Kicking Cars at the Norfolk Southern Gest St. Yard; Watch crews get the freight where it needs to be

This is a video from a trip to the NS yard in Cincinnati.
It follows several strings of cars as they are sorted.
It also has a few trains come through as well.
The NS yard is mostly surrounded by CSX tracks leading to the Queensgate Yard.
This was my first time watching crews sort cars in this yard.
I think it's pretty incredible to watch.
The first 1/3 is sped up 4X.
The remainder is the same video, but at normal speed.
I'll put some time stamps and questions in the comments.
At the end, we also catch the CSX geometry train come through.
I hope you enjoy and if you do, please hit that like button.
Thanks for watching!

[@nkyrailfan]

Real-time action starts at 31:50 NS Safety Train is visible at 2:39:09 Intermodal activity begins at 2:41:18 CSX Geometry Train is seen at 2:45:15

[@coxsj]

Brilliant!! Keep em coming! Love yard action and I really like the way you capture it. I'm fine with sped up sections, sometimes, that's the best way to see what's really going on. cheers!!

[@nkyrailfan]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it. If you liked this one, I think you'll really enjoy the Bellevue, Ohio video in working on. Hope to have it out early next week. Have a great day.

[@jehanghouse6641]

Super. Thanks I will check it out. I usually watch trains in Crescent Springs for NS, and in Covington for CSX.

[@dsmith9964]

I spent part of my forming years in northern Kentucky..watching the trains switch at the old DeCoursey Yard.

[@LukeRobinson]

This video is great, its so fascinating seeing all the action in an accelerated way. I currently don't have the time to watch railroad operations in real time so i appreciate your videos. Keep up the great work!

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you very much, Luke. I am glad to hear you enjoyed the video.

[@benjaminsorenson]

You can also change to playback speed on videos on each individual video you watch in the settings of the video via the gear.

[@imcoachrick2]

Loooooove this video.. thank you!

[@nkyrailfan]

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it Rick!

[@cncpgreatlakesdiv4896]

awesome video great work fliming thx so much 😛😛😛👍👍👍👍

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you very much, I do appreciate it.

[@terryjennings2791]

Another great video Christian. Really good video and editing skills on display again. I really enjoy the yard videos especially when you mix the higher speed and regular speed on the same video. Hard to imagine how much has to go right to keep things moving. Looked like a lot of foreign power in the yard. The Grey/Black NS combo was really sharp, as was the NS first responder loco. Always enjoy watching your posts.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thanks Terry. I'm really enjoying these yard videos. Although, it's tough to just let the camera/drone hold still and let the action unfold. It really does show what a detailed process it is to get things where they need to go. The workers who make it happen do a great job. And yes, I always tend to notice foreign power, especially UP, and to a lesser degree BNSF, on any NS line.

[@43loudman]

wow, I love this video, I can watch this all morning, brings me back to my younger years,.

[@nkyrailfan]

2:45:15 is when the CSX Geometry Train comes through. You can also see a string of CSX cars being sent over the hump in the distance

[@Wizardman646]

My grandfather was a CPR conductor for 45 years. I wish he could see these videos. And purely from a video editor's perspective your shots and editing are flawless. I am in awe!

[@treos17]

the box cars on the safety train are pretty neat. Behind the boxcar door is a regular double door house door and a full classroom is inside.

[@markhayes6407]

I like that white paint scheme on the Norfolk Southern loco attached to the BNSF in Gest Street yard. As usual a real good video of the switching.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you, Mark. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@johnathanlewis2049]

Great video. This yard is busy. I can’t help but notice there’s a lot of foreign power here especially UP and BNSF. Noticed some Canadian power too.

[@nkyrailfan]

That seems to be a hallmark of Norfolk Southern these days. It is more often the case to see foreign power on the trains than it is not from what I've noticed. This is just my observation, but I see the most Union Pacific locomotives, followed by BNSF and then CP/CN every now and then.

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Awesome video documentation and illustration of what goes on to move Americas freight. Enjoyed watching and have a wonderful rest of your Friday.(Steve)

[@nkyrailfan]

I am really enjoying these videos and seeing how things are organized. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm hopeful to have the Bellevue video out sometime next week. I think you'll really like it. Have a great day.

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

@@nkyrailfan Your very welcome and looking forward to it.Thank you and you also have a great upcoming weekend.(Steve)

[@jamesswanson7213]

The radio traffic really pulls it together

[@nkyrailfan]

I agree. It definitely makes it more interesting and provides a lot of great info about what's going on and why. I wish I had a better way to line the radio calls up with what's going on.

[@kennethsmith9956]

Keep up the good work of the freight yards. That’s my specialty on my way out.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thanks, Kenneth. I appreciate it. I hope to get several more this summer.

[@imodelrr]

Great video - Love it! - I see the NS 911 (1:48) It was over in Spencer NC Noth Carolina Transportation Museum last weekend 6/24/2023 for the Fire Truck Festival, along with NS5642

[@nkyrailfan]

I saw pictures from the Fire Truck Festival. It looked like a great time.

[@daericksimpson9244]

Awesome video 💯🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💥💥💥💥💥💥🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂I love it🚂🚂🚂🚂

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you very much. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it.

[@JohnnysTrainVideos]

Great video...

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you very much, I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it.

[@EntertainmentWorldz]

nice video bro

[@RailFanRob]

Awesome footage man!!

[@nkyrailfan]

Thanks, Rob. I do appreciate it

[@thomaswordeman9004]

at 7:23 in the upper left, looks like the NS HazMat teaching train is giving a class.

[@nkyrailfan]

It arrived in Cincinnati a few days prior. They were offering training to any local fire departments or other emergency service agency.

[@lnrailroad3215]

Once again, an excellent video!! You have the best train content on KZbin! I've shared you channel many times to other railroad enthusiast. Great video sir!

[@LisbonRailProductionsandF1]

L&N Railroad, hi, i am Vasco, nice to meet you, i just want to let you know that i subscribed your channel, hope you enjoy mine, i have some great videos of the trains that you will enjoy a lot.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you very much, I do appreciate it. And thank you for sharing the channel.

[@LisbonRailProductionsandF1]

@@nkyrailfan my pleasure, my friend, i post new short videos.

[@nicksnyder6806]

Awesome 👍, great video

[@nkyrailfan]

Thanks, Nick. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@donschonberg7906]

Have driven over these yards countless times and never had a good idea of what really went on. I sure do now. Wonder how many miles the ground crews walk every day throwing the turnouts. Think watching the NS yard in action is a bit more interesting than the CSX. With NS you get a little idea of what is going on with the intermodal area too. Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@trainsmachineryldegmtrains3509]

Amazing rail activity, great video! MEGA THUMBS UP Greetings from Dublin Andrew

[@nkyrailfan]

Greetings from the United States, Andrew. I'm very glad you enjoyed the video!

[@jordialfonsoaragones4978]

Nice video, brutal, thank you for sharing

[@nkyrailfan]

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the video.

[@nkyrailfan]

2:41:15 is when the intermodal portion starts. You can also see the back of Union Terminal and the area where Amtrak picks up passengers for the Cardinal

[@jdhrap]

I see the intermodal facility is back to being managed by idiots. Not enough cars there.

[@sernajrlouis]

Awesome video

[@januschreichel7510]

Very nice video 👍 Greetings from Germany 🙋‍♂:)

[@nkyrailfan]

Vielen Dank. Ich freue mich, dass dir das Video gefallen hat. Grüße aus den Vereinigten Staaten.

[@mccoy79productions66]

Just fantastic

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it

[@waldemarogandotrens.8063]

Vídeo super espetacular, esse pátio de manobras é um verdadeiro show de imagens, parabéns amigo pelo excelente registro, like super garantido 👏💯

[@nkyrailfan]

Muito obrigado. Estou feliz em saber que você gostou do vídeo. Saudações dos Estados Unidos.

[@SMX815]

Great stuff & these freight trains are the unsung heroes! I thought Nebraska was the central hub for America? 😊👍

[@EastcoastRailfan1776]

You can see the 911 Heritage unit near the shop

[@KTHKUHNKK]

Wow I just heard you say you went to Bellevue. I was there approximately a month ago. I sent you the video. My video is nothing compared to yours. But trains are truly awesome. KK Motion Pictures Also on KZbin

[@nkyrailfan]

I'll make sure to check it out. Bellevue is probably my favorite yard because it's so open, easy to film and so busy.

[@KTHKUHNKK]

@@nkyrailfan Howdy I hadn't been to Bellevue in years. My buddy took me up there to film some of the outside museum stuff. Like I said before my dad worked at the Cole docks in Lorain Ohio. That's why I really liked the call docs that you filmed. KK Motion Pictures also on KZbin I will be watching more of your videos. Keith K

[@zunkman1]

I'll never understand this. When air lines are separated, the brakes come on. That's how air brakes are supposed to work. How can cars roll when their air lines are not hooked up to anything? (Great video)

[@nkyrailfan]

I never understood either until someone else explained it. I'll try to find the comment, but here is the quick version. Each car has an air reservoir. When the engineer applies the brakes, that causes the air in the reservoir to force the brake shoes onto the wheel. However, once that reservoir runs out of air, it can no longer apply the brake. That's why trains must charge the air system. So, if a train is going down a steep grade, it can lose its brakes if they're applied too often and those reservoirs run out of air. There is an option to keep the reservoir empty for purposes like humping. Hope this helps.

[@jameskonyane3641]

​@@nkyrailfan Does this mean the cars that are rolling have no air in their reservoirs‽ And do they roll until they bump into other cars to stop‽ If that's the case, it explains why there are a lot of coupling accidents where you find couplers break and disconnect a speeding train

[@nkyrailfan]

That's exactly right, James. They will keep rolling until they hit something or run out of energy. I'm told the drawbars have been greatly improved to buffer the impacts, so they do not create broken/damaged couplers in the process.

[@jameskonyane3641]

@@nkyrailfan Thank you so much, I understand now

[@markcinque7011]

Wow cool,0:17

[@Mr1fish2fish]

Can we get a video of the freight yard cars being taken out? There are a lot of stacking the cars in the freight yard, but not much in the way of departures. Thanks.

[@nkyrailfan]

Hey Richard, I will do my best to get some trains doubling out and then leaving the yard the next time I'm able to film one. Have a great day.

[@chris818529]

When does the ns safety train show up?

[@nkyrailfan]

You can see it at the 2:39:15 mark.

[@mccoy79productions66]

Awesome

[@Smackyjack440]

Almost looks like you are watching RCO.

[@BP_211yt]

I like listening to those Railroad radio chat but most of the time it sounds like they are saying “Adatalalatatafalalalabapoflowbap”

[@nkyrailfan]

😂😂😂 I do wish I could get better quality audio from the radio and not the garbled mess it often is.

[@nkyrailfan]

31:50 is when the normal speed section starts

[@coryphillips8526]

Nice. I'm curious. How do the "yellow crate lifters" move throughout the yard? I couldn't tell if there was a cab on it with someone inside.

[@nkyrailfan]

The crate lofters are only in the one spot to push the cars up the incline. After that, it is all gravity causing the cars to roll.

[@jehanghouse6641]

As others have said, very nice video with a lot of activity. Where are you spotting from? I'm from the local area (Northern KY) and would love to visit this spot. Thanks.

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you very much. I set up under the 8th Street viaduct. It was just passed Dance Ct. If you put in 1428 West 8th Street You will go right in front of the spot. It's a decent view of the trains coming and going on the bridge, but it's not very good to see much else from the ground.

[@bruceepperson]

Hi

[@sasha7557]

Is there any reinforced concrete sleeper here?

[@drezdin4557]

Why do you speed it up? Is it for editing and time?

[@nkyrailfan]

A lot of folks don't like the slow, real-time footage. Others like the regular speed action. So, I try to make both groups happy and have normal and sped-up versions.

[@drezdin4557]

@@nkyrailfan fair enough

[@agems56]

Digital Transmitters would be a real asset! No carrier noise, and range would be much better! Analog is outdated!

[@1BadVan]

switching with freight engines is not the smoothest way of doing it, comfy for the engineer but slower then something like a gp38

[@andyye2571]

It is rare to see freight railroad companies work together.

[@nkyrailfan]

In this scenario (using each other's locomotives) I don't think it's rare. The need for locomotives can fluctuate, so having the ability to use other companies' locomotives makes a lot of sense for everyone.

[@mikefoley3616]

The use of foreign power started years ago with the new concept of “run-thru” trains meaning a foreign roads power stayed with a train at interchange points all the way to the final destination. Railroads soon learned that someone could be getting the short end if the stick. Example: the UP gives a train that terminates in Bellevue oh at Kansas City. The UP engines take 2 days to get there, one day for service and 2 days back to the UP at Kansas City on a train terminating in LA. That’s 5 days total. This is a routine service. Next trip the train operates with NS power but it takes 8 days from KC to LA and back to KC meaning the UP has enjoyed the use of NS power for 3 more days then the NS used theirs. Railroads power desks keep track of this time down to the hour and periodically “pay back” the surplus by sending units to the road they owe for an extended period of time until the debt is paid. They even have a formula for different type units such as 2 sd40’s equal one comfort cab type unit. The process is continuous and never ending.

[@teresamicheletti977]

🚂🇺🇸NKY🥇Railfan🇺🇸 🚂🇺🇸Excellent👍WoW🇺🇸 🚂🇺🇸⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🇺🇸🌞

[@nkyrailfan]

2:39:15 is when you can see the NS Safety Train

[@jacobdubielak]

Norfolk southern 4002

[@lifewitharifali]

Very nice bro. Keep it up. Subscribe your channel

[@nkyrailfan]

Thank you very much.

[@monacofederico]

Love the last part kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYa1kqioirqcmMk with the containers! also the rest is worth watching and rewatching as insapiration for my layout

[@TSJoe]

I cant Tell if this is real or a game

[@penelope8557]

SKIP THE PREAMBLE!!!!!!!!

[@edwardhugus2772]

Sorry, I cant find the timestamps, if you left it in comments, it isnt pinned

[@nkyrailfan]

My apologies, I posted the comments but forgot to put them. I just pinned a new comment with all the timestamps. I hope you liked the video.

[@jeffreyheflin2037]

QUESTION. WHY ARE TRAINS NOT LEAVING THE YARD? PERIOD!

[@bertonysevere9571]

Verigooddiobhuaue

[@jacobdubielak]

Norfolk southern 911

[@ptgcell2773]

Borring,too slow

[@hunterbidenscrackdealer3753]

Where is the best place to watch Gest at yard at? Without a drone lol.

[@nkyrailfan]

I would say to get the best view on any day would be on the 8th Street viaduct. There's a pretty wide sidewalk and not too much traffic. However, Tower A inside Union Terminal offers the best view by far. Not sure what its schedule is these days, but definitely worth checking out when you can. Other than that, there aren't any other spots I can think of for Gest Street.

[@hunterbidenscrackdealer3753]

@@nkyrailfan Thank u kind sir