How Distributed Power Works

Here are some basics on Distributed Power. What it is and how it helps railroads move much longer trains.

[shaunvalencia]

The YouTube algorithm brought me here and I felt the overwhelming need to let you, Distant Signal, know that this is on par if not a new standard for videos I watch on YouTube. The narrating, the edits and overall information were really great and made the video even better to watch. Really great job.

[jimmellenberger]

I transitioned from truck driving after 25 years and 3 million miles due to health issues, and after several years being unable to work, I now transport railcrews to their trains and depots, sometimes assisting crews to build or separate trains, or go get equipment needed to get a train back to operational status. The longest I've assisted with was the night before last, a 16, 800' coal bucket we split, so that one could proceed to the power plant downriver, and get the main cleared for other trains to continue their runs. It keeps me busy and able to work despite several physical disabilities. It's cool work.

[deathvalley]

DANNY, YOU HAVE A GREAT ‘BROADCASTERS’ VOICE.👍👍👍👍👍

[paulsmith]

These are among the best railroad videos that I have seen. The producer knows when to comment and when not to. Equally important, he knows when to edit the presentation, i.e., cut away as opposed to showing every car in a train. In too many videos the producers don't seem to understand the importance of editing their presentation.

[MBStylus]

Hello 29 year old here. i want to tell you to please continue putting the physics and mathematics behind the trains in your YouTube has become more dumber down in every videos content and i really was engaged in your presentation. it was like a professionally produced educational video.... i guess i felt like a kid again in science class is what im saying and i dont find that in most vids. was really engaged to your lesson. thank you!

[kmerena]

Mr. Harmon, you have made my day. I am a 73-year-old train freak and I live in Ecuador. Being disabled, I am unable to view trains anywhere and you have brought them to me. I am grateful for this. I will now subscribe to your channel and look forward to watching your videos in the future. You have a mesmerizing voice and I look forward to learning about trains from you going forward.

[tbb]

A note about NS’s use of DP from a current Norfolk Southern conductor in Birmingham: most of our trains are built by blocks. Cars are grouped in the train based on their destination. Most of the time when I’m doubling out of the yard and we have to place DP engines in the middle of the train, they go between certain blocks. On train 178 (Birmingham to Bellevue) we’ll place the DP locomotive between the Bellevue block and the Elkhart block. Upon yarding the train in Chattanooga, we’ll cut the Elkhart cars and the DP off, and shove the Bellevue cars into another track before going back and getting the DP off the Elkharts. The outbound crew will then swap onto the train and fill out in the class yard while 142 comes on duty and takes the Elkhart cars.

Another thing worth mentioning is while the train lengths are increasing, as is the use of DP, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. DP units can be very problematic in certain territory. Our run from Birmingham to Chattanooga on the AGS North has seen a major spike in train separations, especially on trains that run DP and trip optimizer. NS is looking into multiple DP sets now, but I feel that’ll only make things worse

[awesomesauce]

I didn't realize I was interested in trains until you started narrating them

[seymorekrelborn]

I never considered myself a train fan, but I watched this video all the way through and found it fascinating. I certainly appreciate the time and knowledge that went into this video. Please keep it up!

[michaeldillon]

I could listen to this dude talk all day.

[csparks]

A quick aside re: Origin of Distributed Power:
My Dad worked for GE the 1960's as an Electrical Engineer. He had Radio experience from the USAF and held a First Class Radio Telephone license. In 1968 GE had an early stage project to design & control multiple GE train engines spaced throughout the length of the train (front, middle, rear) using radio control - I don't remember hearing the term "Distributed Power" (I was in High School at the time).
My Dad was to be the leader of the project, but something happened and the project was put on "hold". My Dad was reassigned to work in Glens Falls, NY, on a completely different GE project and the "train project", as we called it, just faded away.
It's very interesting to see your video describing today's reality of Distributed Power.
It's been 50+ years for me wondering what ever happened to the "train" idea - now I know.
Thanks for a great video!

CRS

[kohlmyek]

Danny is the ACE! His knowledge is superb.

[Dewree]

Man, this is definitely not what I expected when I saw a random train video on the home page! This is incredible quality and information! Keep doing this amazing work! I can't say for certain, but I'm barely 7 minutes in and I feel you pulling me into an incredible train-geek rabbithole! I gotta watch more of your stuff!

[anthonyhunt]

Every time I watch DS…. I learn! Thank you Mr. Harmon

[GeneralRELee]

DPU trains are especially common in winter time to improve braking ability and response time and ensure consistent air pressure throughout the entire train.
DPU systems are Also used in hilly or mountainous tracks to reduce train slack and help prevent as well as the potential for a "stringline" derailments.

[kusy]

Thank you for timing the ad breaks instead of just letting them cut into the video mid sentence.

[DJ-bhju]

16:15 ... Your "technical gab" is exactly what I clicked on this one to listen to. Being a novice to all things railroading, I was hoping for an even more in depth discussion.

[BlazeDuskdreamer]

I love when you have lots of drone footage. You can see so much more! And, yes, I did learn about DP!

[samyaza]

I have no idea why Youtube brought me here but I ended up clicking and watching. I don't regret it. I used to love model trains when I was a kid and I have enjoyed the few videos of yours that I have seen.

[pianoboylaker]

You Yanks are so, so lucky to have these magnificent beasts to enjoy. Our trains in the UK are really small in comparison. But...., and it's a big but..., I live where the very first train began.
The "Rocket", George Stephenson's first trial locomotive ran right passed the house I now live in during the Rainhill Trials from 6 to 14 October 1829 in Liverpool. My house is much older than that and it is still in good condition considering its age, it is certainly in better health than I am.
However, not as much rail traffic runs in Britain now and that's a damn shame. So, you are still lucky to have what you've got.
Many thanks for the pleasure I get from videos like this but it also gives people like me, not in the US, a glimpse of what it's really like where you are that we wouldn't get to see without these videos and people like you who go out of your way to put them on YT for us to enjoy.