Running A Classic ALCO S-2 Locomotive

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[danielfantino]

Wow that S2 looks well maintained. Great shape.
First S2 production had horizontal radiator shutters. Thanks for that joy ride.

[jrcrawford]

Love ALCos, love shortlines, love weird industrial track, love motley painted Geeps, love rail history. This is one of the most perfect videos on YouTube.

[PowerTrain]

U sing goats as lawnmowers brings a whole new definition to "Yard Goats"!
Also, what a neat mechanism for the throttle. Looks like it was extended to allow the engineer to not have to lean or reach forward so much. I always love in-house modifications like that.
Interesting that 23 still has journal boxes which I would assume still house plain bearings rather than roller bearings. I guess since it's low speed switching operations they decided it was unnecessary.
Another great video! Thanks for sharing the history of such a neat little operation. Looks like a modeler's heaven!

[GUSTAVTIME]

I love how they make those videos with those shots from different perspectives showing the whole railway environment. They do Great Job, Delay In Block™ Productions a reference channel for me

[TheWinnipegRailfan]

It’s always nice seeing these classic ALCo (or MLW) workhorses still on the job !

[craytum]

Great post. The old Alcos are just beasts and indeed a joint achievement between them and owner for upgraded durability and longevity. The newer diesels are great and so too are the old work horses . Thank you.

[wendellellison]

As usual, great vid! Loved the shot of the St. Louis Southwestern Railway (Cotton Belt) at 21:36. My grandfather worked for the Cotton Belt down in Pine Bluff, AR.

[thomasmackowiak]

Drayton, thank you for reloading this video with corrections. I heard in your narration that you brought us up to 2019 with information on the status of engine #23 as of that year. There were probably some other corrections or additional information that you added to the reload that I did not pick up on. I know that you want your narrations to be as accurate as possible so that 10 years from now(2032) soneone viewing this video will have the most current information available about the San Francisco Belt Railroad. I just loved seeing that ALCO S-2 doing its work.

[daniel_the_railfan]

That sp and cotton belt loco is amazing

[williamtaylor]

I was tickled to see 2 Cotton Belt engines in the video. I live near the old Cotton Belt tracks in East Texas and my dad was a conductor on the line.

[rodericgray]

I hired out with the Union Pacific in April '69 in Los Angeles. The Santa Fe, whose yard was across Washington Blvd from our yard, was using nothing but Alcos to switch their yard; S2s, S4s, and a few HH1000s. I remember at least once as a yard clerk when their transfer came over, using 2 S2s or S4s or a combination of both, I caught a ride because I was going in their direction. I was still vibrating when I got off.

[moosecourt]

This is great. I recently took a keen interest in this and even traced the tracks on Google maps...but could only find a couple of short videos. I can't believe my luck with you uploading this now

[HTPJohn]

Love that view at 7:16 hearing the diesel churn.

[rodrigoalvesdepaula]

During 1940's, Brazilian railroad Central do Brasil used ALCo S1 (S2's sister) to haul heavy ore trains in long trips across mountains... with very good results!

[mab]

The narration, the camera work, everything! Love it!!!

[marknolan]

What a cool & interesting video. I felt like I was along for the ride.

[RailsOfTheMidwest]

I dont know what it is about little branch tracks on piers in California that is so fascinating to me. Watching trains switch on them is so cool.

[brianhickey]

Classic ALCo and street running - what an excellent video!!

[jeffvandenberg]

Love this. Thanks for sharing. Brings back many fond childhood memories.

[danielhoward]

Great video, especially the views from the cab. I was born/raised in San Francisco but left 40 years ago. There was definitely, more rail activity back then. Great history about the beginning of the State Belt (and why) as well as more modern times. Thanks for captioning the street names too,