Lance Mindheim saved model railroading for me. After decades of MR/RMC, book after book, I finally found a guy who could explain what I’m supposed to be doing, with the actual on-the-ground procedures to do it. Can’t recommend his books and web sites highly enough. Nice job, subbed!
THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING SLOW SPEEDS! One of my worst model railroad pet peeves is operating WAY too fast, along with too much tracks and action in too little a space. You know what’s up! 👍
Yes I did enjoy that. Thanks for sharing. I like what you did. It's like using "T" pins a breaks to tie down cars. You push the "T" pins through the coupler on the break end of the car keeping the car from moving and at the same time showing the breaks are on. Thanks again.
Looked good, very prototypical. I would suggest that when you make a coupling that you "stretch the joint", that is move in the opposite direction a few feet to ensure the coupler locking pin has dropped. This is especially important when you are going to shove cars. In real life if you don't stretch the joint and start shoving the cars, if one of the coupler locking pins isn't engaged, when you stop all the cars behind the car with the unlocked coupler will just keep going. It's prototypical and adds little extra time to your switching.
My grandpa Ralph never worked on (or for), a railroad. But when my grandpa worked as a weed inspector for the Welton / Mohawk Irrigation District back in the late 1950's, his best friend James was a brakeman for the Southern Pacific Railroad down in the Yuma / Welton / Mohawk area of Arizona. Many times James was over at our house downing a few beers with my grandpa Ralph (or vise versa - grandpa was over at James's house stowing away a few beers with James). According to James, he had been with the Southern Pacific Railroad for over 40 years. James (especially after draining a few bottles), was for-ever relating tales of his early days with the Southern Pacific back when they still relied upon Steam Locomotives. At the time I was between 7 and 10 years old ( I was still a few feathers short of a full load of feathers, and still had my pin feathers to hear James tell it), and I would sit for hours listening to the tales James would tell our family about his experiences on the Railroad. One time I asked James what the difference between a "Brakeman" and a "Conductor" was? Here is how James put it. A Brakeman was the person that either worked in the railroad switch yards or was the person that rode along with the train and performed all the coupling, uncoupling, and other necessary chores that was needed as the train went from place to place on its designated route. On the other hand, the Conductor was the person that rode on passenger trains of which helped paying passengers board (get on), or de-board (get off), the train and go from compartment to compartment collecting and punching the passenger's tickets and acting basically as an onboard babysitter for all the passengers. The rest of the time the Conductor was counting and verifying that all passengers were accounted for (especially after a stop), and that no non-paying passengers were trying to cobble a free ride. James also stated that the Train Engineer operated the train, and the fireman stoked the boiler with either wood or coal (depending upon the locomotive's fuel requirements). James also stated that even though the train engineer basically drove the train he was still not called (or labeled), a "Train Driver" and, out of proper due respect of which he has earned, he was entitled to be both classified as (as well as called), only by the proper handle (name), of "Engineer", or "Train Engineer", but never a "Train Driver". James stated that calling a Train Engineer a Train Driver was not only "Disrespectful" but also "Degrading to the Train Engineer. Just as it is disrespectful and degrading in calling a "Pilot"of who flies planes (or airplane), a "Plane Driver" of which has worked so hard to earn that repect and handle (name) of being classified as (and called), a "Pilot" not a plane driver. So, since then, out of due repect, I personally will not call (or label), a "Train Engineer" a Train Driver, or a "Pilot" of any plane a Plane "Driver, and, it irks me to no end when I hear other people call a Train Engineer, a Train Driver, or a Pilot of a plane a Plane Driver. Frankly, I don't care how much it irks others that insist upon thinking I'm the "No-Good", "Blankity-Blank" just because I'm trying to correct them when all I want is for people to show respect where it is due. If it wasn't for James who set me straight years ago I wouldn't know the difference either. Thanks James, for setting me straight many years ago, when I was still sprouting my "Pin Feathers" and was still short of a full feather load !
Wow I found this today, 04-02-22, and wished I had found it sooner. Great information for operations. I operate N and Z scale layouts. And I have been using the slow method of doing things since it made more sense. I really enjoy your videos and watching your layout grow with scenery and track. Keep up the good work! Happy Sunday!
I very much enjoy watching your videos, particularly operation, but also your model railroad design development. I too an a fan of Lance Mindheim and his design and operation concepts. I have reviewed all of his material, videos, and designs. My most recent modeling venture relied heavily on his concepts. Maybe this is why I enjoy your work so much. Keep on keepin' on!
You can also paint clearance marks and spot marks. For industries we use blue lines where the front wheel should be spotted for loading/unloading docks. We use orange for clearance marks. Another railroad we work with and the UP uses yellow.
Love these operation videos, keep them coming. I like that electrical connecter for flags, must have missed that video for Erik Miller. George Bogota(Soundtraxx) uses figures on pins to simulate the conductor's movements while switching.
Terrific video and good points about operating prototypically. The one note I'd make is that you wouldn't back the WHOLE three cars down the central spur after the pickup. You'd just push the two into the clear. This saves time and is more efficient in movement. Thanks for sharing!
I bought the book on your recommendation and just finished it. Really good read, thank you!! Love the channel, too. Its really helping me learn as I'd like to build a similar type and style of layout (modeling a section of real track local-ish to me). Keep up the great work! 👍
I saw another RUclips make these to scale derailers that are affixed to the track and they’re hinged so you can basically flick the derailer into an active or inactive state with an uncoupling tool.
Really enjoyed the video. The progress you've made in a short amount of time is really something! I like how you've added things like Blue Flag protecting to your operating scheme. Looking forward to following your progress!
Not sure if it's the conductor who does the ground throw ops, though.. He's the boss.. But I could be wrong.. I'd think it'd be the fireman if no switchman aboard..3:03 Alligator clips, too..
My name is Neil schwerdt in west valley city Utah, you,ve done a nice Job on your layout. I've been working on my layout out in the garage 18x 14 . It is from 1987 throw 2022 Montana Rail link. I've been working on the DDC wiring I just got done putting in a pm 42 ,and I got a ps 210 and a ps 2012 E power boaster. How is the firer out your way ? Hope you have a great weekend, from Neil
I enjoyed that, actually. Your models look good. I can't remember the last time I saw a real Railbox car without graffiti, so that's pretty real. What sound system does that GP 38, or whatever it is, have? Does the mainline circle around? Was just thinking it would be fun to see a train pass by in the background as we watch the switching. Thanks
Hi, i love the rotary beacon effect. How your realize that ? I think you use a DCC decoder output ? Possible to realise a same effect in a DC locomotive ? Thanks
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Lance Mindheim saved model railroading for me. After decades of MR/RMC, book after book, I finally found a guy who could explain what I’m supposed to be doing, with the actual on-the-ground procedures to do it. Can’t recommend his books and web sites highly enough. Nice job, subbed!
As a former train conductor that is very realistic. Switching two-three cars takes more time than people think.
Rick, thank you for your content. You're making switching Orange County Great Again!
Anyone here feel really relaxed after watching something like this or is that just me?
Wow!! I just ordered this book from Amazon. What great luck to find this
Super cool! I have a small switching shelf and like to take my time also. Nice to drink a beer and operate heavy equipment legally.
THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING SLOW SPEEDS! One of my worst model railroad pet peeves is operating WAY too fast, along with too much tracks and action in too little a space. You know what’s up! 👍
Yes I did enjoy that. Thanks for sharing. I like what you did. It's like using "T" pins a breaks to tie down cars. You push the "T" pins through the coupler on the break end of the car keeping the car from moving and at the same time showing the breaks are on. Thanks again.
Looked good, very prototypical. I would suggest that when you make a coupling that you "stretch the joint", that is move in the opposite direction a few feet to ensure the coupler locking pin has dropped. This is especially important when you are going to shove cars. In real life if you don't stretch the joint and start shoving the cars, if one of the coupler locking pins isn't engaged, when you stop all the cars behind the car with the unlocked coupler will just keep going. It's prototypical and adds little extra time to your switching.
My grandpa Ralph never worked on (or for), a railroad. But when my grandpa worked as a weed inspector for the Welton / Mohawk Irrigation District back in the late 1950's, his best friend James was a brakeman for the Southern Pacific Railroad down in the Yuma / Welton / Mohawk area of Arizona. Many times James was over at our house downing a few beers with my grandpa Ralph (or vise versa - grandpa was over at James's house stowing away a few beers with James). According to James, he had been with the Southern Pacific Railroad for over 40 years. James (especially after draining a few bottles), was for-ever relating tales of his early days with the Southern Pacific back when they still relied upon Steam Locomotives.
At the time I was between 7 and 10 years old ( I was still a few feathers short of a full load of feathers, and still had my pin feathers to hear James tell it), and I would sit for hours listening to the tales James would tell our family about his experiences on the Railroad. One time I asked James what the difference between a "Brakeman" and a "Conductor" was? Here is how James put it.
A Brakeman was the person that either worked in the railroad switch yards or was the person that rode along with the train and performed all the coupling, uncoupling, and other necessary chores that was needed as the train went from place to place on its designated route. On the other hand, the Conductor was the person that rode on passenger trains of which helped paying passengers board (get on), or de-board (get off), the train and go from compartment to compartment collecting and punching the passenger's tickets and acting basically as an onboard babysitter for all the passengers. The rest of the time the Conductor was counting and verifying that all passengers were accounted for (especially after a stop), and that no non-paying passengers were trying to cobble a free ride.
James also stated that the Train Engineer operated the train, and the fireman stoked the boiler with either wood or coal (depending upon the locomotive's fuel requirements). James also stated that even though the train engineer basically drove the train he was still not called (or labeled), a "Train Driver" and, out of proper due respect of which he has earned, he was entitled to be both classified as (as well as called), only by the proper handle (name), of "Engineer", or "Train Engineer", but never a "Train Driver".
James stated that calling a Train Engineer a Train Driver was not only "Disrespectful" but also "Degrading to the Train Engineer. Just as it is disrespectful and degrading in calling a "Pilot"of who flies planes (or airplane), a "Plane Driver" of which has worked so hard to earn that repect and handle (name) of being classified as (and called), a "Pilot" not a plane driver.
So, since then, out of due repect, I personally will not call (or label), a "Train Engineer" a Train Driver, or a "Pilot" of any plane a Plane "Driver, and, it irks me to no end when I hear other people call a Train Engineer, a Train Driver, or a Pilot of a plane a Plane Driver.
Frankly, I don't care how much it irks others that insist upon thinking I'm the "No-Good", "Blankity-Blank" just because I'm trying to correct them when all I want is for people to show respect where it is due. If it wasn't for James who set me straight years ago I wouldn't know the difference either.
Thanks James, for setting me straight many years ago, when I was still sprouting my "Pin Feathers" and was still short of a full feather load !
The realistic weathering of the locomotive, and cars is spectacular! Great Job :)
Thank you very much!
Wow I found this today, 04-02-22, and wished I had found it sooner. Great information for operations. I operate N and Z scale layouts. And I have been using the slow method of doing things since it made more sense. I really enjoy your videos and watching your layout grow with scenery and track. Keep up the good work! Happy Sunday!
Excellent, I'm in the UK, this channel helps me so much understand American Railroads.
Great to hear!
I very much enjoy watching your videos, particularly operation, but also your model railroad design development. I too an a fan of Lance Mindheim and his design and operation concepts. I have reviewed all of his material, videos, and designs. My most recent modeling venture relied heavily on his concepts. Maybe this is why I enjoy your work so much. Keep on keepin' on!
Thank you very much!
You can also paint clearance marks and spot marks. For industries we use blue lines where the front wheel should be spotted for loading/unloading docks. We use orange for clearance marks. Another railroad we work with and the UP uses yellow.
I like the Box Factory :) I like Lance's style too. You have a very believable layout. Thanks for posting a well done video..
Nice job brother looks like big money to me Hope you're having a great time I like what you doing keep the show on the road man Choo choo
Love these operation videos, keep them coming. I like that electrical connecter for flags, must have missed that video for Erik Miller. George Bogota(Soundtraxx) uses figures on pins to simulate the conductor's movements while switching.
Very nice video of showing how to slow down the operations and I like your idea for the derails.
Terrific video and good points about operating prototypically. The one note I'd make is that you wouldn't back the WHOLE three cars down the central spur after the pickup. You'd just push the two into the clear. This saves time and is more efficient in movement. Thanks for sharing!
Very good idea with the connectors. Layout looks fantastic
I bought the book on your recommendation and just finished it. Really good read, thank you!! Love the channel, too. Its really helping me learn as I'd like to build a similar type and style of layout (modeling a section of real track local-ish to me). Keep up the great work! 👍
I saw another RUclips make these to scale derailers that are affixed to the track and they’re hinged so you can basically flick the derailer into an active or inactive state with an uncoupling tool.
Thank you for your video thank you for your time it was nice preciate it have a good one
Thanks, you too!
Super beautiful
Thank you so much
Nice work. I really enjoyed the ops video. The layout is looking fantastic. All the best, John
Really enjoyed the video. The progress you've made in a short amount of time is really something! I like how you've added things like Blue Flag protecting to your operating scheme. Looking forward to following your progress!
Nicely done!
Thanks!
Nice to see a SoCal layout, especially industry switching operations. * subscribed *
Thanks for the sub!
thanks for the ops session. i have one of those hairy armed conductors as well. LOL
I really like the graffiti on the car. Great job!!
Enjoy video.Good update too.
Thanks 👍
I live near shasta,, great vid👊👍
That is a great book, all of his are actually, but that gave me many ideas for ops.
Not sure if it's the conductor who does the ground throw ops, though.. He's the boss.. But I could be wrong.. I'd think it'd be the fireman if no switchman aboard..3:03 Alligator clips, too..
My name is Neil schwerdt in west valley city Utah, you,ve done a nice Job on your layout.
I've been working on my layout out in the garage 18x 14 .
It is from 1987 throw 2022 Montana Rail link.
I've been working on the DDC wiring I just got done putting in a pm 42 ,and I got a ps 210 and a ps 2012 E power boaster.
How is the firer out your way ?
Hope you have a great weekend, from Neil
I've got the book. It's amazing how fewer arguments with my wife I have when I'm in N scale time🤣🤣🤣
Thanks, informative
I enjoyed that, actually. Your models look good. I can't remember the last time I saw a real Railbox car without graffiti, so that's pretty real. What sound system does that GP 38, or whatever it is, have?
Does the mainline circle around? Was just thinking it would be fun to see a train pass by in the background as we watch the switching.
Thanks
this is how it should always be done. make it real even in miniture
Hi, i love the rotary beacon effect. How your realize that ? I think you use a DCC decoder output ? Possible to realise a same effect in a DC locomotive ? Thanks
You can change the type of lighting effect by changing CV53 and CV59.
Nice video. What are you using as an uncoupling tool?