"What Once Was": The F Units of KCS!

Our first video in our "What Once Was" series on KZbin! Hopefully you guys enjoy, because there will be several more of these videos! You'll see some old KCS, Midsouth, ICG, and more! Not sure what I'll be going over next though. Thinking I may go over a specific location next, but we'll see. Thanks for watching guys!

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

As always thanks for watching! Photos belong to Mose Crews! Expect more videos like this in the future!

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

@intellidog3 They still operate the Holiday Express! Just on a hiatus thanks to Covid. Hopefully, we'll see it again for 2022!

[@jasonpoole2093]

I remember seeing an occasional KCS F unit passing through Ravanna, Arkansas as a kid watching trains from my grandma’s front porch. Those were awesome days!

[@trip66]

Fun fact: A lot of surviving and operating F units in North America are of CN heritage because the CN was the last class 1 to keep the F's running. They lasted well into the late 80's. I have a VHS from when I was a kid called "Plow Extras" that captured plow trains in Ontario in 1988. The reason CN loved the F units on plow trains is that they didn't have to shovel and sweep walk ways and shovel out the doors of the cab. The crews just opened the doors and climbed down. But, in the 90's, most of the those Ontario branch lines were abandoned, and since they didn't need to plow them anymore, the plow extras were reduced en masse, the the last F units on CN were no longer needed.

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Appreciate the additional information! Always just figured it was because so many would be sent to VIA.

[@DelayInBlockProductions]

This is a really interesting video. I recently learned about KCS turning some of their Fs into road slugs and I thought that was such an interesting and creative idea on their part.

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Appreciate the comment. It is a pretty creative idea. Love seeing old videos of them "slugging" between a pair of 6 axle motors.

[@tommythomason6187]

Someone told me the A units were still powered, but B units were slugs.

[@DFWRailVideos]

The MKT did a similar thing on their F7s. They removed control stands and blanked out the windows and made them road slugs. Normally seen between SD40-2s and such locos, they lasted up until the end of the MKT.

[@nzardoin]

I remember In Basile Louisiana I was very young. Somewhere between the year 1999-2001. Was in the front passenger seat of my grandfathers vehicle and one of these units came rolling by with a freight train behind it. It was really interesting to see, especially since I knew the newer units were the new regular. So to see one of these in action pulling a freight train was quite rare.

[@ethanmaestri2445]

One of my earliest railroad memories as a very young kid is going over to the tracks near our house in Stillwell, OK and watching these big white engines roll by. Thanks for this video!

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

My dad has memories of these units as well! Thanks for watching!

[@Sammysmith56]

Interesting fact about only 1 B made it to a slug. Never knew that. And it was the only KCS F I ever rode and and only slug I troubleshooted a electrical problem on it. I remember it was not loading properly. I mostly troubleshoot SD40s, SD50s and GP7s out of Pittsburg. I was in Shreveport for some reason, so a road forman and I with a schematic in hand took a ride on a southbound. Had to be 1986 or 87. All I remember it turned out to be jumper cable related. I got lucky. I turned the jumper cable around and the slug loaded the rest of the way.

[@garyharrall4002]

I've seen that one in Decatur Arkansas. It's right off of highway 59 on a curve in town. You can't miss it.

[@AMPProductionsVideo]

Great Video! Looking forward to seeing the ICG video

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Appreciate it! ICG along with Midsouth and others is coming!

[@mikedurhan9941]

Enjoyed very much. Thank you.

[@killersopinion1829]

Loved this first installment of what sounds like an awesome series! 👏👏👏

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Good to hear!

[@trainboy4024]

There is a slug in Hugo Oklahoma on the Kiamichi railroad

[@garykcs5532]

Awesome video Bishop I love the f units and I love them in the Kansas City Southern paint scheme keep up the great work. Gary

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Thanks Gary!

[@louisianahighball4705]

This channel deserves so many more views!

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

I really appreciate that Clint!

[@lynkwolfe3241]

One of the F Units was in a big derailment, 2 trains went head on and derailed. One of these units that is still around is from that train crash!

[@jamesburnside3023]

Well done great to see

[@marcleslac2413]

Via 6300, thanks to a kcs f unit 4062's cab was able to be spared the cutters torch after hinton.

[@tomcaldwell4768]

Another great video, Bishop. Keep them coming.

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Thanks Tom!

[@bnsfrailfan0957]

Great video!

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Thanks!

[@americanmusclemaniac9565]

I railfan in Louisiana as well. I live right by a Union Pacific track

[@BERXJoe]

Excellent video as always. I grew up with GP39-2s and GP40s living alongside the Guilford Rail System in Connecticut. These days living alongside the Union Pacific here in western Arkansas there is nothing but EMD and GE widecabs except on the local that passes by. That is why I dont film as much these days. I just enjoy the action with the eyes God gave me.

[@jeffreymcfadden9403]

I grew up watching PC/CR. Have not photoed in over 20 years now. Just lots of old kodachrome memories.

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Yep the Class Ones today don't provide with any variety anymore. Glad you enjoyed!

[@ironhorsethrottlemaster5202]

Very cool video I like where you're going with this very good tangent I love railroad history and especially knowing all the locomotives and model numbersVernacular I love and hate F units the same time they're cool looking I have three f3s on my model railroad that I used to have but they were also the killers of the steam era but I like your idea of going back in the past and researching the railroads and locomotives that once was very awesome idea keep up the great work I know you love Danny Harmon and distant signal productions as much as I do my friend you're just as good or if not better than he is keep up the great work I love your videos you also have a very awesome narrator voice like Dan Harmon does just different peace out into the world have a great day

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

I appreciate the comment! Thanks for the kind words!

[@HumancityJunction]

Nice video on KCS.

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Thanks!

[@davemack7740]

👍

[@JadenGGvam]

It would be cool if Amtrak took over the Southern Belle route from KC to NO.

[@JackCarsonsRailroadVideos]

Love this Kind of Content, Very well detailed, Also is the SD60 planned?👀

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Possibly in the future.

[@nathancreel9866]

Got to include the Midsouth gp10 rebuilds great video.

[@killersopinion1829]

Ahhh....I see you are a man of culture.

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Midsouth content is coming!

[@nathancreel9866]

@@killersopinion1829 indeed sir

[@unionpacificomaha]

This was very well done and very enjoyable!

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Thank you! Hoping to have episode 2 up tomorrow!

[@tommythomason6187]

Burlington Northern was another modern railroad with lots of F units. They had a lot of Northern Pacific F9s.

[@Cenation9740]

Otherwise known as Burlington Northern Covered Wagons

[@trainanswererguy8758]

Great video Bishop, bud! I like those F units! Speaking of which, thanks for sharing this with me.

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Thanks

[@jeffreymcfadden9403]

What about the F at KC station?

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Not original KCS. It's former CN like 1,2,&3.

[@jeffreymcfadden9403]

@@LouisianaRailProductions how sad.

[@Isaac1TS]

What about the black beauty’s

[@dannywilliamson3340]

Where is the KCS business train based?

[@LouisianaRailProductions]

Deramus Yard in Shreveport.

[@dannywilliamson3340]

@@LouisianaRailProductions I didn't realize they had those excellent looking F units until the Gub'ner rode it to NO a couple weeks ago.