Uncovering the History of Waycross/Rice Yard & the Bow Line 

Ah Danny, once again you hit me w/my past lives. I spent 15 yrs in Tally as the Owner of Culligan on W. Brevard St, then I purchased the M&M Ice & Cold Storage in Cairo, just a block north of the Rail line. You're SO right about Mr. Chick, He's a highly respected part of the Community & haven't thought of him 'till you brought back many fond memories of my time in Cairo.10 years of fun! You're a true joy!

Never expected to see a video showing locomotives I used to work on in Massachusetts in Georgia. I was a conductor and engineer and Pan Am Railways and we had a bunch of the ex CN GP40-2 motors. Adding an ex B&M motor to the same consist just shows how small of a world this really is.

I always love seeing your videos, Danny! I live near the UP mainline, so it’s interesting to me to see how CSX operates differently down in Florida as compared to the massive freights that have been common for a long time.

@23:22 you are correct; even in dark territory, you don’t want to accidentally shunt a switch because you’re sitting too close to it, so it’s better to park away from it. General code of operating rules says 150ft at minimum where ever feasible; 400ft for signals (though each railroad company has their own specified rules. It’s usually 400ft though).

Being from South Carolina, I remember the Graniteville tragedy very well.

I like that you’re on more often.

Nice job. There were many a Florida employee of CSX who would travel every day to Waycross to work at the yard. It is a huge operation.

That yard reminds me of the clearing yard in Bedford Park IL. It’s beyond massive!

I flew my small plane over the Waycross yard twice last month on my to and from Oshkosh WI from Palatka Fl. Very impressive rail yard!

I love your videos. Some more short line videos would be amazing!

Well done

Love your videos, explanations, and look at the surrounding environs, your choices for lunch always look delicious. Looking forward to your next post.

Great video as always Danny. I worked for Southern Railway out of Valdosta as a management trainee from September 1973 to September 1974. One of the territories i worked was around Quitman on what is now the Georgia & Florida. Back then it was the Live Oak, Perry and South Georgia which was a subsidiary of Southern.

Great video, as usual.

You're the best Danny.

Excellent video! I hit the "like" button before I watched it because I knew it would be good, and I wasn't disappointed. Be safe trackside.

Another great installment from Danny Harmon! Thanks for sharing!

New approach medium video!!! Best saturday ever🎉🎉🎉

12:00 I love the deep roar of the diesels when they pass by at low speed, it screams POWER!

Wow! I must say that your videos, however long they may be, go very fast. Its very nice and slick how you edit them, too. Thank you for sharing your adventures!

Another great, informative video! THANKS DANNY, BE SAFE!

Thanks for visiting my home rails! The Bowline! Awesome video!

Love the content here Danny,being from UK its a great insight into the US railways,thank you buddy.

Love your videos Danny. I moved from New Jersey to Southwest Florida. Not many trains here. I do miss the northeast corridor! You showed me that yes indeed Florida does have trains! Thanks for the work and educating you do!

Hi Danny from one of your fans in the UK. Another great video, excellent videography, with very informative narration. Another thing I love about your videos is that its obvious that you put them together as someone who truly loves the hobby and who doesn't rely on sponsorship. Apart form the relevant and no doubt useful plug for a local diner that you include, there are no adverts built in to the videos. For someone like me who pays a monthly fee to RU-vid to avoid the adverts, this is very welcome indeed. Please keep the videos coming.

Its good to see Mr. Chick again!! I miss that place! Danny, as always, a great video!!!! Also, my hometown just installed the twin to the Cairo cross

Another great lesson buddy Thanks

Most excellent! Thanks.

Great looking video! Thanks for sharing this with us.

just a thought, but in reference to the 649 stopping so far from the switch on the climax turnout. its possible he stopped the train in that position so that he could make use of the bottom half of the consist to help get him moving again after the switch was closed. so he would not have to pull the entire train up the grade to get it moving. just a thought. great video.

Very well done as usual, nice !👌

Nice Video

Hi there Danny, thanks for another information filled and enjoyable railfanning clip. Like many Kiwis, I've been fortunate to have spent quite a bit of time in the US & Canada that has enabled me to squeeze in some enjoyable railfanning experiences (most of my visits have have been work focused but with careful research & planning it's amazing what you can squeeze in here and there even when travelliong with other folk). Very little of my North America experience however, has been in the SE corner of the US so your clips not only fill in a railfanning void in that area, by the nature of what you present, they also provide an interesting historical and fact based element that many youtubers don't bother with. An additional factor is of course should I get back over to that part of the US again, I also know where to stop for great food while travelling between destinations... Take care and thanks again for sharing your railfanning.

As If today couldn't get any better, distant signal uploads. Keep up the good work, danny!

Another brilliant video, I just wish I was able to see these places 'live', alas, father time is on my case.

😅 First, thanks a lot for all the good work you do, keeping us up-to-date on what’s going on on the rails. I have a question for you: a while back you indicated that the railroads gave priority to Amtrak trains; as a long time user of the auto train, I have always thought that they heavily favored freight. Currently are Amtrak trains granted a priority over freight?

Danny, great video as always. Please sal Robert where we can get one of your new hats. Would love to wear that while railfanning here in Dallas, Tx!

I like the hat.. thank you for all the info 😊🙏

Bainbridge also has a diamond with some newly installed PTC Signals as well.

You missed the weirdo gem CSX Thomasville to Metcalfe, quiet again but during the lumber craze of 21 they were shipping finished lumber out by rail, normally it's only chips by rail and finished goods go out by truck. In order to do it correctly you have to head out of Thomasville on Magnolia and go under the old Florida Central bridge which has been abandoned as a railroad for 100+ years.

Danny, Where in Bainbridge, does any of the bow line intersect with the Bainbridge sub ?? remember the old line that was apart of the GF&A, it's owned by FGA now, this is the line that forks north out of Tallahassee.

Danny! Is there any updates since the video being of the Bowline trip you took? Will this be CSX new line between Waycross and the Gulf Coast and other places?

17:36 Flowers Foods also acquired Wonder brand bread from the bankrupt and now defunct IBC bakers-Formerly Continental Baking Company

I hope those flared radiator SD70MACs in the storage yard pull trains again.

Danny this could be a college course.

B&M engines sure get around ,but it needs the minute mam on the nose

Add me to your request list for that cap! It is very stylish and as usual great video.

Danny, I’m so glad you are back with another great video. Hands down, you are the best source for a RailRoad education..! I’m addicted to your presentations..lol!

Glad to see my neck of the woods upgrading and also all the road freights are run throughs now.

I live in Bakersfield basically central California outside the tehachapi loop so I’ve always been a Union Pacific BNSF fan. Ever since I’ve came across Mr. Harmon’s video’s I’ve caught myself focusing my attention on CSX which is all fun to me being it’s new territory. I just want to thank you for everything you do for the railroad community and I look forward to watching your video’s keep up the hard work and let get those thumbs up folk help monitize channels like these trips chasing trains does not come cheap. 🚀

Danny, Great video as always. After 27 years with ns I retired last year. Just had my fill of their mess!!! I grew up very close to the bow line and it amazed me that csx hadn't done much to this line. Still jointed rail still speed restricted etc! . Alot of freight moved through this area as you touched on alot of ag products then another big papermill in cedar springs Georgia that csx serves on the southside. Ns use to serve them on the Northside. The papermill once had their own railroad that connected the two but they sold off to g&w. Norfolk southern out of Albany to Dothan. Lease that line now to g&w. As the bow line gets into dothan there is a small yard there. Then on up to Montgomery...there is a huge Hyundai plant there csx serves. Then on to bham where coal use to be king but Honda ships their autos to birmingjam from Lincoln Alabama to be loaded on auto racks. As well as Mercedes in West of birmingham in Vance alabama. Norfolk southern line runs from Atlanta to Norris yard in irondale right beside Honda but due to pricing Honda found it cheaper to Cary their autos to the bnsf yard in birmingjam and load them. As well as Mercedes. ... sorry got into a rant there. I would think the bow line would be a very valuable asset to csx and just shocked to see they have not upgraded before now!!!

This video is so full of history and new information you shared with us Danny. I would love to visit Cairo ,Ga to see all those artifacts. This excites me. Good seeing you again and thanks for a stunning video. Take care and be safe. 😊

It's always a pleasure to watch your videos, Danny. I've learned a lot. Thanks for all the hard work.

Loooong time watcher Danny and I'm glad you're still cranking out videos. I'm no longer in FL and have moved to Norfolk Southern territory but I still love your videos.

Great video always Danny! I had a feeling the Bow Line was gonna be upgraded someday after the Tallahassee line was sold

Your videos always have such great production values. I really appreciate the work you put in to them and the things you teach us along the way.

Another very informative video Danny! It was so nice visiting with you at the Nicholls St. crossing and I’ll remember the CSX employee stopping by to thank you. It was fun to watch you pilot the drone as well-a great day for rail fanning indeed.

Gosh what an enjoyable video. Love the history and info and insight on expansion... how it all came to be. The flashback to the 70s.. so much good meat to this video! Thanks so much for the extra work you put in not making simple "watch a train go by" video... but instead insight into "why" the train is going by. Love it.

Mr Chick has Plenty of Hard Working Employees who are Not Afraid to Work their Shift and Earn their Paychecks. What a Concept in Year 2023. 😬👍

I was in Waycross in early 1993 and the town was loaded with unprotected crossings. They only had crossbucks. I saw a few tractor trailers almost collide with freight trains because they appeared out of nowhere. One truck slammed on his brakes as the freight suddenly appeared and stopped in time but his side mirror got smashed.

I think what CSX is going to ultimately do with the BOW line is its going to make it a primary route since the old Gulf Coast route through the Florida panhandle is no longer in use. Just a guess given what all you've shown us on the line.

Great video and great content! These videos are truly fascinating and it is very cool to see what these places have to offer! Keep up the good work brother!

Great video. Glad to see the bow line being upgraded. I was a senior M/W manger covering that line as part of my territory from the late 80’s until 2003 when I left CSX. I always thought the bow line was under valued by CSX.

Danny, I really enjoyed this episode. I have been watching for years and love what you do. The effort you put into history of the lines and the towns that they bisect is much appreciated. The technical detail of Rice Yard was impressive. AA Gus Karl was fascinating. Nice new hat too😊

Another great video, Danny. Some time you need to head to Montgomery, where you can watch a ball game (Biscuits - AA Southern League) and simultaneously see CSX action just beyond the left field wall! A well-timed homer to left could end up in...who knows, Waycross, Tampa, or wherever. By the way, I miss seeing the Mile 0 hat but understand the reasons for its retirement...keep up the awesome work!

Waiting out the Storm here in Pahrump Nevada 🇺🇲 and perfect timing😊 Distant Signal to the boredom rescue. Thank you sir 🙏 😁

One of the perks I enjoyed being a customer of CSX is their desire to show off their capabilities and equipment to customers. One of the best things I remember is when I was invited to the Rice yard in 2007. The train master had some one show me around the entire yard that also included visiting the top of the hump and being up in the control tower to watch the guys work the yard. Well worth the drive up from Tampa.

Thank you for another great video Danny. Cheers from Canada!

whenever danny makes a video, you can bet it's going to be very interesting. keep up the great videos. it seems like every time my wife and i go anywhere i'm always on the lookout for csx trains and looking at the lights to see if anything is coming...lol!

Great Video Danny Waycross is big. There is another yard that is even bigger you've probably heard about it before North Platte Bailey Yard in North Platte Nebraska. 8 mile long Yard complex. With two hump yards

Awesome 😎 job as always and keep up the good work on these train videos and it always makes me happy!!

Thanks Danny for another great video. You make it easy for everyone to understand railfanning and railroading in general. Even for a novice like myself.

Danny you're soooo prolific! Consistently recording high quality very informative videos that I can't get enough of and one quickly realises their love for railroading after having the pleasure of watching your superb videos as the educational content is incredibly high to say the least. I must say over and over again, BRAVO to a most brilliant host and channel. I'm not one for hats despite the noticeable changes, but I'd proudly wear a Distant Signal hat! I'll check to see if you have a merchandise store to purchase one.

Like I said before, the only thing I don't like about your videos is when they end. It looks like CSX may re-activate the abandoned part of the Homestead. We have positive signs. I'll keep checking.

Excellent work, Mystery Diner. It should be noted that along with the buildout to Montgomery there was a line from Climax Jct. to Chattahoochee and a connection to the affiliated L&N. This was the principal route between Waycross and New Orleans. For wont of 30-odd miles of track they have to run all over the place to get between these two places these days.

Once again you have produced an extremely informative program. Thank you so much

Great Video

Thank you for another interesting and informative video, Danny! I enjoyed the drone tour of Rice Yard in Waycross, Georgia and the trains entering and leaving Rice Yard. The trip down the Bow Line was also remarkably interesting. Thank you for the information about the paperwork that the train crew had to complete when CSX train #M650 and CSX train #M659 met at Climax siding. The completion of that paperwork is something that I am certain that few of us railfans are aware of before you mentioned it in this video.

Another great video Danny!!! Made my Saturday evening.

Awesome vid Danny, I watched it twice and put it in my watch later also. Keep them great vids coming 👍👍👍👍👍

Always enjoy your videos and especially your places where you stop to eat. Love the mom and pop restaurants instead of chains. Keep up the great work after I retire I’m dragging my girl friend with me to Georgia to rail-fan

Great video as usual but I want to correct one point. 202 comes up the Bow Line and works Snowdoun as you mentioned. That is the HMMA (Hyundai Motors Alabama) Assembly plant for Sonatas, Santa Fes and now Santa Cruz vehicles. Half the empty autoracks are swapped for loads, the the train heads north through Montgomery on the AWP-WofA subdivision to GABBETVILLE, GEORGIA, just north of West Point, GA where it swaps the remaining empties for loads out of KIA MOTORS Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). They make Sportage, Sorento and Tellurides there. The loaded train then heads to Atlanta and north to Louisville, KY. I forgot to add some idea why the Bow Line is getting a long wished for makeover. With CSX and CPKC taking the Meridian & Bigbee RR, the Meridian Speedway will come into Montgomery, AL. I expect we will see another group of MMX branded trains linking the auto suppliers in the Guadalajara region to the various assembly plants in Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. All of these plants use large quantities of Mexico produced parts which is mostly trucked across Mexico to the border and handed over to truck based forwarders where they move into the Southeast and even the domestic suppliers in the Midwest (this is the current advertised MMX route of CPKC). I see traffic eventually coming by train on the MMX route, come to Meridian and on to Montgomery, AL. Trains then can use the Bow Line to access the CSX system via sorting at Waycross, GA. They can also turn north to Birmingham or run the AWP-WOFA to get to parts into South Carolina. A lot of work is happening on the Bow Line, AWP-WOFA and S&NA South to improve capacity. The interesting thing is trains off the M&B at Motgomery cannot turn south to the Bow Line at Bell St where all the Selma, Bow Line and M&M come together. CSX is reconfiguring the south end of S&NA to allow the potential trains off the Bow and Selma line to run into the yard and around a loop to so they can access each other since no wye can be built at Bell St. due to existing development.

I'm really not a "Rail Fan". But I always look forward to your videos. I learn so much and You do a wonderful job. I think you outdid yourself with this one. Thanks for all your hard work putting the videos together.

Another outstanding piece. Always a great informative video and I look forward to everyone. Great job and thanks for the experience

New video from Distant Signal alright! Another great one Danny, thanks for your hard work to produce these videos!

The Trainmaster is back. Book 'Em Dan-o.

I normally don’t watch ads but for Danny, I make sure to watch them all the way through. That drone footage is worth every second of my time.

Thanks for another great video Danny! My 7 year old son and I just love watching and looking forward to your videos!!! Thanks for all the amazing videos and the great time spent with my son learning about railroads!

That hat is fantastic, Danny!!! Thanks for another awesome and very informative video!! It’s always a great day waking up to a new DSP!!

Thank you for this video. My Dad was a supervisor in the Rice Yard. Great memories:)❤

Danny, I am a big fan of your RU-vid work. Found the info. about wood ties replacing cement ones very interesting. Plus my mouth is watering looking at Chic’s meal basket. Are Distant Signal hats coming to the marketplace? Once again many thanks for your excellent and informative work. Dave

Oh, god, good ol Waycross, the workers love us riders there, locals are nice, and air sheets, just a lot of walking to catch out annnd the Bull will arrest you no warning(local PD HATES the Railcop, they tell us to get on the next train out, they hate that the bull pulls us off and arrest us, because than we are in that town, for longer...its in ongoing silent war between the local PD and the Rail Road Cop). And MARYLAND FRIED CHICKEN!! THE BEST FRIED CHICKEN YOU WILL EVER HAVE IN YOUR LIFE!!!

Danny's videos are always so interesting. I love watching him & Jaw Tooth.

Wow you really go out of your way to explain things which is really great. This is to dennis fox2340 I still live here in Tally and remember Culligan on Brevard and if I think about it , it's close to Swain Pools (I think!) and we've been using them for years, you know I've been to Cairo a lot of times, my mom's mother was born in Cairo and drove right by Mr. Chick and never stopped, guess I'll have to change all that next. Thanks for all of this you guys it was special!!

I love info about Rice Yard. I went to church with the Karle’s and to high school with some of Gus Karle’s children and spent some good times at their home. Thanks!

As a kid, my uncle (55 years ago) would take me along on in cab his diesel runs w Fairbanks Morse engine. Back then it was permissible. Thanks for reflector strips explanation; never knew that)

Danny! Excellent use of maps in this episode. Very helpful for those of us not in the south east. Hope to see more maps in future episodes. Thanks❣️

I’m really enjoying your long videos, Danny. This one was so great. Your flyover of that mothball track for CSX engines was breathtaking.

Thanks for the history lesson, Danny. It opens up a few lines (😀) of investigation out of personal curiosity. Till the next meet, 73 de MM5AON

That morning shot at Boston, GA brought back another memory: depot is set back from the main because there was a long siding near the depot that served a feed mill as well as another customer behind the depot. Usually worked the mill enroute to Thomasville on the local 611/610 back in the mid '70s. Lots of business back then. Also the local you video'd coming from Qutman used to be run out of Thomasville to Perry, Fl on the old ACL Perry cutoff, the line from Dunnellon to Thomasville, 789/790. Good to see the Bowline getting modernized, it's been dark territory for too long.