Folkston - Railfanning Before The Dawn
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ก.ค. 2024
- These days, it's crucial to know a little about the schedule before venturing to a hotspot, planning to spend the day or the weekend. In this age of Precision Scheduled Railroading, their long lulls followed by bursts of action.
Here's a trip I just made to Folkston Georgia to illustrate.
The minute you get a notification for a Distant Signal premiere...drop everything and turn on the reminder!
Yes!
You know it
Preach!
Definitely!
I’m in 😉
Rail-fanning is like fishing, sit, wait, enjoy peace and quiet …
"Some folks say they're pretty good"? Your videos are among the best that railfanning has to offer. You're knowledgeable, your camerawork is excellent, and you know when to speak up and when to let the trains speak for themselves. Truly a quality gem in the community.
He’s easily the best. I can film but I can’t seem to get the editing or voiceovers down
I love your videos, I have been a secret rail fan since early childhood. I use to be afraid of them until one summer I stayed with my aunt and uncle in what was rural in those days. Their house set back about 50 feet from the high iron and the MOW track. Every summer it seemed the by then the L&N formerly Nashville, Chattanooga & St Louis would park there MOW crew and cars on the siding with full kitchen that fed the crew. They even had cars that were bunkhouse style with windows. I stopped fearing and couldn't get enough seeing those freight and passenger trains go by with their F9s, GP7s and the early Uboats. I really love going out there for my summers.
Seeing that military train go by took me back to when I was in the U.S. Army and specifically I was a cavalry scout with a cavalry troop in Germany. We would go across the country to Grafenwohr for live fire practice and, we went by train. The funny thing is and I don't know how they did but, a private company loads the armored vehicles. This may have changed and they have gone back to loading their own cars. Back when I was in the Army we had to load and unload our equipment, we also rode with it across Germany. It was a task you had to do by the numbers, no goofing off, doing stupid stuff. One wrong move and you could be seriously injured or worse.Many a soldier have died in European rail yards just by raising their radio antenna to make contact with the electrical power lines for the electrified locomotives. Your can seriously hurt yourself by not watching what you are doing. It's especially bad at night to which that happened to us a few times both loading and unloading. Ah, the good old days!
Hi MIke: You've certainly had some experiences over the years, especially in the army. Sounds very exciting. Yes, so many people of our generation have a connection to the railroad. Sadly, our children and grandchildren don't know much about it because trains are even running into mid-sized cities anymore. Oh well. Everything chsnges. Thanks very much for you compliments.
I'm quite happy to be near the Canadian National Mainline as it rolls through Edmonton, Alberta. With the actual population of Canada being a narrow strip close to the border, there is just the single bit of mainline for both the CN and CPR across pretty much the whole country, so that means any and all freight going from one side of the country to the other on CN has to roll through town, and that means constant action and the shiniest rails
Great video, Danny. On this regard you couldn't be more right. I've lately done all my buffing at first light. You just get so much more.
Now I feel like railfanning at 4:30 am and 4:45 am and 5:30 am and 7:00 am
The E013 is two trains (E013 and E040) combined to save on crews. It will go to Radner Yard in Nashville, TN or Casky Yard in Hopkinsville, KY and be split up into two trains; E013 will go to Atkinson, KY and E040 will go to Evansville, IN.
Great Video! Folkston in the morning is my all time favorite railfanning location... can't beat the small town atmosphere in the predawn! A note about that E013 coal train... The reason for the OUC markings on the cars is likely a train combination. The cars only carried the OUC markings until the mid train DPU, then the cars carried COAX and SEMX markings. Likely this first half of the train was an E040 or E041 out of Orlando, and when they got to Jacksonville, backed an E013 (the train starting with the 4 engines) onto it, and then used the E013 symbol for both trains, since both trains are headed to Indiana. With PSR, this has become fairly common to see. Up here in NJ/NY, we will get an empty oil train, say K021, out of Phillips 66 in Linden, NJ, with PPLX tanker markings for Phillips. Also in Linden, are ethanol refineries, so say we'll also get a K649 on the same day. Since both trains are North Jersey to Chicago, they'll just back the K021 onto the K649 and run them as one train with DPU. Therefore you'll see a K649 with the K021 PPLX cars on it, just as the E013 had E040/041s hoppers.
River Line Productions top comment
The man... the myth... the legend...
And sometimes the narrator of a random commercial on tv where i immediately blurp out loud "hey thats Danny!"
DH ladies and gentlemen 👏
A treat as always
I like the yellow big rubber duck in the truck at 10:23! Another excellent video sir! Many thanks/
I was a Special Agent for ICG RR in E. St. Louis years ago!. A Delta Air Lines DC 9 overran the runway at Knoxville, Tn and was destroyed. The fuselage and wings were transported to St. Louis, Mo for further testing. I had to babysit the hulk for 18 hours till it was handed over to TRRA in St. louis. Miss those RR days!. Thank You for the videos!
Thank you!! That's an incredible story. You must have seen a lot over the course of your career
Danny- if your really lookin for an all day- non stop hotspot location, you oughta get out to the Tehachapi Pass! From sunrise to sunset its trains, trains, and more trains!
I was expecting a teen kid or a youth to be filming this video. Didn't expect a grown grown up filming this. Age is no barrier for rail fanning..
Ha! I'll take that as a compliment. Yes, I'm way past a grown grownup!
Love this! “Get what you can” is a motto I live by. Also agree night ain’t for the best quality outcomes, but the challenge is a fun one.
I always look forward to your videos, you do the voice over so well that I almost feel like I live there and know these places even though I reside in North Carolina. I would love to come out next time you are up in this neck of the woods and rail fan with you, I have found that your videos are by far the best I have seen on TH-cam, no others can compare to the quality, or the knowledge
Thank you so much, Nathan. I hope I can get back into North Carolina someday soon. There's so much good railfanning there and your state is so beautiful. Thanks again!
Mr. Harmon: If there's such a thing as a superstar in train watching you're it. Thanks for the information on Folkston. One thing also - near Folkston is one of the most peaceful and spiritual I've ever been to and that's the Okefenokee Refuge. Maybe mention that in a future video. But keep up the good work !! OUT !!
The railcams and talking to the local railfans is a big help. But pure ass experience and instinct of your own is key!
Danny, found your channel a few weeks back and already watched most of your videos, thanks for the great and informative content!
Awesome, thank you!
@@distantsignal great video again Danny.....I've looked at other channels and almost all of them give you great respect...some of the younger ones think of you just as I was saying....the voice of modern American railfanning
too bad that you don't have a bigger budget....cause if it was me....id let you loose on this country so everyone from waycross to the tecapachi loop could hear you .....
oh yeah and one more thing....it was nice seeing a seaboard hopper with the original paint....im from the tail end of those years and they were my best rail memories!
mopac blues, BN greens, warbonnets, CNW yellows, dark red Penns and my personal favorite that Rock Island lt. blue!
well I'll see you again stay safe and sound... I'm out
Cleveland Maker UP/MP milepost 323.8 New Orleans to Baton Rouge Louisiana
Thanks for your videos Danny i seen a military train come through Homerville Georgia but had all tanks on it last year.
I enjoyed your video Danny. Thank you
In 2018 I went 36 hours without sleeping in folkston and saw almost 50 trains. I love watching your videos!
We stayed in the chesie caboose that trip.
Huh. I went in 2019 and saw 23.
9:26 a nice shave and a hair cut there :)
Love that Seaboard System buffer car at 2:50!
I've been doing work in folkston for 15 years or so and them trains are constant. I always find myself watching em if I'm close enough.
One every 20-30 mins it sounds like when I'm up there.
Living in Folkston, the trains can be rather frustrating. It's nice to see an outside perspective, an inside-looking-out kinda feeling
Dan The Man. Still got the best railfanning videos on here. (CSX needs to get you on a cab ride)
Danny your headline could say you were singing nursery rhymes and I woukd tune in. Always informative and always entertaining!
I really need to get back to Folkston one of these days. The last time I was there was Jan. 2015 and I stayed in the Family Line caboose. It's such a shame it's no longer rentable because I loved it.
Thanks for another great one Danny!
I stop whatever I'm doing. Never want to miss Distant Signal videos. They are the best!😅👍👍👍👍
I love 3rd Trick Railfanning. Excellent video 👍
Great video as always. Thanks for sharing.
FINALLY TYSM DANNY. I WAS WONDERING WHY EVERY TIME I SEE THIS GUY HE IS SINGLE STACK. TY TY TY TY TY
Oh man I'm like a little kid watching this. The Iron Horse rides on!
I like all your videos. I grew up in Florida Tallahassee and Jacksonville
Great video. Love that duck float in the back of that truck at 10:30 lol.
Those night shots were great. Night railfanning is just as great as daylight videos and I think it make the videos more intriguing.
My buddy and I stayed in the FLC caboose for 2 days and 2 night in Folkston. No sleep, lots of interesting trains, waycross, chasing CN trains, saw CSX 911 and the 1776. It was crazy
Been there it is awesome.. Thanks Danny for the great video.
Have never been to Folkston, but it is my bucket list! Your Southern voice is great for making these videos. Please continue!
Where is the LOVE button?! Never thought of making train watching a vacation, but will plan one soon! Great videos Sir!
Thank you very much!
man these are some monster videos. i really appreciate what you do. big thumbs up.
Jeff Fowlkes I always enjoy your videos and can usually learn something about the trains, signals. Keep up the good work!
I used to live near the tracks like that. I loved that location. It was on the outskirts of town where the double track went to single track and had two crossings. So lots of trains with lots of horn. I love the caboose. I grew up near Corbin, KY and can just barely remember seeing Chessie System locomotives.
Thanks for the information on the cabins. They look great and will remind me of Maurice cabins on the Cape. Great video!
We love Folkston trains when we have time to ride up there. We have learned so much since we started watching you explain how and why each train operates. Very interesting. I love all of them. You're right about planning your day when and where you're train watching. In Folkston we have been there early morning noon or late evening and always catch two or three trains. Thank you Danny for a good job videoing.
Great video, as always Danny. Can you imagine a naive non-railfan booking Peake's cabin thinking it's just a nice, quaint place to stay the night, not knowing what they're in for in the early morning hours? Reminiscent of the trackside hotel room in "My Cousin Vinny".
Another Great Video Mr Danny ! Thanks for getting up early to share this with all of us !
With the 'Shave and a Haircut' from the Star, I was expecting a cheeky 'Morning, Danny' from the radio as well. Excellent stuff, tho
Train time is anytime! Thanks for another great video!
Terrific catches! I prefer to railfan during the daytime before dusk. The night is hard because there is not a lot of lights around trains at all different stations.
Folkston Ga - a safe and entertaining location for rail fans. One of my favorite locations was CSX over the Ortega River. The old US 17 alignment is now a short pier and right next to the tracks and bascule bridge, ok for fishing per others. A homeless camp has started under the pier section, sooo.
I like the night video, it works fine. Your videos are great! Keep it up.
Excellent video it’s a prime example of the early bird catches the worm when you want to see a lot of trains.👍🇬🇧
1:59 I have seen many drivers almost get hit even when Amtrak auto train was approaching at 70mph! Great catch
One of the best things about shooting at night, while you can't see the train very well, you can see the signals which are hard to see in the sunlight.
Watching the signals drop is a big thrill, and you should always try to get on the side where you will have a clear view of the signal tower as the train passes.
Point the camera at the signal till after it has dropped, or pan from the train to the signal before the train gets to it.
This is the most enjoyable way to film at night, IMHO
The art and science of night rail photography/videography. I just saw Q031 yesterday. I didn't get the axle count, but it was remarkably short this time around.
Thanks, Danny. As always another entertaining and informative video.
Great video about Folkston! I was there in December 2018 and railside lodging is the ONLY way to go! Mid-day is slow for rail traffic in Folkston! Make sure to check out the Okefenokee Restaurant! Best bang for the buck! Awesome breakfast and lunch buffet!!!
Thanks for another reminder that it has been too long since we have been to Folkston. We may reserve that cabin too! While I was watching this my wife sent me the link! I love her!
Another amazing video Danny!!! I have to make plans to head down to Folkston in the future!
I will watch you video before any one else. Keep up the good work Danny.
I like your videos from the moment they start.
Just before dawn and early morning is one of my favorites too . Few things as thrilling as 8800 hp. Roaring past close up in the dark/first light .
Danny is such a great railfanner that he gets 2 shaves and haircuts from one train.
Pretty good? They are among the best I've seen. So informative and just plain fun. My wife and I can't believe you do this just for fun.
Dang Danny, everytime I get a notification of a new video of yours, it's like, sorry honey, I have to watch this. NOW!!!!!
Lol same
My favorite hotspot has to be the UPs triple track mainline in Nebraska, between Gibbon and North Platte. I’ve chased double stacks along there at 79mph! Thanks for another great video.
They are all good videos Danny!
Always love when Danny Uploads a Video on Folkston Georgia!!! Love that place!!!! Cheers from Northern Michigan!!
I’m with Danny, I love the sunrise time of day! 👍
I love Folkston. I used to sit there all day in the shade and watch trains.
Thanks for another great video!
Great video. Gotta love to see some night shots!
Also at 4:44 you can hear a crossing that has a very stick e-bell!
Love your vids and enthusiasm! Thanks so much for rewarding our laziness by doing all the heavy lifting for us! 👍👍👍
Awesome video Danny! I really need to get back to Folkston! It’s been too long of a wait! Last time I was there, I almost got Amtrak 92 hitting a car within seconds at Martin St as they flew at track speed! I hate how the traffic has changed since then..
This is the best Railfan site by miles! Love your content and presentation.
Thanks so much, Brad!
Thanks so much !!!!!
This was one awesome video Danny!! You’ve heard that enough by now I’m sure!! I have to admit I lost it when you mentioned inviting railfans, or at least the ones we liked...because it fits so many of us so well. Absolutely Precious!!😂
Glad you liked it, Dakota. BTW, I LOVED your video from the trip to Deshler. That looked like crazy fun.
Can agree on that one! Was a privilege to be invited. Any chance you've got to go, take it!
13:06 that sounds like my grandpa!!
(Rip grandpa 1958-2019)
Sorry for your loss, sir
Thanks Danny for another great video. You NEVER disappoint!!
My pleasure, David!
the best video yet Danny keep the videos coming
I think predawn train watching is very interesting. Then again, any train watching is interesting.
Awesome Premier as always!
4 DPU’s and Big Daddy AT 53 made my day. Thanks Danny🚇
Amazing video!
Can hardly wait.
Your videos are the best. Thanks and keep them coming.
Best time of day apart from no light. Cheers.
Will consider your vacation tip the next time I plan a vacation. Thanks
Hey Danny next time you go on vacation you should come up to Massachusetts and go to Palmer Mass, it’s a hotspot in Massachusetts for train watching. There’s two sets of tracks that run on each side of an old 19th century train station that is now a restaurant. It’s truly a good spot
If danny ever goes there i wanna go with him. it’s not actually totally hot, it’s about 15 a day, maybe 2 or 3 mass coastals
@@MBTAMoreRailfan don't think mass coastal comes that far west,their territory is usually from fall river eastward to the cape,i believe your thinking of the mass central..
I love hitting up steaming tender. too bad the virus makes it a bit challenging. about 3 years ago I caught a military train roll through.
Unfortunately Palmer has gotten quiet as of late (I live out in the area).... I would suggest Fonda NY... on the CSX Chicago Line, much busier!
You do have the best videos out there, thankyou so much.
You tube suggested I may like watching this video and they were right I loved it so I subscribed to your channel so I will get to watch all videos. Thanks for the videos.
Excellent! Welcome to the channel, Kirby.
Love every minute. Best education on trains!
From a "Distant Fan"... to Distant Signal... thanks for another great breakfast video before I'm off to work "down-under"... Cheers
Many thanks, Falcon. Stay warm down there! I know when it's approaching mid-summer here, you guys are in jackets down there.
I was very glad to see your new video I always look forward to them I usually watch them more than once because I find them so interesting lol😀
Great video, Danny! I agree with Mr. Cage's comment...yours are the BEST videos on YT.
I just subscribed, and am a BIG railroad fan sense I’ve been a 5 year old😁👍🏽.
I live here in Kelso, Washington only 3 blocks away from the 1-5 corridor of our somewhat newly laid 4-track’s that run alongside our Cowlitz river.
Our 4-lanes of track’s are shiny & new looking still due to the fact we get a passing BNSF or CSX train every 5-15 minutes here in Kelso. 👍🏽🥰
Thank-You for Your documentary for us railfans!👍🏽❤️😁
Wonderful video, love the map and the narration. As a northerner you have made understandable. A+ video.
Great video Danny. Keep it coming because every video I learn something new.
Great vids man. Dad and I enjoy them!
I enjoyed the night video. Your information on the train and where it’s from and going to had plenty of light to hear what you had to say. It was nice to see the cars go by in the spot lights of car headlights and street lights. I enjoyed the video very much.
Hands Down best narrated videos ever🎊🎊 bravo👍🏻