How The Railroad Really Works! INCREDIBLE FOOTAGE!

[@bob_._.]

I just had a thought -- how about something on modeling where tracks have been removed/abandoned rights-of-way?

[@donbrown69]

"If you haven't joined, what's your problem?" :) Loved it!

[@djstrains]

😁

[@eottoe2001]

As usual, thank you so much for these videos.

[@djstrains]

So nice of you

[@What_If_We_Tried]

These drone videos and your real world commentary, and suggestions are fantastic!

[@djstrains]

Thank you! I am truly grateful for your support

[@YardLimit]

Great stuff, DJ. Drones make this kind of video so much better to understand.

[@djstrains]

Glad it was helpful!

[@joestephan1111]

My family roots are in the Pittsburgh area but I only ever visited there because of my father's military career. Looks around the area are always enjoyable to me so thank you!

[@TheDustysix]

Duty is a 4 letter word.

[@pattipilot]

and the music is great! Nice choice

[@solimar1554]

DJ, Your scenes are great. A suggestion- post the longitude/latitude of some scenes so viewers can see the area in more detail on Google Earth. Thanks for your efforts!!

[@djstrains]

Noted!

[@AndreiTupolev]

I've been looking forward to some more drone footage. The detail you focus on is just the kind of thing I find fascinating.

[@djstrains]

You and me both!

[@shortliner68]

The endless variety of trackside industries and structures has always fascinated me as a model railroader. The way some structures are designed are a mystery to me because the businesses they were built for have long since disappeared. I always wonder what was produced there and what types of cars did they require.

[@joeahearn4413]

Great ideas for some future projects, thanks!! And the shots over the building and showing the town going back up the hill side would make great backdrops for a layout segment.

[@djstrains]

exactly!

[@sernajrlouis]

Awesome video. I work at the end of the line. We recieve hoppers and boxcars which we move around with a track mobile.

[@KutWrite]

DJ! Before you fished for the compliment, I was gonna say "Been hittin' the gym, my man!" I could see those guns immediately. Yer gettin' pretty good with that drone, too. I love those scenes. I enjoyed the stroll (for me) down memory lane. I could swear I've seen that Stone & Co., though it doesn't look like their plant in Connellsville. One scene looked to me like Aliquippa, too. But then Pgh. area industries do have a common theme. One of my favorite places to drop off was Durabond Pipe, before they moved further downstream to the old steel plant they're in now. I only know of that due to one of your videos. Mostly I got through trains, though. Practice safe CSX!

[@djstrains]

that stone location was Springdale.

[@Dark2Light_420]

Its great that you are documenting some of these old buildings and industries because alot of them will probably get demolished or remodeled. I appreciate the old abandon buildings from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Nothing they build nowadays has that industial tough look to it. Its all garbage nowadays.

[@stretchlimo7275]

Excellent video DJ, very well put together! I'll get gravel at Three Rivers Marine and Rail Terminal, I've seen that switcher pulling covered hoppers numerous times.

[@MMRails]

When I saw “Incredible footage” on the thumbnail I thought, they all say that. Must be clickba.... whoa! Incredible! Great video DJ. Thanks for sharing.

[@djstrains]

Glad you liked it!

[@jasonminier6782]

Your videos give me inspiration for my N scale layout, and your weight lossakes me want to get in better shape. Keep up the great work on both fronts!

[@djstrains]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@gregbowen617]

Great video DJ! I love these drone videos - they give us a great perspective view on landscapes and structures. It's actually a bit like looking at a model railroad from above! Cheers from Melbourne, Australia...

[@djstrains]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@kens.3729]

Businesses and Short Line Railroads made what we know today as the Railroad. Great Video. 👍

[@titusrider7948]

Fascinating! The SW1200 hauling salt on the trestle will make a great model. Caught your Live stream yesterday, enjoyed it

[@djstrains]

Awesome!

[@andrewsmith9575]

Knowledge of the RR and a drone! Excellent! Thanks DJ! Great work.

[@djstrains]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@GandZscale]

Thats a great video. At 04:40 there is a great model railroad scene, building with siding, river running alongside, barges and cool bridge in the distance.

[@stanleyromanowski9816]

Many moons ago, when I worked for R.T.Patterson Engineering in the Grant Building in downtown Pittsburgh, Jones and Laughlin Steel had engineering offices in the huge warehouse at 3:30 in your video.

[@djstrains]

Great info!

[@sweynforkbeardtraindude]

I have no interest in modeling, but your insight is fantastic.

[@djstrains]

I take this as a huge compliment!

[@conecuhvalleyttrak]

DJ, you promised incredible footage and you delivered! 😃👍

[@djstrains]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@doublediamondrailroad5949]

Yes looking Trim!

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Like the video very much.Hope there's more.Take care

[@whatsitaboutwithphilcraig6661]

Thanks for sharing your quality content. I was actually stuck on my model railroad layout how to populate it with buildings. I had no feedback on one of my videos which , I was asking if anyone had any ideas? but so far only a couple which appreciate. However this video ticks the all the boxes on American industrial layout infrastructure with fantastic drone camera work has got my fire going to start building 👍

[@djstrains]

Glad I could help!

[@NscaleCSXandRioGrande]

Thank you D J . As I'm starting to build my new layout this sort of footage is just what I'm after. As always great video . Hopefully you do a few more covering industries spurs .

[@djstrains]

No problem 👍

[@NscaleCSXandRioGrande]

@@djstrains thank you. Always look forward to your videos. As I live in New Zealand it is hard to model USA rail . I spent 18months in the US in the mid 90s but that was a long time ago. I'm modeling CSX 1996 so the rainbow years. One again take care over there.

[@andrewpalm2103]

A very informative video, DJ. And it is timely for me, as I'm in the process of planning and building a factory background flat for my small shelf layout set in 1962. Thanks for showing very useful images of customer sidings in which most others don't seem to be interested, and also describing basic RR operations. Cheers from Wisconsin.

[@djstrains]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RWSBaden]

Hi DJ, Very nice video. WOW, McKees Rocks has really changed from the Glory days when it was home to the P&LE railroad. The drone video showing the roof detail is fantastic, thank you for sharing the video. Yes team tracks like the one in Latrobe are the universal industry, boxcars or flat cars can be spotted at the dock for loading or unloading and the covered hoppers can be unloaded from any position. During the Conrail era, Beaver Valley Fruit market use to receive shipments right in Conway yard. The car would be spotted on an empty track along side one of the yard buildings that had road access. Beaver Valley Fruit Market would then back their trucks up to the reefer and unload the produce into their trucks. To add to your video, I use to work for a company in Ambridge called Levinson Registered Steel. They were located in the building that was once A.M. Byers Steel Mill and A.M. Byers had a open hearth furnace and they made wrought Iron pipe. LRS was more of a warehouse that had the ability to cut structural steel shapes to the sizes needed by the customer, the steel fabrication industry. The plant was probably quadruple the size of Quality Rolls and LRS received steel via gondola, usually 2 to 3 cars twice monthly. All steel left the plant via flatbed trucks. LRS did have an in plant ALCO S1 switcher to move the cars to the appropriate areas for unloading. The downside is a industry like LRS would take up a lot of railroad real estate. Cheers, Rich S.

[@pattipilot]

This is great, very informative. Side note, you sound lilke Tom Cruise in Risky Business! Keep up the great work!

[@djstrains]

Wow, thanks! I love that movie!

[@Running-with-skizers]

Amazing video DJ

[@djstrains]

Thanks. I’m really proud of it.

[@icebolt0864]

​@@djstrains listing and illustrating these industries like this is immensely helpful. I can't believe I missed this video the first time. Thank you for making this unique video and thank you for highlighting it!

[@ericwilliams1023]

He just like showing off his drone lol Thanks for the videos!!! It helps w my model train and it's my dream job to work on the railroad so thank you for taking me into the world of rail worker !

[@steelcityrailfan4808]

Another great video DJ. I was at the Science Center in Pittsburgh yesterday and I saw some CSX and NS and I saw that massive industry building you were talking about

[@JohnHill-qo3hb]

There is a definite change to your video DJ, seems more polished and professional, the older ones were good too, they just keep getting better. The content is inspiring as well, haven't yet seen a Walthers building in 1:1 scale.

[@djstrains]

I have more stuff planned this yer that you may find very interesting!

[@andyrusten5748]

Great video DJ and great commenting through the video on what weathering should look like in different buildings and stuff people always tend to over populate their scenery and it doesn’t need to be that way

[@billkrueger7549]

Thanks for the views ..drone .. ideas for business. Every video you have made showing real operations and or business along the track has been filled with opportunies. I will be using some ideas on my new layout, beginning next year (I hope). Thanks again.

[@djstrains]

My pleasure

[@600GRANT]

So what you're telling me is I cannot switch my steel mill with a DD40???? LOL

[@djstrains]

LOL!!!!

[@JoeyBPhotography]

Thanks for sharing these fantastic views and explanations! It really does help understand how the prototype operates and so many modeling ideas come to mind! Hope to see more of these!

[@djstrains]

Glad it was helpful!

[@georgehasler142]

DJ Always good information also always work safe

[@chrisc2683]

I can see the improvement in your drone flying skills. Some great shots you took here. Thanks for sharing.

[@djstrains]

THANK YOU!!!

[@MojaveModelRailroad]

Some awesome Drone Footage.

[@bdegregorio130]

This is some great stuff, i remember seeing a good bit of those railbox cars down behind the paper factory, it doesnt appear they have been served in years.

[@nicolefj]

i’m in a college locomotive engineering class rn!

[@modelrailroader5619]

Lots of great info to take your model building to the next level! Fabulous, thanks so much.👍👏👏👏

[@djstrains]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@railfanseanthornton]

@djtrains i enjoyed watching your videos last thursday me & my friends caught ithaca central railroad in ithaca ny with 110 salt cars going long hood forward at 10 pmh

[@1babysag]

Fantastic work on both the video and your body. I wish that I could say the same, I put on the COVID-19 20 pounds. Skill share really is helping you to make even better videos. I will have to look into that group. I always learn something new when I watch your videos, especially the ones that deal with work.

[@irasthewarrior]

Thank you. Your videos are so inspirational.

[@djstrains]

Glad you like them!

[@Terryhd1]

Thanks! This was great!

[@davidpaul8289]

I was very interested in the system they used to handle the rainwater from the roof and downspouts on the yellow building. It looks like a manifold made from sewer pipe. I just finished kitbashing a factory with several downspouts and think I will add some sprues to simulate the drainage handling system. Thanks for all you do. Constantly providing insights that most of us don't get to see in real life.

[@djstrains]

Thank you for that comment. That really is my goal is to show people details that they may have not thought about. Very appreciated!

[@michaelricks1618]

Fascinating video with lots of great insight & modelling ideas. Thank you. Great weight loss too - carry on with the good work!!

[@djstrains]

Thank you! Will do!

[@redengine01]

I live along the RF&P subdivision of CSX and there is a branchline still in use that is used to make deliveries to a power plant and some other sort of industry, both of which have double reverse loops running around the buildings and small switching yards and loading docks. I assume the power plant takes in coal. There was actually an incident a few years ago where a coal hopper tipped over where the line ran next to the road, the grass still hasn't grown back right lol.

[@LTBROYT6A]

DJ, I can see how Skill Share has helped you take your videos to the next level, keep up the good work !!! Barry Broyles

[@djstrains]

I appreciate that!

[@FloodManagementGroup]

Nice job DJ. Enjoyed and thank you

[@djstrains]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@brantschmell4730]

Another great video DJ! Lots of good prototype info, great content!

[@djstrains]

Much appreciated!

[@TrainsOhio]

Thanks for sharing!

[@the_BRD_sub_byDonHennessy]

Great video DJ, useful ideas here, thanks. Cheers

[@djstrains]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@cooltrainsinmontreal4883]

I like to kitbash two or more buildings to make an industry usually something like a mill attached to a warehouse or warehoue attached to some type of fabrication building. I like unusual shapes so angled buildings or ones that are long rectangles work best for me

[@richgreene7043]

Nice video. Very interesting and inspiring. Thanks for sharing.

[@djstrains]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rvnmedic1968]

Really excellent vids. And you are looking good, DJ. Keep up the discipline. Cheers, Bob

[@djstrains]

Thank you kindly

[@sturnie1]

I have used sandpaper roofing before I just found a new gaf product ice and water shield its peel and stick. If you know a roof its simple to use same texture

[@sofreak6]

Awesome video. Great video

[@djstrains]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@scottpool4777]

Yes I did thank you.

[@warrenjones5837]

Very nice job, and looking good brother !!!

[@djstrains]

Thanks 👍

[@alcopower5710]

Great video. Water standing on those old flat roofs is a good idea as seen on the Atlas roof. What is your opinion of the CP/KCS “merger”?

[@djstrains]

I am unsure how I feel. Weird seeing a cross country link go north to south.

[@steve87thpsap]

Very cool DJ. I have been using Google maps over my railroad to find interesting things. Did a Chicken feed plant, and I’m currently building a feed store that used to be rail served. It can be easy to mix models and scratch building to make things look right.

[@djstrains]

Very cool!

[@ruffian2952]

Should be an Agway on any railroad.

[@moregltfirephotography4857]

Awesome video cant wait to get into scratch building

[@ruffian2952]

My dad was a model maker for patent office applications...scratch built all the time.

[@enjoyingrailroading1013]

Thanks!!!

[@mikepavelich8823]

Awesome video...doesn't look like video...looks like it's on film!

[@djstrains]

Thank you very much!

[@nw24153ns]

Thanks for the great ideas, I never thought of using a weathered piece of sandpaper for aa roof. 👍👍✌🎉🐰✝️🔯

[@railbuilderdhd]

Great capture of rail side industries. Boy I miss Pitt! One day I want to bring my son there to see trains. Maybe one day and we can meet up to get a tour from your knowledge of the area. Yeah, you are looking good, what’s your secret.

[@djstrains]

I stopped doing dumb stuff like footlong subway with 3 choc chip cookies. Stopping at fast food after work, eating a whole large pizza, etc. Gym daily too. Weights and cardio.

[@railbuilderdhd]

@@djstrains well done!!!

[@intermodalman123]

You forgot the part where a PSR prevents a CSX job from servicing the industry on one of their service days so the industry switching crew starts trying to look busy so they still get a paycheck lol!

[@frankhellman6879]

Latrobe?! Is it beer o'clock already?!

[@jgalexander510]

DJ, did you take the red pill again??? I feel like I just spent 8 bucks at the railroad museum to watch a documentary, except this was free, and fully worth it! Well done buddy.

[@djstrains]

LMAO!! I am really trying to make the best videos on KZbin.

[@sherrypilorski8975]

amazing video.

[@djstrains]

Glad you liked it!

[@wasatchrangerailway6921]

Wait until you use Google Earth!!! That is an incredible tool that can help you like you wouldn't believe! It built my railroad!!!

[@ConnorSitesBowen]

Iron Mountain, the document service company (nuke-proof record-keeping) has a transfer facility in that larger Pittsburgh building (with the roof parking).

[@djstrains]

great info!

[@3006USMC]

Cool video! When I saw the incredible footage , I thought you put a gopro on the locomotive truck or aimed it down on the coupler(I could watch that for hours)!!!

[@djstrains]

That's a good idea!

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Cool!

[@bruceenlow8480]

Another question, how was PVC delivered to industry? It is more like a soft "pellet". I believe Diamond Alkali may have produced PVC back in the day.

[@jolliemark6294]

As usual you give great ideas for model railroads just a question on how small industries move cars around or do the relay on the railroad to do it for them. Thanks for all your advice 👍👍👍👍

[@ruffian2952]

Sorry to intrude. There is equipment ranging from winches to small on- rail vehicles able to move cars. I used a poled device that when placed under the wheel and manipulated with a pump handle motion can move a car (called poling a car). As a customer the railroad owes you an incoming "spot" and "pull". Any intraplant moves cost the customer big time if performed by the carrier.

[@jolliemark6294]

@@ruffian2952 thanks I have always wondered it the had to relay on the railroads to move cars, I have heard of pulleys but never seen any. Thanks for more information 👍👍👍👍

[@djstrains]

100% correct

[@jamescraft672]

You're looking good. And so are your videos.

[@djstrains]

I appreciate that

[@jh4009]

Csx the da gang #1

[@krisseamster6985]

Can industries share a spur?

[@djstrains]

Absolutely but they better have a good schedule and relationship because if a car is being loaded but the other customer needs switched, how you have a conflict

[@eddie.b.railroader]

Hi Djs Trains, I have a question, in american trains with multiple locomotives, is there in each locomotive a engineer or not, for example 5 locomotives= 5 engineers??

[@djstrains]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWeVeZ1pmsuIkMU

[@kennethwallace34]

I’d like to see how they separate the main train to each Businesses. Like how they separated the salt car to the business.

[@djstrains]

I try not to film coworkers when possible.

[@ruffian2952]

@@djstrains Only if they are ahead of you on the roster.

[@thesuneversets]

Wasnt the old prr freight station in Latrobe down by the passenger station or is that a new freight station after they closed the other one?

[@jdglagola2909]

Hey, DJ. I have been asking around the community about DPUs. When did the railroads begin using them? When did they become popular? I only remember seeing them in the last several years. How are they controlled? does the engineer have to control the DPU separately from the main power at the front of the train? does he have to control slack on grades?

[@djstrains]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6a5g3SdaK2GY5Y

[@flatoutfullbore]

Another great video, & WOW you really have lost some weight!!!

[@djstrains]

Thank you!

[@Nscalestuff]

You forgot to mention where small yards that are reopened due to large hump yards being closed, and expected to switch 180 cars a shift, while multiple trains keep stopping to pick up and set off burying the switching the yard jobs have already done. Lol

[@ruffian2952]

On my former road that problem sounds like it belongs to a yardmaster. In many of our smaller yards certain tracks were occupied by the same destination cars. You as a road crew just didn't set off or pick up randomly. Like doctors you do no harm.

[@geoffreybslater1146]

What I don't fully understand is how they got the cars into the small yard?

[@djstrains]

Can you elaborate so I can help you understand?

[@geoffreybslater1146]

@djstrains First, what direction is the traing going. When I see the yards it looks like the cars must be backed into their location because there is no way out for the engine. So does that mainline train leave the cars on o e track, while the switching engine pushes the cars into the yard or at a factory?

[@bruceenlow8480]

I enjoy your videos and insight. It would be helpful to those of us modeling transition era any references to that period which have changed or still exist. eg "during the transition period this would have been done differently..." thanks

[@djstrains]

Great suggestion!

[@DanielCoady]

Where is that Catch-Up Logistics building? I found three on Google Maps in SW PA, but didn't find the one in the video. And great video. It gave me lots of ideas.

[@djstrains]

Greensburg. Behind the Burger King, McDonalds, and dunking donuts

[@DanielCoady]

@@djstrains Ha! Three McDonald's in Greensburg and of course it's behind the last one I looked at! Should have searched for Bruger King!

[@bobgallo3775]

So cool. Nice to e that a girl is in to model railroading.

[@rgs455atw]

How far away from the loading dock do they have the track so that they can access the boxcar door?

[@djstrains]

I'm not saying that a box car will rub up against a building, but in MOST cases, its so close that a conductor cant squeeze between the wall and a boxcar..

[@new_comment]

Mr. DJ, what r u running nowadays, mainline or working the locals?

[@djstrains]

coal

[@sammyers4561]

Hey Deej! What brand/model drone are you using? And what do you have to say about it. I’m thinking about buying one...

[@djstrains]

Basically this one. I LOVE IT!!!! But, its not a toy. I have my license. amzn.to/3rRJPWq

[@gabem6863]

I'm curious how a railroad company keeps track of their cars? How do any of the companies know where they are at any point across the country?

[@djstrains]

complex software

[@howielane8406]

You ever see the barcodes on the side of each unit as the train goes by? At different intervals along track, special cameras and other recording devices are stationed aside the track and those monitor the movement of the cars. The railroad and the clients know where, what and why off those barcodes. I hope that helps. My Father worked for the industry for 35 years. That's how I know.

[@MeigsCountyRR]

I have a question about how railroads really work. How would I spot a defect detector. The silver metal boxes that control crossings and defect detectors look the same to me. I think a scanner and defect detector would make a video much more interesting. Are they on a map? Should I look for an antenna? Should I chase a train and listen to the scanner? Should I look at the tracks (I hate to be on the tracks. It's dangerous and trespassing). Any hints or clues? Thanks! Greg in TN

[@djstrains]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHK4m5msZ9uSgac

[@MeigsCountyRR]

@@djstrains Thanks. But I want to find a defect detector or several. I want to video a train going by with a scanner so I can add the defect detector to the video. Should I just chase a train for an hour or two listening to the scanner for a defect detector, or is there a way to spot them so I'll know where to set up? Greg in TN

[@djstrains]

@@MeigsCountyRR maybe ask a conductor on the railroad you are filming. They are usually spaced every 20 miles or close to a big yard.

[@MeigsCountyRR]

@@djstrains OK Thannks.