Couplers and braking systems knowledge

Video of the various working parts of a rail car.
www.paypal.me/...

[@ThisIsWheelLife]

Hey shoestring will you do a video telling us some scary stories weird things you’ve seen riding the rails. Thank you so much for your videos man I thoroughly enjoy them!

[@IndianapolisGerry]

definitely. So many nomad and traveler videos show the neutral to good experiences....whats the bad side like? Heck, even the simple question of how you deal with bugs and hot nights....

[@bereamikebassmaster]

definitely agree with you on that one.. would love to hear some good rail tails

[@industrialartisan8783]

He tells one ghost story on one of his vids at the Irwin, TN train yard. Can't remember which one.

[@w96725]

If you are tempted to doubt the intellegence of Hobo Shoestring this should lay your questions to rest.

[@joewilliams5072]

Thank you for this. Even as a kid playing around cars I wondered just how it all works. Is funny to me that you can crawl around these and the yards, etc with a camera and almost nobody ever sees you or says anything. But I realize a lot of the old timers know you and give you some slack. Good for them. You are a true train historian. When you get too old to ride, I hope you join a museum somewhere. Your videos have helped me understand and enjoy the stories my Dad told me of riding as a young man ...thank you.

[@jackshittle]

Well said Joe 👍

[@alfrednawrocki8061]

I have been a train fan since I was 5 yrs old! I'm 74 yrs old Aug. 1st. I really enjoy all your videos! This one especially ! You are an encyclopedia of knowledge on the ways and equipment of the railroad industry. Keep up the great work, most important please be safe Shoestring!!!

[@jackshittle]

@@alfrednawrocki8061 👍

[@Inu1294]

Hey Shoestring! The connector on those hoses for the air lines is called a Gladhand fitting. They're universal for air brakes because of the positive locking action. Love the videos and knowledge you share, have safe travels!

[@Timmyinthewoods]

Was waiting to hear hey get the hell out of there....

[@rogerrobertson2958]

Shoe, when I stop a train, I 'strech' em out, so so nobody can pull the pin(s)

[@AC-ro6ib]

I learned that the hard way. I once had someone pull a pin on me in Houston.

[@alanhyde8744]

Has anyone had any experience of failure of a Buckeye coupling in UK. Whilst a Guard on a heritage railway the cross pin supporting the coupling worked itself out and allowed the coupling to drop & part. The cross pins and tails were checked earlier in the day & the set had not been parted for over a week. When stationary the cross pins are often quite slack & can be turned & pushed out once the safety tails have been lifted. This coupling was fitted to a MK 1 carriage, no fault was found after the incident. The carriages involved have been returned to service without any problem. Hundreds of these couplings are in use in the UK , has anybody heard of such a failure in the UK.

[@doitdan2354]

I’m a shunter in Australia. Works when the string in bunched also

[@SuperAWaC]

@Kabuki Kitsune stuff breaks sometimes. i've seen entire coupler boxes get pulled out because they had rusted away to nothing on the inside, but you couldn't tell on the outside

[@daddybearlv]

FYI: rail weight is per 3 feet.

[@thewestpointrouteguy8611]

Yup.

[@LelaE34]

Loram rail grinders are cool to watch especially at night.

[@GeorgeJansen]

Looks frightening at night the first time I saw it,, 😉😉😉

[@edfrawley4356]

@@GeorgeJansen Couple times had to change out brake shoes and inspect the Sperry rail grinders. Dirtiest job we had.

[@rcmadness247]

Caught one in February and uploaded drone footage on my channel

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

Yep I saw one during the day and one of them during the night over my life pretty cool and you know they also have water tanks on those both of cooling the rail during the growing process and putting out small fires because of the Sparks from the grinding obviously could ignite brush or other things you know. I've seen quite a few Maintenance of Way cars ovrr my life just a train enthusiast not the biggest but I don't seek it out mostly watching other videos and just more into the technical side of things as well. God loved the old Google Books on the old old old stuff though. At one time signals actually used to be operated by CO2 back then it was called the carbonic acid gas. Also there were some signals and other things like that such as the pillar I guess you could say with the beacon that said railroad crossing not crossbuck or anything but just a little beacon on a big I guess you could call it mono live hard to describe but that was actually operated by acetylene gas years ago. Also at times in the old days singles you stupid be lit by oil candles alarm with that there was some actual monitoring for those signals basically sort of a primitive thermostat that if the oil candle were to go out I can't remember if the circuit was closed when we aren't only open I think it was born with closed basically if anyone signal went out because the oil candle went out they would know on the other end because the circuit would either open or closed probably likely if I remember correctly it was from a closed circuit besides safety so that they would get indication should the circuit break or have an issue with the wiring excetera. The old interlocking system and other systems were fascinating pieces of mechanical wonders. Also the system that were used to ensure that only one train could travel on one section of track a Time besides signaling even more interesting such as token systems Etc. Also they used to call steam engine plumbers Nightmares by the way. Also I've been to many of Railroad Museum in my days. Almost always if we find out about when we have been to somewhere we try to go if we would be going on a trip but of course the during these times that's a nope. Also any unnecessary travel and or getting out of course.

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

@@GeorgeJansen yep I would have been a little startled if I didn't know what was going on but I realized it was a wrong rail grinder right away.

[@joewlosjosephwlos5713]

Shoestring , great video . I could watch and listen to this all day. Stay safe, Cheers!

[@jasons4715]

Me 2

[@mathias369]

As a conductor in training I’m impressed with your knowledge. Stay safe out there!

[@johnnyo8299]

I just started my training. This hobo knows as much as my instructor

[@derekdowns6275]

That "wicked sound"... I always wondered what caused that noise. Thanks for solving that mystery for me!

[@thewestpointrouteguy8611]

LOL...... String sounded like a ruptured moose !

[@johnh6791]

I learned more about train coupling from this guy than watching other videos the past 10 years. Good job buddy, Keep it up and be safe.

[@TheHoboShoestring]

Thanks.... It's OCD that makes me feel like I need to explain everything to the fullest.... lol

[@timothydemarco3525]

@@TheHoboShoestring love trains I'm going be a Norfolk southern engineer

[@zigziggler5018]

You are a wealth of knowledge with these trains. You are also a great teacher. I learn new things from you all the time. Keep rolling.

[@ruffian2952]

Zig, how is Lou Holtz doing?

[@marksnider8914]

Hay Zig remember San Demas ?

[@relaxinmaxin7246]

You need to request the "red zone" before fouling equipment. Also never turn your back while standing in front of a knuckle. That's Russian roulette.

[@johnscherf1228]

30 years of knowledge! Way to go Shoestring! I'm always learning from you! Keep it up and thank you for sharing! BTW: I love the shirt! I need to get one!

[@knucklehead7456]

Glad hands can be a pain in the butt on trucks too. SOMEBODY was thinkin when they invented them tho SHO NUFF....BTW GREAT SHIRT...Hooefully we'll get ya one that says KING of the hobo's this year😳

[@edfrawley4356]

trouble is on trains the gladhands just slide apart like they were designed to but on trucks they will usually rip the air line off. grrrr

[@knucklehead7456]

@@edfrawley4356 been there, dinr that 😂😂🤣😂🤣 when I first started driving I was Hostling on the yard and i was wonderin why our Hostling Mules had expanded metal over the back windows till i forgot to unhook my emergency line and it came thru the open back door like a 22-250 😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@groveradams8892]

Ed Frawley same concept but different design between the two. Tractor glad hands more like those on construction air compressors and designed for not coming apart.

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

@@groveradams8892 I suspect one has done is because on a railroad you would want that the company in some cases and brakes going on or a train coming apart not on purpose could be touring it however or something like that would have happened with road traffic oh yeah you got a ton of issues people that would be more likely to get hurt and more could probably cause a lot more damage than just a stop train yeah a heck of a lot more.

[@kens.3729]

Your Details are Great, Mark! We don’t hear or see this on any Other KZbin Channel out there. 👍 Love the T-Shirt.

[@cajunjamis9001]

THOSE HOSE ENDS ARE CALLED "GLAD HANDS"!

[@ventusky308]

I wondered, trucking 'glad hands' are SO different, they are damaged upon sudden disconnection,,,my brif=ef years driving class A I had a few...

[@FloridaJack]

looked it up...…"Omnisource: Steel Dynamics" or "Omnisource Corp" is how it is listed under Reporting Marks of Common Carriers. Omnisource is owned by Steel Dynamics ...Omnisource is a large processor of scrap and secondary metals. Ok, there it is boss. All ya gotta do is ask.

[@FurthermoreJack]

Lots of metal scrap recycling in Chicago

[@gregdomke4395]

I work for a scrap processor in northwest Indiana and we dismantle rail cars

[@jeffryblackmon4846]

You're an interesting fellow. I'm intrigued about why you're out there especially after I hear you mention that you had to get back home to pay your rent. Be safe, God bless.

[@PatriseHenkel]

I’m lovin this tech tour. That hose coupler is a clever design. I’ve been watching videos of the last steam locomotives, beautiful streamlined machines, so powerful! My daddy taught me how sexy big engines really are. 😉

[@philipwilson867]

I’m a locomotive engineer. This is a really stupid video I can’t count the things he did that no trained train crew would ever do. This stuff will get you killed or kill someone else!

[@paulwood9043]

@@philipwilson867 , how about you doing a video on how trains work along with the workings of boxcars so people will get educated if they decide to be a brakeman or engineer as of a career with the railroading, there is a lot of younger men thinking about it.

[@jeffedge6539]

@@philipwilson867 Yep, this guy is dangerous with his mis-information.

[@livefreeordie9519]

@@jeffedge6539 mis-information? What did you quit your job at CNN or something?

[@Utubin]

I've often wondered how a brakeman must feel in the scenario I'm about to give. Its a blistering dark rainy thunder and lightning at 3am in a January night where the temperature is 20 degrees with snow and ice already on the ground and more expected after the storm. Brakeman and engineer are tugging along drinking coffee in a cozie warm cab when out of no where train goes into emergency stop in the middle of nowhere and all of the sudden it is to the realization that somewhere in our 140 car length train there is a leak which is set to automatically put train in emergency braking. It must totally suck for the brakeman as he knows the challenge that waits ahead. Walking in pitch black dark lightning rainy cold weather to inspect find and repair the source of the problem all by himself with only a radio/flashlight/and wrench at hand. Also keep in mind the angled rough graveled shoulders of the tracks. Also chances are to there might be a train trestle he might have to walk over to to get the problem car. Or,it could very well be a car on that trestle that needs the repair. O crap another dreadful thought is the fact that when knuckles brake and they often do from all the slamming and pulling. The brakeman having to carry the 60lb knuckle to repair site using the same analogy as above. Lord have mercy. Bottom line. Everyday ain't a sunny day on the job. And the scenario above is what separates the men from the boys. God bless the rail men and women. Y'all are a special breed.

[@cnrmoose]

You don't carry a knuckle, you drop it off at the engine, walk back to where you came apart, close the air handle, pull the car with bad knuckle up to the good knuckle on the ground, change it out, then back up and recouple. 22yrs on railroad. And you missed the worst part, if it's on a hill, you have to tie a bunch of handbrakes, I mean a bunch.

[@Utubin]

@@cnrmoose Thanks for the info. God bless ya man.

[@oregonlawngnome5135]

I’ve heard those air couplings called “glad hands”

[@jesuschristsaves9067]

Yeah. He was having a lot of trouble huh

[@boobtubeakatv1296]

When coupling them together you need to spit on the rubbers for lubrication 🤩

[@brendanstanford5612]

These types of videos are my favorite shoestring. I've seen every single one of your videos, and these "rail knowledge" Ones are gold. Thanks ya good old hobo for sharing this with us

[@ericchapman8719]

Minor correction, Shoestring. The weight of rail is "per yard" not per foot. For example, an 80 pound rail weighs 80 pounds for a 3 foot long piece (about 27# per foot). Most main line heavy use trackage is made of 130# rail. The lighter rails are primarily used on smaller branch lines, sidings and service areas. Just thought this would be helpful. Really enjoy your videos.

[@bradystalbaum2392]

Shoestring was always sharing his vast knowledge of the rails with us! Definitely miss learning new things and refreshers on things I already knew but hadn’t thought about. Gone but not forgotten brother!

[@richardelushik1177]

Thank You Shoestring. I've been horsing around rail cars since I was a kid (50's and 60's) and knew some of the things you showed here, but not all, so thanks for the lesson and the Great video. Stay safe and enjoy the world around us.

[@brandonoswald2392]

U.P. Is bad about leaving Freddy’s behind. My friend is an engineer for the Oregon Pacific and they have a stack of them. U.P. Has called them several times asking them to deliver some to Albina yard because they ran out of them.

[@user-ji3yi4oq1m]

I work the albina yard we never have a eot when we need it

[@ЦветозарЦветков-е5о]

@@user-ji3yi4oq1m so what do you do?

[@user-ji3yi4oq1m]

@@ЦветозарЦветков-е5о conductor

[@annyer262]

It is lbs per yard. An interesting trivia is the conversion from lbs per yard to kilograms per meter is a factor of 2. So 47kg/M is the same as 94 lbs per yard

[@mikejones-vd3fg]

Amazing piece of engineering, but just made realize how much more amazing the human body is, essentialy a cloning machine, self repairing too, which could theoretically live forever if not for errors in the dna copying process (aging) which our bodies do every 7 years about, all brand new cells, amazing. All the coupling that need to go on to make everything go right on the microscopic level boggles the mind, doesnt even compare to the simple mechanisms of a train, and some believe it came about by dumb luck, meanwile the train was a consiouse masterpiece of engineering lol life, 10000x more complicated was a dumb accident but simple trains were created by brilliant intelligences.

[@BxCortez2050]

Totally random comment here . But here goes . Working in nyc transit tunnels and tracks ..we yell "Railroad " if a train is heading in our direction...we have systems in place for safety but things happen. Soon as you here " Railroad "you take cover " cover up " in a cubbie hole flagman will signal train..train acknowledges with horn blowing ..we also have a manual stop and a red cord thats thrown across tracks..once train runs past this brakes are activated and train runs over cord marking exactly were train rain past stop and into work area.....thanks for listening .

[@peacefulpathways3476]

Dude you rock you probably know more than the engineers love your videos you're very fascinating you really should write a book or books anyways happy travels keep on putting them videos out peace🤠 Britdog......

[@JT_8283]

Thank you for this video I love trains you taught me more about them in this video than I have learned in probably 2 or 3 years

[@enjoylife6311]

One reason they turn those ball valves slow. Is because it can blow the valve up and send the ball out like shotgun. We had a guy do that fast in our shop one time on 120psi. It sent that ball through a 1/8” thick steel beam 50’ away from the valve in our shop. Lucky it didn’t kill someone but it has in other places. (PSA) Never ever turn a ball valve fast with any kind of air on it. Always turn them slow and easy. I’ve seen what they can do

[@TheHoboShoestring]

Dang

[@enjoylife6311]

Also thank you very much for the knowledge and videos. Make them as long as you want or can. I only wish I could do what you do.

[@markissboi3583]

Thanks for your vidjas shoestring enjoy them all au . 1960's just a kid was only 2 blocks away from railway station we hang around tracks as a kid seen steam to diesels dad worked as a guardsman & older bro was a traindriver few memorys Ringling bros cirus unloading elephants

[@customtobi576]

Great Video! You need to have a shirt that says „I‘m a Railroad Engineer“ 😜 Just to confuse the bull.

[@terrywebb7512]

Holy Bad Idea Batman, just kidding 😀it's all good.

[@Tk-re6wx]

It’s a great thing that companies don’t leave EOTDs out and about, if you were to buy one new you would be out about $30,000.

[@rc391995]

They ain't that you expensive shit. You can buy a brand new gondola for about 7 gran. Eot about 700 dollars .

[@wythetrumpet6419]

Great video Shoestring! I have always wondered how train couplers and brakes worked. You did an excellent job explaining it!

[@laurencecropley5457]

The draw bars also have slack in them .

[@Yeradumis420]

Well that’s not what the f in Fred stands for. Also that’s not how a ETD is hung. JS.

[@rickv9251]

Just came across channel. I did work on the railroad and the first winter when it gets cold them break hose just did not want to bent for me so I could couple them it took me a couple minutes at the beginning.

[@TheHoboShoestring]

Tough for me too

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

@@TheHoboShoestring one thing I think you missed when you're saying you were gone. Tell us about more things that green line painted across the track what is that meant to represent? Please comment I'm sure people other people would want to know as well thanks

[@drubradley8821]

I have spent the past 3 hours watching your videos.. MIND BLOWN!!! Other then reading, and videos, I don't know much about trains, as per, model railroading I do ,which I enjoy, but I have learned more in your videos that I have in 20 years of studying rail systems.. sure, its laymen but the points are made just the same... Allot of questions have been answered that even engineers had no clue to.. Be safe Boss

[@legend_14x84]

I make those handbrakes for a living pretty neat process how they work

[@lucast3006]

Shoestring, this is one of my favorite videos so far! I love your traveling videos, but the knowledge ones are also really fun to watch. Hope you’re doing well and have a good week, my dude!

[@jonshaffer5793]

The ends of the air hoses are called glad hands. for anyone intereseted.

[@phippsto]

Thanks for the info. I love railroads and you have taught me much of the technical stuff I didn’t know.

[@rhysun]

That was the most fascinating video I've seen for a long while. Thank you!

[@boaz708]

Nice video, very informative, had in it information that will be very useful when I hit the rails. I guess it won't matter that I am 76 years old and have never ever been on a train. Stay safe and keep those videos coming.

[@antidecepticon]

YOU CAN TAPE A SMALL PIECE OF COTTON OR GLUE IT OVER THE MIC TO REDUCE WIND. OR USE A SOCK AND CUT HOLES IN IT TO SEE

[@derekdowns6275]

They call those a "dead cat". I think a cotton ball is a good idea for a cell phone.

[@antidecepticon]

@@derekdowns6275 YEP

[@NeoVoodooTech]

Thanks for the schooling! This is why I subscribed.

[@Scaniam]

NEW SUBSCRIBER HERE! I love the railroads, I've only been watching your videos a few days now and watched a lot of them so far, i like your storeys, plus your knowledge is brilliant, i learn something new every video i watch, hope you continue to make more videos and be safe in your travels.

[@Peasmouldia]

Flange greasers are common in the UK and Europe. Of course we don't have the huge distances of US railroads. Do any US railroads use pandrol clips to secure the rails on the sleepers? I know that some have continously welded track. Excellent upload Shoestring, thanks fella.

[@TheHoboShoestring]

Yeah... We call them rail anchors.... "C" shaped

[@robertrich663]

@@TheHoboShoestring Isn't the track in your video in a dreadful l condition? The sleepers are rotten, and the rail appears to be attached using a few large nails, and of course your permitted axle loads are much heavier than here in the UK. A derailment waiting to happen.

[@evan1466]

Love the true railroad knowledge you possess and your content keep it up

[@deathbyramen_]

Here's a list of almost all the reporting marks: trn.trains.com/railroads/abcs-of-railroading/2006/05/railroad-reporting-marks Love your videos, stay safe out there.

[@apmazurka]

Fascinating Video my Friend yet once again, Great shirt, and what was that Noise again the train makes on Freshly Grind ed Rail? LOL. Andy M

[@tcvideosennistexas]

oh my goodness,,,,I'm sure your trying to do something good,,,,,but no,,,please don't tell people things that they can do,,,,,,,trains are dangerous,,,,even if you know what things are,,,,you lost me when you sat down on the rail between the cars......as an old conductor , please just tell people to stay away from the trains,,,, there are NO second chances dealing with railroads.

[@headsup65]

Well, a great video once again like I said you sure do know a whole lot about trains and I love all info you got to give, so KEEP ON HOPPING!!!!!!

[@terrysmith7076]

Shoe String thank you for the educational info on the train cars. Be safe brother from Dallas Georgia Terry...

[@davidzamora4423]

I learned alot. I use to unload liquid and powder where i used to work at. Sinclair Paint, City of Commerce California

[@boris1932]

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge! Always interested in railroad history and how things are done ---

[@ConwayTruckload]

A lot of engineers will back up before moving forward when they leave.

[@ruffian2952]

Called 'taking slack'.

[@samfritts17]

The knowledge you have is amazing. I love these videos so much. If you want to, send me your email address I would like to send you some stories I have I also am working on writing a book about the rails I would love any contributions you are willing to give. As well as I would like to get your address I have some gear I would like to send you to try as well as some pants I like to use if your interested.

[@TheHoboShoestring]

[e-mail]

[@GeorgeJansen]

We have to get you a Lazer pointer buddy. Instructor Hobo Show String. Love it. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Redgonetogray]

So knowledgeable of the railway equipment and system. Great videos your making and have made. Thanks brother ! 👍🚂

[@Phantom-Signal]

Kinda like how you put together the lines for the trailers when hooking it to the tractor

[@CrossLBar1883]

Any good stories of slack action... you know what I mean ??

[@lotsatrains]

Wow! I really liked your video here, have been into model trains for a long time and only knew a little about how the real things work like that, thanks for that great inside information I appreciate it and keep safe out there, hope to see more new adventures coming soon, Ken

[@marklyons1541]

Awesome explanation! I've often wondered about the last few cars on a long train going from 0 - whatever speed the engine has attained instantaneously.

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

Me too and I was just curious how much slack there was I didn't realize there was that much an inch per car or would that actually be 2 in with both couplers? Wasn't quite sure kind of missed it sorry

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

Also I might add I remember when we were at with us railroad museums you know how that usually have the operating and trains for the patrons of the museum well on one of those trips which is actually quite a long one that was one of the bigger ones I've been at in terms of a railroad museum. They actually had some entertainment along the train route as well which is pretty cool different and unique for sure sorry I don't remember the place but. Also anyone that's interested in Mall railroads especially larger scales should check out in Tremont Junction it be worthwhile trip if you're in the area. Also there is a Wikipedia article on this if you are interested. Back to the real life trains though and the Railroad Museum. I do remember it was one that they ran a steam engine for pulled a train and before we started out one of the gags was that s t o v a big jerk when they start out and the gag was that the big jerk was the person sitting in the seat across from you on the other side of the train everyone could not stop laughing that was the first gag on the train ride. Of course there's a train robber that comes on with a hobo and a few other things as well turns out we realized the one doing all of it was the engineer himself you need to actually change costumes between which was pretty cool. One more errand Channing ones I was on like that. Also where I stayed there is a trolling and do they do actually explain things along the trolley run in all on the intercom this is not recorded but of course won't live about the city and things around you as you're going to the trolley route pretty darn cool. And yes some people use it to actually get around downtown as well. I remember when I was a little kid we actually used to have light rail Transit where I I used to live as well I remember running on that to this day. About this closest as I've been to riding on a subway has probably been in the transit systems at the airports when traveling. It's basically a major subway system sort of is how I would describe it. And at least one place to call the plane train pricing that 10 times fast. Also at least one airport that I've heard about actually uses a Disney designed of people mover as their transit system as well

[@420Pikachu]

OMNX - Omnisource; Steel Dynamics. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_reporting_marks:_O More on reporting marks en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reporting_mark

[@travelingwithrick]

Nice shirt wonderful train knowledge. thanks Mr Shoestring and , of course, Mr. Westinghouse.

[@jarst50]

I'm living a block away from Wabtec HQ.

[@NiceMuslimLady]

OMNX - Omnisource; Steel Dynamics. Found on Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_reporting_marks:_O

[@arocker23]

Also, I think OMNX is for Omnisource, the scrap metal company. I’ve seen OMNX gondolas at Omnisource facilities before.

[@drush406]

Loved the Donner Pass footage. Beautiful!!!

[@edfrawley4356]

Former railroader here. Retired carman out of CN GO (MacMillan yard north of Toronto) The "hasp" as you called it where the release bar is connected to the coupler is called a "lock lifter" because it raises a locking block which prevents the knuckle from rotating. Once the lock block is lifted then the knuckle is free to turn on its pin.While the lock block is rising upward it moves a kicker which pushes the knuckle to help open it. The knuckle pins to as you stated break regularly and the train crews do carry spares. Dynamiting is any sudden loss of trainline pressure which causes the individual cars to go into emergency. It can be initiated either from the locomotive or due to a failure of a hosebag or gladhand. Occasionally a hose hanger will fail and allow the gladhand to strike a switch or crossing causing it to come apart. A couple other things, the the rolling assembly is called the truck. It consists of the wheel/axle assemblies, the truck sides, which sit on the adapters, which sit on the bearings, and the bolster which sit on the springs in the truck sides. The center pin is over a foot long (you only see half of it) and the truck bolster into which the center pin fits also has a center ring which the car center plate fits into. The bar which joins the coupler to the draft gear is called a cross key and is held in place by the T shaped cross key retainer. These things are pretty amazing considering it was all designed by guys using slide rules many decades before the first computers. BTW Im not trying to be a smartass or anything but you seem like a guy who likes to learn and share your knowledge so I thought I would share with you stuff I had to learn on the job. Take care and safe travels.

[@crosstiespike]

Mr. Mark this is a fantastic video for dummies like me, and there is a lot of us. You do a great job explaining this stuff...so it's Professor Hobo Shoestring. I will find out how to donate to you and will do so because of great vids like this.

[@TheHoboShoestring]

Thanks

[@crosstiespike]

@@TheHoboShoestring How the heck can we donate, I've looked all over this channel. D.

[@stillfree47]

@@crosstiespike his paypal. You can donate there

[@AP9575-jd]

OMNX is Omnisource (Steel Dinamics) according to AAR. Also any car that ends in X is owned by a private company or non railroad. This comes into play with billing and perdeim. Railroad owned cars usually don't sit around to long. Be Safe Shoestring.

[@dgrisham6868]

I been working for the railroad MOW for almost 26 years,you know more about this stuff than do

[@jasonking2943]

And most conductors!

[@PowerTrain611]

@oldrockhead I dunno... he ha a point. I've dealt with my fair share of morons working as a conductor. But you gotta remember that if they have any inkling that you're a foamer, they don't hire you. All that's left are the few that are able to hold back the foam and the rest are the ignoramuses who think "How hard can it be?" Had a guy get fired on his first shove move because he rode a tanker just minutes after being told not to. Never had a problem working with new hires that were railfans. It's the ones that are indifferent to trains that are the problem. At least out here...

[@relativelynomadic]

I learned wayyyu more than I thought! Loved this video

[@Calgarycommunitywatch]

Always educating learning new stuff about trains all the time Love your videos and traveling the countryside with you😀

[@TIXX41]

You have so much rail knowledge man I’m shocked you haven’t worked on the railroad. My father was a private chef for the president of cn rail in his private car back in the 70s then they split into cn/via rail now there separate. Be safe out there man I need my shoestring fix your videos are like a drug for me brother lol

[@ryanbeyea2834]

What's up

[@SGTGhost]

@ 5:54 Fred or Freddy is actually called flashings rear-end device (FRED) and EOT stand for End of train. At night when you don't see the end of the train and it flashes red as mark for end of train

[@thomasboese3793]

OMNX 1441 - OmniSource Corp - AAR Class/Type GB G519 - Unequipped Gondola, Inside length 52-61ft, greater than 9ft inside width, Steel Floor, solid ends, Inside height: 60-167 inches, Load Limit: 205,000 and greater - This car is Plate C, tells you the size of side/top clearances are - Dry Cap is 3267 cu ft. Information source: www.rrpicturearchives.net/

[@christianmccollum1028]

Stumbled across your channel, Shoestring. Love the education and stories. Can't wait to check out your other vids. Much love and respect. Hobo Turd from TX.

[@foowashere]

Thank you for making and sharing. I was just sitting here and wondering how a US-style coupler worked, and I found the most interesting and charismatic explanation . Thank you! :)

[@Tara-li6pg]

Always wondered what that noise was when I ride the train to London now I know thanks :)

[@MarkInLA]

2:04 It's calll the cut lever, not decoupler bar. 6:50 That's not the axle. It's the wheel tread the shoes grab ! 11:07 Rail is weighed per YARD, not foot..11:36 That's probably 9.5" tall rail..If you sliced off a yard (3') it'd weigh 152 Lb..17:06 They're spikes not nails. What's a "Spikadore"? 17:36 What's the hammer for ?!. "Bang the hammer down into the door track" Do you mean a boxcar door track ?

[@mechanicmama]

TO THE PEOPLE KEEPING UP WITH SHOESTRING!! You can see for your nosey selves he knows his shit. Get him a job with the railroads. Then you DO NOT have to wonder where he is or what train he has hopped!! Safe travels Shoestring got you all prayed up as always even when your not hopping a train. Stay safe ❤❤❤

[@richardjellis9186]

🤔🤣🤔🤣🤔... So, that runaway train that was on the news the other week, which was blamed on having dodgy or an incomplete braking system, wouldn't be down to you would it.? Millions of dollars worth of wreckage, and, a dead stray cat was the outcome🤣!. Also, I've heard the ends of the pipes that connect being called 'glad hands' by some U.S. farmers.! I expect they're also called this on the rail network.🤔. Rich (UK)🥰🥰🥰.

[@kingdoughnut7244]

Great video! I'm a railfan for over 40 years, and that was very informative! OMNX is a scrap metal company in Ft. Wayne IN and Jackson MI, called "Omnisource." BTW, the rubber gasket on the hose is called a "Gladhand Seal," by us truck drivers.

[@waynemiller7382]

OMNX is a private owner company, OmniSource Corp ( a scrap metal company in Ohio). You can fid a list of reporting marks here, rrpicturearchives.net/railroadList.aspx Great video Shoestring.

[@johnlummis8270]

You can look up any SCAC Code which stands for STANDARD CARRIER ALPHA CODE. This will tell you the corporation who owns the container, rail car or trailer. Here is a link that you might find helpful. scaccodelookup.com/scac-code-lookup/#

[@zerofox7347]

2.60million views on this channel now, you're a god damn rock star Hobo Shoestring!🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃😜

[@natevanlandingham1945]

Have you ever thought of getting a job on the rail road? Seems like it would go with your love for trains. Provide income and stability in n life, esp in retirement.

[@Lynchfan88]

Such a cool vid! I've wondered about freight cars braking & coupling system so thanks for this, Hobo Shoestring, :)

[@jimkammerer8028]

THANK you FOR your VIDEO and your INFORMATION and be safe and careful. 👌👍

[@beeble2003]

18:00 You can find the list of codes by Googling something like "AAR reporting marks". OMNX is Omnisource Steel Dynamics.

[@jessicabuckman9675]

When you watch Shoestring, he's quite knowledgeable about train stuff. He's probably has 30 or so years of knowledge in his head. H's one smart hobo in my book.. Great video Shoestring.

[@danjohnson7199]

I always wondered how the rail grinders worked and now I know

[@msnpassjan2004]

OMNX OmniSource, LLC is one of North America's largest processors and distributors of scrap and secondary metals.