Why They Run Locomotives Back to Back

[@badlandskid]

No loud garish music... No robo voice... No manufactured drama... No false info... Man this is so enjoyable to watch! Bravo!

[@distantsignal]

Haha! Thank you so much.

[@scottp4791]

TOTALLY Agree!

[@Americal-v6r]

no Karen's going off unhinged. No emergency stopping to de-car meltdowns .

[@wytemike23]

Word on the street (or should I say rail) is the guy who narrates this was the backup for modern marvels on the history channel. This dude has an amazing delivery. Sincerely, Someone who could care less about trains but I'm 15 min deep and it's like a "train wreck" ha. I can't look away

[@htoddgriffin4787]

Almost 23 minutes of pure, concentrated education. This man really knows his stuff.

[@luca2526]

Heck ya dude 😎✌️

[@Cnw8701]

Hey, he's an old timer. Its his job to educate us and pass on the torch!

[@answerman9933]

I would have preferred a more direct answer, much like he gave for freight timetables.

[@YaM0MsAh03]

Is it just me or did this guy narrate every informative video you've ever watched?

[@Darklor_WCF]

The missile knows where it is, because it knows where isn't

[@mikecorbett2456]

He sounds a lot like Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs and every other narrated show on Discovery Channel.

[@haroldseaman4243]

This is my new thing my son just recently graduated and is now a conductor for CSX! He was a jock growing up and I a nerd so we had little to talk about lol! Growing up I had several train sets and have always been a fan. We are always talking about his job and might I say I'm jealous lol!!!

[@dalebickerstaff1543]

😮

[@kentslocum]

This video convinced me that it would be way cooler to have an executive train than an executive jet.

[@patmcconville4780]

I don't know if any model train manufacturers know of this but they need to be, i'd buy this set in a heartbeat !!!

[@ENCHANTMEN_]

Concept: trainjet that lands on railroad tracks until they end and then takes off Also gets refueled by tanker trains connecting to it while it's underway

[@hughsmith790]

Wouldn’t that be fun, Ken! Have your own train car on a train and freedom to go anywhere on the railroad line you worked for. That was my plan if I won the lottery some day, to buy a railroad car and tack it on the back of an amtrak or freight train and go where ever the rails took me. It’s a nice dream. 😊

[@KCJbomberFTW]

What??????

[@Skyprince27]

I worked for a railroad for 5 years & an executive jet manufacturer for 19 years. The coolness of an executive jet is PRETTY hard to beat. Not to mention, kerosene fumes 😋 smell a lot better than diesel fumes 😵‍💫.

[@jerrys5946]

I just stumbled onto this channel, I'm not really that interested in trains, but this is one of the most entertaining videos I've seen in a long time. Your passion for, and knowledge of the subject is impressive. Very nicely done.

[@QuantumRift]

YEP, what else is there to do in FL if you don't care about Disney? LOL...

[@jongeddes09]

Same here, I started researching trains for a short time to find what frequencies they use in their radios (I'm a ham radio nerd) but I found a lot of interesting other videos in the process. Now my KZbin recommendations always include some type of neat train video like this one.

[@travcollier]

@@jongeddes09 Yeah, this is definitely a different sort of nerd than me, but I can appreciate the glorious nerdiness ;)

[@johnhegenwald2350]

Really impressed with your knowledge of opetations

[@Zach-ls1if]

Same here, his enthusiasm is so uplifting, it made me think about what I like to do, and I think I’m gonna go to the woods today and hunt mushrooms

[@migueltorrez453]

I'm 69 years old now and I live in Indiana and I have been around railroads and trains all of my life in one way or another from riding on passenger trains when I was young to living near railroads and listening to the freight trains pass by day or night. Up until I was 13 years old my Mom, my brothers and sisters, and I would start our summer vacations every year by taking the Rock Island Express from Chicago to El Paso Texas in order to get to Juarez Mexico where I was born to visit my moms family. I loved it and I would always look forward to it every year. My parents have both passed away years ago and I have not been on a train since so I treasure those memories. But now I have always managed to find myself living near railroads and listening to the freight trains passing by and bringing those memories back to me. Thank you for giving me an insight into the workings of the freight trains that I have enjoyed listening to and watching pass by all of these years.

[@johnfrancis0063]

When I was a kid 45 years ago, I had my model railroad set that I pieced together. Well 1980 went into the Navy as a radioman. Got out and slugged out a small career as a cook. Got tired of that and got doing light auto and truck repair till 2 years ago. Now at 59 I am working on mainline fire and heavy diesel engines. Watching these videos makes me wonder how I would of done as a locomotive mechanic. I am absolutely hooked on this channel, and the narration is so spectacular. Keep up the good work and thank you.

[@Highland_Moo]

I live in the Scottish highlands just opposite the Isle of Skye. I grew up in the 80s/90s in a wee village called Kyle of Lochalsh and the main railway line ran between there and Inverness. I was born in the late 70s and as a kid I was fascinated with the class 37 diesel locomotives that ran. They were amazing and my house wasn’t far from the station and as the terminus for the Inverness run it meant the locos would fire up early in the morning and shut down at about 9pm. As kids in a small village in the 80s, there wasn’t much to do and we’d walk along the track a couple of miles to go swimming in the sea and you could hear those locos when they were far away because of the echo through the hills. It meant we knew when to hop off the tracks and wait for the train to pass - it was so cool when they did because they seemed so massive. Anyway, as a girl I wanted to be a train driver and my folks were very old fashioned and told me there was no way I could do that. They were right! I went on to become a nurse and wrecked my back! I love watching stuff on here and found this channel be chance. You guys across the Atlantic are so lucky - you have those massive locos and if I win the lottery or sell a kidney, I’m definitely going to visit and see some before I get too old! If anyone from the USA visits Scotland, the Inverness to Kyle journey is a must. There’s some gorgeous scenery when you get closer to the west coast. Definitely worth a look.

[@BigBadPibbul]

I don't generally watch this kind of stuff with any form of regularity, but the quality you've presented here is utterly amazing, it takes me back to watching train stuff with my Grandpa as a kid, you've definitely earned a subscriber! I look forward to watching more and seeing your new stuff as time goes by!

[@kens.3729]

There’s NO Other Railfan Channel that gives a play-by-play detailed narration. You’re Off the Charts.

[@lornperkins4270]

Yeah he is

[@shanewalters2565]

Hey, don't forget Coasterfan2105

[@Caleb9C1]

“You’re off the rails” would have been better haha

[@aaronhuffman4852]

Jaw tooth is great too! He’s from my area and films more short line rail stuff! Live action!

[@lornperkins4270]

@@aaronhuffman4852 yea he does..im subscribed to him he's a great guy.

[@railfanlynx]

That young railfan brought a tear into this railfans heart. This is what we like seeing.

[@kevinheard8364]

wow.. me, too

[@sarahwoodkc9ayt100]

" High Gween!" Smart little guy. He probably will work for the railroad.

[@railfanlynx]

if he can call a signal like that hes obviously welcome at CSX!

[@rockstonedread]

Wow, this video absolutely exceeded all my expectations. I have a professional interest in trains as a logistics professional, but little knowledge of the nuts and bolts of the operation. This was absolutely eye opening and you just gained a subscriber. Well Done!

[@distantsignal]

Many thanks for such a nice compliment. And thanks for subscribing!

[@donstrickland4347]

No disrespect to jaw tooth or wide world of trains, but Danny these are best, most informative train videos, Period!

[@distantsignal]

Thanks Don. I'm a big fan of of Both Jaw Tooth, WWT and Hobo Shoestring.

[@SurplusMarket]

Recently reignited my childhood love of trains after playing some train sim games, and this channel perfectly scratches that itch that’s been building because of it. Love building on the education, and learning the systems and processes behind everything.

[@mythicprotato7872]

If you're into American Freight, look at Run8 Train Simulator. One of the best simulators out there for physics and prototypical routes. Not the best graphics, but it excels in everything else. It's a railroad simulator, not just a train simulator. You can hump cars at the jump yard, or do local freight, even do manifest trains incomijg from out of map subdivisions. The starting subdivisions you get is at least 400 miles of SoCal mainline. It did the same for me, I loved trains when I was a child! Got back into the Dovetail Train Simulator, but it just wasn't enough. Run8 scratches the itch perfectly! The sounds are top notch!!

[@youmadbro742]

Anytime I see a younger railfan out with their parents I make sure to give a good horn show. I remember the feeling getting the same thing growing up. Love the channel!

[@unnamedchannel1237]

@@noidontthinksolol even so a kid will love if a truck or a train whistles at them

[@trishayamada807]

@@noidontthinksolol actually I’m here for trains because my son loves them. I spot airplanes and he hasn’t any interest, but trains he loves and not cartoon trains. Im here learning for him and he is 5. Also I’m an avid equestrian and not one of my 3 kids want to go to the stable and ride. I was hoping one would.

[@trishayamada807]

Thank you! We were watching trains very close up a good horn show made my son’s day. He still talks about it! Little things can bring so much joy and they cost little but the rewards are immeasurable.

[@caroldenise9569]

My grandfather and I used to do that and now my granddaughter and I do. We live by tracks and love it.

[@trishayamada807]

@@noidontthinksolol nope, they have zero interest in my horses. It’s not what they are interested in. One loves to make animations, the other plays piano and guitar and the last loves to watch trains and planes. I can appreciate all of their interests and enjoy watching them love what they do, but horses just isn’t a thing any of them want to do or watch. I have two nieces who love horses so I do have family involved just not my own kids.

[@truckinpoppop6777]

The cadence of your voice is so professional and the narration is outstanding!! I’m a fan. 👍🏼

[@markreno2252]

He does professional voiceover work. I've heard his voice on more than a few ads for workout equipment, here on KZbin. It gets a little confusing when you hear his voice but don't see any trains!

[@freedomfan4272]

He's a news anchor in flordia so that should explain a little but about his speech etc

[@Bonzi_Buddy]

@@markreno2252 His voice sounds EXACTLY like the voice you want to hear on an informational video discussing trains.

[@fortwaynefamily]

right on, I don't even like train videos, but his are so well done. I appreciate also the factual accuracy.

[@hughsmith790]

He does have a wonderful voice! I enjoy his videos a lot. 😊. Great Job, Danny!

[@pacificcoastpiper3949]

Your young buddy made me chuckle about how darn smart he is

[@kevinheard8364]

Just absolutely darling :) SO cute

[@icost4671]

That was awesome 😊 😎

[@Tri-Light2749]

i may be a young railfan but at three, that just blew me away!

[@loftsatsympaticodotc]

What wonderful diction you display in this very clear video that you have made. Thank you from a lifelong railfan.When about nine or ten years old, I used to regularly hop a slow-moving Freight. it took me two thirds of the way to my school after lunch. It was great fun though probably quite risky hanging on a ladder staring down at the moving rails and the hundreds of tons of boxcars to which I was completely oblivious of course at the time. Of course all of this stopped suddenly when the principal was contacted by the railroad! In retrospect, it was highly risky what we were doing, but the memory is still thrilling some sixty years later.

[@sheller153]

The way you speak and give a good variety of information makes it feel like you were making several different documentaries at once and they all blended together

[@paulcallahan6215]

As the son of a former subway Motorman (Boston’s MBTA Red Line) who had numerous peers operating commuter rail and freight, I grew up learning about railroads and loved it. I’m now 55 and it’s 4 years after Dad’s passing. Finding your videos has been a tremendous way to keep learning about it all! Thanks so much!!

[@ASHE_ATTACC]

I love how you talk like you're reporting a news broadcast on TV, it's so professional and calming!

[@freedomfan4272]

He does work for a news company in flordia

[@district2productions]

@@freedomfan4272 he does?

[@unnamedchannel1237]

Also no stupid music

[@kearyhenkener3045]

There is nothing better on my off day morning than a cup of coffee and a Railfan Danny video. Outstanding as always!

[@distantsignal]

Many thanks, Keary!

[@rexpepper2513]

this dudes radio/narrator voice is tremendous. also love that mile zero hat!

[@tonyobbeek8910]

Sir your commentaries are always first class, I think I've said this before but your voice is as exquisite as your knowledge, you have a real "radio voice" and you describe what's happening without fault to those of us who don't understand but want too. Many thanks and please keep up the fantastic work you do. Regards from New Zealand.

[@thomashenniger2070]

I retired in “16” as a conductor for CSX, enjoyed your episode, brings back memories. Keep em on the rail!😉. Tom

[@jimdavis6833]

My Great grandfather was a conductor on the AT & SF in the 20s and 30s. I once road the same RR from Amarillo to Chicago in mid 1960 on my way to Montana after I joined the USAF. I switched to the Great Northern at Chicago heading west. I remember a layover of a few hours in St. Paul and seeing the humongous model RR they had on display at the RR station. Sure brings back memories.

[@freedomfan4272]

LE Mike Barnett retired from CSX in 2014 If I remember correctly and has some cool videos to watch

[@higgme1ster]

@Magi The link said "video not available" but I bet it was Bing Crosby singing the A,T & SF. I'm going to find it myself and have another listen.

[@higgme1ster]

@Magi kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIvQnoeQaLSBf8k

[@leroydever4761]

That had to be an amazing job. I'm sure there are things involved than just operating the controls.

[@plmintexas509]

Our condolences to David Shea's family in his passing. Thanks again Danny for another entertaining and educational video. Please stay safe.

[@shadytnu24]

thank you

[@candacelubin3813]

I really appreciate narrated videos. This is as good as they get. Radio chatter, video and railroad sounds are all perfectly placed in time. And narration, of course, is wonderful. Thank you for an interesting and entertaining production. Marty.

[@terrypomatto907]

I've been watching rail KZbin videos and in twenty minutes of watching this video I learned more about the way that the rail industry makes decisions on keeping the traffic moving without accidents. I only wish that the length of train units be kept at a reasonable length. Making longer units only reduces the labor cost of the Engineers and Conductors, I believe. We live about thirty miles from East Palestine, Ohio train wreck and have real concerns about the length of the units when there is a equipment failure. I pray that the Rail Industry improves the maintenance of their roadbeds and rails. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻Amen!!!

[@HarmKaban]

I don't think it's going to happen, mate, without some serious changes in economical and political system. Here is the thing: 1. Railroads are heavily leveraged (I.e. have heaps of debt) 2. The only thing that keeps them afloat at the moment is their relatively high profit margin which attracts investors (Blackstone, vanguard, etc.) who buy their shares. 3. In order to do maintenance they have to reduce profit margins. 4. If profit margins go down the investors are going to sell the shares AND they can't service the debt AND the debt can't be secured by cheap shares. Basically if they let the profit margin slip even a little - they are bankrupt. Only thing that can help - government intervention... and the government is busy "helping" Ukr.. I am sorry, I mean their buddies in the military industrial complex.

[@flurng]

Thank you so much for answering this question - I've always wondered why they ran locomotives back-to-back & I found your answer quite interesting & informative! Incidently, my wife and I happen to live approximately 40 miles from the town of Lakeland, and, as tractor-trailer drivers, we've actually delivered to Publix's headquarters many times! This made your video especially meaningful to me & I got a real kick out of their inclusion! Very cool information - thanks again for posting!

[@WilliamCooper2005]

This is fantastic. I am from the north of England and know almost nothing about American railroads, but find these videos incredible. And your narration is fantastic.

[@Nebs1]

I’m a train driver in Australia. I’m not overly interested in trains or railroads but when I saw this video title talking about putting locomotives back to back I had to click on it to see how accurate it was. This is a great video. It’s very informative. It’s also pretty cool to see how railroads operate in the USA. You guys sure love using the horn a lot at crossings.

[@ljones121]

We have a lot of idiots driving who are apparently blind, deaf and illiterate also railroads don't like getting sued.

[@DarylH56]

Whistle or horn sounding at level crossings is the law in most areas of the U.S. and Canads except under exemptions often granted to municipalities on the route.

[@jacobcastro1885]

I wish we didn't interrupt Darwin. Let him do his thing. (And I can get some sleep.)

[@Nebs1]

@@ljones121 I guess Americans love suing if pop culture is anything to go by. In Australia we have to blow the horn once for a crossing. Never heard of any court awarding a road vehicle driver or family of a dead driver a payment for them getting hit by a train. The flashing red lights, gates, bells at the crossing, 1 blast of the train horn and high beam headlights is more than enough warning. If the only thing stopping someone getting hit is the extra 3 horn blasts, that's just sad. American courts should stop awarding stupidity. The road rules are there for a reason. Obey them and you won't get hit by a train. If you obey all rules and some failure means you are hit, then that's a reason to sue.

[@Nebs1]

@@DarylH56 Same for Australia, but it's only required to sound the horn once for a crossing. America it seems to be 4 as a minimum. Also we use the quieter 'town' horn in built up areas and louder 'country' horn in rural areas. In America it seems to be the loud horn no matter where it is. I can't imagine living anywhere near a crossing with that racket happening all night.

[@daveschmarder-US1950]

About 40 years ago, I had the opportunity to visit the train control center in Stuttgart Germany. It was a high security area as you might imagine. Inside there was a large map on the wall, with lights indicating where the trains were. This center controlled the tracks for about 50km. On the roof, I could see all the tracks at the Stuttgart station. The German was a bit difficult for me as I hadn't learned too many of the train words, but I was able to follow along by looking at the lights. I've always been interested in trains since I was about the age of that little guy in the video.

[@V8_screw_electric_cars]

german locomotives have two fronts so no back to back

[@Ebbonified]

Great work on the video editing, audio mixing, and narration! This is training film level stuff. Great job on a very informative video!

[@distantsignal]

Many thanks!

[@jaketaylor3901]

I watch fun/fact type educational videos while working from home. This is one of the best videos to appear in my recommended in months. I love how it was like a journey. I live in Eastern suburbs of Phoenix and a train usually comes by at around 3am, and crosses a large intersection diagonally. If I hear the horn, I know I am up too late!!! Edit: as many others mentioned your voice is perfect for narraration/documentaries. If you have the inclination, you could totally do that!

[@comis03]

I am a grown man and I waved back at the conductor when he waved to the camera... I felt silly until I realized how entertaining this video is and how great the narration is. It reminded me of a local newscaster from when I was a kid who would talk about the beauty all around us using almost the same voice and cadence. This is the most relaxing thing I have done all year! thanks! I just subscribed

[@james-p]

I'm laughing, I did the exact same thing!

[@k.r.baylor8825]

Mr Harmon was Tampa-area TV broadcast talent for 30 years, so you may have heard his voice when you were a kid those many decades ago.

[@BlazeDuskdreamer]

Bonus: bird watching and cute kids. I love birds and I'm way up North where I don't see ospreys so thank you. That was one smart two year old. RIP, David.

[@john_nip_nop]

At Minneapolis, had a good view of the river and falls from the museum - saw an osprey circling over the water for a long time. Is your Way-Up-North even further north?

[@BlazeDuskdreamer]

@@john_nip_nop NY. Maybe I'm too far inland? Though I live in a small village on a river and a lake. Never seen one in person.

[@berkeleygang1834]

I almost passed up this video. "I know why they run 'em back to back." Fellow club member told me it also had good footage of the business train. So I watched. Boy, there was a lot I'd have missed out on if I'd just gone with the title. Great video, as always. Keep up the good work!

[@beeble2003]

I watched it because I knew the answer to the question would be quick and then we'd be back to regular railfanning. :D

[@enriquealberto37]

Today I was wondering how a diesel electric locomotive works. Since I have always wondered why there multiple locomotives sometimes, your video seem to be a good fit. At first I thought this wasn’t it, but your diction is quite captivating! It was a real pleasure to watch and learn something new-thank you for sharing!

[@CarDocBabaPhilipo]

Thanks Danny :)! Great narration and explanation of the lights and processes. My dad worked for 'the' railroad from 1950 as a telegraph operator until 1968 or so. I used to walk to work with him to keep the ledger for trains crossing the Chicago river on the graveyard shift between 1965 and 68 when school was out. Never will forget walking that trestle bridge in the mornings, lol!

[@skimmer8774]

You have, in my opinion, the best railroad channel out there. It's informative, in focus, great sound, interesting, fasinating trains and greatly narrated. With a smile 😊.

[@billmoran3812]

The thing that always puzzled me is how the connected locomotives “know” which way is forward when coupled back to back. When I worked for the railroad, I learned the answer. That big MU electrical cable that connects the locomotives has two wires, one is forward, the other is reversed. On the locomotives, the F & R pins are reversed on the rear side of the locomotive. So when the lead locomotive is set to Forward, the one facing the other way is set to Reverse. The crew doesn’t have to do anything, just connect the cables and it all works. Pretty slick.

[@Transit_Biker]

Some equipment actually requires the F ends to be facing away from each other.

[@billmoran3812]

@@Transit_Biker none that I’m aware of.

[@billmoran3812]

@@davep800 yes, that is correct. The exception being jumpers that are wired “straight through” and are used for push pull commuter trains with a cab control car on one end.

[@1575murray]

It's got to be a bit more complicated than that. I have seen locomotives connected together in all sorts of combinations sometimes all facing one way and some back to back with the cabs facing outwards. And what did they do in the old days with B units that could face in either direction?

[@phbaynes4237]

Bill and Dave are correct. Im a retired RR machinist working on a big steam restoration (MU). I have to lay it out on paper to believe it works to keep locomotives pulling in the same direction but it does.

[@buntik1687]

One of the most informative channels these days. 🚂 We old timers know these answers, but many still have no clue about railroad operations.

[@bryonmanske]

Hello sir, as a first time viewer of your content I must say I am impressed with your knowledge of and dedication to the railroad. Subscribed and eager to learn more of the knowledge you share. Thank you for the time and effort you dedicate to this. I am based in Oelwein, Iowa, a small town which has a bit of railroad heritage itself.

[@johnschwalb]

Like most KZbin videos the video is much longer than needed to answer the question, the big difference is the answer is in the first few minutes for the simple answer. This then gets explained in more detail later with nuggets of other information sprinkled in. Excellent video.

[@distantsignal]

Glad you liked it.

[@akasuperfan]

As a retired locomotive engineer I can tell you that railroads always try the have engines pointed in opposite directions, preferably at both ends. Because if you are running long hood lead and don't have ditch lights you are speed restricted. And Hunter Harrison was at my railroad and we were glad when he left. Not someone you want to work for.

[@tupapisoyyo676]

Very Interested comment..I actually read I to his biography and it makes sense how he treated personnel.

[@jdhrap]

EHH…made lots of people rich while destroying employee morale. But sadly railroads kow tow to Wall Street. People that don’t know $hit about railroads or railroading.

[@carolynraley4047]

Fascinating. 😀

[@general5104]

The floggings will continue, until moral improves !!!

[@crosstiewalker803]

When the former CEO of the Union Pacific, Michael H. Walsh died of brain cancer in 1994, there were no flowers sent to his funeral home by any of us Union members. I'm sure no flowers were sent by any of his former employees at Cummins Diesel, either. Someone put his obituary on the bulletin board in one of our shanties in KC, and added the comment "God's way of downsizing". One of the funniest things I've ever seen.

[@the_minimalistic_adventure]

You have the best “announcer” voice.

[@tommurphy4307]

thats quite a sound room you've got there- i bet even pee wee herman would sound like ward cleaver in there.....

[@district2productions]

@@tommurphy4307 shut up he’s right

[@desmondtutu7916]

Yep! Great voice!

[@6777Productions]

It was so good the first time, I will definitely watch again! Hope your enjoying your summer, Danny!

[@distantsignal]

Thank you. Had a couple of fact errors that needed fixing.

[@DelcoImagery]

@@distantsignal that explains it

[@6777Productions]

@@distantsignal Better to have less, but highly accurate information than a lot, incorrect information. Thank you got fixing it Danny, it's greatly appreciated!

[@staintedcards]

@@distantsignal Danny you dont make errors in your videos thats why we watch them and plus you always explain whats going on

[@mark12.31]

@@distantsignal Thought I was experience deja vu or something lol

[@guypehaim1080]

This is the first time seeing your channel and I'm impressed with the amount of information you gave to the audience.

[@ronwells5935]

What a great voice. First time I've ever seen this channel, but won't be my last. Just subscribed. I grew up in the country outside Asheville, NC. I used to visit family members each summer in Auburndale, FL. The Atlantic Coastline RR crossed the Seaboard Line in Auburndale and I because I'd never been around trains in my young life I was fascinated, and have been so since and I'm now eighty years old. Thanks for your presentation, very enlighnening and your voice adds to the appeal.

[@travistaylor4440]

Danny, your productions are always phenomenal. Thank you for your continued involvement in this hobby.

[@Bogieking78]

Never seen a diamond crossing like that in the middle of a 4 lane highway lol. Very interesting.

[@freedomfan4272]

"Lamont at large" posted a video a while ago about a grave in the middle of a two lane road if you're interested in that.

[@djlitebrite93]

This is truly THE BEST railroad content on the web. Thank you, Danny!!

[@jeremypreece870]

I am really pleased with myself as I guessed correctly about the locomotives running back to back. Here in the UK we don't have really long trains as the distances between locations is only a fraction of that in the USA. Therefore one locomotive is usually used per train. Just about all of our locomotives have a driver cab at each end and so, in effect, it is always running forwards. Where as you have a DPUs at the back or mid train, UK trains sometimes have a locomotive at each end. This is known as "top and tail" and means that all that the driver needs to do is to move to the other end of the train and drive the return journey from the other locomotive. Great video and I love seeing the differences between UK and US.

[@joshuaritchie3836]

In the UK there is Real Time Trains to use to see what time freight and passenger trains are.

[@joeynova3550]

Would the tail locomotive be powered during the trip or would it be dead in tow? In America we sometimes have set ups like that but usually both the front and rear locomotive are running under power.

[@jeremypreece870]

@@joeynova3550 Hi Joe. As I understand it the rear loco would normally be "dead" on a freight train in the UK. However, the longest train would only be just over half a mile in length (I have seen some USA trains on KZbin that are over two miles long. However, passenger train units from the days of the 1970's 'Intercity 125' are powered by synchronised locos at each end.

[@joeynova3550]

@@jeremypreece870 Thanks! The freight trains in the US are getting pretty ridiculous, all in an effort to save on paying extra crews, why run two trains when you can run one train that's twice as long. I've seen quite a few derailments here because the trains are just too long to go around certain curves without stringlining. I live near Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA and back in the days of the Reading railroad they would run some of their passenger trains with a locomotive at each end, both powered.

[@joshuaritchie3836]

@@joeynova3550 The thing it is that it depends. For RHTT & SITT trains the locomotive is always on but sometimes they are not providing traction power, with passengers trains there are always in use for traction power and providing ETS, for Empty Coaching Stock or Scrap Drags of passenger or New train drags they normal only have one locomotive at the front, for test trains it is normally both locomotive are used if they have two loco's if they only have one loco then you will find a DBSO or DVT on one end a loco on the other end of train & freight they are normally not used it is a multiple unit style freight train. The DBSO & DVT's only have controls for the locomotive.

[@glycerinfarmer]

I don't understand anything you said, but you managed to pique my curiosity. I enjoyed the whole video, and I want to thank you for making it.

[@chriselgart6671]

You are correct, those small trailers are 28' long, often referred to as "pups." Always enjoy your videos!

[@ranchnrails2183]

Thank you so much for featuring Joseph in your video Danny! He has watched this video (and all your videos) atleast 100 times by now! Distant Signal is truly the best train content there is, hands down.

[@dickbuttz7428]

This is very professionally done, your voice is great! I could listen to your easy informative and concise style, very educational while entertaining, if I was listening to this from another room I would think a big time network show was playing.

[@evanstrain5808]

I had no idea that trains could be so shiney. That executive rig was absolutely beautiful! And wow I never thought I could be so interested in train spotting. Something about the way you present everything really drew in my attention. Very delightful video. Thank you

[@general5104]

The narrator, on this channel, KNOWS HIS STUFF !!! You know more about train signals, yard rules, consist building and placement, and train names & yards than I do. Of course you're in Florida & I'm in Tennessee, & you're knowledgeable in cars and trains and I was in the POWER end of it. I subbed. I like it when folks LOVE a subject, so much that they dig and get information on it and fill in the vast amount of time when trains are lumbering by. It makes the video interesting, in the extreme, plus, it says ALOT for the site owner !!!

[@Beargizmo3]

Love your videos! I'm new to railfanning and I never cease to learn something from them. It's great being retired and having time! Thank you so much, Danny

[@emmanuelsavage1271]

Now that's how you do a railfan video! Great detail, sound, description of equipment, and the voice! Spoken like a true professional!

[@smokeandsteamxsw9831]

I retired after 48 years on the railroad. Here i am listening to all the sounds and learning something still after 50 years.

[@brucekwak2420]

I bet you made lots of money how much a year and hour

[@smokeandsteamxsw9831]

@@brucekwak2420 if you want to put in the hours and realli commit yourself 200k $ is possible. There is no better career than rail road. And railroad pension.

[@DarylH56]

A cousin of mine just recently retired from the engineers seat after 38 years. She loved her work!

[@sleepwalker8496]

I have opportunity to watch trains coming thru our main line in Fairport New York at O'Connor Rd. Some days I'm luck enough to see a train every 20 to 30 minutes. Thank you for explaining what the rail lights mean as I see them a little further down the line in different color configurations. I'm a school bus driver here in Rochester. Trains hold special meaning for me as a reminder of where I was and where I am now. A conductor for the New Jersey transportation authority saved my life 12 years ago. I thank you again for your informative videos.

[@judefernandez827]

I love this video as I’m the son of a railway engineer from South India and also a train enthusiast . Looking at little Joseph reminds me of my young days when I would sit on a wall bordering the railway tracks and watch the trains passing by for hours . In those days it was steam and my favourite loco was the WP Pacifics known as the Bullet engine in India .As they passed I would motion to the engineers to sound their whistle and most times they would oblige . My Dad started on the steam and then switched over to electric traction once steam power disappeared . I’m 73 years old now but my love for trains is still strong . Cheers from Australia .

[@vondreymcclurkin]

As NS conductor, they would like to have the engine back to back. Long hood to long hood. You understand. That the way when the train come in, it can run the engine back out on the next train. They don't have to run the wye to turn them or find another engine that they don't have to give up.

[@EricTheOld]

RIP Dave and great work with excellent editing and commentary. You are the best Danny

[@distantsignal]

Thanks very much, Eric.

[@railfanlynx]

Who is Dave?

[@dsmith9964]

@@railfanlynx Dave's not here man!

[@erniemathews5085]

When I was a kid I loved trains. Now I'm old and you let me keep enjoying them. Thanks.

[@harri2626]

A wonderful presentation, clearly spoken and full of technical knowledge. I have been visiting and riding the US rails on and off since 1973 (being from the UK) and wished I had this knowledge back then. Thank you DS. I've subscribed.

[@Corvid]

As a total outsider to all things "train", seeing the video and radio audio synced FLAWLESSLY... that's badass! Having spent a while working in all three blue light services, I'd be honoured to have such dedicated people listening in to our comms (although in the UK, and I'd imagine the US too, all emergency service radio is encrypted these days). 10/10 for production!

[@capt4550]

Danny your presentations are not only informative but very entertaining. Thanks for your good work

[@CajonPassStudios]

I have always been a railfan since the late 2000s, when I was only around 1-3 years old, and I have never seen something so charming and fantastic like this video.

[@WideWorldofTrains]

People ask me all the time why some of the locomotives run backwards, so they don't have to turn a unit around when they come back That Business train is very cool, nice catch.

[@trenano]

Your channel and your personal passion, narrative and knowledge about railways, trains, signal and stations is stunning. Congratulations.

[@distantsignal]

Thank you very much!

[@jdillon8360]

Thanks again Danny. You make great videos. Your pronunciation is very clear and easy to listen to. I couldn't handle the Florida heat, but I enjoy your videos.

[@lloyddavidson3736]

Wow! I watch train videos once in a while. This is my first time watching one of your videos. You present better than ANYONE else I've ever heard.

[@EmergencyGuy]

As a trucker, Danny, I can confirm that the pup trailers are 28’ in length.

[@Ethor98]

Trucker here too. I was gonna comment. And you said pup so that confirms that you are a trucker lol. I run a skateboard

[@Ethor98]

Stay safe out there driver.

[@alexlorenz4103]

As a package handler at UPS, we call them shorties

[@oubrioko]

Indeed. Pups are *28 feet, 6 inches* (to be exact) 👍

[@ronfullerton3162]

@@oubrioko Aw, pups! That is what we called them when I was pulling sets. For non-truckers, a set is two pups (28 foot trailers) hooked together as one unit. Other drivers call them "wiggle wagons", because sets can wiggle while going down the road.

[@errorsofmodernism9715]

Thank you for not frantically waving your arms like so many youtubers do

[@oriontherealironman]

You have the perfect voice and demeanor for these kinds of videos. You've gained a fan today sir!

[@Zach-ls1if]

I can’t wait to work for that man in about twenty years, he already seems more competent than most bosses I’ve had

[@romie1967]

As usual, a wonderful and informative video. Thank you! I especially enjoyed the B&O heritage train! I've been to the B&O museum in Baltimore - wonderful place.

[@thomasmackowiak]

Thank you for the explanation of why the railroads run engines back to back and the examples of that in your video. Thank you for the added bonus of the capture of the CSX officers special train. The Baltimore & Ohio Heritage paint scheme on that train looks beautiful.

[@pdionne03901]

My grand-father was a mechanic for B&M and used to take me with him when he was testing out the repairs. Fun times.

[@harryknipp9274]

Lifelong rail fan in the Baltimore area, now at 72 moving to Sarasota, with son in Tampa. Your productions are wonderful, interesting, detailed, and informative… and I see you paying attention to little visual details that will interest rail fans… a raised spike, the bell, etc etc etc

[@damonjohnson2125]

My father worked for a rail transportation company for many years, so almost any stories about the rail system, get my attention. I'm most impressed by the technology that produced the high speed trains!

[@Sunflowercowboy]

This channel is like train focused PBS from when I was a kid. Love it

[@alexandratramonti4995]

Nothing's better than Danny's videos!!

[@gregmaday1331]

Agreed!

[@icost4671]

Amen 👍 🤠

[@koryclarke1991]

Nope, nothing at all.

[@koryclarke1991]

Mango is a non-bonded controlled siding in other words.

[@dougselby625]

I also agree!!

[@rickbullock4331]

I just happened upon this particular channel and I’m really impressed. I’m guessing you were in radio or t.v. at one time because you sure have an announcer type voice to me. I want to here you singing 16 tons. Very informative all the way through. I’ve always been interested in trains from a young kid but I’m not super fan like a lot of people. I like the way you narrated and explained things all the way through. Well done sir.👍👍🇨🇦

[@sntrainzchaserguy6883]

I like watching your railroad videos MR Distant Signal! I hope you have a Happy July 4th weekend to you!!! l like your YT Channel too!

[@robmuld2685]

This channel really produces a very professional and highly educational high quality product. Thank you for putting this together. After living on a hill above the BNSF Balmer yard in Seattle, which is a hump yard, I became interested in knowing more about what went on down there. Now I’m in Miami, FL and hope to learn more about what is happening here.

[@derekborders9647]

The perfect voice for anything to do with trains or anything else that was ever on Modern Marvels.

[@ollieahokas9179]

Another great video, which surpasses even many of the professional made videos. Always very informative, entertaining and in short, world class! Kudos from Sweden!

[@James_Knott]

Several years ago, I worked for CN and had access to the internal schedules, the ones the train crews used. Funny thing, most freights were "extra" and therefore not listed in the schedule. So, even if you get one of those schedules, it would show only a small fraction of the freight trains.

[@FrancisSullivan-j7t]

My son and I Love your channel,thank you for all the Great information and hard work you put in to make your channel Great!! God bless from New York

[@xm8553]

This video just came up in my feed and I decided to watch it. You have the perfect narrator voice. You have the perfect voice for the Disney train ride. Seriously. Southern accent, knowledgeable about trains. Good video

[@bassmith448bassist5]

Just wandered in here. Not really a rail fan but I learned more about railroads in one video than I ever learned in school. Well made, well paced, well narrated, Well Done!!!! You do good work my friend and you are obviously passionate about trains. BTW, I spent many years in the Lakeland area visiting my Aunt Peggy. I heard all those train horns. Didn't know what they meant, but I heard 'em. Thanks for the video.

[@deauvilledad07]

Thanks Danny, as I live in the UK I'm not completely sure how the US rail system works. Subscribing to this channel is helping my understanding. Well done 🤓 stay safe 💙

[@bethgraham6618]

Fascinating video. I always love seeing things done well. it makes me wonder why there weren't a LOT more accidents back in the days when there were no computers to track movement, or radios for communication.

[@trishayamada807]

I’m not a train person but my 5 year old soon loves to watch them and I was hoping to find some information on how to be able to tell him more about trains. I’m not disappointed and honestly enjoyed learning more about trains than I expected. Subscribed and will keep watching here and in real life and my son and I can have some great train conversations. I’m just so thrilled to have found your channel.

[@beeble2003]

I've watched a ton of Danny's videos and all of them are completely appropriate to watch with your five-year-old, too.

[@edogletree5175]

I have been a model train nut and rail fan for years..u have the most informative of videos; great work!