Operation 05 - CP Stacks and Tail End Pushers - Cutting Off on the Fly - Southern Alberta Rail

[@daviddryden8088]

A fan of the radio chatter. Makes your railroad that much more immersive. Your wife and son are good sports. Perhaps you should think about a cooking video. Apparently, your family enjoys your cooking. :) as they have seemingly extorted you. :) Can't wait for the new scenery.

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Extortion is a mild way of putting it David!

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Hi David. I couldn't respond to your last comment on the May update, It disappears when I click on the respond tab. The membership thing is something I am working on to provide more detailed videos to those that wish to join. I'm in the process now of getting it set up and I will put out a video introducing it when ready. Thanks for asking! -grant

[@Howie2025]

Again great Ops video. You get that equipment to run so well. All your work pays off.

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Thanks 👍

[@Blitz0065]

Incredible to think that's N scale. Thank you for such quality content. I'm happy I have so much backlog to catch up on. PS...HUGE BONUS if it features Well Cars/Husky Stacks!

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Hey thanks. Appreciate the comments and the views! Cheers.

[@georgehorne394]

communication with RTC sounds like dealing with ATC

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Pretty much!!

[@paulpotter7188]

Nice to hear the family involved

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

It sure is Paul. Glad to have them participate now and again! -grant

[@gramchristian]

COuldn't agree more with bnrailfan - great job !

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Thanks! Appreciate that a bunch.

[@georgiasunbelt]

Very Nice...loved “on the fly” uncoupling

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Thanks!

[@kylestevens6925]

Love the video, and I absolutely love the added TWC chatter, made it so much more realistic. Beautiful layout. Thanks for sharing.

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Thanks for watching Kyle. Check out some of the railfanning vids for edited prototype sounds if you haven't already.

[@kylestevens6925]

@@SouthernAlbertaRail I will definitely try to get around and look at them.

[@scottb1167]

Another superb video. The on the fly uncoupling looked great.

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Thanks Scott.

[@trainsandboatschannel8777]

Excellent video my dear friend. Millions like 👍. Greetings from Viet Nam

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Thank you very much! Greeting from Canada!

[@TouchoftheBrushModelWeathering]

The scenery is incredible! Love the operations!

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Thanks! Now to find time to get those cans weathered.........

[@bnrailfannz8262]

Love the radio chatter, the running commentary and just LOVE the Railroad! Another great video *thumbs Up*

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

I appreciate that, glad you enjoyed it.

[@derekalexander4030]

Really enjoyable video and I don’t care if they are helpers or pushers, they did a great job. The scenery is spectacular and it’s wonderful that you can share the hobby with your family. Thank you for sharing the video.

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Glad you enjoyed it Derek. Thanks for tuning in. -grant

[@rimodeler7963]

Greetings Grant - Fantastic session and very professionally done. I enjoyed watching the realistic operations through the beautiful scenes on this spectacular model railroad. Your wife and son do a great job!! Thanks much. Mike

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Thanks Mike... I greatly appreciate what you have to say! I'll pass on your compliments to the crew. Cheers. -grant

[@handlaidtracksand3dprinted922]

Very well done!! Stunning mountainsides and fantastic operations!

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Many thanks!

[@elliotttipper661]

Amazing layout I love everything going on here. Heartwarming to hear your family over the radio !

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Thank you so much!

[@jacjac5761]

Beautiful layout

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Thanks so much!

[@Longshadowsmodeltrees]

Crew did a great job! Enjoyed the Op's video, always enjoy seeing your fine Layout operating. Bob

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Thanks Bob!

[@brtree74]

Hi Grant. Awesome video. The uncoupling was incredible, I love how you can do that. Always awesome to watch trains rolling through your incredible layout. Cheers, Brad.

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Thanks Brad! Now to find some time to get all those containers weathered....... Cheers!

[@johnpetrovitz935]

Grant... If you cook anything like you model, I gotta believe Heather will run ‘pushers’ !!!!!!!! (Still love the ‘pink snow’ !!!!)

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

I'll have to summon my inner Juila Child but I think you might be on to something John!

[@bgm-1961]

Wow! It would be awesome to see a scenery tutorial by you! I'm an N scaler myself, and I still have to remind myself that I'm watching N scale action, as it looks like HO scale. That's the effect your scenery technique has. So I'd love to watch how you did the scenery between Tunnel 1 and East Burmis. Especially the scenery between Tunnel 5 and East Burmis, as that stretch has a bit of everything!

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Hey thanks for that! I appreciate the feedback. I have some scenery tutorial videos on my channel that shows you some of the techniques I use. Have a look look in the Scenery Tutorials playlist and see if anything grabs your interest. Cheers. -grant

[@DwayneKlassenTheCoachForMen]

Another stellar operations video Grant! The crew did a fantastic job. I'm living vicariously through your layout until I can get the benchwork started on mine this fall. Planning on a re-imagined Coquihalla Sub, but as CPR's mainline Hope to Princeton circa 1979-90. Gotta have my multi-mark Dash 2s for the big grades.lol

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Sounds interesting. I'm guessing the bridges will require some serious upgrading! Spent some time in the area in the mid 90"s when you could still sneak in on the pipeline road. Hiked up along a good chunk of the old roadbed. Ladner Creek is awe inspiring. Stunning area to model! Cheers. -grant

[@JohnMullerJDGCTRy]

grant great job to you and crew. I truly enjoyed this post and thanks for sharing. JD

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Thanks JD. Appreciate the comments. -grant

[@erikjohnpotvin]

Fantastic video as always. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I like the camera work for the shot through 3:25, looks like drone footage of a real train. Shows the great detail on the loco too. 👌🏼

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Thanks Erik. Now if I could get around to the plywood under the track!!

[@ktmbilly3963]

Awesome job Bud . I think I saw it come threw Blairmore here hahaha . Amazing !!!

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Thanks Billy!!

[@PJsCSX]

As usual great video and awesome job by the crew . and as always cant wait for more . The new bridge looks as if there's a waterfall ? cant wait to see how that turns out . and the camera angles it actually brings this layout to life . great job.

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Thanks PJ, good eye. Won't be a full on waterfall but a series of rapids when all is said and done. Thanks for watching! -grant

[@SD40F2]

LOL let me put my two cents in, on my railroad it's lead locos on the front, helpers in the center, and pushers at the back, that's my story and I'm sticken to it LOL Dan

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

I still hear crews referring to DPU's as "robots". A throwback to the earlier days of radio controlled mid-train units on CP.

[@unionpacificshermanhillinn4076]

Helper link at 8:28, is that something thats done in real life operations?

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

You bet. I've watched BNSF use it on Marias Pass a pile of times. Pretty cool to see. -grant

[@randysrockandrollrailroad8207]

Very Cool

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Thanks Randy!

[@ianroberts6929]

Brilliant film Grant, thanks. How do you get your pushers to uncouple on the move like that? Have you modified the Kadees?

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

The Micro Trains couplers were delayed Ian.

[@ianroberts6929]

@@SouthernAlbertaRail Ah OK, I'm still quite new to the whole knuckle coupler thing, that's a really cool feature!

[@Toddgillilandfan]

Do you have any cn locos A saw the switcher is that it?

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

No CN power yet. I will have some run through power at some point. The CN GMD-1 is a plant switcher that works the paper plant. You can see it in action here... kzbin.info/www/bejne/eorTm6pqjNGZisU Thanks for watching Daniel.

[@jhoodfysh]

What great cooperation. What did you cook Grant?

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Can't remember exactly John but it's safe to say.... whatever my wife wanted!!

[@jhoodfysh]

@@SouthernAlbertaRail Do she and your son still participate?

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

My boy took part in the last op session now that he's tall enough to see the top level! My wife tends to find other things to do when the whole gang is over operating. Funny story though... one night she was doing laundry, got her hands on a radio and asked for a clearance to the washer and dryer!

[@jhoodfysh]

@@SouthernAlbertaRail Great story. Nice the family participates.

[@bgm-1961]

Regarding the tunnel portal cutouts for the high cubes... Are you aware of any prototype/real life examples of that? Or are your cutouts simply a corrective measure disguised as "artistic license"? :)

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Lots of examples of the prototype notching tunnels for double stacks. Search "Cascade Tunnel notches" and you'll get a example. In some circumstance railroads would remove rock from the floor if it was more feasible. -grant

[@joncalon7508]

What, the missus doesn’t actually run the pushers too? 😉

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Heather wants nothing to do with Pushers.... She's happy to run a train now and again providing it requires no extra work!!

[@railsetc]

Okay, how does that on the fly cutoff work? Magnet in the track and the helpers just throttle back?

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Delayed the coupler for the video. Normally the crew would use a pick while on the move.

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

I wondered this too! I couldn’t see any way of doing it without some trickery. Your explanation is great, and this simplicity works and translates well on video.

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

That's why we budget so much for special effects James!! Normally it's done with an uncoupling pick but it takes some practice.

[@peteedwards7157]

I really love the truss bridge at around 9 mins. Is that a kit or something you scratch built?

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Thanks for having a look Pete. The truss is a BLMA brass offering. -grant

[@peteedwards7157]

Many thanks. That’s is a beautiful statement piece. I’m not sure it would look quite as good if I mailed one over the pond. I’m thinking I may need to try and kit bash a few commercially available models for my own project centre piece. Thanks for the inspiration. Currently laid up recovering from Covid so your videos are getting me through and giving me loads of great ideas.

[@cn.trainbuff3352]

Nice job!!! Check out the beginning of our layout CN.Trainbuff on KZbin!!!

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Thanks a bunch! I'll have a peek.

[@ohpoleez]

Not pushers. Helpers.

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Not in Canada my friend..... We still call them Pushers up North.

[@ohpoleez]

@@SouthernAlbertaRail not out here..all the Canadian guys I know call them helpers..lol..because you're helping another engineer, by either shoving his train or pulling it...

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Might be an out west thing. I'm old enough to remember the Rogers Pushers and the Pemberton Push.

[@25mfd]

i guess it really depends on where you are... i worked for the chicago and northwestern... we called them pushers.. other railroads actually had "helper districts", i think the DRG&W was one road that called it helper districts

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

​@@25mfd Bang on. Cool no matter what they are called!