Description
The ultimate railfan catch of 2026! Sit back, turn up your speakers, and enjoy almost a full hour of pure, unedited Baldwin RS-12 diesel locomotive sounds.
I caught the legendary Escanaba & Lake Superior Railroad (E&LS) #300 RS-12 active today, working shortline freight duties around Groos Yard, Escanaba, and the Wells area in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
For the audiophiles, this video highlights the raw, mechanical symphony of the 300's rare 8-cylinder De La Vergne 608A engine. You will hear the iconic, low-RPM irregular "Baldwin Chug," the sharp popping of the air compressor unloader valves, the intricate clicking of the mechanical valve train at idle, and the historic metallic whine of the turbocharger as the engine notches up to move heavy cuts of cars.
Built in 1953 for the Seaboard Air Line (as SAL #1474), this incredibly rare road switcher was rescued by the E&LS in 1980 from the defunct Michigan Northern. After a legendary, museum-quality rebuild in 1984 under the guidance of a retired Baldwin factory mechanic, it became the crown jewel of the railroad. Today, while many of the non-operational Baldwin "cadaver" parts units have sadly faced the scrap torch at the Wells shops, the new management has strictly protected and revived the 300, keeping it active as one of the last operational Baldwin locomotives handling commercial freight anywhere on earth.
If you enjoyed the historic sounds of this vintage machine, please LIKE, COMMENT with your favorite part, and SUBSCRIBE for more rare diesel action!
00:00 - Morning Chase on US-2 & CN Freight Manifest
03:08 - Catching E&LS 300 Baldwin Idling at Groos
04:12 - Switching Onto the CN Interchange & Crossing Horn
08:44 - Paper Mill Tracks & Railfan Safety Discussion
13:30 - Pure De La Vergne Engine Sounds & Pacing
16:40 - Loaded Scrap Gons from the Wells Line
20:40 - Working the Cut of Cars near the Crossing
24:50 - Surprise Horse & Buggy Encounter
26:25 - Radio Chatter & Mainline Shunting Moves
30:35 - Pulling Out Additional Scrap Gondolas
33:25 - Setting Out Cars at the Mill Yard
37:50 - Reversing Light Engine & Switching Moves
41:40 - Scenic Trestle Bridge View
44:55 - Crawling Toward the Escanaba Car Shop Line
48:05 - Crossing the Protected CN Diamond Gate
50:50 - Escanaba Car Shops Yard & Stored Equipment
53:45 - Track Maintenance Ballast Piles & Yard Switching
56:25 - Tucking E&LS 300 Into the Engine House & Outro
#Railfanning #BaldwinLocomotive #ELS300 #TrainSounds #EscanabaAndLakeSuperior #DeLaVergne #VintageDiesel #Trains2026 #UPRailroad #ShortlineFreight
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