I love intermodal trains almost as much as I do mixed freight. Modelling Alaska Railroad is fun for me because their intermodals are only single layer TOFC or COFC due to the high winds they see in Alaska, no well cars at all.

Thanks for the inspiration, i recently upped my intermodal train length (from 100% 48 foot wells to one 53' well and one 5-pack 48' well with two frontrunners) and was looking for a possible intermodal terminal without all the hassle of a full-sized one.

Modeling Intermodal isn't in my current layout forecast but this is a great and informative video. Even if I was modeling steam era I would still watch this and enjoy it just as much. Great video, Thanks DJ!

Hi DJ, It's funny how the different railroads had different nicknames for TOFC and COFC services. Like you mentioned, I began hearing the name "Jet" and "Trailer Jet" during the Chessie System era. On Conrail they were "TV" trains, which was short for Trail-Van. On the Southern Pacific they were called "Pig" trains, short for Piggyback which is the most common name for TOFC and COFC trains. The Southern Pacific truck trailers even proclamation "Golden Pig Service" on the side of the trailers. As time marches on I think the traditional Piggyback train is being replaced by the double stack trains as more shipping companies have adopted containers over truck trailers. Another neat video DJ thanks for sharing and yes, I love the drone footage. Cheers, Rich S.

I'm old enough to remember when TOFC was all the rage before the days of containerized freight

just started watching u. i am very old. got a veryfew cars. $30,000.oo worth. and no track. hope to make a small lay at least before i die. Yes i like containers / car carriers/ black tanks . say 50 each . a whole train of nothing but tanks and couple buffer cars.

My grandfather work for the P&LE many years ago in Youngstown. I would love to see more about the history of the P&LE RR. Thanks DJ.

as little kid on farm. forbidden to go way back side of farm near R&R tracks. But i did a lot. used to stand on tracks as train come watching cars swing side to side wow. jump off tracks about 400ft of train. plenty of time as train only run 35 mph. Newyork Centeral. warren pa makes railroad cars. And the sections of the ARCH AT St Louis.

I have worked in McKee’s Rocks for the past 23 years and always enjoy seeing these trains go by mostly the Pittsburgh& Ohio central passes just across the street from work

Your inside scoop is priceless ! Thanks for sharing!

Nice video there DJ! Love those drone shots. My dad's cousin was the man in charge of developing the land for the intermodal terminal in McKees Rocks.

"It's the one I've rarely seen modeled" YOU HAVEN'T SEEN MY LAYOUT THEN. :P

My old layout main industry was intermodal my new layout will have it to. I'm a otr driver an I use to go to the intermodal yards to dropoff or pickup loads but not anymore. My company has a dedicated division that all they do is intermodal. I drive with a co driver and pull doubles now on a different division of the company. Very informative video thankyou.

They would be great for people that like to just run trains . ...thanks for sharing....Jack

Always enjoy your videos my best friend is from Mckees Rocks and has lots of photos of the P&LE and PC&Y from the 60's and 70's

Very interesting and informative. I enjoy modelling inter-modal because of all the diverse and bright colours of the containers. They also look great when weathered.

Great info! Some of my first cars were well cars HO. What no one told me, nor was it printed on the box, was they won't run if your curves are too sharp. So I guess it's back to the drawing board, or I'll just have a yard full of well cars to admire.

Lots of information and great drone shots.

Intermodal or stack trains are one of my favorite to model and one of the top if not the top most expensive train to build

Interesting as always DJ

Very interesting! CSX intermodal in Valleyfield,QC built about 5 years ago will be close this October , this is sad. It’s medium size yard , easy to model. CN will buy all trackage from CSX in province of Quebec. Farewell to legacy exx-Conrail ex-PC nee-NYC around Montreal !

Thanks DJ , very informative (:

So maybe you don’t see this back east, but an inter model in the west and one I plan to do is the trash train full of containers. The yard I’m going to do is pull thru, but also dead ended at the transfer(dump) area. But cool video. Got to see the Portland OR facility up close.

Good one Deej!

I love modeling intermodal

Well, that gives me something to do with the 2 Mi-Jack cranes I have!

very cool and very interesting. thanks for some ideas.

Another great video DJ. Always love the drone footage.

I live in CHAMBERSBURG, and watch trains and the local out of Hagerstown all the time.

very cool

Make sure none of your access roads in the yard go anywhere. Roads must be an afterthought and the crews must ride around in a van for 30 min at the minimum.

THANK YOU...for sharing. No speeding in Ohio DJ. LOL

Nice video!

CSX built a huge intermodal yard in North Baltimore Ohio, near Deshler, Ohio. It’s big

Just a guess why you don't see many layout with them is the price of trailers , containers and well cars or maybe I'm just cheap . LOL

I live near chambersburg, always wanted to go

Great video! I have been thinking about it for part of my layout and this showed how easy it could be thx!!!!

Just grabbed about 16 well cars on top of the 6 BNSF well card I own. Came with tons of containers and trailers. I have a crane but I’m thinking about building a larger one like they have at ports so I can custom build a container/train/car barge similar to Alaska Marine Lines...I’m doing too much lol

Dont forget the DigCom Designs paper containers! It was the only way i could fill my double stack!

Both of my parents worked Intermodel for CSX 👍

Thanks for the info. Really like the thought

Running 7 Maxi well IV from Kato together with some 5-unit well cars from Walthers. I enjoy it, but it is expensive when u also have to get 2 containers for each unit.

Working on that now

Cool DJ I’m surprised that you said that intermodal trains are super light and easy slow down.

I think people don't model intermodal trains because you can't do too much with it. They go from point A to point B. There's not much switching or industry involved, unless the few industries that are involved are the ones you're interested in, of course.

Highly suggest, using graphic arrows pointing out what you are referring to. Peace n love ✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️

Nice video! You could build an intermodal yard on T-Trak modules.

Intermodal, Planed for, Not planed for, on the Fence...It depends on the state of the layout and yard and staging tracks what is more important at the moment for the layout.

Every time I go to my friends house in Mont Alto he takes me to Chambersburg to watch trains at the international facility

I like to model intermodal but it gets really expensive

I'm trying to picture where that is, compared to the main line headed to/from New Castle. I used to drive through McKees Rocks to get to Neville Island yard.

Wow, that’s some slick camera work! Do you carry a lot of UPS loads on your line?

I run intermodal. When modeling and loading intermodal the 20fts always go in the well. Then you can put a 40 to 53 on top. Never put a 20 on top of anything other than a 20=

This is one in my backyard. They moved here from central orlando. goo.gl/maps/jsm8cjiPyTHqBP526 My company is their contracted service electrician, and we recently added another crane to the facility. They have 4 fully automated cranes!

Nice!

1. Protect the TWO MAN CREW BILL (HR 1748 Safe Freight Act) It’s about public safety and jobs. 2. Go to SMART-UNION.org/td Click on the Red button support two person crews on the right side of division home page. 2. Enter contact info ( this is needed to direct the email to your member of congress. 3. Click Send. The pre-drafted my essage will be sent directly to your member of congress. 4. This effects railroad retirement, retired railroaders, current railroaders there’s even a spot for the general public to make there voice be heard. Please take action there is 175,000 conductors and 59,000 engineers that need this support not to mention public safety at risk. 5. safety of the crews and the public must come first!

Cool..video....

Great info. Back in late 50's early 60's, how did they handle the semi truck trailers they carried. Thanks for sharing.

👍🏼👍🏼 didn’t know there were set off/pick up only yards. Thanks for the info. Still don’t know what constitutes DPU’s 😊. Anthony

Never heard them called jets. In csx’s southern region they’re called pigs or piggybacks.

@djstrains Can you do a follow up to the McKees Rocks part? Something more on the operation or how to setup on a layout? its perfect for what I want to do.

was wondering how i was going to install a IM yard on my layout..NOW i know how and why

Nice video DJ👍🏼. Question, what's the longest train you've ever pulled (feet and tons)? How much power was on it, DPU's ect? Just curious, have a good day my friend, stay safe on them rails

Can you do a video on stone and aggregate trains and modeling a small modern quarry?

Hi DJ! I love piggy-back rail cars, but I’m modeling mid 70’s. I see videos on KZfaq from back then with piggybacks cars and see them kinda jumbled on a train. If they don’t get switch how do they ultimately get to a train that takes them to an intermodal yard? Thanks! I know this question is 4 years late!

I've actually been trying to do a lot of intermodal modeling..... However, Ok have to disagree with your est of how much space is required..... Due to their very nature you have to have either an aircraft hangar or something similar on size to be able to run an intermdal train of any size in HO scale. A typical modern flat is a foot,spine and well cars start at 16" long.,to over two feet each......plus a foot or so EACH per locomotive....

I always thought the facility in Wall Pa would be cool to model

Hey, DJ. I have a quick question, I assume that your home terminal is Pittsburgh. What subdivisions are you qualified to go on how far are you allowed to go? Thank you!

I think one reason that this type of train isn't modeled often it they have to be long. And require a bigger layout. Is there such a thing as a short intermodal train and small yard ?

ok. 👎👀 good scene s from air. but unable to see track layout by air. by satalite maybe but ur camera has not able to show the big pic. u can show drawing with numbers= dementions etc. switches & where how far apart. Can u fly a drone while runin the train? Can it keep up with train? flight duration of drone is not enough? i m from ur neck of the woods. jamestown/ warren erie titisville oilcity driftwood emporium. lived next to R&R station in city of Northeast pa on the western Newyork stateline near Erie. Major Tracks there!

Hi, What is most prototype-typical D.C. or A.C. locomotives on the intermodal trains? I see some railroad put A.C. locomotives on the intermodal trains.

Can you explain why they choose Spines vs TOFC vs Wells? What percentages are seen in the modern era?

i like watching 2 trainspassing oppsite dir. going like hell. what dose a train really weigh? Average 200 car. loaded?

Intermodal trains they are very expensive to model I think that's why you don't see that many in HO

what is the formula for curves? i have engines 4&6&8 axle. 6&8 dont go round curves

I see a lot of coal trains.

2 dislike. 2 jb hunt truck drivers

LOL couldn't wait till that facility was done. Moving crushed concrete from one side to the other plus dirt mainly for the track bed. Boring and a pain. I'm also glad the rail takes semi trailers the freight is too cheap for us to haul. But I don't see road road railers any more where the trailer sits right on the trucks why is that DJ??

First, Nice

these are nice and informative but what about your layout

why dose a train have to stop if it hits an A hole car? You cant change anything except to call cops. BUT WHY STOP?

Question....wasvin greensburg pa monday....was SWP locomotives with freight train....who are they...?

Those HO scale containers are prohibitively expensive.

Its expensive as heck to model it in o scale😂

What's going on with all those Prime trailers. LOL . Looks like Amazon is trying to take over the world. ! ! ! Just Saying.