The Tugboats Of The Santa Fe Railway!

[@aa_0n711]

You should definitely do more of these mini 10 minute documentary things such as this and that tiny railway, you're a great commentator and they're really interesting

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

I plan on it! I’m trying to come up with a schedule that satisfies both the demand for IRL railfanning and these types of videos. Thank you, I’m glad you like the narration and information.

[@gravemind452]

Theres actually an old santa fe truck trailer here in Holden Massachusetts. what it was doing so far from its system and how it wasn't scrapped is beyond me

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

That’s wild!

[@richardreid6377]

Most likely it survived because it was sold for use as a storage unit.

[@TonyLasagna]

Interesting ! We’ve got a Union Pacific refrigerated boxcar up here in Rockland, Maine right now and I have no idea how it got here as this line does not transport refrigerated goods 😂

[@UrMomsChauffer]

That would be cool to see. I'll have to try to check that out next time I'm up there

[@stephenfritz7493]

​@@TonyLasagnaif it was a hot day, it would be a good place for a crew to take a break

[@thomasgeorge4384]

Southern Pacific: "We'll bar their access so they have to sell the rails to us at a loss! Then we can get on with choking out the rest of these little nobody rail providers!" Santa Fe: "I'm on a boat! I'm on a boat! Take a good hard look at my mothaf***ing boat!"

[@georgeadams1853]

The Grand Trunk Western Railway, the Pere Marquette Railway, and the Ann Arbor Railroad actually ran steamships (car ferries) across Lake Michigan between Michigan's Lower and Upper Peninsulas, and Wisconsin. GTW operated ferries from Muskegon and Ferrysburg MI to Milwaukee; PM/C&O operated from Ludington, MI to Milwaukee, Manitowoc and Kewaunee WI; AA operated from Frankfort, MI to Manitowoc and Kewaunee and to Menominee and Manistique MI. One of the PM/C&O ships, the S.S. Badger, still sails as an independent operation between Ludington and Manitowoc (motor vehicles only; no railcars). Its sister ship, the S.S. Spartan, is docked at Ludington, and is basically a spare parts source for the Badger. The first time I made the crossing, the passengers' cars shared the car deck with loaded boxcars.

[@russhaper1705]

Titan, formerly John R. Hayden, still has an active IMO number with Sauce Bros. Marine Transport. I don’t see anything recent within a couple of years but last I could find, she is tied up at Coos Bay, OR.

[@kens.3729]

This is a Learning Channel because the Subjects you cover haven’t been seen on any of the Channels I’ve seen. Thanks for the Great and Thorough Details. 👍🙏

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

That’s the plan! I like to try and make videos about topics no one else is covering. You’re very welcome!

[@cxmx3295]

I never would’ve thought about a Railroad using boats ,you explain things really good, and you have good speech.

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Thank you!

[@cxmx3295]

You’re welcome

[@SOU6900]

A number of roads used them. However, ATSF was one that I wasn't aware of.

[@cxmx3295]

That’s cool

[@AlikStansberry]

Santa Fe used tugboats at one point in their history, but also many other railroads?! Now that I didn’t know about! Pretty disappointing one of the tugboats Santa Fe used are no longer around, but it’s weird and interesting that they used them things. I know at one point Santa Fe once had their own Airline as crazy as it sounds, but apparently it failed badly before it could take flight.(no pun intended) Things like that really tell me how big the ATSF railroad truly was back then.

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Yeah, railroad tugboats were almost common for a little be there! I’ve heard of Santa Fe’s airline, it was operational for a while but it got shut down by the government because of monopoly laws. For sure! It’s easy to see the ATSF as more of a shipping company like UPS as opposed to just a railroad when you think about all the stuff they’ve done.

[@Pocketfarmer1]

New York had lots of rail road tugs. They had a distinctively high wheel houses ,to look over the cars on the barges( called car floats). There is a guy rebuilding New York Central # 13 in Brooklyn.

[@stephenheath8465]

Alot of the Eastern Roads had tugs in New York Harbour such as the Erie,PRR,D&L,B&O,NYC,LV and the New Haven@@Pocketfarmer1

[@timothywarden8281]

My grandfather‘s brother served as the captain on the Hayden and in the early 60s my grandfather and myself would board the Hayden and travel the San Francisco Bay taking train cars to various loading ramps. I remember everything about that large tug and it was a rich childhood memory. Very happy to view this video as I have tried to find information on the Hayden, hope you can track her down.

[@tommystearns1475]

Look up Santa Fe Marine Operations and you should find info and pics of all the Santa Fe tugs. That might help you to fill in the blanks

[@csxnspittsburghdivision8580]

Alaska railroad used one. Because it's too expensive to build a line to Canada

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Really? That’s cool. What about the A2A railroad? I though that was going to link Alberta to Alaska.

[@00Zy99]

There's a whole website dedicated to railroad marine operations in the NYC area. If you want to get in on that, you are going to need a MUCH bigger boat (I mean channel). There were also marine operations in Norfolk, Seattle, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and other places. The Alaska Railroad is still reliant on ferries for its connection to the outside world, since the plan for a connecting railroad has never managed to fully get off the ground.

[@3henry214]

As a young boy I remember those tugs operating in the S.F. Bay. There is one other Santa Fe freight mode that would be an interesting video; Airplanes! Check out Santa Fe Skyway, their air cargo service. It failed after their attempt to upgrade from a Contract Carrier to a Common Carrier. Their application was denied by the Civil Aeronautics Board ( CAB).

[@thevideocamman5674]

I love trains and ships so it’s perfect

[@brysonfischerrailfan]

I’m was just at Oakland Tuesday. You should come to Oakland Jack London Square. And they go right down the middle of the street * Embarcadero Street * About every 30 minutes a train is there. Only about 3 freight trains go through the MOAOA,MRVMI, and one more. Fantastic explanation. Great job.

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Dang, that’s pretty solid rail traffic, especially on a street running line! I’d like to see it, but I just don’t have the ability to take a big trip like that right now. Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the video!

[@brysonfischerrailfan]

I understand. One day is the future.

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Wow what an interesting video. Never knew all of this until now. Thanks very much for sharing. We enjoyed watching and have a wonderful rest of your Friday.(Steve)

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

You’re very welcome, I’m glad you found the vide informational! You have a wonderful Friday as well!

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

@@Southern_Plains_Railfan Thank you again for sharing and have a nice upcoming weekend.

[@bigdmac33]

You, sir, are a master story-teller. Always a pleasure to listen and watch.

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Thank you so much!

[@youmadbro742]

Chicago BNSF intermodal facility has 5 intermodal santa fe trailers in almost new condition. They get used as blockers when a entrance is closed into the facility

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

That's pretty dang cool!

[@69HemiGTX]

7:05 - 7:23 is the northern Waynoka crossing at the Harvey House and depot. It used to be part of the TAT route from New York to Los Angeles. My mom and grandparents were from there, and I lived there for several years before I enlisted into the Army.

[@mikehawk2003]

6:53 I've actually been to the Richmond Slip before, it's now accessible to anyone and that metal loading section is still prominently in its spot.

[@josephpadula2283]

In NY harbor there is still Greenville ( Jersey City) to Brooklyn Car Float service , which is what the called the barges with rails on deck. There is no rail bridge without Going far north of NYC snd back down again . There is service by normal rail to Staten Island from NJ.

[@bnsfgevoproductions]

Union Pacific used ferries in Astoria, Oregon one time.

[@UrMomsChauffer]

Thanks for a great video. It sparked some research on my part. Out of the five original boats at least three were named after Santa Fe presidents (Ripley, Storey, Wells). Richmond, I'm not sure, and Payson was an assistant to Wells. He may have risen higher in the company, but I haven't gotten that far. One thing to note, many of the original railroads followed shipping canals when they were first built. The railroads and boats have always had a connection.

[@tfs4499]

Very interesting info, with historical value! THANKS!

[@SD40-2]

Never knew the Santa Fe had boats cool video

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Thanks!

[@J3scribe]

Charles Smiley may have a video about Santa Fe's bay area operations. I know I've seen a video before, but it's been years.

[@williamflowersrailfannerpr3808]

You going to need a bigger boat for this one

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Lol

[@0fficialdregs]

considering the owner of the NYC used to own a ferry service before joining the railroad industry, it's fitting for them

[@JamesPrewitt-ps6sl]

Keep it up. Very good stuff. I still remember the old black and silver steam engines down in SE Texas.

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

That’s really cool. Thank you!

[@alexstewart9068]

CN ran the ferry service to Prince Edward Island for decades.

[@randywise5241]

The old depot at 7:10 looks like Wanaka Oklahoma.

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

It’s Waynoka Oklahoma, but yes, it is that depot.

[@randywise5241]

@@Southern_Plains_Railfan I lived there once. Looked familiar. I was there working on tearing the old Buffalo spur out. The only railroad related work I did.

[@michaelguerin56]

Thank you. Good video.

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

You're welcome, glad you enjoyed!

[@andreas1161]

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing some 'unique' information and doing the research. You just got a new subscriber :)

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

You’re welcome, thanks for the sub!

[@burroaks7]

very cool

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Thank you!

[@imakerandomvideos14]

Is it common for an ES44AC to have a k5lla? I just caught an H2 With one.

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

I have no clue. I’m not a horn expert.

[@Steamytheme419]

Do you think you'll do more videos on railroads and their sea going adventures? Ive always wanted to learn more about the tugboats and ferries of different roads.

[@mikehawk2003]

Western Pacific had an identical tug/ferry service to ATSF in San Francisco that served until 1985. Sacramento Northern had a ferry service between Mallard and Chipps, CA as a "temporary" solution for a bridge that was never built. Southern Pacific had the world's largest railroad ferry between Port Costa and Benecia, CA until 1930 when they opened the massive Benecia-Martinez bridge.

[@Steamytheme419]

@mikehawk2003 are any of these vessles still around?

[@sernajrlouis]

Great video

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Thank you!

[@strangerous1313]

It's common for people to name boats. Why not name locomotives? (even if it's just for fun)

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

Sometimes railroads do. I know Rock Island did, and so does Rock Island Rail in Mississippi. There’s also some named locomotives over in England, but for railroads like BNSF, UP, etc that literally have thousands of locomotives, it’s just not really possible to name all of them. Also, railroads are typically lazy and don’t want to spend the time or money naming things.

[@Oklahomarailfan.]

@@Southern_Plains_Railfan doesn’t Metra name their locomotives too? Usually after different areas of the Chicago area

[@willow_pillow_VT]

not much of a railway then my friend

[@suppylarue220]

flat commentary, grade school audience.

[@tgurlamber5874]

Boats supplementing Choo choo train. Interesting. Thank you

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

You’re welcome! I’m glad you found the video interesting.

[@tgurlamber5874]

@@Southern_Plains_Railfan my boyfriend works on trains. My grandfather was an engineer for SP. It's I'm my blood. Lol

[@Southern_Plains_Railfan]

@@tgurlamber5874 That's awesome! I had an uncle a few generations back that worked on logging RR's up in Pennsylvania