fantastic video on you tube

You really should learn how to embed videos yourself. It's easy.

Here ya go...



This is nice, but there's too much Z-axis instability to suit me.

Cool....but you kinda gave away the surprise didn't you????

cool video.  I saw dual tracks in spots.  Does anyone know if BNSF plans to open up the tunnels for dual tracks? 

The Tehachapi Pass is owned by Union Pacific not BNSF.  UP inherited it from the purchase of the SP.

BNSF only has trackage rights, also inherited from the former ATSF's trackage rights granted by the SP.  Part of the original deal in granting trackage rights to ATSF was that ATSF was largely held responsible for maintaining the line.  But they did not and do not have any decision-making powers in upgrading the line to this extent.

I've heard environmental surveys were performed as part of a study to explore the possibility of double-tracking the pass, but as far as I know, nothing's ever come out of it.

Did I remove the surprise now?

That was pretty cool. But what I'd like to know is, how did they manage to fit a camera to a bumble bee, and then train it to follow the train? 

With police hassling rail fan photographers for being possible terrorists, you best beware, one day you maybe mistaken for one with a "drone".(No, not the bee type)

But that is one cool way to capture action on the rails! Thanks.

I hate bees

Now, bee nice trainbrain.

BNSF is unique in that it offers a "Citizens for Rail Security" program. By registering, one gets credentials in case you are questioned by the rail police or other law enforcement.

That is one long train. The video quality is great, considering it's has to be very  lightweight.

Nice find. Thanks!

quote:

You really should learn how to embed videos yourself. It's easy.

At one time wasn't there a sticky thread that explained to people how to embed videos? Maybe it should be brought back.

The video most likely was shot from a FPV (First Person View or video piloting) quadcopter.  This is a high tech hobby in its own.  I enjoy watching YouTube videos of all types of FPV vehicles from rc airplanes, quadcopters to off road rc cars. 

In one video a guy drove an rc off-road vehicle a mile cross country to his neighbors home, stopped in the back yard while neighbors were having a party and delivered a birthday card.  Anyway, explore this subject and you will be amazed on how cool it is to control a plane, copter or car out of sight from where you are.

TEX

Steve

My guess is that the video was taken using a Parrot AR Drone quadricopter, which is a nice RC model available at your local airport branch of Brookstone. At least the bee-hum sounds just like that model, and it ran out of battery power just at the point where these things are rated to run out of juice. It can be controlled from an iPad or iPod - whoops, is that a sore point for some people??

I was wrong; the videomaker/pilot says in the YouTube comments:

"Ya, everyone wanted me to land on the train.

The quad is a "Whaka H-Virus Battle Quad". The frame is made from square PVC pipe and coroplast, and only weighs about 150gr before gear. Super durable."

Thank You.

So, what's the correct way to pronounce Tehachapi?  I grew up reading about it in Trains magazine, but I've never dared speak it in public for fear of getting it wrong.

It is pronounced tuh-HATCH-uh-pee.

Wow very nice

Alex

Oooh! "H-Virus Battle Quad Drone." Great name. A very mean flying machine. 

Very cool!!! I think he should have flew/flown (take your pick) it next to the engineer's window. Now that would be a surprise.  LOL

Rick

FWIW my best guess would have been teh-HATCH-uh-pee.

Oh lord

Although Rich is correct, it's not uncommon to hear people pronounce it both ways.

I have an aunt who lives in Tehachapi and they say it both ways sometimes.

The Tehachapi Loop route is the busiest single track in US. it is owned by UP, but most of the traffic is BNSF. BNSF has a multi year program of improvements mostly to lengthen sidings  I think 2013 is the first year.  Some of this is funded with state money. I have wondered how this arrangement is worked out between the two railroads.  Does BNSF retain ownership of their improvements or do they get credit for it from UP?  It is an interesting place, but there is far better access and more trains in Cajon Pass. 

I doubt that BNSF has any ownership rights in regards to improvements they do to the line including expanding sidings.  That would fall under regular track maintenance and upkeep, and as indicated previously, the SP granted ATSF trackage rights with one of the primary conditions being that ATSF was responsible for keeping that line maintained, and that original agreement was grandfathered in with the respective mergers that occurred with both roads.

Nice video. I need one of those for my layout. (LOL)

very nice, thanks for sharing. I did not realize there is another tunnel past the loop.

Rich is right. These video are nice but you could never use them professionally without a gyro. Some day someone hopefully will make a inexpensive gyro for a GoPro. Then watch out. You will see some amazing stuff. Don

Take a look at this  http://youtu.be/sAf47RAjq9E

It's called civility.