Vintage Abandoned/Stored Trains in Escanaba!

Enroute to the Lake Superior & Ishpeming railroad, I stopped in Escanaba to take a look at some old locomotives (mostly) owned by the Escanaba & Lake Superior railroad. The ELS is home to plenty of classic EMD SD9s and rare Baldwin RS12s. Also, four F units are on the property, three of which are ex-Milwaukee Road. Some equipment, like ELS DS44-1000 #204, sit in a rather unfortunate state in the woods south of the railroad’s roundhouse.
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[@SamLovesTrains]

Note: There are actually four RSD-12s still around today.

[@terrywallace8922]

These locomotives are very rare just because they won't see service doesn't mean that they can't be preserved and made to run again. The scrappers don't have to get them.some if these can be made to operate again. These are historic locomotives, and they need to be saved. Please ,people, don't let them disappear. They are well worth saving.

[@general5104]

The problem is, it takes money for machining, and just the love for the units and what little would be made from fares wouldn't cover the expenses! But it's STILL sad !😔

[@cris_261]

That A-B-A set of F7s really should be stored indoors. If John Larkin (owner of E&LS) is so proud of his collection, he should at least store the serviceable locomotives inside one of the buildings on site. Otherwise, Larkin's disregard to his collection is much like a person who has a field full of classic cars just rusting away. Neither wants to part with anything, and neither wants to restore anything.

[@shakedydogshake]

Larkin is a butt hurt baby, who needs to get over himself!

[@libertyvilleguy2903]

Agreed. This isn’t a collection, it’s a junkyard.

[@steveg2509]

ELS never had a good looking piece of equipment. I take that back….600 looks awesome

[@johnuhelski8613]

I agree , the collection is mostly junk , but that A-B-A F unit set needs to be inside . Larkin is a freak and they will rust on site. The Sharks are safe , but for how long ? People like him just amaze me.

[@dianepatrick5377]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@TOTALCAMARO]

So sad to see those iron horses just sitting there no longer running. A part of our history just sittings there forgotten. Thank god for those who care and love them enough to purchases many of them to be restored and put on display for future generations to see. And thank god many are put back running those rails again. Thank you for sharing this.

[@tmwinkler]

My parents bought me an RSD12 in HO for Christmas in the late 70's for my layout. I almost cried that I had another Loco to add to my consist. Thanks for sharing!

[@mattiverson4654]

It would be nice to see the Baldwins in a museum

[@TrainsAreReallyCool]

Seeing that RSD12 causes me physical pain. I love ALCO's so much, and to see one of only two (un-slug-ified) RSD12's left in existence, just rusting away like that, makes me really sad. I don't like that the E&LS does this. They have the some of the rarest locomotives in the world, and they just leave them sitting out in the open and leave them to rust away.

[@northernrailphotography9057]

ELS doesn’t see fit to build new inclosed storage for their own equipment but I’m positive some if not most will be donated and possibly restored to a degree in the future.

[@cdavid8139]

The problem is money. At least ELS isn't scrapping them

[@lorettacaputo6997]

Like old atheletes who performed well in their prime, these magnificient machines sit idle having done their jobs and rust away. Thanks for showing this wonderful tribute to past technological wonders.

[@general5104]

Thank you for the video. The tune, being played in a minor key, fits the tour of the "BONE YARD"...so sad to see units, rusting down, going back to the Earth. When I go back to the Locomotive facility and look over their bone yard and see "my kids" sitting there with their fans robbed out and the whole set of batteries pulled out...I breaks my heart !!! I helped take care of those engines like they were my own kids ! They couldn't understand, up north, how we southerners could take care of our fleet so efficiently. It was pride and quality in our work and a sense of "family" the workers AND the units. We were maintaining our babies every 30 days. We had world-class units. They were better than new ones- Other countries came to out shop, to study our methods. After the merger, and the North bunch took control of our company, they put our babies on 90 day scheduled maintenance! They ran the pee out of them and ran our beautiful company into the ground. Our world class engines aren't quite as bad as these in the bone yard, but they're tipping that direction!

[@CTTrains193]

Good thing theres still one of the '9s and an RS12 that operate out of Wells, Escanaba, and Groos there on the ELS. Also, 600 was waiting for a 567 part and a traction motor.

[@brjr2009]

So sad to see these locomotives in this condition. As a kid I remember watching many of these when they were operational in service. The burble of the Baldwin locomotive will forever be etched in my mind. Thankyou for the video.

[@mattberg916]

love those SD9s. First engine I was on was EJ&E 612

[@thomasmackowiak]

This is an interesting graveyard of early diesel locomotives. Thank you for documenting these locomotives at the Escanaba & Lake Superior Railroad. Too bad some of these locomotives could not have been sent to railroad museums where they could have been preserved.

[@cdavid8139]

Just the cost of moving a locomotive these days makes it very difficult to raise the funds. Not many museums have the funds to restore more than one or two units

[@general5104]

Lack of pride for the units. All of them deserved better!

[@vettebecker1]

Sad to see the locomotives in these conditions, Rust in Peace

[@patricknoveski6409]

This is just sad and inexcusable!

[@rippersix293]

Great video of several rare and vintage diesels! Many of them appear to have good enough bones to be restored to static display quality, if not running, serviceable status!

[@rustynails6700]

Fantastic video. Thanks for sharing these wonderful old units.

[@edwardpate6128]

That wheelhouse would make a great part of a home that overlooks one of the Great Lakes!

[@robertf3479]

Agreed, it's been done before with a nice end result.

[@shakedydogshake]

Knowing how everything thing else that goes in Esky ‘the land of the lame’, it will just sit there and rot……

[@kevinpeterson7797]

St. Mary's river on the south side.

[@poodlesgalore2327]

@@kevinpeterson7797no you’re thinking of Sault Ste. Marie further east.

[@MikeG42]

I really enjoyed this video Sam. Good work and thanks.😊👍

[@owena7288]

Let’s hope nothing gets stolen… I’m seeing tons and tons of rare leslie/Nathan/Wabco horns on those units.

[@markwilliams2620]

A lotta guns in daYoopee. Also, ELS had some"railfans" steal a bunch of stuff years back. The will not tolerate anyone trespassing. You'll get a free car ride from the Delta Co. Sheriff's Department.

[@robertclark6349]

@@markwilliams2620 A few a holes ruined things for everyone. They stole part, cut builder's plates off several locomotives, and even broke into the shop and stole the original Baldwin manuals and special tools to repair the engines.

[@GNF54]

@@robertclark6349 yep, you can thank those bastards for why the Baldwin Sharks have been hidden away for decades

[@alcopower5710]

Lot of history sitting there…..most of them wasting away. 😢

[@mrmrb04]

That’s really cool! I’m surprised and glad that no one has stolen horns or bells off of the locos

[@F59PHI]

Yeah, however it would be great if this tourist line would sell those parts off to collectors who would be interested as there seem to be several very old single-chime horns and old 3 and 5 chimes, those single-chimes are especially rare as well as the bells on the top. Would be really great to hear the voices of these locos again.

[@johnuhelski8613]

You are not getting in this place , it like Fort Knox !!

[@thedesigner00]

Was there to day no one is there lol

[@danielfantino1714]

40 years ago, smart brain breake in and left with original Baldwin builder plate molds... If you think to be welcome....

[@dieseldavetrains8988]

Very interesting and informative, that Great Lakes ship wheelhouse would be good in a children's playground.

[@ffjsb]

It would make a great cabin somewhere too. There's a wheel house made into a home on the west side of Kelley's Island in Lake Erie.

[@davebennett2086]

So sad to see these beautiful machines wasting away. Brought a tear to my eye to see such a waste of our railway history. Thank you for sharing.

[@brandonoswald2392]

What an outstanding video. Very sad but so well put together. Thank you.

[@mikejohnson3375]

Great camera work. Brings back many pleasant memories.

[@kevinb9327]

Melancholic.

[@mikegoetz6477]

Thanks for the great video. kind of a shame that they do nothing with those locos. They should find a railroad museum and donate them. so sad knowing that they are just rusting away.

[@cdavid8139]

At least they are not cutting them up. And most tourist railroads in North AMerica already have units rusting in storage with no funds to restore them.

[@mikestewart7338]

Great stuff

[@moparnut6286]

Excellent video.....and so haunting.

[@SamLovesTrains]

Thank you! I agree. Hopefully they’ll make something out of the units

[@terrywallace8922]

Somebody, quick!start up a fund to save this rare girl!she is worth saving and restoring! Let's come with enough money to help her. She needs to be saved from the scrappers! Also, at least two of those sd9s

[@nancyhaun]

Mr. Larkin also owns the Ontonagon Depot-built in 1897 and almost beyond saving. The appraisal on the Depot is $6200. He is not interested in selling or donating it to the local museum.

[@captainhuggyface6731]

That’s where the last sharknoses are stored I beleive

[@Forverlost2017]

Great video!

[@mitchwinder1204]

I’m through there regularly. I’d love to find that stuff and have s peek.

[@railroadguy100]

This is really amazing. Lots of great examples of early motive power on the railroad. Wonder if the ELS 600 is back in service, yet. Often, I watch the ELS train action filmed by Jason Asselin

[@tomp8871]

Did you see the ELS 500. I swear that's one of three that goes by his house lol!

[@rickdee67]

Amazing video.

[@Custardpie174]

Thank you for your service..."RUST IN PEACE"...🙏🙏🙏

[@gabyhernandez6981]

Exelente video wooow...

[@mrserious55]

nice find

[@juddphillips]

Beautiful sleeping giants!

[@kensbackshop6399]

Awesome video

[@SamLovesTrains]

Thanks!

[@kingdoughnut7244]

At 4:29, looks like an old green Michigan Northern engine! Can't believe there is one left!

[@MechanicalShockwaveBow]

I'm fairly sure that it is. The escanaba and lake superior also has two ex delaware hudson sharknoses that served on the michigan northenr for some time.

[@dumayu534]

It isn’t, ELS 207 was rented out to the Nicolet Badger Northern in the early 90s, that’s why it has that paint scheme. There actually is one at a different point in the video though, so you may have put the wrong time stamp.

[@lorenzo1859]

Magnifique vidéo likes 👍

[@danfarris135]

The moonlight is great there.

[@Viktor9511]

Ez szomorú!😮

[@Gilstrains]

Profound.

[@centraliowarailproductions2810]

Nice video!

[@Cryptonymicus]

0:32 Wiki says there are 4 RSD-12 still extant: NKP 329 is preserved as a museum display in Bellevue, OH. OERM 2954 (ex-SP 2954) and 2958 (ex-SP 2958) are preserved at OERM in Perris, California. Derelict LS&I 1804 rests in a shipyard in Escanaba, MI. Who's right?

[@SamLovesTrains]

Probably you. I didn’t do too much research. Went off what someone told me first hand

[@briansaxby5357]

Save the F-units

[@BB63]

Excellent video, sad that they can't be donated to a railroad museum.

[@markmccummins8049]

This is a graveyard, not only of old locomotives, but of a former US, an industrial powerhouse, that will never return. The railroads, and the industries that they served are now in museums and park displays.

[@QuadMochaMatti]

America was only an "industrial powerhouse" because it profited off of warmongering for no clear reason.

[@ajknaup3530]

Fantastic stuff! Thanks so much for sharing. Is this near the old roundhouse in Escanaba? Can it be accessed by the public?

[@kdyooper28]

Other countries are putting in RR lines all over the world. Look what we’ve let happen. So sad. My brother worked the Milwaukee Road all thru college and some beyond. (After serving USMC). Didn’t use his college degree until they started pulling the maintenance crews (“the section”) and two accidents happened. But he kept his RR lunch pail on display forever: loved his RR days.

[@chuckhalen9543]

Are we sure that some of those SD9's aren't old Southern Pacific units? The red gyro lights on these units were a staple of the SP. I just never heard of any other railroads that ordered those light packages on their engines, other than the SP and the Chicago NW. Whatever the case, very sad to see these units waste away. These are truly collector items

[@nathanw7114]

Most of those SD9s appear to have come from Reserve Mining (hence the red-brown paint). Top spotlights seem to have been added by them and not from factory.

[@mikecroper8422]

I thought 1221 and all the Sd40-2 (500s) were working... sad to see these old locos rotting away.

[@williamlee1429]

There is a running nickel plate road RSD 12 at a museum in Portland Oregon

[@Band__geek]

The f units should get a home to a museum that they can operate on. The irm restores engines to operation. And bring back their original schemes

[@GNF54]

IRM already had an A-B-A set of Milwaukee Fs that they are restoring, why would they need a second trio?

[@danielfantino1714]

Nice catch. Drone shots in that green carpet is awesome. Don´t know if they are railfan friendly, but i doubt. If my memory is right, in late 70´ or early 80´ they were victim of enginehouse breake in. Among loss were original Baldwin builder plate molds ! Who except railfan would have stolen them ? Since there is not so many Baldwin "paradise" , it´s probably here. After that very sad and infamous event, railfans were....

[@markwilliams2620]

"No railfans wanted or needed!!!" is on a sign on the depot at Channing.

[@danielfantino1714]

Thanks for your answer, that answer my answering. Not surprised. Stupidity can leave à big scar for long long time.

[@richardhead1114]

I want to go there and see them.

[@joocey2002]

Random I come across this. I live in Escanaba and my buddy works for the guy who owns some of these.

[@deusdetefranciscodesouza8099]

Uma das coisas maravilhosas que foi essas locomotivas , para chegar ao ponto de ficarem largadas ao tempo muito triste 😢😢😢😢

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

All of those derelict locomotives represent a great waste of capital. They were all very expensive purchases and to leave them rot like that is unbelievable. Locomotives that are properly maintained last forever and are reliable forever which is why you still see 70-year-old engines still working. With a little maintenance they last forever. American used to make the best of everything. Now we make nothing at all so pathetic. Those locomotives could be overhauled and sold to short lines instead of r o t t i n g on a siding. Such a crying shame. Those engines were made to work.

[@kelvintorrence5994]

This is in Michigan rite, nice old iron there

[@MechanicalShockwaveBow]

nickle plate 329 is an rsd12 that's preserved at a museum in bellevue ohio so that ls&i one is not the only one left

[@SamLovesTrains]

Should’ve done a little more research before posting, but I’m glad I was wrong and there’s still a safe one somewhere.

[@vincentfontana7915]

Nice video thanks much.

[@fillup40]

The 600 is pretty.

[@robertclark6349]

I don't see the ex reserve mining SW8s with the tall headlights.

[@stevensolway1054]

F7 set of 3 A-B-A WAS SAVED IN GREEN BAY AT NATIONAL RAILROAD MUSEUM//NRRM FROM 2001 TO 2008; AND PARKED NEXT TO 1956 "AEROTRAIN 2" AND 1949 BL-2's , from WSORR, and Late GLENN MONHART Collection. I got real photos 📸 in 35mm Kodak film 🎞!!!!! But in 2007 the NRRM hired a new But different manager who Sold the F7 A.B.A to Escanaba!! And BL-2 2 sets to New York with FULL REBUILDING for excursions and freights and see videos on KZbin!!; but they went bancrupt, but sold at auction to Ohio with still running in 2023A.D. BUT... in 2008 that new manager also SCRAPPED AND DESTROYED MILWAUKEE ROAD 38A-E-9-A-M.!!!!! BUT HE ALSO EVICTED THE H.O. SCALE model rr club from the HOOD JUNCTION DEPOT that was their home since 1989!! The H.O. Club was served with the 90 day notice of Termination; OR ELSE.... be evicted by police for Criminal Trespassing!!!!! The H.O. Club was forced to relocate into the cellar of the library in East De Pere. But...that Manager also sold the ATSF 57 R.P.O. to Minnesota!! He Sold the Milwaukee Road 471 coach to Iowa!! Then he SCRAPPED the NORTHERN PACIFIC 1594 Baggage car,(yet originally a wooden dining car, but changed into Baggage car with steel plates outside.). Sadly, 😔, since 1984, the NRRM has permanently LOST 37 engines, and Coaches, and cars. Thus shrinking to only 57 pieces. But, the 2 British carriages delivered by FLYING SCOTSMAN 4472 IN THE 1970 VISIT, named "ISLE OF THANET", AND "LYDIA ", were sent back to Britain 🇬🇧 and got the Real Professional Rebuilding to repair vandalism. Text me for the full list of 37 missing pieces, ok. TRULY SAD 😔 INDEED! TH. FEB. 22, 2024A.D.!! S.E.S.//GBW// 0710 H.C. PS; Some other pieces were added.

[@chrismerrill1977]

There's a video of the 1804 running back in the day leading two other identical alcos, its on KZbin titled ls&I remastered 16 mins in if anyone's interested

[@thetrainchannel5125]

How would I go about buying one of these rare locomotives? I must have one before they are all gone

[@TheQuietTornado16]

I wonder how many of these should be at the national railroad museum in Green Bay? It's not that far away...

[@ignaciofiloni7826]

in argentina we continue using them till now

[@buddyboy66]

Great footage. Is this place open for tours?

[@upnorth6.0]

I live here and don't believe so but a lot if it, you can drive right up to and check it out. Especially that wheel house and the 1221 and 1222 trains, they're right next to a public boat launch.

[@GreatLakesStateProductions6708]

I wish someone could save and make these locos, and the wheelhouse nice again.

[@pedalingthru2719]

Why don't you do it ? Set up a non profit buy them and restore them.

[@beeble2003]

Pretty much impossible to transport the wheelhouse off-site. But I'm really surprised nobody's bought the locomotives to restore them. It seems so unusual that I wonder if the railroad is refusing to sell them, for some reason.

[@GreatLakesStateProductions6708]

@@pedalingthru2719 ha I wish

[@mow4ncry]

Most of that stuff outside is only a few years away from a flame wrench

[@christopherdibble5872]

Engineers don't wave from the trains anymore, not like they did back in 1954!

[@CTTrains193]

LSRM or the NRM or even IRM should split these so they don't rust away for good, especially the baldwins

[@cdavid8139]

All tourist operations these days are operating on limited funds. Just the cost of transporting the locomotives may be beyond most museums

[@Hozy780]

Is all the Baldwin rs12 locomotives that of the railroad those 6 or where they more

[@driver9154]

Are the Reserve Mining SD9's really down? They were running earlier this year, if you watch Jason Asselin's videos. They ran good too.

[@SamLovesTrains]

1223 is the only one that’s been operating for the past few years. The others have been down for a while I believe.

[@driver9154]

@@SamLovesTrains Ah ok that makes more sense. Looking back 1223 is the one in all his videos. I knew there was atleast one still running that they used occasionally

[@osteinfels]

A lot of these could probably be restored and put up for lease/ purchase for other railroads to use…

[@ricks5756]

Sad fate for an older locomotive, but it it WAY too expensive to save them all ...

[@Forverlost2017]

The last two Balwin Sharks were locked up long time ago. No clue they still exist.

[@GNF54]

The Sharks still survive and are here to stay, I believe that they are going to be sent to a museum after the owner passes away

[@martybougie7445]

They are safe and sound! Im not a train guy, but i see them occasionally

[@larrybaldridge1571]

What happened to the EL&S 500 the SD40-2

[@loritobin2578]

ELS gonna do something with these locomotives are just let them rot in the yard??

[@meTimetraveler]

a long time ago i bid $5 on a CSX locomotive, maybe an SD9

[@notafanofthegovernment9982]

Some of those engines are former Seaboard

[@SamLovesTrains]

Yes! You can see some SCL paint on the unit at 4:56

[@russ-aepx3307]

Those old locos could be used to produce more gensets.

[@1mvalkyrie]

What roads are these off of in Escanaba?

[@pokemontrainermichael5551]

For a sec I thought it was a model railway

[@MikeG42]

I would love to live in that house at 8:05 in the upper right of the screen

[@Hozy780]

Do you know if ELS gp38 401 is still alive

[@Zyworski]

The only thing saving these trains is the low demand for steel

[@ffjsb]

Seems like a lot of those locomotives would be good candidates to be rebuilt into hybrid switch locomotives.

[@mollycaz1]

How come the only running engine is kept outside and not stored inside. The last two engines from the Milwaukee road look like they could be restored. Some of the engines look like they could run again with some work and care.

[@QuadMochaMatti]

Because it's owned by a nutter?

[@alecshapiro7516]

what kind these music? I love hear that lol.

[@keithsherman8345]

There's so much waste anymore!!!

[@cdavid8139]

Anymore? At least this outfit is trying to preserve a few. Most other railroads cut the survivors up long long ago

[@donzwolensky6667]

They all need to be shipped to Alter Metal

[@beeble2003]

They also have a pair of Baldwin RF16 Sharknoses, which they keep indoors. I don't understand ELS at all. If this was in the UK, every heritage railway and railway museum in the country would be knocking on their doors offering to buy their disused locomotives for scrap price. Are things so different in the US, or is the railroad just not willing to let go of them for some reason?

[@davidwaller5698]

They belong to a guy, who also owns the railroad. They’re his engines he bought out of personal desire, he has stated many times they won’t go anywhere while he’s alive as they’re his and railfans have stolen the horns, bells, builders plates and god knows what else off them

[@beeble2003]

@@davidwaller5698 Oh, OK. That makes sense. Shame, though, as it seems pretty clear that he's unwilling or unable to do anything meaningful with them. They're just rotting away, getting worse and worse, and more and more un-restorable the longer he leaves them.

[@davidwaller5698]

most of the museums in the country don’t have the resources to even move them to the property, much less make any headway preserving them.

[@jasonasselin]

I shot video of one of them being moved last year..

[@davidwaller5698]

@@jasonasselin being moved outside for the first time in 30ish years to make room for other equipment in the shop.

[@robertschmidt6383]

Makes me sad to see the bones from the past. So much historical scrap sitting there 😢 Who owns these past beauties? The thought that bothers me the most, at one time they were brand new and running.