CSX's Radnor Yard: One of the busiest yards in the south

This is a video of the CSX Radnor Yard in Nashville in action.
We'll follow along as several strings of cars are sorted over the hump.
28:18 Normal speed begins
2:14:47 Roundhouse and locomotives begins
2:15:01 CSX 1213
2:16:15 Not sure what locomotive this is
2:17:25 CSX slug sets
This is CSX's third busiest yard in terms of cars sorted.
This was a really fun video.
I hope you enjoy.

[@dennisbraun5747]

This is fascinating. It feels like watching an HO-gauge layout, until you see a car or person pass by.

[@AlexA-qy1bz]

There's nothing better than watching yard action from overhead. Thanks much.

[@ditherdather]

What an efficient process. Using gravity and brake systems to sort the cars is incredibly resourceful. I can't imagine the amount of time and fuel that saves, not having to use people and other locomotives to move every single railcar.

[@thomasarmstrong3804]

Holy Crap, That Yard is HUGE !!

[@southsidetom]

What's so interesting is how today's networking infrastructure takes so much from the railroad. RR concepts such as switches, bridges, routes are networking terms. Add the fact that box cars are analagous to an Ethernet frame carrying a payload and you exactly see where network designers were looking at for inspiration. Great video!

[@nkyrailfan]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the video and what an interesting comparison. I never thought about it like that, but you certainly make a good case about the inspiration for networking terms.

[@DuaneYoung-yg7ko]

I love watching trains

[@briandunn3372]

I worked at Radnor Yards many years ago, managing the two auto ramps. One ramp was beside Harding Place where they now have trailers parked, and the other up near Sidco, which I think is still active. New cars were unloaded off the railcars and loaded onto trucks which delivered the autos to the individual dealers. I used to love meeting with the Yardmaster, Jerry McCall (early 1980's) at the top of the hump office and look out over the entire yard. Another great memory was stopping at what was called "The Ice House" which was a small outbuilding that had an enormous ice making machine. The ice cubes were HUGE! You opened a large door and used an equally large scoop to get whatever ice you needed. The engineers and other workers would fill up coolers, etc. before starting their day's work. Another favorite was the Roundhouse where they repaired all the engines. Watching the engines pivot on the rotating track to move into a garage bay to undergo mechanic work. Much like watching the overall operation of an airport, rail yards are equally interesting and complex. In one of the video angles, you can see the huge blue crane that is used to load new rail track onto railcars for maintenance and installation. If I had a nickel for every time I saw lightning hit that blue crane!! Thanks for the awesome video!

[@nkyrailfan]

I'm really glad you enjoyed the video, Brian. Thanks for sharing some of your memories. It sounds like you had a lot of fun working at the yard over the years.

[@briandunn3372]

@@nkyrailfan Thanks for the awesome videos!

[@nkyrailfan]

Thanks, Brian. I'm really glad to hear you enjoy the videos.

[@karlspencer2026]

Back in 1980s I worked at Potomac Yard in Alexandria Va. The hump yard concept was safe,and efficient. Using gravity instead of energy wasting switching locomotives. Remote operated switches decreased the number of yard personnel put in danger of being hit by moving freight cars.

[@buckstarchaser2376]

haha... Slydog trying to get his Romeo on: "You have the softest voice BB. Ungh..." Mystery radio: " * WOOF! * "

[@drewbrown9178]

Awesome video! The Conductor at 5:50 did everything textbook men and women like him is the reason we work so safely!

[@jeanalbano4108]

Yard operations is a sight to see for all rail fans😍

[@randy8321]

I worked there for 18 years, and my dad worked for 32 years. PSR destroyed that place. It will never be the same.

[@Belleville197]

Hunter Harrison was a demonic human being... and so is everyone who admires him.

[@randy8321]

@@squeakysalmon9465 Oh, they opened the hump after 1 year of being shut down. The shop/roundhouse is skeleton crew at best.

[@hunterbidenscrackdealer3753]

That’s total controlled chaos

[@kennethwashington854]

Thanks NKY RAILFAN, I watched for 35 minutes looking for a guy with a a remote , lol, I used to run a remote 35 tin crane , but thank you for the information,

[@nkyrailfan]

No problem. Hopefully, it helped. Have a great day.

[@mikesimmons8762]

Thats a lot of drone batteries. Video was a great background while doing other things. Well done.

[@jeffreymcfadden9403]

And the biggest/busiest yard on the old L&N was,,,DeCoursey. We all know what happened to this yard. DeCoursey was just plain cool. Oh the memories.

[@nkyrailfan]

I grew up about five minutes from the yard. I never got to see it at its busiest, but I always loved seeing it. I wish I could have filmed it before everything was torn out. It truly was a massive yard.

[@RailFanRob]

I love these yard videos man...keep them coming!!

[@trainsmachineryldegmtrains3509]

Amazing video! Great shunting activity in a big shunting yard, great work! MEGA THUMBS UP All the best from Ireland Andrew

[@jminnash]

I love your videos! I try not to over comment. This is my yard, I'm in Nashville. This is the first time that I've seen drone footage of Radnor. Thank You!! Upward thumbs given!

[@nkyrailfan]

Hey John, Thank you very much. Never worry about over commenting. Keep them coming! I enjoy reading and responding to them. I appreciate that you enjoy my videos.

[@JGFuller]

That f*&king harrison closed the Radnor hump, and did flat-switching there. Six routes enter Radnor - what could possibly go wrong with closing the hump? When that criminal died, reopening Radnor’s hump happened within minutes!

[@FiremanSVFD-cf1jn]

He down the same to the hump in Hamlet, NC. Ripped out all but 3 receiving yard tracks and over half the bowl tracks.

[@drc930]

Awesome stuff! Really cool to see all of the functions of a busy modern day hump yard from all angles.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you, I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the video.

[@brianbickley8368]

It's neat to hear the radio traffic even though I have no idea what they're talking about!

[@nkyrailfan]

😂😂😂

[@dave6695]

CSX realized closing the Radnor hump was a mistake, and now the entire railroad industry needs to realize the flawed concept of PSR is a mistake!

[@nkyrailfan]

I could not agree more!!!

[@kens.3729]

PSR is the Largest and Dumbest Cluster**** of ALL Time. 🤪👎

[@JodyBee]

Big facts

[@zarstar1576]

Yea correct

[@AMacProOwner]

PSR should be called Wall Street Railroading. Benefits nobody but short term profit at *all* costs.

[@robertbowman3406]

I would go crazy if I had a HO train yard like this. Great overhead video too. Very well done sir.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@davestrains6816]

Amazing video, just memorizing at times. This is really helpful to me in seeing all the different shade and textures that I can model on my railyard. Thanks for sharing. Dave

[@penelope8557]

Do you mean "mesmerizing"?

[@paxmule]

FANTASTIC video - thank you for posting it!

[@Deadbuck73]

Lionel is getting more n more real… 😂

[@nkyrailfan]

😂😂😂

[@williamphelan8779]

My son works this yard. SO cool ! He enjoys "the bowl" the most.

[@raymondsix4694]

A great video showing how a hump yard works (they call them marshalling yards in the U.K.)! So cool. This is a huge yard! While watching this, we started singing "Conjuction Junction, what's your function?"

[@chuxproductions1090]

Amazing video!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@tylerg7567]

Absolutely incredible

[@ryans413]

I like how they are disconnecting the train cars and just pushing them down hill into the yard

[@louisletourneau3429]

Thanks for this nice video !!! This Harrison could have sell fridge to eskimo for sure , you don't have to be very bright to appreciate how fast you classify cars using the hump than using a locomotive trying to do the same in the same amount of time ...

[@nkyrailfan]

You wonder what the industry would be like had he never introduced his PSR philosophy. Shorter trains and happier crews I'm sure.

[@jamesstricklin5201]

That yard connects west,tn , middle tn , Alabama,and points in between

[@electrictractiontrainsandt3063]

Massive yard for sure!👍

[@AlanFrink]

These are the BEST train videos I have ever watched !!

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you, Alan. I really do appreciate that.

[@131dyana]

Very interesting. Thank you.

[@spaceblue9999]

amazing

[@EntertainmentWorldz]

great video sir 💖💖💖💖

[@penelope8557]

Questions: 1. What is the job title of the person who oversees the rail yard? 2. What is the job title of the person who sorts the rail cars? 3. What is the job title of the person who switches the individual turnouts?

[@zaq9638]

I can’t imagine how the hump works but very beautiful!

[@bluemax439]

It is actually very simple. They make a newly formed train going to a new place made up with all cars going that way.

[@kelvintorrence5994]

Cool video,thanks

[@nkyrailfan]

Glad you liked it!

[@OregonCrow]

Now I won't be surprised the next time I see a busted knuckle.

[@williamflowersrailfannerpr3808]

I love your yard videos 🎉

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoy them.

[@alexnunes1799]

Very cool BN old green box car❤.R❌R

[@lukemeyers8028]

And I thought Cumberland Maryland and Selkirk was huge!😲😲😲

[@alexnelson1819]

Cumberland is my hometown and I used to love seeing all the trains and the old train station as a kid!

[@nkyrailfan]

I plan to make a trip there in the coming weeks and film the yard.

[@jessestrainclub4760]

very cool

[@nkyrailfan]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it.

[@KendallTNRailfans15]

NICE

[@kens.3729]

Hunter Harrison is the Biggest 🤪 Bean Counter in our History. Mr. Clueless knew Exactly How Many Coffee Beans it took to Make a Pound of Folgers Coffee. 🤪👎

[@kmagnussen1052]

The moral to the story is narcissistic executives shoot from the hip because they always know better. We can run trains without engineers or inspection personnel too!

[@earlschmitt884]

Love the under carriage view that also caught what was the first train in the background. Wonder what would happen if someone were to accidently drop a camera in the middle of the rails?

[@nkyrailfan]

Hopefully, I don't drop my camera because I doubt I'd ever get it back. 🎥

[@itwasaliens]

5:00 I didn't realize how quickly they could switch the tracks when dropping/kicking cars.

[@nkyrailfan]

It is impressive how quickly the hump operation can work. In this video, it is sped up 4X though.

[@kennethwashington854]

Hi , how are those cars moving without an engine, in new to the channel, love trains, also , why do they call it a HUMP YARD ? THANKS IN ADVANCE

[@nkyrailfan]

Hey, the answer to both your questions is the same. It's called a hump yard because of the hump the cars are sorted over. A locomotive or set of locomotives push the cars over the crest of the hump and then gravity does its thing and they roll down the hump and into the track they're routed to go into.

[@paulebberson4884]

@@nkyrailfan Roller bearings on the cars keeps the friction to a minimum,

[@johncole273]

Wow

[@cagorrie]

Great video, just a question, are there retarders to stop wagons from rolling out the opposite end as well ?

[@nkyrailfan]

That's a good question. No, there are no retarders on the other side. The system is pretty sophisticated when it comes to car weight and rolling speed. It is able to calculate how fast or slow a car needs to be rolling to get it where it needs to be. On some yards though, it looks like there is a slight dip in the center of the "bowl" where the cars end up. That dip might help keep everything where it's supposed to be.

[@FiremanSVFD-cf1jn]

Whenever I started at CSX hump in Hamlet, NC. We used track skates. Then they did a big upgrade to F4 retarders. It was a one-sided retarder. Whenever the yardmaster blocked out the track, he knocked it down. When PSR come through and shut down the hump they ripped them all out and took to different yards.

[@randybowman2110]

Green Frog Videos recorded yard early 1990s

[@lynneurbanik8703]

I find watching these videos of train yards fascinating, but I'm sure those working there just find it well just another boring day at the yard lol

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you, Lynne. I've often wondered that same thought. Is it just a boring job to the crews after a while or does it hold something special for them years after they begin doing it? If I ever get the chance to talk to one of the workers I'll make sure to ask them about it.

[@terrortstarantulas1270]

​@@nkyrailfan we only do it for the money, no other reason. Ain't exactly a good time hahab

[@nkyrailfan]

I figured because they are challenging jobs, folks would have to have some reason other than the money to do it. But that makes sense. Especially, when the weather isn't nice.

[@abysstime1852]

Are the radio communications on one channel and is that really how much radio traffic there is or have you edited it so that there is not much dead space between people talking? If that actually how it is on one channel, that seems like it would be crazy to keep up with.

[@nkyrailfan]

Sorry, it took so long to get back to you. Everything from this day would have been yard activity or nearby trains pulling in or out of the yard. I record the scanner separately and let it run all the entire time I'm at a site. I then condense it down to get as much chatter as I can (I figure folks would much rather listen to railroaders than me). So, the short answer is you're hearing half a day of radio chatter in the video.

[@abysstime1852]

Gotcha, kinda figured it seemed like alot and thought you were probably editing it to make things move along a little more. Great videos, i do enjoy the constant radio chatter. Good work sir.@@nkyrailfan

[@FiremanSVFD-cf1jn]

CSXT has different channels for road, yard, and dispatchers. The NS I know uses the same for road and dispatchers. We have to call for a signal in Charlotte, NC. It's ruff trying not to tone the dispatchers or a crew talking.

[@LifeWithJamorie_14]

Notice the 2 locomotives on both trains being the same livery as both the sd40-3's and the sd40-2's at the bottom 11:12

[@robertredmond4333]

do operation shut down when theres a storm or hurricane?

[@nkyrailfan]

I'd imagine it would shut down for really strong storms but for as brief a time as possible.

[@htomc42]

wow they are slamming those cars together....

[@sendersnivy6698]

This video is breathtaking, and should have more views. If this hasn't been asked, how were you able to convince an int'll airport AND a railyard to let you fly just to railfan?

[@nkyrailfan]

The airport is the easy part. There is an app that allows you to get automated approval to fly within certain airport boundary zones. The railyard is treated just like any other property. My drone for all intents and purposes is treated like an airplane. I just have to stay above the usable space of the yard. So, pretty much whatever the tallest structure is in the yard, that's the usable space height limit. I usually stay off railroad property just in case something happens to my drone and it makes an emergency landing. I'd like to be able to get it. This is why I love the telephoto lens on my drone so much. It gets up close from a far distance.

[@jonathandeleon3866]

The csx yard is big

[@LeeDfined]

So I get that the cars are pushed over the Hump and rollers push them to their correct track. But who connects all of the air lines?

[@nkyrailfan]

A person must go and connect each air line once they're all coupled.

[@jminnash]

Keep up the great job!

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you so much, John! That really means a lot to me.

[@stargate2395]

Have you filmed the Collinwood railyard in Cleveland, OH?

[@nkyrailfan]

I have not. I'm hoping to make it up there soon.

[@toddnance454]

What model of DJI drone did say you’re using now, great video

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you, Todd. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I am now using a DJI Mavic 3.

[@terryjennings2791]

Another interesting and enjoyable video. Keep them coming. That looks like a really big/busy yard. Do you happen to know which yard is the biggest in the CSX system and where the Queensgate Yard ranks? Thanks again for a very enjoyable video.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thanks as always, Terry. CSX does not have a list of largest yards, but it does have its busiest yards. Rice Yard in Waycross, GA is #1. Queensgate Yard is listed sixth, behind Avon Yard. www.csx.com/index.cfm/about-us/company-overview/network-and-operations/

[@terryjennings2791]

@@nkyrailfan. Thanks for the info Christian. I think you should have done the train story on tonight’s news!

[@nkyrailfan]

Always happy to help. I've been on mornings for a few weeks (with a few more to go) or else I likely would have.

[@kalpeshwani8520]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@mik3r0wave]

HA! spotted a jet-powered snow blower in the lower left at the 20-minute mark

[@user-vf7en4ll1w]

This is marvellous 🤗 Do these wagons make a noise when they are coupling...? Or does the braking system measure the coupling distance?

[@nkyrailfan]

I'm very glad to hear you enjoyed the video. My microphone doesn't pick it up very well, but there is a very, very loud boom. When the cars come together. It is really something to see and hear in person.

[@ricvis44]

What Drone did you use that stays up so long??? Great views!

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I use a DJI Mavic 3 Pro. I usually can get about 25-35 minutes of flight out of one battery depending on the wind and how aggressively I'm flying.

[@SMX815]

That is one huge rail hub & you think how many containers travel on rail as compared to by road? Great video 👏

[@kens.3729]

Largest Container Ship being Manufactured can now Haul just under 24,000 Containers. That is over 100 Train Loads of Double Stack Containers from a Single Ship. 🤔😬👍

[@SMX815]

@@kens.3729 thank you sir 👍

[@dknowles60]

that yard is small, Elkhart and selkirk are a lot biger

[@user-ow9yj9yu6o]

Verrygoods

[@user-ow9yj9yu6o]

Thankyou'smuch

[@Indy125]

so how do they know where the car is going? UPS has bar codes and QR codes. what does the RR use?

[@nkyrailfan]

I believe nearly all cars are now equipped with RF ID tags. They can be ready by detectors near the tracks. Those enable crews to keep track of and sort all the cars.

[@joebidenbites1015]

still watching full video incredible technology of rail, simple yet so grand in the amount of goods it moves. How many consumers have any idea how it's done? I'm guessing 0.5% maybe when they pick something up off the shelf or fill their tank or flip the switch. might have to go stay at the Candlewood suites right there at the 1:40:58 mark wonder how close you can get? thanks NKY Railfan

[@nkyrailfan]

I'm very glad to hear you enjoyed the video. I bet you could get pretty close from the hotel, and very close to the receiving yard.

[@WickedEvents]

always love going to Madison, TN just north of Nashville and seeing trains go in and out of Nashville to Chicago or Cincinnati. the 2 locomotives at 2:16:15 the CSX one is a ET23DCM which they started testing those not too long ago and the G&W locomotive is a RS1325 that was going to the Illinois Railway Museum from NC, only 2 were built

[@nkyrailfan]

Thanks for the info, Josh. That's pretty cool about the G&W locomotive. I've never heard of either of them.

[@electladynanci]

Question, what happens to cars that have a "Donot Hump" sign on them? How are they sorted?

[@nkyrailfan]

Hopefully, someone with the railroad can answer, but my guess is they must be carefully "hand sorted." Meaning spotted with an engine and carefully connected into the manifest. However, I haven't seen any "do not hump" signs on any cars recently. I'm told modern drawbars and couplers are able to withstand a lot more energy from an impact. With that, cars that used to be do not hump, are now able to be humped. Hope this helps.

[@FiremanSVFD-cf1jn]

In Hamlet NC, we had A-route or Alternate route around the hump to the departure yard. If it was a high wide, it was usually on the head we shoved over the hill and dropped in the bowl.

[@hoosiersub47167]

I forgot what you said but what is your new drone?

[@nkyrailfan]

It is a Mavic 3 Pro.

[@paulebberson4884]

Are the retarders computer controlled or manual? I haven't seen a car stop short yet.

[@nkyrailfan]

I believe they're all automated and based on individual car weight as they come down.

[@geofer023]

👍👍👌👌

[@macmikey]

maybe I could not see anyone but who connects the hoses after assembly?

[@nkyrailfan]

It did not happen while I was there, but a worker at the facility says a crew member will connect each car when it's time to leave the yard.

[@samuelsmith2317]

A CSX Official said its more efficient to hump cars? Then why did they shut all the other hump yards down? Oh I know, Profits!

[@DELTAFORCE3]

Going down south

[@timdaugherty5921]

They closed the hump?!!

[@nkyrailfan]

For about a year, Tim. CSX reopened it in 2018 I believe.

[@zingxiu6123]

why did i end up here?

[@nkyrailfan]

😂😂😂

[@highlife0586]

Fascinating. That has to be noisy with all those cars banging against each other as the trains are built. Let's assume the workers are wearing hearing protection..

[@nkyrailfan]

I believe hearing protection is required. I can hear the cars hit one another quite loudly, and I'm usually several hundred feet away. I can only imagine what it's like being right next to them.

[@valerieumphenour3565]

Sounds like a bunch of Truckers.

[@user-lw3ww1bk3c]

Where steam locomotives?

[@nkyrailfan]

Unfortunately, there aren't many operating steam locomotives anymore. Most are on special railroads that only do short trips now and then.

[@user-lw3ww1bk3c]

I'm thinking in yard steam locomotives

[@nkyrailfan]

The US does not have any steam locomotives working in yards. There are some battery and diesel -electric hybrids in operation but that's it.

[@Eboom3]

Why do you need to fast forward your videos at the beginning?

[@nkyrailfan]

Many of the more casual viewers don't want to wait for things to happen in real time (i.e. cars going over the hump and being sorted), so I try to give everybody something to watch at both sped up and normal speed.

[@2kanchoo]

psychopathic ceo hunter tore down all kinds of infrastructure, maintenance, employees, safety procedures, and more, much of which has had to be rebuilt at the many railways he stripped down to nothing, since. All you have to do is watch the humps and you can immediately tell they are vastly more efficient than a switching crew. I don't even want to imagine the money wasted on ripping who knows how many out just to have them rebuilt later. psr has done and continues to do far more damage than good.

[@dknowles60]

what a lie, i live near Nashville, Selkirk does a lot more Work and has more trains then Radnor will ever do

[@nkyrailfan]

Not sure why you think CSX would lie about which yards are busiest. www.csx.com/index.cfm/about-us/company-overview/network-and-operations/

[@pinpuller44]

Definitely is not, I was the 3rd shift hump Yardmaster at Radnor for 6 years..We would smoke Selkirk on a daily basis… There would be nights we would handle more cars than Waycross…Hate to disappoint ya

[@dknowles60]

@@pinpuller44 wrong if a lot of cars were being humped there would be a of trains . nashville dont have a lot of trains and is feed only by single track from the west from the north west from the north from the south from the south east. Selkirk is feed by Double track from the west ctc single track from the east single track from the south, can get to Rador every day and have been to selkirk . if i want to see trains it sure is not nashville, i will go to delta oh or New Bailtmore oh or chattonga as all of them places have more trains and tonage then Nashville ever will

[@jminnash]

@@pinpuller44 I live in Nashville next to Radnor. What track is called the coal chute? I don't see a foundation or anything to give me a hint. I know around the fueling tracks.

[@pinpuller44]

@@dknowles60 lol....fed by a single track? Shit you have the HD(Evansville),Mainline(Louisville),N&C (Chattanooga) Bruceton(Memphis) ,S&NA (Birmingham) stick to watching videos and thinking you know what your talking about lol...Nashville (Radnor proper) originates and terminates 7 more trains a day alone than Selkirk, not including all the through trains....

[@joebidenbites1015]

who connects the air hoses on each car?

[@nkyrailfan]

I believe it's either a conductor or the car man who goes through and inspects the cars before they head out on the road.

[@thekentuckyrailfan]

Hey whats your fb so I can add you