I watched this video as I started my model railroad journey and have applied it to all of my operations. I'm watching it again and wish I had some bulkhead flatcars.
I really appreciate your insight into prototype railroading, DJ! Of course I enjoy watching your layout come to life, but it's great to learn how the real railroads operate from a professional railroader!
Nice vid. I particularly enjoy your ops when you explain how you do things based on your engineer experience, and throw in some terminology as icing on the cake.
Thank you so much. I grew up before the internet and with no one to teach me. As I started my channel I just wanted to share all that I learned as a railroader and to teach in a fun and easy to understand way. I hope you enjoy the nearly 400 videos! Have a great experience
Fantastic video DJ! I really enjoyed this video because on my o scale layout I wanted to have a yard but cramming that on a 6x8ft table may be difficult, so this really opened up my mind a lot, thank you! Your long time viewer/ fan, - Nate M
Great explanation DJ. Very similar to a video I posted where I used 4 stub tracks on my interchange to sorted 17 cars for 10 industries. There is a plant nearby that makes pipe for the pipelines but we know that came to a hault. - Jason
DJ as all ways great info,all ways can learn something from someone who drives/work with trains in real life.On the bulk head,even if the pipes are tied down,i guess they can still slide forward/backwards? On your showing how to move cars around,guessing trick camera work when uncoupling cars? To you and your family and subscribers,stay safe.🚂✌🇱🇷
Hi DJ, Very informative video, two thumbs up. Since my layout represents a branch line, my Interchange yard only has 2 tracks as well. They are nestled in a small valley along with the branch line that heads off to the town of Long Valley. The railroad has evolved some since you've been here and is currently being operated by the Penn Central railroad. Although I'm not really into modern railroading, it just looks funny to me to see a big six axle switching cars on a branch. Of course you have to remember I grew up watching Penn Central GP9's working the local branches in the area. Having said that, your layout looks great and I can't wait to see the new addition. Cheers, Rich S.
Good video and keep it up! At least you're doing a good job showing that we don't need to have large trains and/or large layouts to enjoy model railroading. Even though we're in North America where larger trains are the norm, but I just often wish I could also model European trains (and maybe a bit of Thomas LOL) because of smaller cars and shorter trains that could easily fit in on smaller layouts even though they're more difficult to get (except Thomas) than the North American models. I do love both North American and European trains respectively, I just have to spend more time doing art at the moment because I don't have the space to expand my layout and the times we're in.
Hello from New Zealand, my dad got me onto your channel and I'm really loving your content it's cool learning from someone who has actually worked for a railroad -keep it coming!
Talking about cars you see on the railroad: I’ve handled cars on the Wheeling in Brewster, Ohio that I end up seeing on random CSX trains in Florida from Distant Signal’s videos!!! It’s crazy where cars will end up.
I like how you uncouple cars via video editing--absolutely magic! It's really too bad the magic of Kadee magnetic (and delayed) uncoupling isn't more popular--or reliable. Using fingers ("0-5-0") or skewers is so crude compared to the endlessly complicated DCC-sound systems everyone seems to drool over.
Thanks for showing for me personally ,how to switch easy by using a main line for newbie like me from the UK it’s kinder confusing.I’ve just put my layout on RUclips and don’t want to run my rolling stock in the wrong order and with your advice in this content on what can happen if a certain haulage is in a illegal situation ,this gives me a better understanding DJ on the American Railroad operations. I’ve got one one buffer reefer box car at the back of locomotive and the rest are oil tanker cars , would that be enough in the real world ? Absolutely brilliant content keep up the good work and thanks for sharing DJ Phil.
Okay so that explains why prototype has a three rail inline yard from the interchange. I then again in the Triangle yard, where they also have three tracks. I guess then they have mainline, holding track and sorting tracks. Thanks for explaining that, makes more sense. And thanks for explaining the flat car bulkhead placement.
Awesome video DJ - your clear and genuine explanation of real-life railroad terms is so helpful for those of us trying to recreate that atmosphere on our layouts. Really looking forward to your segment on the Virtual Trains Canada show later this month over on Kris's Go/Via/orgohome channel! Thanks for all the work you put into your RUclips videos!
Sweet looking cars! Walthers has made them in HO, and Exactrail made a really nice one a few years ago. That bulkhead design dates from the mid-1960s into the 70s. I still see then roll by. By the way, I live near a BNSF mainline and at least one train per day (usually the Galesburg to Lincoln manifest) has several bulkhead flats carrying steel products. Usually beams of various sizes, but also sheet steel and rebar bundles. So using your BNSF bulkheads to ship steel products west is quite correct!
I finished a new video just now, but it won't be live until Tuesday. I think you'll really like it. In the mean time, I may make a quick video today about future projects. I am so honored and humbled to have viewers around the world. I hope to travel to meet followers when covid restrictions end. Have a great weekend.
@@djstrains I volunteer at my local heritage railway. If you would like to visit this, please let me know so that I can arrange a nice day out when you next visit England.
Great video. I was impressed with the smooth uncoupling, & thought how does he do that? I've tried a magnet built in a portion of track but just can't make it work. Now I know how you did it: video editing!! I wish there was a magic way to uncouple without having to use a skewer. I remember had a remote uncoupler I controlled with just a push button on the O scale Lionel train I had as a kid.
As always DJ very informative & interesting info, and learning some new about the railroad practices. Take care & stay safe my friend, looking foreword to your next vid. 😎👍👍👍🛤🚂
Great video! Reminds me last week I actually saw North Arkansas & Missouri on the south end of town switching cars around when they dropped off a car for the chemical plant that's near one of the storage facilities I work at (this line used to be part of a branch of the Missouri Pacific that this section from the south end of town to downtown is all that is left). Then yesterday I saw the BNSF moving some box cars I hadn't seen before along the branch line that is next to our downtown facility. This particular train has one of the old traditional cupola cabooses. It's one of the old Burlington Northern caboose still wearing the old green and white paint scheme. They always use it in our downtown area particularly on this branch line, and oddly all of the windows have sheet metal welded over them. Would you have any ideas on what they could be using it for? I assume not for its original purpose, but I could be wrong.
we can't do long back up moves without someone protecting the shove either visually on ground, or longer distance by riding the side of the car or using a caboose/shoving platform
When the caboose is converted into a shoving platform, they frequently weld sheet metal over the windows. They don't need them to look out anymore, and any unprotected glass would attract rocks/bricks/etc from the local idiots. Sealing the windows with metal will protect the interior from rain/birds/whatever. Likewise, in my area all the doors are welded shut for the same reason.
Hi, have to say that I am thinking of adding a z scale model to my OO scale layout to mimic a miniature railway at a local garden centre. I came across your videos and have been fascinated with them. Because you actually work in the industry for real, who better to watch, than someone that actually knows the real world. Thinking of Marklin Christmas set and getting a turnout and some flex track to go round the funny shaped lake and under viaducts. Can I just ask: are all z scale the same or do they vary from company to company like in OO scale where you can have different codes of track etc. Will be watching more of your videos and have subscribed. Keep up the real life video tutorials, they are beautifully presented. Thanks
Paul is responsible for many friends I have made in this hobby. It was him who introduced me to a few groups and it grew from there. I am eternally grateful for him.
Hello dj, I have ez track on a single main branch line for the gtw in Michigan sit is rather new but I feel like the ez track is not looking very prototypical
Having a small layout and randomly selecting cars to set out or picked up, I often have to do similar operations. One has to plan the moves from the switch list before starting the moves.
I really appreciate you and your real world advice. You have shown me how to model my railroad and at the same time bring realism to what I am doing. I love your advice about the yard because like most people I have limited space and I have always concerned myself with yard space especially when I see some of these fantastic layouts with huge yards. Take care of yourself and keep up the excellent work. I look forward to your next video. Do you think that you might do something about signaling? I need to know what type of signals to buy (who makes the best for N scale). I waited for BLMA but Craig was never able to get the signals right and then he sold out to Atlas who only want to promote their signaling system which is not compatible with my region nor do I want to invest in another system just for signals when I could get everything to work with my Digitrax system.
My boss asked me not to do one because if the info fell in the wrong hands, and something happened, I'd feel responsible. Like who ever thought those teachers who taught flight lessons, knew what a few students had planned for 9-11? Although my audience is great, being on RUclips it may somehow end up bad.
@@djstrains I understand completely, the world is not the same and our innocent world of model railroading is subject to the same poison nectar that has become a small part of the world, for a little while.
Fantastic video, Dj. Does your layout have industry or factory where they load the cars and the a company where the loads are dropped off? I have lumber and grain silos but I’m thinking , loads need to go somewhere on my layout. Would that be doable for a small layout? Maybe I need to just choose one industry and change the other industry to be the customer company. I hope this makes sense. Any advice?
Thank DJ, this made sense, but I have a question. In your example, you only had drop offs. What if you also have pick ups? Do the pick ups go on the rear of the train? Cheers! Stay safe and model on!
I will cover in a future video. But pick ups are usually placed on the head end because lets say we have to set 5 empty coal cars off and pick up 5 loads.. We would hold on to our empties, pick up the loads and put those against our train, and then place the empties in that spot., and return with just engines back to our train, the loads are next to engine.
I'm new to model railroading. Thank you for your videos. They are very helpful. On this layout, what brand track and switches are you using? How do you switch the switches? Electric? Manually? How do you uncouple the cars? Any help that you can give to me is really appreciated. Thank you. John
DJ, I would think that the cars would be placed OPPOSITE the chronological order, front to rear, to where they would be delivered. In other words, the cars first scheduled for delivery, the box cars to the factory in your example, would be the first cars cut off from the train and therefore, placed last in line in the consist. Please clarify.
I think crews prefer to spot cars close to the engine. Better visibility to get them in the correct position, and the conductor doesn't have to walk as far. You just leave the back part of the train on the main while you spot the cars in front. Of course, there can be special circumstances that would call for another approach, like a siding with track so bad that the engine shouldn't go on it, etc.
no, picture from a conductors point of view and engineers. We hate making rear end pick ups and set offs for a few reasons. The rear end train device (EOT) has to be removed and then replaced every time that last car changes. The slack action and control of moving a whole train back and forth, rather than just the head few cars is more than the non railroaders realize. Lots of time we "spot" a car on an exact spot, so the slack can make that tough to do.
I've read/watched lots about switchings cars in the yard, but I've not seen anything about how the cars get from storage into the yard. Do you just drop them onto the tracks in a random order?
We no longer call them that, we just call them "shoving platforms". Its been a few years, and they are on locals when we have to shove a car a few miles to an industry and conductor has to protect the movement. Wanna cool story about them? Watch: ruclips.net/video/RcJnSNEsFLA/видео.html
Real engines don't dart off pulling tons of weigh! This kills immersion resulting in toylike performance- (background music adds "0" and subtracts)... When and if this hobby "grows up" it will be a thing to behold!
ok, this didn't sit well with me. First, I drive 23,000 ton mixed freight trains (200 plus cars, over 2 miles long) for a living. DO you really think I don't know that? This video is only to explain a switch move. Had I decided to make a realistic op video, it would be 2-3x as long). The music was at such a low decibel to simply cover the "dead air" from where I had to cut the audio tracks to fit. Next, is the fact you HAVE NO VIDEOS! So before you nit pick, try it yourself. Last, "Grow up"? From someone who criticizes but can't teach, only troll, maybe you should pick your words better.
@@djstrains Sorry you took it the way you did no offense intended- I'll stick with what I said! I was once enthused to get into this hobby in a big way but the "$" wanted for such unrealistic performance cannot be justified by my wallet until it evolves beyond the "toy" stage...
@@Josedav3 How would anyone not take offense at the attitude expressed in your post. But that aside, I find modern offerings from manufacturers of model railroad locomotives do a great job in simulating realistic performance. Like DJ, I have spent far more time in the 1 to 1 scale.
To those without knowledge of railroading, they may think that you need to utilize more than necessary in order to build a train. Remember that most people have no idea how the railroad works (I knew nothing until I hired in 1999), so that's why I teach what I can.
@@djstrains DJ, it's great that you're using your platform to explain the basics of switching, but you're above using an Ad Hominem/discrediting argument. For all intents, any critical or cynical comment from a user(s) lacking their own content could still be a user with more experience in any given subject. That said, thanks for another video DJ, looking forward to the next.
Hi ya Dj, it’s always a pleasure learning the hows and whys of a railroad from a real engineer. Great video, as always. See ya next time.
Glad you enjoyed it
Hey DJ, love your videos! Keep it up!
Glad you like them!
I watched this video as I started my model railroad journey and have applied it to all of my operations. I'm watching it again and wish I had some bulkhead flatcars.
I really appreciate your insight into prototype railroading, DJ! Of course I enjoy watching your layout come to life, but it's great to learn how the real railroads operate from a professional railroader!
I appreciate that!
Explained something some of dod not know, thanks, I drove truck for 30 years, not all loads act the same.
100%. EXACTLY!!!
Thanks DJ for the information I model ho
Nice vid. I particularly enjoy your ops when you explain how you do things based on your engineer experience, and throw in some terminology as icing on the cake.
I appreciate that!
DJ, as I am struggling with the planning of my first layout, these real world tidbits of yours are very helpful. 😊
Thank you so much. I grew up before the internet and with no one to teach me. As I started my channel I just wanted to share all that I learned as a railroader and to teach in a fun and easy to understand way. I hope you enjoy the nearly 400 videos! Have a great experience
Fantastic video DJ! I really enjoyed this video because on my o scale layout I wanted to have a yard but cramming that on a 6x8ft table may be difficult, so this really opened up my mind a lot, thank you!
Your long time viewer/ fan,
- Nate M
Thanks, my friend, I really appreciate it!
@@djstrains Anytime!
Thank you DJ! This help me understand more about yard tracks! Also understand how they are use!
Great explanation DJ. Very similar to a video I posted where I used 4 stub tracks on my interchange to sorted 17 cars for 10 industries. There is a plant nearby that makes pipe for the pipelines but we know that came to a hault. - Jason
thanks for making asome videos!
Glad you like them!
DJ as all ways great info,all ways can learn something from someone who drives/work with trains in real life.On the bulk head,even if the pipes are tied down,i guess they can still slide forward/backwards? On your showing how to move cars around,guessing trick camera work when uncoupling cars? To you and your family and subscribers,stay safe.🚂✌🇱🇷
yeah, I edit to make the videos under 10 minutes, and no need to see my hairy arm in this one, lol.
I enjoy watching your videos. I’ve learned a lot about railroad operations from watching them. The explanation about shifting loads was great!
Hi DJ, Very informative video, two thumbs up. Since my layout represents a branch line, my Interchange yard only has 2 tracks as well. They are nestled in a small valley along with the branch line that heads off to the town of Long Valley. The railroad has evolved some since you've been here and is currently being operated by the Penn Central railroad. Although I'm not really into modern railroading, it just looks funny to me to see a big six axle switching cars on a branch. Of course you have to remember I grew up watching Penn Central GP9's working the local branches in the area. Having said that, your layout looks great and I can't wait to see the new addition. Cheers, Rich S.
Good video and keep it up!
At least you're doing a good job showing that we don't need to have large trains and/or large layouts to enjoy model railroading. Even though we're in North America where larger trains are the norm, but I just often wish I could also model European trains (and maybe a bit of Thomas LOL) because of smaller cars and shorter trains that could easily fit in on smaller layouts even though they're more difficult to get (except Thomas) than the North American models. I do love both North American and European trains respectively, I just have to spend more time doing art at the moment because I don't have the space to expand my layout and the times we're in.
Hello from New Zealand, my dad got me onto your channel and I'm really loving your content it's cool learning from someone who has actually worked for a railroad -keep it coming!
Awesome! Thank you!
Talking about cars you see on the railroad: I’ve handled cars on the Wheeling in Brewster, Ohio that I end up seeing on random CSX trains in Florida from Distant Signal’s videos!!! It’s crazy where cars will end up.
in McKeesport (Demmler) we are sorting cars for Las Vegas and Canada
Recently purchased a couple of the Atlas models of Soo Line bulkhead flats, the written detail on the sole bars (side sills) is amazing
I like how you uncouple cars via video editing--absolutely magic!
It's really too bad the magic of Kadee magnetic (and delayed) uncoupling isn't more popular--or reliable. Using fingers ("0-5-0") or skewers is so crude compared to the endlessly complicated DCC-sound systems everyone seems to drool over.
Thanks for showing for me personally ,how to switch easy by using a main line for newbie like me from the UK it’s kinder confusing.I’ve just put my layout on RUclips and don’t want to run my rolling stock in the wrong order and with your advice in this content on what can happen if a certain haulage is in a illegal situation ,this gives me a better understanding DJ on the American Railroad operations.
I’ve got one one buffer reefer box car at the back of locomotive and the rest are oil tanker cars , would that be enough in the real world ?
Absolutely brilliant content keep up the good work and thanks for sharing DJ
Phil.
first remember that class 9 hazmat only needs 1 buffer car. The FRA made an exemption to unit trains which allow them to also use 1 buffer car.
Great information! Thank you for taking the time to share it with us. Very helpful!
Glad it was helpful!
I have a switching tip for HO scale: use a thin wood skewer and put it in between the couplers, wiggle it a bit, and then the cars are separated.
Nice looking cars DJ. Also love the prototypical info you provided. That's what I love about your channel.
I appreciate that!
Okay so that explains why prototype has a three rail inline yard from the interchange. I then again in the Triangle yard, where they also have three tracks. I guess then they have mainline, holding track and sorting tracks. Thanks for explaining that, makes more sense. And thanks for explaining the flat car bulkhead placement.
Awesome video DJ - your clear and genuine explanation of real-life railroad terms is so helpful for those of us trying to recreate that atmosphere on our layouts. Really looking forward to your segment on the Virtual Trains Canada show later this month over on Kris's Go/Via/orgohome channel! Thanks for all the work you put into your RUclips videos!
Wow, DJ, you are the bee's knees this was amazing and you like music as well awesome. I love your layout and the commentary is excellent thanks again
Thanks for that info. Now I can run my railroad more realistically. You do a great job!
Glad to help
You always provide great ideas for model railroading, even Trainz.
Glad you like them!
Making me re- think the track plan. Less can be good. Thanks for making this video.
Glad it was helpful!
Hi DJ! Happy New Year to you and your family! Love the videos! I am anti-yard on my layout too but it’s HO and a shelf layout in my garage.
Happy new year!!
Sweet looking cars! Walthers has made them in HO, and Exactrail made a really nice one a few years ago. That bulkhead design dates from the mid-1960s into the 70s. I still see then roll by. By the way, I live near a BNSF mainline and at least one train per day (usually the Galesburg to Lincoln manifest) has several bulkhead flats carrying steel products. Usually beams of various sizes, but also sheet steel and rebar bundles. So using your BNSF bulkheads to ship steel products west is quite correct!
I’m looking forward to seeing your channel again. Kindest regards from England!!
I finished a new video just now, but it won't be live until Tuesday. I think you'll really like it. In the mean time, I may make a quick video today about future projects. I am so honored and humbled to have viewers around the world. I hope to travel to meet followers when covid restrictions end. Have a great weekend.
@@djstrains I volunteer at my local heritage railway. If you would like to visit this, please let me know so that I can arrange a nice day out when you next visit England.
Your new layout looks great DJ!
Enjoyed this video👍👍
Thanks!
Thanks 👍
Perfect subject.‼️ 🚂Confirms my thoughts of how I want to operate and plan my layout. I really enjoy the videos!
Awesome, thank you!
Great video. I was impressed with the smooth uncoupling, & thought how does he do that? I've tried a magnet built in a portion of track but just can't make it work. Now I know how you did it: video editing!! I wish there was a magic way to uncouple without having to use a skewer. I remember had a remote uncoupler I controlled with just a push button on the O scale Lionel train I had as a kid.
As always thank for the educations, while I knew that you don't use those kind of load but wasn't really sure of just way....thanks for sharing 👍👍👍👍👍
Great video as always! I got to see NS 38 Geometry unit and NS 8114 Original Norfolk Southern yesterday in Wilmerding, PA
Very cool!
Hi Dj! Can you see if you can make a video on what the class lights mean on like the CN loco’s? If not, it’s ok.
3:05 NS locomotive with a huge label saying "LOOKS LIKE A WASTE OF SPACE"
Bit of inter-company rivalry, there! 🤣
Good video, helpful tip for shelf modellers, thanks DJ. Cheers
Glad to help
As always DJ very informative & interesting info, and learning some new about the railroad practices. Take care & stay safe my friend, looking foreword to your next vid. 😎👍👍👍🛤🚂
Thanks, will do!
Excellent video I enjoyed watching it and it was full of good information 👍😀😀🇬🇧🚂
Glad you enjoyed it
Your backdrop was great
Do you tag your rolling stock with the Graffiti, as the prototypes?? Great information on the bulkhead flat cars.
I will, eventually do a few. Time is my obstacle right now.
Great video! Reminds me last week I actually saw North Arkansas & Missouri on the south end of town switching cars around when they dropped off a car for the chemical plant that's near one of the storage facilities I work at (this line used to be part of a branch of the Missouri Pacific that this section from the south end of town to downtown is all that is left).
Then yesterday I saw the BNSF moving some box cars I hadn't seen before along the branch line that is next to our downtown facility. This particular train has one of the old traditional cupola cabooses. It's one of the old Burlington Northern caboose still wearing the old green and white paint scheme. They always use it in our downtown area particularly on this branch line, and oddly all of the windows have sheet metal welded over them. Would you have any ideas on what they could be using it for? I assume not for its original purpose, but I could be wrong.
The caboose sounds like it’s used as a shoving platform 😄
we can't do long back up moves without someone protecting the shove either visually on ground, or longer distance by riding the side of the car or using a caboose/shoving platform
When the caboose is converted into a shoving platform, they frequently weld sheet metal over the windows. They don't need them to look out anymore, and any unprotected glass would attract rocks/bricks/etc from the local idiots. Sealing the windows with metal will protect the interior from rain/birds/whatever. Likewise, in my area all the doors are welded shut for the same reason.
It never occurred to me that the old cabooses would be used as shoving platforms. I'm not sure why... I guess it's the nostalgia part of my brain. ;)
Thanks DJ, great as usual!
Hi, have to say that I am thinking of adding a z scale model to my OO scale layout to mimic a miniature railway at a local garden centre. I came across your videos and have been fascinated with them. Because you actually work in the industry for real, who better to watch, than someone that actually knows the real world. Thinking of Marklin Christmas set and getting a turnout and some flex track to go round the funny shaped lake and under viaducts. Can I just ask: are all z scale the same or do they vary from company to company like in OO scale where you can have different codes of track etc. Will be watching more of your videos and have subscribed. Keep up the real life video tutorials, they are beautifully presented. Thanks
z scale is one size. Not a lot of manufactures, but still nice stuff and would be a cool scene on your layout!
Hey DJ, Yesterday I learned that you and I have a common friend, Paul Garland. Paul and I have been friends since 1987.
Paul is responsible for many friends I have made in this hobby. It was him who introduced me to a few groups and it grew from there. I am eternally grateful for him.
Hello dj, I have ez track on a single main branch line for the gtw in Michigan sit is rather new but I feel like the ez track is not looking very prototypical
Put some ballast on it lightly and it will look much better.
Another awesome video love the layout!
Thank you very much!
Nice video DJ! -Rick
Thanks!
Another informative video, thanks for sharing 😁
Glad you enjoyed it!
Having a small layout and randomly selecting cars to set out or picked up, I often have to do similar operations. One has to plan the moves from the switch list before starting the moves.
I really appreciate you and your real world advice. You have shown me how to model my railroad and at the same time bring realism to what I am doing. I love your advice about the yard because like most people I have limited space and I have always concerned myself with yard space especially when I see some of these fantastic layouts with huge yards. Take care of yourself and keep up the excellent work. I look forward to your next video. Do you think that you might do something about signaling? I need to know what type of signals to buy (who makes the best for N scale). I waited for BLMA but Craig was never able to get the signals right and then he sold out to Atlas who only want to promote their signaling system which is not compatible with my region nor do I want to invest in another system just for signals when I could get everything to work with my Digitrax system.
My boss asked me not to do one because if the info fell in the wrong hands, and something happened, I'd feel responsible. Like who ever thought those teachers who taught flight lessons, knew what a few students had planned for 9-11? Although my audience is great, being on RUclips it may somehow end up bad.
@@djstrains I understand completely, the world is not the same and our innocent world of model railroading is subject to the same poison nectar that has become a small part of the world, for a little while.
I could actually read most of the car information text on the bulkhead flat cars. :)
Big fan of the bulkhead flat cars. I have a bunch.
Great call inviting DJ to the Virtual Trains Canada show, bud! Gonna be awesome!
Ditto what Steve87 said....very informative video....and nice cars
Thanks 👍
Awesome video!!!
That was a great video!! Keep up the great work.
Thank you! Will do!
Great video keep it up I love this channel!
YOU'LL LOVE NEXT TUESDAYS VIDEO!!!
Fantastic video, Dj. Does your layout have industry or factory where they load the cars and the a company where the loads are dropped off? I have lumber and grain silos but I’m thinking , loads need to go somewhere on my layout. Would that be doable for a small layout? Maybe I need to just choose one industry and change the other industry to be the customer company. I hope this makes sense. Any advice?
YOU'LL LOVE MY NEXT VIDEO! I PROMISE!
@@djstrains - Awesome! I can’t wait. Have a great weekend.
Thank DJ, this made sense, but I have a question. In your example, you only had drop offs. What if you also have pick ups? Do the pick ups go on the rear of the train? Cheers! Stay safe and model on!
I will cover in a future video. But pick ups are usually placed on the head end because lets say we have to set 5 empty coal cars off and pick up 5 loads.. We would hold on to our empties, pick up the loads and put those against our train, and then place the empties in that spot., and return with just engines back to our train, the loads are next to engine.
Lots of great info. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
That probably explains the bulkhead on the front of the rail train, as I guess that would be a shiftable load.
I'm new to model railroading. Thank you for your videos. They are very helpful.
On this layout, what brand track and switches are you using?
How do you switch the switches? Electric? Manually?
How do you uncouple the cars?
Any help that you can give to me is really appreciated.
Thank you. John
On this older layout I used peco insulfrog
On new layout I use kato track also
I uncouple by hand
thank you for detail video
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent vid and info
Glad you enjoyed it
So do you serve the drywall factory where the J&L steel mill used to be in Aliquippa?
Yes. Both National in Shppingport and US Gyp in Alliquippa.
DJ, I would think that the cars would be placed OPPOSITE the chronological order, front to rear, to where they would be delivered. In other words, the cars first scheduled for delivery, the box cars to the factory in your example, would be the first cars cut off from the train and therefore, placed last in line in the consist. Please clarify.
I think crews prefer to spot cars close to the engine. Better visibility to get them in the correct position, and the conductor doesn't have to walk as far. You just leave the back part of the train on the main while you spot the cars in front. Of course, there can be special circumstances that would call for another approach, like a siding with track so bad that the engine shouldn't go on it, etc.
no, picture from a conductors point of view and engineers. We hate making rear end pick ups and set offs for a few reasons. The rear end train device (EOT) has to be removed and then replaced every time that last car changes. The slack action and control of moving a whole train back and forth, rather than just the head few cars is more than the non railroaders realize. Lots of time we "spot" a car on an exact spot, so the slack can make that tough to do.
More done with less track. Amen! --dunc
Very nice 👌 👍 👏 😀
I've read/watched lots about switchings cars in the yard, but I've not seen anything about how the cars get from storage into the yard. Do you just drop them onto the tracks in a random order?
I will be making a more in depth video very soon to answer.
Great info, thanks
Glad it was helpful!
Very helpful.
Glad to hear!
I wonder why looking at old Photos of Cleveland Ohio in from the 1900-1920 era. The yards are huge.
pre automobile and truck traffic. Everything went by rail.
great video, some good info :)
The bulk head can be placed in/ behind tanks??
have you ever had a train with a caboose? and how do you do switching operations with a caboose?
We no longer call them that, we just call them "shoving platforms". Its been a few years, and they are on locals when we have to shove a car a few miles to an industry and conductor has to protect the movement. Wanna cool story about them? Watch: ruclips.net/video/RcJnSNEsFLA/видео.html
One slight correction. NOKL is the Northwestern Oklahoma not "North Oklahoma".
oh, good catch!
were you using electro magnet to uncouple?
no, just my hand and editing for a shorter video
Nice video.
Many many thanks
I’m impressed by the amount of detail you put into your model railroad,but you need to add a little more graffiti.
What happened if your holding track can only hold say 3 cars instead of 5 as shown?
you would need to make a few additional moves, one car at a time. Probably not very practical.
@@djstrains Thanks.
What about when tanks are empty?
Still illegal because even a hazmat empty can have "residue"
lol you had 69 likes tell i liked
Here’s “around tuit”
Real engines don't dart off pulling tons of weigh! This kills immersion resulting in toylike performance- (background music adds "0" and subtracts)...
When and if this hobby "grows up" it will be a thing to behold!
ok, this didn't sit well with me. First, I drive 23,000 ton mixed freight trains (200 plus cars, over 2 miles long) for a living. DO you really think I don't know that? This video is only to explain a switch move. Had I decided to make a realistic op video, it would be 2-3x as long). The music was at such a low decibel to simply cover the "dead air" from where I had to cut the audio tracks to fit. Next, is the fact you HAVE NO VIDEOS! So before you nit pick, try it yourself. Last, "Grow up"? From someone who criticizes but can't teach, only troll, maybe you should pick your words better.
@@djstrains
Sorry you took it the way you did no offense intended- I'll stick with what I said!
I was once enthused to get into this hobby in a big way but the "$" wanted for
such unrealistic performance cannot be justified by my wallet until it evolves
beyond the "toy" stage...
@@Josedav3 How would anyone not take offense at the attitude expressed in your post. But that aside, I find modern offerings from manufacturers of model railroad locomotives do a great job in simulating realistic performance. Like DJ, I have spent far more time in the 1 to 1 scale.
What bs is this? 2 tracks have always have been enough.
To those without knowledge of railroading, they may think that you need to utilize more than necessary in order to build a train. Remember that most people have no idea how the railroad works (I knew nothing until I hired in 1999), so that's why I teach what I can.
side note: once again a person with NO videos leaves a cynical comment.
@@djstrains DJ, it's great that you're using your platform to explain the basics of switching, but you're above using an Ad Hominem/discrediting argument. For all intents, any critical or cynical comment from a user(s) lacking their own content could still be a user with more experience in any given subject. That said, thanks for another video DJ, looking forward to the next.
I have made do with 2 tracks throughout my career. But when a third or even a fourth is available they sure can come in handy