Switching Operation on the Union Pacific Phoenix Sub with Radio Chatter

Here we find the local LKK48 doing some local work and switching. The LKK48 works typically from Buckeye to Tolleson. You will see the three crew team work and some of the processes it takes to drop off and pick up cars.

I filmed this for my own understanding of how local railroading switching works for my own model railroading project. I think others will find it useful too. The aerial perspective gives a unique look to a daily task that is rarely covered.

Here is some detail information I found from Railroadfan92675 in 2012:

Buckeye is in Arizona, about 25-30 miles west of Phoenix on the I-10. The square miles for the Town of Buckeye is larger than the square miles for the City of Phoenix but we only have about 40-45 thousand people. Most of the land here is either farming, cattle ranching or dairy. Buckeye has 7 customers served by Union Pacific.

This only applies to Union Pacific locals, UP longer distance trains have a different set of initials and are usually easier to figure out. BNSF does it differently.
LKK49 16 = Train ID

L = Local
K = Tucson (location of service unit)
K = Managers initial that oversees train

49 - Job#

16 = date of the month the train departs from where it originates, it is also used to tell the difference of the train and its railcars from one day to the next day. All UP Trains have the date number but it is usually not refered to very often.

Yard Jobs example: YPX12R 16

Y = Yard Job
PX = Phoenix
12 = Job#
R = Remote Control
16 = Date of month

Now, to throw a monkey wrench into the works. Some L's (locals) will only work as yard jobs or work mainly yard jobs while some Y train will run from the yard to businesses and back or from yard to yard and back. I have no idea why.

UP locals will usually have nicknames that are often said on the radio, the LKK49 runs west from Phoenix to Buckeye and refered to on the radio as the Buckeye West, vice versa for the LKK48 Buckeye - Phoenix (Buckeye East).

Видео Switching Operation on the Union Pacific Phoenix Sub with Radio Chatter канала Train Video Pro