Love the first thing you look for

Great Stuff!

I ran across these on youtube earlier today. I enjoyed them very much and appreciate the work you and Mike did to put these videos together.

Thanks!

George

Great Set of Videos

Just finished watching all 4 videos - well worth the investment of the time involved. Will have to look at them again to gain a better appreciation of your efforts.

I'd like to see a diagram of the layout especially of the yard and the location of the industries mentioned. It would assist my understanding of your yard work to see the overall design of the yard.

But, many thanks for the effort. BTW, how does Mike manage to get along in a short sleeved polo shirt in Ottawa in December?

John

Thanks!

Thanks guys!

Nice 'how-to'. Would like to see more stuff like thia. Keep up the good work, and easy on the beer, it can be hard on a model railroad....

Very informative

Thanks for the Comments

Glad you spent the time watching the videos.  Hope to make more in the future.  The track plan is earlier in this blog see page below John.  As far as the polo shirt we do heat our houses up here in Ottawa and with 44 florescent Seasonal Affective (SAD) lights in 22 fixtures it is like being out in the summer sun.  The online versions are in 480 only.  Not sure what my little Sony Cybershot records in.  I like using it as it is light and easy to move in and out in model railroad settings.  East to hold and do the interview (two things at the same time and still engage the subject in conversation.

http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/2383

That was a great series of

That was a great series of videos! I would like to make one observation though. Most railroads in the US (I wasnt sure if yours is modeling a US or Canadian main line) dont require ringing of the bell during continuous switching operations except when a switch move takes the train near or over a road crossing. And I believe in a yard, its only required when moving immediately next to standing equipment. Sound is however a great feature and helps to add to the fun of operations, so if you got it, use it.

I cant wait to watch some more of your videos. Thanks for sharing

Steven

Bell Ringing

Found this on another forum. Posted by Dave Husman:

Uniform Code of Operating Rules 1968 (MoPac and others)

30.  Ringing bell.  Except where the momentary stop and start, forward or backward are part of continuous switching movement, the engine bell must be rung when an engine is about to move, and while approaching and passing public crossings at grade, stations and through tunnels.

Consolidated Code of Operating Rules 1959 (M&StL and others)

30.  Ringing bell.  Except where the momentary stop and start, forward or backward are part of a switching movement, the engine bell must be rung when an engine is about to move; while passing through stations, tunnels and snowsheds; while approaching and passing public crossings at grade, beginning sufficiently in advance to afford ample warning, but not less than one-fourth mile before reaching such crossing, and continuing until the engine has passed over the crossing; and where required by special instructions.  The unecessary use of the bell is prohibited.

I was curious about this as I live a stone's throw for UP's busy Riverdale yard and while I hear train horns, I rarely, if ever, hear their bells.

George

Bell Ringing

Thanks for the hints guys.  You are probably right about the bells.  Though often I can recall the bells especially in yards where there are lots of tracks and standing /moving rolling stock.  Also where there are lots of direction changes in close proximity the guys just left them on.  Not to worry though for us modelers its fun and a matter of choice.  There are probably lots of small errors in thought as the videos were all done in one take.  Not to professional but hopefully helpful and free

Well i learned a thing or 2

Move to MRH Theater

Chris and Mike,

Great introduction to operations.  So that they do not get lost in the background, I think your videos would make great additions to the MRH Theater operations section.

Ken K

Learning a thing or 2: Move to MRH Theatre

Yes I learn something every day in this hobby.  In fact I forget stuff as well so it is always nice to hear from folks who are enjoying this series.

Thanks for the suggestion Ken.  In fact I just got an email from Joe and I gave the approval.  So hopefully more folks will get a chance to see it, now and into the future.

Bumping post.

bumping post

Well done

Thank you for sharing these video's, I got some very useful tips to operate myown little layout.

Many thanks ...

... for these videos - they're great for newcomers and experienced hands alike. Clear, friendly explanations with the added advantage of being able to SEE what is happening and why - terrific even for the usually much smaller layouts we have here in the UK.

The best I've seen on this theme - I look forward to more if you have the time and generosity to make them.

Jock Graham
Leeds, UK

Excellent training videos

Chris and Mike, thank you for a well done video series.  I am just getting into operations so they were very informative for me.  I will probably watch them several more times so I am sure to have the basics down when I go into my first operating session.

Great Job

Chris, I learned an awful lot on your session on operations.  It was simple yet very knowledgeable.

I do have a question concerning your switches.  As each switch was thrown I could hear a click like it was locking in place.  I am assuming that it is locking and was wondering what you use to lock them.  I am in the process of doing a yard and have given the switches a lot of thought on how to lock them when thrown.  Appreciate your insight.

Randy

Mike & Chris

Very nice videos showcasing operations. Much information can be gathered by watching these videos whether you are a newbie or a seasoned operator. Thanks for producing them, you certainly earned those "water towers".

2slim (aka Todd)

Switches Locking

Hi Randy.  The switches are made from Peco.  They have springs that hold them over.  The snap is just the point rail hitting the stock rails.  I like them for easy hand thrown operation.  There are many other ways to hold the rails over.  But this is fast and efficient and can be thrown with fingers or the uncoupling stick.

Video Feedback

Thanks again for your comments.  I do like doing these videos and I plan to do some in the next while.  There are so many aspects to this hobby that make it enjoyable.  I had a comment on a forum where a model railroader's 6 and 7 year old sons watched the four parts without being board, then went to the basement to rearrange their Thomas layout creating sidings and a runaround to try some of the operations moves.  I guess there is hope for the future as we are all kids at heart and love our trains.   

operating sessions

thanks for shooting and posting these very informative videos.  nicely done.  as a videographer myself, I know how tough unscripted, unrehearsed shoots can be.  you guys did great.  I started operating 3 large layouts recently, and as a raw recruit on the roads, I appreciate the tips provided.  I admit to "cherry picking" a bit, but now I'll refrain from that practice.

Oregon River and Beaver Jct. (4' x 11' switching layout on the flat in HO scale)

Videos

Thanks for taking the time to make these videos. They are outstanding and contained excellent tips, even for those of us who operate alone and sequentially who get to make mistakes unwitnessed.

Roy

Series of videos

The pic I used

I use BBQ skewers to uncouple in HO.  I have see folks use a ling needle in a wood handle for N scale..  Glad the videos were seen as useful.  Thanks again