RAILROAD FREIGHT CARS EXPLAINED BY AN ENGINEER!

[@swainscheps]

Love learning about how the ‘rareroad’ and ‘still mills’ work. DJ is the epitome of the greatness of our big diverse country. So glad we dont all say things - or see things - the same way - even though we all speak the same language. Keep up the good work DJ! Love the drone work!

[@djstrains]

Well said!

[@bradleyogden5688]

I live out in Utah where a lot of salt is shipped by rail and a large variety of hoppers, 2 bay CSLX 5000s all stainless steel, now I'm seeing former 2 bay Winchester and Western 2 bay covered hoppers. And to make things more interesting, about 15 years ago a railroad car shop opened up and does repairs on the cars. From replacing the the bottom discarge gates, roof walks, lids / hatches, truck repairs to complete repaints. Always neat to see a car fresh out of the paint shop only in fresh paint. After watching the activity there I decided to buy one and once I get going on my layout I'll build it with an overhead crane big enough to unload damaged cars and carry it over to another bay for wreck repairs. I've seen a lot of variety of cars go through that shop! Happy modeling everybody.

[@cp368productions2]

You neglected to mention the difference between Covered Hoppers for agriculture products and ones for Plastic Pellets. Plastic pellet hoppers are the thinner discharges and are 4-bays, grain hoppers are wider discharge and are usually 3-bays, dried distillers grains which are a byproduct of ethanol and are used for feed are in 4-bay grain hoppers. Rib Side and smooth side is basically age, the rib Side hoppers were mainly built in the 70's and 80's.

[@djstrains]

Thanks for the info

[@AbelG8781]

I used to switch for SGS petrochemical, we have nothing but petrochem/polyethylene plants here in Houston.

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Outstanding videos that you have on your channel, We like watching them and yes I can relate to railroading with 25 years on the Canadian Pacific in the track department, Thanks for sharing your expereiences with a lots of people from your part of the country, Have a great rest of your Tuesday evening.

[@djstrains]

Thank you very much!

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

@@djstrains Your welcome.

[@Clarinetboy82]

When I was a kid living in Enid, Oklahoma, I remember getting to see the covered grain hoppers for General Mills and other companies (if you've never seen the massive grain elevator complexes in Enid, it's something to see). I also remember seeing the oil tanker cars, tons of them, as they were parked in the yard in Enid. I was always excited to see the long trains of these cars rolling through. Living in Springfield, Mo now, I see a far greater variety these days. There's a Kraft plant on an old rail line that's been truncated to a spur, and the BNSF locomotive moved three ConAgra grain cars to the plant and back every few days. I get to see this as my work is right next to that line in or downtown area. 10 years ago and further back, there used to be long coal trains going to our old coal power plant further down that line (was the end of the line and the tracks still go that far). The tracks cross two major streets in our city, and the train would have traffic backed up quite a bit hauling those coal hoppers. They tor that plant down just last month.

[@sernajrlouis]

I passed through there once. I remember the grain elevators had a short line working them I think? Not sure. Also remember someone told me a story of how the town got its name. A backwards "Dine" sign. I don't know he was just making it up. But he told it so good. He was an older man. Lol

[@Clarinetboy82]

At one point the Rock Island serviced one exclusively and shared service with the Frisco at another elevator. Another major elevator was serviced by both the Frisco and the Santa Fe (Enid had all three, Rock Island, Frisco, and Santa Fe railroads, running main lines through town). All three lines also serviced the various oil refineries that used to be in town too.

[@sernajrlouis]

I think I remember Farmrail locomotives there too?? I really can't remember if it was there for sure

[@jeffyoung1349]

Another awesome video, I was smiling ear to ear watching and when you mentioned the Pellet hoppers.I worked for years as a QC for the knives that make the pellets . The pellets are actually about a 1/16” to 1/8” in diameter, so imagine possibly a little more density. Have seen a lot of pellet hoppers here in Texas . Thank you again for a wonderful video

[@williamcoulston7788]

See a lot of them here in s.e. Louisiana

[@djstrains]

Very cool!

[@mikehowey4869]

Covered hoppers are some of the most versatile cars,they carry so many different commodities.Thanks for the useful info about them.those athearn cars are very nice!

[@djstrains]

They work flawlessly

[@ronzack4572]

I've watched several of your videos now, and just wanted to leave you a note THANKING YOU PROFUSELY for all you do. I've been a railfan and model railroader my entire life, and I think I've learned more watching your videos than any other source, no kidding. I'm also a BRAND NEW N SCALE model railroader! I'm in the process of creating my first ever N scale model railroad, even though it's just going to start out as a simple loop. But I'm using the T-TRAK modular standard, and plan to add to the railroad using additional modules as I have time and money to make them. I think of it as layout building on the installment plan! But even though my first layout is going to be small, I designed in seven industrial sidings for some switching action. The only industry that will be able to make use of covered hoppers will be my grain elevator. After the oval is setup and running, a small yard will be the next project. THANKS AGAIN!

[@djstrains]

Fantastic You seem very smart, not trying to tackle a basement empire and instead starting small, logical and practical. Keep industry close to mainline and no try to fill up plywood with track. I thank you! And wish you the best.

[@KevinSquire]

That opening shot in McKeesport was stunning!! Love the structures over there to allow the train to get over the water and then over the roads. Great view of all of it that you really don't get normally.

[@djstrains]

It really is a cool place. You know whats crazy, is that the original B&O line through McKeesport to Versaillies has tons of industries but NO ONE TOOK PHOTOS!!!! Christy park and all that industry and no great pics!

[@rvnmedic1968]

If not for the drone, I almost couldn't tell whether I'm seeing real trains or your layout! People walking and cars moving help me. LoL. Cheers, Bob

[@djstrains]

Im editing one for tomorrow!! ITS GREAT!!

[@eyphur]

I was surprised to learn that sand is often in the covered hoppers. I’ve heard them referred to as grainers, so I never considered what else could be inside.

[@barrygibson8109]

Thanks!

[@djstrains]

BARRY!!!! Thank you! Extremely appreciated! Have a great weekend!

[@Bonserak23]

In hobo world covered hoppers are the best to ride on. they have porches or sometimes a big enough holle at the end to sleep in. You can only ride the smooth side one tho, ribs usually have no porch.

[@wayneholmes4207]

Great to see new industry needing rail!

[@lesterlattig]

DJ, I stayed at a Marriott Springhill Suites this week right above the tunnel you caught fire in a couple of years ago. I'm a sales engineer for wastewater and water treatment equipment. We were testing dewatering equipment at a PA American Water treatment plant pulling water out of the Monongahela River. And I know you pull trains right behind the hotel I stayed in! Pretty cool. I'm also an n-scale guy.

[@CM-ARM]

DJ, I was lucky to get my hands on some covered hoppers made exclusively for a club. Columbia River Gorge grain growers. I really like hoppers and I'm modeling a Brewery thing no longer exists. Rainer Beer. Great video and info as usual. Love your enthusiasm and seeing you having fun, Chris

[@djstrains]

Very cool!

[@CM-ARM]

Yes Sir I think so too

[@tomeasley5979]

DJ, Your drone videos are awesome! The amount of detail that you share with us in one short video is amazing! Thanks so much for caring enough about your craft to share it with us. Keep up the great work!

[@djstrains]

I appreciate that!

[@curailproductions7636]

Amazing video, love the channel👍😎🤩🚂

[@djstrains]

Thank you so much 😀 New video in an hour!

[@thomassalerno5203]

Great explanation of amalgamation/modeling to the prototype. Thanks for mentioning real industries by name. I always add them to my customer list. Interesting when the shortage of 2 bays hit for the frac sand demand you would see faded rust gray units revealing PRR PC and yes even some yellow faded Chessies, talk about generational weathering. Also as you know the frac sand demand has brought back team tracks for unloading to trucks. I bought some kits just to add the belt conveyors to my layout. Phenomenal videos as always !

[@djstrains]

Yes, expect to see more in future videos!

[@Papa_Shurika]

Спасибо! Превосходные пейзажи с железной дорогой👍Thank you! Superb scenery with the railway

[@timeflysintheshop]

Great video DJ! Hey at the 6:50 mark, there is a preassembled switch and a pile of ballast. Maybe you could talk a little bit about that in a future video. Like how those upgrades are done with the least disruption to service. How something that big is delivered to the site. How we could or should include things like that to add realism to a layout.

[@djstrains]

Good call!

[@1babysag]

You are awesome! I learn so much each time I view your videos. I am glad to benefit from your experience as a railroad engineer. I have developed a much greater appreciation of the covered hooper.

[@djstrains]

Thank you very much!

[@johnnehrich9601]

I'm not much up on modern day railroading but through most of the 20th century at least, each freight car was uniquely identified by its "reporting marks." These were the standard initials of the owner, such as "NYC" for New York Central, and then a unique car number. This allowed the tracking of where to send each car based on "waybills" (the piece of paper that identified the shipper, what was being shipped, from where to where, etc.) Often model freight cars are only offered in one or a few car numbers. If your operating scheme depends to using these marks, you'd need to keep them unique - although in modeldom, confusing two cars and sending each to the wrong destination, is not a problem. Reporting marks can also refer to the additional info stenciled below the reporting marks (see, different meaning and usual kept separate by context). This would including the light weight of the car, when it was last weighed, and the weight capacity. Many freight cars have to be weighed on a track scale after being loaded in order to make sure the weight isn't exceeded and sometimes for how much to bill the shipper. This explanation is because when weathering the car, the reporting marks need to still be visible. As freight cars got dirty, if they weren't in line to get a brand new paint job, they could get their reporting marks repainted. Sometimes the background area is also repainted, even in a different color, to make the contrast visible. In the steam era, when most cars were either black or box car red, it was common to see muted dirty cars with bright white reporting marks.

[@cdavid8139]

Reporting marks haven't changed much over the years. There is a 2 to 4 position alpha code representing the car owner and a 1 to 6 position number. This is the North American standard. That standard is not followed internationally.

[@johnnehrich9601]

@@cdavid8139 That is certainly true to today but if you go back far enough, things were much more fluid - standardization on so many features came about due to confusion prior to that but it took awhile for things to get bad enough that something had to be done. At first, the cars themselves were not interchanged. Loads had to be unloaded and reloaded into the new road's cars at each interchange point (although often loads were not shipped that far - the railroads performed the function of local trucking firms). Then railroads set up "fast freight lines" which were designed to facilitate movement across many roads. Another thing that arose was the "Official Railway Equipment Register" or ORER - a boon to future modelers in terms of getting historical info and many are available now on disc. They would spell out "the cars of this railroad are marked . . ." and give both the names and initials for the alpha code. But railroads at the time seemed to have hated standards applied to them by outside forces. For instance, Rutland freight cars were marked with "Rutland" as the alpha code on the side of the equipment and just "R" on the end reporting marks. I seem to recall their official marks were "RUT" which wasn't used on the cars themselves, only in the paperwork. I have also seen conductors' notebooks for the Rutland (by one William Shakespeare, a literal descendent of THAT guy) where "C" was used for New York Central, since so many passenger cars on the Rutland came off the Central. The term "reporting marks" were those by which the car ownership was designated for REPORTING purposes on paper and only slowly came to also mean the way the cars themselves were marked. There was the common practice of having the initials end in "X" if it was a private owner, not a railroad - such as Railway Express Agency being "REX." RR-owned cars were changed a per diem (daily rate of $1 or $2 per day in mid-20th century), like a library charging a small fee to facilitate return of a loaned-out book. On the rail system, at midnight, the fee went into effect based on where the car was at the time, and so all roughly 2 million cars had to be accounted for. Then the rr's offset each other's fees so that if railroad ABC had one of XYZ road's car on their line, and XYZ had one of ABC's cars, the fees balanced out. TWO MILLION cars! All of these was done in an age before computers and even before photocopies, only carbon paper, and resulted in a massive fleet of clerks hired to make the system work. (At its peak, the railroads employed directly or indirectly 1/6th of the entire nation's labor force.) Privately owned cars were charged a mileage rate. Another constant problem early on was the constant buying and selling of one railroad by another, both subsidiary lines and mergers so the ORER would have to list ALL the initials under their control, resulting in a long list of different letters for some roads. It also would take awhile for the car shops to getting around to relettering (and sometimes renumbering) the entire road's fleet, particularly since cars might be wandering around off line for quite awhile. Back in steam days, the ampersand (&) was used in reporting marks but later dropped so the D&H became the DH. One of the major things to consider was that in steam days, many decisions were made between individual roads and slowly grew to become a national standard, but NOT a government-imposed standard until later. Thus the roads were free to bypass the overall standards by agreeing among themselves on minor points. This ability to vary was slowly reduced in scope over the 20th century. (For instance, at different points, old mechanical systems like archbar trucks were outlawed in interchange but an individual road could run cars with these as much as they wanted. And they might allow certain equipment with archbars from a neighboring road to run on their line, either an actual agreement or just simply "looking the other way." The ARA/AAR (American Railway Association/Association of American Railroads was an industry-wide organization which did not have the clout of the federal government ICC/FRA. For anyone serious about their model railroading for a given era, getting ahold of an actual paper copy or digital ORER to see specifics.

[@cdavid8139]

@@johnnehrich9601 Anything I write or post basically reflects 1976 and onward. What happened before I entered the industry I really don't know so I bow to your wisdom and knowledge. A few comments on what I do know. In the US if a car ends in "X" it is indeed private and not railroad owned. Trailer Train is a 'sort of' exception here. The ORER (Yellow Bible) does list the car marks associated with the owning road. Picking up an old copy at a trade show can be fun to review. The ampersand may still be seen on the side of the car, but the cars are registered in the industry (UMLER) without the ampersand. So D&H may still be seen on a car, but the registration and reporting is DH. When I came along the per diem charges became per hour charges (the term per diem is still used). I have worked with yardmasters who still recalled the 'midnight interchange' where they were graded on having cars interchanged before midnight so the daily rate went to the receiving road. Over the years I have been involved in dozens of restencilling projects. Sometimes the effort takes years if the cars stay under the control of the owner. RIght now thousands of cars are being restencilled as they come out of storage and go back into service. Of course now, in addition to changing the car marks, you must change the AEI tags.

[@johnnehrich9601]

@@cdavid8139 And I have to admit the further forward from c. 1950, the less I know. I did hear a story that one time a shop was in the process of relettering cars, perhaps totally new lettering or perhaps restoring the same after a total repaint job. The crew worked their way down one side, sequentially numbering. Then they went on the other side and did the EXACT sequence, NOT a mirror image, meaning the cars got a different number on each side (except perhaps the middle car in the line.) Wonder how long it took for them to realize it. I also know some modelers purposely letter/number one side of their rolling different from the other (for a "linear-type" layout), so when the train is going the opposite way, they get the effect of a whole another batch of cars. The one thing re: the X was that Merchants Despatch was a private-owner company, but was a subsidiary of the New York Central system. Their reporting marks were "MDT," not "MDX" or "MDTX." (Probably a logical reason but I don't know all the facts.) Also, this system of reporting marks extended both north and south, meaning Canadian roads and Mexican roads were part of it. Never heard the ORER called the Yellow Bible, but boy, was it, at least for me. I started with a 1949 ORER and practically wore it to pieces. (Over time I got more years, including the really early ones on disc.)

[@BattleshipOrion]

I am building a layout in a space that to small to even host a 4x8 in HO, unfortunately, operational doctrine means that I cant do everything prototypical (I have to use my yard for storage of my 7 car Daylight, and cant afford to host a A/D track), but I've tried to keep it neat, and somewhat prototypical. I have two industries (a freight house, and a grain loading facility) and 1 & /2 track in my yard for each (keeping in mind my 7 car daylight, I think I made good use of it). I do have a siding on my layout, but my doctrine (and train length) keeps it fowled on one end. For approximate size the room is a 12x12, and the layout is 5x11 (and is on the floor). Trying to get it that much more prototypical, but being restricted to 60 pieces on the trial (because I don't have the best income, plus I have other hobbies) is making things difficult. I do want to try and make the layout a 6x10 soon, but "soon" for me could be as late a November next year. Edit: I also need to keep the layout easy to move without breaking details and what not should I move into a bigger space. Hopefully when that happens, I will be able to make the railroad a bit more prototypical, if I have not fully switched over to building warships by then.

[@Pauley_in_GP]

You are a unique resource to model railroaders. Your videos are aways so well-done and interesting. Keep up the great work. Pauley

[@djstrains]

Thank you very much! I sincerely appreciate that because I do spend a lot of time filming and editing.

[@thomasdecker7631]

Great video. Covered hoppers are the most common type of rolling stock here in rural Michigan, since grain is the major industry here. Many of these cars are now being repainted, mostly gray. Unfortunately, many of the more interesting and colorful liveries are disappearing, which will probably cause me to cap the time period of my modeling at some point.

[@djstrains]

Great point!

[@johnnehrich9601]

There are two basic eras of railroading, typically thought of as steam vs. diesel. But it is more profound than that and there was a long period, a generation or two of switching over. The earlier era as dominated by human labor and the modern one, machinery and automation. (I may be painting with too broad a brush for this discussion.) Covered hoppers and containers are the result of being able to load and unload vast quantities in bulk. Up until WWII, cement for instance was shipped in canvas sacks or maybe barrels or drums, inside a box car. These were loaded, unloaded by men with handtrucks or even just brute carrying. Grain was an early commodity that could be moved by conveyer but was shipped inside box cars with special temporary "grain doors" to seal the door openings and allow the box car to be used like a covered hopper, EXCEPT it did not have bottom hoppers to facilitate unloading. However, this was partially due to so many box cars around, so these cars were not specialized and thus limited.

[@kevinharris1392]

What's interesting about covered grain hoppers on unit trains,is you can buy just about any road name and still be realistic. Even old fallen flag RR's hoppers are still out there. Saw a D&H covered hopper go by today. Even if you model NS,CSX or whoever, you don't need a solid consist of per say RR to be prototypical. Plus it makes buying a bit easier cause anything goes.

[@djstrains]

YOU ARE 100% CORRECT!!!!

[@cdavid8139]

Often unit grain trains start out with one ownership but over time as cars drop out and are added you get a mixed bag. Grain trains tend to be either railroad owned or private owned. So if CSXT is supplying an elevator with a grain train you'll see cars in the trained owned by CSXT (including the fallen flags of railroads they acquired). If the customer is supplying the train, it is usually made up of private marks (PTLX, GACX etc) that they lease cars from.

[@alainaarrhodge5900]

Thank you DJ for the quick overview! I grew up seeing Santa Fe red all over the place where I lived in Belen, NM. Stay safe out there my friend!

[@jhoodfysh]

Very nice video DJ, I especially appreciated the covered hopper info.

[@djstrains]

Glad it was helpful!

[@IMRROcom]

another good video.

[@djstrains]

I appreciate that

[@Eric-sn4qz]

What a great vid. I’ve always modeled HO boxcars and have been on the fence with purchasing hoppers. Well you’ve throw me off the fence. I’m gonna pick up some hopper’s.

[@Eric-sn4qz]

Again thanks for an informative vid. Waiting on my first order of Hoppers.

[@sernajrlouis]

We get different kinds of beans in our covered hoppers at work. That's where I get my KZbin videos from . Lol

[@154Colin]

I always thought (yes this gets me in trouble often 🤷‍♂🤔) that a covered hopper that has circular hatches carries non-food commodities, and a covered hopper that has long hatches is for food-type commodities. In the video when you showed Edgar Thompson Steel Works and a veteran NW hopper with hatches.

[@DuncSargentsKarstValleyRR]

Do you have a video of loading and unloading the covered hoppers? Or maybe a vid that shows loading and unloading of a lot of different cars.

[@djstrains]

Nothing really interesting actually. It's just what you'd expect. Noisy and monotonous, lol. I will keep an eye out for the opportunity though.

[@BaronVonPwn]

Oh so the ethylene cracker near beaver is done finally? I used to pickup drywall down the road from it. But I no longer run PA .

[@djstrains]

We are in the dark as RR employees, as to what percentage is up and running. But there are hundreds of new hoppers there.

[@jeffherdz]

Once a hopper is "earmarked" for grain or food usage. Will that car also be used to transport Fertilizer or sand? Would you know if... Do most (if not all) food industries clean the hoopers, on each use ?

[@djstrains]

Great questions, but I dont have those answers.

[@bigbake132]

I wondered why my bread tastes funny sometimes.....

[@johnnehrich9601]

I think it might vary as often food is washed, cleaned, etc. during the processing itself. But definitely YES if the type of commodity was being different than the previous load. In steam days, often empty box cars were sent to a part of the yard where they could be swept out.

[@djstrains]

@Donald Norfleet EXCELLENT INFO

[@cdavid8139]

In general cars moving food for human consumption are lined and are going to stay in that particular service. If you put fertilizer and/or sand into one of those cars the product can damage the lining. Moving ag products used in animal feed such as corn or soybeans does not usually require anything special. They tend to be larger cubic capacity cars and in the 100 to 110 ton range for weight. You don't in general see cars switch from one product to another, though for some cars it can be done with cleanout. In some cars, like those meant to carry specific types of sand, you may find they can't be used to switch between one type of sand and another.

[@moregltfirephotography4857]

Nice one DJ I'm a history nut so I love those old hoppers Shell should be open soon they still only have three locomotives gonna need more for that 4% grade

[@AbelG8781]

Happy to see more modern N scalers out there! I'm only 1 year into N and have amassed a ton of brand new RTR models, HO and O aren't that cool nomore 😂😂 yeah I agree, body mounted couplers are awesome, too bad you can't put Microtrains couplers on their boxes, otherwise Athearn, Atlas, Intermountain, Trainworx, Microtrains and my personal favorite SCALETRAINS!!

[@ThisWorks4Me]

Thank you for another excellent video. While I model the early 50's in H.O., it is always great to see the track detail of yards.

[@djstrains]

Yeah, its like every time you watch it, you pick up something new. I feel the drone helps show people all the details they may miss from the ground.

[@ThisWorks4Me]

@@djstrains Yes, you inspired me to get a drone and add a Part 107 license to my list of FAA licenses.

[@johnnehrich9601]

Although covered hoppers can carry so many commodities, in many cases, each car is limited to one specific type of load, unless the car is thoroughly cleaned between these. Not so much loads like sand but certainly you would not want to haul breakfast cereal in a car that just finished carrying cement. So on a model railroad operating session, you'd not want to switch a car from a (theoretical) industry where it was unloaded to one of a different load. (On the other hand, since we can't see inside this type of model, if no one is following the car's journey, you can cheat.)

[@EL-nc1cs]

Dj.... your work and contributions here awesome man...... great!!! - Alex K. Modeling the EL in HO '74-'75

[@djstrains]

There has always been something so neat about that EL paint scheme!

[@Tony770jr]

Great stuff!

[@djstrains]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@richgreene7043]

DJ, very informative and interesting video. Thank you for your time and effort. Rich

[@djstrains]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Perfusionist01]

Some good info. Trivia, the BNSF covered hoppers are "Mineral Brown", an old ATSF color, not "burgundy".

[@djstrains]

Man, my eyes are getting old.

[@scottsmith7051]

Great great video. Real life to real modeling application. Fantastic!

[@djstrains]

Thank you very much!

[@josephcirillo5292]

Always enjoy your content. Great info along with the knowledge you give. And you make it fun. TY.

[@djstrains]

I appreciate that!

[@KurtisCharlton]

Great Video DJ! Excellent explanation as always🚂

[@djstrains]

Thanks again!

[@thomasabramson100]

At 3:27 there was a train of covered hoppers at some type of plastics plant with one or two cars sticking out around a curve QUESTION how do they unload these cars ??

[@djstrains]

That is Chelsea building products Verona, Pa. , and I think they use a pneumatic suction because on the rest of my footage is a green hose nearby.. Lots of trees, so hard to say for certain.

[@cdavid8139]

Plastics are usually sucked out by huge vacuums at the plants.

[@kokosnood]

Nice Video! What are the plastic pellets used for ?

[@djstrains]

Lots of it we move go to make plastic water bottles

[@timeflysintheshop]

If you are ever a bit farther west, near where I work in Medina Ohio, there is a huge new plastics facility just west of the intersection of Lake and West Smith roads. There is a very impressive rail yard there all shiny new with room to grow!

[@djstrains]

Wait! What?! I used to go NC to CLE on the old Q640/641 through Medina. Is this CSX or W&LE yard?

[@timeflysintheshop]

@@djstrains I only see W&LE trains on the west side of Medina. I assume the rail yard is owned by the plastics company itself. The company is called Ravago.

[@Edyth_Hedd]

I was out in Medina a few months ago ( love the Roots candle store) and was lucky to see a W&LE train go through the middle of town. Love that color scheme.

[@timeflysintheshop]

@@Edyth_Hedd Yes it is a very cool paint scheme! I get to see it a lot around here. Right next to the candle place is an old wheeling and lake erie depot building that has an antique shop in it. When you go in, immediately to the right is a section with lots of model train stuff!

[@Edyth_Hedd]

@@timeflysintheshop Damn! I saw that store and didn't bother to go in. Next time!

[@ScottHirschman]

@1:07 WHAT BRIDGE IS THAT? iM ON mAPS AND i CANT FIND THAT BRIDGE. Sorry for the caps lock, not shouting but to lazy to retype.

[@djstrains]

Look for glenwood, Pa it goes from their yard across Mon River past sandcastle water park

[@joestrainworldvideos3977]

A great train video. Thanks for sharing 👍 Greetings Joe 😊

[@djstrains]

Thanks Joe!

[@intermodalman123]

Just past my six months on a class one, here's what I've learned: -I hate this -This sucks -Operator A is down

[@djstrains]

repeat, Operator A is down

[@johnthelabman8560]

I grew up in Beaver County and with all the railroad changes over the last 50years in railroad ownership. Dose CSX have tracks on the west side and Norfolk Southern have the tracks on the eat side of the Ohio coming out of Pittsburgh. I was wondering if that’s why the yard servicing the Shell Plant is McKeesport and not Conway. I have enjoyed your videos it has been helpful and very informative. I live in Georgia now, and I am building an N scale set in the fifties( I like steam).

[@djstrains]

McKees Rocks, not McKeesport. Yeah, we are on one side and NS on the other. The staging yard was originally planned to be in New Castle for CSX, but they changed it to McKees Rocks when the intermodal yard failed.

[@MikeInPlano]

DJ - at 4:12 is a shot of two tracks with some kind of device between the rails. Are those scales or some kind of defect detection or ??.

[@djstrains]

Greasers. Right before the curve (other direction) to reduce friction and wear on rail.

[@robertferrick463]

Really cool video. Thank you, for such an interesting video.

[@djstrains]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Enjoyer.762]

90,800 total YT competitive railfanning foamer points awarded 👍 Key bonus foamer points: Over the bridge shots 6,000. Fallen flag bonus NW 3,000. Foam Flakes breakfast cereal, lol 3,000. Cars that couple and don't derail - entertrainment bonus 6,000.

[@djstrains]

add 500 points for my awesome coupling and rough train handling sound effects, lol

[@michaelmoses8745]

Only 90,800 foamer points.

[@Enjoyer.762]

@djstrains Idk... That wouldn't qualify as "foamer points," i.e. railfanning footage. Idk... modeling railroading points? Prototypical abusing the equipment operating bonus points, lol?

[@Enjoyer.762]

@Michael Moses Here's what unlimited foamer points looks like lol kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZa7loR3dseWeq8

[@rong648]

You have changed how I view model railroads.

[@djstrains]

One of the most motivational things I have ever heard. Its comments like that, that make me excited to keep going and teaching.

[@dennisb-trains23]

Nice explanation of the covered hoppers. However, I think OCD may be a factor in most layouts and numbered cars. 🤣🤣

[@djstrains]

HAHA!!!

[@kens.3729]

How do the Railroads or Industries keep Food Products in Hoppers that Haul ONLY Food Products ?

[@djstrains]

I'm not sure I understand your question. Are you asking about contamination? Some cars may stay assigned to a train (like grain trains) and just go back and forth from same industry to same customer over and over.

[@cdavid8139]

Most food grade cars are lined and are kept in specific food service by the railroads. For example a car that is assigned to flour service will only be used to carry flour. It won't be used for anything else.

[@SmokyHillsSwitcher]

So as my name implies I have a channel where I just take videos of different trains I catch. Do you have any advice as to how to grow my channel?

[@djstrains]

Yes, and I have testimonials from people I have helped. Please reach out through the patreon site and I can help you immensely

[@intermodalman123]

Dj you sorta touched on this but... I'm modeling a mini mill (finally discovered modeling work specifically gets old real quick, you can only take so much spot specifically switching in your off time) other than scrap gons going in and coil steel/loaded flats out what other commodities does smaller electric arc furnace consume/produce?

[@djstrains]

look for ideas here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYm3noNqf7aZr9U

[@michaelnelson9002]

Looks great!

[@KG-xt4oq]

Any chance you could do a similar video about tank cars? There's so many sizes, shapes, and colors of them...

[@djstrains]

I did two already See PLAYLISTS. REVIEWS

[@KG-xt4oq]

@@djstrains Ah, ok...thanks. I should've thought about that...lol.

[@logandetwiler4483]

Love your videos man.. hope to see you on the New Castle Sub trackside soon

[@djstrains]

I am hoping to get NCIR soon. Do you know if they run on weekends?

[@logandetwiler4483]

@@djstrains I am not exactly sure bud but I’ll ask someone

[@ResidentOfTheAbyss]

Are covered hoppers at the very first of the train right after the engines filled with sand, then followed by a string of tank cars as so if there is an accident the covered hopper with sand in it absorb the impact, and any explosions?

[@djstrains]

Yes, it is a "buffer car"

[@ResidentOfTheAbyss]

@@djstrains Thank you for the reply!

[@cdavid8139]

Sometimes it's sand and sometimes it's "pebbles". IF there is an incident theoretically the sand in the covered hoppers 'could' be used an an absorbent.

[@codyrapp7253]

I live by a plastic pellet sper and I also got csx 5407.

[@djstrains]

it runs so smooth!

[@michaelmoses8745]

I'm surprised you run CSX on your layout. Don't you do that enough at work?

[@djstrains]

Yes, but Amtrak runs on my CSX line from Connellsville to Braddock, and Amtrak is my main train on my layout, so......lol

[@michaelmoses8745]

@@djstrains Lucky you. Until a couple of days ago, we only had Pan Am Railways up where I am. That kills a lot of the desire to railfan.

[@thelowmein9143]

Hey DJ I just saw a job opening for a engineer at a very small railroad operation near me. They only asked for a high school diploma / GED, and no other certifications or anything, seemed suspicious, like to good to be true. What do you think?

[@djstrains]

You dont need any experience to work for a railroad, because they want to train an open mind on how they want things done. Experience can work against you actually. class 1 railroads are horrible right now and thats why we are trying to strike. A smaller one may be a better fit, my friend.

[@cdavid8139]

Do they need a certified engineer to apply? If they will train you....that in itself could be a reason to take the job.

[@northmill70]

Thanks for the info. Did the have covered hoppers in 20s and 30s? Nice Beastie Boys reference.

[@ThisWorks4Me]

A lot of what is done today with covered hoppers was done with box cars until the mid 50's. There would be clean box cars that would be used to ship grain. They would put plywood type bulkheads across the door and pour the grain over it into the box.

[@KG-xt4oq]

DJ Kool...

[@djstrains]

DJ Kool - Correct, but Beasties also had a more slow paced delivery but without the cough lol

[@KG-xt4oq]

@@djstrains I know, I was just pointing out that DJ Kool also used that line...in fact, made an entire song about it. I used to go crazy when that song came on in the club back in the day...

[@rc9597]

Very informative video! No fake laptops this time, LOL

[@djstrains]

I'LL GET YOU NEXT TIME!!!!! LOL!!!

[@AndrewGasser]

Followed you for awhile - subbed

[@djstrains]

Appreciate that!!!

[@M22OHIO]

The Shell Plant in Monaca,Pa next to the Rive? Is that the plastic cracking plant?

[@djstrains]

Yes. It’s a customer that I personally service with CSX when working the local

[@M22OHIO]

@@djstrains I drive by the plant everyday

[@Dachamp2001]

Woah what happened to the Intermodal yard? Dj I remember bringing in stone and dirt to build it I think it was only 4 or 6yrs old lol. Plus I never new that a heavy car could damage rails. GE's & EMD's weight 400,000lbs give or take by them selfs can't Imagine a car being that heavy unless it's Schnabel car and I haven't seen one yet 😅 and I'm a RR junkie 😆

[@djstrains]

They failed to get enough business for the intermodal and it shut down

[@Dachamp2001]

@@djstrains That location would make a great soot for light mechanical work for locomotives and cars. Rather then sending them all the way down Cumberland. I can imagine it takes hrs by rail to get down there from mckeesport.

[@djstrains]

@@Dachamp2001 rail cars get light work done at mckeesport in Riverton yard.

[@keithmoore5306]

does anyone make those specialty cars for moving nuclear material?

[@PrenticeBoy1688]

Any idea what's in the covered hoppers at Vallourec Star in Youngstown, Ohio? CSX is the busiest in the area. Perhaps you've been by.

[@djstrains]

actually I don't know since I didn't go down that far.

[@PrenticeBoy1688]

@@djstrains Fair enough. Thanks for responding to my comment. Much appreciated.

[@donaldmoore8920]

Do they still have switch locomotives for example SW1500's used currently?

[@djstrains]

Its been a few years since I have seen the MP15 in my area. It was fun to run, but I dont miss it because it is the most cramped engine for crews.

[@cdavid8139]

In general you'll see those on short lines or large industries. Great units for switching.

[@cdavid8139]

@@djstrains I enjoyed running them myself when switching yards and industries. Never really felt cramped but I never took one over-the-road either

[@jdesilva100]

Great video....

[@djstrains]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@SantaFe19484]

Nice video, but I would have loved to have seen more than just covered hoppers.

[@djstrains]

I have 2 videos about tank cars But recently I have been thinking about doing a general video about various cars. Would that be of interest to you?

[@Trentonpage]

Can you do a video of the little tikes factory in Hudson ohio?

[@djstrains]

2.5 hrs from my house. So what should I know? What would make a good video? Best days to film, etc?

[@Trentonpage]

@@djstrains the history and what cars they use, and the products. I'm also interested in Larry's truck and electric in McDonald's ohio. I'm trying to model something similar to it. I've seen ltxe engines on the csx line alot.

[@173sawYT]

your channel picture of you hold a train engine looks like a train engine from a movie called super 8, the super 8 train is a Baldwin S-12 air force locomotive in the movie

[@djstrains]

PRODUCTION VALUE!!!! I love that movie!

[@stacylloyd3575]

👍🏼 fanrewards!!

[@ruffian2952]

Weathering is fine for purists. Graffiti for realists.

[@robertsiebenrock3997]

I don't like weathering anything. To me it's sloppy and not nice to look at.I

[@daleroth236]

I too, don't like weathering, but over time models somehow weather themselves with dust and grit. And all rail cars were new at one time, so why rush to weather a new one? Doesn't sound practical in my estimation. Love that CSX is getting new traffic.

[@cdavid8139]

I'm the opposite. Nothing gets on my layout until it is weathered and dull coated

[@pauludulutch4353]

Smooth or ribbed. It’s the ladies choice

[@djstrains]

Lets keep it PG, Lol, kidding, that was brilliant!

[@kingpin1241]

Get rid of 394 cars!!!!!!

[@djstrains]

What do you mean?

[@kingpin1241]

Your 394 cars pans are to close to the wheels either cut the pan at a 45 degree angle and re weld it or remove the 394 car carrying coal.

[@kingpin1241]

It makes dumping coal a nightmare when the cars are at the coal pier 😂