Best Train/Drone Video EVER

Sorry, Jim, but I couldn’t watch that for more than a few seconds, and that was on the small screen of an iPad. I cannot imagine how it would look on a big screen! It would yank my eyeballs out of their sockets. Far too much fast and frantic movement of the camera.

Normally, I am the last guy to rain on anyone's parade, but the drone operator has probably crossed the line for what is legal and responsible behavior operating the drone in such close proximity to the train.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed seeing the video of the train, I just think operation from a safer distance is prudent.  I think real railroaders would agree.

Chris Sheldon

Posted last Fall.....IIRC it ended up deleted or locked as it went down in a fight....

I will say that is some of the finest drone piloting i have seen to date.

But look at how annoyed the engineer is at 1:00, probably freaked him out a little....

And like i posted before, i still say that it would be a good idea for railroad cops to use these to patrol large trainyards at night outfitted with night vision cams.

All BS aside this guy is the best drone pilot I've seen.  His skills are over the top.  Thanks for posting.

Notice one of the crew slides his window shut. They seem annoyed by it. I'd hate to see them miss a signal because they were distracted by a drone.

I agree with Rich, not my style of filming. These are stunts only. This is the thing that gets good drone flyers restricted where they can fly.  Look at the train crew, they can't do their job with that thing flying around them. For me give me a great smooth shot.. This is our home. It's my idea of good drone footage. Don

Nice video. did cross the line of some bad behavior. Thanks for sharing

Posted before - Awesome 

Can anyone pinpoint the stretch of track where this was filmed? I think this video or one filmed at the same location has been posted/linked here before.

I wondered whether the video playback has been speeded up through most of the footage. Can’t really tell from the speed of the train or highway traffic in the background.

Entertaining - or at least interesting? Yeah, but . . .

Too frantic for me as well.

Re: Maui - Don, yours is simply beautiful!  Looks great on my iMac 27 w/the 5K Retina screen too!

How's the layout coming along? Hope we see some video of it soon...

The main rules concerning drone flights are:

1) Operator must always maintain visual line of sight of the drone.

2) Cannot fly higher than 400 feet above the ground/building.

3) Cannot fly over any person not under a protective cover except under specific conditions (person must know).

4) At least 3 miles visibility.

5) Maximum speed 100 mph.

6) No careless or reckless operations.

There are several other rules, and states can add to them. 

Now go back and look at those videos again and see how many rules were broken.  If these are old videos, they may have been done before the rules were established.

Not my cup of tea!

Ray

Impressive flight skills, less impressive videography :-) I'd say the pilot is a drone enthusiast, not a train enthusiast.

Agreed with some of the comments above as well regarding somewhat crossing the line in regards to railroad property. 

@Penn-Pacific - last time I was at BNSF HQ in Ft. Worth, the IT engineer with whom I worked (who is a drone pilot) was telling me about how their MOW staff are using drones to observe, diagnose and maintain stretches of track, particularly in remote areas.  I believe the drones are piloted (not fully automated yet) but there was mention of eventually implementing partial or full autonomy in their flight and diagnostics - pretty cool stuff! I believe he also mentioned BNSF also testing the drones for train monitoring as well - would save the conductor having to walk 1+ miles of train

Did not like this video, think the close proximity is totally wrong. Good example to grandkids of what NOT to do.

mattrain posted:

@Penn-Pacific - last time I was at BNSF HQ in Ft. Worth, the IT engineer with whom I worked (who is a drone pilot) was telling me about how their MOW staff are using drones to observe, diagnose and maintain stretches of track, particularly in remote areas.  I believe the drones are piloted (not fully automated yet) but there was mention of eventually implementing partial or full autonomy in their flight and diagnostics - pretty cool stuff! I believe he also mentioned BNSF also testing the drones for train monitoring as well - would save the conductor having to walk 1+ miles of train

Now, thats good to hear,  forward thinking on the railroads part to use modern tech like drones to enhance efficiency of railroad operations. Pretty cool stuff indeed!

Penn-Pacific posted:

mattrain posted:

@Penn-Pacific - last time I was at BNSF HQ in Ft. Worth, the IT engineer with whom I worked (who is a drone pilot) was telling me about how their MOW staff are using drones to observe, diagnose and maintain stretches of track, particularly in remote areas.  I believe the drones are piloted (not fully automated yet) but there was mention of eventually implementing partial or full autonomy in their flight and diagnostics - pretty cool stuff! I believe he also mentioned BNSF also testing the drones for train monitoring as well - would save the conductor having to walk 1+ miles of train

Now, thats good to hear,  forward thinking on the railroads part to use modern tech like drones to enhance efficiency of railroad operations. Pretty cool stuff indeed!

Go to the Union Pacific website, and look at the opening page. They have a nice section, with video, showing their use of autonomous drones in their operations.

Not impressed. Rather, this irresponsible action is akin to the drone operators that attempt to fly near aircraft. It appears @ the 1:40 mark he lands on the moving train.  Would not be surprised if UP filed trespass, harassment or risking a catastrophe charge against the drone operator.  

If this type of irresponsible behavior would continue how long would it take for the RR to deploy countermeasures? (Sarcasm) Those postwar Lionel radar & misille cars could be prototypes. At a low end of the budget, conductors might require skeet/trap skills. 

Thanks for posting Jim. I saw it before, an amazing pilot.But then I'm one to those that likes flying close to the ground. Makes me wonder if I was onboard that aircraft could I pilot it that severe, I think not.

SF Jim,

Way cool stuff, but Rich is right, you better have done some actual flying if you want to watch that video clear to the end.\

PCRR/Dave

Having read the above description of the drone video, I will not be viewing it.  I stumble across enough videos of dangerous activity on or around railroads that unless it pertains to educating fellow forum members rather than entertaining us they should be removed. Rich, What do you think?

Humbly submitted,

Earl  Trygar  

KILLER VID!

Stupid and dangerous.