Switching Operations 101, Episode 2: Switching A Bakery

[@evanschaefer3812]

Glad you started making videos on KZbin, Lance; looking forward to more!

[@ThomasKlimoski]

Lance, I enjoyed the video and ops on your layout. The video shows how much time it takes to "just" switch out two cars. I know you were filming so it is hard to do everything, but using the bell and horn as you cross back and forth across the grade crossing adds additional realistic steps for the crew.

[@gdog5032]

Thanks for these 'switching' episodes, Lance. I am in the process of building a layout based on your reference books 📚 and other Downtown information available.. 😊

[@kurtcortes3738]

Wonderful Lance! My good friend Tom Johnson taught me all these operating practices before and I glad to see them in action in your layout!

[@centralfloridarailroadmodelers]

Great video! It's nice to see we're not the only ones that have little hiccups while filming!

[@PrinceStreet]

Earlier than 6:16 you mentioned the sound is pumped through computer speakers. I recall you mentioning that on your blog. What hadn’t resonated with me at the time would be how this would work in N scale: I could have a decoder in my engine selected only for its motor control and the engine was always silent. This decoder is only for motor control so this helps with the models (think RS1 or like smaller diesels) where speaker room doesn’t exist or frame modifications aren’t attractive. Then this second sound decoder leashed to the computer speakers can be any physical size. Finally, this offsets cost if the off-layout decoder is one like Soundtraxx’s that allows for easy changing of prime movers or similar attributes. I only need one of these decoders. The decoder in the model is motor control only so is easier to install, costs less. The quality of experience is potentially better and the investment is lower. You said this and I feel like I finally get it. -Chris

[@Gaz3801]

Excellent video Lance. Watching this switching session and then listening to you on Around the Layout is thoroughly enjoyable. Thank you for taking your time to film Episode 2. Cheers, Gary.

[@GCRR_Modeler]

this was great - very enjoyable watching a "basic" operation of swapping out two cars. A lot of what Tom Klimoski has tried to teach me about switching ops is reflected in how you operate as well. For someone like me who is new to the hobby and who enjoys switching operations - this is gold. Thanks for taking the time and effort to share.

[@shadowfaxx5]

Thanks for sharing! A few of us are starting a little operating group and this helps make sense of it!!

[@mkivpanzer]

Great video. Could you do a layout tour, and I hope for more switching ops. Really enjoy your books too!

[@a.c.2219]

I remember I discovered your channel through your blog when I was still living my parents' circa 2013. Big inspiration. Glad I stayed subscribed because now it's paying off!

[@19scamps92]

Lance thank you so much for this great video series. Some of my friend and i are watching each one several times. our modules are largely influenced by your books, videos and your concept. Thank you for sharing your work and OPS with us. kind regards from Switzerland Robin

[@thebritishrailroader]

Excellent video that really underpins and demonstrates the principles you set out in your book on operations.

[@unpasaro]

Excellent work Lance, I really enjoy and stop with your videos

[@RailfanDownunder]

Superb ... I have fond memories of your old Monon layout too😊

[@jstockton303]

Very informative video, I like the level of detail. Could you do a video on the external sound system.

[@claytonmoore2091]

I liked the real world timing !

[@chrisbarr1359]

Great video. I learned a lot. I'm going to look for your book that someone mentioned. Take care!

[@tomoconnell4235]

Thanks for another informative video

[@SPOldMain]

Howdy Lance, great video, good to see these videos you are doing. Don’t know if you remember me or not, use to post on Trainirders as FJC, here on YT was FJ Caron. This is my YT page for the layout I finally have in the works, will be sharing progress videos as I go. Cheers!

[@SpringfieldAndWestern]

Hi Lance, thanks for the cool operations video. It once again shows how much time is needed for something that looks like a very easy and quick switch out at first. I have just started to build a tiny switching layout in N scale - let´s see how this goes.

[@LanceMindheim]

Glad you enjoyed it! Good luck with your layout.

[@SpringfieldAndWestern]

@@LanceMindheim Many Thanks! I try to document the built on my YT, take a look if you want 😁

[@jonmilburn4878]

Excellent video Lance. I really appreciate all the prototype actions and to slow down. I did have a question, wouldn't the conductor ride the end of the last car a lot of the time to get back to the switch, drop off, etc instead of walking all the time? Love how you put some buildings right up the front of the layout, really adds to the depth. Also appreciate a little bit of unfinished layout, makes me feel better. They're never really finished. Glad I'm not the only one taking a sip of beer between moves. Keep up the excellent work

[@bernicemeade3232]

Real nice looks great good gob

[@roady1710]

I had a question for you about the poor couple that were sitting at the crossing in that black SUV. I was waiting for you at some point to push them over to the other side. They were going to go pick up their kids from school, but they’re running extremely late…

[@15913Music]

Not a critique, just a different way of doing things. After going through the run around I would have told the engineer to clear the lead to the plant. I would drop off and realign the run-around, open the gate, and cross the street to line the power to the plant. Pull the empties before sporting the loads. Engineers prefer to run with the fewest cars possible, as much as possible. Though, in this case, it really is six of one, half a dozen of another. Same thing with leaving the plant. I would eyeball the cars past the plant switch, tell the engineer when to stop, and close the gate. Walk across the street and line myself back to the train. Also, we wouldn't be required to do an additional brake test in this situation. You would have given the cars a once-over before taking them out of the plant.

[@goaliegeorge]

Great info. Too many modelers forget about the people of railroading, and just quickly spot and run the trains with, I guess, Superman flying ahead to throw the the next turnout.. 😂👍🏻

[@MyFingerLakesRailwayLayout]

Man she sounds good when you notch up!

[@LanceMindheimCustomModelRailro]

You need to get up here and experience it in person Bill!

[@MyFingerLakesRailwayLayout]

@@LanceMindheimCustomModelRailro Man that would be cool. Would love to have you down here to haul some salt on the Finger Lakes Railway.

[@beeble2003]

I commented on episode 3 that your train was doing quite a bit less than the 10mph you estimated. Here, the train at 3:30 is doing about 10mph -- at around 4:20, the 60ft box car is passing a fixed point in about 4.5 seconds, which equates to about 9mph. And you mention it taking about ten minutes to run the 100ft length of the line -- again, that corresponds pretty much exactly to 10mph.

[@trainmanroysmodelrailroadh7686]

Can you make a video of your buildings please

[@PeterEllis-n7q]

Hi Lance, I am over in the UK and have modelled the GWR in 00 scale for many years. To rejuvenate my modelling mojo I am contemplating building a US H0 scale yard/switching layout and i find your videos inspirational and so helpful in explaining operational practice. I have a question for you regarding the control of the traffic lights on the highway crossing whilst switching. Would the conductor have access to the cabinet controlling the lights locally or would he radio an operational center to change the lights remotely as required. Regards Pete

[@LanceMindheim]

Hello Pete, I'm fairly sure he has a key and controls the signal via a box on a nearby utility pole. I doubt that they are remotely controlled.

[@marztube6158]

Another informative video, thoroughly enjoying watching the process. Keep 'em coming. Would the conductor have to set the brakes on the cars left on the runaround and would they engineer be required to use the horn/bell crossing 12th Ave?

[@25mfd]

the brakes would automatically be set once they separate from the train because they would have had the air cut in... now, if the foreman wanted to he could set a hand brake or two... but with way less than a hand full of cars and because he's tying right back on, they're good with just letting the emergency brakes hold the train

[@robertglietz7178]

If you are cutting away from cars, the conductor is required to apply handbrakes. CSX's rule was 10% handbrakes on cars left standing. An engine operating over a public grade crossing is required to ring the bell and sound the horn, unless it's a designated quiet zone, which are generally found only on mainline tracks.

[@marztube6158]

Thanks for the info, that makes a lot of sense

[@marztube6158]

Thanks, that makes it easy for modelling

[@jaydigshistory36]

Are those photos on the buildings of prototype walls/dock doors?

[@LanceMindheimCustomModelRailro]

Yes they are.

[@robertsullivan3877]

Just in case you want to know,in the southwest ( Arizona, California and New Mexico/Texas), Trujillo is a Spanish name, and the "J" is silent, when pronounced.

[@Yoss-ee2ms]

At 16:50, would you do the stretch after the handbrake is released?

[@LanceMindheim]

Good question, one which I'll leave to the pros to clarify. As a practical matter I would think that yes, it would be after.

[@garfieldirwin]

Lance, do you think using a DCC Protothrottle would enhance the switching experience?

[@LanceMindheim]

Maybe. The proto throttle isn't compatible with my system though (CVP).

[@garfieldirwin]

@@LanceMindheim Thats a good answer(!) but given the "prototypical" focus of your modeling/operations, I would have assumed it would be something you would approve of? Or not?

[@JohnMakuck-is7be]

I don't understand why you are crawling I know it's not the main but why to slow. gm

[@KingTrump2024]

Amazing layout !