Wind Turbines on Rock Island Rail! [4K]

A recent trip to Mississippi gave me the unique opportunity to witness Rock Island Rail haul some brand new windmills! Follow along as we chase this incredible train through the Mississippi Delta!
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- Sam

[@rail.tennessee]

Happy Friday folks! I’ve been eagerly waiting to share this one with y’all! Some weird audio anomaly’s occurred in post processing, but nothing egregious to derail this video. Enjoy the weekend!

[@guy_called_Odin]

Considering the Rock just bought TWO MORE C40's, I'm excited to see what they are planning to do with their fleet of north of a dozen locomotives.

[@TrainsAreReallyCool]

I was hoping that they'd buy more! I want to see more of them in the gorgeous red and yellow!

[@ThreeSteProductions]

They plan on having 4, Robert has a friend that has 2 that RI is gonna use (apparently)

[@TrainsAreReallyCool]

@@ThreeSteProductions Where did you get this info from?

[@guy_called_Odin]

@@ThreeSteProductions That makes 5 RI C40s...

[@ThreeSteProductions]

@@guy_called_Odin yes, but I’m saying the other ones, not including the one currently.

[@Rocker-1234]

ngl thats a pretty neat use for old piggyback cars. as a rock island lover this does make my heart happy tho. seeing the ole girl get the rebirth it deserved

[@joecameron3512]

Absolutely awesome.that guy has done an amazing job with that railroad

[@matildacolombo8346]

The moster locomotive congratulations ! ❤

[@ILSRWY4]

running in a state the CRI&P never ran in , on rails they never ran on, servicing cities it never served and carrying a name of a city on the side of the locos, for which is not found in Mississippi using the colors on a loco that has already been confined to a museum. Way to go! Nothing but a glorified heritage line.

[@rail.tennessee]

Does this really bother you that much? So much so that you’re unable to see the economic growth Robert Riley has regenerated by creating this railroad?

[@PatrioticCoservativeAmerican]

The Rock is still going? This is awesome to find out it might not be as big as it once was, but at least its back

[@williamjohnson6624]

Who would ever imagine such a small class railroad would haul such a heavy load!wow!impressive😊.

[@coryhoover01]

Why wouldn’t they? The trans load location is on there tracks and they are just as capable as any other rr

[@coryhoover01]

You get some amazing shots

[@cody0617]

I live in Grenada I love our Patriotic Paint Schemes on our locos also the iconic Blue and white on the rock

[@FreihEitner]

Ooh, nice sounding horn on that "The Rock" GP-38! It looks sweet, too.

[@mrfingerlakes8735]

Awesome video and Robert is doing one hell of a job with the rebirth of Rock Island

[@rail.tennessee]

Seeing it firsthand, I can attest to the incredible work he and his people are doing for this region of MS. Thanks for watching!

[@rockguitarist931]

bankruptcy blue looks right at home on that track lol, it's great to see a classic livery being revived

[@TrainsAreReallyCool]

With the addition of the Red and Yellow, it would be pretty cool if they painted one of their units into the Maroon scheme.

[@davidbrown4823]

100% incredible and thank you.

[@marmion150]

That was great, really good camera work. Love the blue livery on the geep. In the final sequence, the compressed perspective of the zoom lens shows the cars decks have been bowed under that load...no longer "flat" cars!

[@joelbutler7501]

Flat cars normally bow up over their length so that when you load them they to flat and not depressed. Notice how the load only hits at the trucks, that wouldn't affect the cars shape. Learned this from my brother about flat bed semis, it is the same principle.

[@FNBSRailway]

Holy Cow! 🐄 It's The Little Engine That Could 2. The diesel version in real life! Way to bring back my childhood guys thanks❤🎉 Man I didn't even think The Rock existed any more. One of my 1st trains.

[@leeshakiesmith8768]

I grew up next to the tracks in a sleepy little town in the MS Delta. Back in the 1980s, Illinois Central Gulf ran on those rails. I would run out to view the trains when I heard those horns roar.

[@rail.tennessee]

That’s incredible… those must be great memories to reminisce on. Thanks for watching!

[@Coloribus2004]

Besides with the Rock getting more locomotives from BNSF and CN, They also got themselves a GP7, A GP8 and a former MSDR CF7. You can see a small glimpse of the CF7 at 6:17

[@TexasRailfan21-RailfanRyan]

What I’m very excited to see is now that they have a GE wearing the Rock Island red and yellow livery as their locomotive roster grows, I hopefully look forward to seeing every rock Island paint scheme the original rock used over the years going back to their passenger locomotives that once powered their famous rocket passenger trains being from Texas. I grew up learning about the Twin Star rocket that ran from Chicago via Fort Worth, Texas to Dallas, serving both cities of the DFW metroplex, the right of way between Dallas and Fort Worth still sees regular passenger service as the Texas Trinity Railway Express commuter service continues to carry people between Dallas and Fort Worth. There once was an original under girder bridge in the medical in Market Center district that still had the famous Rock Island logo on the side sadly, the bridge has been replaced as TRE is in the process of connecting all they’re passing sidings into one continuous section of double track

[@paulbergen9114]

You would truly appreciate a concrete bridge south of LaSalle Street Station in Chicago where the concrete is still embossed Rock Island lines and New York Central system

[@TexasRailfan21-RailfanRyan]

@@paulbergen9114 wow that is so cool. Hopefully that bridge will continue to see Trains crossover it’s.

[@ELOfanatic]

At 3:48, when the train is passing the depot, it looks to me like there used to be a switch to the left of the depot, with a stub leading to the other side.

[@edkiess6953]

You were psyched? I'm in hog heaven! I remember the Rock between El Reno Ok, Amarillo and Tucumcari. How sweet it is!

[@lynneurbanik8703]

What a beautiful locomotive that is. Love the colors.

[@rail.tennessee]

Couldn’t agree more! Quite a classy looking paint scheme

[@paulbergen9114]

Well worth the trip and what a surprise to find a train like this. Certainly a type of train they never handled. Indeed the track has that Midwest Branch look or even a bit like Arkansas. As for the C40-8 knowing the Rocks limited finances they may very well have wound up with something like that

[@rail.tennessee]

Thanks for watching!

[@benjaminpettis5468]

Great Video of this short line railroad & amazing work on this line by owner & his whole crew.

[@chitownnemesis2182]

This brings back memories of when Rock Island ran in Illinois many many years ago.

[@ILSRWY4]

except running in a state the CRI&P never ran in , on rails they never ran on, servicing cities it never served and carrying a name of a city on the side of the locos, for which is not found in Mississippi

[@DavidLeon140m3]

@@ILSRWY4 who cares

[@coryhoover01]

What great and amazing shots great work

[@rail.tennessee]

Thanks for watching!

[@thepozfromoz5166]

I also heard through the grapevine that the rock purchased the former "spirit of gettysburg" gp9 107. Great video!!

[@rail.tennessee]

That they did! Sitting in Clarksdale… I actually filmed it in Nashville on its way down to MS. That’ll be thrown in separate video… stay tuned!

[@thepozfromoz5166]

@@rail.tennessee cool beans!

[@thepozfromoz5166]

That'll be an interesting engine if they paint it in the Rock colors man!

[@MailmanRailfan]

Awesome catch

[@moonspots01]

I liked the reference to your HO train car. I had a "Route Rock" hopper car that I remember fondly 😊

[@LostDepot]

Nice catch

[@ArchTeryx00]

Brought be back to my childhood too. I grew up in Tinley Park, very near Rock Island's main line south of Chicago. Watched a whole lot of E6As hauling commuter trains through TP's depot and quite a few freight trains as well, including many blue livery rolling stock before they finally went under.

[@sernajrlouis]

Cool video. Love the locomotives with the flag paint

[@edsel6818]

I thought this short line railroad was bankrupt forever, I never it still existed, now we gotta see some new freshly painted Rock stock freight cars, ECT, I jus recently purchased in Denver at their train show earlier this year an ho window bay caboose ROUTE ROCK, BUT ITS ALL WHITE WITH THE BLUE R LOGO, I LOVE IT!!!!! 🥰👌👍. MORE PLEASE, 😁👍

[@tomroise9426]

Nicely done! I’m so bored with modern railroad videos as they are mostly mainline diesels that look alike and have boring paint schemes. Then you come along with this classic. I sure hope you get a million hits and achieve true success with this video. Nice drone shots throughout. I only wish they had placed the GP30 up front with the 38! Hopefully you can get us a shot of the transfer yard? Are you planning a second part of this video? Any idea how many of these trains they expect! Final thought, why not include the caboose for safety and security?? Thank you for sharing this beauty with us!!

[@rail.tennessee]

Tom, thank you for those kind words! I’m with you… class I’s are getting boring to me… unless it’s a unique location or something crazy on the high iron, it’s not doing much for me. While I’d certainly jump at the opportunity to trek back to Mississippi, it might be something we see later this year or next summer. But with that in mind, trust me, this railroad might just need a second visit by me! Thanks for watching my friend, can’t wait to share with you all some of my other projects!

[@bhproductions1061]

Woah that’s awesome!

[@joestandish3418]

Very well done. I built Locomotives for G.E. THE last 7 or 8 years till I fell off a Pakistan Locomotive I was air testing. I spent a week in Erie,Pa. Hospital. I should have died.

[@music100vid]

What a great video! Beautiful in 4K. Did you notice how the rail was moving up and down so much in that next to last shot? The railroad might appreciate you showing them that or telling them. Looks like the ballast really needs some tamping/compacting there.

[@skimmer8774]

This is a nice camera you are using. Results, great video 👍

[@rail.tennessee]

Thanks for watching!

[@gerf1023]

Very cool seeing the Rock Island come back to life! As a very young kid I remember seeing the Kansas City Rocket fly by at 70mph. As a teenager I watched the slow death of the Rock as almost the entire mainline to Kansas City turned into a 20mph slow order. ☹ And really sad? I didn't get into rail photography until after the CRI&P was gone. Not a single photo of the Rock of my own! Great video, btw. I'm going to have to venture to the deep South to get my first Rock Island photos!

[@lexpo181]

This is an amazing video! Great footage and cool stuff to see ;)

[@matthewrinehart9514]

Growing up in northwest illinois rock island was always close. With milwaukee road then soo line. With c&nw and illinois central in my home town.

[@tomp8871]

When the windmills fail ( gears stripped, fire, or just cracked) they are not recyclable. Guess where they end up? Another beautiful green idea

[@Hayden-v5o]

If a ton go away still be tons of shortlines they're my favourite

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Spectacular video with outstanding catches plus great commentary to go along with it. I sure always loved that blue that the Rock Island had and glad to see it back rejuvenated on a shortline. We subbed your channel and enjoyed watching. Have a wonderful rest of your weekend.(Steve)

[@rail.tennessee]

Steve, thanks for the kind words! I appreciate having you here, cheers my friend!

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

@@rail.tennessee Your very welcome and thank you also.

[@tomy.1846]

Perfect!!!!!!

[@1traintracker]

Impressive video! You have a new subscriber.

[@maxtraxtrains5481]

Great video love all the Mississippi scenery. new subscriber to the channel can't wait to see more

[@MrOliverHBailey]

A windmill is a turbine driven grain mill. These are wind turbines, for generating electricity.

[@rail.tennessee]

You are 100% correct, thank you! Not sure why I couldn’t think of that sooner… thanks for the correction!

[@CSXfan4589]

You’re just trying to make me more jealous aren’t ya? Makes me wanna never waste my time on a CSX train ever again.

[@Aight__4]

hey no CSX trains r the best!!!

[@trainman8478]

Thre is a train track right by us and it is ron by CSX and Gettysburg and nothen

[@xCharjx]

Love the filmwork as always! If you ever venture down south again, you should check out the hartwell railroad!

[@rail.tennessee]

That’s on my bucket list of railroads to film - thanks for watching!

[@AndreMartens-y5h]

I see these all the time on the Union Pacific in magnolia

[@iatif1995]

I hope they replace their entire railroad with welded rail, and have a hy rail truck spray the herbicides and weeds off the tracks at places along the line. Nice catch!

[@bluegrassman3040]

They must not be able to afford that.

[@DavidLeon140m3]

welded rail is very expensive. even relay welded rail is expensive

[@randallellison6421]

Very cool video! Hey by the way, if you want to own a model of RI 2127, Atlas is doing that locomotive in HO scale!

[@railyardfilms6491]

Awesome rare

[@t.s.railfanning]

1555 was originally built as an sd35. It was rebuilt as an sd38

[@rail.tennessee]

That is correct. I decided to refer to it as its carbody type instead of its technical upgraded designation

[@THEROGUEDECEPTICON]

Does anyone know why BNSF sold it looks like one of their rebuilds and that paint doesn't look too.

[@kevinbrown1629]

I didn't know Rock Island railroad even existed anymore.

[@FreihEitner]

I know, I know. I'm posting WHILE watching the video, so my thoughts are all over the place. Just saw the red & yellow Dash-8 #2127 and for me there is very little more beautiful than a narrow nose Dash 8, especially in a cool paint scheme (Amtrak phase 3 paint F-40PH would be top of my list).

[@RailPreserver2K]

Didn't they try to acquire a genuine Rock Island diesel for the railroad?

[@williamdebates6472]

I truly miss the old Rock Island, and it's GE U-boats. With their red paint work. Or even the black paint jobs.To me the blue paint scheme will always be "bankruptcy blue.

[@Hayden-v5o]

Will we always have tons of shortlines

[@crrguy1625]

Do they have any sort of schedule? I'll be down there this week

[@rail.tennessee]

It’s hard to say.. best bet is to get to Sumner early morning and scout out where the power is. Good luck and thanks for watching!

[@VLIX5323PRODUCTIONS]

Is the rock rr returning?

[@michiganrailfan_13]

Where is this one of a kind RR located?? I need to see this specialty

[@blairterry9435]

Heh who knows maybe the Rock Island could I don’t know reclaim it’s class 1 status and reopen former routes that the original Rock Island closed down.

[@cmphighpower]

ThTs a lot of rail for a short line

[@ColdSteelRails]

I see my S5T is still being used! 😅

[@qdogccfc8258]

BNSF 1555 is actually a SD38P, I googled it

[@rail.tennessee]

That’s correct, I’m aware.. I simply referred to it from its original designation. In full technicality, yes, it is an SD38P.

[@Cadian92nd]

those windmills are an eyesore, we had nice views up here now its all wind mills....

[@trainman8478]

I thought Rock Island was banck ropt

[@randallellison6421]

Not the same Rock Island RR, this company just has rights to the name from what I've read.

[@MilwaukeeF40C]

They need to stop building those fckn things.

[@TowMater603]

Ughhh , you're not 'Filming' , you're 'Recording'. you're not using film.

[@GERRYMALONEY47]

I Don't understand why so many railroads are abandoning and not even maintaining any of the railroad Network in this country to me it would be such a great Transportation boom to have all types of railroads available anywhere maybe even some Independants would pop up to use these Railroads if they were able to be leased cheaply America has done a great disservice by allowing these tracks to fall into disrepair and even to be pulled up and forgotten completely what a shame America is to blame as usual I hope someone someday remembers what the train Services used to actually be like for passenger rail in this country ? But sadly I very much doubt it

[@UltraMagaFan]

Bird Killer Train on Rock Island Train*** There I fixed the tile for you.

[@nathansmith7153]

Windmills are used to MILL. Those are not windmills.

[@rail.tennessee]

This has already been addressed in a previous comment - yes, these are in fact wind turbines NOT wind mills. My apologies for the inaccuracy.