Bill B.'s Holiday Box Car Challenge 2023

[@RaysTrains]

Now I’m subscribed !! Thanks bill!

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

I'm a subscriber to your channel as well, Ray! Thanks you!

[@davevan8864]

Nice scenery!

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hi Dave, Good morning and thank you! The scenery is slowly coming along. Merry Christmas! Bill

[@johnhartz21779]

Merry Christmas Bill.

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hi, John, thank you! Take care and Merry Christmas! Bill

[@paultrains3336]

MERRY CHRISTMAS. 🎅🚂🎅🚂🎅

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hi Paul, thank you and Merry Christmas to you!

[@FLRailroaddog]

Great Bill.. posting mine tonight.. keep the tradition going 😊

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hi, Jorge, I saw it and you di d a beautiful job with it. If you want add the #billb.'sholidayboxcarchallenge after your video's tile and your video will be added to the challenge page. Try it by clicking on the hashtag and it will take you to the page. Jorge, I very much appreciate your support of the effort and hope you had fun with it. Bill

[@christsogaugetrains]

Box cars oh know. Layout coming a long very nicely😊 I enjoy the snow too

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Thank you, christsogaugetrains! Yep, box cars are my favorite pieces of rolling stock. One just can't have to many box cars. I kind of say that about hoppers too, lol! We are still waiting to see our first snow where I live so perhaps that gave me the notion to apply a little snow effect. Merry Christmas! Bill

[@christsogaugetrains]

@@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway winter been warm I just bought some Menards ore cars one because they were cheap and trying to get Menards To listen and install better couplers. I just uploaded a video on them

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

@@christsogaugetrains Cool, I'll check it out. Bill

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Great video Bill!

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Thank you, NPVSRR, much appreciated! Bill

[@ChrissTrainsandMore]

Great video Bill! I love the snow addition to video!

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hey, good morning, Chris! Thank you! Are you up to meeting the Bill B.'s Holiday Box Car Challenge 2023 and posting a video? Oh, I bet you are, lol! Merry Christmas, Chris! Bill

[@Dadified86]

Great way to showcase your boxcars and amazing layout! Challenge accepted!

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

HI, Dadified86, that is the way! I appreciate the compliment and even more your willingness to accept the challenge. Thank you and Merry Christmas! Bill

[@Dadified86]

@@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway got ours posted! Kid loves running freight anyways

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

@@Dadified86 I know, I saw it! I loved the video! Bill P.S. Thank you!

[@Coreyt1976]

Merry Christmas, I posted mine!

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Yay, Corey, I will go check it out now! Thank you for contributing to the Challenge my friend! Bill

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Corey, I have to apologize. You know I saw and watched your video shortly after you published it and even shared it with Mary, but when I wrote my comment, I must have left it without hitting the reply button. I'm sorry. I again left a comment and this time hit the button, lol. Now, on my way to the train room to work on a new video! Take care, my friend! Bill

[@Coreyt1976]

@@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway Bill, you do not have to apologize. I appreciate you and the challenge. I just wanted to make sure you saw it. I hope you enjoyed the video. I love that challenge and my mug! Nothing but love for you and Mary 😀

[@WIPEOUT_Trains]

Wonderful video Mr. Bill I saw you had a WP box on the thumbnail! An immediate thumbs up from me!

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hey, Cody, thank you! Yes, I knew you would like that WP box car. It is one of my favorites as well! I appreciate the "thumbs up!" Take care now. Bill

[@samsogaugetrains8670]

Love to see the community effort here! Will be doing my part soon!

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hey, Sam, I was just thinking I had not seen a video from you and figured you might just have a lot going on. I really do hope you will jump aboard the Holiday Challenge Train. 🙂 Good to hear from you Sam! Bill

[@samsogaugetrains8670]

@@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway Yes it’s been a busy time. Hoping to get it out before the new year!

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

@@samsogaugetrains8670 That would be great, but no pressure. Just if you have the time and feel like it is something you want to do. You just enjoy the holidays. Bill

[@crashryanphoto]

That's a fun/cool layout ... Merry Christmas !!!!

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Thank you, crashryanphoto, much appreciated! I do enjoy the railroad! Mery Christmas and Happy Holidays! Bill

[@dantiel4179]

Merry Christmas I think I’ll give it a try

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hey, dantiel4179, oh, I would love that! You can't go wrong, just have some fun with it! I'll be looking forward to seeing what you put together! Thank you and Merry Christmas! Bill

[@markslioneltrains]

Fantastic Bill, I'm in.👍 Thanks and Merry Christmas.! 🎄😊

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Thank you, Mark! I'll look forward to seeing your video too. I know you will have fun with it! Merry Christmas to you and yours! Bill

[@SteamIsntKing]

Joined in this, i only have one boxcar lol

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Well, good for you! You know it only takes one! Thank you and Merry Christmas! Bill B.

[@SteamIsntKing]

@@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway Your welcome, you have a good christmas too

[@mikesamericanflyertrains]

Hey Bill, fun challenge!! And thanks to Jason (Jason's O Gauge Trains) for making me aware of it. This is my first visit to your channel, and I love the layout and the box car consist you are running. I've subscribed so I won't miss your upcoming videos. Thanks again and Merry Christmas. Mike

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Thanks, Mike and I did the same. Yes, I really appreciate Jason, jumping on board and giving the challenge a big shout out. It has really helped in getting the word out about the challenge. Take care and I'll be watching for future videos as well. Bill

[@naxshack]

Challenge accepted Bill! Vid posted! 😊 -Brian

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

I saw it and it is great! Thank you so much! Bill

[@joeystrains.9316]

Excellent Bill, nice slow train! The rock walls look great. Snow nailed it!

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hi, Joey, thank you! I am glad you liked the video. Thank you for the inspiration! Yes, I thought folks might like seeing the "snow effect." Thanks again! Bill

[@johnknippenberg-LandmarkYards]

Challege accepted, going to see what I can come up with tonight!

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Oh, John, that is great! I loved waking up this morning and reading that you had accepted the challenge! Just have fun with it! Merry Christmas, John! Bill

[@TwistedMacGyversTrains]

Fantastic Bill, I really enjoyed this challenge. I posted my boxcar video for you 4 days ago per Joey. As you know boxcars are my favorite. Great video let’s see how many people will accept this challenge. Frank😊

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hey, Frank, good evening! Yes, box cars are my favorite cars as well! I will make sure to look up your video tonight. Thank you, Frank! I am hoping that a lot of fellow train enthusiasts will be inspired to run their trains and perhaps even make a video. Bill

[@realtoytrains]

This is really cool Bill! I just subscribed and I’ll give this a shot… Love me some boxcars!

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hey, Brian, thank you both for subscribing and being willing to contribute a video to the challenge. Having watched your channel, I know you have more than a few box cars! I'd subscribe to your channel as well, but I am already a subscriber, lol! Thanks again and Merry Christmas to you and yours! Bill

[@Coreyt1976]

Awesome idea. I remember doing the original challenge, so I’ll definitely do this one.

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hey, Corey, thank you! Yes, I absolutely remember your helping me when I asked for your support in promoting that challenge. It was much appreciated just as it is now! Take care and I wish you and yours the very best. Merry Christmas! Bill PS I'll be watching for your video!

[@coverdalemineoscalemodelrr7074]

Merry Christmas cool channel just subscribed 😎🎄👊

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hey, Ed, thank you! Bill

[@baldypalmsrailroad]

Great video Bill. I remember your last boxcar challenge from a couple years ago. Another great idea. Layout looks great, you’ve made some great accomplishments in 2023.

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Thank you, Ron! I hope you are getting along well, and I am glad you enjoyed the video. Yes, when I did that first challenge video it was early in the channel's development. At that point I am not sure I even knew how to create a video thumbnail. I still have a lot to learn when it comes to making videos. I have not forgotten the video idea you shared with me some time ago. I am hopeful that I can accomplish even more this coming year. Take care and Merry Christmas to you and yours! Bill

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

@baldypalmsrailroad Good morning, Ron! I was thinking, if you have time and the weather permits out your way, you might enjoy putting together a train of box cars for the challenge. Just put the # tag #billbsholidayboxcarchallenge2023 after your title and it will be shown on the challenge page for all to see. Merry Christmas! Bill

[@baldypalmsrailroad]

@@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway Thanks Bill, I’ll sure give him my best try. We have scattered rain showers most of the day today with weather improving tomorrow if I have the time boxcar video. Thanks, Ron.

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

Thanks Bill. I just now posted a vid to your challenge using my large scale live steam. It was a fun excuse to run something! 😊 I have now subscribed to you. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hi, Terry, thank you! I'll check out your video shortly. I really appreciate your participation. I believe yours will be the first live steam video in the challenge. I am anxious to see it. Merry Christmas! Bill B.

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

@@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway oh! Well a first is always nice. I am relaxing by watching down through all the challenge vids. What a great idea to bring people together.

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Terry, if you would like your video to appear with the others on the challenge page, add the #billbsholidayboxcarchallenge2023 after your videos title. It would be nice if you would. Bill @@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks]

@@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway i did. It appears in your list when the hash tag is tapped.

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Yes, okay, I just saw it. I guess somehow, I missed seeing it earlier. Thank you for letting me know. Bill @@Terrys-Steam-and-Bricks

[@rogerstrate5727]

Great video Bill, I enjoyed seeing your boxcar string and I think the SD24's are beautiful. The snow scene was very convincing.

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Thank you, Roger! I am glad you liked the video and the snow effect. I love box cars and SD24's are my favorite six axel diesels! Take care! Bill

[@jameslanders4819]

How did you make that snow effect bill b?

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hi, Jim! I use Wondershare Filmora to help with the editing of my videos and it allows me to add special effects. The snow effect is just one of many effects I can apply. Merry Christmas Jim! Bill

[@johnh.toytrainfanatic5300]

Alright Mr. Bill , I just uploaded a video for your holiday boxcar challenge , what a fun idea this has become .

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Thank you, John! Yes in deed, I saw your video and it is great! Great locomotives and awesome boxcars! Very impressive. I really appreciate you participation in the challenge! Thank you again and Merry Christmas! Bill

[@momatmach1]

Great to see a new video, I run a daily train on the layout unless I am away from home, mostly indoors but in the fine weather on my garden line, it’s a great habit to have there’s nothing more relaxing, always good to see the OM&S in action, have a good Christmas and new year Bill to you and your family. Tim Ps loved the units in the snow

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hi, Tim, thank you! I have been having a good time with the video but am going to hold off for a bit to allow me to go back to working on the freight house I started a short while back. I am glad you have the opportunity to regularly run your trains. I agree it is a relaxing pursuit. I have never had an outdoor railroad but think having one would be fun. Yes, the snow effect I agree is fun! Merry Christmas to you and yours! Bill

[@bsalightning69]

Bill, I was brought here via the boxcar challenge. I can't think of a more fun way of bringing on the season. At least its a great way to find all the looser, wimpy couplers. Nothing better than to grab ones best, meanest, locomotive and lash on all those cool cars. Never gets old hope it becomes a Christmas tradition. Myself i must admit that I have a weakness for covered hoppers, always on the lookout for a cool one.

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hi, bsalightning69, yours is one of the kindness comments I have ever received. I am so appreciative! Yes, especially when you are putting together a long string of cars those pesky weak couplers have a way of showing themselves. I had one coupler in the filming of my video that caused a problem but was lucky in that it was far enough back that by just turning the car around I was able to keep it in the train. The length of my trains is limited in part due to a location on the layout where cars tend to tip and cause derailments as they round an O36 curve on a slight grade. I'm going to talk with the management, lol, to see what can be done about that little troublesome spot. I suspect just about every railroad has at least one of those locations. Box cars are my favorite cars followed I think by 2-bay hoppers. But I do like those covered hoppers as well. It would be fun if the challenge could become a train lover's KZbin holiday tradition. We'll see! Are you up to the challenge? I would be willing to bet that you are, lol! Merry Christmas! Bill

[@dagryffynhobby]

Layout is looking good Bill! It’s funny, I was just filming a revisit to the challenge this week! I’m trying to get as many boxcars on my layout as I can.

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hey, Dave, thank you! Oh, that is so cool! Have not forgotten that you helped me promote that first video. Your help was and is much appreciated. I bet you can put together a pretty long train of box cars. I'll be watching for your video. I know you will have fun with it! I have always been fascinated by the techniques you have used to build your railroad. Keep up the great work! Bill

[@therosejewelrailroad489]

Sounds like fun. The snow in this video was epic. I have no idea how you did it. But I’m guessing some of these younger computer literate o gauge guys are thinking? Why didn’t I think of that?

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hi, Ken, thank you! The best part of making videos is the running of the trains and putting together the train of box cars was fun. Ken, I use a program to help with the editing of my videos and it provides different effects that one can add in the process. The snow is just one of those effects. I first saw it being used by Mike of Kisco Falls Railroad @kiscofallsrailroad in one of his "shorts" a while back. Here is an example kzbin.info/www/bejne/on-zY3aXpJZ6g9ksi=ekM3A9JYQAlP_5u2 I will say, I have learned a lot from some of the younger fellas in our hobby. Have a Merry Christmas! Bill

[@huntercoleman460]

Really nice boxcars Bill. Got some boxcars myself but they’re all traditional 6464. Most from the MPC era. Who makes the best rolling stock? Lionel, MTH, or Atlas?

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Thanks, Hunter! They are a combination of Lionel, Atlas, and MTH. I have a few treasured post war 6464 box cars. I like all of the manufactures you mentioned. They make great pieces of rolling stock, but I do think Atlas makes the most detailed refrigerator cars. Bill

[@markziegler5415]

Bill, i tried the challenge, but I'm having trouble with the couplings opening. How can i solve this problem?

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hi Mark, I appreciate your wanting to participate in the challenge and am sorry that you are having trouble with couplers opening. In my experience the couples that most frequently have this problem are what are called "thumbtack" couplers. They are called that because on the underside of the coupler there is a part that hangs beneath the coupler that looks like a thumbtack, and when pulled it pulls down a pin that releases the knuckle opening the coupler. Sometimes the part that holds the pin up when the knuckle is closed, be it a piece of plastic or a spring, will become weak. When that happens, the pin will not remain in place and keep the knuckle closed especially when there is pressure pulling on the knuckle, like when two cars are coupled together in a train. Short of replacing the worn-out piece or the coupler altogether is to wrap a piece of thin wire around the coupler shank using a pair of needle nosed pliers such that the thumbtack mechanism is pulled up and held firmly in place against the coupler shank. Make sure that before you begin twisting the wire to tighten it, that the pin is in place to hold the knuckle closed. I have also heard of fellas wrapping a small rubber band around the coupler shank to hold the thumbtack mechanism up and tight against the shank. Other fellas have suggested using "super glue" to glue and hold the thumbtack mechanism up and tight against the coupler shank. If such glue is used though it must be accepted that the coupler will not be able to be opened until the bond is broken and may result in the entire coupler having to be replace if one is wanting to be able to again open and close the coupler at will. The approach I would recommend using if you believe I have identified the problem, is thin wire twisted tight to hold the parts together. Mark, the couplers ideally should not be opening, but if they are doing so another option would be to simply drop the car out of the lineup or shorten the trains length. Sometimes couplers that do not typically cause a problem can open if subjected to excessive pressure on its knuckle. I hope all of this has helped and that you can assemble and pull your train for the Box Car Challenge. Honestly, Mark, I just want you to have fun with all of this. I would recommend not worrying about your train's length. If you feel you need to pull cars out of your train. The length is entirely up to you and can be from one box car to however many. It does not really matter if you are having a good time. Look at my train in either one of my two published "Challenge" videos and you will see that neither is very long. Bill

[@markziegler5415]

@@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway Bill, thank you for the suggestions. I'll try the thin wire.

[@TooManyHobbiesJeremy]

I saw other creators doing this challenge and I said - what the heck is this? Glad I found this video. Well I'm off to make my video too because it's a fun challenge

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Ha, Ha, yes, it is just a challenge for fun. I am so happy you found my video and even happier that you are off to make your own. That is what this Holiday Box Car Challenge is all about. I'll keep an eye out for your video. Don't forget the #billbsholidayboxcarchallenge after your video's title so we can find it with the other challenge videos. Merry Christmas! Bill

[@TooManyHobbiesJeremy]

Will do@@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway

[@ELWtrains]

Hi Bill b , I seen where Joey posted his boxcar challenge and some others, so I decided to did not know a lot about it found you on KZbin I just subscribed 👍 looking forward to watching thanks for sharing ((Eddie @Elwtrains) I did not know to hashtag it but it’s in my recent videos , great thing you got started I’m glad to be able to join Thanks Great video awesome layout 👍 love the snow ⛄️ Merry Christmas 🎄

[@ozarkmidlandsouthernrailway]

Hi, ELWtrains, thank you! I appreciate you checking out the challenge and deciding to participate in the Holiday Box Car Challenge! I will check out your video shortly. I am glad you liked my video and the layout. There is still a lot of "work" still to be done, but I am in no rush, lol. Thank you and Merry Christmas! Bill P.S. If you want to add the # tag #billbsholidayboxcarchallenge2023 to your video, go to your channel and click on "Manage Videos" button. That will take you to "Channel Content" where you will see all of your videos. Besides the picture of your Box Car Challenge video, hover over the title and you will see several icons appear. One of those icons is a "Details" button that looks like a little pencil. Click on the "little pencil" and you will be taken to "Video Details." Now you can paste or type in #billbsholidayboxcarchallenge2023 after your videos title. Click save at the top of the page and the added # tag will be saved to your video. Doing that will allow folks to click on the hash tag to see all of the "Challenge" videos that have been made to date. It is a pretty cool thing to see.