Overview and Operations on Steve Johnson's Union Railroad

On July 18th my friend Morris and I visited Steve Johnson's Union Railroad. Steve gave us an overview of the railroad and explained the switch list. The video is rather long but I wanted to cover the layout in great detail. The railroad is based on steel mill operations. The railroad is very well done and a lot of fun to operate. However, as you can see the isles are narrow so only 4 people can be in the room together comfortably. Other then a few derailments caused by coupler trip pins and operator error the railroad runs great! Steve is a wonderful host and a very accomplished model railroader. Thanks for having us over Steve!!
As an aside the first 18 minutes of the video are in a smaller format. I discovered that if you are using an Iphone and start the video vertical and switch to horizontal it stays vertical. I was able to rotate it but the video as you can see is smaller so now I know what not to do!

[@kevinmcmahon9122]

Loved watching all the switching while on a lunch break at work

[@fredeisen7401]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@AMX86]

Outstanding! great ideas, handsome layout. thank you.

[@detroitterminalrailroad1467]

Great tour. Thanks for sharing this with us all.

[@fredeisen7401]

Thanks!!

[@dominicfrizzi2563]

Cutting off the gladhands off the cars; you can put a small amount of them scattered around the ballast to represent a air hose change in the field

[@ACRR46]

Great layout tour and interview.

[@fredeisen7401]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@chadmartin1528]

So nice to see the Union Railroad. Looks like a great time you guys had. Big fan of you both. Video was really good.

[@fredeisen7401]

Thanks Chad! We appreciate your watching and being a fan!

[@patrickspeer2990]

Wow, love that it is the Union. I am from Cleveland was thinking of trying to eventually do a layout of Cleveland's Flats, with Whiskey Island PRR-Conrail, Huletts, maybe even some mills, but the more I look at yours the more daunting it is. Have you ever seen a layout like this?

[@garymartz7587]

Looks like fun! Very nice layout.

[@fredeisen7401]

We had a great time and can't wait to go back!

[@jeromedavis2420]

Very nice

[@stephenjohnson26]

Thank you

[@ricklambert2435]

After you cut off the trip pin ‘ phone wire makes good air hoses just paint them black with silver tips you can bend them right under the couplers

[@fredeisen7401]

Rick, thanks for the advice!

[@user-yz4wm1pu2y]

Any chance there's a published track plan for this layout? Searched all over the 'net and can't find anything besides these videos (which are very inspiring!!)

[@fredeisen7401]

I don't believe a track plan has ever been published. I have asked Brian to send me a track plan and will add it to the comment section.

[@fredeisen7401]

Sorry the comments will not let me attach a jpg

[@fredeisen7401]

I will put it on my Facebook page. And include it on our next video.

[@user-yz4wm1pu2y]

Thanks for responding so quickly, but isn't his name Steve? LOL Or is Brian the person who conceived this layout? By the way can't wait for the next video, I don't live anywhere near PA steel country but this has so many great ideas.@@fredeisen7401

[@CPKCRAILROAD]

Hey

[@fredeisen7401]

Hey back at you

[@duanefalk219]

Also… would love to see your layout ! Do you host visitors?

[@fredeisen7401]

Yes, I allow visitors.

[@duanefalk219]

That’s great! Hpw would I get on touch to arrange ?

[@fredeisen7401]

I am on Facebook so instant message me.