Union Pacific Double Diesels on Sherman Hill - DD35, DD35a, DDA40X Diesels 

Your career coincided with a great time on the Union pacific... lots of new power and lots of experiments. Thank you for sharing your experiences!

I like the dash 2 sd40s

you lived in almost a perfect time in railroad history! I wish I could have been born 30 years earlier! I would have got to see it evolve into what it is now....its a little boring, all the locos look almost the same, but still fun, these days tho, the only way you get to see any of the 1st or 2nd generation power, is if you live near a short line, lucky for me I live only about 14 miles from Fayetteville Ar. where the Arkansas & missouri runs, or privet line like tyson or cal-maine foods ..... that may have a 2 or 3 mile run between mills or something. I love catching something from the st. clair mine and mill in marble city oklahoma, that interchanges with the KCS. it uses an ex-santa fe, ex SOKL gp7, a prex gp 16 and I think, a prex sw12. on about a 4 mile line to the mill/mine. the gp7 handles most of the work, but an upswing in business, prompted the need for more power and better track conditions. I liked it so much that I am working on an ho scale version of the line from the inter change in town, to the end of the line. only, im using 2 cf7s, together or a lone sd7mu. I used google maps to get what you cant see on into the mill, because it is privet property. its just a cool little short line, bought from the KCS sometime in the distant past. funny, it kinda reminds me of how bad the MAW line used to be!....it was in similar shape.

arkie74 sounds interesting. I miss running the old girls, although I always saw those GP locomotives, I never really got to like them. Although, of the SD locomotives, I loved the SD-7/9. Loved the ride on the engines. My career started as a yard shunter in 1957, then a coupe years later I got to fall in love with the SD-9. Then, in 64, I got to try the double diesels, then I loved those, but still ran the SD locos. If you ever get a chance to run a train, take it. Back when I was around, it was a lot more lenient on the rules about how we could run, and I did get into a couple minor accidents. I remember having the locomotive behind me randomly jump the tracks, ending in a 24 car derailment in Montana in 74. It’s scary having that happen, and then going home to tell your wife and kids is really something. They ask a lot of questions, at least my kids did, so I got to take them with me on a couple occasions. It’s an amazing experience being in the cab of a locomotive with your boys, I had 2 and it did get kinda hectic a couple times but we worked it all out. I’d make them throw the switch, and I’d teach them so much. One of them, Michael, went on to work for the BN, and when it merged with the Santa Fe, he stayed for 2 more years and then retired. He’s now in his 60’s and acts as a volunteer around his city. I’m almost 90, sad to believe that in a few years I’ll be gone, and I won’t be able to tell my stories to my great great grandchildren. Thank you for the lovely comment, I’d love to come see but, unfortunately, I can’t because of health issues.

@@foxtrot7747 I hope you're now enjoying every night in bed without the phone ringing at some ungodly hour to call you to go to work on some drag out of the yard! lol

Thank you, and thank you for watching! -DeAnn

It definitely was. These things were incredibly loud, it's a sound that I will never forget.

You are most welcome! Thanks for watching!

Agreed on the interests... and thank you for the compliment!

One reason we have this channel to is to make sure history is not entirely lost... just showing these machines to a new audience is a success!

Thank you! DeAnn likes adding some additional info to our videos. :-)

I agree, early railroading overcame some huge challenges with much less power and technology.

We're posting videos again...and more are in the can! Thank you for watching! -DeAnn

Sam, I am not sure have a cab ride from start to finish... but, I will look in our extensive partner libraries.

Pretty sure TrainSim has that route if you're into that.

@@engineheadsd70 I wish I had more time... I would love to get into train simming (is that a word?). I think we have Tehachapi and Donner Pass too... It is fascinating to see these great routes in-person, with info (limited usually) from the crew or narrator.

Yes, they are fantastic machines. Glad the UP keeps one in running condition. 😀

Thank you so much! We have more coming!!

We have high horsepower locomotives today,. but these were ultra high horsepower for diesels back in the day!

Thanks for the note. I agree with you about the footage... and the splendid twin Centennials. And, about New Zealand's mountains and the power used to get over them! :-)

Thank you very much!! We try. :-) More videos coming very soon. Working on a couple of cab rides now. Including a cab ride in a big Centennial (DDA40X)!

@@Railfandepot A Centennial cab ride?? Dreams really can come true! 😁

Thank you for watching...and for the nice comment! :-) -DeAnn

We're talking rarified air there!! Very hard to find footage and even harder to find GOOD footage! Thanks for watching. -DeAnn

Yes, this is a classic video... well worth the watch time. :-)

Hello, We are a Pentrex dealer (over 2,500 railfan DVDs in stock: RailfanDepot.com) and have their permission to do these extended clips. The actual DVD is more than an hour, so they are hoping more exposure leads to sales of the whole video. So, if you like to see the entire show, buy it here: rfd.video/BattleSherman

If you like the GT, you might like our GT video! :-) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qRnbdgQT3fY.html

Oooooo cool 😀🚂🚃🚃🚃

We try, so I appreciate that very much! -DeAnn

@@Railfandepot I'm in Frisco in Burlington northern man myself but I love the Rock island

@@adamsmithhammons7546 That was a more colorful era... Frisco, Rock Island, CB&Q, C&EI... or one of our favorites, the Monon.

@@Railfandepot I'll say did you see where there was a man that painted to GP 38's Rock island's blue and white paint scheme it's like the Rock island all over again very beautiful gp38 s

@@Railfandepot what are the chances of them eventually letting 4014 pull an interior model

In May 4014 is scheduled to be in Utah for the 150 year golden spike celebration.

Arthur McHugh...... Even though the 4014 will be completed and running before this coming summer (FRA checks, power runs, and shakedown runs "should be" all completed by mid April at latest).... restoration of the 3985 will be in full swing, so you may be able to catch that at the shops - IF your there when the shop might be open for a tour.... and the 4014 "may" even be there as well. The 150th Anniversary of the Golden Spike is May 10th and will be held in Ogden, UT at the UP's Union Station there.... as the rail no longer runs to Promontory Point (the real site of the meeting point of the UP and CP on May 10th 1869). The goal all along was to have the 4014 fully restored, all FRA checks and certification finished in time to pull the train to Ogden for the festivities... along with the 844 in a doubleheader, and originally was to have been a Tripleheader with the 3985, had it not been for the discovered issues with the firebox and boiler, so - sadly the 3985 will not be part of the "parade".... but what a sight THAT would have been, with all three!!

Of course the Northeast Corridor has 90+ MPH running for passenger traffic. In days gone by, 80 was not unheard of for UP in the plains. -Tim

We have a show on the U50 coming up! :-)

Thank you for the kind words...and I like trains too! :-) -DeAnn

I agree. It is on our list. Thanks for watching! -DeAnn

Same

We do have more SD video. I am not sure we much more DD35 units on video. I'll look. DD35, both A and B units, are some of my favorites. Thanks for watching! -DeAnn

I'll be happy to defer to some more knowledgeable soul, but my understanding is that at the time UP wanted to assigned fewer locomotives to the long trains heading out over tough grades (Sherman Hill, Echo Canyon, etc). It might have been a crewing issue (just a guess on my part)... or it may have been because the Big Boys had been so successful using that same strategy. Whatever the reason, the flexibility of multiple-unit diesels won out in the end.

I guess that kind of makes sense; those older companies, at the time, would probably still be stuck in steam mindset of using a specific type of locomotive for each purpose.

None, even 2 SD40-2 s are more powerful!

@BC-MasterKush-QC not true. You have same HP and 8 vs 12 powered axles! Why are there slugs & road slugs? Example: 1 GP40-2 with 3000HP and 4 axles + 4 or 6 ( even +6+6) you have increased adhesion with additional powered axles with 3000hp so you can pull more. EMD have GP40-2 & SD40-2 , and SD is more powerful with 6 axles and identical prime mover V16 3000hp, so with 8 axles would be even more powerful and ..... SD70ACe 💪 is much more powerful than DD40, even BNSF ES44C4 have very high continuous tractive effort for A-1-A----A-1-A, but it can raise the central ax.thus increasing adhesion on 4 powered axles! Think or ask/debate someone about the issue.

It is truly a monster! And to think it used to be commonplace to see two of these (or more) heading up a train!! -DeAnn

@@Railfandepot They can produce 6600 horsepower and that's insane power!

This DVD is Region Free. It will play all over the world. We have a lot of customers in Australia! rfd.video/BattleSherman

Yep... That's a great idea. I think we have video we can share on that!!

There were only three made, all going to the UP out west, so actual video/film is rare. I am nto aware of any more in our video vault... but I could be wrong... I didn't know we had this little bit!

We have lot of 3985 footage, I am not sure if we have any from the Dallas trip.

Yep, You have to hand it to UP... they do put some real "preservation" in railroad preservation! - DeAnn

I'd love too...but, this is the only decent video sequence I ever recall seeing. I will keep my eye out for additional 855 video. Thanks! -Tim

I think we have some CSX in the pipeline! :-)

@@Railfandepot Oh okay then good I love CSX and Norfolk southern. I live in Baltimore md. Both of those line runs in my hometown. That why I ask do y'all have any CSX video I want to see it.

I'm happy one was saved by the UP... even if just a static display. They are monster machines! :-)

Railfan Depot they actually use it though, they pull trains with it

@@CoalChrome Thanks for that... I was unaware. I thought it was just on display, but, I guess now that you mention it, I do recall it being used for a special train not that long ago. Thanks!!

Railfan Depot yeah, the UP owns the 6936, and NS just repainted and probably overhauled the 6944 for a railroad museum

@@CoalChrome Yes, quite a few were saved (considering they only made 47) in some form or another... I am glad the UP kept theirs in operating condition!

Well, that is a good question... or questions. :-) Do you mean on RU-vid, or as a way to deliver DVD content (like Netfix does)? If we can do some streaming on YT we might do so, but as for the Netflix kind of streaming,m that depends on the producers and brands more than us little guys.

Yep... uphill can be hard work, downhill can be disastrous!

@@Railfandepot I've brought 45 ton down, cant even imagine 4500 T

While it is possible, the DDA40X was delivered in 1969 and the last Turbine was retired in 1970, I kinda doubt it. The Turbines were having mechanical issues at that time and the DDA40X was the new, shiny, pride of the fleet. I doubt they would have tied up together... but, hey... who knows!!

It would be GREAT to see her move freight. And, who knows, it could happen. 3985 famously headed up a stack train once. -Tim

@@Railfandepot I seen that and it was cool.Union Pacific could answer the age-old question now about the Allegheny and the big boy and prove once and for all the big boy is the most powerful steam locomotive in the world

Wow! Good idea. I'll have to see if we can dig up any film! That would be rare.

Just one, and it's a short one. Clips of these beasts are rare. Only three ever made, and they didn't last long.

Thanks for the subscribe! Those big engines are *very* interesting. -DeAnn

DD stands for d-d wheel arrangement not double diesel

You are correct on both counts! :-) We love our trains and our DeAnn.

I'll see what we have in the archives. Thank you! And thank you for watching! -DeAnn

@The Army Train there is ho scale gtels but they are like 500 dollars each.

@Minecraft Productions yes

We've got some... I will see what we can get on RU-vid. Make sure to subscribe so you see it when we release it on YT. :-)

@@Railfandepot OK.

We should be reproducing DD35As and C855s instead of the T1, and the U50

IRM has a DD40, and UP still uses one

Yep, it's is mentioned in the video... at first all the UP ordered were cabless "B" units. But, the UP was so impressed they ordered A units and then the DD40 series.

@@CoalChrome Yep they use it behind the 844 if i remember correctly to generate power for the coaches. I wonder if it'll get used behind 4014 as well. You have to hand it to UP. They ordered and rolled some of the most impressive locomotives ever to hit the rails. from the early diesels, GTEL's, Big Boys, Challengers, DD diesels, etc.

Shane Singleton I prefer the Y6s to the Big Boys personally, and (besides being slightly smaller) they’re actually more powerful by quite a lot. On the thing with the UPs Centennial, they pull executive trains with it, and use it for power (but mostly they use one of the E8s)

We have a video up now on the Challenger... we'll round up another one at some point. :-) We do have a lot of footage of 844 and when it was 8444. Watch for future videos... we'll certainly get to those beauties!

Okay thanks and you can also subscribe to my channel because I do very awesome train videos too

There's Nothing quite like, patting your own back... is there!?! ; )@@DylanRailVids04

That's a topic that might take many, many videos! AT least we have some video of SDs of all kinds running under UP colors that we can share... look for that to come up in a new video!

Very short story

This video has quite a few rarities! -Tim

Who doesn’t like big power and Double D sized...... trains

That is indeed a good suggestion! We have some 765 I will put on the list!! Thanks!

We can do that! :-) I know we have some steam on the Hill.

No need double headed for Big boy😎

I agree. The PRR was known to go for some high horsepower locomotives... I could see them going DD, at least when they had some money.

@@Railfandepot actually, Athearn made a model of a DDA40X with a standard GP35 cab amd called it the DD40. They made a PRR one, which i have so thats probably what they would look like