Union Pacific's Overland Route: the Laramie Subdivision

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Union Pacific's Overland Route: the Laramie Subdivision

Рет қаралды 109,443

Күн бұрын

Welcome to the fourth segment in Union Pacific's Overland Route: America's Original Superhighway, by the Thornapple River Rail Series.
In this miniseries, part of our Superhighway specials, we're touring the entire Union Pacific portion of the first Transcontinental Railroad, long known as the Overland Route, nearly a thousand miles of railroad spanning from the Missouri River at Omaha, Nebraska to the Great Salt Lake at Ogden, Utah.
An incredible railroad, the original Transcontinental Railroad is today a superhighway of commerce, featuring dozens of freight trains of all types through the American heartland. From the lush framlands of the Midwest to the deserts of Wyoming and Utah, the railroad is as incredible and unique as any other.
In this fourth segment, covering the Laramie Subdivision, we begin in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the foot of Sherman Hill, and home of the UP Steam Heritage Program. We'll tour Sherman Hill, the legendary grade to the summit of the Laramie Range. We'll progress through Laramie, and out onto the high plains, filled with horses and cattle. We'll soon approach Rawlins, where the climate becomes exceedingly arid as the line reaches the Continental Divide.
If you missed the first three parts, be sure to check it out, plus continue onto the foinal segment, which cover the remainder of the line in a similar fashion from Rawlins to Ogden, Utah.
Locations featured in this video:
Cheyenne
Borie
Granite
Harriman
Dale
Tie Siding
Laramie
Medicine Bow
Hanna
Ft. Steele
Sinclair
LINKS:
Part 1: the Omaha & Columbus Subs: • Union Pacific's Overla...
Part 2: the Kearney Sub: • Union Pacific's Overla...
Part 3: the North Platte and Sidney Subs: • Union Pacific's Overla...
Part 4: the Laramie Sub: • Union Pacific's Overla...
Part 5: the Rawlins and Evanston Subs: • Union Pacific's Overla...
Thanks for watching! Don’t forget to share this video, like and subscribe to Thornapple River Rail Series!
Like TRRS on Facebook! / thornappleriverproduct...
Videography Equipment:
-Primary: Sony HDR-PJ790V HD Camcorder
-Edited with: Cyberlink PowerDirector 13
Maps created using Google Maps base imagery, with additional annotations.
Track diagrams based on ATCS territory files.
Elevations based on a Union Pacific Passenger Timetable from 1969.
Copyright 2017 Thornapple River Rail Series by Alex Christmas, All Rights Reserved

Пікірлер: 125

@shampoto8900 5 жыл бұрын

Trains are awesome. I'm glad that they were invented

@colinhunter8793 4 жыл бұрын

I live in Cheyenne and used to work at that quarry producing ballast. As employees we were responsible for operating the trains as they came in to the quarry. Often times it was the granite switcher, but once in a while we would get to run dash 9s, SD70s, and other main line units. It was an awesome job

@YardLimit 7 жыл бұрын

This is a great series and the installment of it was my favorite. The scenery of Wyoming is beautiful.

@tippitytwitchit 7 жыл бұрын

You should make a DVD series, these are great. You went through a lot of time and travel to get some really lovely footage, and the factoids scattered throughout are pretty fun. Consider going all out and making a fact-filled documentary version, you can really outdo NatGeo with this.

@ThornappleRiverRailSeries 7 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear I'm transforming the goal into reality! DVDs are tough these days because of online media. If I published a DVD version, then I really couldn't upload it to KZfaq as well, and there are tons of people reuploading DVDs and scalping creators. Way easier to continue on as a hobbyist, uploading these videos for free, for everyone, forever, supported by the advertisements through the KZfaq partnership program.

@zackjohnson7134 5 жыл бұрын

tippitytwitchit I agree 1000% 👍🏿

@denisetindall3313 4 жыл бұрын

I like train videos on KZfaq😀

@bobpeterson4930 6 жыл бұрын

Former UP certified freight conductor along this route (long pool - Cheyenne to Green River). Thanks for the memories kid!

@ThornappleRiverRailSeries 6 жыл бұрын

Hey, glad you enjoyed it! Must have been an interesting gig - great scenery out there. When did you retire?

@bobpeterson4930 6 жыл бұрын

I was only briefly employed - 2004-2006 - with UP. Yes, scenery was amazing and was indeed an interesting gig. I recently got hired by the BNSF and headed back to WY! Once the RR gets into your blood - look out!

@663rainmaker 4 жыл бұрын

Bob Peterson families! I am from Cheyenne Wyoming USA 🇺🇸! My friend and I used to play here in many of the spots.. work too! 4004 Big Boy was our Play Ground set !WhootWhoooot! Ol Sadie sits in Cheyenne Wyoming USA 🇺🇸 also! My Beloved Brother In Law “ Gold Spike Award “ and a place still in Gold Spike Museum Bailey Yard North Platte Nebraska USA 🇺🇸! William “ Bill” Riley Sr. taught many different Locomotive 🚂 Engineers to include Union Pacific Rail Roads Edwina Justice! WhoootWhooooot!! Home sweet Home Cheyenne Wyoming my birthday was there long ago? I am pre y2k a old dinosaur 🦕 from Wyoming!.. I used to clean up some of those messes? To include the Laramie Wyoming UPRR Creasote ponds ! Leaking into the Laramie river long ago!

@jmrod071955 3 жыл бұрын

I just enjoyed a couple of hours watching some of your videos. I am retired from the CN, Canadian National and i kind of miss this. Keep up the good work!

@JohnEGower 7 жыл бұрын

Great series of videos. So informative. I think they equal any shop bought dvd. In fact they are better than most.

@Mortu5 7 жыл бұрын

For sure!

@TrainLordJC 6 жыл бұрын

Greetings from Australia, excellent videos of the entire UP system, thoroughly interesting and informative and enjoyable.

@BritishRail60062 5 жыл бұрын

I like these kind of videos. Its like watching a train documentary.

@ThornappleRiverRailSeries 5 жыл бұрын

That is the goal! Glad you enjoyed

@AMNRailway 7 жыл бұрын

AWESOME! Excellent catches and places!

@iusetano 7 жыл бұрын

I'm still lovin' it. Fantastic series. Excellent video.

@dyrphotography 4 жыл бұрын

That was quite the Horn Blast around the 29th Minute,,, :) Great Videography and Narration!

@roccozecca9302 4 жыл бұрын

I grew up in Elsmere , Delaware with a B & O railroad backed to my house. On a clear night it was common to hear the sounds of the trains roaming around. I love trains!

@geomodelrailroader 7 жыл бұрын

Laramie Subdivision is so famous not only because Sherman Hill is here Cheyenne at the East End of the subdivision is home of Steam Shop Yard which is where UP keeps its famous steam locomotives.

@natejenkins8645 2 жыл бұрын

I’m loving this! Union Pacific has been my favorite railroad ever since I started learning about there steam locomotive history!

@maineman11 6 жыл бұрын

Very educational. Thanks.

@Rich206L 7 жыл бұрын

Marvelous!

@Mortu5 7 жыл бұрын

What a great video and exceptional series. I am really enjoying the entire series. Please keep posting more videos.

@railroadingrambler218 7 жыл бұрын

Excellent video, superb commentary & fine editing to boot! I just came back from Cheyenne, having attended Depot Days. Wish I viewed this video before my trip.

@kathryndahl4752 5 жыл бұрын

I love trains and watching them is awesome. Got more

@MrCowboy1492 7 жыл бұрын

Great series. I grew up one block north from the tracks just east of the cut in Rawlins, Wy. one block from Rawlins Spring, the namesake of Rawlins. 15 years we lived there. We had a lot of fun around the trains as kids...some legal and some dubious....we jumped the slow moving trains and road them 10 to 50 feet. One boy Christie M.fell off and lost his arm just above the elbow under the wheels. This was in the 1940's and '50. Oh the memories. My Uncle was a crash investigator living in Cheyenne. Uncle Bill....the accident you showed would have been what he investigated...

@ThornappleRiverRailSeries 7 жыл бұрын

Neat stories, I'm sure. Thanks for watching!

@gunnyu.s.m.c8606 5 жыл бұрын

the water tank is cool, if it could only talk lol, great video my compliments sir

@brianporter712 6 жыл бұрын

Again, well put together, informative, excellent shots and editing...Gold Jerry Gold!

@ThornappleRiverRailSeries 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Brian!

@toddfeldpausch9489 7 жыл бұрын

Great looking series!! Some truly wonderful looking videography - a really good mix of train shots and amazing scenery/climate shots. Kudos!

@ChaseaTrainIndiana 7 жыл бұрын

Excellent series!

@Rothnorthon1 7 жыл бұрын

I love UP domestic stack trains

@adamfrbs9259 4 жыл бұрын

Watched a few of these, quite like them. Lots of info, good scenic video. And other than the train squealing wheels n brakes seems to get my dog to chill out.

@ClydeHoadley 7 жыл бұрын

I've been to all of those towns and the Aims monument (it's hollow inside.). I had lunch in the old hotel in Medicine Bow after visiting the bone cabin.

@SkipW 6 жыл бұрын

Awesome series man!

@ThornappleRiverRailSeries 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

@JETZcorp 4 жыл бұрын

"... defies gravity by grinding uphill, behind today's modern diesel-electrics." Lol I just went through there in Train Sim with a 100-car intermodal behind a single 4-12-2 steamer. Really should have taken Track 3 though; we needed every ounce of power that old monster had to grind up the Main. It's really cool to see and recognize the real version of all these places!

@kennydee8296 5 жыл бұрын

Fabulous sound, good job 👍

@FloridaRailProductions 7 жыл бұрын

Love the narration, subbed. Keep the great vids comin!

@cq7415 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@mb_ Жыл бұрын

Good overview. wyoming is a beautiful state really. if it weren't for the harsh winters i think it would be much more populated.

@jeffreymcfadden9403 5 жыл бұрын

I was in Rawlins 10 years ago. A local I was talking to called Rollins. "Meth city USA".

@blairterry9435 7 жыл бұрын

Cheyenne was once the home base for the Big Boys and the Challengers.

@ericthered1140 3 жыл бұрын

I miss railroading. UP has furloughed a lot of us here in Proviso,IL because of COVID . Still miss it....

@Wikkus 6 жыл бұрын

Another great vid!

@dannyholt105 7 жыл бұрын

Great series! Just subbed to ya'!!! Thanks. Cheers, Dan

@ThornappleRiverRailSeries 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Dan! Hope you continue to enjoy!

@Robbi496 7 жыл бұрын

Railroading out here has changed plenty since i was here in Summer 1977? No more short stubby Geeps, just massive AC powered units (And some massive DC powered ones also)

@dannyhaley7610 7 жыл бұрын

love the video.that is some beautiful scenery.

@jimmhenry657 4 жыл бұрын

Nice catches and love the awesome scenery

@IsaiahVerseRailfanning 6 жыл бұрын

Uhhhhhhhhhhh (at 28:25 until infinity) the engineer must've had a REAL problem with the property owner on previous occasions. With that said, that's an awesome tour. I'm already considering doing some railfanning on this and the BNSF Trancon soon.

@johnstudd4245 5 жыл бұрын

Yes, really! I wonder what kind of bug crawled up that engineers arse.

@jovetj 5 жыл бұрын

I was guessing equipment malfunction!

@irvinklugh8858 4 жыл бұрын

LOVE IT

@conrail4129 5 жыл бұрын

Absolutely phenomenal footage. I will be out there visiting in a few weeks and will be checking some of these spots out.

@ThornappleRiverRailSeries 5 жыл бұрын

Enjoy. Highly recommend Granite in the evening!

@andrewcutts7416 5 жыл бұрын

Hi from the U.K. I've caught this segment out of sequence, and will look up Parts one to three. If this is anything to go by, they will be superb. I visited Cheyenne back in 1980 and '81 as part of a couple of railfanning trips.

@JTTheRailfan 7 жыл бұрын

great video. that's a cool line. I'd like to check it out sometime

@philliplee980 7 жыл бұрын

awesome video & catches. sweet EMD's & GE's nice.

@Tuppoo94 5 жыл бұрын

38:48 Now that's a LOOOOOOOONG train!

@jimesser477 4 жыл бұрын

The extra long horn blow around the 29 minute mark was to annoy you im sure. The railroads always freak out on me while im out railfanning.

@ThornappleRiverRailSeries 4 жыл бұрын

Nope there was a signal maintainer working on that crossing so I believe it was for them

@MrCowboy1492 7 жыл бұрын

A friend turned me onto HELL ON WHEELS! Great series...

@derekalexander4030 2 жыл бұрын

What an excellent video. Thank you for taking the time to produce and share this with us. Which video would be the continuation west from here?

@T1_Productions 3 жыл бұрын

I’ve only been to Cheyenne twice. I’ve been through Cheyenne about 10 or so times.

@zackbobby5550 5 жыл бұрын

Imagine being told you have to take your train really slow, because their signals are fucked and they can't guarantee that you won't slam into another train. That must be good to read on the paper work lmao.

@octavainosisneros3271 4 ай бұрын

This is educational however I need to point out at 30:25 into the video the commentator incorrectly identifies the mountains in the background as Colorado. That is Sheep Mountain in the foreground of the Snowy Range which is in Wyoming. When the video gets to 31:18 then you can begin to see Colorado's first snow capped mountain in the background over the mountains in the foreground.

@blairterry9435 7 жыл бұрын

At 4:00 that's a famous location that UP filmphotogiers shot of the Big Boys.

@ixiairisborne1695 7 жыл бұрын

The first time I saw this intro, I thought my video had frozen. XD

@brenthill3241 4 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately I couldn't see the one place I wanted. Ranchers should install some bleechers and sell tickets. Make a big annual rail fair with all that goes with it. Could attract a lot of people and their families.

@ThornappleRiverRailSeries 4 жыл бұрын

The ranchers used to be okay with people going to summit, but railfans kept on leaving gates open and littering, so the goodwill faded and now anybody who goes out there may get chased off.

@kennethhickman8119 5 жыл бұрын

Hey somebody on that train forgot to the horn at 6:15. I didnt hear it

@IVSC33682 2 жыл бұрын

You should definitely do the up Geneva sub

@throttlebottle5906 7 жыл бұрын

yikes at the wreck!

@blairterry9435 7 жыл бұрын

Man I didn't know a accident happened when you visited. That's a mess!

@SvenTSchixe Жыл бұрын

What the hell happened to the horn at 29:00 ???

@TONYJUD57 7 жыл бұрын

Hi, Great stuff, Could somebody explain Full Dynamic Braking to an Old School kind of guy. Cheers.

@mr_nice. 7 жыл бұрын

Humble explanation from a non expert rail fan, model railroader and train simmer. 6 axles=6 electric motors. Instead of supplying electric power to the motors to turn the axles, the reverse is taking place with dynamic braking. The motors are used as generators to supply electic power to big ass electric resistors. Powering those resistors has the effect of puting load on the motors, making it hard for the axles to actualy turn the rotors of the motors. It's the same thing as when you have your car going downhil with a gear engaged. It's the same thing as when you turn on your high beams and all the electric consumers on your car. The hunger for electricity puts an extra load to the generator (which is for decades now an alternator) therefore forcing the engine of your car to put out more mechanical work. More mechanical work is what we ask from the axles of the locomotive when we apply dynamic braking. The axles are used as the source of power, as the source of rotation. Also, the braking action on the wheels is supplemented by the fact that the gear of the axle has a big diameter and the gear of the motor has a smaller diameter. Try to turn a small diameter gear by rotating a big diameter gear coupled to it. It needs quite a bit of force. Also, the dynamic braking system on the locomotives has a range so there is "mild" dynamic braking, "medium" dynamic braking, "full" dynamic braking and so on. This is pretty self explanatory, the more dynamic braking, the bigger the force we put on the wheels, the greater the braking effect. The dynamic braking lever on the locomotive has 8 notches, just like the throttle lever to move the loco. Again, this is my humble explanation without being an expert. Any corrections are welcomed and encouraged. Good work on the video partner!

@ThornappleRiverRailSeries 7 жыл бұрын

You've pretty much got it, but I'll add that the 8 notches of dynamic brake are the same 8 as the throttle...they're the same lever. Whether or not that lever is dynamics or throttle is dependent on another lever which is either in throttle or dynamic. Add in the reverser, which is forward, reverse or neutral, and you've got locomotion 101.

@mr_nice. 7 жыл бұрын

now THAT....I didn't know. Thanks

@davecasler 7 жыл бұрын

How about some drone shots?

@ThornappleRiverRailSeries 7 жыл бұрын

This was shot before I met up with a drone pilot. More is coming!

@paulm.gilbert1096 5 жыл бұрын

I can understand why railroads don't want people trespassing, you have legalities to consider and the ultimate danger of death to people but why are the ranchers so hostile to rail fans. Have people been inconsiderate and disrespecting the owners property by not requesting permission to enter onto their land first?

@ThornappleRiverRailSeries 5 жыл бұрын

It used to be a fairly open place with the ranchers allowing people to use their land a bit so long as they left it like they found it. Then some started acting like it was their land, littering, being around all hours of the night, and the worst of all, leaving gates open - so then the ranchers had to go track their cattle down. So ended the lax era. UP got stricter as well.

@zackbobby5550 5 жыл бұрын

@@ThornappleRiverRailSeries Some bad apples ruined the whole bunch. Really sucks.

@gunnyu.s.m.c8606 5 жыл бұрын

how they have so much security on land to where you can't access? has has the railroad bought the land?

@brianrtaco 5 жыл бұрын

Exact dates you filmed?

@ThornappleRiverRailSeries 5 жыл бұрын

Early June, 2016

@dieseltrains2 2 жыл бұрын

🌷🌷🌷🌷❤❤❤Artist

@johnmoore8016 7 жыл бұрын

was this road bed man made or was this the contour of the land? (time stamp 10:10). beautiful scenery. Thanks for a very good video.

@ThornappleRiverRailSeries 7 жыл бұрын

Oh that was definitely man-made! Sherman presented an "easy" climb, but the original builders and those who have come sense have moved an incredible amount of earth to make the railroad happen! Lots of big cuts and fills...the Harriman line is pretty much in a cut or on a fill the entire way.

@capswin 7 жыл бұрын

Kinda new to the game here. Why do RRs care if you take pictures as long as you don't get in the way?

@ThornappleRiverRailSeries 7 жыл бұрын

That's the long and the short of it. Gotta stay off their property and respect their operations and people.

@chrisretusn 7 жыл бұрын

Train at around 28:45 sounded like it's horn was stuck.

@ThornappleRiverRailSeries 7 жыл бұрын

Indeed. Not sure if it was physically stuck or if the engineer/conductor were doing it because of my presence. That maintainer was actually complaining a lot about my presence, so it's possible that it was a message to me...though I was doing everything 100% legal. I think the maintainer was just becoming flustered with the problem with a very complex crossing setup there, requiring a drive between the interlocking bungalows and the signal shanty. The roadmaster was there just previous to this, and as they usually do, reminded me to keep it legal and keep a safe distance. I like to think it was just physically stuck for a time, and it ended right when I began to turn the camera, so where the fade is now. Long story, perhaps, for a short event, but I feel like it is worth recalling.

@chrisretusn 7 жыл бұрын

I was picturing the engineer, conductor trying to unstick it. 😅 Interesting perspective though. Seems like it is getting harder for rail fans to watch the rails. Enjoy your informative videos.

@tippitytwitchit 7 жыл бұрын

I can just see him, too.... "Dammit dammit dammit!" *mashes button vigorously*

@5thman677 7 жыл бұрын

Do the train crews or work crews give you much of a hassle? It would seem they should be ok with showing off their product and giving some publicity to the brand.

@csxguy3002 2 жыл бұрын

When they haul a long train steam locomotives do it by their self's but right now they need 2 or 3 types of diesel to pull a long train

@ThornappleRiverRailSeries 2 жыл бұрын

The most powerful steam engines such as the Big Boy - which used to run on Sherman unassisted - were capable of about 6000 horsepower. Most larger non-articulated engines were in the 2500-3500 horsepower range. Compare that to the standard 4000-4400 horsepower diesels today. So they’re actually fairly close. The biggest difference is that trains today are way heavier. The max gross on a single carload in the days of the Big Boy were only around 110 tons, whereas today it’s 143. Throw in length which is also more today and you have most trains weighing multiple times what the steam engines ever handled alone. A Big Boy could do 3600 tons solo up Wahsatch, most trains today going up the hill are somewhere closer to 6-12,000 tons. And that’s why 3-5 locomotives on those trains is routine.

@5thman677 7 жыл бұрын

Why do some trains like the BNSF have only 2-engines in front and 2 in the back? The UP seems to use 3-4 engines up front, 2 in the middle, and 2 at the end? Some even have 5+ engines up front.

@ThornappleRiverRailSeries 7 жыл бұрын

It is railroad preference. BNSF likes their 2x2 DPU configuration on coal trains...UP does as well. Coal trains generally don't get mid-train DPUs because it interferes with unloading at some facilities.

@tonyordaz3326 4 жыл бұрын

Are you gonna film the Union Pacific's Laramie Subdivision again. You should also film the Union Pacific's Salt Lake Sub and Provo Sub. I'm gonna do the Union Pacific Wyoming Division, Sidney Subdivision, Salt Lake Subdivision and Provo Subdivisions in 7 1/2 gauge at a house in Byers, CO so if you wanna come and film some video content for KZfaq channel you can.

@JimboMorris11 6 жыл бұрын

28:10 someone forgot to lock the gate......

@ThornappleRiverRailSeries 6 жыл бұрын

There was a maintainer present working on the crossing malfunction, hence the unlocked gate.

@MrCowboy1492 7 жыл бұрын

Only suggestion I have is...it is difficult to decipher what you are saying because of the noise of the trains...I wish you had subtitles.

@ThornappleRiverRailSeries 7 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately, I don't have time to produce subtitles. And, balancing the audio is difficult, as some need the narration louder, while others want the train sounds to rule. I try to strike a balance, hopefully you still enjoyed, however!