleasant surprise!

[@lynnmccurdythehdmmrc2561]

We stumbled across the Goos line last year returning home on the 395. Will be there (Lake View to Alturas) again in two weeks. Nice video, Thanks for sharing.

[@PCBill0622]

Another goodie there Dan. The Modoc line fascinates me. I can remember when Phil Anschutz bought the SP and reopened the line-theoretically to bypass Donner congestion for traffic to/from PNW and Midwest. Of course he ultimately wanted the SP for its right of way to run fiber optic cables. Regarding rail classes and speeds: Class I is 10 mph and class II is 25 mph. The difference is the maintenance. There are several, commercially successful class I mainlines I can think of: BNSF Zap Line Sub in North Dakota: DMVW Max Sub in North Dakota(owned by CPKC ); BNSF Aberdeen Sub in South Dakota. The railroads weigh the potential operating cost savings as a return on investment. Always follow the $$$.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Hey thanks for all that info Bill!

[@tomdowling]

I love to sit back and watch the scenery (as well as the trains) Just great. Tom

[@shaunaustin7848]

I haven't been in this part of the country for a little over 40 years, thanks for sharing.

[@tracksidemike]

Great video and share All the way thanks. Have a great weekend and the rest of your day 😎🚂🫵TSM

[@charlescoghlan2855]

Nice effort. Lots of interesting scenery, not dramatic, just so desolate!! One of those places you don't leave town without making sure you have plenty of fuel!! Good area to store out of use train cars as well! Appreciate your work on this one.

[@glennfoster2423]

I take issue with the word "desolate" used to describe the land.

[@charlescoghlan2855]

@glennfoster2423 No foul intended because it is obviously a productive agricultural area. Many areas of wide open space with the drone views show so much open land. That was the intent of the comment.

[@jamiejmasters4818]

Lonely branch lines, railway nirvana ! Thanks once again, Dan.

[@mattm1594]

Drove this route last week on the way to Reno, awesome drive

[@TheRailfanDan]

One of my all time favorites actually! Specifically 139 between Canby and Susanville probably is my all time favorite piece of highway to drive.

[@mediaprducr]

Very nice, as is all your videos !!!

[@iangallaugher3468]

Love your little shortline clips!

[@wapatocreekrail]

Great video! I love to see this line in action, it’s probably the most interesting UP operation in Oregon, and made better by those nice EMD motors. The Goose Lake is even better though, amazing that it has survived this long and even has prospects for new traffic on the line. Shortlines and branch lines/locals are so much more interesting than mainline operations, which are impressive, but just can’t match this, at least in my opinion. Thanks a lot, and keep up the great work!

[@PaulA-yh7kr]

You are rite about the Green on the on the sides of the hills, at this time of the year and on the Rabbits & Rattlers carry cantinas. Like always keep'em comm'en. Paul

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thanks Paul!

[@bruceskehan251]

Enjoyed this video,nice to see parts of this line I can’t see from the road. B

[@markb3786]

Great video! Thanks!

[@iangallaugher3468]

I first came across your work with your film of the Albany & Eastern Hauler chase with A&E's "antiques". That 5399 was beautiful.

[@TBlackMktg]

Thanks, a superb video

[@frankpresley494]

The yard where the loco's and cars are stored in Alturas is what's left of the SP yard. You can just make out the engine house foundations off to the right of your view. The line from Lakeview extended to Reno as a part of the NCO narrow gauge.

[@danieljulian4676]

20240707 0600+2 UTC Perfect with my morning coffee, 9 time zones east of Modoc -- a great boost for serenity. Thanks, Dan.

[@Stefan_Boerjesson]

As usual a well recorded and presented production. That's a record short train. Just recorded one at home consisting of 1 loco and 3 cars but in a far less impressive environment.

[@timking2194]

Great video

[@richardhunn4298]

Excellent video!

[@vanceviter]

Another great video with lots of information like your other videos.

[@garykcs5532]

Another outstanding video Dan we do go out and real fan that area every once in awhile it's about 2 hours away from Redding. Great job it's always good to see those short lines. Gary

[@w9elqkbt]

Thanks!

[@TheRailfanDan]

Blake I am speechless! This is so amazingly generous of you! This actually helps more than you know right now after some major vehicle issues on this trip I'm on to film the 4014 Big Boy. I'm in a rental car now and lucky to still be able to chase and film it but the trip just became much more expensive. I'm almost emotional at your generosity... Thank you from the bottom of my heart. ♥️

[@w9elqkbt]

@@TheRailfanDan You are welcome. I've always had a love for the Modoc Line even though I haven't yet been to these areas in person. And an additional thank you for all of the videos you produce.

[@natgass8102]

Dan, do you have a PayPal account, I’d prefer to send you something via them than let Google who has billions of dollars in cash take their cut ??

[@TheRailfanDan]

@@natgass8102 I haven't ever advertised my Paypal as an option but yes if you wanted to you could send to [e-mail] That is very generous of you!

[@CharlesDearling]

Hi Dan. Mate another great video. If I can share some thoughts that came to me when I was watching. Firstly, my interest was piqued by the junk yard near the line in the vicinity of Newell. Thought what a great place to explore and see what treasures were hidden. Don't know about in the States, but here in Aus you'd have to be careful: Joe Blakes (snakes - we have some of the most poisonous in the world) who thrive in that environment; Red Backs (a type of poisonous spider); and other biting creatures. The second point was where the train was passing through the forested area near Hackamore. I was struck by how much the area looked like parts of the Griffith Branch (NSW) here in Australia - right down to the red soil colour. The difference here that the tree species would have been She-oaks (Casuarina equisetifolia). Mind you we don't have the stunning mountains..... The point you raised with regard to the future of Branchlines. In Australia the Modoc Branch would have been "closed" years ago and the loads put on trucks. When I say "closed" in reality a more correct term would be "disused" - the railways just stop using the line as it takes an Act of the State Parliaments to actually close a line. Again - another great video.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Hey thanks so much and thank you for sharing!

[@2Tracks]

Charles, last time I went there a few years ago, it was a dollar a minute to get inside, I declined.

[@chriscolt8940]

Great video worked on the line with Modoc northern and Frontier railway when the Modoc Northern lost it. I also remember working out of the Train Depot that is now torn down in Alturas

[@TheRailfanDan]

Oh wow very neat!

[@bradleyjanes2949]

😎 TY

[@gregbrown6430]

Really nice video, Dan. It looks like the top speed on the Modoc is about 25 mph now, with 10-20 mph past Perez? In the shot of the train departing the diamond at Stronghold, you can see the weigh scale used by Holly Sugar when there was a beet loader there. The shot near MP 519 has some very significant historical artifacts. In the hoard of derelict cars you can see some brown structures. Those are buildings from the Japanese Interment Camp, which look to be in original condition.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Hey Greg thanks so much I'm glad you watched and enjoyed! Yeah I'm thinking 15mph past Perez maybe? Oh my I went back and looked and I see those brown structures. That is very interesting indeed! I had no idea.

[@DesertTOON]

Deer running away from the train, then thinking to themselves... We could have just walked away!

[@darinhassett4708]

I was through there last monday lots of cars stored out there

[@Oregontrailblazin]

I would of fell asleep driving that train ! Sorry about the car trouble ! I wish I could help ! Becky

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thank you Becky you're too kind!

[@J3scribe]

Canby siding, Taggers challenge: Travel to the middle of nowhere to deface railcars with very little vertical surface to work with. Bonus points: Don't get shot by locals while doing so.

[@TheRailfanDan]

No kidding...

[@thomasmackowiak]

Thank you for documenting this former Southern Pacific Modoc Line, Dan, as it exists in 2024. The line appears to pass through a lot of territory that is sparsely populated. Seeing Mt. Shasta in this video brings back memories of some of your previous videos in which Mt. Shasta appeared. Have you done any videos on the Goose Lake Railway? (Posted on 6 July 2024 at 1605 CDT.)

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thanks so much Thomas! Yes I have a couple of the Goose Lake Railway. I filmed them in 2019 and it 2021. The video from 2021 follows them along most of their run from Lakeview to Alturas.

[@Engineer6418]

Another killer video Dan! Have you ever covered the California Northern line that parallels I-5 up the valley? Its probably not exciting but its like the Goose Lake Railway. Not a big operation and probably not hanging on by much these days

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thanks! I actually haven't ever considered it but never say never!

[@richardhunn4298]

One reason for the slower speed is a reduction in FRA mandated inspections, cost reduction

[@natgass8102]

Dan how does the graffiti get onto the engines, aren’t they parked inside the yards where they have some security whereas the cars can be left anywhere unattended? Another great video, thanks for sharing it

[@TheRailfanDan]

I can't say for sure but yes at night I'm sure they're able to get away with it pretty easy unfortunately...

[@railseast]

I am very surprised that UP runs 6-axle power here. GP's are much kinder as far as rail wear, and I'm assuming that the rail is many decades old. But, hey, the fact that this line is still in existence in 2024 is a miracle of Biblical proportions. Kudos to the businesses and state governments that have helped this operation continue. 🤘

[@TheRailfanDan]

I am shocked trains still run this far on the line but making sure to take advantage of it.

[@user-vh1uc6in7b]

A California trains is fantastic.

[@thomasharrington5369]

🚂🚂🚂

[@shaunrobertson1857]

They should reopen the line fully and make it welded rail and signaled

[@GEVOlutionCPKC]

Nice hunting ✨🦅

[@genechronister7085]

Dozens of idled cars and engines, outside klamath and alturas

[@stanleyj.mitchell4851]

1000 horsepower per wagon? Bit of an overkill.

[@nuthinasitseems5213]

This 🚂 could be named Capitan Jack's Rail Line or the State of Jefferson Railway given the local (loh)-(kal)

[@brianrymill4071]

Thanks!

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thank you so very much!

[@oldenbronie2210]

Thanks!

[@TheRailfanDan]

Thank you so very much!

[@wbix2298]

Thanks!

[@TheRailfanDan]

Hey thank you very much!!

[@philluk9639]

Thanks!

[@TheRailfanDan]

Phill thank you so very much! You are too generous! This will help to continue bringing you and others more quality material.