Ops Session: Mainline BNSF Marias Pass Operations (w/Dispatcher Radio)

Join me as I run a 1-person operating session on my Marias Pass HO Scale Layout. In this video, the focus is mainline road traffic. I'll be simulating the movement of the 4 unit trains that traverse east and west over the layout's mainline during a typical operating session. You'll see intermodal, crude oil, loaded coal, and grain trains as well as some dispatcher audio and defect detectors that I sprinkled in to enhance the experience. Only the upper level is a signaled mainline, so on the lower level, the dispatcher has to issue trains track warrants. The defect detectors you hear aren't a part of normal operations; I simply dubbed those in.
In future operations videos, I will show you yard switching at Whitefish, the mixed manifest's journey, and industrial switching at Columbia Falls. Additionally, while manned helpers are highlighted in this video, they're typically added to the rear of heavy manifests and cut off on the fly at Summit using the HelperLink system. We will see those operations in a separate video as well.
Enjoy!
0:00 Intro
0:22 BNSF 5538 East (Intermodal)
4:23 BNSF 8438 West (Oil Loads)
8:34 BNSF 5538 East (Intermodal)
10:36 BNSF 4313 East (Empty Grain)
13:59 BNSF 5538 West (Intermodal)
18:58 BNSF 4313 East (Empty Grain)
25:33 Coal Train Assembly
34:52 BNSF 6625 East (Coal Loads)
38:06 BNSF 4313 West (Grain Loads)
40:14 BNSF 6625 East (Coal Loads)
42:17 BNSF 6625 West (Lite Helpers)
45:11 CN 3095 East (Empty Oil)
49:15 BNSF 6625 West (Lite Helpers)

[@jefferykeeper9034]

Your so lucky to have a great bunch of friends to share this with, I have a 12 x84 foot on 2 decks and no one wants to run trains with me

[@static_tv_og]

Boi i would

[@3006USMC]

Train party at jefferykeepers house !!!

[@ArgentumCoyotl]

😂 count me in

[@jefferykeeper9034]

Owensville Indiana is where I live and if anyone would like to join let me know.

[@gregginter5867]

Next time I pass through, I’ll lyk! Greg, South Milwaukee, WI😊

[@MSSII-kj5to]

I've made this trip so many times. Well done! One thing is that it's CTC (centralized traffic control) territory, hence the lights. They would never get or need a Track Warrant.

[@gregalanharper]

Great comment… I was going to ask someone this.

[@railfan220]

Thanks! I've had to take some liberties to model this line in the space that I have. So at the time of this video, only the sidings at Essex and Blacktail were protected CTC sidings. The warrants were only used to get trains between Essex and Whitefish. I've since added signals down to Columbia Falls, so the operations evolve to reflect signaling efforts. -Cam

[@bertsflies]

There are moments in your video here, where your layout really leaps to life, because you've got the camera down in the scene below cab level, looking up at the trains, a real railfan eye view. I wish more people did that, and more layouts were built to enable that view, so much more immersive in my opinion. I really liked the show anyway - Thanks!

[@railfan220]

Thanks! I really appreciate it. -Cam

[@vettebecker1]

Awesome layout and rolling stock

[@UnionPacificRailFanner4Life]

Just stumbled upon this channel. Love the detail you guys do. So in that case… I’m subscribed

[@ianschriver1405]

Really had me at 2:44. Nice shots and really nice weathering/layout

[@jasonpomare5639]

Just simply awesome my friend 👍

[@peluca236]

Hola te saludo desde Mendoza-Argentina....... soy un aficionado del modelismo en ho y la verdad que es muy bueno todo el material rodante que tienes y la maqueta es un sueño, es justamente lo que algun dia tratare de hacer para mi. Saludos Adrian

[@michaelbeyer4870]

amazing how model railways are built in the u.s! greetings from germany, michael

[@johnbanicki7232]

Great video. You have a fantastic layout. Thanks for sharing.

[@rossstone2610]

Very immersive and impressive 👍

[@stevek4153]

Love the weathering of your Locomotives as well as the lighting features of the ScaleTrains models. Another interesting video.

[@kenmunozatmmrrailroad6853]

Beautiful work, beautiful track speed.

[@ianroberts6929]

Hi Cam you have developed fabulous modelling skills over the years and that combined with your approach to ops makes for a bustling and above all entirely believable model railroad. Hats off to you, and keep the videos coming!

[@railfan220]

Thanks, Ian! I appreciate the comment. -Cam

[@gloria6229]

​@@railfan220Is there any way I could model your layout to look like yours?

[@mdpfishoh1516]

The weathering on your rolling stock and locomotives are spot on. Great ops session!

[@TheDash1112]

You have a beautiful layout. I spent 2 weeks in Montana in 2005 and followed the BNSF through Marias Pass. It’s an unbelievably scenic stretch of railroad and your layout has captured it perfectly.

[@gloria6229]

I agree. I've been to Pennsylvania and the NS Pittsburgh Line.

[@RodneyHenderson357]

Detail on these models is sick

[@SilverCreekSub]

Nice work on the OPS! I like the radio chatter on the RTC side! Very well done for a one man ops session!! Cheers, Wade

[@railfan220]

Thanks, Wade! I appreciate it. -Cam

[@pauldummer884]

Hey cam great video. Just a little tid-bit from a prototype railroader. When a key train (train with 20 or more loads of hazardous materials such as an oil can) will, when possible, hold the main track in a meet. Granted this only applies to loaded tanks. I have no idea why the hazmat rules are like that, they just are. Might make some interesting operation! Again awesome video!

[@stevek4153]

Great point! I suspect that most sidings are not maintained to a suitable level for hazardous materials.

[@stevek4153]

PS The western railroads have several high traffic density passing points like Marias Pass that likely are maintained to very high standards and may not have the same restrictions as other passing sidings. Just a thought.

[@railfan220]

Thanks for the info! That's definitely something I will incorporate into operations! -Cam

[@user-cx2jv5vg1w]

Like the layout

[@RFMCabooseNP1713]

it is the real deal. Fantastic operation.

[@rguiweghuioghsoihgsg]

Awesome video!

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

Thanks great OPS

[@gerdeguelle1967]

A very nice layout a love it

[@BaronvonBavert]

nice OP and good work !! 👍🤟

[@bradleyjanes2949]

Nice video, great video😊

[@Marsel34store]

wow amazing bro😊

[@tbone3972]

Nice layout, very realistic

[@philmartinez2227]

wow, scenery is so realistic, very impressed. One thing to add to your snow shed. Some rocks onto roof to make it look like a little rock slide. If you look at burlington northern scadinavine division , he has a great one to. not sure of spelling of his layout

[@birddogsforever9135]

My favorite layout on KZbin, I really enjoy this. One question, it seems that you run your trains slower than "scale operating speeds", or is it just me?

[@wolfgang548]

Layout looks really good, and train movements and operations look realistic. By the way, has anyone ever mentioned that your voice sounds quite similar to Josh at NSmodeler24?

[@blainedunlap4242]

Well Done

[@lacking2010]

This is very well done in every aspect. I really enjoyed your realistic operation and control. Are all of your engines wheels powered when you had four drivers and two pushers? How do you keep the speed synced among all 6?

[@LoneRanger5150]

Not sure if it's by design, but it's nice to see the track isn't perfect. Most people think trains run down a smooth, straight track and that is not it at all!! Especially over turnouts,you can easily get thrown around the cab and I have lost my balance and spilled my coffee more than once!!😂. Don't be afraid of flaws.

[@MissouriRails]

Absolutely love these long operation videos! Question, do you ever use that 3rd farthest track at essex?

[@railfan220]

Thanks! Yes, I will use that to park a short ballast train sometimes. It can also be used as an alternate spot for helpers, depending on how trains arrive at Essex. -Cam

[@DocStoner]

Doc Stoner just built Huge HO Train Layout to run big big trains😊

[@MakeItSo-ThisIsME]

Great video and loved the flow of the trains over the layout. Q- In all the shots of the trains going through Tunnel 5, there all on the inner track and not using the outer one, is there a reason for this?

[@railfan220]

Thanks! Trains generally use the outer track because it's defined as the mainline. The inner track has a tighter radius, and the east end has a relatively sharp switch. So the siding is only used if a meet is necessary. -Cam

[@jeromemarchand1025]

Top 👍👍👍

[@derekalexander4030]

These op sessions are fantastic. How does a detector work, is it just by temperature or does it detect other things also?

[@railfan220]

Thanks! I'm not entirely sure how/what each detector senses, and it might be different from detector to detector. But I think they generally report speed, axle count, ambient temperature, and bearing/wheel/axle temperature (i.e. "hotbox"). -Cam

[@htclark94]

Great layout and ops session! Appreciate you sharing. What are you using for the defect detector? I’d like to add one to my layout.

[@railfan220]

Thanks! I actually just borrowed the detector audio from video clips I could find of Marias Pass around KZbin. I wish I had a functioning one. -Cam

[@Bierstane]

❤🚂

[@petemotley535]

Great video Cam, where did you get the detection voice from, is there a website where you can order this ??? One more question, what happened to the Union Pacific Cascade Subdivision layout, I like seeing his videos as well..

[@railfan220]

Thanks! I borrowed the detector audio from videos I found around KZbin. And the Cascade Sub Layout is still up, but John has since moved away. He's continuing to work on weathering projects, and he's scheming up the next version of the Cascade Sub. I imagine there will be an update at some point. -Cam

[@randydobson1863]

hello railfan220 it's is randy and i like yours video is cool thanks railfan220 friends randy

[@dr.trains119]

what brand rail cars do you use or most common brand

[@jstarsc0mm]

what brand is the bnsf model?

[@YourLocalRailfan]

Do you still have that CitiRail unit?

[@railfan220]

Unfortunately I sold that unit a few years ago. I don't really regret it, but I'll admit that I've recently wished I had a Citirail unit... -Cam

[@YourLocalRailfan]

@@railfan220 it’s a shame, I love Citirail and intend on buying a dcc ready version

[@ComicBookGuy33]

45:41 What is the purpose of the boxcar between the Locomotive and the crude oil tankers?

[@railfan220]

I don't know how the exact rule is written, but "buffer" cars are used on the oil trains (and other commodities like ethanol) because the cargo is combustible. So in the event of a derailment involving a spill, the buffer car provides a bit of extra distance from the locomotives and crew. I've seen a variety of cars used as buffers, but on BNSF they're typically older covered hoppers that are specifically designated for buffer service. You can actually see it stenciled on the side of them. -Cam

[@ComicBookGuy33]

TY @@railfan220

[@gloria6229]

​@@railfan220Hey, doesn't #7010 look similar to #7011?😂

[@gloria6229]

​@@railfan220Doesn't #7010 look similar to #7011?😂

[@gloria6229]

​@@railfan220Doesn't #7010 look similar to #7011?😂😅

[@robertsiebenrock3997]

Only numbers and names of places are spelled out.

[@yankeesforlife24]

Actually for bnsf its single digit numbers and directions only

[@railfan220]

@@yankeesforlife24 Good to know.