William Thank you so much, my goal is to keep it real, to succeed, and to take this journey with people that wouldn't have the chance to do this on their own. Brian
@@eastterminalrailway5975 Brian I am glad you are thanking us at your RR "nation" .... We are here and along for the ride. Many of us have worked or wayched the transportation or logistics industry in some form for a # of years. We are happy to share advise, and offer leads which could lead to success.
Push liability away whenever possible. I think you can safely put dunnage on the flatbeds before you load them. But, load securement should be 100% on the trucker. They should furnish and install whatever it is they're going to use to tie down the loads. Yes, their ultimately responsible. But, you don't even want to be partly responsible. You can start renting an excavator or whatever you decide you need while you are getting started. It gives you flexibility while you are ramping up. Maybe you discover you need a bigger one or more than one. You can buy equipment with plenty of value left in them at the auction. But, if you have an equipment failure, nobody wants to hear that you're going to be down for a week while you diagnose the problem and wait for parts. "Hello rental company? Your excavator is blowing white smoke. Bring me another one!" If you want to use your own fleet you're going to need to have extra equipment on hot standby. Remember that nobody cares that "you tried" since you were in high school.
Preloading flatbed like that will definitely present an issue. Slinky coils are dangerous anyway you handle them. They 100% can't be moved in anyway until secured but as a trucker myself I do not like anyone securing my loads besides me. I want to do it myself so I know it's done correctly with reliable straps or chains. Usually whe we load that type of coil we have to assist the loading crew to get the on the trailer properly.
I second that on rental. With this being a RUclips channel it could potentially be an opportunity for them to provide one for free advertising or at a discounted rate. That’s what everyone is doing now on these channels, so everyone can see a real world person using it vs some actor or athlete that doesn’t know the difference between a track loader and a wheel loader.
I believe the driver is always responsible for making sure his load is properly secured. The DOT doesn't care if someone else loaded it--the driver is the one pulling it down the road. Same way the DOT doesn't care if your dispatcher won't give you time to repair a defect--you are driving it, so you are responsible for it. End of story.
Taking on the role of salesman is key. Without sales nothing else matters and with sales you can get banks and/or investors interested in helping you expand and diversify. Great video...
Thanks for the Roast beef sandwich really hits the spot. As for the magnet you may want to check with the customer if that is acceptable as the steel may become magnetized also with the product not being a flat surface it may not work out. I would lean more towards the excavator with a specialty attachment similar to a clamshell but use 2 large rods that would come in from each side of the coil. As for a Gantry crane that is an expensive setup and limits your work area. Plus you would have a lot more options to use the excavator for other projects.
I'm not sure using the magnet will be the best solution, but I assume you will try it out to see for yourself. I would strongly recommend adding extra weight inside the coils for your test. Maybe an extra 1000 pounds or so. You need a factor of safety to make sure the magnet can reliably lift a coil each and every time. If it works without any extra weight, you won't know how close you are to it dropping the coil, which is what you want to avoid at all costs. If it works with the extra weight, then you can feel a bit better about the magnet's ability to consistently hold onto a coil during routine use. Love the channel! Been with you since the start. I wish you all the success in the world!
You are doing great things and you have always kept your channel family friendly and I always come to watch and learn new things and sometimes get a little laugh. Don’t give up or lose heart it can get tough and hard but there’s always a beautiful sky after a storm. Prayers from my family to yours and your dream.
I am glad that I was able to catch this edition of E.T.R. I would say to go ahead and get the bigger lift. Take two pieces of rectangular steel tubing that are the length of the forks and weld them together. Get a double walled steel pipe that is twice the length of the forks and weld it onto the middle of the rectangular tubing. Weld a half moon cap on the end of the pipe. Now you can pick the coils up from the center and put them right on the trucks. You can slide that attachment off to use the forks. Charter Steel in Sackville, WI. uses this method all the time. Please let me know what you think 🤔!
Brian: This is an exciting idea, but questions come to mind: 1) Will the coils become magnetized if they are lifted by a magnet? Will that matter to the end-user of the coils? 2) Will a tracked vehicle running all over the property soon have the ground a mess? Wet weather on top of that at times? Semi-trailers turning (plowing) around on their own radius? You've already got some very wet areas on the place. Paving isn't cheap...........
I think a rented tracked as you seem to be gravitating towards is your best option, especially as a start up. You don't want tie up a ton of capital in gantry crane that will be inflexible and a maintenance headache. Plus last time I checked winter still comes around once a year and a device like that seems like a liability in the snow and ice. Also what happens when you have to change gears to service new customers and products? You have a big investment that is unmoving. Flexibility and low down time are key, especially if you're planning loading 5 to 8 trailers a day. Best of luck from another small family business!
After being around a tank area construction operation, I have seen the most flexibility with a traveling (on rails) an overhead crane, with an magnet. This unit had horizontal as well as lateral movement across the loading/unloading rails. The span would allow for several flatbed trailers side by side and end to end. One man operation. Good luck.
Excellent beginning love how you call out the complainers You want Trains? Go to these three Which are excellent suggestions. Plus the guy in the UP Overhead is great, but yes must be fixed in place. Too limiting. Can’t wait to see if the magnet works. Congrats on staying positive and engaged in your mission. We are all pulling for you..
During my working years, I always worked for other people, but now that I am retired, I am starting my own business. I am doing things backwards--or maybe forwards. My retirement years are my wealth-building years. I was given some great advice. My mentor told me that most people do things backwards. He said, people make a big mistake by working on the product, then advertising and then shipping, and then when they get a huge number of orders, they can't ship them. The idea is to have the shipping department set up first, then the production and then the advertising. I watch your videos to learn about shipping my products so I can expand. I had to chuckle when I watched this video. You were worried about not having enough business and now you are going to be putting in long days. You can handle the glitches as they come, and you are providing a living for your family and a service to your community. You got it right.
I don't know anything about industrial material handling, but I find myself thinking that the big magnet is the way to go. Best wishes for a good outcome, whatever you decide to do.
Always go with over-kill equipment. It's much safer and easier on maintenance costs in the long run. Over-kill equipment will future-proof increased demand for tonnage requirements as you grow.
Overall, I think that the 🔑 word in the equation is "kill".... If you don't invest in a piece of equipment that has the capability/capacity "someone might be killed"....(i.e. there might be an accident)
I'd say fixed gantry, bolted to a concrete foundation, spanning one track and a road trailer parking spot. Move the cars with the 2021 back and forth, pick the loads with either a magnet (for coils) or some sort of beam (for the long ones), drop them in the trailer - done. I think it's the sturdiest solution, minimum risk for people and, if you ever want to relocate it, you only "lose" the concrete foundation. Go ETR! 🙂🙂
magnetic fields are like circuits, you want to conduct that field to where you need it. Since coils are cylinder shaped, you will probably want two pieces of steel spreading the field out along the coil, which are more form fitting around the top of the coil. Make sure you don't "short" the field by having steel between the two pieces, you want the magnetic field to go from one pole of the magnet, to the first spreader bar, through the coil, through the second spreader bar, and back into the other pole of the magnet. That should greatly increase the strength of the magnet on coils
Good to see you back again. Arbys was a good location for showing off White Castles! Id like to see the 2021 in White Castle colors! Love watching where you are heading. Keep the videos coming.
I was going to suggest that overhead crane from a building but someone beat me to it. The nice thing about that is it is supported on both ends, much more stable. Whatever way you go I would suggest getting some form of pad or pavement down for the crane/loader to be on. Having a smooth level surface will really help with speed and safety, not to mention avoiding the mud when it rains.
I would say a material handler would be the best way to go. this way it gives you the ability to move around the yard and then leaves you options for loading/unloading other materials with different attachments on the end of the boom. It will also give you good visibility over what your doing since the cab sits high up and some can even raise up higher once your in it. Then it makes things a little bit safer and can keep others out of the danger zones.
Great prospects! I'd at least get a design and a quote for a gantry bridging two tracks and the truckway. Get the planning permissions in, too. Then, if this works, you can increase capacity quickly. Good luck!
Brian, you are on the right track my old friend. Their replacing the Cape Cod canal bridges and need a lot of steel. Both new spans are 9 lanes each. 3 lanes both direction. With the right lane as an off ramp and on ramp. The two middle lanes go straight through. The project is expected to be completed by 2026. When they carefully cut up the two excising bridges they can not implode them, because it would block the canal. So, all the old scrap steel and other materials are being shipped out by rail. If memory serves me right those electric magnets are used my scrap yards with a crane to lift cars up and drop them in the car crusher, or the metal baler.
You can get 'long stick' equipped standard excavators, probably lower cost than a 'material handler' type as they are more abundant. Then it could be also used as an excavator if needed for digging, etc. Multi-use equipment is nice for cost savings with a smaller operation.
Thinking again about my concrete pipe lifter. Getting it to slip inside the steel coils depends on the diameter of the coils and the height of the gondola sides. Do you know how the coils are loaded into the gondolas on their way to you? Hope your magnet idea is strong enough to lift the width of the coils without putting too much stress on the bands holding the coil together. That is where the pipe lifter seems better to me as it completely supports the coils. =D=
Not sure if these two have been listed yet. But in addition to DIB and Jawtooth. The Railroad Tie Spiker is all trains, local stuff in Ohio and Indiana, no commentary. And for the south, there's The Roaming Railfan...primarily Florida East Coast, and a lot of videos of the Brightline construction progress of passenger rail from Orlando to South Florida, including a few videos where he went to Siemens in California to see the Brightline locomotives and passenger cars being built.
Used 4 wheel all terrain Grove crane with a spreader and nylon lift straps should cover all of your bases. Or install a jib crane and use your switcher to move the cars to the crane.
I suggest that the 'yard' infrastructure come first, as much as possible. As big a concrete pad as you can manage as work area, fencing where needed or practical, night time security lighting, and a decent parking area for any helpers or employees, and equipment parking. Gee.....I LOVE spending OPM! What type highway access will trucks have to the yard? Maneuvering space while IN the yard? Are you contemplating any name change? Good luck and Godspeed!
Great news! I would love to see you and yr son succeed in yr endeavor. Hope the magnet can lift the coil, itl be a great thing. All the best. Good day!!
Get a material handler. also build up a loading ramp to provide a better reach and view for the operator. place the ramp along the line where the flatcar/ gondola is on one side and the trailer and truck on the road side. this would maximize lifting capacity for the loader. Build a lift pad for fork trucks on the opposite side of the track. This would provide the most versatility for handling loads that are non magnetic, such as timber, precast concrete girders/piles, and structural composite materials.
with a magnet, you can't lift non-magnetics like aluminum. An bucket loader with attachments (fork and straps). You can also use it for track maintenance, so you can fill 2 needs. Also, there are forklifts designed to lift/move containers. I really think you will have the most utility with a bucket loader for both weight and flexibility
I'm so happy to see you with a smile! We're behind you and Mrs. ETR with good thoughts and very best wishes! As you redefine your ideas and processes, only positivity will follow with your great outlook. Blessings to you and the ETR! Thanks for keeping us in the loop!
worked at a scrap yard for 5 years. magnets are handy tools the down side they can only pick up so much. now looking at the 942 libehier it has the lines for a grapple claw. A two jaw claw meant for cars would work on the roll.
I see mijack over by my house in Chicago Heights. It’s a trans load facility that used to be Thrall Car Plant #1. They use the MIJack and unload steel plate, coil , rebar. Drives all over the yard to access product
Your best bet would be a crane with an “L” hook which would allow you to handle the rod-wire and steel coils safely. I used to do this at a dedicated facility called a crane way, which was a permanent-mounted crane, but it worked very well. Perhaps you could locate a mobile crane which could serve your purpose.
Great news on the 2 customers!!! I think the magnet for coil pickup is too sketchy; don't see a lot of contact patch for the magnetism to function. A big forklift like you showed with either close-set forks or a spear I think will be better. Now you will need to find some help.
There are just a handful of channels that are must see and yours is on top on the list. I'm very happy when I get a notification from you. Praying for you that you get your Railroad Running. Take Care.
A large forklift with a special made arm to go into the coil. They make these special arms for coils. The crane on rails would work great. Have it wide enough to put the trailer between the crane and gondolas so you can pick from the gondola and put them right on the trailer. Maybe have a yard truck to move the trailers around. Truck comes in empty drops trailer on one side the yard goes to the other side and picks up a full trailer while the yard truck moves them to be loaded. I really don't think a magnet will work or is safe enough to hold on to a coil while swinging. The speeder bar to pick up long floppy rebar can be used with a forklift would work good. A material handler with special made clamp that goes inside the coils that's made not to damage the coils. Different attachments for the material handler for different products.
I really enjoy your channel. I'm from the Pacific NW where the logging industry is strong. The industry uses a number of cranes and loaders in the mills to transport large bundles of logs. Two RUclips videos the show a couple types of equipment used in the industry, Of interest is "How to load a log trailer using a trailer loader" and "log truck loading". Hope this gives you some ideas to make your adventure successful. Stay strong and God bless.
I’m glad to hear you’ve made substantial progress. It’s good things are lining up for you. Sure sounds like some great prospects. Hey I appreciate your recommendations on train channels but I’m here to see the ETR up and running. Those are great channels though. I watch and love all of them. Well take care and thanks for the sandwich. 👍❤️🙏
It seems like you could use an excavator with one of those C shaped things they pickup sheet coils with. Just as long as you'd have room to hook the first one. In that case you wouldn't need anyone inside the gon aside from possibly helping direct the operator if their vision is obstructed. Still they wouldn't need to be in the car just at an angle they could see to help direct the machine. There's a place we haul slinky coils for here in Michigan. I hate hauling those things, thankfully that's not my job but I'd love to get that stuff on a rail even though it would eliminate some of our business. The place we load the coils and bars out west ships railcars via ns and up. The place we deliver has sidings off a short line that's partnered with ns but for whatever reason they've not put 2 and 2 together. It's very possibly the same issues you're talking about. Their siding is set up for the previous occupant of that facility who received boxcar traffic. That doesn't really lend itself to unloading gons or bulkhead flatcars. I think a situation like that creates opportunity for an operation like yours where you could bridge the gap, save them money and still profit off the savings. I probably should have taken some business classes so I could get into that sort of business instead of getting a cdl. Being in this part of the business I see many opportunities but lack the knowledge or capital to seize them.
@@eastterminalrailway5975 the excavator or material handler is the way to go for the coils. The magnet I see as a problem for precise loading. Not sure but just seems like not as much control. With the excavator with the C hook you precisely load and unload. You have to find out how they like them loaded on the trucks. Plus the magnet limits you to just magnetic materials. If you have a quick coupler on the excavator you can buy or build different attachments that will be specific to different materials you might unload. With a big material handler or excavator and a good size forklift or a big lull you should be all set. Good luck. Love seeing your progress and glad you are pushing forward.
ruclips.net/video/9FMwBIYwgnc/видео.html This C shaped unloaded mounted on the excavator type machine would be best, in my opinion. No people in gons, and less damage to material. The C-hook could even be modified some for less damage, and could be made in house. Cheap and simple always best
I can’t tell you how much I want to see you make this all come together and you can start making a profit. You are without a doubt my favorite channel and always look forward to your next video.
Progress. With 25K subbers, and inviting suggestions on your blog, that can be priceless. Keep up the great work, both physical and mental. Cheers, Bob
Look into an articulated front end loader with the bucket replaced with forks, probably cheaper than a large fork lift and good cross country maneuverability.
My vote is for a tracked machine. I recently fabricated a simple grapple attachment for a 250 excavator to lift and place odd size sections of sea container (so no corner pocket lift points) for use in building prefab homes. It worked perfectly and was not expensive to make. A smooth jaw grapple or horizontal spike could retrieve the coils from the gondola without second man. Thanks for the update. I love following your journey.
Diesel Creek and Waldo's World have posted videos of buying big machines (excavators/track hoes) on the cheap because the average guy cannot use them. I think a big excavator with the right attachment would be a great multi-function tool for ETR. A material handler would limit you. Great job and look forward to the next video. Maybe when the weather clears, we can tailgate at the White Castle.
Greetings from Tennessee. I know my suggestion is a big financial step, but if you are going to do this as a full time gig, get a salvaged gantry crane. If the magnet works then you have a viable back up incase something goes wrong with the crane. Something along the lines of a Progressive boom with a 7 1/2 ton Shaw box. Yes it's a large upfront cost, but you can write it off as a business expense. If the gondola sides are low enough, I would use a coil lift attachment. Best of luck with the venture and God bless you all.
All terrain fork truck that lifts 20-40tons will be perfect. A magnet is going to be slow as it’s a single point of pick not moving out the load across the pick. Structural will work with the fork truck as well plus coils will work 2 at a time thru the coil. Just my thoughts.
I have worked with those same style coils in the past and all we had were regular heavy duty forklifts with round booms mounted on the front and they worked fine for loading and unloading or moving the coils, we also stored them outside and just stacked them up like a pyramid.
Something else to consider is if you might need to handle coils of alloys other than ferrous material, Some stainless materials along with aluminum, copper, etc you won't be able to use the magnet. How the material is oriented on the trailer may also matter to the customer. For instance some customers prefer/require that coils be shipped to them "Eye to the Sky" where the coil sits on it's end. Some customers prefer/ require that coils be shipped "suicide" laying down and able to roll like the coil on the grapple truck. Sometimes dimensions of the coil will dictate how it needs to be shipped. You may need more than one way to handle materials. Have you visited other trans-loading facilities to see what they do? Chances are someone else has already faced these similar issues.
Another thought, In addition you should also determine who is responsible for securing the freight to the trailers, and who is to supply the equipment, and who is responsible for repair / replacement of lost equipment. Chains, binders, straps, tarps, blocking / dunnage, corner boards all add up.
If you do decide on getting that tracked " long arm" excavator you can add another commodity ( those green pipes) and get one of those vacuum attachments for that excavator..
Excited to see the ETR evolve and explore new business ideas. I think you’re really onto something and those rails will soon see cars on a regular basis!!
This is what I like seeing. You're on the right track with starting small and building up your customer base. When I starter over 30 years ago on a small shortline, I went door knocking on any potential business that could be future customers and while success was 50/50, we did get some that added to our bottom line. To your unloading problem a magnet might help, but like you said, it depends on the magnet's strength and the crane's lifting. If for the short term, you may have to sling those coils out until you get better equipment. There are mobile gantry cranes available, but I'm sure they cost a pretty penny, but that's something down the line. Keep up the good work, Brian. Be safe and hopefully you will be able to hire extra help. We're all rootin' for ya!
When I want trains I go Jaw Tooth and company. I look forward to ETR videos to see as the first video stated if a father and son team can revive a railroad and make a go of it.
So damn glad to see that smile Brian and so excited to see the range of possibilities before you. No specific knowledge of material handling, but as a safety advisor I can only agree 100% with your desire to keep cargo and personnel separate. My gut feeling goes with a heavy duty forklift with single tine for coil, forks for sheet/beams and a bit of levelling of the yard. Flexibility, versatility and safety. Go ETR
Those "coils" have no flat spot. The magnet needs surface area & thickness to pick up those steel objects. I am not a "rail fan", I am a track fan. I worked on the roadbed for 37 years dodging trains. Keep up the great work & the very best of luck.
Brain glad you're back on your feet.Yes I think a excavator would fit the ticket. I believe that the fork lift would require very hard packed level surface or concrete. the excavator can go where it wants A gantry crane would work too it you had the room. Please stay positive 🙏 & keep us posted 👍👍🚂
Coils will not give you enough surface contact area for a magnet of any kind! I was thinking of scissor hooks like used in the logging industry, but adapt them to use on the coils! Great idea though for becoming a bulk material transition loading/unloading area! 👏🏽 👍🏼☺
I have to go back to my suggestion of an overhead crane. Travel of an overhead crane, let's say, is on an x/y axis, as long as you need and wide enough to accommodate a rail car(s) and trailer(s) side by side, and, of course as high as neccessary. Such cranes may be available used. Matt from Diesel Creek bought one used at a Richie Brothers austion. Although, he said it's too big for his new shop building.
There's a large forklift type machine that I see used outdoors (at the Bensenville, Illinois intermodal yard) for loading and unloading shipping containers. Maybe one of these, maybe with add-on jaws (so it could still lift containers) would be the fit - and offer future intermodal capability.
The material handler is the way to go. Don’t like the magnet idea. Too dangerous . Ok for scrap, but not for heavy product. I’d also look into a telehandler (Lull). Good on uneven terrain, can get wide forks or even hooks, good maneuverability. Good reach which will be good for ground storage. A tracked crane is ok, but I think you want to avoid cranes because of licensing and insurance issues.
@@dmp9135 cranes are an issue because of licensing and insurance requirements. A tracked crane has to be placed on a level pad while operating. Can’t be operated on unleveled ground.
Well, that material handler looked really nice, big and powerful, I suppose one way to look at it is the adage: "You gotta spend money to make money," as well as: "If you build it, they will come." Be ready for your customers and they will be ready for you.
Suggest you take a look at how end user currently removes steel coils from the trailers. There maybe a closed factory has an overhead gantry that can be lurched and reused in your yard. Several RUclips channels have videos on handing steel coils using “coil tongs” and another called a “coil tipper”.
A good idea for unloading the coils is to have the cab of the equipment that you are unloading with is that higher than the equipment that you are unloading so that they driver can see inside of the car
Whatever you do, don't go the cheapest route with the removal equipment. Get something that is very reliable, whether you lease or purchase. The advantage in a lease is that if what you have breaks down you can get it replaced fairly quickly.
For these coils, a round single fork on a big forklift, long enough to reach through the full width of the coil, would be the safest and most reliable way to handle these coils, both for loading and unloading. They are already positioned so that this can easily be done from the side of a rail car or truck flat bed.
Some kind of device that can reach. Are you going to by a yard truck for moving trailers around most shipping terminals have them. They used to call the mini trucks with a hydraulic 5th wheel so you don't have to crank landing gears on trailer. Taylor makes good fork lifts, Cummings diesel 20, 40 tons. They are a bit awkward I have operated a 20 ton. Things to remember do you have power to plug block heaters in at yard, power line location when lifting. You and your son are very intelligent and I can't wait to see your dreams come true with this business opportunity!
You have a terrific channel. Your information on the logistics of operating a smaller railroad are excellent. Thanks for all you do ! Bill S.
William Thank you so much, my goal is to keep it real, to succeed, and to take this journey with people that wouldn't have the chance to do this on their own. Brian
@@eastterminalrailway5975 Brian I am glad you are thanking us at your RR "nation" ....
We are here and along for the ride. Many of us have worked or wayched the transportation or logistics industry in some form for a # of years.
We are happy to share advise, and offer leads which could lead to success.
Wilfred I am moved by all the advice and how much you all care. Brian
Enjoying the inside look and education you are doing.
Don’t worry about showing trains I love learning about the behind the scenes of the railroad
Exactly Plenty of other places to watch Train videos already. I'd rather watch and learn here And see this Railroad build up and be successful 👍
Push liability away whenever possible. I think you can safely put dunnage on the flatbeds before you load them. But, load securement should be 100% on the trucker. They should furnish and install whatever it is they're going to use to tie down the loads. Yes, their ultimately responsible. But, you don't even want to be partly responsible.
You can start renting an excavator or whatever you decide you need while you are getting started. It gives you flexibility while you are ramping up. Maybe you discover you need a bigger one or more than one. You can buy equipment with plenty of value left in them at the auction. But, if you have an equipment failure, nobody wants to hear that you're going to be down for a week while you diagnose the problem and wait for parts. "Hello rental company? Your excavator is blowing white smoke. Bring me another one!" If you want to use your own fleet you're going to need to have extra equipment on hot standby. Remember that nobody cares that "you tried" since you were in high school.
Preloading flatbed like that will definitely present an issue. Slinky coils are dangerous anyway you handle them. They 100% can't be moved in anyway until secured but as a trucker myself I do not like anyone securing my loads besides me. I want to do it myself so I know it's done correctly with reliable straps or chains. Usually whe we load that type of coil we have to assist the loading crew to get the on the trailer properly.
I second that on rental. With this being a RUclips channel it could potentially be an opportunity for them to provide one for free advertising or at a discounted rate. That’s what everyone is doing now on these channels, so everyone can see a real world person using it vs some actor or athlete that doesn’t know the difference between a track loader and a wheel loader.
I believe the driver is always responsible for making sure his load is properly secured. The DOT doesn't care if someone else loaded it--the driver is the one pulling it down the road. Same way the DOT doesn't care if your dispatcher won't give you time to repair a defect--you are driving it, so you are responsible for it. End of story.
maybe start thinking about insurances cost and control of your company also.
Johnny Insurance is on this weeks to do list! Thanks for following. B.
Evening Brian. First of all God bless Queen Elizebeth & RIP. Really pleased that things might happened at the ETR 👍🏻 Cheers Stevie 🏴
Taking on the role of salesman is key. Without sales nothing else matters and with sales you can get banks and/or investors interested in helping you expand and diversify. Great video...
Thank You, I'll be pounding the streets. Brian
Thanks for the Roast beef sandwich really hits the spot. As for the magnet you may want to check with the customer if that is acceptable as the steel may become magnetized also with the product not being a flat surface it may not work out. I would lean more towards the excavator with a specialty attachment similar to a clamshell but use 2 large rods that would come in from each side of the coil. As for a Gantry crane that is an expensive setup and limits your work area. Plus you would have a lot more options to use the excavator for other projects.
This is a very good point
From many of the comments mentioned here, I totally agree! NEVER GIVE UP!
I'm not sure using the magnet will be the best solution, but I assume you will try it out to see for yourself. I would strongly recommend adding extra weight inside the coils for your test. Maybe an extra 1000 pounds or so. You need a factor of safety to make sure the magnet can reliably lift a coil each and every time. If it works without any extra weight, you won't know how close you are to it dropping the coil, which is what you want to avoid at all costs. If it works with the extra weight, then you can feel a bit better about the magnet's ability to consistently hold onto a coil during routine use.
Love the channel! Been with you since the start. I wish you all the success in the world!
You are doing great things and you have always kept your channel family friendly and I always come to watch and learn new things and sometimes get a little laugh. Don’t give up or lose heart it can get tough and hard but there’s always a beautiful sky after a storm. Prayers from my family to yours and your dream.
Your three recommendations were awesome. Danny is definitely the granddaddy of them all.
I am glad that I was able to catch this edition of E.T.R. I would say to go ahead and get the bigger lift. Take two pieces of rectangular steel tubing that are the length of the forks and weld them together. Get a double walled steel pipe that is twice the length of the forks and weld it onto the middle of the rectangular tubing. Weld a half moon cap on the end of the pipe. Now you can pick the coils up from the center and put them right on the trucks. You can slide that attachment off to use the forks. Charter Steel in Sackville, WI. uses this method all the time.
Please let me know what you think 🤔!
Brian: This is an exciting idea, but questions come to mind:
1) Will the coils become magnetized if they are lifted by a magnet? Will that matter to the end-user of the coils?
2) Will a tracked vehicle running all over the property soon have the ground a mess? Wet weather on top of that at times? Semi-trailers turning (plowing) around on their own radius? You've already got some very wet areas on the place. Paving isn't cheap...........
I think a rented tracked as you seem to be gravitating towards is your best option, especially as a start up.
You don't want tie up a ton of capital in gantry crane that will be inflexible and a maintenance headache. Plus last time I checked winter still comes around once a year and a device like that seems like a liability in the snow and ice. Also what happens when you have to change gears to service new customers and products? You have a big investment that is unmoving.
Flexibility and low down time are key, especially if you're planning loading 5 to 8 trailers a day.
Best of luck from another small family business!
good idea. Renting lowers the risk/ initial investment drastically. He can test different options too.
After being around a tank area construction operation, I have seen the most flexibility with a traveling (on rails) an overhead crane, with an magnet. This unit had horizontal as well as lateral movement across the loading/unloading rails. The span would allow for several flatbed trailers side by side and end to end. One man operation.
Good luck.
Excellent beginning love how you call out the complainers
You want Trains? Go to these three
Which are excellent suggestions. Plus the guy in the UP
Overhead is great, but yes must be fixed in place. Too limiting.
Can’t wait to see if the magnet works.
Congrats on staying positive and engaged in your mission.
We are all pulling for you..
During my working years, I always worked for other people, but now that I am retired, I am starting my own business. I am doing things backwards--or maybe forwards. My retirement years are my wealth-building years. I was given some great advice. My mentor told me that most people do things backwards. He said, people make a big mistake by working on the product, then advertising and then shipping, and then when they get a huge number of orders, they can't ship them. The idea is to have the shipping department set up first, then the production and then the advertising. I watch your videos to learn about shipping my products so I can expand.
I had to chuckle when I watched this video. You were worried about not having enough business and now you are going to be putting in long days. You can handle the glitches as they come, and you are providing a living for your family and a service to your community. You got it right.
Thanks Karen we are on the same path. B.
the meat of rail freight matter, Brian.... good luck.... and thank you for the progress reports..... oorah!
I don't know anything about industrial material handling, but I find myself thinking that the big magnet is the way to go. Best wishes for a good outcome, whatever you decide to do.
I think you need to think about concrete. You're going to need a large slab to get this work done. Think rain , snow.
Always go with over-kill equipment. It's much safer and easier on maintenance costs in the long run. Over-kill equipment will future-proof increased demand for tonnage requirements as you grow.
I always think I am doing the over-kill option, and it usually ends up being just barely good enough!
Overall, I think that the 🔑 word in the equation is "kill"....
If you don't invest in a piece of equipment that has the capability/capacity "someone might be killed"....(i.e. there might be an accident)
Don't forget to have a backup way of unloading when your primary breaks down. People today are unforgiving about delays.
I'd say fixed gantry, bolted to a concrete foundation, spanning one track and a road trailer parking spot. Move the cars with the 2021 back and forth, pick the loads with either a magnet (for coils) or some sort of beam (for the long ones), drop them in the trailer - done.
I think it's the sturdiest solution, minimum risk for people and, if you ever want to relocate it, you only "lose" the concrete foundation.
Go ETR! 🙂🙂
magnetic fields are like circuits, you want to conduct that field to where you need it. Since coils are cylinder shaped, you will probably want two pieces of steel spreading the field out along the coil, which are more form fitting around the top of the coil. Make sure you don't "short" the field by having steel between the two pieces, you want the magnetic field to go from one pole of the magnet, to the first spreader bar, through the coil, through the second spreader bar, and back into the other pole of the magnet.
That should greatly increase the strength of the magnet on coils
Good to see you back again. Arbys was a good location for showing off White Castles! Id like to see the 2021 in White Castle colors! Love watching where you are heading. Keep the videos coming.
Sounds like you are making a good adjustment!
Thanks for the video.
I was going to suggest that overhead crane from a building but someone beat me to it. The nice thing about that is it is supported on both ends, much more stable. Whatever way you go I would suggest getting some form of pad or pavement down for the crane/loader to be on. Having a smooth level surface will really help with speed and safety, not to mention avoiding the mud when it rains.
If you put down a gravel or crushed rock surface, go with 3/8 or 1/2 inch to dust, spread it out, and compact it. It will be like concrete.
I would say a material handler would be the best way to go. this way it gives you the ability to move around the yard and then leaves you options for loading/unloading other materials with different attachments on the end of the boom. It will also give you good visibility over what your doing since the cab sits high up and some can even raise up higher once your in it. Then it makes things a little bit safer and can keep others out of the danger zones.
Great prospects! I'd at least get a design and a quote for a gantry bridging two tracks and the truckway. Get the planning permissions in, too. Then, if this works, you can increase capacity quickly. Good luck!
Giving yourself options is the way ahead bro. Safe travels
Keep up the great work Brian.The ETR is getting into better shape everyday.Cant wait to see you hauling gondolas and flats loaded with steel.Thankyou.
Brian, you are on the right track my old friend. Their replacing the Cape Cod canal bridges and need a lot of steel. Both new spans are 9 lanes each. 3 lanes both direction. With the right lane as an off ramp and on ramp. The two middle lanes go straight through. The project is expected to be completed by 2026. When they carefully cut up the two excising bridges they can not implode them, because it would block the canal. So, all the old scrap steel and other materials are being shipped out by rail. If memory serves me right those electric magnets are used my scrap yards with a crane to lift cars up and drop them in the car crusher, or the metal baler.
I just can't get enough of East Terminal Railway videos!
You can get 'long stick' equipped standard excavators, probably lower cost than a 'material handler' type as they are more abundant. Then it could be also used as an excavator if needed for digging, etc. Multi-use equipment is nice for cost savings with a smaller operation.
Thinking again about my concrete pipe lifter. Getting it to slip inside the steel coils depends on the diameter of the coils and the height of the gondola sides. Do you know how the coils are loaded into the gondolas on their way to you? Hope your magnet idea is strong enough to lift the width of the coils without putting too much stress on the bands holding the coil together. That is where the pipe lifter seems better to me as it completely supports the coils. =D=
Not sure if these two have been listed yet. But in addition to DIB and Jawtooth. The Railroad Tie Spiker is all trains, local stuff in Ohio and Indiana, no commentary. And for the south, there's The Roaming Railfan...primarily Florida East Coast, and a lot of videos of the Brightline construction progress of passenger rail from Orlando to South Florida, including a few videos where he went to Siemens in California to see the Brightline locomotives and passenger cars being built.
Used 4 wheel all terrain Grove crane with a spreader and nylon lift straps should cover all of your bases. Or install a jib crane and use your switcher to move the cars to the crane.
I’m absolutely positive that it’s going to take more than Brian and gram to accomplish this task
I suggest that the 'yard' infrastructure come first, as much as possible. As big a concrete pad as you can manage as work area, fencing where needed or practical, night time security lighting, and a decent parking area for any helpers or employees, and equipment parking. Gee.....I LOVE spending OPM!
What type highway access will trucks have to the yard? Maneuvering space while IN the yard?
Are you contemplating any name change?
Good luck and Godspeed!
Out of curiosity, would your locomotive, the 2021, be put to work once you get your transloading operation going?
This is fantastic news! In the words of Dr.Frankenstein " It's alive"!!
Great news! I would love to see you and yr son succeed in yr endeavor. Hope the magnet can lift the coil, itl be a great thing. All the best. Good day!!
Get a material handler. also build up a loading ramp to provide a better reach and view for the operator. place the ramp along the line where the flatcar/ gondola is on one side and the trailer and truck on the road side. this would maximize lifting capacity for the loader. Build a lift pad for fork trucks on the opposite side of the track. This would provide the most versatility for handling loads that are non magnetic, such as timber, precast concrete girders/piles, and structural composite materials.
with time...
with a magnet, you can't lift non-magnetics like aluminum.
An bucket loader with attachments (fork and straps). You can also use it for track maintenance, so you can fill 2 needs.
Also, there are forklifts designed to lift/move containers.
I really think you will have the most utility with a bucket loader for both weight and flexibility
I go to JT, DH & WWoT for trains. I go to ETR because I want to see you succeed.
DIB and DH are professionally done channels. Good research, variety and well edited.
I'm so happy to see you with a smile! We're behind you and Mrs. ETR with good thoughts and very best wishes! As you redefine your ideas and processes, only positivity will follow with your great outlook. Blessings to you and the ETR! Thanks for keeping us in the loop!
worked at a scrap yard for 5 years. magnets are handy tools the down side they can only pick up so much. now looking at the 942 libehier it has the lines for a grapple claw. A two jaw claw meant for cars would work on the roll.
I see mijack over by my house in Chicago Heights. It’s a trans load facility that used to be Thrall Car Plant #1. They use the MIJack and unload steel plate, coil , rebar. Drives all over the yard to access product
I helped unload flat cars with a over head crane on wheels . It was safe and easy to move around and transfer loads to trucks was easy also.
Your best bet would be a crane with an “L” hook which would allow you to handle the rod-wire and steel coils safely. I used to do this at a dedicated facility called a crane way, which was a permanent-mounted crane, but it worked very well. Perhaps you could locate a mobile crane which could serve your purpose.
Great news on the 2 customers!!! I think the magnet for coil pickup is too sketchy; don't see a lot of contact patch for the magnetism to function. A big forklift like you showed with either close-set forks or a spear I think will be better.
Now you will need to find some help.
There are just a handful of channels that are must see and yours is on top on the list. I'm very happy when I get a notification from you. Praying for you that you get your Railroad Running. Take Care.
A large forklift with a special made arm to go into the coil. They make these special arms for coils. The crane on rails would work great. Have it wide enough to put the trailer between the crane and gondolas so you can pick from the gondola and put them right on the trailer. Maybe have a yard truck to move the trailers around. Truck comes in empty drops trailer on one side the yard goes to the other side and picks up a full trailer while the yard truck moves them to be loaded. I really don't think a magnet will work or is safe enough to hold on to a coil while swinging. The speeder bar to pick up long floppy rebar can be used with a forklift would work good. A material handler with special made clamp that goes inside the coils that's made not to damage the coils. Different attachments for the material handler for different products.
I really enjoy your channel. I'm from the Pacific NW where the logging industry is strong. The industry uses a number of cranes and loaders in the mills to transport large bundles of logs. Two RUclips videos the show a couple types of equipment used in the industry, Of interest is "How to load a log trailer using a trailer loader" and "log truck loading". Hope this gives you some ideas to make your adventure successful. Stay strong and God bless.
I’m glad to hear you’ve made substantial progress. It’s good things are lining up for you. Sure sounds like some great prospects. Hey I appreciate your recommendations on train channels but I’m here to see the ETR up and running. Those are great channels though. I watch and love all of them. Well take care and thanks for the sandwich. 👍❤️🙏
Just scrolled by your channel, here to see what you’re about. You listed 2 out of 3 channels I love.
It seems like you could use an excavator with one of those C shaped things they pickup sheet coils with. Just as long as you'd have room to hook the first one. In that case you wouldn't need anyone inside the gon aside from possibly helping direct the operator if their vision is obstructed. Still they wouldn't need to be in the car just at an angle they could see to help direct the machine. There's a place we haul slinky coils for here in Michigan. I hate hauling those things, thankfully that's not my job but I'd love to get that stuff on a rail even though it would eliminate some of our business. The place we load the coils and bars out west ships railcars via ns and up. The place we deliver has sidings off a short line that's partnered with ns but for whatever reason they've not put 2 and 2 together. It's very possibly the same issues you're talking about. Their siding is set up for the previous occupant of that facility who received boxcar traffic. That doesn't really lend itself to unloading gons or bulkhead flatcars. I think a situation like that creates opportunity for an operation like yours where you could bridge the gap, save them money and still profit off the savings. I probably should have taken some business classes so I could get into that sort of business instead of getting a cdl. Being in this part of the business I see many opportunities but lack the knowledge or capital to seize them.
Good info, the material handler with the c hook would keep people out of the Gon. Brian
@@eastterminalrailway5975 the excavator or material handler is the way to go for the coils. The magnet I see as a problem for precise loading. Not sure but just seems like not as much control. With the excavator with the C hook you precisely load and unload. You have to find out how they like them loaded on the trucks. Plus the magnet limits you to just magnetic materials. If you have a quick coupler on the excavator you can buy or build different attachments that will be specific to different materials you might unload. With a big material handler or excavator and a good size forklift or a big lull you should be all set. Good luck. Love seeing your progress and glad you are pushing forward.
ruclips.net/video/9FMwBIYwgnc/видео.html
This C shaped unloaded mounted on the excavator type machine would be best, in my opinion. No people in gons, and less damage to material. The C-hook could even be modified some for less damage, and could be made in house. Cheap and simple always best
I can’t tell you how much I want to see you make this all come together and you can start making a profit. You are without a doubt my favorite channel and always look forward to your next video.
Progress. With 25K subbers, and inviting suggestions on your blog, that can be priceless. Keep up the great work, both physical and mental. Cheers, Bob
Yes, for sure Mr. JT is GREAT! Has a great sense of humor and he's just fun to watch.
A hooked grapple on a material handler would also work and be removable for the spreader bar
Look into an articulated front end loader with the bucket replaced with forks, probably cheaper than a large fork lift and good cross country maneuverability.
My vote is for a tracked machine. I recently fabricated a simple grapple attachment for a 250 excavator to lift and place odd size sections of sea container (so no corner pocket lift points) for use in building prefab homes. It worked perfectly and was not expensive to make. A smooth jaw grapple or horizontal spike could retrieve the coils from the gondola without second man. Thanks for the update. I love following your journey.
Thank You for following. B.
Diesel Creek and Waldo's World have posted videos of buying big machines (excavators/track hoes) on the cheap because the average guy cannot use them.
I think a big excavator with the right attachment would be a great multi-function tool for ETR. A material handler would limit you. Great job and look forward to the next video. Maybe when the weather clears, we can tailgate at the White Castle.
Check out what Leggett & Platt of Carthage Missouri use to unload Gondola cars and truck coil wire loads.
Greetings from Tennessee. I know my suggestion is a big financial step, but if you are going to do this as a full time gig, get a salvaged gantry crane. If the magnet works then you have a viable back up incase something goes wrong with the crane. Something along the lines of a Progressive boom with a 7 1/2 ton Shaw box. Yes it's a large upfront cost, but you can write it off as a business expense. If the gondola sides are low enough, I would use a coil lift attachment. Best of luck with the venture and God bless you all.
All terrain fork truck that lifts 20-40tons will be perfect. A magnet is going to be slow as it’s a single point of pick not moving out the load across the pick. Structural will work with the fork truck as well plus coils will work 2 at a time thru the coil. Just my thoughts.
I have worked with those same style coils in the past and all we had were regular heavy duty forklifts with round booms mounted on the front and they worked fine for loading and unloading or moving the coils, we also stored them outside and just stacked them up like a pyramid.
Will you have enough room for anything but a crane at your location?
Room for trailers and fork trucks, yes. Brian
Something else to consider is if you might need to handle coils of alloys other than ferrous material, Some stainless materials along with aluminum, copper, etc you won't be able to use the magnet. How the material is oriented on the trailer may also matter to the customer. For instance some customers prefer/require that coils be shipped to them "Eye to the Sky" where the coil sits on it's end. Some customers prefer/ require that coils be shipped "suicide" laying down and able to roll like the coil on the grapple truck. Sometimes dimensions of the coil will dictate how it needs to be shipped. You may need more than one way to handle materials. Have you visited other trans-loading facilities to see what they do? Chances are someone else has already faced these similar issues.
Another thought, In addition you should also determine who is responsible for securing the freight to the trailers, and who is to supply the equipment, and who is responsible for repair / replacement of lost equipment. Chains, binders, straps, tarps, blocking / dunnage, corner boards all add up.
Thanks for the update. Waiting for more
Love ETR by the way, good luck in the steel business!!!
If you do decide on getting that tracked " long arm" excavator you can add another commodity ( those green pipes) and get one of those vacuum attachments for that excavator..
Tracked Material Handler !
Excited to see the ETR evolve and explore new business ideas. I think you’re really onto something and those rails will soon see cars on a regular basis!!
glad to see things looking up we have faith in you could you show a video of how they load the coils in the rail cars might give an Idea how to unload
Yeah, that’s what I was going to say too. Just copy what they do to load them.
This is what I like seeing. You're on the right track with starting small and building up your customer base. When I starter over 30 years ago on a small shortline, I went door knocking on any potential business that could be future customers and while success was 50/50, we did get some that added to our bottom line.
To your unloading problem a magnet might help, but like you said, it depends on the magnet's strength and the crane's lifting. If for the short term, you may have to sling those coils out until you get better equipment. There are mobile gantry cranes available, but I'm sure they cost a pretty penny, but that's something down the line.
Keep up the good work, Brian. Be safe and hopefully you will be able to hire extra help. We're all rootin' for ya!
Thanks George, I respect your yrs of experience. Brian
The beautiful thing about the building overhead crane is you have a covered area that would allow work in adverse conditions.
Interesting good luck going forward guys. Praying it works out.
Thank you!
When I want trains I go Jaw Tooth and company. I look forward to ETR videos to see as the first video stated if a father and son team can revive a railroad and make a go of it.
So damn glad to see that smile Brian and so excited to see the range of possibilities before you. No specific knowledge of material handling, but as a safety advisor I can only agree 100% with your desire to keep cargo and personnel separate. My gut feeling goes with a heavy duty forklift with single tine for coil, forks for sheet/beams and a bit of levelling of the yard. Flexibility, versatility and safety. Go ETR
Your making a dream a reality and I check in just to make sure you don't give up and quit because the going got ruff ,
Excellent! Jaw Tooth is my favorite, I often watch the others as well! 🤩
Those "coils" have no flat spot. The magnet needs surface area & thickness to pick up those steel objects.
I am not a "rail fan", I am a track fan. I worked on the roadbed for 37 years dodging trains.
Keep up the great work & the very best of luck.
Huge respect, thanks for following. B.
Brain glad you're back on your feet.Yes I think a excavator would fit the ticket. I believe that the fork lift would require very hard packed level surface or concrete. the excavator can go where it wants A gantry crane would work too it you had the room. Please stay positive 🙏 & keep us posted 👍👍🚂
Coils will not give you enough surface contact area for a magnet of any kind!
I was thinking of scissor hooks like used in the logging industry, but adapt them to use on the coils!
Great idea though for becoming a bulk material transition loading/unloading area! 👏🏽 👍🏼☺
Virtual railfan has webcams around the country and does a 20 min. compilation daily.
I have to go back to my suggestion of an overhead crane. Travel of an overhead crane, let's say, is on an x/y axis, as long as you need and wide enough to accommodate a rail car(s) and trailer(s) side by side, and, of course as high as neccessary. Such cranes may be available used. Matt from Diesel Creek bought one used at a Richie Brothers austion. Although, he said it's too big for his new shop building.
There's a large forklift type machine that I see used outdoors (at the Bensenville, Illinois intermodal yard) for loading and unloading shipping containers.
Maybe one of these, maybe with add-on jaws (so it could still lift containers) would be the fit - and offer future intermodal capability.
The material handler is the way to go. Don’t like the magnet idea. Too dangerous . Ok for scrap, but not for heavy product. I’d also look into a telehandler (Lull). Good on uneven terrain, can get wide forks or even hooks, good maneuverability. Good reach which will be good for ground storage.
A tracked crane is ok, but I think you want to avoid cranes because of licensing and insurance issues.
I would say a tracked crane would be the safest option. It gives the most stability when when moving material.
@@dmp9135 cranes are an issue because of licensing and insurance requirements. A tracked crane has to be placed on a level pad while operating. Can’t be operated on unleveled ground.
You know that this might not be what you wanted but God had other plans. God calls the shots I always say. Bless you brother.
Steve Thank you, I'm already on board, but it did take some adjustment! Brian
Well, that material handler looked really nice, big and powerful, I suppose one way to look at it is the adage: "You gotta spend money to make money," as well as: "If you build it, they will come." Be ready for your customers and they will be ready for you.
As always looking forward the the next "*ETR NATION MEETING "**& STARING BRAIN AND GRANT...."KINGS OF THE NATION OF TRANSLOADS FACILITIES "**
Suggest you take a look at how end user currently removes steel coils from the trailers. There maybe a closed factory has an overhead gantry that can be lurched and reused in your yard. Several RUclips channels have videos on handing steel coils using “coil tongs” and another called a “coil tipper”.
A good idea for unloading the coils is to have the cab of the equipment that you are unloading with is that higher than the equipment that you are unloading so that they driver can see inside of the car
Sounds like an excavator type crawler would be ideal. Have different attachments for different applications.
Whatever you do, don't go the cheapest route with the removal equipment. Get something that is very reliable, whether you lease or purchase. The advantage in a lease is that if what you have breaks down you can get it replaced fairly quickly.
You could look into round forks for a forklift. That was how they loaded me when I picked any coil rod or coiled steel.
Thank you for sharing.👍👀
I'm imagining an overhead crane system from a out of business steel yard.
For these coils, a round single fork on a big forklift, long enough to reach through the full width of the coil, would be the safest and most reliable way to handle these coils, both for loading and unloading. They are already positioned so that this can easily be done from the side of a rail car or truck flat bed.
Some kind of device that can reach. Are you going to by a yard truck for moving trailers around most shipping terminals have them. They used to call the mini trucks with a hydraulic 5th wheel so you don't have to crank landing gears on trailer. Taylor makes good fork lifts, Cummings diesel 20, 40 tons. They are a bit awkward I have operated a 20 ton. Things to remember do you have power to plug block heaters in at yard, power line location when lifting. You and your son are very intelligent and I can't wait to see your dreams come true with this business opportunity!