Manned Helper Operations on N Scale Tehachapi Pass Model Railroad Layout (HD)

Manned helper operations play a big role on my layout, just as they did on the real Tehachapi Pass until remote controlled DPUs became the norm in the late 90s through early 2000s. In this video, we'll follow an eastbound merchandise train out of the Central Valley to the helper pocket at Bena where it will pick up a set of pushers. Once the train is back together, we'll continue up the hill, railfanning at a few key locations along the way, before reaching Tehachapi and Summit Switch where the helpers will cut off and head back down the mountain to await their next assignment.

Comments

1. Nice run. Good to see prototype speeds on a model railroad. To many run way to fast. It's much appreciated by us railroaders and model railroaders.
2. Just wish I had the room to do something remotely close to the size of this in HO, awesome layout!!
3. Very nice. Thank you for letting us in.
4. Too bad it's not 'N' gauge. This is HO gauge stuff. 'N' gauge is at least 1/2 the size of these or less. Most diesel locomotives in 'N' scale are only about 3 inches long. Nice layout tho.
5. What do you do for work? How do you have so much disposable income and are you looking to hire an apprentice? :)
6. It looks like it is actually HO scale. very nice though.
7. vidéo très réussi et merveilleux layout. Faut voir la finale complètement!
8. Outstanding video and top-notch, work all around! Great video
9. This will be a spectacular layout when you get the scenery and final touches completed.  But the track work coming off the turnout at West Cliff / Tunnel #5 (10:33) is pretty awful!  Where is the smooth curve that should be coming off that switch instead of the kinked straight track?  I think I would have bypassed this section of the layout for the video, until you had this part fixed.
10. Great video!
    I might suggest that you cut the helpers in around 35 cars back from head end. Rear end helpers are neat as well though. But mid train helpers are really cool and they do work.
    Nice video, please keep them coming!
    bill
11. That show, beautiful, congratulations and ' fantastic, brilliant in the gallery wall, in an episode of the tv series of Ellery Queen there was a billionaire eccentric who had a train that ran from his laboratory where there was the model railway and through a tunnel in the wall the train came into the living room where communicating with people through entrance prices who wrote and placed on wagon, I always liked , and your model reminds me of him so much, ciao from Italy
12. Are the pushers pushing or dummies?
13. Impressive track work! Arrow straight!!
14. With your train running this slow...you vid gets boring real quick.
15. How about Capping some of your Wires ya do have Kids come by from time to time to see your Layout.! Its Cool n All but my Gosh do your self a Favor and cover the Wires with some Wire Caps or something..
16. real nice, like that
17. Do you post to a website to show your progress or is it only youtube?
18. I wish i had the SP tunnel motors you have! I am a HUGE SP Guy. I also do it in N scale. BTW If you have a facebook join the Southern Pacific Modelers group.
19. nicely built. enjoyed watching.
20. Operation is great but if you have to look at wood it is not for me..