Great video DJ! I love when you spill your train knowledge on us. Much appreciated. Not sure how you can work on both a real railroad AND a model railroad. And THEN fly a drone over a railroad and take footage! Dedication.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

I appreciate that!

I remember when CSX first started with remote units there were several different colored lights above the cab. I saw one of these units being transferred east bound through Akron, Ohio, when I used to railfan. This was around the 1980s.

I agree about the graffiti, I can understand not wanting to grime up or put graffiti on your cars, especially the more expensive ones, but it looks more like a real train with graffiti and dirt build up on your cars.

Hey DJ. I hope all is well. Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your videos. Like you I’m a n scaler and have been doing n scale for about forty years plus. I have been a model rr for about 55 years. You have great vantage points on your videos and because you are an engineer, you are showing us things that most of us never see so it makes it way more interesting and educational. Working in n scale is more difficult to work with do to its size, so when we are scratch building something we can’t afford to make a mistake because it stands out so much. But when we are done we get to stand back and admire it and show it off. Thank you for all that you do for the hobby and I always look forward to seeing your new video. I have watched most if not all of your videos at least twice usually three times. So keep up the great work, and your railroad looks great. Stay safe out there and happy railroading. Otto

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Otto. I agree with what you are saying with scratch building. For me, cutting out n scale window openings is the hardest part. I did see someone try a different approach and maybe I'll be able to do a video on it sometime this year. Thanks for your support, it is truly appreciated.

While my favorite eras are the early diesel and steam eras of railroading, I love that you show current activity and that you model a more modern era. It helps attract younger people to the craft. I learn new things about modern railroading from many of your videos, thank you! My personal reasons for modeling earlier eras are mostly because of my older relatives telling me what it was like with the steam locos coming into towns where they lived during that era, and them telling me what it was like riding a passenger train. I even had a great great uncle who was a genuine hobo from the pre WWII era.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

This is a great comment!! Love it and I have always modeled 1980s because my youth memories but dabbled in 1940s after finding books and photos from that time. But currently modeling modern to attract a new audience!

A lot of great tips and ideas, also love the camera views

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I spend a lot of time editing but I enjoy teaching

Although it's now 2024 I'm seeing this for the first time and what a great video. You give great ideas on how to add and improve our model railroads.

@djstrains

3 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Just when I think you can’t get any better, you hit this one out of the park, just got home from work, and now I want to start changing my layout plans. Thank you again for your time and effort to bring us these amazing videos

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Lol, no layout is ever finished because we always learn something.

@jeffyoung1349

2 жыл бұрын

@@djstrains I’ve learned the most in the past year from you, I’m grateful once again for the unique perspective and knowledge you share with all of us

I enjoyed the part about the turntable and Roundhouses. Didn't know that they would have 2 in the same yard. I am trying to set up one large round house that's going to hold at least 24 to 28 Locomotives, if nothing else to just to store them. Thanks for the great idea's but now you caused me more work. LOL

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Hahaha

The possibilities for a setup is so cool. Today and yesterday is beautiful! Well done. Very well done. Overwhelming.

These are all great tips/ ideas we can use.Thanks for sharing!

Great video! Love all of the knowledge you share with us. It really helps!

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear it!

Thanks DJ 😏 I never knew what a distributed power unit was until I saw this video I was going to look it up because everybody Railfaning kept saying that when the middle engine came up... I appreciate you taking the time to show us all your tips and tricks in the real world 👍😎

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Glad I could help

Always learn a lot of the little details from your videos. Thanks for the education.

Your videos are so informing! I enjoy watching and learning from them. Thanks for sharing.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad! Thanks Cary

Lot's of great information DJ! Thanks for sharing your knowledge

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Glad to help

Fantastic video. Thanks DJ.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

Another great video - full of info with well-paced and easy to understand commentary. Great filming too! Thanks so much for sharing this great series made by a real railroad engineer.

Awesome! Thanks for the flat yard info, and the slanted buildings are a great space saving must do! Thanks DJ great job as always! 👍✌️

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Any time!

DJ, AWESOME video. Educational, interesting and entertaining. Thanks so much for your time and efforts to keep us informed. Looking forward to more videos like this. Rich

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

Thank you yet Dj, really appreciate the ideas and lessons that you give. I'm actually learning 😌. Thanks again, Chris

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Great to hear!

Always great to see through your eyes! Cheers DJ.

@stoobieman

2 жыл бұрын

Always cool to see the people I watch watch the people I watch

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Cheers!

Thanks D.J., loved the video and loved learning more about the railroad and your job!

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks as always for your continued support

Happy New Year! I am away two weeks and come back to find yet another excellent video. I keep learning more and more and more. I did not know that yard tracks were flat and had no elevation and the reasoning was all too clear. Your knowledge of the railroad industry and your willingness to share it make you a jewel in the crown. I really appreciate what you do and how you explain things. It is a real gift.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, my friend

DJ ….. I just really enjoy 😊 your drone educational videos 👍👍👍 !!! Each time I watch a new one, I learned something from these 😎 !!

Thxs dj I like these kind of videos and understanding how RxR function.....Keep it coming.....

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

More to come!

Love the yard operations videos. Thanks for sharing DJ.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you like them!

Great vid. Like the different CSX engines you showed.

excellent video dj. keep up the fine work

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, will do!

Sweet overview, thanks for the tips, like angling the buildings. Love the info.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Glad to help

Great video. Keep it up!

*Thank You DJ* 😊❤

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome 😊

Happy holidays DJ. Another great video. Learn a lot from these videos. Keep them coming

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, will do!

Great ideas, DJ!

This was really good DJ!

I love your videos especially when you narrate what is not the focus but things that adds authenticity to the layout. Alas I no longer have my own layout as we've downsized from a 5 bedroom house with full basement to a two bedroom single floor condo, but that's just life so I really enjoy your narration. Thanks for sharing!

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you like them!

Another great video. Some much information and new modeling ideas from you videos.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you like them!

Great stuff

Excellent points that. I have never Even thought of. I am now going to subscribe to your channel and I thought that this was very informative and it makes things so much better as far as reality on my way out

Thanks DJ for the lesson

Some great modeling tips!!

Even being a railroader I'm still learning what's out there. Awesome video DJ!

Excellent video, DJ. Far too many modelers skip the easy details that you’ve pointed out. Keep up the great work. Happy and safe New Year!

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, you too!

I’ve long wondered about the “extra” inner rails on bridges. Thanks for the explanation!

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Happy to help!

Great video DJ! A really good insight into what happens on the prototype, including the little details in the yard. Excellent stuff! Cheers from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺!

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! 👍 I love that you still watch my videos from so far away!

Verrrrrry informative and useful, thanks.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Great video, lots of good tips! I'm glad you mentioned the older equipment info. I love my older equipment, but my next model railroad is a more modern era, so I'm thinking about modeling a small railroad museum just to show a few of them off

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Right on!

Great video ! Thanks for the info.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Very cool. I learned a lot from this video. Thanks

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Love your videos!

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you like them! This keeps me going.

Very informative, great video!

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

I have to say that this was one of the best videos I’ve seen. The fact that you used a drone made it more special for me thanks.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! I have been using the drone for 3 years now so please check out some of my videos for more ideas. They are categorized also in my PLAYLISTS for easier navigation. Thanks!

Loved this one, would liked to see more about switching and switching at a customer.

very interesting thanks

Thanks for the great video DJ. My HO layout models the Norfolk Southern in North Carolina. So I get to model the North Carolina Transportation Museum, its roundhouse and turntable all all the great E Units (and occasional steam) that they have there. I really enjoy your videos.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

E units are awesome

Happy new year DJ!

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Happy new year!!

You’re a great teacher! I have learned so much from your videos. Thank you! Sincerely, when I have my newest layout running (DCC) I hope to join your Patreon channel. It’s not fair to get all this teaching without “paying it forward” for others to learn and enjoy.😊

@djstrains

Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome!

Great!

Fantastic reference video.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

I live in Cumberland Maryland. A lot of railroad history in the mountains here. DJ great videos my friend.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed

cool video. thanks

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

Great video.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

It's so pleasant to hear your voice and watch your videos. Thanks for posting. I especially enjoy seeing Connellsville and its changes. They were just introducing remote operation when I left. Funny that the unused operators' tower is still there. From your video, I think one is gone, though. So they have a crew change shack now? The crews used to come to the yard office when I was a VI Control Operator. I think some used lockers in the carmen's building and even slept there if they needed a nap while waiting. You probably came by there while I worked that position from 2006 - 2008 'til the Big Furlough. I was third shift except while trained by Phyllis. Remember her? Remember Debbie the clerk? As to the disassembled steam engine, I remember one at a facility near Glenwood. I believe it was being restored. I wonder if the one in this video is the same one. Practice Safe CSX!

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

I didn't get qualified from connellsville to sinns until 2007 and never went up to the VI tower, just talked to them on the radio. That is the same steam engine.

@KutWrite

2 жыл бұрын

@@djstrains Thanks DJ. I always appreciate your taking the time to answer.

Fabulous! It points up the role of history in prototyping. For example, until the late 1700s, moreso I. The 1800s, roads typically followed existing paths, like migratory paths, rivers, natural topography... And buildings faced those paths or other topography. Early buildings and railroads, then, replaced those paths. Later, we started aligning everything by compass settings, grading became cheaper and easier, and we changed the landscape to fit rather than building alignment to fit the landscape.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

well said!!!

I always wondered what was the purpose of the rails in the middle of the track. I did notice them a lot on bridges. Thanks.

On the bridge I'm surprised you did not call out the 2 concrete Pillows that protect the bridge pier. Just looking at that I'm betting they had a derailment at that point one time and went full on fix it.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Thats a great observation. I had heard rumor they were going to raise the bridge to allow our double stacks, but then decided to lower our main by 4'.

Great video DJ!! I model late 60's to mid to late 70's. But such great info. Don't know your route,but do you ever go down to Georgia?

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

No, I am in western Pennsylvania. I did vacation in Savannah and rode a steam engine there. kzread.info/dash/bejne/pXVhmLiMc7O8o6Q.html

Building an ho scale railroad with an emphasis on detail

As a ex member of the Pasadena model club all my engines were csx

Lots of great ideas! In that first clip with the siding under the RR bridge, is that a derailer I see just before the siding merges back into the main?

@djstrains

9 ай бұрын

Yes, it is! Most of our power switches also are linked to a split rail derail which prevents a run away car from entering our mainlines.

I like watching your videos so I can probably model CSX on this simulator I play called Run8 V3!

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome!

Interesting having guard rails on the track below a bridge. It also looks like there are concrete structures on either side of the steel pier just to the right of the track. I wonder if they are additional derailment protection.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

I think that may be true, but wasn't certain because they also lowered the track years ago for double stacks.

At 3:00 there's an old set of points on the righthand track above the bridge.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

no, that is a dispatcher controlled, powered, split rail derail to prevent cars rolling out to the mainline. When the dispatcher lines us in or out of the yard track, it lines "normal". When no movements are lined by dispatcher, it is lined to derail a car away from the main.

So . . . . add yellow strobe light to remote control engines

Awesome video DJ and your informative commentary puts things you explain in a better perspective. Glad you mentioned abt the air compressor and the dumpster within the railyard bcuz I took notes to order those items for mine. Question for you. Why do coal trains use 3 digit locomotives and the other manifest trains use 4 digit locomotives?

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

I have answered this twice already on your other comments. That is not true. Its only about select engines have DP capability. If a train doesn't need DP, then its gonna get a non DP capable engine.

@shawnpowell5876

2 жыл бұрын

@@djstrains sorry DJ I didn't get a notification that you responded back. My bad and understand why they do that now. Appreciate it my friend.

Hola DJ - hey I'm from Pittsburgh!! Great vid and it was neat to see PGH in the back at the beginning. I do have a question tho - at the 10:17 mark behind the engine there are yellow ties - why are they painted yellow. I hope I didn't repeat this question, couldn't find if anyone else asked. Thanks and keep up the awesome work.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Yellow ties mark clearance points so cars don't sideswipe other cars. Also prevents us from fouling the circuit for the powered crossovers you see here. WATCH THIS ALSO: kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZaaqqcpqobWulqQ.html

Another great video DJ! Wondering if you know what the stop sign is for next to the Pittsburgh & Ohio Central bridge pier. I can't make out what it says but it appears to be directed down the track instead of down a road.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

STOP DISMOUNT CLOSE CLEARANCE

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

KZread loses some quality when uploading

Great video as always DJ! I was down at Amity street in Homestead the other day and on the CSX side of the station a red crane truck get stuck under the crossing gate and was very close to being hit by the train. Was wondering how often does that happen there?

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

more often than you'd think

@steelcityrailfan4808

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I’d assume so. I’ve only been down to the Waterfront 2 times so wasn’t to sure.

Does the conductor/RCO work alone? I used to be an RCO in New Zealand prior to joining the dark side and we could never work alone, let alone drive a van with the pack on. Even if we checked our route or "backshunt" we had to be at or near the head of the movement and the second person did the cuts, points and catches most of the time. Even the compressed air is new to me as we have to dump all air if leaving rakes unattended. I love watching your videos, it shows how the same job can differ so much all over the world! Happy New Year from Palmerston North, NZ 🇳🇿

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

sadly, the company feels that 1 man crews are the way to go, and our Union is worthless.

@christophercarran4164

2 жыл бұрын

Oh boy, no good. Although we do run mainline trains with just the LE and sometimes a second person on local jobs, I spose you guys are still 2 up at this point?

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

@@christophercarran4164 hanging on with 2 on road trains and locals, for now. No contract in 2 years already

I've seen the display engine done before. The guide or safety rails sould be done if attempting to be prototypical where required. In regards to yard track not being up to the standard of branch much less mainline standards there was a video on KZread that featured some truely atrociously bad yard track that was intentionally hand laid that way. The buildings at angles to the right of way may be due to rail access that used to be there. Sharp radius turnouts and track suitable for older 40ft freight cars and a small yard switcher. The pools at around 4:50 to the right are a waste water treatment facility.

Good Stuff, DJ. At 3:53 on the right track (with the guide rails) just past the brick building there seems to be the remnants of an old turnout going off to the right. Any ideas about what that is? Also, at 10:05, what is the significance of the yellow ties?

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

yellow tie: clearance points. In yards, it protects cars side swiping cars on adjacent tracks. Here, it prevents us from fouling the circuit for the power operated crossovers. The switch at the far end is power operated (dispatcher controlled) split rail derail. It prevents runaway cars from entering the mainline.

Do you know if there is a list of train shows in PA? I just watched the N scale one in Altoona from 3 years ago. I've been to the Monroeville 2 years ago but I have no idea where to look for others.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

greenburg train show website.

142,800 total YT competitive railfanning foamer points awarded 👍 Key bonus foamer points: Total stealth railfanning drone shots 12,000. A perky pair of Double Ds lol (DPUs) 17,600. Videoing crews lol 3,000. Conductors doing the job of licensed engineers (corporate greed capture bonus - maximize profits over safe operations - single person yard crews) 6,000. Rebuilding steam locomotive capture 50,000. Total graffiti 1,000.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

hahaha

👍👍

Hi DJ, I thinking about modeling the Union Railroad North Bessemer Yard in Penn Hills in the future and one of the abandoned buildings is made of brick. Is it possible to make the stirene to look like bricks?

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

I sell brick sheet in all scales. what scale are you modeling?

@steelcityrailfan4808

2 жыл бұрын

HO

Hey DJ, @10:10 what do the yellow ties denote?? Because they're not near a switch as a clearance marker, so what else are they used for??

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

They are a clearance point for the power operated crossover there. Its a circuit, and we have to be behind the yellow tie for them to operate.

When doing model railroading these are all great little details that you see things but may wonder why (why is the yard flat, why were those buildings at an angle, why does that one piece of track have the extra rails). This is great information. Also interesting that CSX is now using DP at the end of the train. I saw BNSF and UP do that a lot (watching virtual rail cams), but all the CSX I have seen where I live are still running DP around the middle of the train and nothing on the end. I expect that will eventually change. Since I am using KATO track in my yard, but I am going to find a way to bring the height up around it now to make it more prototypical. Thanks for the great video.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

fill in between the unit rack with sculptamold

@KevinSquire

2 жыл бұрын

The dollar store foam board sheets are great for filling in between Kato tracks. It does not bring it ALL the way up (so you probably still gonna want a little bit of sculptamold or such), but is great filler and costs "nothing". NOTE: remove the paper part first, at least that is what I have done. and the dollar store "ReadiBoard" brand peels off really easy.

@budgetwebsiteservice

2 жыл бұрын

I use thin balsa wood sheets & then cover the gaps & balsa sheets with tile grout to give it some texture like compacted earth...

Never knew until this video that there are unmanned or remote controlled trains. When did they start to use those and do you guys like using them?

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

its been around for a long time, especially out west, but in MY area, only the past few years, and it is more time consuming with building trains and yarding trains than worth the effort. On straight through trains, yes, but horrible for short runs with yard work. Also killed so many manned helper jobs.

@chadportenga7858

9 ай бұрын

@@djstrains I'll bet the conductor or engineer of the infamous 8888 wishes he had one of those at the time!

Hey dj! Hope your doing well. Are you also able to put trees near railroad crossings? I heard a lot of people are saying that crossings are supposed to be clear at a certain point so commuters can see where the train is coming

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Good point, but I never seen it in writing, but makes sense. However our whole branch line is so overgrown its ridiculous.

@mpetersen6

2 жыл бұрын

The same thing actually applies to street intersections. Not that I see it enforced much. Plus on a railroad right of way how much of an easement does the railroad own on each side of the right of way. That by itself should allow clear sight lines.

Did you influence (It's my railroad)? With the steam engine thing?

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

I actually dont get around to watching much model railroad related stuff on KZread.

What all do you have to do to set up locomotives with dpus?

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to set up the rear unit first. Then another ten minutes to set up the lead. So many system checks. It’s a real pain to do to be honest.

@trs-no8lm

2 жыл бұрын

@@djstrains that be a good video

When will do the next Q&A?

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Not sure. Sometimes my videos are based around a question I get. If you have a bunch of questions we can connect through patreon and do a zoom chat

This is a really nice video. I use an ancient SP boxcar for storage at my Oregon Cascades CJ sawmill. Check it out!

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

I might eventually do a video on that subject because it is common. Sadly I didnt capture the boxcars parked permanently at the mill buildings at an angle. Next time.

@ScottJohnson4449

2 жыл бұрын

@@djstrains Yeah, it's the little details, I think, that propel layouts to the next level. I graffitied a tunnel entrance with me and my wifes' initials ,and the year we met. Up in Portland, on the SP/UP just before the Steel Bridge, there was a permanently parked generator car that was actually painted to match the building! what a cool detail to model.

Wondered what became of B&LE 643!

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

It is still waiting on the age of steam to get it. Sigh

I have a question that's been bugging me about remote controlled locomotives...When the conductor is on the ground controlling his train,will the locomotives being controlled automatically shut down if they go too far from him???( Like out of range of the control pack)

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

yes. There are "hockey pucks" on the yard lead that the RC unit works within its limits.

Hi DJ, got a question for ya. I am wanting to learn how to build structures for a layout. I am currently considering H.O. scale.Now I have watched a ton of videos about building layouts. And the one thing I see repeatedly throughout these videos is the use of scale rulers. However, none of them explain how to derive the measurements one will be using to build structures in any given scale. So I am hoping you can shed some light on this for me. Thank you .

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

I never go by actual measurements. I go by its relationship to surrounding items..kzread.info/dash/bejne/q45-qa2gaa_Xpaw.html

What do the yellow ties at the end of the video mean?

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

clearance points. In yards, it protects cars side swiping cars on adjacent tracks. Here, it prevents us from fouling the circuit for the power operated crossovers.

It's amazing how little crew are needed compared to even the 1980s.

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

The unmanned helpers was a huge blow to our morale and manpower.

@kents.2866

2 жыл бұрын

@@djstrains that's upsetting to hear but not surprising.

@cdavid8139

2 жыл бұрын

Many short line operations run some trains with one man in the cab and one man driving a truck and chasing the train. Works really well. That crewman can flag crossings, watch roll-byes for problematic equipment, line switches and meet with customers before the train arrives to switch them. Many of us feel that with PTC....even the Class I roads may end up with one person in the cab running certain over-the-road trains. Lots would have to happen with unions and the government for that to become widely used. (My opinion. I could be full of it)

At 10:04 and up, we can see some ties painted yellow. What's the purpose?

@KutWrite

2 жыл бұрын

That shows how closely you can leave a car without interfering with cars on a nearby track. It's called the clearance point. There are white-painted ties, too. Those indicate there's some kind of drainage pipe underneath.

@Christiane069

2 жыл бұрын

@@KutWrite Ha! OK. Thank you for the feedback,

One thing to add -PortaPotties!!!!

@djstrains

2 жыл бұрын

Luckily we have bathrooms in yard offices and in engines.