Amtraks Unique Turnaround At Tampa Distant Signal 2022-02-19 | Amtrak on its way into Tampa must turn the train around and back it down into the station. Because of the neighborhood where the wye is, we get a closeup look at the operation.
Trains Across The Interstate Distant Signal 2024-06-16 | This is a railfanning trip to Lakeland to find out about the new I-4 underpass on the Vitis Sub. But it also led me out to find a bunch of Amtrak action.
The Seaboard Coast Line Reborn Distant Signal 2024-05-12 | The Florida Central Railroad, a shortline with branches in Orlando, Ocala, Winter Haven and Lake Wales, recently started a program to paint a few of their locomotive in predecessor road colors. The predominant predecessor road for them in Florida was the Seaboard Coast Line. I set out to find one of their black and yellow homages.
Big Freights, Job Briefings & Defect Detectors Distant Signal 2024-05-03 | How a normal railfan outing can lead to meeting new people and discovering new things.
Folkston Railwatch 2024 Distant Signal 2024-04-12 | At RAILWATCH this year, Lizz took a lot of pictures with me and folks I met. Here's that collection along with some of the trains we caught that day.
Heritage Hunt: The Family Lines 1972 Distant Signal 2024-03-30 | It was the chatter of the railfan groups on Facebook. CSX's new Family Line-painted heritage engine, the 1972. When I knew for sure it was coming to Lakeland, I made a run for it.
How To Manually Program The Uniden BC125AT Scanner For Railfanning Distant Signal 2024-03-12 | Here's the basics for entering all 97 AAR frequencies into your Uniden BC125AT scanner. Plus a basic knowledge of the scanner controls.
My Train Finding Basics Distant Signal 2024-02-25 | Lots of railfans ask me for my secrets to findings trains on a typical outing. Using research, maps, timetable and the radio, here's how I've improved my odds over the years.
Railfanning In Peak Season 2023 Distant Signal 2023-12-22 | Every Fall, the holiday season creates a rush of container and trailer shipping aboard intermodal trains. In this video, we'll see how that Peak Season rush affects railfanning between Thanksgiving and Christmas.00:45 intermodals at Folkston05:24 Loading containers at Duval Ramp06:39 Jax area Map07:03 i02611 departing at Duval Connection08:27 Trains at Callahan11:19 Folkston Winterwatch, i032 & i037 meet15:14 Wildwood i04511 arrives15:56 Wildwood Ethanol train arrives16:38 Wildwood i04411 arrives, crews swap18:17 Wildwood i044 departs18:45 Wildwood i045 departs19:22 Uceta Yard, Tampa, Loading containers21:02 Winter Garden, Dinner at Pammie’s Sammies21:55 Central Florida RR Museum
What Are Railroad Divisions, Subdivisions and Junctions? Distant Signal 2023-11-27 | I made this video after receiving a question from a viewer asking what were Divisions and Subdivisions? I threw in Junctions because I've had a few questions about those as well.
Brightline Orlando to Miami Inaugural Distant Signal 2023-10-24 | After years of planning and construction, Brightline has finished it's trackage into Orlando International Airport and opened service there on September 22, 2023. Lizz and I wanted to take one of those first-day trips. Here's how it was. *My thanks to FECRS President Jim Kovalsky for technical guidance in the making of this video.
How Railroad Switches Work Distant Signal 2023-10-01 | This is from a question I got about different types of railroad switches. I tried to find and include as many as I could, but there are still more types out there.
Uncovering the History of Waycross/Rice Yard & the Bow Line Distant Signal 2023-08-19 | In this video, we'll cover the origins of Rice Yard at Waycross, what created the Bow Line route and why CSX is upgrading sidings in several locations. You'll meet Gus Karle, the man who oversaw the terminal operations at Waycross in the 1970's and 80's. Then we'll Join Charles Burgess to chase down some freight trains across South Georgia.
The Big Seaboard S Line Run July 2023 Distant Signal 2023-07-31 | I've been hearing about some unusual activity out on the CSX S-Line, so I took a Saturday to go investigate. Nothing too radical, but I did have a great railfanning day so come on along.
Who Controls Railroad Diamonds? Distant Signal 2023-07-20 | A viewer wrote me asking "Who Controls Diamonds at RR Crossings?" It set me off on a learning journey. What I discovered was amazing.
My Premium Brightline Ride - May 2023 Distant Signal 2023-06-04 | This was my first ride aboard Brightline. I rode the "Smart" service from Boca Raton down to Miami, then on their "premium" service back to Boca. Let go!
How CSX Built a 35 mile Double Track Main Line Using Only 1500 Feet of New Track Distant Signal 2023-04-21 | How CSX created a double track Main out of their Rice Yard at Waycross by utilizing an old, underused subdivision. I tracked the project from Waycross over to Nahunta and back.
The Way It Was: The AB&C. Railfanning The Fitzgerald Sub Distant Signal 2023-04-12 | This is a re-issue of a DVD program I produced in 2010 on one of my favorite CSX routes: The Fitzgerald Sub from North Central Georgia, to the Southeastern corner at Waycross.I've made a few edits for time, but it's basically the same show as the DVD. Enjoy!
Trains, Barge Canal & Steaks By the Track Distant Signal 2023-03-03 | It's wintertime on the Florida S-Line. Trains are fewer right now, so we have to get on the road and hunt 'em down. Plus, I learn a few things on this trip including some facts about the old Cross-Florida Barge Canal.
Tampa Area Railfan Hotspots 2023 Distant Signal 2023-02-17 | This is a small compilation of my GO-TO railfan spots in the Tampa area. Places where I know I'll catch something, if I go at the right time.Scanner Frequencies you’ll need:160.590 This is the business channel in the area. Road channel for all of Tampa, Plant City, Lakeland. 161.100 - Road Channel for AZA Line, Brooksville, Clearwater Subs.160.230 The JF Dispatch Channel. Listen closely here. This will tell you what trains are moving and where. For the Tampa area, Plant City and Lakeland south of Lakeland Junction160.920 - Dispatch Channel for A Line from Lakeland to Kissimmee and S-Line route from Lakeland Junction to Baldwin Yard.161.520 - Auburndale Sub Dispatch from Auburndale to West Palm.
EMD OR GE - HOW I TELL EM APART Distant Signal 2022-12-28 | As new railfans we all had trouble telling the difference in the makes of locomotives. Here's a little guide that outlines the spotting features I use to tell GE from EMD.
Ohio: State of Big Railroading Distant Signal 2022-11-05 | I got a birthday present from my son, Rob. A trip to Ohio... to see trains!We were only there three days but I could have stayed two weeks!
What Railroad Defect Detectors Do Distant Signal 2022-08-15 | This is my basic understanding of what defect detectors do. How they work. And why they're crucial to modern railroad operations.
CSXs New Train Symbology Distant Signal 2022-07-03 | In 2022 CSX has changed many, if not most of their train symbols. Symbols are what railroads used to call the names or numbers of trains. Each category of train has a new letter symbol. Here's what I learned on a Saturday railfanning outing.CSX. Train Symbols. Lakeland. Florida. Bonnet Springs Park. Zephyrhills. Dade City. Railroad. Railfanning. Trains. Danny Harmon. Distant Signal. Central FL RR. TrinityRail RDL-A Hoppers
Finding Local Freight Trains In Tampa 2022 Distant Signal 2022-06-03 | Where you can find CSX local freights in Tampa in 2022. We'll chase down some railfanning staples... and then stop for a chili dog!
Big Freight Trains, ROCKETS & Rock Shrimp Distant Signal 2022-05-07 | This is a trip to Florida's Space Coast to see the Brightline work at Cocoa and to chase down some big FEC freights
Brightline: Floridas Fast Passenger Rail Distant Signal 2022-04-13 | Brightline is making big news on the Florida East Coast with passenger service on FEC's rails. Here's what I got from a couple of trips to West Palm and Fort Pierce.
Switching & Chasing On New Years Day 2022 Distant Signal 2022-01-16 | Started out on New Years Day 2022 with no plan and got pretty lucky.
Why We See Foreign Locomotives Distant Signal 2021-12-04 | Why we see engines from other railroads on our home road. Is there an exchange program? How do railroads keep track of this? Plus a day trip to CSX big yard at Baldwin, FL...and a seafood platter for dinner.
Why Locomotive Numbers Are Important Distant Signal 2021-10-27 | An often-asked question is about the large numbers on locomotives. Are those the train numbers? Why are they all over the engine? Why are they so big. Here's what I found out.
Chasing Trains In Northwest Georgia Distant Signal 2021-10-15 | It's Woody Harrison's annual Atlanta Railfest Tour... but we won't be anywhere near Atlanta on this adventure. We're in the back country and hills of Northwest Georgia.
Switching The Auto Train Distant Signal 2021-09-09 | I spent a day in Sanford, Florida shooting the Auto Train as it arrived, was switched and unloaded. I finished the day with fried chicken!
Why They Run Locomotives Back to Back Distant Signal 2021-08-04 | I get this question a lot and thought I would try to answer it as I understand it. Also some pieces of video I've shot over June and July 2021
Three City Railfan Adventure: Rome, Dalton, Spartanburg Distant Signal 2021-07-03 | We made a road trip that combined a family visit with some railfanning to new places. Three cities across the mid-south. Enjoy.
How Distributed Power Works Distant Signal 2021-05-31 | Here are some basics on Distributed Power. What it is and how it helps railroads move much longer trains.
How Cars Get To Customers Distant Signal 2021-05-06 | I had a great question about car management. How does the railroad get cars to customers? So I did some research, and asked a good friend who's in the business.
Folkston Railwatch 2021 Distant Signal 2021-04-13 | Here's a mashup of what I got at Folkston RAILWATCH 2021. I didn't get everything because I was talking to so many old and new friends. I had a fantastic time and cannot wait until WINTERWATCH in December.
How Railroad Crossing Signals Work Distant Signal 2021-03-26 | I get this question often so I decided to tackle it in a video.
Railroad Questions Winter 2021 Distant Signal 2021-03-04 | I get a lot of questions about railroading. Here are a few of the most-often asked from YouTube viewers.
The Busy Tracks At Cordele, Georgia Distant Signal 2021-01-10 | I was invited to come up to Cordele and see the SAM Shortline Excursion Train on their November Railroad Day. There were so much action there I came for two more days!
Busy Day At Baldwin Distant Signal 2020-12-11 | We railfans love to find hotspots. Places where you can see lots of trains without moving around much. Baldwin, Florida is such a place. I spent an 18 hour day including driving up there and back recently. I had a pretty good day.
Night Fanning, Day Switching & Street Running Distant Signal 2020-11-22 | I visit Florida's new spot for nighttime railfanning. Find some daytime switching and then some nighttime street running. Enjoy!
Sugar & Steam In South Florida Distant Signal 2020-10-25 | U.S. Sugar Corporation embarked on a plan to bring one of their old steam locomotives back to the property, restore it and use it for pulling tours of the vast sugarcane fields they own. They debuted the old Pacific at a ceremony at the company HQ in Clewiston on October 1. Here are the highlights.
The Way It Was: Juice Train 1997 Distant Signal 2020-10-16 | The Tropicana Juice Train was a famous operation for decades. Running from Bradenton, Florida to Tropicana's distribution facility in Kearney, New Jersey, the "Streak Of Orange" was a highly sought out train by railfans. I produced this "mini-documentary" on the Juice Train in 1997 and 1998. It includes a cab ride from Tampa to Baldwin, Fl. The first leg of the Juice Train's route to New Jersey. All folded into regular freight service now, the Juice Train is but a memory. But when it was running, it was always an exciting catch.
The Way It was: Jacksonville 1999 - CSX Gateway To Florida Distant Signal 2020-10-02 | Here's another one from my "The Way It Was" vault. A tour of CSX operations in Jacksonville, Florida back in 1999. We visit 4 yards, one interlocking tower, Amtrak's Roadrailer operations, The CSX central Dispatch Center and my very first video of Folkston , GA.
The Way It Was: CSXS Bone Valley 1995 Distant Signal 2020-09-24 | I haven't been able to shoot much lately, so I dug out an old project. My very first railroad video from back in 1995. We got incredible access to CSX's Bone Valley operations in this 45 minute documentary. Hope you enjoy.
Chasing Local Hopper Trains Distant Signal 2020-08-15 | Two mornings out... and two hopper trains working local customers, plus an Amtrak catch. Enjoy.
What Happened To Tilford Yard? Distant Signal 2020-08-02 | On a trip to North Georgia in July I discovered something that shocked me.Tilford Yard was GONE!
Busy Railroad Saturday In Central Florida Distant Signal 2020-07-16 | Here's what I got on a railfanning outing one Saturday in July. Sometimes when you can't find anything new, it's surprising at how cool the old stuff can be.
Busy Day In Waycross Distant Signal 2020-06-23 | All CSX, ACL & SCL Railfans in the South must at some time visit Waycross, Georgia. This giant 4 mile long classification yard is one of the biggest on the system. Here's what I got on a one-day visit in June 2020.
