Manned Helper Operations - LIVE Coal Loads in HO Scale

[@DuncSargent]

My wife came up behind me while I was watching this. She's not really into model trains. But she saw this and just started going, "Wow...wow...wow!" All hail!

[@Okrollins1]

Yes, he did an outstanding job on this video. I think I will follow his work.

[@vuurvrproductions4656]

👍

[@orrenlane]

Wow, it never really occurred to me how much model railroading can mimic real railroad operations. In my head I thought, "The trains are so small and light, surely only one of those loco units is enough power to pull a whole train up a slight grade, and the other locos are only for realism", but after hearing you describe how heavy it can actually be and why extra units and DPU's are necessary, it totally changed my perception on the hobby. These videos are absolutely fantastic.

[@f1matt]

Seems like a really interesting operational challenge running a train with two crews and live coal.

[@nsmodeler24]

It definitely is, and adds a lot of fun to operations! Thanks. - Josh

[@redrock717]

Alotta radio and operating by feel according to my dad

[@karaokehammick5215]

So this is what a $50,000 model train setup looks like. I am salivating.

[@dash7828]

We have similar operations on our territory. A manned pusher crew will shove trains over a certain tonnage up a 2.6% grade up hill where they'll cut away and head east back to our yard. I think what you did here was awesome!

[@ashevilletrainman6989]

1:38 NS will use ANYTHING😂 Blue ridge southern had a grain train and NS provided a switcher unit to help 😂

[@kellhound7227]

I literally saw a switcher on head end power with NS leading go through Lexington KY, a few days ago and immediately thought of this video and that comment! The switcher was similar to an EMD SW8.

[@fostoriadistrictrailfan3907]

lol

[@kyleschessiecumberlanddivi5581]

I love these kind of videos, like you said, adds to a whole lot of realism. Thanks for sharing. -Kyle

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks Kyle! Appreciate the feedback and kind words. I'll definitely do a few more like this. - Josh

[@RobbieSongwriter]

Some of the most realistic looking operation I've ever seen. Big thumbs up. Some of this could be used in a movie and I'd bet the audience would never guess it's a model. Thank for sharing this.

[@jeffherdzina6716]

How in God's green earth did someone give a thumb's down ? Great Video, Great Music !

[@outcoredragraces8656]

IM JUST A KID UNDER 10 HO SCALE IS FOR 14 YEARS AND UP THATS HOW YOU KNOW THAT PEOPLE LIKE MODEL TRAINS THATS MY P42 IN MY LOGO

[@ejdsndnj]

@@outcoredragraces8656 pretty sure, that is a es44ac in your pfp, and a C44-9W is my pfp.

[@Lee-in-oz]

How the hell did I end up here? Im friggin glad I did.

[@PlaneBoy2520]

I presume you’re not into trains?

[@daviddryden8088]

Flawless current. The slow speeds/coupling are a thing of beauty.

[@jackpetrof9460]

Love love love that you are running the train with a real coal load! Gutsy!!

[@blkstang83]

I have watched many operational videos for rail lines. You are the first one to explain the "whys" of the use of engines like the lead and helpers. Thanks for sharing the knowledge and video.

[@nsmodeler24]

Hey Vincent, glad the video helped. If you would like to know anything else about operations, email them to me at [e-mail]. I'm always looking for ideas for future videos. Thanks for watching. - Josh

[@barfeedbob]

Somebody needs to fill out a maintenance ticket to reolace the broken diaphragms on 2507s horn. LOL! Love Love Love your content!

[@normanrowe2831]

Hello, wonderful trains, beautiful scenery, intelligent, informative narration. But most of all....no distracting, horrible “ You Tube “ music. What’s not to love. Thank you.

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks Norman. Trying to stay away from distracting and annoying music as best as I can :) Appreciate the kind words. - Josh

[@4gauge10]

I really enjoyed watching this and having a full functioning coaling station is really nice.The only thing that I noticed that might need a slight modification is the railroad gate,on the gate arm,there are 3 LED's,the first two should alternate with the signal stand itself,the third LED on the end of the gate should stay"steady on"though.(this is how the prototype signals work)

[@Vandragorax]

I love your minimalist backdrops and dissected buildings against it, allowing more focus on the actual rail and operations instead of having a massive terrain overhead to the build. I am definitely taking inspiration from that!

[@kennethc.bishop7090]

I've not seen a hobby train video with narration like this. This must have taken a long time from start (filming) to finish (editing). There is real production value here, I like it a lot. Using industry specific terms contextually teaches neophytes the definition of words in "trainspeak". The music and effects soundtrack adds nice background ambiance. This is really well done - I look forward to more. Thanks.

[@daf827]

This is fantastic! One of the best model railroad videos I’ve ever seen. The layout, the scenic backdrops, the operational authenticity, the videography, narration and that slide guitar soundtrack. All first class and a blast to watch. Really captures my imagination. When you mentioned the grade, I thought you were modeling Saluda!

[@einy2crikey]

Awesome video!! My Dad was a dispatcher and retired from CSX years ago. He was "down the hill" from you guys mostly at the old Marion depot and Bostic Yard near Forest City. He also worked occasionally at Spruce Pine and Spartanburg. Keep up the beautiful videos.

[@Texas12valve]

I work with trains at my job so I pretty much know the cars in and out and i gotta say the attention to detail is incredible

[@stolasburrito74656]

I do model aircraft not trains (mostly because I like assembling them), but I still really respect and admire this hobby and the people (like you) who do it well and make it look realistic and elegant

[@jimbernard71]

Wow, WHAT A LAYOUT!!! I am from a suburb of Asheville. What a treat to see... Thanks

[@Signal1072]

Awesome operations doesn’t get much more realistic than that...definitely a blast running that train on the layout

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks John!

[@ryangrider9607]

Manned helper operations with live loads, aka “How to measure the pucker factor”

[@montana4069]

I didn't know that real trains have to do all that...thats crazy...next time im at a train crossing...I'll think of this great video info...fun to watch...👍👍👍

[@toddbehrends1373]

Your attention to detail shows in the layout. Great to see the different things that you have done to the layout and the equipment.

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks for the kind words Todd. Means a lot. - Josh

[@crazyman762]

Truly 1 of the best HO layouts I have seen at least in video form. Very professional video as well.... I am in S Scale and use real coal too but glue it all in. The coal makes the cars heavy on purpose. They stay on the track most of the time. Thanks for posting.

[@alainaarrhodge5413]

Great video and I love the way you walk us through what's happening on screen and the why behind it. Model railroading at it's best! Thanks for sharing!!

[@theophilhist6455]

With all that I've done in modeling this live coal haul is truly the work of science, skill and amazing development. Great narration as well.

[@ajurassicfan9557]

The scenery is my favorite part of this hobby. Have y’all ever run the trains at full speed?

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks! Usually we run them at slower speeds, since the line we model is up in the mountains, but from time to time we'll crank the throttle up to 100 (as long as it's not the coal train) haha

[@wolfboy20]

@@nsmodeler24 do a full speed train video!

[@ricardojuricic9027]

@@nsmodeler24 equivalent to 500mph: daupht!!!👇 I indeed DO prefer and enjoy your slower speed🤙💪😊👏👏

[@thefutureofyesterday8136]

Very nicely done video from your neighbor 45 miles north of Asheville. 👍👍

[@ibbylancaster8981]

I live in the Eastern part of NC near the main line running north and south near Fayetteville NC and loved watching the trains coming south out of Fayetteville or north out of pembroke. This layout you guys have is astounding. Awesome work man. You guys truly have a labor of love. Bravo

[@PickledDill907]

The detail in those locos is absolutely insane. (layouts great as well)

[@MattProtrains]

At one of the layout clubs I'm a part of, we have a spiral tunnel helix for trains to go from the lower level and the upper level. Ops sessions we have can get very intense, even more when we have a train stalled in the tunnel. I've once been called to do the helper engines, and it's such a challenge as we communicate our throttle speed. Fortunately no serious issues. You're hill is very impressive.

[@reconmodelsvaughn469]

This video tells why I Changed over to O scale I used to be the Vice president of the Chattanooga area model railroad club years ago been it Ho scale for many years big time I have had over 6 major layouts the first time I got to see a O scale layout that was it I Literally sold everything and built a building just for a 2 story O scale layout iam a retired railroad engineer and I just model fulltime O SCALE IS AMAZING BIG SOUND AND BIG TRAINS. this is a amazing ho layout not bad at all

[@sawilson56]

Are you still around the Chattanooga area? I am an avid 3 rail O scale person and would love to come see your layout

[@reconmodelsvaughn469]

@@sawilson56 no I'm in toledo Ohio now

[@SharkyCartelRailroad]

nice sound track it sounds like we are looking at the first train on saluda grade in 18 years

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks! Wish we could still see trains at Saluda. Much of the town "Grovestone" on the layout was modeled after Saluda.

[@SharkyCartelRailroad]

@@nsmodeler24 nice im thinking about modeling saluda on my csx layout but theres a problem im modelng summer/fall of 2021 and well im modeling CSX saluda is ns

[@theevangelist6178]

That guitar riff in your vids, that's a cool country touch.

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks!

[@DustinJonesWV]

NSmodeler24 does this song have a name?

[@franks471]

This is something I've had no luck with. I ran trains of similar length (45 cars) and the pusher always caused a derailment at around the 40th car. I thought it was pushing too hard so I tried locomotives that were very light, had the same trouble. The drawbars at the 39th and 40th car were pushed all the way to one side. Same trouble the N&W had using locomotives that weren't set up for pushing heavy trains... except I'm not causing the derailment at the very last car. I just don't think the kadees were ideal for the job, they fit together loosely and played a part in letting the drawbars swing to the side. As mid-train helpers my pushers worked just fine though. I could go up to 65 cars and using the helpers in the middle provided enough drag on the locos that they didn't actually push too much. I have similar curves in my setup too. Just no luck.

[@tonyfrancesco3701]

I’ve taken 6 cross country trips on Amtrak, the only noticeable omission is litter , sadly lots And lots of litter . Not everywhere, but in concentrated areas, yards are prime litter collection areas, unfortunately. Great layout you did and incredible job

[@williamschlenger1518]

Great layout &great scenery. I like the length of the train .very reallistic.

[@gacj2010]

This is so real ...I just love it and with your narration.... beautiful...

[@emtiv334]

I know nothing about model trains and don't know much about railroads. I also have no clue how this video got in my suggestions. But, I have to say, your model is amazing! I'm into photography and thinking about how cool some macro type photography could be of models! Your realism with the sounds is absolutely amazing!

[@cedarvalleyrail8419]

We need to have a livestream of this, such a cool operation

[@GrotrianSeiler]

Impressive. All this work should be recognized.

[@tommythomason6187]

Learned a few things. I subscribed long back, but only today did I see this vid in it's entirety.

[@RailsOfTheSouthProductions]

Personally, this is how I like helpers done. There’s something to manned crews that make the models that much cooler

[@rustyrailspikeproductions]

This is amazing! The amount of realism is so amazing! Thank you for sharing this.

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks for the kind words! Appreciate it :)

[@_3liupn3xt_4]

I like how you have foreign power in the yard 🔥👌🏾

[@ineedhugs456]

This a childhood dream come true

[@ronaldwatson1951]

Great layout and wonderful moderation very calming. I have seen a 100 car coal train in Colorado. Good video

[@TrainDr101]

I run on Tim Dickinson's BN layout & we run manned helpers for the same reasons. The west side of the grade is steep with a tight S curve. The east side isn't as steep but under powered trains will stall.

[@nsmodeler24]

Hey Matt, that's a beautiful layout and I'd sure love to visit one day. Looks like an amazing operation. Thanks for sharing a bit! - Josh

[@pewheretic7967]

Not just a great layout and attention to detail...great videography! Fantastic way to capture it all. I have to binge watch and get caught up, but I hope to have a hundred questions and wanted to say thanks for the excitement.

[@benbergman3983]

I work at a coal power plant, In coal operations. This is so well done! I don't know if you have actual experience in a power plant. But it's damn near 100% accurate! The only real difference(s) is/are that the coal dumper doesn't work like. It actually requires 3 people and is quite dangerous. The other thing is we use an sw1500 as our south Loco and a real small shunter engine as our north/feeder engine to put the cars on. I'm in the process of building out plant. I really want to do it in HO, but the shear size of everything is really forcing me to lean more towards N scale.

[@jamesswain1845]

You and your father are the best , i have fam who use to work for NS Roankke VA, coal trains are the best.

[@disturbed1954]

Josh that was another awesome video on that beautiful layout you and your dad built, thanks for sharing it with us!

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks David! Hope you're doing well and stay in touch! -Josh

[@deenice48]

I really enjoy this video looking at the locomotive hook up and seeing the helper keep up the good work 👍

[@RailroadScannerMan15]

This is a functional way to make models, work- like the prototype. Ashamed there is no DPU's on NS here in Mississippi, exceptions to very occasional. Very nice. Hope to get out to the carolina's to see NS before too long.

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks Michael!

[@bulldogbently]

That is so realistic , I was expecting to see some wheel slip and sand been laid by the locos or a ground relay ! Awesome stuff

[@AmtrakEnthusiast]

You should pull the train into Grovestone siding before detaching the helpers, because on a real railroad they can't really afford to stop on the main and hold everything up. Or maybe you could make a little helper base at Grovestone where the helpers are pooled and then do a big engine move down the mountain. Just some suggestions, but very cool and interesting video!

[@tftrainman]

Traffic on the line Josh models is limited to just a few trains a day with an occasional or two extras or reroutes it is not uncommon to stop the trains on the main. I used to be a conductor on the line Josh models.

[@AmtrakEnthusiast]

@@tftrainman gotcha

[@xkillerparty4658]

Sitting here watching this just after catching the real 3610 leading a oil train 😂

[@stamrly418]

Just awesome realistic operations that are needed wow. Great work

[@shawnrogers8393]

Nice to see another that uses live loads

[@nsmodeler24]

Shawn, I checked out a few of your videos and it seems like you have a neat operation. Thanks for sharing! - Josh

[@shawnrogers8393]

@@nsmodeler24 yea, i have a small set up in my motorhome currently, using the upper bunk and one of the upper storage areas. I mainly use coal, sand, processed tree leaves,unused cat litter, floor dry for running around. My fictional is Challenger Rail Transport (CRX), it started back in 1983

[@challengerrail1036]

Shawn Rogers nsmodeler, here is my CRX page I was mentioning

[@GamingOnTheRails019]

I love your channel! Your model gives me some inspiration because me and my Dad are doing a HO Scale Diorama of the Clinchfield Loops and the Spartanburg Amtrak Station with the tunnel.

[@bdd5748]

You really have an amazing layout. This is truly realistic! It felt like I was watching a real train.

[@mattduke6490]

I love your channel. ALWAYS loved NS. Growing up in NC, its awesome to see your model of the Asheville district. I cant wait for your next video of the powerplant. Keep up the good work!

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks Matt! Always loved modeling the area as well. -Josh

[@ragedknuckles4611]

I go to Asheville sometimes I'm only an hour away in SC. I didn't realize how big the coal industry was for NC.

[@williambryant5946]

Its really awesome that you have to use the helpers because you actually need them! Way cool! Great video! 👍

[@arjnsdca]

Very informative. I always wondered about helper engines. Fantastic layout!!! Thanks for sharing this video!

[@shanestrains4056]

Wow those lights on the SD70 are SICK!

[@chadjohnsondash]

This is amazing I’m at work & stop what I was doing just to watch this.

[@josephesposito5829]

Great video keep up on the good work 👌👌👌👌👍👍👍👍

[@Jacobkorowin4014]

Great video Josh sir! You did a great job explaining everything sir!!

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks for the feedback Jacob! - Josh

[@billyreynolds4749]

Fantastic video!! I love your commentary with each video!! Thanks for sharing!

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks David! Was a lot of fun to film and share with everyone. Thanks for watching! - Josh

[@mgr_video_productions]

Amazing video! I love all the realistic shots and scenes. It adds to the realism.

[@nsmodeler24]

Thank you! Much appreciated. - Josh

[@thedude3423]

Wow! The filming is fantastic! Great composition. The layout itself is phenomenal also. Just awesome. Thanks for this! 😊👍

[@palmettostaterailfan7019]

Wow, awesome video, great layout , and gorgeous engines.

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks Michael. - Josh

[@hiesler]

Outstanding video. The combination of quality modelling and videography is inspiring.

[@rhythmrailroad1101]

WOW!!!!! What a great video!!! Incredibly well done both with performance and production! Really enjoying your videos and eager to see more! Thanks

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks! Really appreciate it! - Josh

[@derekrohan9619]

Pretty cool layout.. great job with the weathering and what not ..

[@lunalie6938]

your backdrops blend in very well to the scenery! great work!!

[@kenfolstad1346]

This is an absolutely beautiful model rail road, WoW!!!!

[@jamiebarrow2979]

Great video Josh, I have started to model NS and these are certainly great for inspiration. Keep them coming please 🙂

[@nsmodeler24]

You've got it! Thanks. - Josh

[@voldog88]

Your layout is truly iconic wow

[@williamtozier4974]

I really enjoyed the ride I'm 75 and justed started my ho railroad tojoyed

[@skillsustudent4841]

This was just like watching a real train. Thanks.

[@jeremywykle2955]

Cool video I worked the helper a lot on csx alleghany sub. we had the helper link on but sometimes we would be asked to tie train down,cut away to push stalled trains up the mountain then we had to do it the old way.

[@nsmodeler24]

Jeremy, that must've been a neat job. Thanks for sharing. - Josh

[@mattmaz2]

Fantastic video Josh ! Looking forward to the next instalment 😊👍

[@_slashes]

Jeez those are some beautiful trains you got there

[@BradleyDCC]

Excellent camera work and blend of real train sound effects! Background music really sets that mountain vibe, great job!

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks Arthur! If only we could get our rolling stock to ACTUALLY sound like that.... maybe that's an idea for some V5s?? haha

[@kraigsickels3918]

Great job on your layout and operations are very realistic 😃

[@HighballHank]

Wow awesome prototypical horn lag on the SD70

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks!

[@jimtedesco]

That was amazing. I can't wait to see the rotary dumper in action.

[@steve87thpsap]

Great video and wonderful narrative.

[@805Hrowell]

Exceptional layout and videography. Thanks.

[@NSProductions-jt5sh]

I love your videos and thanks to u I love Norfolk Southern and I'm modeling NS your videos help me with ideas for my layout keep up the good work Josh- Dom

[@jackhromadka6842]

I subscribed because I thought the NS stood for N scale. Still glad I subbed anyway because of this kind of thing!

[@jasonellis4139]

Josh that was an awesome video... Enjoyed every moment 💯👍🏿💙 Great stuff man.

[@nsmodeler24]

Thanks Jason!! Always appreciate the kind words and hope you're doing well! - Josh

[@jasonpeachrick2037]

the horn at 1:25 sounds so realistically terrible. i love it!!!

[@michaelwashington2682]

Nice video 👍. I don't know what all the train talk is. But I like the video and wish to see the car's unload.

[@dd_railvideos]

Really great video as always Josh! Keep up the good work!