The world's most useful model railway

[@TomScottGo]

One thing I didn't get in the interview: they can train twenty signallers at the same time here, using the entire network and all the switches!

[@schrollo237]

Pin me or else

[@Carter_C737]

Hi

[@koroneiki6041]

hi

[@thebugbear9198]

Sorcerer

[@jeroenhofstee5206]

@@Carter_C737 hi

[@axelhejnebo9142]

The model railway-nerd in me is just itching to fill this layout with scenery.

[@mfbfreak]

The most german thing about this, is that it has an almost complete lack of scenery because this is a Very Serious Training and Research Facility. With no time for frivolous things like 'trees' and 'miniature people'

[@kirstymca]

And wee people, and cows. At least there are proper model stations.

[@RolandWolf]

How very inefficient. What do you think this is, fun?

[@olik136]

nah that is just how our landscape looks

[@Friek555]

@@mfbfreak Doesn't seem very German to me... In what country would the training center pay a team of modelling artists to make something that doesn't contribute at all to the quality of the training?

[@nathanisip]

I love the instructor’s “try it” approach! Nothing like testing things out to learn from your mistakes.

[@Zerbey]

Good to know it doesn't work now in a controlled environment than potentially being bored on day and trying it on the real thing. I imagine someone did at least once and that's why they show you it won't work in training so you can get it out of your system.

[@keiyakins]

And it's way more memorable to feel that resistance than just be told it's there.

[@Pixelplanet5]

that is also why having such a small scale system is such a great idea, now people can try all the stupid things and realize they either dont work because someone knew about it or they can see the result happening without harming anyone.

[@donreed]

Finally, a reason for your four divorces!

[@Grocel512]

@@Pixelplanet5 Dejavu Train drifting

[@audigex]

I’m always impressed when someone can explain a technical concept in another language, and this guy does it very well indeed

[@hito1988]

@@spot997 how do you explain "verarbeiten" means "okay!" then?... its not all about the "u" "e" and "th". verarbeiten means process and in this situation they talk about data. "daten verarbeiten" -> "process data"... how hard do i have to season my german with french to translate verarbeiten into okay!?

[@thisconnectd]

@@hito1988 I would say commit changes

[@Dragongaga]

@@hito1988 Do you always remember all of your vocabulary? As long as he understands what the guy means, it doesn't matter, besides, the whole interface is German, so it's not like, they're gonna let someone work in a real control center who isn't fluent in German

[@phoenixyt124]

in germany this does not really count, we learn english from ground up and it is even easier than our own language.

[@nicolasj6745]

@@hito1988 Its not a 1 to 1 translation, but the message is clear. "OK" and "process data" say the same thing: Take my inputs

[@W4rr1orZ]

The ending was real funny. Sure, the technology advanced, but that just means you end up working on even more stations at once! And I was surprised how the mechanical computer locked up completely when you tried to make an invalid operation. Really cool!

[@SkarmoryThePG]

see the beauty of it is it did not lock up, it locked the user OUT from doing illegal commands!

[@Tyrope]

@@SkarmoryThePG Subtle but important difference. And explained in a very concise way. *nods with approval*

[@cockneyse]

I never realised Tom was so innocent, the employer puts advances in not to make life easier... So fewer people can do the same work!

[@allanolley4874]

I think of it as a variation on Parkinson's law ("work expands to fill the time available"). The faster you can do something the easier it is just to decide to do more work to justify your position.

[@spddiesel]

It applies in the trades as well, something along the lines of "slow down or they'll expect it all the time."

[@thegeneralissimo470]

I love this, because the teacher says “try it” rather than explaining it won’t work. I’m very much a hands on learner.

[@andrewcuzzolino8277]

Same

[@_lufix_]

Welcome in Germany 😀

[@maxb3248]

I'd say most people are, myself included

[@aperson1]

Everyone is. Being told something is so much less of a push to keep in your mind than doing it for yourself, and seeing the consequences - good or bad.

[@johnbuyers8095]

What do you do if told “Never touch the red button”?

[@Marconius6]

"Oh you've automated all this, that means my job will be easier now, right?" "Nah, we'll just make you do three stations instead."

[@Kirillissimus]

The whole automation thing is not there to make your work easier. It is there so you can do more work alone so the company does not need to hire another operator. Even if you get sick or leave they will just ask the guy to your left or to the right from you do twice the work for a while.

[@Izithel]

@@Kirillissimus Nah, there is probably legal maximum stations or total workload per operator and a minimum on redundant operators to make sure you don't end up with a single person overseeing to many stations and making mistakes because they couldn't see everything.

[@apollomars1678]

the future is, that a program is doing everything and the human has to sit there, watch over the program, if it fucks up, find it and prevent it or get the responsibility dumbed on him, so that the progam devleopers can hide from their responsibility.

[@thetrain47539]

@@Kirillissimus They will probably ask someone to sub for you or to do overtime to catch up your work. Either way, it's extra pay if you are subbing for someone or doing overtime.

[@thetrain47539]

@@Izithel The maximum is 5 in my country, I can't speak for every country in the world though. Germany might be something different.

[@vwegert]

08:30 See the blinking rainbow with the alternating horizontal and vertical bars in the lower left part of the screen? The rainbow is displayed so that the operator can verify that all of the colors are still shown correctly and none of the CRT electron beams has failed (or whatever any of these newfangled LCD screens will do). Now for the blinking... The image you see is actually two images, generated by two separate graphics cards in two redundant processing units. If the blinking ever stops, the operator will notice immediately that the system has locked up and whatever is shown on the display is no longer reliable information. If anything but the indicators starts blinking in sync with the indicators, the two processing units have come to different results when computing the state of the system, so the display is untrustworthy as well. And if one of the redundant units fails, the entire screen starts blinking. (Simplifying a bit here, but that's the general principle.)

[@matejlieskovsky9625]

This is the bit that fascinates me about these systems. People spent a lot of time thinking about possible failures and every single thing is built to be as failsafe as possible.

[@Turidus]

Wow, I have seen these blinking indicators many times and always wondered what they were there for. Fascinating explanation! It also shows how trueful to real life the EBD tries to be.

[@HiAdrian]

Oh that's an interesting bit of information!

[@LYLeelers]

+

[@skorp5677]

This is amazing D:

[@DMLand]

Tom finds the best hosts for these visits: that guy was so friendly, appealing, and informed.

[@twothreebravo]

Presumably, as an instructor, he's probably a damn good one.

[@thebread1034]

We Germans often flame the DB, completely ignoring how frickin nice most people are. And if they are not, they are only stressed because something got messed up again and they have to interface with mad customers.

[@Elku]

Also gave the best answer: Try it!

[@kylethompson2431]

He’s just german😂

[@MadLadCheese101]

This guy is honestly so great, plum Tom aswell. At the start i felt that this was complicated but by the end it seemed fairly straight forward

[@dsblocks]

I hope this is part 1 in a series showcasing every model railway in decending order of usefulness.

[@jasonwalker4003]

part 498: the forgotten, incomplete, Thomas the Tank engine set sitting in somebody's attic

[@Bagofnowt]

@@jasonwalker4003 and there's still 6000 to go

[@Sarahbryson321]

Part 5872, the fictional one but it has in depth timetabes (mine)

[@the4tierbridge]

@@Bagofnowt *6 million

[@powermetalhistorian]

One thing I really appreciate about your videos are the people in them. You rarely see this in TV, movies, and so on. In your videos we just see real hard-working people doing average jobs which many people don't know about, but who are vital to our daily life, sometimes more, sometimes less.

[@MarkusAldawn]

To be fair, it's 'average jobs' through the lens of someone raised on Thunderbirds, so mostly about infrastructure and stuff.

[@denniswood6791]

Another favorite celebrity who does this is Mike Rowe. C

[@sagemarie.]

@@denniswood6791 I was just gonna say that the real workers were what made Dirty Jobs (hosted by Mike Rowe) such a great show!

[@Thebreakdownshow1]

FOr the longest time I thought Tom was a TV presenter turned KZbinr and is doing a better job than the TV channels.

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

It's the behind-the-scenes of the world.

[@papaquonis]

As a train driver, I got to spend a couple of days looking over their shoulders as part of my training program. I definitely don't envy the signal operators. Sure, when everything is working as planned, it's fairly manageable to handle all the traffic, but when something goes wrong, they're often in for hours of very stressful work. Meanwhile, I can often just sit back and wait in my train while they're clearing up the mess.

[@Anson_AKB]

yes, it is some demanding work if you have to handle more than one train per hour, mentally as well as (in the case of the mechanical system) also physically. i was lucky enough to have been allowed to play with such a "real simulation" outside of their normal operating/educating hours, one hour at each of those different stations, and on the next day i could feel every sour muscle from having operated the heavy switch levers and signal levers even for an hour only. and making one hasty wrong decision (although not causing an accident but "only" a "lock out") takes a lot of back and forth in communication with the other stations and in handling (and thus also lots of time and delays on more trains) before the locks are released and can be set properly. _although this looked easy and like some fun, in reality it is quite some work for well trained professionals only!_

[@wariolandgoldpiramid]

Out of curiosity, why was observing signal operators part of your training, if it's not something you have to work on!

[@1001ewaste]

@@wariolandgoldpiramid So when we send them WAIT! they know we aren't just sitting about drinking tea, it gives an appreciation of what is involved in the bigger picture. Just as Signallers can and do request cab rides for the routes they signal.

[@andrasbiro3007]

I'm guessing air traffic controllers have much harder jobs.

[@billgrenoble5923]

For PapaQ, you can sit back as long as it is not Your train that ran amuck! ;) Here in the States we have pictures of train cars on their side, with the wheels pointing away from the rails. I thought it was only the automobiles that went rolling off the road. Long ago we had a snow in the Washington DC area. I stayed at the office until 830 PM (2030 hrs) to let the traffic sort itself out. Going home around the DC beltway I was impressed with the number of cars in the median strip, shiny side down! (four wheels in the air) Old Bill G

[@rngsleeppattern3435]

Having my hometown forever cemented in Tom Scott lore is one of my greatest honors

[@hellohelloington9442]

lmao tom scott lore that was funny

[@Darkkrebs]

I felt the same way when he visited Portland, Oregon to see that nuclear reactor at Reed College.

[@uhbi8548]

Same here. Waschechter Heiner.

[@DragonJohn]

Tom: "What happens if I was to pull the wrong lever" Kolger: "Try it" Tom: "So now I can't even..." Kolger: "Try it" I dunno why but Mr. Kötting's encouragement to test these things for yourself really speaks to me. Its hard to put into words but it speaks of an attitude of "I like my job and I like teaching people about my job."

[@hanneswillen]

Also, knowing what happens (or doesn't happen) when you get things wrong is a great way to get rid of anxieties about your job.

[@MrBombSTI]

I love this point youve brought up

[@FiredAndIced]

It is this type of teaching experience that enables students and trainees to make and learn mistakes without fear of penalty. How education should happen.

[@dafoex]

It shows he's one of the few worthwhile teachers. Encouraging students to try things, giving them the permission and the safe environment to make their own mistakes, and being the willing mentor to explain the theory the just put into practice.

[@ReallifeBambiDeerattheFarm1]

It's *really* the only way to learn.

[@CRUX9891]

"The physical railway that you crash will always stay in your mind haha" - It's that kind of german humour we all love. 🤣

[@apollomars1678]

lets add some mini-passengers, that will be smashed to pieces and burnt afterward, so that it will stay even better in your mind, hahahaha.

[@googiegress]

@second account "LET ME SHOW YOU ITS FEATURES!"

[@apollomars1678]

@Stranix0209 i could be incorrect, but i think this accident was not created by a human on the train, but by a failure of repair on one of the wheels.

[@CRUX9891]

@Stranix0209 😱

[@otraguardia]

@@apollomars1678, the accident was cased by a flawed fix (rubber tyres within the wheels) to a design flaw (too much vibration in the cars).

[@Robin-rk2hf]

I really like this format where you're just kind of vibing with an expert and interviewing people about their Thing :) lots of nice footage in this video too!

[@curiousfirely]

Agreed! This felt so much like a classic Tom Scott style video, just made me so excited to see the story unfold!

[@SamSitar]

fun seeing different ways of working track switches.

[@blank-dr2kx]

Mate you put into words my thoughts exactly I like this format too it's like we are learning but watching Tom experience it

[@Drsouza69]

The train guy was so stoked to share. Loved seeing his expression.

[@kieranosullivan02]

Guess it was covid that prevented these vids for a while tbh

[@vonckjenl3633]

I really loved the guy just saying: “try it”.

[@klaernie]

I'd say it's a very typical thing for german engineers. It demonstrates one's own trust in the system working. So if it works it will prevent it, and even if it doesn't work there's a chance to debug why that happened together with the student, leading to a much greater understanding. Source: I do this all the time - to the point of letting people intentionally screw up a git rebase, and then unwind it with them together. It's fun!

[@amartini51]

@@klaernie I do that with Git too. Also I like to challenge people to try to lose some data after they committed it, to show how to get the changes back.

[@DUDA-__-]

I like his mindset. Try it. Ask yourself why it didn't work. Fix it. Try it again. Having this in a supervised training environment is really nice

[@Steamtostay]

And the bandaid on Tom's thumb that shows up just after it...

[@dielaughing73]

He's said that to many students, no doubt

[@Anonymous-yk9km]

It's so wholesome how passionate the instructor is about all this and how Tom's enthusiasm validates that. You can tell how much the instructor enjoys his work and I love the format in which he's interviewed. Great stuff!

[@michichelsea]

He really is. I was there and you could feel this lab is his life.

[@pawel8365]

I have a weird love for Germans very carefully and accurately explaining in English, how things work. It's like a manual coming to life.

[@ianmacfarlane1241]

That makes me weird too. I like the German language, but also get a kick out of Germans speaking English. I've been to Germany a couple of times and the people were wonderfully welcoming, friendly and generous.

[@linmal2242]

@@ianmacfarlane1241 I'm jealous. But I could go to Hahndorf, I guess.

[@ianmacfarlane1241]

@@linmal2242 I had to look up Hahndorf.....Australia. Well I'm jealous of Australia, so we'll call it a score draw.✌️

[@roblamb8327]

And for your next trick please get a Chinese or Japanese instructor to explain how their railway signalling/points/handover works? Will they be as clear as this chappie was?

[@NaNa_W4NT5_F3MNM5]

@@roblamb8327 As a Japanese, probably not, if we're assuming they're explaining in English.

[@EEVblog]

I know it's "only" 9:42 long, but I like these longer form videos with more detail!

[@wobblysauce]

wouldn't mind a 20min+ video of this also.

[@grzzltn]

it's kind of like on other channels there are 20-60 minutes long "novels" and Tom Scott is creating "short stories", even if it's a shorter format, it's brilliant how much he's able to compress the information into these small videos without losing quality.

[@LARAUJO_0]

Wait it was almost ten minutes? It felt like only five or six

[@RustOnWheels]

I misread “with more derail!”

[@stare4539]

Yee

[@DragonStar_RS]

I'm a signaller in the UK and are set up, both in terms of systems and used and how it is trained is very similar. I am however gutted that we didn't get the model railway with are training. Instead the simulators we use interact with a computer. Great video and really loved seeing how it is done in Germany.

[@dougle03]

I think MPEC in Derby have limited model railway in their training facility.

[@ZockerKA]

Greetings from a signaler in Germany who also trained here during his apprenticeship.

[@backwheelbob46rr]

We had a set up at Watford but it was never linked to the simulator 👎

[@Togen2063]

Its really intresting how similar the german systems are when compared with the UK (where I work as a signalling engineer) I understood everything that was said and how the principles are nearly if not exactly the same. Honestly I had so much fun thinking through how this all worked and especially loved how you showed the mechanical interlocking before going onto the electro-mechanical. what makes me laugh even more is that ALL and I mean that literally all of what was shown where is 100% still in use in the UK.

[@ErkkiMattila]

Excactly same in Finland too. Mechanical interlockings are getting rare, but still exist.

[@MarkusAldawn]

I believe some swaths of the British rail network are operated by a German company controlled by the Federal Government, so maybe the systems they operate are made to German specifications?

[@CWRules]

I work for a company that designs digital interlocking systems like the one shown at the end, and I can confirm that the same principles are used all over the world. It's cool to see a video on a subject I actually know something about!

[@burgerpommes2001]

same in germany there are lines which still use these signal boxes from the empire

[@Muzer0]

@@MarkusAldawn Not in traditional installations, though modern signalling installations are often made by Siemens (albeit to a spec more in line with how it was traditionally done in Britain!)

[@Turidus]

Oh it is out! It was a really fun day, watching you make this video! Thank you for visiting our model train, we had a blast. One thing to add: These models trains are not only used for training, they are also used for science! The TU-Darmstadt uses it to both teach students and do simulations of modern traffic management systems. Greetings, the Filmkreis guy :)

[@TheOobo]

This was a really cool peek behind the curtain! Thanks for your part in this episode.

[@Turidus]

@@TheOobo My part was mostly standing around, watching them making the video ^^

[@TheOobo]

@@Turidus Well, everyone's got a role to play :)

[@floriantischner8850]

@Jan Silas ja, da ist auch ein Elektro-mechanisches verbaut.

[@MoempfLP]

Why does Tom suddenly have a band-aid around his thumb?

[@MYERZ08]

I love how German people communicate. All knickers with minimal frills. And if they're trying to convey an idea they'll explain it as, as many times as it takes for you to get it!

[@flopunkt3665]

Those are German engineers. Non-engineers don't communicate like that 😂

[@alfnoakes392]

"All knickers with minimal frills". What a wonderfully precise and descriptive yet memorably florid phrase.

[@const2499]

@@flopunkt3665 If the person is usful they probaly can here. As everywhere there are more and less talented volks :D

[@annyone3293]

Yes, but “ok” is “verarbeiten”

[@kepi18]

That's crazy at the beginning of my apprenticeship we went with the whole class there and had a brief introduction to all the systems and afterwards 1 or 2 where put a each station and had to operate it. In 30 min we produced a combined 120 min of delays. After that day I had a totally different appreciation for punctuality for trains. And to think how punctual the trains in Japan are is totally mind blowing.

[@skorp5677]

Well, in Japan, the personal transport has got it's own rail network. In Germany, the Deutsche Bahn has Goods, Intercity, Regional and even third parties from different countries on the same rails.

[@17Beastmode17]

Still more on time than the last Amtrak train I took

[@markpitts5194]

@@17Beastmode17 I do hope you weren't on that train and you are OK if you were.

[@TheCimbrianBull]

*Shinkanzen intensifies* 🚄🚅🚆🚇

[@Ruhrpottpatriot]

@@skorp5677 Well they had to. Most regional and freight trains in Japan are narrow gauge (regional and freight share the same network), while the Shinkansen is standard gauge. They could't mix the system, even if they wanted to. Furthermore, Japan has a shape (and it's an island) that is really suited for long distance high speed network. With just one line I can serve all the major population hubs, while in Germany the Bahn needs to criss cross across the country. What would passengers say if they had to travel from Cologne to Leipzig via Hamburg and Berlin? You also have to interconnect big cities like Amsterdam or Warsaw if you want people to travel via train, and then you get into different security and electricity standards. Apart from building the tracks itself, Japan is easy-mode for a modern railway.

[@SoundBubble]

I always love being taught by a British person about new things from my own country that I've never heard of

[@AndorianBlues]

And now Britain is well on its way back to being a provincial insular backwater while Germany and the rest of the EU picks up the slack

[@nemosonn]

@Richard Harroldindeed, what a joy to run out of gasoline!

[@nemosonn]

@Richard Harrold Well, i didn't hear about any cues at gas stations in the EU, nor of empty shelfs.. even if there is a shortage of HGV drivers on the continent as well, it doesn't have any major impacts.

[@nemosonn]

@Richard Harrold It looks more likely that you are blind on one eye. The british media is the most right-wing media, next to poland and hungary probably, on the whole european continent. We will see how christmas will turn out on the island, and we can talk after that again.. but i guess you will find some excuse anyway. Honest question: What does it take for you to see brexit as a mistake? Is there a red line? Be honest please.

[@tomvandijk9706]

You’re going to love Rewboss

[@kiledamgaardasmussen5222]

The interesting thing is, controlling the station at the high level with modern computers is easy, but the moment something goes wrong it is very necessary to be able to 'drop down' a level in one's mental model and think about what is actually going on at the level of relays or even pulleys.

[@dougle03]

Not for the signaller, but perhaps for the signalling engineers

[@jing-ling3862]

@@dougle03 No that‘s not right, im a signaler in germany and if you have a problem with your system then u have to be careful and plenty of tasks to do.

[@ohpurpled]

Much of the terminology around threading (i.e. a program doing more than one thing at a time) is taken directly from railway signalling, so amusingly that computerised control system is almost certainly using locks and semaphores somewhere in its code whilst itself replacing the locks and semaphores etc those terms derive from.

[@autohmae]

Do you mean semaphore ? Those are older than trains, just look up: optical telegraph

[@hantuchblau]

@@autohmae the programming term does reference railway semaphore signals. It's a way to ensure only one thing enters a critical section. The programming version is the equivalent of every customer taking a basket so only a certain number of people can enter the market. Usually there is only one basket for a critical section so simultaneous actions don't overwrite each other.

[@evan]

Really loving your whole German series! Your content's on a constant upward curve. Ausgezeichnet

[@palanski]

Gesundheit!

[@_lufix_]

Exzellent!

[@stare4539]

Tee

[@macronencer]

Genau!

[@Gpcas9]

Aber hallo! ;-)

[@southcalder]

I’ve been working in Signal Engineering here in the UK for 15 years. I’ve worked in areas that have some of the oldest mechanical systems in the country down in Cornwall. I’ve worked with 70s vintage NX panels, 90s installed IECCs and the most modern Rail Operating Centres. I’ve even worked in an area during a wholesale re-signalling and re-control when relay based interlocking were replaced with solid state and control moved 20 miles from the 1974 signal box to a brand new control centre. Everything done in Germany is done here too. They have as much of a mix as we do, and although the principles from the drivers perspective are different, the engineering behind it is recognisable. Everything we do is designed to fail “right-side” (Fail safe is not a term we use). Relay and Mechanical Interlockings prevent conflicting routes by the nature of their binary design principles. Computer based interlockings have double redundancy, with additional processors, checking each other’s results and outputs. We don’t detect the presence of trains, we prove their absence. Points are not only moved, but physically locked in place. In the incredibly rare event that a failure does occur “wrong side”, we will follow strict testing guidance, using all our available evidence such as CCTV, data loggers and the observable state of equipment, then we dismantle and destructively test the equipment, sending it off to external forensic investigators if required (not its manufacturer). There is a reason that our railway is amongst the safest in the world, and that is down to generations of learning from our mistakes, improving processes and the dedication of engineering staff. Anyway Tom, great video.

[@lookingformarriage8875]

9:29

[@rocketg4360]

The last statement from the instructor really speaks volumes, about how one person does 3-4x as much work as was expected of them 50 years ago.

[@57thorns]

And in reality the workload is higher. There is more to keep track of now, and that makes for a more stressfull work environment.

[@canuzzi]

@@57thorns You will have more points of failures with more stations, which will be more stressful - even if the normal operation is less with the modern system for these stations.

[@DMLand]

But it's Germany, so it's just possible that they are paid appropriately, they get full healthcare, six weeks vacation, etc, etc, etc. In the US, I'm afraid that CSX or Union Pacific or Norfolk Southern or some other giant corporation would just expect more work while tryng to bust any unions that come along 🙁.

[@mschorer]

More work also means more accidents. They happen rarely, but when they do it is usually catastrophic!

[@dielaughing73]

This is a bit misleading though, because there is now a team of software and hardware engineers designing and maintaining the system, alongside the mechanical & electrical design and installation. One operator in an air-conditioned room can therefore do what was once back-breaking work for several people out in the elements. This is not a backwards step!

[@hammex]

As a signalman at Hamburg Central Station I must say that I really enjoyed that video! We've got a fully electrical-system as they named it in this video, but we actually type in two three-digit numbers instead of pressing two buttons. The track layout is displayed on a large wall. But the best thing is the view from our workplace, up there in a nice tower.

[@2point7182818284590]

Nice, you most certainly were operating the track quite a few times while I was taking a train ride ;)

[@LordHorst]

Dann sage ich als ehemals regelmäßiger Fahrgast einfach mal Danke für deine Arbeit. ;)

[@hammex]

@@LordHorst Gerne. :)

[@jyvben1520]

@@LordHorst Then, as a former regular passenger, I simply say thank you for your work.

[@jarvinho]

So it's you I have to blame when the platform changes at the last minute and I have to run up and down the stairs carrying loads of luggage! :)

[@DaveDexterMusic]

I love that the 50s interface is (I assume from the looks of it) modular, so you can switch out the rectangular panels and build a representation of almost any system required.

[@youtubemensch]

In Germany we use interfaces like this at some locations still today .

[@TheStiepen]

It's completely modular, both in the operating panel and in the relay logic (which is in another room). Each switch and signal is represented by an off-the-shelf module. The tracks are represented by cables connecting the modules. Modules can also be easily replaced for maintenance. This makes building new ones, adding or removing tracks or switches as well as replacing broken equipment cheap and easy. Later relay models also offered the same operating comfort as modern computer based ones, meaning you only select start and end, and it would automatically find the best route, configure it, check all safety interlocks and operate the signals. (And also undo all of that as soon as the train has passed)

[@fireflyfireworks668]

​@@youtubemensch not just in some places, in fact those are still the predominantly used variety, with different models.

[@fakename9186]

As someone who works on the railway and goes into signal boxes all the time, it's interesting to see just how similar things are even half way around the world.

[@aniruddhabhattacharjee3729]

Which railway do you work for?

[@jokubolakis6]

@@aniruddhabhattacharjee3729 Hogwarts Express

[@0000-z4z]

Trains drive internationally so it makes a lot of sense to harmonize everything. Also, all the engineers faced the same problem so it's not unlikely that they found the same solution.

[@keiyakins]

@@0000-z4z and then you have the US, where we have completely different signaling between railroad companies, and then mergers happen so there's differences *within* a railroad too.

[@TrinityCourtStudios]

I legit do this in real life as a Train Dispatcher in an office. My job involves throwing switches remotely, putting in signals for trains to move, or putting up protection/blocking devices to prevent trains from entering work areas, and protect workers within those work areas. I work for the MBTA in Boston, in Amtrak’s CETC (Centralized Electrification Traffic Control) dispatch center. The office is like NASA Mission Control meets a massive movie theatre screen showing every piece of track we control. To me, it’s the coolest office job in the world. I love it. From Boston to Worcester, Boston and Springfield down to New Haven, CT, and the various Massachusetts commuter rail branch lines. I’ve always loved trains and am now working for a railroad. Seeing this type of hands on/visual approach to signalman in training is fascinating. I love that! Thank you, Tom Scott for showing me this. Makes me extra happy that other nations and railroads have people with such a strong passion and creative thinking to safely operate the railroads of the world. 🚄🚂👏🏼👍🏼

[@markkawika]

Can you recommend a computer game that replicates what you do?

[@MilwaukeeF40C]

@@markkawika PacMan

[@Tsudico]

@@markkawika Have you tried Railway Operation Simulator?

[@lifematch]

I have this huge need to pull those levers. The audible sound it makes feels so satisfying.

[@Bretil]

This is where I learned the job and had my practical exam. Never thought it would pop up here but great to see familiar places and faces. Hi Holger! Thanks again all your help 😊

[@moshmasch361]

I remember the feeling sitting there at the operator's desk as a student: “Oh, no no no. Well, I guess your train will arrive at platform 3 today.” You cannot easily take back any action. Was fun though. To bad Tom, you couldn’t include the interlocking system of Darmstadt. Most of Darmstadt is operated using all-electrical interlocking and a giant pin-board. Just looking at it made me sweat. Still a lovely video!

[@brendanmark4372]

That's incredible, you were a signalman too?

[@safe-keeper1042]

Now I picture Tom Scott in the same position and all the timetable boards across England showing "content" for arrival times.

[@moshmasch361]

@@brendanmark4372 Yes, at least as part of my subsidiary subject. Actually any student of the technical university in Darmstadt can participate. The module is called “Eisenbahnsicherungswesen I“. It doesn’t really require prerequisites (possible to do without)

[@hughbrackett343]

@@moshmasch361 At university I was always on the lookout for interesting courses without prerequisites. I took fencing, foundry, and welding among others.

[@gobblinal]

@@hughbrackett343 Fencing was taught as a course?

[@speedyretreat]

"Honey, we need to visit Germany." "Okay why? To see the Brandenburg Gate, the churches and the castles?" "... Sure."

[@canadave87]

Cue the Tim Traveller: "But we're not here for any of that."

[@thisismyalias]

If you’re into that kind of stuff, check out the „Miniatur Wunderland“ in Hamburg, Germany.

[@AboveSomething]

"..sure, let's just make a little detour to colon-city while we're at it"

[@derschwartzadder]

Brandenburger Tor is overrated. The Pergamom and the museum insl in general however, are worth every penny

[@JudyCZ]

We'd have it the opposite way. It's always me who says to my boyfriend "We really need to go to Dresden." "To see the city centre and the Christmas markets?" "Sure...definitely that and not the suspended railway..." I have green flags all over the map of Europe with interesting public transport related places. Good thing my bf finds it endearing.

[@thespone]

Being a railway enthusiast living near Darmstadt, this video was really fascinating, because while I do know the different systems signal boxes are using, I didn't know that we have this amazing training facility in our region. Nice video Tom!

[@michaelcolin9887]

Then you may be interested to know that the Kranichstein train museum is currently rebuilding their signal training system and the public will be able to play around with that in 2023.

[@thespone]

@@michaelcolin9887 That sounds great! Thank you for the info!

[@Miiikeeej]

I work as a train dispatcher on a smaller Swedish railroad. We have a similar Interlocking system as seen in the beginning of the video and it is in use every day. Ours is even older and more simplified. But it still does some of the same saftey checks though, locking the levers and such. Of course most of Swedens railway system is much more modern. But for the smaller railroads I think it is awesome to be a part of history and a more then 100 year old system that is still working.

[@safebox36]

So fun fact, they're in the process of building software for this using Unity (primarily because of pandemic reasons and the costs and risks of having people travel to a physical location). I was lucky enough (and unlucky enough for them) to have worked on it. It's a rather odd system how railway systems work.

[@ranjith27]

Woah, that sounds interesting. But what’s wrong with unity though, what would you have rather used

[@j.r.7339]

@@ranjith27 I _guess_ custom Code only

[@safebox36]

@@ranjith27 nothing, I like unity I mean it's unfortunate that it was me they had on the team 😅

[@Pikachu0071000CS]

I thought you meant the switchers and got so confused... you do mean the model train right? XD

[@BlockOfRed]

@@safebox36 BP?

[@blacksabbathbr]

Here in Sweden the ”federal railway school” has the same thing but there’s landscape and buildings on the model, they also have all the relays and mechanics right next to the control so you can see and hear everything working =) i guess you cant really call it a simulator because all the real mechanics are actually there and works just like real life. An operator here have 8-10 stations, except main hubs such as Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö that has 3-4 operators for the single station instead

[@usvalve]

Hmm, set the points for Sweden, then, Tom! I think we need to see this!

[@eatonjask]

There's at least one US railway that has a similar training system (BNSF, IIRC)- and perhaps the FRA as well.

[@ac3tate909]

Tom is the type of guy every human should strive to be Inquisitive, polite, down to earth and knowledgeable regardless of whether or not what he’s interested in is seen as ‘cool’ or not. Knowledge above all - my kind of dude.

[@nenmaster5218]

SUCH a great channel as this MUST have other Hbomberguy-Fans, right?? Right??

[@donreed]

Keep dreaming.

[@nenmaster5218]

@@donreed Why so hostile?

[@HerrBlauzahn]

I see Deutsche Bahn and Tom Scott and I get excited. Please more content from Germany, love it!

[@MickeyKnox]

Er hat ja schon beim letzten Video gesagt, dass es nun eine ganze Reihe Videos aus Deutschland geben wird :-)

[@toledoseahawks3348]

You see Deutsche Bahn and get excited? Whats wrong with you ;)

[@catovr]

@@toledoseahawks3348 If I see DB I feel like I be late

[@fingerdreck2328]

@@toledoseahawks3348 ich mag Züge

[@lit_for_20]

@@toledoseahawks3348 bahaha

[@seighart90]

scientists: "technology will free humankind from labor. people can work less and enjoy their life more" boss: "since you've got so much free time, i'd like you to cover some more work over here"

[@donreed]

And "The "Internet will never be profitable. Advertising will never work on it."

[@funnyfisher7]

I suppose that fewer people can do the same amount of work now

[@5bagsofpopcorn]

@Renan_PS and it also freed up the workforce so more services become available

[@ignatz14]

"Oh and we're not gonna pay you more from all the additional profits we're making. That's all mine.".

[@fightington]

all the wealth is sucked up by the banks and central banks, goes to making asset bubbles and ungodly sized personal yachts

[@shaunharrison9300]

This was really cool! I liked the long-form "I did a thing" style. Also, seeing the progression from Mechanical -> Relay -> Computer was exceptional!

[@Xevailo]

As a german, this gives me a whole lot more appreciation for the compexity "behind the scenes" of Deutsche Bahn. It is always easy to get annyoed as a traveller when your train is (once again) significantly behind schedule, but contrary to my expectations, even in 2021 stuff like this still is done by humans, especially concidering that all this older technology is (much less suprisingly) still in use somewhere along the tracks.

[@jonathandilger1649]

It is not teally about the contol (I think). A major problem is, that with the "Bahn-Reform", some 25 years ago, a whole lot of rails (track) and track switches (the intersections) were scrapped. So now with each and every delay there is this giant knock-on effect on the whole system with the trains blocking rach other, because there aren't enough tracks.

[@googylon]

@@jonathandilger1649 also, thousands of people were fired and the clocking of the trains became tighter, so in the end you have less track for emergencies and construction/maintenance, less trains, less time to catch up with delays and on top of that there are less/too few people operating all of it.

[@DeutscheBahnTraining]

Great video Tom 👌 Thanks for being our guest. You're welcome any time!

[@duser]

If its one thing factorio has taught me its that train signals are a science on their own. I love how trains are still so mechanical with physical locks and dials.

[@YadonTheCat]

Was hoping someone would mention Factorio

[@kaymish6178]

Railway infrastructure is so critical that no country can close the system down to design and implement a new way of controlling trains across the whole network so all the new systems are designed to replace the old ones as seamlessly as possible. Therefore solutions designed in the 1800's are still the standard today.

[@hansisbrucker813]

Similar deal with OpenTTD 😊

[@milesedgeworth132]

I want to vomit wondering how to work signals. I just make multiple tracks and trains and time their returns lmao

[@maxresdefault_]

I remember on the park bench when Tom said that Train Driver would be his potential line of work if creating video things didn't work out. This must have been an interesting experience for him.

[@kaldo_kaldo]

Is "train driver" what British people call them?

[@Alucard-gt1zf]

@@kaldo_kaldo it's a person who drives a train...... Nobody could care less that they actually "operate" or "engineer" the train

[@tncorgi92]

@@Alucard-gt1zf "train driver" is more descriptive.

[@kaldo_kaldo]

@@Alucard-gt1zf Except I'm asking about it? I care? You could be helpful instead of hateful.

[@squirlmy]

@@Alucard-gt1zf but those who do think that, want to make sure the drivers get paid as much as possible! So I'm sure "train drivers" play along.

[@erniewelz]

I really enjoyed this. Seeing the progression of the technology that most people don’t even realize goes on in the “background” to govern our daily lives. Very well done Tom! Leave it to the Germans to have a complete model city setup for actual hands on training. Mind=Blown

[@joewell6435]

Seeing such large levels pulled for a model trains set is hilarious

[@logicalparadox815]

As a German, I'm contractually obligated to complain about the DB never being on time. This was quite interesting though.

[@Salmagundiii]

As a non-German, this is the most German thing I've ever seen.

[@pfsantos007]

Their overall on time performance makes them a victim of their own success.

[@SeanBZA]

The Swiss beg to differ, and the Japanese have taken this to an art form, in that they have times down to the second, and marks on the platform as to where the doors will be, complete with apologies if any of these are even slightly out.

[@remusgraecus9421]

Da schließe ich mich an.

[@gab_v250]

as an Italian, I feel obligated to complain about Trenitalia having big delays and also cancellations of trains.

[@TS_Mind_Swept]

I love how they have the trains accelerate slowly, helps it feel that much more real

[@klausfohl1028]

Some twenty-ish years ago they had the shebang in a different building. A few of the levers were actually connected with wires to real signals and points in the courtyard. Cue a strategically placed ballast stone in the pointswork to teach an unsuspecting visitor (myself) that other things than interlocking can stop you from fully pulling a lever - all in good humour of course.

[@mudmucks]

I think there is a good point here. If the mechanical systems are still in use, then why not try to replicate the experience as accurately as possible. What would a frozen, or seized linkage actually feel like? What process would you follow to free it up?

[@vornamenachname727]

​@@mudmucks Agreed. (Not so) fun fact: the point motors are so powerful that a slight freeze or small stone isn´t really a problem anymore, but also if you step on a point while it´s switching direction, your foot will be amputated.

[@MylesHSG]

@@mudmucks I work a mechanical signal box. It's hard to explain but after you have pulled every lever thousands of times you have an almost innate ability to know if something is not quite right that is very hard to teach new signallers it just comes with time. I can tell if the temperature has just dipped below freezing in the middle of the night just by the way the lever feels when pulling it.

[@jhsevs]

Let's play a game: 20 different maniacs trying to make everyone elses trains crash into each other while keeping their own train on the tracks for as long as possible

[@Damien.D]

Railway Deathmatch. I think there was a board game with this principle decades ago.

[@jannis4556]

I'd say very difficult when using only the normal operations, very easy when using workaround operations, see for example the Bad Aibling rail accident (Wikipedia)

[@donreed]

They did that. It was called World War II.

[@ITmotoNoob]

We have that everywhere. It's called politics.

[@usisseven]

the system wont allow it :D

[@AdrianWeber]

Finally Holger and the EBD in Darmstadt gets the attention it deserves :D! I had the opportunity of taking part in a training there once (for a whole day) and it was totally awesome! Keep up the good work guys :)

[@annoyedwalrus7803]

The Swedish state railway school in Ängeholm has basicly the same thing (though at a smaller scale). It was probably the most entertaining part of the training. Good times.

[@zapfanzapfan]

I was just wondering if we had a similar system somewhere. Tack för tipset!

[@hoebare]

So N or Z scale rather than HO? (j/k, I know what you mean)

[@jeffh7195]

Holger seems like a great instructor. I liked how for many of Tom's questions, his response was to try it. I appreciate the learn by doing method. Great job!

[@floriantischner8850]

I had the privilege of spending a whole day there and can confirm that Holger is a great instructor even when a group of know-nothings gets to push all those buttons and levers.

[@JamesFluker]

That's the great joy of a model system, I guess. You can really try things and "play" in a way that you can't with a simulator or through simply learning the principles.

[@Malte_OJ]

Tom: The technique from 50 years ago is still in use today? Next sentence: The technique from 100 years ago is still in use today

[@eier5472]

If it's robust enough to last 100 and more years, why not?

[@Delibro]

I am all in when using old technic if it works. But I was also astonished that it fulfils todays security standards. It must, otherwise it wouldn't be used.

[@NeddyxP]

@@Delibro Today there is added electrical locking in addition to the mechanical interlocking. So once you mechanically interlock the points, you then electrically lock the mechanical interlocking lever, so you can't undo the mechanical lock on the points. And the electrical lock can't be undone without a lot of additional safety work. Many old interlockings also got rail occupation sensors added later on and other stuff. The old systems got upgraded to todays standard. Just because the tech is from 100 years ago doesn't mean it stayed at the safetylevel from 100 years ago. It just operates the old way which means that you don't have the throughput of newer systems. And you need a lot more personnel.

[@AaronOfMpls]

@@NeddyxP > It just operates the old way which means that you don't have the throughput of newer systems. And you need a lot more personnel. And replacing it with a modern control system is expensive, so they aren't going to do it unless they _need_ that increased throughput.

[@ComanderCool909]

You know its german engineering when the response to using it wrong is "yea try it" ol mate knows nothings gonna break this machinery in his lifetime

[@Jonas-tc8qt]

Yes, because if it would break... People could die. That's the point haha

[@Metal-Possum]

"german engineering" is such an ignorant phrase, they also make some rubbish just like the rest of us.

[@dcarbs2979]

@@Metal-Possum The same equipment and system is in daily use at the Bluebell Railway (a heritage steam railway). I went to the open day and operated it myself, a bit like Tom did here. Much of it is also original equipment dating back to when the railway was new in 1881. Those that aren't have been rebuilt to original spec. The only ones that are newer are signals that were built on line extensions more recently. They too use period equipment from when they were new. The most modern is about 1958, when the railway ended it commercial life.

[@KyteM]

Those levers look and sound extremely satisfying to pull.

[@Astrofrank]

Seems like a new theme for ASMR videos. :-)

[@DS.J]

That was literally the most interesting episode by Tom Scott. Interesting to see how train signals work from the signaller's perspective.

[@michael_17213]

I don't know if I've ever seen someone so excited to learn about something paired with someone so excited to teach that exact thing. This was a lot of fun to watch

[@JoeBleasdaleReal]

If something goes wrong, there’s a shutdown button that releases Topham Hatt to say “You’ve been a very naughty engine!”

[@Teverell]

Well, if everything goes wrong, it causes confusion and delay!

[@sfyoshi99]

That's Sir Topham Hatt to you! Good day!!

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

They definitely need to add a miniature Sir Topham Hatt to the model. For accuracy.

[@chanchito4401]

Or the more terrifying German version Herr Tophamm Hut

[@e2number1]

I’m a signalman on a heritage railway in the UK, and one thing I can say is that you learn all the time with this role. It’s also very interesting seeing how different signalling is across the world compared to the boxes I work in

[@Dasug01]

I had a university course there a few years ago. Was really fun controlling all these switches and signals, probably one of most hands-on courses we had. Great to see Tom having a shot at it as well :-)

[@MindFlayeR57]

I remember going to the real thing in ηλεκτρικός (also known as line 1 of Athens metro we just call it ηλεκτρικός because it's, well, electric) because a teacher had close relationships with the manager. Of course they didn't let us do anything because it was the real thing but it was a nice experience. I remember there was a guy who had 2 mice at the same time to control stuff. (Btw I'm a PC technician and I have nothing to do with trains)

[@t65bx25]

Parents: "Ohh look at the kids playing with the trainset!" Kids in their minds:

[@M--001]

Accurate. Also, train sets are a top tier toy.

[@mungomidge1090]

The instructor is a great character, so enthusiastic and happy to show how thie amazing machine works.

[@martynpullan2768]

Its great to see my profession getting some screen time!! Were usually the forgotten guys on the railway! I do miss my time pulling levers on my own in my box, but them days have gone unfortunately, there are still a few around the UK still operating however, now spend my days with a mouse and keyboard looking after many many more miles of track on a newer digital system, similar looks to the German system but not quite, we have the Siemans Westcad System, and another digital one by Resonate, fundamentally do the same thing but with a different look on top! We still have training centers in the UK like this (minus the model railway) with simulator lever frames, panels and digital, would be worth a visit if Network Rail ever do an open day again anytime soon!!

[@aiqueibao3eeGai9ahki]

We also still have some of the manually operated ones here in Germany! I recently even took an ICE through a section of track like that, because of construction on the regular tracks. Was quite weird to sit in a train capable of going >200km/h waiting in a train station for someone to pull a bunch of levers and turn a crank a bunch of times. Those parts of the railway network are often also single track, so if one train isn't in the correct station at the correct time, things can become quite interesting.

[@martinusher1]

when I was a child my ideal job wasn't to drive a train. I fancied myself in a rural signal box -- a handful of trains per hour, nice scenery, maybe a vegetable patch to tend and a pot belly stove to warm the place and brew tea on. I know the job was rather more work (all those oil lamps in the signals plus endless cleaning and other maintenance tasks) but it seemed a great way to earn a living. Between Beeching and the regional operating centres this is now some time lost in legend.

[@SeanBZA]

The switches that they use in the turnouts, to return the state of the system, are the same basic part for over a century, but have been updated and modernised, and are incredibly reliable, rated for 10 million operations. Yet they cost under 20 Euro each, just because of the sheer volume of them in use world wide. they also find use all over in industrial use as a very reliable very long life switch. I had to order some for a machine, and ordered a full spare set, which worked out rather expensive. The original ones had done at least 5 million cycles, since I started working on the machine, and had done untold others, before it was sold as used, in use 24/7/365, since about 1971 with the previous owner. Likely 100 million cycles of operation on those switches, and the lot in the machine were all still mostly original parts, or at least similar in vintage. The ones I bought were new stock in 2006. They physically wore out, nothing electrical was wrong with them at all.

[@nogravitas7585]

You mind sharing that switch part code? Sick of my "5 million cycle rating" micro switches lasting 500k at best.

[@SeanBZA]

@@nogravitas7585 Sorry, long rolled out of my emails, but it is a large item, try looking for cam follower switches and you will see them in there in a translucent light green plastic package. Two sets of contacts, double breaking, with one being NC and the other NO, and definitely break before make, as the contacts separate by 4mm. Did look in image search, S800e is the part, and it is by no means a microswitch form factor

[@nogravitas7585]

@@SeanBZA S800 and light translucent green were enough to find it but the cheapest supply in this country is $45 a pop sheesh, thanks anyway.

[@SeanBZA]

@@nogravitas7585 Yes, I was getting them around 15 years ago, and the 20 Euro was the price they cost when ordered by the company, probably around 2000. Buying in singles likely is a lot more expensive, I took the entire stock they had at 19 Euro equivalent each, 15 units, and thought that was a good price, compared to alternatives, which would have involved getting absolute shaft encoders and a PLC in, to replace just the one switch. So I ordered enough to replace the lot, though only used around 2 of the 12 in the end, the rest were still well within spec.

[@Zeuseus6609]

I really love watching you geek out. It's like watching a kid discovering a new hobby every time. Your enthusiasm and joy of learning is amazing.

[@narendra_lm]

they really did a good job train-ing people there

[@metropod]

The way the mechanical system is the reason large rail junctions are often called "Interlockings" the systems are designed to lock other levers out as a route is selected so that you can't cause conflicting moves.

[@Electrolux219]

I love the look of the electromechanical switchboard! I know a computer screen is almost always more efficient but I wish more stuff nowadays used physical indicator lights & switches like that.

[@kentslocum]

That's why so many nuclear power plant control rooms still have physical switches, buttons, and lights arranged in a flowchart pattern that matches the actual layout of the plant. Operators need to be able to understand the details as well as the high-level overview, and need to be able to see things at a glance, without switching between different computer screens or menus.

[@sdesire]

Tom, I was flabbergasted when you said the most important model railway is in Darmstadt. I’ve lived here for 3 years and never knew this existed! Always learning when following your adventures, thank you so much!

[@RedSunT]

I'm living in Darmstadt for almost 20 years now (I just realized that's half of my life ...) and didn't know this exists. Would be just a few minutes by bike, too!

[@TheCimbrianBull]

Is it open to the public?

[@Chasenyx]

Ehhy fellow Heiner here :D

[@Chasenyx]

@@TheCimbrianBull i don't think so, it is a real training facility after all, while also beeing used by the university There are days, where it is open to public, just checked the homepage

[@michaelcolin9887]

@@TheCimbrianBull Not usually no, about once a year there is an open day to have a look yourself. However a smaller version is open to the public in the Bahnmuseum Kranichstein nearby and that one you can actually play around with yourself. The systesm is being renovated right now with, but should open again in 2023.

[@IN_THIS_DAY_AND_AGE]

The Lancashire & Yorkshire railway opened a signalling school at Manchester Victoria in 1912. The model that they used in now in the National Railway Museum, York.

[@bartmegens]

LOVE this longer format! This was a delight to watch. I also think Holger loved showing all this stuff to a fellow nerd.

[@davekirwin]

As an ex-Signalman, how could I not like this video! Nice to see how similar the German systems are to the UK.

[@Ljonja9Leonid]

@Tom Scott how about visiting the Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg? Its the largest Movel Railway in the World and the only Attraction Worldwide that almost had visitors from every country existing.

[@MickeyKnox]

Toms channel is mostly about things that "nobody" knows about ... the "Miniatur Wunderland" is way too famous for that and there are also countless videos out there about it, they even have their very own channel

[@mikeblatzheim2797]

He's been there, but only included 20 seconds or so at the end of his video on the pedestrian tunnel in Hamburg, because quote "there have been much better videos made than I ever could"

[@firefly323]

I don't know why but I find the purely mechanical system super fascinating. It may be outdated, but it worked for so many years and is still working today. What a feat of the engineers back in the days.

[@maxwilson7001]

I find it fascinating too

[@const2499]

It sure is. Thats the reason I find mechanical puzzles really cool. They use a lot of different mechanic functions and ideas that many people had to come up with. And in todays time and age I personally find it more difficult a sole mechanic to engenieer then just putting in a moter and a gear for every axis instead mechanically linking them what would resoult in a bigger system overall :)

[@Taschenschieber]

I know of at least two other layouts like this in Germany, one at TU Dresden and one at TU Berlin. There is also a small layout with two signal boxes or so at the NRM in York, but that one seems to be for hobbyists.

[@blisseyran-dom6822]

Just gonna say this, I love model trains.

[@designtechdk]

Too bad they're so f'in expensive :(

[@oodogla]

same

[@bearcatracing007]

I love lamp!

[@hotscottrulz]

I’d have *never* guessed after looking at your Profile Picture /s

[@blisseyran-dom6822]

@@designtechdk Ikr.

[@IainCr]

As someone who works on the railway in Ireland it’s great to see the similarities in Germany! Also looks like a great form of training!

[@unvergebeneid]

To be fair to the German language, which can be unnecessarily verbose, "verarbeiten" means "to process," not just "ok."

[@joannalink6171]

I like how the points move at realistic speeds rather than snapping immediately into place like they normally do on model railways

[@whatreallyisart5898]

the old mechanical switch/signal boxes are just so charming, love watching vids with them.

[@SpotterCrazyperson]

This is a gift for trainspotters

[@AthanImmortal]

This was a delight to watch, Tom. And your host Sebastian seems like the perfect teacher, so knowledgeable and patient.

[@mario123abc]

Love the final handshack. Thank you

[@SpotterCrazyperson]

I NEED TO VISIT THIS

[@Mechanikatt]

It's interesting to see how our German colleagues do it. I myself have been working with train and safety simulation in a 3D environment for the Dutch railways. Advantage of simulating the entire thing on a computer is that you can more easily simulate the impact of potential situations that do not exist yet with technology that is not fully developed yet. As a result, our simulations are more used for research than for training.

[@karelpgbr]

Ik wist wel dat de NS simulatie gebruikte (rangeerterrein Amersfoort had een keer een open dag), maar ik wist niet dat het nog werd ontwikkeld, nice!

[@dutmala]

Zorg eens dat die treinen op tijd komen 😝😝😝

[@supertatze2960]

I think Germany will also have digital-only simulators as well, especially for the latest models. this here is more for basic training, since as the guy said: if you ever crash a train in a physicaol model, it stays in your mind.

[@nielsdebakker3283]

@@dutmala Als jullie geen ongelukken op overgangen veroorzaken. :P

[@Yora21]

I think the expectation if you do something really wrong, you'll have to put the train back on the tracks makes for a very different experience than just a light turning on saying Error.

[@nicebear8268]

As a German, i have to say. So many extremely interesting things i did not know about my country! What an amazing series! And as always - a marvelous video!

[@const2499]

Hier in Mittelhessen haben wir auch noch teilweise das System. Die Schranken werden auch noch von Hand gekurbelt von unserem Werter. Wird immer wieder aufgewertet aber das vergnügen hatte er noch nicht mit einem Motor dafür :D Stimme dir voll zu es gibt so viele beeindruckende Sachen hier, aber ich hab das Gefühl die Leute wollen nur schlechtes Wissen. Abgesehen davon das wir evolutionär auf negative Sachen fokussieren um diese eigentlich nicht zu wiederholen. Viel Gutes und noch mehr was es zu verbessern gilt hier. Also viel Arbeit :D

[@WyattUTFT]

I love these types of models. Miniaturized models of massive systems

[@frederf3227]

I prefer to think of the railroad as a large model of the hobby scale toy.

[@dominitshek5031]

Same. I remember the video about the Bay Model of San Francisco. I'd love to sth like this with airplanes

[@quastor749]

I was like: “building a model railway to train ppl… seems very German to me.” 😂

[@ThatOneShortieHo]

This made me think OMSI

[@nachbarstein8807]

I wouldn't let a trainee drive a real train. But maybe it's just the German in me speaking

[@j.r.7339]

Haha. "Train"

[@girlsdrinkfeck]

they prob made a model poland too

[@DumblyDorr]

They don't like to be called "train people" I think...

[@mastersingleton]

Germany's practical physical approach to training railway signallers and train drivers is one of the best approaches in putting actual theory into practice.

[@vinceb8041]

I can see why Tom has a hearty laugh at the end. All the automation could have made for a cozy job with lots of slack - but NOPE, you fill the time by doing five jobs at once ^^

[@seanwenstrom2202]

No good deed goes unpunished. :D

[@milanstevic8424]

so you can see through the largest motivation behind the technological upgrades. hint: it wasn't safety.

[@milanstevic8424]

@no I would add that the demand also goes up and this eats into added productivity, but the rest of what you're saying is absolutely true. however, what is immediately noticeable is that demand should've hit a plateau at some point, but for some reason this didn't happen, even though we had several major technological breakthroughs. for example, road and air traffic should've relieved much of the railway transport demand. though in this particular case train cargo transportation network increased 100x, so this is probably where the added demand comes from. in any case, funky as hell! especially with the pay going down. I think this is because, as the systems grow, the working human individual is the weakest link and thus becomes susceptible to ideological and economical devaluations more than the actual work that needs to be done (backed up by natural resources). in other words, you cannot fool the nature, but you can always fool a human. this indicates two possible trends: 1) systemic inequality of value (and quality of life) distribution, and/or 2) systemic inequality of supply and demand and, while one could argue that whoever works for such system also feeds the basic values back into it, obviously some kind of decoupling happened, and the system users are not the same people as the system providers. if you look at the modern statistics, this is exactly what the uneven money distribution tells us. but this will too hit a plateau, inevitably. because it is very hard to imagine a world in which just one person has all the money, and lives in a fairytale where everything is accessible and practically free, yet operated by billions of hungry people who volunteer the service. this is true regardless of how advanced the technology might become. unless that technology lets us materialize food and basic human rights with mere thoughts. in that case we'd all be that one person living in a fairytale and money would be a thing of the past (so called post-scarcity which is nowhere near our current civilization level).

[@vinceb8041]

@@milanstevic8424 A state as you describe in your last paragraph is indeed not sustainable and will lead to civil unrest and eventually war. This is why civilized countries such as Switzerland are extremely dedicated to a strong social system and comfortable/secure living conditions for the largest possible amount of people: Switzerland's main asset is stability and a highly educated workforce, both of which are incompatible with having starving illiterates slaving away for a small ruling class. I agree that it is extremely peculiar how one person nowadays can create such a high output compared to historical counterparts - mind you, a single farmer or excavator driver can now do the work of hundreds! - a time of plenty and universal reduction in labor is not even approaching but moving further away as the "working poor" grow more numerous.

[@samuelosei-nketiah2130]

Sheldon would love this!! This place is practically heaven for him. The organization is brilliant! Boy oh boy! Engineering is a marvel!

[@InfinityR319]

Hong Kong‘s MTR also has a similar model layout to train their trainees about signal system to ensure operations are smooth and efficient. It‘s interesting to see how things are done and signalling technology progresses from halfway across the earth.

[@holymoley9766]

I work for the swiss railways and we've also used a model railway to learn about real life rail operations. This is much better than a computer simulator