Drew's Trackside Adventures: Episode 13 - Byron Hill, Wisconsin

We’re in the business of keeping you all happy, so I’m glad you all enjoyed this episode. I just returned from a vacation in Florida to see this posted and I can’t believe I choose to live in this frigid climate!

A few follow-up’s to some of your comments below:

  1. Our summer schedule is taking shape and I can say that we will be featuring something other than Canadian Class 1’s. We’ve been on quite the roll lately, I know. Things will get warmer and things will get timely!

  2. Regarding train movements, I like to use the ATCS Monitor software. It provides a near-live look at many mainlines.You can learn more by joining the ATCS Monitor Yahoo! Group. Check that out when you have time and a bit of patience. It’s a helpful tool.

  3. We’re currently working on making still photos available. When we do, you all will be the first to know.

  4. Those MU cables at Duplainville always seem to be there. I will try and find an answer for that.

  5. And the “Remote” markings on those ballast cars suggest that the “dump doors” can be opened/closed remotely during a move. So, from what I understand, a crew can dump ballast while rolling, with near-pin-point accuracy. Try that on your model railroad!

Wow! Loved the meet at Marsh siding. Drew do you think you can do an episode where you film riding in an engine cab?

The camera shot over top of the double stacks was crazy…who was hanging off the bridge? Loved the video. Makes me wonder why I’m at a computer terminal instead of out chasing!

Gregory, that shot shows just how close these containers get to the bridge. The GoPro was just about level with the roadway.

Randy, I’ll keep working on that!

I live right on this Subdivision and you guys hit some good locations to record. There has been an amazing amount and array of trains coming through. Great to see some interest in this area ! ! You will have to get to Oshkosh sometime to check out the new river bridge ! !

Great Job by all!!!

Do KJ & Drew ever actually work? They seem to have all of the fun running around the countryside taking pictures/videos. Great work if you can get it.

On train movements. mobile scanners can also help you. Get the appropriate yard/road channel for your railroad. The radio frequencies also pickup the nearby defect detectors. You can use them to use know (by milepost) where trains are, number of axles on that particular train. Each vocal detector gives you an entry and exit message. Then you can tell which direction they are heading also by the message.

As always, great shots! I really enjoyed the travelogue, the scenery and the trains. I just count my blessings every day that I don’t have to live in such a nasty cold place!

Great shots guys! From a guy ‘down under’, its great to see these pics. Could you please try and show a little more of towns and how the railroads are situated in them, so we can get some ideas for our layouts. But please keep up the great work.

David, thanks for that input. When we focus on a given town/area, I will work with our illustrators to make sure we can show a “bigger picture” of the space. Great idea!

Jay, it was Ben Lake and myself who hit the road yesterday, but KJ did all the hard work behind the scenes, setting us up for great meet-and-greets along the way. Episode 14 will have an interesting model railroading tie-in. Think big…

Hey Drew I do not if it was just a mix up but on eof the CN engines that you show has one number (5653) but the text placed in show a different one (2320). I love being able to catch what you are showing as it will give me some that I will be able to model once I get my layout all set and ready to go when I have the room for it. Keep up the good work and can not wait for the next episode.

Getting tired of railfan videos of Wisconsin.

Thank you for catching that, Patrick. I’m glad we can help inspire!

Rick, hang with us. I can assure you we’ll be featuring other locations in future episodes. In addition, do you have any ideas?

Another great video Drew,

I have a suggestion,Bailey yard,

Very nice video!

I think I can give you an answer for the MU cables at Duplainville, between the Waukesha-Burlington locals and the rock trains based out of that area, a lot of power is swapped around.

I miss the days of the WC, and the SD45s slugging it out on the hill (and everywhere else)…

Thank you for that info, Randall. I miss the WC too… very much!

Paul, Bailey Yard is now on the list. We’ll have some UP featured in the very near future as well.

Thanks Vianney. I’m glad you’re still enjoying the show.

Whens the next video out? Seems like it should have been here already?