He said "Eight and Sand", as in run eight (full throttle) and sanders on. The real trouble at that spot is the sharp curve, Six axle locomotives loose a lot of their traction in curves and that can put them down to a crawl. That lead locomotive appears to have a "rail cleaner" system, which is a separate nozzle from the sanders down by the lead wheels that directs a jet of air at the railhead to blow off snow, leaves, ect.

@RailfanRowan

3 жыл бұрын

Aahhh easily mistakable thank you for the info!

@TriGogglin

3 жыл бұрын

If that is a cleaning nozzle, why is the conductor running ahead with the broom? Educate me.

@TheNemosdaddy

3 жыл бұрын

As a 22 year employee of the mechanical department, there is no such thing as a "cleaner" system. That was the sander nozzle. He didnt say "Eight and sand", he said OUT of Sand. Which was a big reason he was struggling. Thanks to PSR, lots of locomotives run out of sand along their journey

@TriGogglin

3 жыл бұрын

@@TheNemosdaddy thank you for the info, explains the broom 😆

@r_mon_e

3 жыл бұрын

@@TheNemosdaddy Rail cleaners do exist.

I'm 70 years old and I've seen alot of trains in the snow and I've seen alot of videos but I've never seen anything like this. This was really cool to watch. Thank you so, so much. I really enjoyed this.

@spymaine89

3 жыл бұрын

me to

This is how I rung in Christmas of 2019. 3 in the morning with an underpowered (surprise, surprise...) 17000 ton grain train, full days worth of snow on the rails and just over 8 miles of heavy grade to get over. Took the bottom of the hill at 27 mph, less than 3 minutes later we were down to just over 4. Brakeman and I jumped off brooms in hand and ran ahead just shy of 2 miles sweeping the rails off. When he finally had somewhat decent traction and a bit of speed built up, right around 8 mph, the hogger yelled at us over the radio to jump back on (which was fun seeing as he couldn't slow down, otherwise everything we'd done would have been for nothing). We spent the rest of the trip up the hill wedged on the footboards on either side of the pilot, hunched over the front with our brooms on the railhead clearing them off until we got to the top. Hell of a way to ring in Christmas, but we made it to the top, so the frozen hands, frozen face and seezed up shoulders were nothing a little liquid Christmas cheer couldn't fix after we finally made it home haha.

@ivanudell538

3 жыл бұрын

Awesome

@bobsmith9947

3 жыл бұрын

Funny story, too bad it didnt happen.

@FuzzBass66

3 жыл бұрын

@@bobsmith9947 Sorry to disappoint ya there Bob, but unfortunately it happened as described. CPs Lloydminster sub in Saskatchewan (Mile 74 to approximately 66 if you REALLY wanna split hairs), December 24/25 2019. Lloydminster to Wilkie, with the 112 grain loads coming from the 'Three Cities' grain elevator (Viterra) just outside Lloydminster. Two beat up ES44ACs and an SD30C-Eco (5009) for power (I actually still have some of the docs, CP 9365 was our leader). By this point I've actually lived an interesting enough life that I don't have to make up stories for around the campfire, truth is always better than fiction anyhow. I'm sure one day if you actually get yourself out from behind your phone screen and live a little, you'll have cool stories of your own, until then happy trolling ;).

@PowerTrain611

3 жыл бұрын

@@FuzzBass66 Well said. Thanks for all you do keeping this country's economy as on-point as you can.

@klugermann5806

3 жыл бұрын

@@FuzzBass66 fantastic story. Thanks for sharing. I wonder if you could duct tape a couple of brooms to the front plow? Lol I grew up in a railroad town (L&N-CSX) here in east TN. I 've heard some really great stories and the opportunity to take a few rides on helpers, etc (a very long time ago). Happy New Year!

"Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas" as they struggle on the curve.

@RailfanRowan

3 жыл бұрын

Lol yes that was awesome!

@gosportjamie

3 жыл бұрын

Well, you've got to have a sense of humour, especially when things are bordering on going rather wrong...

@ghosttrain5588

3 жыл бұрын

Its not really struggling they actually have it under control. They have to keep it a a constant low speed so they don't get wheel slip so it just takes longer to get up to speed

@elijahyaddow6433

3 жыл бұрын

13:43 😂

It's a great video, thanks. How often would anyone see someone with a broom sweeping snow off the rails so the engines can get traction? PRICELESS!

@RailfanRowan

3 жыл бұрын

Certainly a pleasant surprise

@markfryer9880

3 жыл бұрын

Interesting view, yes. Good sense from a Health and Safety point of view? Hell no! Good business sense having a train lacking power to make the grade in inclement weather? Hell no!

I Loved the onscreen track diagram that you showed at 10:04 I’ve never seen that before in any other train videos.

Great respect to you for getting out there in some tough conditions to record this for us, Rowan. 12000 plus horsepower and it takes a broom from Dollar General for that power to split the green! Merry Christmas to all!

Have a great 2021!! 🚂🚃🚃🚃🎉🎉👍

@electricsparks4251

3 жыл бұрын

It will be great, if Trump remain president. If not, less trains will be runnin.

@TNandTXRailfan

3 жыл бұрын

@@electricsparks4251 good mindset you got my sub

@TNandTXRailfan

3 жыл бұрын

@Sasha Braus hell yeah man he’s telling the truth. Unfortunately it didn’t go that way....

@fostoriadistrictrailfan3907

2 жыл бұрын

@@TNandTXRailfan i dont wanna get political in a railfanning video comment section so ill just watch the train part and leave lol

@TNandTXRailfan

2 жыл бұрын

@@fostoriadistrictrailfan3907 alright man that’s understandable

That was FREAKIN AWESOME!!! I love watching trains in snow...especially in the comfort of home... I’m here in Florida, 60* outside, 73* inside, and I had to get a hoodie on!!! Watching this makes me shiver! Brrrrr.... Merry Christmas from a guy who used to live on the other side of Massanutten!

@howardrickert2558

3 жыл бұрын

I kinda miss the snow.

Rowan, I said a year ago and I'll say it again, you could have a serious career in media, both in front of the camera and production. I grew up in the same neighborhood and went to school with Mike Rowe and he was an intelligent, well spoken young man. You could do what he's done. He got his start pitching products and real estate on tv. Now a serious documentarian. He didn't grow up wealthy. I really enjoy your videos. There are thousands of people uploading similar content, you are one of the best. Merry Christmas! Be well.

@DNR5586

3 жыл бұрын

Agreed! Just think how good his videos will be 5 to 10 years from now.

@etops-2234

3 жыл бұрын

I’d second that. Superb production, excellent equipment, audio video, and graphics, as well as commentary. You have a gift.

@klugermann5806

3 жыл бұрын

I definitely have to agree with you. He has a great camera presence/personality which is warm, intelligent and fun. As someone said a "gift". I wish him the best and hope he continues.

Thanks for getting out there in the cold snow to document these moments in railroading. Your video contributed to much Holiday Cheer here!

@RailfanRowan

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much SCB!!

@ghosttrain5588

3 жыл бұрын

@@RailfanRowan I work for a medium sized switching railroad in Nw indiana. Its been in business for over 100 yrs and we still operate in our original roundhouse we have sw1500s, sd38-2, sd40s and we actually have 4 New engines that run off diesel and cng if you want I can send you some pics and videos

@njjeff201

3 жыл бұрын

Appreciate your efforts!!

They need a couple of curlers out there sweeping. The conductor will go down in railroad history for going above and beyond, to keep his train moving. "Train, Snow, Conductor and a broom! " A legend is born.

Incredible action at 12:00 onward, I was there last January and caught a monster of a 15T with mid-DPUs, and boy were they working, it took a long time to pass! Vaugh and Summit is one of my favorite sidings on the H Line aside from Acadia and Solitude, big grade there too at Lithia, Nace, and Kinsey, so I wonder how they faired down there.

@RailfanRowan

3 жыл бұрын

Wassup CPRP great to get a comment from you! So cool that you've been here, i love this line a lot, its sssuuuper quiet until a train comes through, lets meet one day!

@CentralPennRailProductions

3 жыл бұрын

@@RailfanRowan Hi Rowan and thanks, I've actually been trying to put that video together, maybe if I have time this holiday break I will put it up. I've been meaning to get back down there to get more CPLs, sounds like (from a very good source) there is no plan to replace them soon (at least for the next 6-8 months). Love the crossing you shot at there in Bentonville with the mountains in the background.

When an onboard computer detects that the locomotive's wheels are starting to slip, the ARC directs high-pressure jets of air onto the tracks at supersonic speed. This serves to blast away not only snow, ice and water, but also contaminants such as gravel, grease and rust. As a result, the wheels quickly get up to 30 percent more traction.

That’s dangerous glad that conductor didn’t fall he must have been frozen gettin out like that man you jus gotta absolutely love freight trains

Appreciate the , "play by play"! Its rare indeed when a railfan is as descriptive as you are. Gonna look for more of your posts.

@RailfanRowan

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Donnie, always wondered if people appreciated that style!

@yikesholycow8903

3 жыл бұрын

@@RailfanRowan Great video! So many interesting things going on here from your commentary (VERY informative), the great snowy weather, sweeping the rails(!!) the struggling locomotives, to the chatter on the scanner... @15:24 "Teamwork makes the dream work" lol. You do a great job with your video production and yes, the description of what is going on is much appreciated. Keep up the good work!

@haywoodjablowme899

3 жыл бұрын

@@RailfanRowan I have watched a lot of railfanning videos and yours catch my attention like no other. I like your narration and commentating style, keep up the great work!

@dancurrier6421

3 жыл бұрын

do they speed restrictions in some places

@frombryant6678

3 жыл бұрын

@@RailfanRowan Yes, very well done video. You have a listening setup like mine when I foam on the steep grades in the Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon. I enjoy the radio traffic as much as the watching.

Great video!! Living at the base of Sherman Hill in Wyoming, I understand and appreciate how difficult winter railfanning can be.

I was with a transportation company with the NS based in Mingo Junction Ohio I miss working with the railroad guys but don’t miss that transportation company.

This is one of the best railfan videos ever recorded.

13:43: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas xD

@lnproductions3227

3 жыл бұрын

That is too funny! LAMO

@jacobdubielak

11 ай бұрын

Who ever sung that needs a reward and join a band

Good old broom, I never leave without it!

Merry Christmas Rowan! Great content as always and thanks for braving a snowy day to make it all happen. You do a great job of making each video an entertaining and well-presented adventure!

I enjoyed this. It reminds me of WP trains (Now UP) climbing the hills of the Sierra Nevada in California's Feather River Canyon in winter. Great view of the sanders.

Stumbled across your channel, first impression is amazing !! I will have to keep watch !

@RailfanRowan

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Celltek! Glad to have you!!

That was epic! This is my first visit to your channel from here in England, thanks for undergoing personal discomfort to bring us this.

Gotta say...The wagging ditch lights and headlights DO look really awesome through the waning light and snow.

Guy sweeping the rails: one broom to get a million tonnes up the hill. Never seen before. Talking about commitment.

Wow Rowan, what a superb session - Shenandoah for switching, then gradient struggles and faster running through the snow. You had a tough day but we all appreciate what you provide. Happy Christmas!

I hope you had a Great Christmas, Rowan. Wishing you a Safe & Healthy 2021. Thanks for Videos.

"we coming at ya at a high rate o speed"

@evanstraintubeyt6950

3 жыл бұрын

lol

@Michael-gx5os

3 жыл бұрын

Needs more eeeeeee 😂

@ryananthony4840

3 жыл бұрын

Lmao 😂😂

@spacecat7247

3 жыл бұрын

I drive semis in the oilfield. We always say a high rate of fuel consumption. Lol. When I'm hitting the governor it's a maximum rate of fuel consumption.

Great snow footage Rowan. Love how your videos tell a story and not just the usual runbys. Explaining railroad procedures is awesome information. Thank you God Bless and have a very blessed and Merry Christmas

Great job!! I am from Northern Virginia and miss the old Southern railway but I have the Florida East Coast down in Florida. It doesn't get any better than snow and gravity trying to pull those trains back down the hill. What a battle!!

I love the old N&W tunnels for car traffic. Great video Rowan. Merry Christmas!!

Nasty weather.......whoever drove the Miata (8:00) to work is going to have a fun ride home lol. Awesome video 👍

I appreciate your interest in one of the last grandfather grandson binding traditions. Being a rail fan. Remembering in 1978 riding the Crescent 10 hours to get from DC to Greensboro in a blinding snowstorm and having to rent a uhaul truck to get home because no cars were capable of moving. Still a great memory. I love what you do

@RailfanRowan

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks James!!

As a former train dispatcherI can appreciate this video. I once had territory between Front Royal and Manassas before TC and track upgrades. What a change. Retired 2004 from Greenville SC office after working in Greensboro NC office for 23 years. Great video.

@RailfanRowan

3 жыл бұрын

that's really cool, I've always wondered what it would be like to dispatch this area, especially since I know it very well on the ground level! Thanks!

Great video footage Rowan, thanks for going out in atrocious conditions and capturing it for us. Best wishes for 2021

This was my first look at your videos and i am impressed. I have just subscribed and gave a thumbs up. I hope to be doing many more of these.

Gotta keep the Christmas Spirit Rolling ... Priceless !!!

Originally from northern Vermont and had spent many snow days chasing trains. Thanks for the memories, Merry Christmas.

Great video!! Love seeing train's in the snow and the conductor sweeping the track ahead of the engine was a added bonus. Keep up the good work!

@RailfanRowan

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Al!

LOLZ! I love how that graffiti ends in a question mark... "Freight Graffiti is like a trad, you have to earn your place. Its not about who you know, its about what you do and how you do it?"

Much appreciation brother 🙏🏽.. Out in a snowstorm to bring all of us who are inside and warm a great end of the year video! One of the best videos in my opinion. 227 lookin good in the early evening light. Also thanks for describing what was going on with 12Z .. cool little graphic you made..Hope 2021 brings more great videos from”Railfan Rowan”👍🏽

@RailfanRowan

3 жыл бұрын

Cameron thanks for your low oil support, 2021 will hold very many more videos Lord willing!

Brrrrrrr.....I had enough of THAT mess working out of Manassas, VA. Thank goodness I now happily live and railroad in Florida!

12:21 He's got a headlamp out. Good thing no Va. State Troopers around or he'd get a $50 ticket and have to run it through inspection.😩

@sludge4125

3 жыл бұрын

Uh, that would be a ditch light. 🤪🤪🤪

Very interesting video. Sometimes it is hard to vision the problems they might have. Good one!!!

Thank you for enduring all that so the old folks can enjoy it from our cozy recliners!

@RailfanRowan

3 жыл бұрын

Lol yessir

As a Railfan that lives behind railroad tracks owned by UP and Amtrak, there's always switching Monday, Wednesday, and sometimes Fridays. Some times it becomes a nuisance because the train crew tend to ram their carts against another when re-coupling after picking up sediment carts from a yard not so far down from my house. But it is what it is. Lots of idling in some cases due to waiting for passing freight trains and Amtrak regionals.

12:36 is like a giant version of curling.

Good for you railfanning in the snow, sleet and cold. You are a true train fan.

@RailfanRowan

3 жыл бұрын

Hecc yeah Charles! Awesome!

I love watching the Norfolk Southern trains that come through Valdosta Georgia everyday!

Great filming and commentary, I was on the edge of my seat!

@RailfanRowan

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kevin!

That was just some amazing scenes! The guy sweeping the snow off the rails in front of the moving locomotive just had to be seen to be believed!

Brilliant video! I'm in the UK and always enthralled by your larger than life railways. I've never seen someone actually hand-sweeping the rails in front of a train before! Love all of it!

Another great video! Love seeing you chase 12Z & 11Z in your area because we also catch them in Scranton, PA! Very cool. Thanks for sharing & keep up the great work!

That was a great catch

You did good Rowan lucky you got snow all we got central Virginia was rain and lots of it! Merry Christmas!

The 'pick up goods' as it was called here in the u.k. Very interesting the ' shunting' of freight cars at Shenandoah. Loved it

thanks for sharing , I filmed 12Z the other day in Pennsylvania on the Lurgan Branch.

11:50 is truly a spectacular shot, with the head on of the Loco, and the flaring headlight and snow. Great respect for enduring the elements to shoot this. Greets from Florida!

11:30 they should install some stiff rubber snow plow/ squeegees in front of the wheels to remove the snow from the rail

@RailfanRowan

3 жыл бұрын

Aahhh could be good, they use them on Hi Rails

Always get a kick out of watching your videos. I use to love going railfanning before i had a wife and two girls. So you give me that thrill. Keep it up!

Thanks Rowan for this video of trains in the snow my favorite, so majestic. To add on what you said about why do they run trains in the snow. It is like when you have a job your employer expects you to do the job even in certain stressors and if you can not they find someone who can. Snow is not the only trouble for railroads it is also hills with rain and leaves it causes slip also.

This Was A Great Day. Every Time I Went There Either The Train Had Ran, Or It Ran Shortly After I Left.

@fishingwithben4038

3 жыл бұрын

Feel That

@PlaneBoy2520

3 жыл бұрын

Why is EVERY WORD CAPITALIZED AAAAAAA

@gusshadleythelunaticfromar7125

3 жыл бұрын

Bad habit, it started in elementary school.

Very nice video! The sweeping in front of 11Z was one of the most interesting things I’ve ever seen. That spot looks so cool in the winter! Keep up the good work!

@homagetogorto

3 жыл бұрын

Amazing, right? It’s like when you hear about leaves on the tracks stopping trains in the UK until someone explains that it’s very specific leaves with distinct physical properties that stops these trains.

Fun video. Like the way you include the viewer along on your adventure. Thanks for sharing! Well done!!

From UK, I used to follow railfan videos 10 years ago then stopped. I now accidentally came across this and was really impressed! Apart from the lack of sun and bad light! Thanks anyway, I have subscribed

The High Tech Broom :)

@RailfanRowan

3 жыл бұрын

Lol!!

That's beautiful ! Trains & Snow with high image quality, great locations and professional narration. Thanks!

Great video Rowan! Thanks for braving the elements to bring this video to us. Watching the conductor sweeping the snow off the track was very interesting to watch. This crew must have encountered similar situations before in order to know that the conductor had to get out and sweep the accumulated snow off the track. Thank you for sharing this video with us!

Winter railroading is the best.......Man, machine vs Mother nature!!! Great stuff I needed that in todays world!!! Thanks

MERRY CHRISTMAS ROWAN, thanks for uploading on Christmas. That engineer is quite the character, lol.

10:56 HURRY HARD, HURRY HARD!

Well done. Remined me of my days chasing trains in Chicago blizzards. snow always adds drama.

Your enthusiasm for what you are doing is refreshing. Thanks for the posting.

Man, I hate seeing that graffiti over all those cars. Those cars with the perishable food were beautiful, but some numb nuts decided to deface them.

@RICARDOGARCIA-wr9hx

3 жыл бұрын

I do too I'm a railfan and I work for hallcon for bnsf here in central washington I really dont like the tagging especially on motors.

@brucebillington8336

3 жыл бұрын

There's always some scumbags defacing other people's property 🙄

@ej236

3 жыл бұрын

I love graffiti. Hut I avtually ride the trains not just stand there watching em. All you dumb foamers suck haha

@grublet2093

3 жыл бұрын

Gone are the days of respect for someone else's property, it would be interesting to see the roads holding a graffiti contest, we all know the cars Wil get tagged so why not hold a contest and the allow the best to tag. Because some of it is truly amazing, and it takes a lot of skill to do...

@lindabingham394

3 жыл бұрын

they do it everywhere people who cant even spell try to do it people are retarded

I have Never seen the Conductor using a Broom to Sweep the Snow ❄️ off of the Rails. 🤔🧐🙄

@kbtr234

3 жыл бұрын

LOL I am not sure if that's legal as per the rules but it works!! No train optimizer or PTC can run a train as a skilled engineer and conductor !!!

@RailfanRowan

3 жыл бұрын

So true!

@conarc-d1037

3 жыл бұрын

I'm a conductor with CSX. It happens.

@michaelsmodelrailroading7665

3 жыл бұрын

I'm surprised that there even WAS a broom available for the task. And a decent one, at that!

@jamesnull5415

3 жыл бұрын

@@michaelsmodelrailroading7665 Post10 must’ve been in the neighborhood and lent him that broom.🇺🇸

I'm a conductor with CSX near Cleveland, Oh. Heading east towards NY you go rite through the snow belt. We actually have guys we call "snow patrol" that just drive around and make sure the main line switches aren't frozen or jammed with snow. It is really fun running on a double main at 60 MPH and pass another train. Its a complete whiteout until the trains have passed.

@RailfanRowan

3 жыл бұрын

That's got to be a cool sight!!

You're great. Thanks for venturing out in the weather and for educating some of us!

Merry Christmas Rowan while I’m watching this I’m playing with my new model train have a happy new year

“Early Christmas presents in my area”

Hey Railfan, I work for Siemens and I am the contract manager for Norfolk Southern crossing and wayside signal business. I’ve worked in the signal business for 45 years and go back to the old Safetran days. NS is our largest customer and I love watching your videos of the hard working Folks at NS. Thanks and keep’em coming.

13:43 everywhere you go take a look at the grand hotel🤣 ( I love this engines energy he’s hyped for Christmas )

So sick of all the graffiti !!!

4:56 i'm surprised they dont have automated switching devices....

@RailfanRowan

3 жыл бұрын

On most yards they're manual, but not on mainljnes

@tdswift4172

3 жыл бұрын

Did 12 have a spring switch coming out of the siding? Would love to have a set of the old signals for display at my former Rock Island yard in Fairfield Iowa. Some years ago I was in Va & that were loading them into gondola cars to be scrapped. No time . No transport to get them back to the midwest. Pity.

Thanks for braving the snow and cold. You do a good job at filming these trains. love seeing the guy sweep the tracks.

Merry Christmas Rowan. Thanks for a wonderful video. Particularly liked the snow. I was on the warmer side of that storm. Thanks also for explaining how the trains met. I’m learning every video.

I will always love the trains going chugging by. I am from Beautiful Vancouver B.C.and had 2 uncles who both worked on the Vancouver/Surrey B.C. CN TRAINS. I loved the trains when they travelled near our Langley 216th Street farm and this brings back many wonderful memories...love the noise and everything about them. Thanks for sharing your great videos here which I will continue to watch.

Great video, somthing majestic about trains in the winter with bad weather flying. I also love using my scanner listening to the train operators, I use mine when I take Amtrak and you can listen to everything. You are very dedicated and as I fight 2 forms of leukemia it has me homebound and pretty much bedridden most days but I too have a love for trains ever since I wasva kid and your videos make my day more comftorble and I cannot even begin to express how much I appriciate all that you do, THANK YOU and stay safe on the winter roads.

@RailfanRowan

3 жыл бұрын

Erik, I am praying over your body's condition, that it would be healed in Jesus' Name! I'm so glad I can bring a little bit of joy into your day!

Merry Christmas Rowan! We loved this one... you're more dedicated than we are getting out in the snow! Nice poem too!

In tears over the old signals!!!!!

Thanks Rowen... for getting out in the elements to bring this never stop work to our doorstep!

Great video Rowan. I just love trains in the snow. Pretty comical to see the conductor sweeping the tracks. Love your videos, keep them coming.

@RailfanRowan

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Lucien!!

Excellent video, thanks for dealing with the elements to film it. I do appreciate the narration - thanks.

Sweet!!! Thanks for the narrative. It was cool to learn / hear what was going on other than trains. Thank you!!!!

Oh my this brings back memories. I swept off both rails up a heavy grade on one occasion in front of coal loads, helluva lot easier than doubling the hill. We did not stall, lol brooms work better than rail cleaners and or sand. I forget to put down it was two miles of sweeeping.

@RailfanRowan

3 жыл бұрын

Good excercise!!! Makes the day go by tho!!

@sludge4125

3 жыл бұрын

@@RailfanRowan He’ll sleep better, too.

Thank you for all your great videos, Rowan! Merry Christmas!

First time watching one of your videos. Love the information you give helps to understand what is going on. Thank you.

Been subscribed to your channel for a few months. Love your videos and attention to detail. Thanks for all you do - love watching your videos.

Amazing video Rowan! I've always loved seeing and catching trains in snowstorms, something about the bad weather that just adds to the video! Those CPLs are awesome, it's great to see railroad history still in use! I know there's B&O CPLs still in use in Deshler, Ohio and along the Buffalo & Pittsburgh main between Bradford, PA and DuBois, PA, as well as PRR CPLs in West Brownsville, PA, but I've never seen or even knew about N&W CPLs!