BNSF's Marias Pass: A Railroad Superhighway

[@TheNomadicRailfan]

Hearing the name Marias Pass brings back a lot of memories of playing MSTS when I was a kid. Excellent video, Alex, really enjoyed it.

[@jovetj]

MSTS isn't dead! And there's a freeware replacement for it (Open Rails). There are newer and "better" simulators out there but not have quite captured the balanced feel MSTS had.

[@quentinratliff6782]

Same here

[@phillipmeeks2391]

I still run my old MSTS. Marias Pass was and is still my favorite route.

[@PeterHendricks59]

I discovered it only a few years ago as an adult. Still enjoying it.

[@awaken77]

same shit. played Marias Pass in MSTS, now in DTG Train Simulator 2020

[@davids7476]

Dude, you have a gift for film. Great filming angles, great lighting , spectacular views, good image stability, great editing, great sound quality well narrated without having to talk the whole time. You gave thorough explanations quickly and to the point. Everything about these videos shows true professional abilities. Anyone that can make a 48 min video of trains passing and keep peoples attention should know they are doing something right. I guess sometimes you get wrapped up in something and don't realize why you sat and watched the whole thing then you realize it was just plain informative while being totally relaxing at the same time. Good work, you should be proud of your skills.

[@1610nsb]

DITTO!!!!

[@Timrathmore]

David S You hit the nail on the head!! I sure appreciate the narrative but he also just lets the landscape and the trains the scenery do the talking! I also like when he lets the audience know the dispatcher is the king pin. Take the siding there buddy..... hate to break it to you .... your not a priority train! A hot short intermodal is on its way 😁

[@stevegibson2255]

David S I made these exact same comment to him a few years ago. Not only does he give a clear "relaxed" commentary of what is going on around him, nearly every video he has is educational in one way or another. Question.... does he have my subscription????

[@mytdck1]

Great pacing, use of maps and narration!

[@kitiowa]

On the whole although I do gather that this is not shown at literal speed.

[@arlandzawilson537]

Love watching 🚂 videos been loving 🚂 since I was little 43 now and still love watching videos and seeing them in person and I quote 👊💯💯💯

[@williamcchinworth7367]

The images of an inter-modal train snaking towards Cut Bank off the high prairie just prior to the trestle is stunning. Excellent camera work.

[@stabilini]

Why aren't tv shows like this? It's amazing.

[@Bongofurry]

Finland I believe has hours of environment type of t.v. very stimulating.

[@komsomolac]

Marias Pass has been my favorite railroad route ever since MSTS came out back in 2001. It's gotten everything I love in railroads: magnificent scenery and beautiful, long freight trains!

[@davidzanelli6847]

Your commentary and videography really are on a whole nother level. Wow!

[@aaronwalsh7266]

I have train sim 2001 with Marias pass being my personal favorite, I got the dlc for train sim steam edition as well and I still have a lot of fun in it. It's a wonderful feeling to know that the thing you enjoy is still out there. It's also neat to see the real areas I drove past as a kid playing on a Windows 98 computer with the classic tan color.

[@johnmay2786]

Fascinating, thank you very much. Being in the UK I am always amazed at the length of the trains and the distances travelled across your continent.

[@sirmartinfrobisher]

John May : there used to be a voice only clip on KZbin of the driver of “Mallard” recounting the record breaking run. He was known to take chances so I guess he had tightened her pressure regulators right down. He sounded to be a typical, “call a spade, a spade” Yorkshireman (me too!) but unfortunately it has disappeared now. I come from Altofts and used to sneak on the train up to York in the hope of seeing an A4 pacific but it never happened. I was under ten but I never feared for my safety. The “good old days”.

[@lezbowron2673]

@@sirmartinfrobisher Me too travelled the whole country by rail at about 11 years old lol

[@saritabay]

Well done program. Great example of LEAVE THE ZOOM LENS ALONE, and PARK CAMERA ON TRIPOD>

[@steveorshon]

Agreed. The near constant motion, panning and zooming of today's broadcast TV is enough to give you motion sickness.

[@DelwinFlorence]

He did a good job. I watched this video over 10x

[@framfull]

I imagine the scenery really makes impressions on the engineers every day and never gets boring. And boy is there a better sound than trainhorns in a valley, no!

[@fredmanicke5078]

@@zacharybrown5325 Yah forgot the grizzly bears getting drunk on sour mash and passing out on the tracks...from the corn spill in the 90s. The older grizzlies stop by every spring to see if there is a party. (former crew driver at Rocky Mountain Transportation.)

[@FredHerrman]

These are some of the best freight and passenger shots I’ve seen. Very nicely done. I love watching trains because of how massively packed they are, and how they go such long distances through the day and night.

[@dmorgan28]

I sure appreciate your channel and a few others. I’m a retired locomotive engineer and these videos sure make me to relive my former railroad days and trips. Keep up the good work. 👍👍👍❤️

[@jamesconnor4302]

Not to mention the views in some of the locations, I live in England and we have some of the most beautiful views and countryside, and Wales with the stunning mountains and countryside, but America’s offering of countryside and mountain ranges just about equals to what we have here! Stunning!

[@wagonron]

The Amtrak going over the elevated black steel bridge with grazing cows below is a beautifully composed shot.

[@ElCapitan1718]

I have ridden the EB several times. For me, Marias Pass and the Columbia River gorge are the most remarkable scenery on the route. Thank you for sharing this great video. Also, thank you for capturing the wayside signals in several segments of the video.

[@minnesotarailfan11]

4 years later this is still one of the best videos of Marias Pass. Keep up the great work.

[@annemaria5126]

What endless long trains! Wonderfull and so mighty. A miracle! Be proud of your railroads and the personel that make it possible.

[@thelovertunisia]

You are lucky to have such beautiful sceneries in your country.

[@EvilDarkCow]

It's a line I've seen replicated in several train simulators, but the virtual Marias Pass is nothing like the real one! There are some parts of the pass that I've never seen real pictures of, and I must say, it's a beautiful stretch of track. It's on my list of places to railfan, for sure.

[@randomuser778]

You are a remarkably gifted writer, as well as amazingly well informed and knowledgeable on your subject. Well done!

[@TrainLordJC]

Excellent video, most informative, magnificent scenery, very well edited and narrated. Makes me realise that I should have spent more time in the beautiful Rockies during my VW campervan trip through North America back in the eighties. Cheers from the Train Lord in South Australia.

[@skimmer8774]

Totally beautiful places to film. Great focus and coverage and very well narrated. Thanks for the adventure.

[@JohnsKeith]

Awesome video! I agree with David S. you have a nice gift of putting this together with your locations, voice and excellent filming. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@stuartkeithguitars4251]

The Shelby shot is pure genius. It makes me want to move there and get e house that overlooks that area. What a vision of the grandness, the scope, of the American railroad system.

[@atrproductions5428]

Honestly, this is one of my favorite train-related videos to come out in the past 5 years. There was tons of effort and gorgeous shots in this and it keeps me coming back. Good stuff.

[@kenwoodbury1888]

Quite simply, one of the best railroad videos that I have ever seen. Thank you for your excellent work.

[@eclair9]

I am toally enthralled by this video. Great narration throughout, spectacular views, and OH! THE TRAINS!!!!

[@easternsprails]

I sat near that line for 3 hours last September during a trip along US 2. Didn't see any trains at all. If you think this line is busy, you would be blown away by the BNSF line through Flagstaff, AZ.

[@DavidDobbins]

Excellent work Alex. I live near the area so get up to Marias Pass yearly to visit the Park and watch the trains. Great video and commentation. You did your homework.

[@jamesconnor4302]

It always amazes me how long these intermodal trains are in the states, they look like coloured snakes from a distance and in great view. Truly astonishing!

[@SeverityOne]

That's because, unlike Europe, there's no way to get from east to west or vice versa in the USA other than overland. In Europe, we can sail on the south (Mediterranean), the west (Atlantic) and the north (North Sea and Baltic Sea). There's also the Black Sea. Furthermore, you can travel through most of Europe over rivers and canals. Since boats can carry much more than trains, and because of the intense usage of the rail network by passenger trains, and because both the allowed axle load and physical size of the trains are lower, freight trains in Europe are a lot smaller and shorter.

[@chrisinman1082]

They double stack the containers too, in the uk it is restricted by infrastructure these are purpose built freight lines

[@TheLewistownTrainspotter8102]

@@chrisinman1082 In most of Europe, containers are single-stack because they have overhead catenary.

[@fieldmarshal7298]

@@TheLewistownTrainspotter8102 in my country they use 7.5 metres high catenary on dedicated freight lines to accomodate double stacked High cubes. Its an amazing sight to see.

[@robertbate5790]

Oh my life!!! Absolutely amazing. As a Brit and ex BR, this is just stunning. Sadly I'll never make the USA, so your film is an excellent substitute. I too have this line on a train sim, and to see it on film has brought it to life. I'm afraid I don't understand the lingo, so I have saved to my watch list. I'll get there eventually!!! Brilliant.

[@StreetGang2017]

Great vid! I`ve ridden the Empire Builder full length E/W and this brought back some memories.Thanks

[@judefernandez827]

Loved the part where the three young boys on their push bikes ride up to the rail crossing . Looks so natural living in a town where the rail line runs . Thank you for the beaut video from Australia .

[@MARKTHESPARK54]

I really enjoy your commentary while you’re explaining what we’re watching that’s really good information you’re giving out thank you

[@MARKTHESPARK54]

FYI I am a 30 yr veteran Hoghead off the Union Pacific down in South Texas……retired now

[@Jockerman45]

I was amazed at the elevations these trains had to climb and the power of the locomotives.

[@BRAVO-du9ed]

What amazes me is the combined strength of these locomotives and the tressles/ bridges strength that can support all that weight and stress. Nevermind the track that keeps it all in check. Mind boggling.

[@jackchen7003]

Yeah, American train isn’t that bad. Much durability, power, and strength. Very large too

[@NS-ul7zh]

This is such a beautiful place to railfan! I love this video with all of the maps and narration!

[@phuturephunk]

Dude. 10:00 is probably the greatest single shot I've ever seen to give the true scope of how big a consist can be. Fantastic!

[@rimodeler7963]

Excellent video and narration. You did a fine job of documenting this segment of railroad for others to enjoy. Thank you very much! Mike

[@markdantonio1582]

GREAT camera work!! Gifted as David said below. Just amazing! I could watch your vids all day and night

[@privateerbouncher9622]

I remember that Marias Pass was the first map I ever drove in both MSTS and Trainz :) I know most of the places you're recording ;) Or i can at least recognize them :D

[@robertsaberniak007]

MSTS version of Maria's Pass is nowhere near close to this.... this is a lot more of a gentle grade than that

[@Whitesmoke8080]

Ahh memories of mts. I loved running this route.

[@MajSolo]

it was buggy route. After a long decent you supposed to cross a bridge. It did not matter if I did it at 1mph I derailed and scenario ended with only 5% left of the route to drive.

[@robertsaberniak007]

It was horrible

[@ph3ed]

MSTS, loved that game

[@WhereAreTheTrains]

We travel to Glacier every year and train watching is a big part of the trip! In Sep 2018, we took Amtrak from East to West glacier. Great sights!! I just wish the trip was longer.

[@mr.j2776]

Great looking trains and scenery so nice, I might be able to get my wife to watch this some Sat afternoon! :)

[@tazmankb26]

superb commentary and quality footage- thank you!

[@iusetano]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching your latest adventure. Excellent as usual Alex. Thank you.

[@jimheckert5383]

Great video thanks

[@Beargizmo3]

Fantastic video. The trains, scenery and narration have kept me glued to my TV. Spectacular!

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

Thank you very much!

[@beagle7622]

Really well done. Interesting commentary, explaining where these places are.

[@thomasmaughan4798]

Excellent photography, superb composition and exposure control, and spectacular scenery.

[@sandrews9009]

Splendid video of a beautiful area. The trains were interesting, too!!!!

[@amtraker]

This is one of the most professional videos i've seen, you have a good eye and excellent perspective of your surroundings.

[@oubrioko]

Excellent job on the video content AND the thorough video description. Many KZbinrs skimp on their video descriptions. Thankfully, Thornapple RRS is not one of them. Much appreciated.

[@lenarama1066]

Great job on the video and narration. One of my favorite areas of the USA to visit. Thanks for the effort you put into the production. I am always amazed by the volume of rail traffic on that line.

[@jayburgh]

This is broadcast quality sir. Lots of fantastic cutaways and seamless editing.

[@denisgray9639]

Not only beautiful scenery to see, but this is premier filming/photography that I have ever seen. Plenty of railroad action, well done!

[@michaeldougfir9807]

Was glad to see you supporting blancolirio. Will you be doing videos of trains in around the Sierra Nevadas? We have several special features for rail fans here. I enjoyed returning and rewatching this one on the Pass. Thank you sir!

[@pauletxfish4976]

Great footage ! Lived in Shelby 15 years and traveled the extent of Hwy 2 from east to west Montana, often watching many trains moving along parallel to the highway. Just me and the trains alone on the prairie !

[@SamThacker]

Great job. Excellent history lesson. Love the scenery. Especially the huge steel girder bridge.

[@jonthebru]

A really good film, great camera positions. I like the little moments of authenticity, kids riding bikes in the distance, cattle grazing, nice production.

[@johnpfeffer6889]

Great video, good narration, I've operated BNSF through these Montana towns and over Maria's Pass on my TS 2019 on Steam.

[@richardw.chernosky2712]

Excellent narration and videography skills. Thoroughly enjoyed watching the video!

[@mastercj59]

I always enjoy your videos when you narrate them. Video is nicely done.

[@sergioperezpadilla7380]

Great video, remembering the 30 years ago Pentrex’s Maria’s Pass. Thanks for this and the narration!

[@awaken77]

I know about this route because of Train Simulator , it was featured in Microsoft Train simulator and then in Railworks/DTG Train Simulator. Most of locations are instantly recognizable

[@kodiakbaertracks-railfan8655]

The most beautiful scenery anywhere in the country! I recognize quite a few of those locations. Very well done video.

[@CobraChamp]

You, Sir, produce fantastic videos! Your narration and editing are top of class!

[@scottsmith7051]

Shots from the overpass at Shelby are fantastic.

[@Timrathmore]

Great job putting all this together!! Outstanding beautiful views .... didn’t realize that part of the states is very different from the Midwest...... holy cow!! I really like that you show what the light aspect is so that everyone one else sees what the lights mean!! My favorite was the flashing yellow over red while the engineer was on the passing siding. Very cool. It’s always nice to see a high green but I think I like the diverging aspects the most 🤔😂. You are a true railroad fan to be out and about in search wild country. The railroads have sure tamed it

[@tedmurray5245]

Great photography and just the right amount of narrative, Thanks for some great train and terrane film.

[@markhayes6407]

I have never been real crazy about this area of the country for trains but however you have depicted it well in your video. So A 5 stars thumbs up to you. good post.

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

Thanks Mark!

[@wallybelp1]

Beautifully filmed. A treat to watch. Such lovely countryside. Thank you.

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Great video. Best railfanning video I’ve ever watched. Happy New Year...Anthony

[@MoodyBlue42..]

What a gift of gab!! I've watched this a few times on my tv and it never ceases to amaze. You get a History, Social studies, Geography, Transportation, Commodities, City/States lessons all into a railfan video!! If I have missed something. My bad. A new subscriber-Todd.

[@snordbord7342]

Absolutely outstanding. Great mix of scenery, history, information and trains. One of the best train videos I've seen in quite a while. Thanks for sharing it.

[@davidnorrie1173]

Super video greatly helped the maps and commentary and by just the right amount of each train.

[@billsellman6675]

Excellent quality. Thank you Alex.

[@Winter_Sportster]

Just found this...VERY good video, and stayed through the whole thing. Obviously lots of work here.

[@Philios2Glory1]

wow you did such a great job using your zoom. A lot of railfans never use there zoom, but not only that. The video is top quality.

[@leshingouz3134]

thank you for these very beautiful images which allow us to travel and dream.

[@jerrysinclair3771]

After my excitement about three dropped signals - I will agree with your other fans that the detailed narration, use of maps and camera angels set a high bar of excellence for every videographer of railroading.

[@darkrevenger04]

At what time frame was the dropped signals?

[@jovetj]

The final one was at 48:03 ...watch it again and you'll find them.

[@mrz80]

After a visit a couple years ago I was thrilled when my daughter moved to Whitefish, giving us plenty of reason to fly out there, and thus plenty of opportunity to get horribly sunburned whilst filling my camera with railfan pics and videos. :D

[@mangan6961]

Magnificent made! Epic scenery and great narration

[@dimidomo7946]

Another interesting and dramatic video with maps and narration from Thornapple River. I enjoyed my paid working time on the Empire Builder. Scenery that I visualized during each of the 4 seasons was breathtaking. Rail traffic out west is always visually good, TRRS.

[@IstasPumaNevada]

28:18 I live in Montana, and it's weird hearing Swainson's Thrush while watching this video in December. :)

[@gabrielreliat6967]

I'm fan fench railroads and this video is one on the best I've seen about US railroads.Thanks!

[@candlestyx8517]

7:45 Really cool when you have the ability to see the entire train

[@jameskendricks4508]

Excellent video and narration work. Looking forward to future videos. First time viewer. Quite professional!

[@brandonmiller5104]

Geeze... I feel like I should have paid for this amazing quality.

[@jaenrub]

I wish that someday I get to travel trains for days from California to Chicago.. I heard from a friend it's the most scenic and memorable travel experience if your traveling for leisure.

[@robertsaberniak007]

BNSF has got to be one of the more beautiful railroads!!! Love watching them!!

[@paullindberg9230]

Have a wonderful. Christmas. I am. enjoying your professional and. giving nothing less than excellent across the board.

[@johnsmart3587]

Wonderful footage and narration! Thanks!

[@kirkzevola5004]

Outstanding catches of Amtrak & BNSF up in the Rocky Mountains.

[@scoobycarr5558]

The town of Golden in British Columbia, Canada, just might be the "sister city" of Whitefish in Montana. Golden has a yard for CP mostly for coal train operation and a stopover for Canada's Rocky Mountaineer. BNSF in Whitefish, meanwhile, has a yard mostly for local freights and a stopover for Amtrak's Empire Builder.

[@drdoolittle5724]

Brilliant - thank you for all the hard work involved, truly superb filming, editing and commentary.

[@BaltimoreAndOhioRR]

Great vid! 👍😁

[@MusicBent]

East glacier is an awesome little town. Much less traveled than west glacier, and equally beautiful. The people at the diner there were incredibly friendly.

[@gravelydon7072]

Didn't get into town but had lunch in the lodge. Very friendly people there. We had overnighted on the siding at West Glacier and after the train was turned during lunch and we got back on, they backed us out onto the high bridge for photos. Then back to West Glacier for a BBQ dinner. The next day was Going to the Sun Road.

[@robertleven4449]

Used to take my kids every year from sacramento to east glacier by train. It never got old. I miss it big time. Trains, tains and more trains

[@railwayjade]

This brings back happy memories of MSTS! Thanks for this video, brings the simulation to life!

[@TrainsbyFred]

Great video! I was in the area last summer, but after watching your video I see that I missed a number of things. I may have to go back!