Train Mountain Tour Part 4: Let's ride a ballast train up the hill. See description to follow map

[@ccootsona]

Please note that this is NOT my personal railroad. It's owned by Train Mountain Institute (a non-profit) and maintained by a few dedicated workers and many volunteers and members. Members who pay dues (usually under $100/year) are allowed to operate their own equipment on the railroad. Special meets have additional fees to cover the cost of hosting all the people and their equipment. It's a great community of people who work together to maintain this massive infrastructure with over 36 miles of track covering over 2200 acres! If you are interested in visiting or becoming a member, please check out the website for visiting hours, meet schedules, membership forms. Even if you don't have your own train, there are generally lots of people with empty seats available to ride during the meets. trainmountain.org/

[@ScratchGlass9]

Same here ! Finding this channel is great. What a magnificent place !! Cheers from an old guy from Detroit 🇺🇲

[@ccootsona]

Glad you like it. This is where we go to relax, and I thought it would be cool to share our experience since not everyone can make it out there. It seems people love watching railroad tracks go by so people can escape to Train Mountain via this channel! We'll be back there next spring so we'll record more trips.

[@milehighkit4725]

Can't believe I found this channel. It's just mesmerizing and amazing how impressive this layout is!

[@ccootsona]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. I'll post more in the spring when we go back!

[@hooXpoo]

I could watch this all day.

[@ccootsona]

It's such a relaxing ride on this railroad. They have great track and hundreds of volunteers and a few staff pitch in to keep things maintained.

[@stanleydomalewski8497]

Interesting Video😊 Thanks for Sharing ! Magnificent Train layout !

[@ccootsona]

Thanks, glad you liked it! We'll post more videos when we go back in the spring!

[@user-nedopereuser7]

Thank You for sharing this amazing video!!! This is great railway that i ever seen!!! I hope in one moment in my life- i will realy see this fantastic railway.

[@ccootsona]

We are having the big triennial meet next summer June 21st -29th where there will be hundreds of trains. If you can;t make it, there are lots of videos on KZbin from previous years. Here is there website with the dates if you are able to travel there. trainmtn.org/tmrr/index.shtml

[@BriggsCanyon]

Another great video, Craig!

[@ccootsona]

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. I'm beginning to see a pattern in what people like so I'll keep that content coming as often as I can record it.

[@BriggsCanyon]

@@ccootsona I love just about EVERYTHING to do with American railroading, but especially, 1.5 inch scale.

[@BriggsCanyon]

Operations...Switching...long runs

[@weathermannax416]

Fascinating

[@nicktynan1355]

Dump levers on the ballast cars look like whistle/horn levers.

[@ccootsona]

They sure do! I wonder if that was on purpose or coincidental? They are nice becase you can adjust the dump rate with them. That way it doesn;t bury the trucks in a pile of gravel. . . unless they get stuck open.

[@bcmineresearch]

What is your normal speed?

[@ccootsona]

@@bcmineresearch At train mountain the official speed limit is 7 mph, or 10 sec between mileposts (0.02 miles apart). The track is generally in good condition but braking ability can be limiting depending on weather, train equipment, and grade. With my little steamer, there is only a handbrake on the tender and compression braking using the reverser so I take it easy on the steeper sections.

[@bcmineresearch]

@@ccootsona So if a track is designed for 10 mph max, all should be good. Thank you.

[@timothysmith1844]

I would have liked to see the ballast being loaded and unloaded.

[@ccootsona]

Great idea, I'll try to get some video next time I we are there. The ballast cars work much like the prototype with adjustable dump doors so the flow rate can be regulated. At the yard there is a large square hopper bin filled by a backhoe that dumps directly into the ballast cars on the track below.