My dad was an NP employee until the 1970 merger, but passed away several months later. Family had railroad pass which enabled free passage on NCL once a year. Last took the train from Seattle to St. Paul with mom and sis in December, 1970. North Coast Hiawatha was a shadow of the grandeur of original NCL (which began running in 1900) but Amtrak should have retained it, even if only 4 days a week. Politics in railroading and politics always wins. This is history that will never be repeated on this line. Thanks.
Nicely done video! I used to work at the Livingston Rebuild Center in the 90's, which facility has been closed for many years now. Sadly, the entire facility is likely to be closed up by the new business model. Rebuilding loco's there was probably one of the favorite jobs I ever had! It is a real kick in the pants to work the electrical problems and put the unit through it's paces!
That Warren McGee picture of the 3 steam locomotives is a beauty, it's like he had a drone 70 years before there were drones ... Obviously there is some high ground there. standing on a hill beside a cut. Great picture.
Thanks, Robert! There are so many good stories in regard to the Northern Pacific and its 100-year history. Yes, that is rattler country. You don't find them in the higher altitudes but lots of them at lower altitudes, in the brush and especially in the spring when they first come out. I remember getting surrounded by them when a few friends and I went to inspect an old car body near the Madison River. One of the guys was able to get back to his truck, get a rifle and shoot our way out. That was nearly 50 years ago and I still think about it. Stay tuned...
Hi Robert, Thanks for dropping by. I would think that the baggage car would be a difficult job given the constant bumps and noise, as well as much of the run being at night and during some cold northern winters. On the other hand, you probably didn't have a lot to do between stops. That was a run of about 750 miles, one way. What made it such a great job? Also, Forsyth is a very small town compared to Billings, which isn't much further west. Why did they change out there? It would have been a kick to have made that trip.
I so enjoyed watching this and have bookmarked it so I can go back to it. I thought that looked like "rattler" country so was interested in what that former conductor had to say. Interesting about your grandmother's boarding house, too.
I boarded the North coast Ltd in prairie Du chien, Wisconsin en route to nozeman, MT to get .away from the searing heat wave in the midwest and join my parents who regulaarly summered in the Bozeman area to fish snd camp and get away from Iowa's heat
Really appreciate your effort into this series. I followed the entire Montana portion of my way up to Montana for my ongoing internship.
Thanks very interesting stuff
My dad was an NP employee until the 1970 merger, but passed away several months later. Family had railroad pass which enabled free passage on NCL once a year. Last took the train from Seattle to St. Paul with mom and sis in December, 1970. North Coast Hiawatha was a shadow of the grandeur of original NCL (which began running in 1900) but Amtrak should have retained it, even if only 4 days a week. Politics in railroading and politics always wins. This is history that will never be repeated on this line. Thanks.
Nicely done video! I used to work at the Livingston Rebuild Center in the 90's, which facility has been closed for many years now. Sadly, the entire facility is likely to be closed up by the new business model. Rebuilding loco's there was probably one of the favorite jobs I ever had! It is a real kick in the pants to work the electrical problems and put the unit through it's paces!
That Warren McGee picture of the 3 steam locomotives is a beauty, it's like he had a drone 70 years before there were drones ... Obviously there is some high ground there. standing on a hill beside a cut. Great picture.
Thanks, Robert! There are so many good stories in regard to the Northern Pacific and its 100-year history. Yes, that is rattler country. You don't find them in the higher altitudes but lots of them at lower altitudes, in the brush and especially in the spring when they first come out. I remember getting surrounded by them when a few friends and I went to inspect an old car body near the Madison River. One of the guys was able to get back to his truck, get a rifle and shoot our way out. That was nearly 50 years ago and I still think about it. Stay tuned...
Worked 25 and 26 from St. Paul Forsyth Mt on the baggage car beast job ever
Hi Robert, Thanks for dropping by. I would think that the baggage car would be a difficult job given the constant bumps and noise, as well as much of the run being at night and during some cold northern winters. On the other hand, you probably didn't have a lot to do between stops. That was a run of about 750 miles, one way. What made it such a great job? Also, Forsyth is a very small town compared to Billings, which isn't much further west. Why did they change out there? It would have been a kick to have made that trip.
I so enjoyed watching this and have bookmarked it so I can go back to it. I thought that looked like "rattler" country so was interested in what that former conductor had to say. Interesting about your grandmother's boarding house, too.
I boarded the North coast Ltd in prairie Du chien, Wisconsin en route to nozeman, MT to get .away from the searing heat wave in the midwest and join my parents who regulaarly summered in the Bozeman area to fish snd camp and get away from Iowa's heat
Ummmm...I think your date passed out on you haha Awesome videos!
Its a New Haven caboose. How it got there I don't know.
Thats most likely A Butte Anaconda & Pacific caboose
Also the lady behind you has apparently passed out. Trains are not her thing, perhaps:)
I see that. I am now trying to drink in finer establishments.
What's with the person passed out on the bar behind you?
She's dead, Jim.
Is that your travel partner lol. ?