Railroad Operations Explained by an ENGINEER: Run Around & Interchange Tips

[@michaelnelson9002]

Thanks DJ, that was very helpful, especially for us non railroader types. It’s nice to see how things are done in the real world.

[@djstrains]

Glad it was helpful!

[@beeble2003]

When the railroads are interchanging two trains with DC traction, they also need a big hand to come down and hold one of the locomotives. True fact!

[@djstrains]

0-5-0

[@katherinemorey6517]

@@djstrains What does that mean?

[@katherinemorey6517]

That is funny.

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Enjoyed watching another great video. Have a wonderful rest of your evening.(Steve)

[@djstrains]

Thanks, you too!

[@cp368productions2]

Thankfully most interchanges have more infrastructure than that. Even the interchange between BPRR and the ARA has more tracks. A siding and a short run-around track.

[@SD45-ET44AC]

So that’s how you do an Op-Session? Just hold the engines with your hands … 👍🏼😎

[@djstrains]

Lmao!!

[@KenN.OXN.805]

In the real world at the interchange, are both crews allowed to use the other RR’s track? In other words, is the CSX crew allowed to take their loco onto what I assume was NS track to drop the MT’s? Or is the interchange track co-owned? Or do they have to have the NS engineer required to get on the CSX loco and act as a pilot? [edit: added] and who’s in charge of aligning switches?

[@cp368productions2]

Both railroads have to call the dispatcher to get permission to use the tracks, as an interchange is considered a yard even if it's not exactly a yard.

[@railwayjade]

There is a video on YT somewhere where there was almost a collision at an interchange.

[@djstrains]

correct

[@j1952d]

Did one of the engines do a 180 in an edit? I don't understand!

[@djstrains]

watch it again. It's two different scenarios.

[@djstrains]

I just didnt make two separate videos.

[@j1952d]

@@djstrains Sorry - my mistake. My eyesight isn''t what it used to be!

[@GreenRC24]

My girlfriend would run around, now she's my ex. 😁

[@djstrains]

"stay away from a runaround sue". (song stuck in my head)

[@GreenRC24]

@@djstrains 😂

[@andrewpalm2103]

DJ, have you ever had to do a Double Saw-By where two opposing trains meet at a double-ended siding that is too short to hold either? I think that would blow a lot of minds. Cheers from Wisconsin!

[@djstrains]

luckily, no.

[@andrewpalm2103]

@@djstrains 😃

[@tedfisk1211]

I have a switching district in which I have two run around tracks as I have spurs going in both directions. My challenge is trying to figure out switching moves with the least amount of steps. Those are brain teasers, to say the least.

[@petesilcox4102]

Model RR is much more fun and easier to visualize , than the real RR. A seasoned crew knowing the track layout at each industry and yard, can switch cars easily . A new crew not knowing the track locations , can be a nightmare! ❤

[@Throttlejockey94]

How about a video on grips and how to pack them?

[@djstrains]

Thats a really good idea. I'll write that down. Thanks.

[@NitroStarGT]

Good vid. How does the 2 loaded coals get back to where they are going and wind up with the loco pulling them out again? Do they have a runaround at the plant? Thanks

[@djstrains]

Yes they do, or in some cases there is a balloon track.

[@NitroStarGT]

@@djstrains 10-4

[@AFmedic]

Back in the day (60's & 70's) we would block off sections of track by using a plastic rail joiner on the +rail and would add a toggle switch wired to one of the rail joiners with in that isolated sections. That way, with a flip of switch you could cut power to that section. If you were using more than 1 controller you could use a SPDT (single pole-double throw) or a DPDT (double pole-double throw) toggle switch depending how you were going to use that section. Dead Center is no power, and depending if the switch is up or down determines which controller provides power to that section of track. I know it sound like complicated wiring, but it really wasn't.

[@djstrains]

Did you watch this video?

[@AFmedic]

@@djstrains Yes I did. What prompted the comment was how you had to hold one engine to keep it from moving with the other. My comment was NOT meant to be a "dis" / complaint. If it came off that way, I'm sorry. The comment was just a 73 yr old geezer reminiscing how things were before the hobby became computerized. :) I enjoyed the video because you showed that an interchange operation need not be as complicated to perform as it may appear at first. You do a great job at explaining different aspects of layouts and operations. I'm the type that still prefers manual switches and manually uncoupling. Adds an air of realism because it takes time for someone to throw a switch or uncouple a car.

[@sernajrlouis]

Great video.

[@djstrains]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@4everdc302]

I'm working on the shelf layout with 2 run arounds. So I watched till the blank screen lol🚂🇨🇦🇺🇲🚃🚃🙋

[@djstrains]

HAHAHAHA

[@DruSteel69]

Thanks DJ. I’ve used your demo with the interchange before. I’ll try the run around next time. Have a great weekend.

[@KutWrite]

That was my weak point while training: visualizing how best to execute a switch list or swap cars around. I have to watch the first part again. i wasn't clear on which way the power plant was... to the left, as in the 2nd half, correct? The end was funny. I wait to see what other videos fill the screen.

[@katherinemorey6517]

Hi Dominic, I have just gotten the brick sheet but it is not styrene. It is actually paper. I don't think I will be using it for the viaduct after all. I will wait until I can get the correct sheets. I will be using it for the outside of the buildings on the layout. I have already made 2 brick buildings and they look great and are used as costumer buildings for the layout. One of them is called BECKY'S FIREWOOD COMPANY. The other one is CRACKLING DELIGHT FIREWOOD INC. The second one is run by Heather and Milly.I absolutely love the sound of the second one. It really has a great ring to it. I wanted a fancy name for the second company. Cory Mears

[@FunWithHOScaleStuff]

Hi DJ. Always look forward to viewing your latest videos.

[@TexasAlabamaBoi205]

Great video!!!😊

[@djstrains]

Thank you!!

[@flagman515]

Good explanations on the run arounds. Did i miss something? How does CSX leave the empties and depart without going through the coal chute? Is the route not modeled here?

[@daleroth236]

my simulator runs around automatically after I place an icon called "run around" on the activation line. Another good video

[@donaldshroyer8633]

DJs Trains meets Blue's Clues.

[@djstrains]

I just spit laughed!

[@michaelricks1618]

Fascinating to see two train crews from different companies working together. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@rickmiller4202]

Another great example of a real world problem, and solution.

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

Great video!!! Like the side track. Stay Safe & God Bless!!!!

[@HumancityJunction]

Another fantastic video!

[@CSXOhioRailFanPlus752]

Nice Video

[@djstrains]

Thanks

[@sparky107107]

ok that second one I didn't get.. I made it much more complicated than that. lol .. DO IT.. lol don't yell at me !

[@djstrains]

YOU WATCHED TO THE END!! YEAY!!!!

[@randydobson1863]

he dj its is randy and i like video is cool thanks friends randy

[@maxwelledison5366]

And here I thought a run around was when the crew did a chinese fire drill.

[@djstrains]

no, usually it means when you call payroll and they keep transferring you.. lol

[@jaredsmyheart2464]

@@djstrains oh so a transfer?

[@RonMontagueSWRR]

Great video. I need to work on these ideas. My switching ops be so chaotic and dysfunctional because I don't plan out the moves prior to making them.

[@djstrains]

Go for it!

[@Maurice00PA]

Interesting video. Maybe use a Rix-Pick to uncouple next time, so you don't have to lift the locomotive. Less track means less maintenance for the railroad, means money saved. I have seen some railroads use a "flying switch" to deliver just one car or have the cars move using gravity if the track is on an incline. Tough to simulate on a model railroad. Cheers and stay safe.

[@djstrains]

They banned us at csx from that move. we used to do it in early 2000's.

[@skerbs7755]

This video was very helpful. Light bulbs were coming on all over. Thanks!

[@djstrains]

Glad it helped!

[@gcorriveau6864]

Helpful videos as always - and so relaxed and fun to watch. Also - In this era of DPU and super-long unit trains, I often wonder about the logistics of assembling the middle and rear locomotives into a train. How many people does it take? I can't believe that a single conductor or engineer would be expected to 'hike' the mile or so to the back end of a train to set up a locomotive into the proper DPU configuration.

[@djstrains]

we use a van driver in these situations to assist us. It is a pain in the butt.

[@bncsystemsshortline]

Awesome that's for sharing! This is a KISS method!

[@djstrains]

It sure is!

[@steve87thpsap]

Okay question but now the CSX engine is at the wrong end, or do we assume (limited time) that the engine then pulls through the mine?

[@djstrains]

We normally use 2 engines back to back. I just used one for this example.

[@michaelmoses8745]

Nice video. This is actually one of the best in terms of ease of understanding the railroad that you have done. I at least found it easy to understand. Scaling things down and speeding up was a good decision. The only thing that could have definitely made it better would have been the use of DCC, to address individual locomotives. That way you wouldn't need to hold the engines down while explaining a double saw by.

[@djstrains]

lol.

[@mmi16]

A veteran Conductor will devise the plan that gets the job DONE with the fewest steps being expended.

[@djstrains]

and a veteran conductor is like a master chess player in that regards.

[@northunionstation]

I didn’t know you could do that! I redesigned a section of my layout to avoid such a move, but good to know going forward! Future videos on other “exotic” moves would be cool!

[@djstrains]

noted!

[@stephengogan1774]

Ok so hear me out... it IS ok to have the locomotive "backwards" coming back from a interchange or a short mainline? So my other question is if say Train A is headin North bound and the industry they are servicing has there switch setup that the power would be "trapped" behind the load, do the railways build a run around either before or after the siding for the plant?

[@djstrains]

no. Consider that railroads have been around for well over 100 years. The mainline was to go from city to city. As towns grew next to the mainline, spurs and sidings were added to either reach a pre existing customer, or a customer bought land near the tracks and a switch was added. When the truck/auto became popular, railroads downsized, and in the past handful of decades, the big RRs sold off spurs to smaller RRs and startups. Very few miles of new tracks have been added. The RRs adjust their operations to service the customer without spending money when possible. If the RR needs to shove a car for a long distance to reach a customer that has a "facing point switch" They can use a caboose, or even place an engine on both sides of that car (rear engine would be set up like a car until destination is reached.). They can pull it with one engine one way, detach, walk back and get on other engine to shove that car in the industry. Point is, they work with existing track, and very rarely spend the 100K dollars to add a little bit of track.

[@fleotusbing]

Wo, that was awesome, DJ! That helped me immensely to understand!

[@djstrains]

Glad it helped!

[@bradleyogden5688]

The way that I'll bring the cars in for interchange will be like this. In the morning our industrial crew will gather all of the outbound cars and leave them " on the main and the lead car just a cars length behind the switch. The local will shove down with our cars and shove them into the siding, enough to clear the switch, drop them off, back up, clear the switch, throw it, grab onto the outbound cars and leave. Once the local has cleared the siding, our crew will go out and pull the cars needed for inside the industry and head back in with those cars and place them accordingly. DJ, when having cars on both ends of your power is their a certain distance you can go or a certain length your train can be since you won't have a horn/ bell for crossings? I've also seen switching moves back east where the local will have a unit its train then another unit at the opposite end, how often or why is that local ran that way?

[@djstrains]

As long as the crossings are protected by the conductor leading the movement, no limit

[@chadportenga7858]

I know that many trains run multiple locos. But, they don't, how often could we expect to see a loco running long hood forward?

[@djstrains]

we do it often on locals, but very rare on mainline freight. If you do not have ditch lights, you have to go 20 mph over road crossings. I just didnt have another engine for this example.

[@nynscaler2482]

Very informative and glad to see you got the W&LE hoppers. 👍

[@djstrains]

FREAKING LOVE THEM!!!

[@trapdriver7006]

Excellent informative video 👍😁😁😁🚂🇬🇧

[@djstrains]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kamala2111]

Excellent video enjoyed seeing it play out on model track

[@djstrains]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@kevinguthrie5495]

Why is it OK to trap the locos behind the hoppers at the mine and at the power plant? Gotta push unless they have runarounds too.

[@djstrains]

I'm not following you here. In my example, I showed bringing a train in, dropping off cars and returning back to the left. In 2nd example I showed pulling in from areas and returning by pulling back to areas. These I just used for general examples and can be done with any kind of train. Don't overthink it. As for coal mines and power plants, many have a balloon track or a runaround, or if you watch my hundreds of other videos, you'll see that industries often have smaller engines and their own crews to the work.

[@djstrains]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaqtiIOjqsyDf80

[@trs-no8lm]

There was a power plant in east lake ohio. Csx back the train in from the main. I dont know how many miles but it was a few

[@djstrains]

I used to bring the trains up the Youngstown line in early 2000's

[@kinnywolf2862]

Great video

[@ironworksmodels]

Sometimes the solution isn’t obvious when it seems TOO easy.

[@djstrains]

hahaha

[@Fallenhalo88]

In the real world are there any limits to how many cars can be transferred like this?

[@djstrains]

no. But as long as the track can hold it, and there is someone who can protect the shove movement so it doesn't run into anybody or equipment.

[@bccarl88]

Hot DAMN!!! Those Wheeling coke hoppers 😍

[@djstrains]

I bought a 4 pack from micro trains as a birthday present to myself.

[@bccarl88]

@@djstrains they have excellent detail to them. Even the road numbers are correct 👍

[@stanleym2679]

Super great video and easy to understand, one question ,on both switching when empty cars are brought back to mine or plant is locomotive always going to have to stay at places did not point out about loco after delivering empties

[@djstrains]

Power stays attached at mines. A different crew will take about 12 hours to load a 130 car unit train and return it to the road crew. Painfully slow. Same with unloading at power plants

[@stanleym2679]

@@djstrains thanks, didn’t know they left a loco at plant or mine for just bringing full out and empties in dose make sense, that’s again ,keep up the great work

[@gerdeguelle1967]

Very nice video

[@djstrains]

Thanks