Dude

That is so awesome. Seeing it like that really helps me appreciate them more <3 They're one helluva engineering marvel, and enduring :o

They sure are engineering marvels, and enduring, too! These are first-generation diesels from the 1940's and 50's, and most of them are still going strong today!

These units are what made the SD40-2 EMD's most popular build of all time!

Out of all the railroads it was a battle between SP and BN for who could keep their SD9s working.

People who get to run this classic power are very lucky to do it and are a special bunch of people who had the once in a lifetime shot and took it.

I got to run an NW2 myself up in Marysville Washington.. Too bad I don't have the photos because they show me at the throttle.

What a thrill to be able to run this classic history!

Never forget what you did ok? Ain't no way you'll ever be able to do it on mainlines!

I know, it was an amazing experience. I wanted to go back and do it again, but they canceled the camp program there! That means (aside from special recommendation) that the only way to get back in the cab is to pay the $600 diesel rental fee.

NW2's are cool locos as well. I got to ride behind one of those shortly before the railroad that owned it went bankrupt.

The only reason I got the chance to run the NW2 locomotive in Marysville, Washington was because my dad happened to know the guy who ran the shortline and was the part owner of it.

So to make a long story short my dad asked him if I could run the locomotive for a few minutes.

He said yes and we all got into the locomotive which was stored in a roundhouse garage.

He brought it out of the garage obviously and then handed the controls over to me.

Under his strict supervision I got to run it.

I'll never forget how if felt to feel the thing running. I didn't go to the road crossing but I did go about I would say a half mile from the roundhouse before stopping and going backwards and forward.

It was a blast I'll never forget. I felt so powerful sitting in the hogger's seat. I knew there was no automobile on the road bigger then I was.

I even got a few pointers on how to stop correctly without creating the jerk forward feeling you get when you stop to fast.

I later found out why he was so passionate about it.

When you stop a train too fast it creates a nasty jerking motion which causes the classic bang sound you hear when a train is switching cars and stops too fast.

What you have to do is feather the throttle so you don't get the jerking motion at a stop.

Of course I was too interested in having my fun but now if I had gone on when I was this age I'd be feathering the throttle instead of dead stopping it.

The guy was actually really impressed by how I was able to get the locomotive up to the correct track speed of 15 mph which is notch one on the throttle as you know.

Notch 2 is twenty and I never got faster then fifteen.

Maybe I should provide you with the website if the railroad has one which will add legitimate proof that this is not just a story I'm telling to look cool.

It did happen.

The fact you were able to power one of these classic units is astounding but it is a real shame you can't do it again just like I know I can't ever go back to power the NW2 unless I get a job working for the shortline providing it still exists.

At the time the guy who ran the shortline was pretty old so I bet he's retired by now or might not even be alive for all I know.

What I do know is, I can never thank him enough for letting me get the chance to do a once in a lifetime thing like that.

Just like when you got to run the SD9 it's the same thing though I don't think there are many shortlines anywhere now that'll let you power a locomotive.

The WL&E (Wheeling and Lake Erie) is one of the few big shortlines I've seen which will let you in the cab of their locomotives on special days to get to at least blow the horn if nothing else.

If the opportunity ever comes up again I will jump on it if I'm not working for a railroad or at least a shortline.

Believe me when I tell you that crews don't let anybody get behind the throttle unless they trust you or have an instinct about you.

You can play all the train simulator games you want but until you get behind the real thing you'll think the people who play them are people who think they are real railfans.

Sorry, you're a real railfan just like I am because you've gotten to be there in the cab doing the real thing. No computer can ever prepare you for being there feeling all of that horsepower between your legs being controlled by one lever.

It is amazing to me just how much power you really have in just on hand.

Dare I say it can be better then sex sometimes because I promise you you will pop a woody if you are a real railfan

Thanks for that story, that's pretty cool. The only other locomotive I've actually controlled the throttle on is a certain GE 44-Tonner who will remain nameless. xD That was pretty cool also, though the little Cat D17000's powering it felt different than my usual 567 or 645. xD

Better than sex? Ha, maybe sometimes! It's an amazing feeling totally unlike any other.

Agreed!

As feeling it from the ground and cab...

It is a religious experience to say the least!

Or at least a good sex drive starter

Yes, that rumble that starts in your feet and travels up your spine...it gave me goosebumps every time I pushed the throttle

For me it put me in a deep focus to where the only thing I was feeling was the locomotive.

That's called railroader focus to where your body and senses become part of the locomotive. The only thing you care about is what you are doing and what's ahead of you in the tracks ahead.

I have this gene in me so I know in my heart I can put down the railfan in me for what really matters at that moment in the job I am expected to do.

When you can shut out what's wrong in a job and just focus on the job you know at some point you belong there.

I belong there so I'm doing all I can to get there at some point.

It's in my blood and I know it.

I want to be able to feel that, but I doubt I'll ever work for a Class I, moreso because of preference and policy, than likelihood. I'd enjoy running for a shortline or museum/tourist operation.

It's all about the individual and how much they really have inside of them to do it.

Railroading is not an easy field to get into let alone even attempt.

It's dangerous, the hours are long, the away time is long, and it is demanding.

But the thing is.. When you see a bunch of people waving and smiling at you as you go by them it's all worth it because you're living the dream they want but never had the drive to do.

I've wanted to do it since I was very young so what I've done is instead of taking the railfan's route I've taken the business route which is how you have to go in order to really understand railroading.

If you get the business and mix it in with the railfan on the side you'll get into a lot more doors if you prove to them you belong there instead of standing by the tracks waving at them.

I hear from several railroad employees that the companies don't like railfans, from a hiring standpoint. I never understood this. I figure I have a better chance of being employed by a museum or other small operation, as I don't have to deal with the stigma of hiding my hobby. Plus, there's less liability than if I were to be hauling a large unit train. xD On top of that, I get to work with what I know and love best--older equipment. I actually don't know much about operating the newer locomotives with computer controls. xD

This is the reason why railroads don't hire railfans because they see them as a flight risk once they realize the job is not what they thought it was,

Mark my words,,

This job is not as glamorous as you might think.

Sure some railroaders are railfans but guess how they got the job?

They didn't act like they knew it all and took a business approach to it.

I've talked with several of them who say the same thing.

No matter what job you get any railroad is going to want to know what you'll do for the business only.

Railroads don't give a crap if you happen to like their trains.. It's just a reality of any job unless it's a sport of some kind,

Railroads don't want to take the risk of getting a gong ho railfan to show off to all his friends..

Like you said hauling a mile long unit train is no joke,,

Railroads don't want to take the risk,, Trust me, I've spoken to lots of railroaders who say the reason they got the job was they took a business approach which in reality is what you should take anyway.

Railroads are picky for a reason because if they hire a bunch of railfans you know what'll happen? Yep, a lot more accidents and attention they don't need like unwanted guests on their trains or a bunch of people tresspassing on their property,

Some shortlines are like that too and really it is more of a safety thing then it is a sympathy.

Would I want to hire somebody just because they are a railfan? Hell no.. I want to hire somebody who has what I'm looking for.

Whether you get on with a class one or shortline that's the way it is.

Some people think just because they are railfans they can run a train,,

Umm sorry but I've been in the cab of one of these locomotives and can tell you it takes years to get good at it and it isn't as easy as it looks.

Sure, some railroads will let you get into the cab but that one is up to the crew so just imagine if all railroaders were railfans.

See what I mean?

I already know if I want a job with them the facts are with any railroad it's about the business and safety.

I know a lot of railfans are young kids who say I want to do this..

Trust me, try pulling a mile long train showing off to your friends..

I don't mean to sound harsh but it is the reality.

Believe me, crews know a railfan when they see them but they also know it's probably a good thing some railfans aren't in charge of trains.

I know I will always be a railfan but I also know I have a job to do and want to get home safely every night,

When you can go to work knowing work comes first, last, always before play,, You belong on a true railroad.

If you want to be a railfan, go on a tourist line because that's who they cater to.

Big difference here is length of trains and what is in charge of them.

Real railroading is not easy and honestly between you and me.. I think the last thing I'm going to be thinking about is being a railfan when I'm put in charge of a mile long train where it is my job to get everybody home in one piece including the train itself.

That's what makes a real railfan/railroader who knows their job when they are on it is priority one over anything railfan related.

Good advice, thanks. I hope I don't come across as one of the foamers who seem to know everything. Safety first, last, and always. That's one of the things they taught at RailCamp, always be fully aware of your surroundings!

been there but haven't done that. ever hear of a place called pioche? spent a lovely summer working for mineral exploration sub-contractor to kennicot, once upon a several decades ago. seems like there was a geologist at ruth (john vanderpool) who's brother (frank vanderpool) was roadmaster in colfax (california). where my father was telegrapher/towerman/clerk. (that was where i got to sing with the coyotes in the middle of the night, after filling the water truck from the creek for the drill rig, and see more stars in the sky then i'd ever imagined could be there)

i rode on an engine one time, with a road forman of engines who was another friend of my dad's. also many and many years ago.

That sounds so cool. Especially the coyotes, I've only ever heard them sing once, in Wyoming.

I clapped to this.

I see what you did there xD

And thanks :D

o.o And no problem!

There's a reason they're affectionately known as "Cadillacs."

And another SP telltale is the extra bit over the headlights, which used to support a Gyralight, as seen in this photo.

Supposedly they rode very smoothly compared to other locomotives of the day. And oh yes, the Gyralight! The controls were still in the cab! I sure wish the light was still there...

I like the old SD9s I like seeing one of the last ones of NS running through my town every once in a while.

That is lucky to see one on the NS

Well its realy CSX but the old SD9 runs with CSX SD60 and 70s on the S line.

It's not in CSX paint, is it?

No its Black with the white whiskers on its nose.

Ahhh

BNSF still uses a SD-9 in hump service as a remote unit in Seattle it was a former GN unit rebuilt by GN with a creeper control just for the Balmer hump

I heard about those BNSF SD9's. I'd love to see one in action one day.

thay are slowly fadeing away as parts for the 567's get harder to find i know a E-9 that the owner spent like 9,000$ just to get cyl. heads and thay where uesd and not rebuilt and he had to get them rebuilt on top of the the 9,000$

I know, it's rather sad. That's probably why this one has 645 power assemblies.

I though this unit was still painted in SP with all of her lights

No, but they do have a second SD9 on property that is still in SP colors, used for parts for this one.

I painted her tender :B

And then the shop foreman fell in my paint while it was still wet XDDD

*trades you all the steamers in the world for that Geep*

...oh, and gimme an SD50, too. xD

I loves them <3

I wish I could, the roads keep scrapping them before I can get to them

The LSRR WILL get a pair of SD50's...eventually. xD

Oh NICE xD

Nice cool picture. I love the colors.

Thank you very much!

Noproblem

I remember having a ride in the cab of Dsa 222 some years back.
http://www.maciulaitis.com/nzrollin.....l/dsa222_1.jpg

Very nice! Does that loco still operate?

This was about ten years ago but as far as I know yes.

Nice!

If you pointed the camera the other way, you'd have a picture of my house x.x

Really? x3

Yerp, I live like right next to this train station you went to :D It's mainly just a museum now, but it's still a pretty neat place. I'm actually related to the people who back in the day had set it up.

That's pretty wild. I'd call the Nevada Northern much more than a museum. The only thing missing is actual revenue freight! x3