Union Pacific's Rare "EC-5 Track Evaluation Car"

Resembling a self-propelled, yellow passenger car, the geometry train is filled with computers, sensors, and other high-tech equipment. It measures different aspects of the track. "EC-5 Track Evaluation Car" was written on the side, but I've also heard it referred to as a "Geometry Train" or "Geometry Car."
If you listen closely, 2 blasts of the horn were sounded (signaling that a train is about to move FORWARD) both at the 5:18 and at the 7:33 mark in the video. That means both ends are the front.
Apparently they were not satisfied with the condition of the track. About a week later the Loram Rail Grinder came! Click here to watch it shower sparks across the track and the station platform: • The Loram Rail Grinder...

[@yixnorb5971]

Looks exactly like a 1950's mobile home going down the tracks..

[@KutWrite]

Yeah, I was thinking that'd be a way to travel: A private car like that, an RV on steel wheels. Not sure what RRs would charge you to do that, but hey, some people could afford it, and no need to lease a locomotive and crew! It could be like a hi-rail, with retractable steel wheels and rubber tires for driving to a motel, shopping mall, etc. You heard it here first, folks!

[@treystewart544]

@@KutWrite that diesel train was moving reverse it’s so funny

[@EricTheOld]

Great catch!

[@brycekitchens6301]

You caught EC-5 to? Glad I wasn’t the only one that got him.

[@Whathandleisavailable]

I've seen it in my town, Arlington Heights!

[@grenadePQ]

Gotta love how there's American flags on everything.

[@heididarlingdcscrewcreator1649]

I saw this car today in Manteca Ca!!

[@fastcsx1412]

Wow now that is a lucky catch!!!

[@KutWrite]

That'd be a great way to travel: A private car like the EC-5, an RV on steel wheels. Not sure what RRs would charge to do that, but hey, some people could afford it, and no need to lease a locomotive and crew! It could be like a hi-rail, with retractable steel wheels and rubber tires for driving to a motel, shopping mall, etc. You heard it here first, folks!

[@PowerTrain611]

Steel bell on one end, brass on the other. Both operating at different speeds... hm. Interesting.

[@Rfc1394]

This is also a rare location. According to the Federal Railroad Administration only 10% of track mileage is 2 or more tracks.

[@michaelsullivan4213]

I noticed none of them sounded their horns.

[@RailfanRenato]

beautiful train

[@MrBnsftrain]

4:35 nice catch of a non-stainless Metra car! How many of those are left? 6:00 so ec-5 IS self propelled! I thought those cars were just cab-end cars! (I've seen ec-4 twice!)

[@kaseyaldrich4746]

Ec4 is towed. The EC5 is “newly” officially self propelled

why don't trains blow for that crossing?

[@planebois]

I saw it yesterday

[@Heroduothecomedian]

aren't the track evaluation cars made from old passenger coaches? I know they use to because of the few that CSX has that I saw looked just like a passenger car just the windows on the outside was the only thing that looked different about it besides it running on it own power lol

[@Larynx_the_Changeling]

Interesting how you can turn a coach into an engine.

[@kaseyaldrich4746]

The UP EC cars are purpose built in Austria. They aren’t old coach cars. Other railroads may take that approach but not the UP cars. The inside only has 9 “passenger seats” each with a computer screen to watch the graphs, split between both ends of the car. The hallways are narrow due to having a wall full of computer equipment and one wall that houses the generators and tool room.

[@kylesnider1784]

Would have looked way cooler if this was a train car and there was an engine on it tbh.

[@bobbypaluga4346]

When a train is going backass ward who is watching the track?

[@dphorgan]

Bobby Paluga Anyone watching the track...

[@RockyRailroadProductions_B0SS]

Bobby Paluga Typically, a brakeman with a radio.

[@bobbypaluga4346]

Thanks, I was concerned about that, I figured there had to be a camera or something, I appreciate your answer

[@yixnorb5971]

ANYONE WITH HINDSIGHT

[@rungcox4823]

backass?