Shunting Gondolas in HO Scale: the Lance Mindheim’s Method Meets Philosophical Insights

[@vikingofengland]

I love gons, especially the really rusty, battered ones that bowed out and sagged 😍

[@SouthDown]

That sounds great! You’re giving me some ideas to experiment when it’s time to weather them! Thank you for your feedback!

[@tombeattie7382]

Ah, 17mins 37 secs of pure heaven! Morning coffee in hand and totally relaxed now. Great video and mindful thoughts on modern life. Thank goodness for hobbies.

[@SouthDown]

Glad you enjoyed it! This comment honestly made my day. Thank you for it!

[@kaikuklik9748]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@SouthDown]

Thank you for your feedback!

[@thewards06]

Boxcars! With the doors closed, anything can be in there. Great layout and insightful commentary, as always. Please keep the videos coming.

[@SouthDown]

You got it! I'm always happy to share my perspective on the world, even if it's through the lens of model railroading. I think that through a mutual shared interest we could all work together to make ourselves better and be better for our fellow man. Boxcars are pretty neat!

[@1737sd40]

I have never heard the of concept of flow being applied to model railroading. I enjoyed this. Thank you

[@SouthDown]

There are many concept--especially mindfulness--that really apply to this--or any--hobby. Thank you for your feedback!

[@ameelmd]

I started today doom scrolling, but this was the relaxation that I needed to help me realign my focus. Will be back to working on my layout soon. Thank you for recording your break before you too got back to your work.

[@SouthDown]

Thanks so much! Model railroading has that unique ability to pull us out of the constant scrolling and noise, doesn’t it? For me, a switching session is all about getting back into that “flow” state Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi writes about-it’s almost like a personal reset button. I’m glad it helped you realign your focus too, and I hope working on your layout brings you the same kind of mindfulness!

[@XBOXShawn12thman]

I Love It 😍

[@SouthDown]

Means a lot! Thank you!

[@wapatocreekrail]

The layout’s looking great! Love to see some scenery starting to appear. My favorite freight cars are probably 60’ or so covered hoppers, or woodchip gondolas.

[@SouthDown]

I’m excited about the scenery coming along too. This project has really come to life in the last few months and once I cover the "bald spot" I want to attempt applying static grass. Never done it before! Thanks for your support!

[@jimh7557]

Glad to see your layout progression. The large buildings add a lot to the scene, plus a perceived purpose. My favorite cars were/are 1970-1980 pier diem 50’ boxcars. Like high cube 50’ cars also.

[@SouthDown]

Great hearing from you! Those boxcars are great! I'm experimenting with building my focal scene and testing to see how well I can operate with a building in the way. It certainly adds some challenges as well as probably needing to be thinned out a little.

[@michaelsmodelrailroading7665]

You are entirely correct in your presentation of the philosophy of model railroading, particularly the switching aspect. At least in so far as I am concerned. Your comment about how technology can shape society is also very valid. Viz., the twin technologies of the cell phone and the internet have created communities that transcend space and time. Now your new friends from around the world, as well as interested strangers, can join you at your layout and operate right along with you. What a wonderful development! 🚂

[@SouthDown]

Thank you for this thoughtful response! You nailed it-modern tech and traditional craftsmanship in the model railroading world make for an amazing balance. This whole hobby is proof that even in today’s fast-paced world, we can find ways to connect meaningfully. As Marshall McLuhan might say, the medium (in our case, model railroading and platforms like KZbin) is shaping our shared experience, letting us transcend physical limitations. I’m so grateful to have people like you join in on this journey, even from afar!

[@csxrensville5105]

I agree with all you say.

[@SouthDown]

Thank you for your feedback and words of encouragement!

[@toddarmstrong.trackside.action]

very nice Leo... Yes, it definitely looks like gondolas are your number 1 favourite wagon lol - this year I got a new gondola model from Aurora Miniatures. If you're in the market for a 13th piece of rolling stock, have a look at them. The detail is amazing... love your layout and your philosphy on operations... thanks for sharing

[@SouthDown]

Sadly, already sold out. Perhaps a future release! Thank you for your support and kind feedback!

[@MLWQC]

great video and nice topic .In agreement. I do the same (switching. no paperwork. just enjoying the moment) Nice scenery too

[@SouthDown]

Thank you, always love getting your feedback. Need to finish that scenery at some point and start applying some static grass! Plus there is a couple more buildings I’d like to figure out.

[@What_If_We_Tried]

Philosophical shunting / switching operations... What a wonderful way to view this hobby. And my favorite freight cars include gondolas, high-cube boxcars, and tankers. Question: What are the dimensions of your shelf layout?

[@SouthDown]

Thank you very much! The layout is about 8 feet by about 14 inches. I give a full tour with dimensions here, if it helps: kzbin.info/www/bejne/raqldHenbMZga68

[@What_If_We_Tried]

Fantastic 😊

[@What_If_We_Tried]

@@SouthDown Thanks, much appreciated.

[@joeystrains.9316]

Awesomeness 😎😎

[@SouthDown]

Glad you enjoyed! Thank you for the feedback!

[@bernicemeade3232]

Nice video

[@SouthDown]

I appreciate your appreciation! Thank you!

[@GreenRC24]

My favorite freight car is the 4750 covered hopper. I've lost track of how many I own.

[@SouthDown]

Thank you for saying this! I absolutely love covered hoppers! I don’t even know why they do it for me but they’re pretty great looking and a blast to shunt. Do you have a layout? Thanks for your feedback!

[@GreenRC24]

@SouthDown Yes, I have a shelf layout with a spir and I switch out four industries.

[@SouthDown]

@GreenRC24 I would absolutely love to see it if possible.

[@randysrockandrollrailroad8207]

🤠

[@SouthDown]

🐴

[@SpringfieldAndWestern]

Are you a professor in philosophy or something? 😉 Warm words and an even better switching session - thanks for sharing!

[@SouthDown]

I’m no professor, just a friendly nerd! I think I went down the rabbit hole in trying to understand the reason for such a hobby and it turns out that as a hobby it is a very healthy activity for mind and soul. Thanks for the feedback!

[@ronduz1281]

👍👍👍!

[@SouthDown]

🙏🙏🙏!

[@GenxDiorama]

Nice, I like it! What’s the size of your layout btw? -1- Sebas

[@SouthDown]

Hey Sebas, the layout is approximately ~244cm by ~36cm. I give a full tour with dimensions here: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/raqldHenbMZga68

[@ShedModelRail]

You could have called it Zen-Switching :)

[@SouthDown]

Zen and the Art of Model Railroad Shunting? Hehe. There is definitely mental health well being in the hobby. Appreciated your feedback!

[@cpwhiskycreek]

Nice video

[@SouthDown]

Thanks!