You were right near my neck of the woods in McIntyre. I live about 18 miles north of there. I drove a kaolin truck in the mines for many years. If the kaolin gets wet you can forget about going anywhere. Some days I rail fan in Gordon,GA on the Macon Savannah line. One other tid bit of info . Tennille is the highest point on the line, Thanks Danny
Some info on that little Southern engine at 14:20. It's not, contrary to what is believed, abandoned. The owner of it lives across the street from it. He also does NOT take kindly to people climbing on, or in it, and is known for even calling the police on anyone photographing the locomotive, and reporting them as vandals. He had previously been approached about getting the locomotive preserved. However he requested to sell the locomotive to them for around 20,000 dollars US, roughly what he had paid for the locomotive originally. The preservation group, in response, began hounding him about simply donating the locomotive. Based on his experience from them, he has refused any and all attempts by other people to try to take the locomotive off his hands. Speaking with him in the past (so maybe a couple years ago) he stated that he does keep the locomotive in running order, and as recent as earlier this year, was looking at paying for a company to come out and clear brush from the track to allow him to store and maintain a group of boxcars he had recently purchased. He owns some ten or fifteen varied boxcars which he leases out to other railroads. Whatever the case, he states that he keeps the locomotive in working order, and will, from time to time, (usually about once a year, though sometimes once every two or three years) sart the locomotive up and make certain that it is able to run. I can not stress this enough to the viewers here. DO NOT climb on, enter, or approach this locomotive. The fact that Danny was not accosted by the owner, suggests that he was not home at the time this was filmed, or was aware of who Danny is. Regarding the port of Savannah, and Georgia Central at 16:38, there is also a railroad you missed. SAPT, "Savannah Port Terminal", railroad also operates in and around the port of Savannah. This railroad's main motive power is two or three SW1500's. The railroad covers some 18 miles, and previously interchanged with the Georgia Central, CSX, and Norfolk Southern. However as of today, they no longer have connections to Georgia Central. The company was somewhat unique, as in 2005, they purchased an aging SD9 as their motive power. This old SD9 was unique in that it was an A-1-A-Co, as opposed to the usual Co-Co six powered axles. The odd arrangement came when one of the traction motors on the lead truck died, and the company removed it, replacing it with an idler axle while they sourced a replacement axle. The engine continued in service in that form until 2008, when it was sold to Larry's "Rent a wreck", and replaced with a newer (relatively speaking) SW1500. G&W purchased the railroad in 1998, but it wasn't until the early 2000's that they started painting their locomotives into the orange and yellow of G&W.
Seems like said locomotive owner should put up some no trespassing signs. Don't want anyone getting hurt. Sad to see train in decay, I suspect train owner is also in decay.
Interesting, for some one who own a locomotive he does a very piss poor job of keeping it in order. He also do not know how to keep the tracks clear of trees.
I was wondering about thyatn swither myself as I do love those things and its nin its southern colors, well when I get a spare 20 grand I'll talk to him about buying it
I model the Central of Georgia in HO scale since I used to live in Jonesboro, GA. From its inception just after the Civil War to 1963 when it was sold to Southern Railways. Before we ended up in Jonesboro, I started out in Hephzibah, GA, where there was a huge kaolin mine my dad took me to when I was a kid. I remember it well; so many years ago. Cheers from eastern TN
Danny Harmon, you are a national treasure. Watching your videos is a treat. You give us insight and valuable information. I myself appreciate all you do.
I've said this b4 and repeating it. All the 3 class A RRs must recruit him to do vids on their traffic hotspots.... He's certainly a national treasure not only for U guys in the USA but even for some1 like me who lives overseas.
Mr. Harmon...... Or as us fans like to call you, Danny. You are the Mr. Rogers of railroading videos here on RUclips. Your mild demeanor along with your constant enthusiasm is evident in all your videos and is very soothing. I don't know why, but I always feel better after I've seen one of your videos. It's like, knowing tomorrow they'll be another sunrise, but in this case I know there's going to be another wonderful video from Distant Signal to look forward to in the near future. "ALL ABOARD!" 🚂🚂
1. It's that time again folks. 2. I must say Danny, I have to thank you for filming the Sandersville RR. Back in the 90'S, the Sandersville RR was one of four shortline railroads that was visited for a video titled: "ATLANTA: DIESELS DOWN SOUTH".
My deepest sympathies and prayers for your friend and fellow Railfan. Another great video of some great trains. To bad some museums in the area can't get that old Southern engine and put it on display.
Poor old 1004. I love searching old lost rail lines. I've found railroads lost in the 1800s where you can still see the graded right of way in the woods and maybe even a rail section or some spikes still. But never have I found a neglected locomotive like that. Amazing and sad at the same time. I love your channel, Danny.
FYI: The owner of it has made it painfully clear, that anyone found climbing on the locomotive, or on his railroad's property (he lives just across the street from it), will get charged with trespass. That the police of Wadley didn't stop by during the filming, suggests he wasn't home. That same owner has also noted, after a very bad experience with a preservation group, that if the harassment to 'donate' the locomotive continues, he will ultimately resort to having the locomotive cut up where it sits. So, look from the road, and don't bug the guy.
This engine was not and is not abandoned. A man purchased it with plans to rebuild but it never happened. 1004 was originally a switcher for the old Georgia and Florida Railroad and when the Southern Railroad bought the Georgia and Florida back in 1963, this engine went to them. It became part of the Central of Georgia, which was part of Southern. The original paint scheme was G&F dark green with cream like trim and later was the green with silver. The man the owns it now does not take kindly to people trespassing and unless its changed, the engine is not for sale, at least that is what I understand. There is a sister unit to 1004 that BDLX rebuilt and last I heard it was leased to one of big potash mines outside Jasper Florida. My daddy worked for the Georgia and Florida for many years and retired in 1963 when the road sold.
I am so excited that you finally got around to Savannah! Next time you are here check out River Street, an old CoG turned NS line runs right down the middle of it for the retired River Street Rambler, and the Georgia State Railroad Museum not too far from the Visitor Center. Last I checked the Roundhouse turntable still worked!
Great video as always! Nice to see the area I grew up in get featured. A bit of insider info about that diamond in Statesboro. The intersection there will be replaced by a roundabout in the near future. It is by far the most disliked intersection in the whole town. If you ever find yourself in Savannah again, try out Little duck diner and Hitch, those are some of my favorite places to eat. There is also a short line that cuts across downtown and you can catch a train there just about every day. It's pretty easy to find since it blows it's horn constantly as a passes through the city. Also it's Georgia Southern, not state. GATA
Thanks! Yep, that was my mistake. Typed it in the script then never caught the error. I appreciate the eating tips. I'll put those on my list. A roundabout makes sense at that intersection. They work pretty well for multi-street intersections... after everyone gets used to it. Also, where can I find that shortline downtown?
I hunted deer when I was a teenager, near those kaolin mines. The locals called them chalk mines. Those piles of white clay at the processing facility, appeared to be the kaolin before it is processed. Thanks for the video!
4:25 Kaolin (Al2H4O6Si2), also known as kaolinite and China Clay was named after Kao-Ling, China where it was first used. Besides the uses listed here, we used small amounts in cement manufacturing along with clay (Al2H2O6Si). As can be seen from the chemical formulas, Kaolin has a higher silicon content than regular clay.
Savannah is always my favorite place since being born there. Never gets dull and always love the nightlife and the many food options to eat around the downtown area. Back on the train topic though, I usually get to see the CSX Southover Yard, CSX Intermodal, and the NS yards around the area during my stay growing up over 35 years especially near the Amtrak station. Also you can never go wrong with a low country boil or even boiled spicy shrimp in a steam bag.
Do enjoy the videos -- takes me at least twice as long to watch them as I try to follow your travels via Google Earth. So I stop the video and locate your vantage point and resume watching ... adds to the enjoyment! Thanks again.
A new Distant Signal video is always cause for celebration! Reminds me of railfanning with my Dad when I was younger. Danny, your videos are always accessible yet deeply researched, thank you!
Welcome to our back yard Danny. Next time in Savannah be sure to get to the Georgia Railroad Museum. The turntable is still in operation. It is the old shops of the C&G. Also, there is a lot of action in Yemasee. Marine recruits used to get off the ACL there to catch ride on the Port Royal Railroad to Paris Island. The Port Royal tracks are gone, but it still is a busy place with the CSX A-line and Amtrak action. Then stop for lunch at Duke's in Walterboro. All you can eat barbeque at a great price.
If you ever make it up here to Cumberland, MD Danny we have quite a few B32-8’s running on the Western Maryland Scenic line! Awesome video as always, hope to catch you trackside during a visit to Jacksonville sometime!
How cool is that to get a call-out by the passing crew... and this isn't the only video where you've received one... you're a rail fanning superstar, Mr. Harmon. And your safety warning about staying 25ft. away from the tracks, well, that sure resonated after my experience below. UP's 4014 Big Boy was out here in California last weekend, it was on static display at the UP Roseville yard for two days, and then started heading back to it's Cheyenne, WY home base, by going over Donner Pass. Having never seen a steam locomotive in action in real life, I decided to chase it from Roseville to Sparks, NV. As you can imagine, rail fans were all along the route everywhere, clogging crossings and freeway overpasses. It was at a crossing where I just couldn't believe what I saw in the behavior of some people. The UP 4014 was Eastbound, the crossing arms were down, the whistle was blowing and yet, people were still crossing the tracks to get a better view. On the Westbound track, there was an Amtrak train that had to slow down and come to a stop, because there were people, despite numerous horn warning blasts, standing right next to the track to watch 4014 go by. Absolutely unreal! Common sense was not reigning supreme that day.
Danny, definitely come back to Savannah! Best time to catch train action is early morning (5am-9am), lunch time (11a-1p) and late afternoon (4p-7p). Then, you could see the intermodal transfer, GC’s wood chip job and CSX interchange, as well as a few locals! All in all, I’m glad you filmed this and enjoyed yourself!
Interesting that the info on the Sandersville Railroad Wikipedia page was written by me and a few other people. I used to work for CSX Transportation from 2014-2020 out of Hialeah Yard in Miami, Florida as a Freight Conductor/RCO. You caught me and Engineer Eric Bloomer in Auburndale, Florida back in 2017 when we pulled the last Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus Train from CSX Yeoman Yard in Tampa to Mission Spur in West Palm Beach, Florida to be handed off to Florida East Coast Railway for the remainder of the trip to Miami. We had two GE ES40DC Locomotives one of which wasn’t online. It was one heavy train with the generator car, heavy weight passenger coaches, diner car, animal stock cars, and flat cars behind us. The 432,000 LB dead weight of the trailing GE ES40DC didn’t help the cause either but we made it. FEC had two EMD GP40-2 Locomotives waiting at Mission Spur for us. I saw you at CP Auburndale Connection as we rounded the curve that turns us from West ( North ) to South. Interestingly I grew up in Sandersville watching the Sandersville Railroad Company’s many trains from my grandma’s old house that still stands near the roundabout intersection of Highway 242 that is intersected by the Sandersville Railroad mainline. I used to watch Norfolk Southern trains on the Savannah District at Tennille, in Davisboro, and Oconee as a kid too. Then I worked for CSX in Miami from 2014-2020. I would have worked for NS or even the SAN but I wanted to move out of that area. I now work in the Maritime Industry as a Chief Engineer on Moran Tugboats. These Tugs have EMD motors in them just like the Locomotives. I always joke that I went from EMDs that gallop to EMDs that swim. I will be working for Military Sealift Command soon on ships as sea but who knows I may try the railroad again one day. Maybe FEC, NS, or BNSF. Awesome video! This is great Mr. Danny! Thanks for passing by my old hometown and checking out the awesome little shortline Sandersville Railroad Company and the Class One Norfolk Southern. Also to add that Kaolin out there on the ground near that Howard Sheppard dump truck you saw is waiting to be processed. It’s going into a blunger unit there that will crush it down into powder then mix it with water before pumping it as a slurry through a pipeline to one of the Kaolin Processing Plants also known as Chalk Plants by local slang. If you had went into that Sandersville Railroad Company office building you could have talked to the owner of the company, Mr. Ben J. Tarbutton III who is usually there on work days. That is one interesting thing is that the family has always been close to operations. Mr. Ben J. Tarbutton Jr. and Mr. Hugh Tarbutton used to be in there until they passed away. I have met them in recent years. Very friendly guys. If I was in town visiting my parents when you came through I would have introduced you to Mr. Tarbutton. That Mason Mega Rail Intermodal Yard in Garden City ( Savannah ), Georgia at the Port is massive! It’s the largest of its kind.
Wow!!! You are I seem to have crossed paths a lot thorough these years. That's wild you were on that Circus train that morning. That was indeed a long day. I listened to the kerfuffle on the radio between everyone and the RBBX Trainmaster, who vehemently did not want that train shoved into Miami. I remember watching as you guys turned that beast on the wye up there. That's something about you switching to the martime industry. My Son is a Mate on a 290 foot OSV boat out of Fourchon, LA. He likes the work, but has just gotten married so the long hitches are getting old. I'd love to meet any of the Tarbutton family up there in Sandersville. Some amazing folks. Thanks again for your comments, stay safe and good luck!
@@distantsignalthank you so much Mr. Danny! I really appreciate your comment and I also love watching your videos. I was a fan before I worked on the railroad, a fan while I worked for the railroad, and I’m still a fan now that I work in the maritime industry. I may go back to the railroad one day only time will tell. You are most welcome and yes sir we did cross paths a lot. I wish I could have stopped and talked to you when I was out there. Have a great rest of your weekend and thank you for the well wishes!Best of luck to your son as well. I totally understand how he feels about these long hitches it can become cumbersome. Especially for the ones of us that are married. Thankfully my girlfriend is totally understanding but once we get married and it’s more of a thing I may resort to being a little closer to home again. Maybe even back to the railroad. Not sure which one but I have a few ideas. Thanks again for your time making this awesome content. Very professional and enjoyable. Also to add you are one of the only people I’ve ever seen get the pronunciation of Tennille correct lol. 🚂⚓️
I think of the Allman Brothers Band when talking about Stateboro GA. Woke up this morning had those Statesboro Blues. It was the late bros. Dewayne and Greg Allman and Dickie Betts, all those guys aren't with us anymore. EMD SW1500s are my favorite locomotives with their open face cab forward.
If you’re ever in Cali, here in Fresno we got a nice UP and BNSF line, Amtrak shares on BNSF and a short of SJVRR. High speed rail as well when that eventually completes. Would be happy to showcase the rails out here. Yards for both class 1’s as well.
Thank you once again, Danny (I'll never get tired of typing that.). A good rule of thumb for railfans is to stay outside the crossing gates and signal posts. If the gate or the crossbuck is behind you then you are doing it wrong.
As always super video Danny. Strange that loco is still in situ all these years on. I imagine there's more sites like that all over the states. Well done 🤓 stay safe
I really like this video, largely because of the intersection between the small and old with the large and new. Hope you keep wandering around and finding interesting stuff that wasn't part of the original plan!
Wow nice to see you up around my home rails. I remember my first time coming through tennile on train my engineer explained the sandersville railroad to me. Idk if its true or not but he explained that the sandersville either is or was one of the most profitable shortlines if not in the country then just in the area. We watched them work for awhile since we were waiting for another train to clear before taking another track authority and left. Their crews are pretty friendly if i remember.. also most those rboxes on 191 actually come from a few industries here in augusta before we run em out. Not to say savannah doesnt have em either ik theres several as well down there who still use em. If it was 191 however they probably came out of columbia or augusta. Out of savannah then it probably would be on either 158 going to augusta at millen or it would be 367/368 macon-savannah. They actually changed the numbers on that train recently though ive not gotten an actual reason why so i couldnt tell you.
Hello Danny. Thank you so much for this valuable history lesson. You are so blessed being able to share your knowledge of trains with your fans! I certainly enjoy learning from all your videos and I’m sure many other folks do also. Be safe out there.
Mr. Harmon’s productions are first class! Once I receive a notification of his posts, I tune in without delay. Even though I’m way up here in MN, the restaurant reviews are a terrific treat too.
Mr. Danny Harmon, have been watching your channel for a couple of years now. I'm impressed with the fact that you really do your homework. The industries that these rail companies serve is always fascinating subject matter. You are a plethora of knowledge and I always look forward to your next videos. So, we will see on the high iron! Thanks.
Ex Rock Island now a slug on the Sandersville, SR 1004 in the woods, a solo BNSF on CSX, Not to mention Honey Boo-Boo’s house? You had your hands full with this episode. Again, another great video Danny!!!
I don't drive, so I don't get to go exploring the Florida rails. I always appreciate you showing us more of the regional territory, and your background information is great.
that damn mosquito close to the right eye... ruined the moment :) Looking to all your vids form Romania/EU! Thank you for making them, for me are very relaxing!
Great video show ing the different lines and old track with abandoned engine, always like the place you eat at with a good plug for the restaurants. Enjoy your show. Thanks
Another superb video Danny !! You are # 1 in my book ! We have the old Ulster and Delaware tracks(later Penn Central)in our back yard here in the Catskill Mountains. Sad to see trees and saplings growing up thru . The county has torn up a bunch of this line to make rail trails. Despite a large opposition, they are continuing the destruction. I have many fond memories from my childhood of running to the tracks when we heard the train horn. Thanx again.....
Hey Danny, if you're interested, across the street from that Central of Georgia Railway Station, is the Georgia State Railroad Mueseum. Few locomotives and railcars are kept in the former roundhouse there.
Another wonderful video, sir! My late father loved the CofG, so it was neat to see and hear about the history of some of the line. Keep up the great work, Danny!
Now this video takes me back to your ealy work it seemed longer than what it was and the variety was scrumptious, I love exploring sidings spurs and such it bring that much more interest, thank you for your generosity in time.
Another great combination of material. While the trip may have not been what you planned, what you presented was top drawer - excellent as always. Keep up the great work and fun adventures.
That was pretty cool to hear about Statesboro. Hardly saw, if any, trains while I was a student. That’s Georgia Southern though. State is up in Atlanta.
Greetings from Southern Chicagoland. I wonder if I saw the hopper train at 24:08 on the CN 😅. Great video as always, you've covered some gems this time around. You should explore more small railroads since those are always the kind with old power still in use.
Glad you got out of Florida to show us something a little different. Really enjoyed the video. I really enjoy almost anything involving shortlines and the old equipment they typically use. Thank you for the exceptional effort you put into all of these.
Man I remember watching these videos something like 7 or 8 years ago before I was even out of elementary school, being a junior in high school this coming year its pretty exciting to still be able to watch these videos.
Ahh, always makes my day better when a new video from Danny Harmon appears. Informative, easy-going and professional; as close to railfan perfection as you can get.
The Sandersville is a unique operation I first heard about in a trains Publication years ago...Thanks for showing a bit of it Somday I might try to get to there and view the Sandersville or the Birmingham Terminal ...A Watco poperty in Alabama
So great to see some Genesee & Wyoming Iron in the South. I live about 10 miles (as crow flies) from where the G&W started operations. Amazing what they’ve done over the decades. Would love to hear your take on their history.
I enjoy your videos! I can relate to them. I worked as a brakeman/conductor on the Seaboard coastline between 1973 - 92 out of Abbeville SC. I started in 1973 with SCL on the old Piedmont and Northern (P&N) RR. from Greenwood SC to Spartanburg SC. I finished my career on the Atlanta division in 92. When i was ten years in 1957 I lived and played on the line out of Statesboro Ga. (Register Ga.) Thanks for the memories!
I love that you covered this short line! Given that I spent a good time here as a kid in the 2000s, I have a lot of memories of this line. I also remember when they carried the caboose on their trains, up until 2009 I believe. I have a few videos filmed just got to upload them lol. Keep up the great work!
Some friends of mine and I are coming down from Cleveland, Ohio to Jacksonville Florida at the end of September we hope that we will be able to say hi. Love the videos
It's always a great day when Danny puts up a new video. I've learned a lot from his videos on various things about railroads. Until we meet again on the High Iron Danny Cheers from Laurel, Delaware.
Thoroughly enjoyed your video. The variety was great. It is also an awesome thing to have a crew call you out by name. You have an amazing channel and many folks appreciate you. Myself included! God Bless!
Hi, I'm in the UK and RUclips prompted me to watch your video. I'm glad they did and I'm pleased that I did because I enjoyed it very much and hit that bell, thank you. As well as all of the Trains and info, I liked seeing a bit of the everyday Life, Malls, Diners, Streets, Avenues and Highways between the Railroad stops. I have a Freelanced HO Switching Layout that 'somehow' interchanges with IHB & CSS. A while back I picked-up some Athearn B/Box PS Boxcars and included was a 'Sandersville' model 'The Kaolin Line'. Now I've watched this - 'bingo'.
My grandfather and his siblings grew up in Sandersville. The Kaolin plant was close to my great aunt’s house that I would walk there whenever we would go visit.
Best part of the month seeing a Danny Harmon video.
Yes
Especially with what just happened a few minutes ago in PA
Yessir
Amen to that
@@railfanlynx what happened?
@24:16 I always love it when the train crew gives a shout out to a fellow rail fan.
That was awesome!
@@FoCoBuzzA True Classic by a Classy Crewman. 👍🙏
How many engineers recognize you?
@trainguy5634 there's a lot of us. Danny's been making videos for a very long time and we've seen him trackside in Tampa and all around the network.
You get so much more than train watching on Danny's videos. History, terminology and great restaurant tips. Thank you sir.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Harmon." I loved hearing this from the engineer. I think everyone knows you. Thanks for a great video.
Half hour long Danny video while waiting to get called out of the hotel on a train! What a great day!
If You get called be safe!!!
You were right near my neck of the woods in McIntyre. I live about 18 miles north of there. I drove a kaolin truck in the mines for many years. If the kaolin gets wet you can forget about going anywhere. Some days I rail fan in Gordon,GA on the Macon Savannah line. One other tid bit of info . Tennille is the highest point on the line, Thanks Danny
Some info on that little Southern engine at 14:20. It's not, contrary to what is believed, abandoned. The owner of it lives across the street from it. He also does NOT take kindly to people climbing on, or in it, and is known for even calling the police on anyone photographing the locomotive, and reporting them as vandals. He had previously been approached about getting the locomotive preserved. However he requested to sell the locomotive to them for around 20,000 dollars US, roughly what he had paid for the locomotive originally. The preservation group, in response, began hounding him about simply donating the locomotive. Based on his experience from them, he has refused any and all attempts by other people to try to take the locomotive off his hands. Speaking with him in the past (so maybe a couple years ago) he stated that he does keep the locomotive in running order, and as recent as earlier this year, was looking at paying for a company to come out and clear brush from the track to allow him to store and maintain a group of boxcars he had recently purchased. He owns some ten or fifteen varied boxcars which he leases out to other railroads. Whatever the case, he states that he keeps the locomotive in working order, and will, from time to time, (usually about once a year, though sometimes once every two or three years) sart the locomotive up and make certain that it is able to run.
I can not stress this enough to the viewers here. DO NOT climb on, enter, or approach this locomotive. The fact that Danny was not accosted by the owner, suggests that he was not home at the time this was filmed, or was aware of who Danny is.
Regarding the port of Savannah, and Georgia Central at 16:38, there is also a railroad you missed. SAPT, "Savannah Port Terminal", railroad also operates in and around the port of Savannah. This railroad's main motive power is two or three SW1500's. The railroad covers some 18 miles, and previously interchanged with the Georgia Central, CSX, and Norfolk Southern. However as of today, they no longer have connections to Georgia Central. The company was somewhat unique, as in 2005, they purchased an aging SD9 as their motive power. This old SD9 was unique in that it was an A-1-A-Co, as opposed to the usual Co-Co six powered axles. The odd arrangement came when one of the traction motors on the lead truck died, and the company removed it, replacing it with an idler axle while they sourced a replacement axle. The engine continued in service in that form until 2008, when it was sold to Larry's "Rent a wreck", and replaced with a newer (relatively speaking) SW1500. G&W purchased the railroad in 1998, but it wasn't until the early 2000's that they started painting their locomotives into the orange and yellow of G&W.
Doesn't look like he takes good care of it
Seems like said locomotive owner should put up some no trespassing signs. Don't want anyone getting hurt. Sad to see train in decay, I suspect train owner is also in decay.
Interesting, for some one who own a locomotive he does a very piss poor job of keeping it in order. He also do not know how to keep the tracks clear of trees.
I was wondering about thyatn swither myself as I do love those things and its nin its southern colors, well when I get a spare 20 grand I'll talk to him about buying it
The preservation group wanted it free?? How insulting! Hey, you can't fix "stupid"! Next they'll want his other boxcars!
I model the Central of Georgia in HO scale since I used to live in Jonesboro, GA. From its inception just after the Civil War to 1963 when it was sold to Southern Railways. Before we ended up in Jonesboro, I started out in Hephzibah, GA, where there was a huge kaolin mine my dad took me to when I was a kid. I remember it well; so many years ago. Cheers from eastern TN
Well! "MR. Harmon." Nice to see you have a friend in the cab. Wonderful video as always.
The crews are always so nice to you Danny! Loved the vid as always
Danny Harmon, you are a national treasure. Watching your videos is a treat. You give us insight and valuable information. I myself appreciate all you do.
I've said this b4 and repeating it. All the 3 class A RRs must recruit him to do vids on their traffic hotspots.... He's certainly a national treasure not only for U guys in the USA but even for some1 like me who lives overseas.
Always a good day when YT sends a pop up for a new video from Distant Signal to watch. Thank you! 😊
“The squeaky wheel causes the grief”! Well done, sir 😊
Can't take credit for it. I stole it from a Frasier episode. :-))
"Good afternoon Mr. Harmon". Absolutely priceless. Another winner Danny! Savannah is on my list.
This guy's amazing. So knowledgeable and well spoken. Always excellent narration. Thanks for another enjoyable video.
Mr. Harmon...... Or as us fans like to call you, Danny. You are the Mr. Rogers of railroading videos here on RUclips. Your mild demeanor along with your constant enthusiasm is evident in all your videos and is very soothing.
I don't know why, but I always feel better after I've seen one of your videos. It's like, knowing tomorrow they'll be another sunrise, but in this case I know there's going to be another wonderful video from Distant Signal to look forward to in the near future.
"ALL ABOARD!" 🚂🚂
That's an awfully nice compliment. Thanks!
Grab your popcorn, he’s backkk.
Return of the King!
1. It's that time again folks.
2. I must say Danny, I have to thank you for filming the Sandersville RR. Back in the 90'S, the Sandersville RR was one of four shortline railroads that was visited for a video titled: "ATLANTA: DIESELS DOWN SOUTH".
My condolences for the friend you lost
Many thanks.
My deepest sympathies and prayers for your friend and fellow Railfan. Another great video of some great trains. To bad some museums in the area can't get that old Southern engine and put it on display.
That would be quite the production to get that locomotive out of the woods.
You can't judge what content to put out by what I like, I'll watch just about any video you produce.
Haha!! Many thanks, Dave.
I watch your videos from start to finish every time. Really enjoy them.
Poor old 1004. I love searching old lost rail lines. I've found railroads lost in the 1800s where you can still see the graded right of way in the woods and maybe even a rail section or some spikes still. But never have I found a neglected locomotive like that. Amazing and sad at the same time. I love your channel, Danny.
FYI: The owner of it has made it painfully clear, that anyone found climbing on the locomotive, or on his railroad's property (he lives just across the street from it), will get charged with trespass. That the police of Wadley didn't stop by during the filming, suggests he wasn't home. That same owner has also noted, after a very bad experience with a preservation group, that if the harassment to 'donate' the locomotive continues, he will ultimately resort to having the locomotive cut up where it sits. So, look from the road, and don't bug the guy.
This engine was not and is not abandoned. A man purchased it with plans to rebuild but it never happened. 1004 was originally a switcher for the old Georgia and Florida Railroad and when the Southern Railroad bought the Georgia and Florida back in 1963, this engine went to them. It became part of the Central of Georgia, which was part of Southern. The original paint scheme was G&F dark green with cream like trim and later was the green with silver. The man the owns it now does not take kindly to people trespassing and unless its changed, the engine is not for sale, at least that is what I understand. There is a sister unit to 1004 that BDLX rebuilt and last I heard it was leased to one of big potash mines outside Jasper Florida. My daddy worked for the Georgia and Florida for many years and retired in 1963 when the road sold.
I am so excited that you finally got around to Savannah! Next time you are here check out River Street, an old CoG turned NS line runs right down the middle of it for the retired River Street Rambler, and the Georgia State Railroad Museum not too far from the Visitor Center. Last I checked the Roundhouse turntable still worked!
I was in Savannah in 1998 and could kick myself for not getting some video of the River Street lead. NS was shoving boxcars down it. All gone now.
Thanks for always keeping your fans front and Center Mr Danny. God Bless and be safe.
Great video as always! Nice to see the area I grew up in get featured.
A bit of insider info about that diamond in Statesboro. The intersection there will be replaced by a roundabout in the near future. It is by far the most disliked intersection in the whole town.
If you ever find yourself in Savannah again, try out Little duck diner and Hitch, those are some of my favorite places to eat. There is also a short line that cuts across downtown and you can catch a train there just about every day. It's pretty easy to find since it blows it's horn constantly as a passes through the city.
Also it's Georgia Southern, not state.
GATA
Thanks! Yep, that was my mistake. Typed it in the script then never caught the error. I appreciate the eating tips. I'll put those on my list. A roundabout makes sense at that intersection. They work pretty well for multi-street intersections... after everyone gets used to it. Also, where can I find that shortline downtown?
I hunted deer when I was a teenager, near those kaolin mines. The locals called them chalk mines. Those piles of white clay at the processing facility, appeared to be the kaolin before it is processed. Thanks for the video!
"Afternoon Mister Harmon" Always makes me smile!
Would love to see you come up to St. Paul, MN! Lots of rail history and yards
4:25 Kaolin (Al2H4O6Si2), also known as kaolinite and China Clay was named after Kao-Ling, China where it was first used. Besides the uses listed here, we used small amounts in cement manufacturing along with clay (Al2H2O6Si). As can be seen from the chemical formulas, Kaolin has a higher silicon content than regular clay.
Savannah is always my favorite place since being born there. Never gets dull and always love the nightlife and the many food options to eat around the downtown area. Back on the train topic though, I usually get to see the CSX Southover Yard, CSX Intermodal, and the NS yards around the area during my stay growing up over 35 years especially near the Amtrak station. Also you can never go wrong with a low country boil or even boiled spicy shrimp in a steam bag.
Another great video Danny, thank you! Cool that the BNSF engineer gave you a shout-out over the radio👍
I loooves those swithers and that southern unit in the weeds
Always glad to have you come visit us here in Georgia.
Do enjoy the videos -- takes me at least twice as long to watch them as I try to follow your travels via Google Earth. So I stop the video and locate your vantage point and resume watching ... adds to the enjoyment! Thanks again.
A new Distant Signal video is always cause for celebration! Reminds me of railfanning with my Dad when I was younger. Danny, your videos are always accessible yet deeply researched, thank you!
Welcome to our back yard Danny. Next time in Savannah be sure to get to the Georgia Railroad Museum. The turntable is still in operation. It is the old shops of the C&G. Also, there is a lot of action in Yemasee. Marine recruits used to get off the ACL there to catch ride on the Port Royal Railroad to Paris Island. The Port Royal tracks are gone, but it still is a busy place with the CSX A-line and Amtrak action. Then stop for lunch at Duke's in Walterboro. All you can eat barbeque at a great price.
If you ever make it up here to Cumberland, MD Danny we have quite a few B32-8’s running on the Western Maryland Scenic line! Awesome video as always, hope to catch you trackside during a visit to Jacksonville sometime!
I always enjoy watching for the trains and listening to your
great knowledge about trains thanks Danny.🇺🇲🚂🚃🚃🇺🇲
Thanks Roger.
@@distantsignal
Danny, At 15:58 you said "Georgia State University". This is NOT CORRECT. WE ARE GEORGIA SOUTHERN University.
Exhausting day of driving and I lie down and open the app to a 27 minute Danny Harmon video and I am BLESSED
Hahah! That's nice compliment, Dan. Thanks!
How cool is that to get a call-out by the passing crew... and this isn't the only video where you've received one... you're a rail fanning superstar, Mr. Harmon.
And your safety warning about staying 25ft. away from the tracks, well, that sure resonated after my experience below.
UP's 4014 Big Boy was out here in California last weekend, it was on static display at the UP Roseville yard for two days, and then started heading back to it's Cheyenne, WY home base, by going over Donner Pass. Having never seen a steam locomotive in action in real life, I decided to chase it from Roseville to Sparks, NV. As you can imagine, rail fans were all along the route everywhere, clogging crossings and freeway overpasses. It was at a crossing where I just couldn't believe what I saw in the behavior of some people. The UP 4014 was Eastbound, the crossing arms were down, the whistle was blowing and yet, people were still crossing the tracks to get a better view. On the Westbound track, there was an Amtrak train that had to slow down and come to a stop, because there were people, despite numerous horn warning blasts, standing right next to the track to watch 4014 go by.
Absolutely unreal! Common sense was not reigning supreme that day.
Yes, steam excursions are among the craziest shows you'll see on the railroad.
14:00 seeing relics like this "frozen in time" gives me a weird tingly feeling I can't quite describe...
Danny, definitely come back to Savannah! Best time to catch train action is early morning (5am-9am), lunch time (11a-1p) and late afternoon (4p-7p). Then, you could see the intermodal transfer, GC’s wood chip job and CSX interchange, as well as a few locals! All in all, I’m glad you filmed this and enjoyed yourself!
Interesting that the info on the Sandersville Railroad Wikipedia page was written by me and a few other people. I used to work for CSX Transportation from 2014-2020 out of Hialeah Yard in Miami, Florida as a Freight Conductor/RCO. You caught me and Engineer Eric Bloomer in Auburndale, Florida back in 2017 when we pulled the last Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus Train from CSX Yeoman Yard in Tampa to Mission Spur in West Palm Beach, Florida to be handed off to Florida East Coast Railway for the remainder of the trip to Miami. We had two GE ES40DC Locomotives one of which wasn’t online. It was one heavy train with the generator car, heavy weight passenger coaches, diner car, animal stock cars, and flat cars behind us. The 432,000 LB dead weight of the trailing GE ES40DC didn’t help the cause either but we made it. FEC had two EMD GP40-2 Locomotives waiting at Mission Spur for us. I saw you at CP Auburndale Connection as we rounded the curve that turns us from West ( North ) to South. Interestingly I grew up in Sandersville watching the Sandersville Railroad Company’s many trains from my grandma’s old house that still stands near the roundabout intersection of Highway 242 that is intersected by the Sandersville Railroad mainline. I used to watch Norfolk Southern trains on the Savannah District at Tennille, in Davisboro, and Oconee as a kid too. Then I worked for CSX in Miami from 2014-2020. I would have worked for NS or even the SAN but I wanted to move out of that area. I now work in the Maritime Industry as a Chief Engineer on Moran Tugboats. These Tugs have EMD motors in them just like the Locomotives. I always joke that I went from EMDs that gallop to EMDs that swim. I will be working for Military Sealift Command soon on ships as sea but who knows I may try the railroad again one day. Maybe FEC, NS, or BNSF. Awesome video! This is great Mr. Danny! Thanks for passing by my old hometown and checking out the awesome little shortline Sandersville Railroad Company and the Class One Norfolk Southern. Also to add that Kaolin out there on the ground near that Howard Sheppard dump truck you saw is waiting to be processed. It’s going into a blunger unit there that will crush it down into powder then mix it with water before pumping it as a slurry through a pipeline to one of the Kaolin Processing Plants also known as Chalk Plants by local slang. If you had went into that Sandersville Railroad Company office building you could have talked to the owner of the company, Mr. Ben J. Tarbutton III who is usually there on work days. That is one interesting thing is that the family has always been close to operations. Mr. Ben J. Tarbutton Jr. and Mr. Hugh Tarbutton used to be in there until they passed away. I have met them in recent years. Very friendly guys. If I was in town visiting my parents when you came through I would have introduced you to Mr. Tarbutton. That Mason Mega Rail Intermodal Yard in Garden City ( Savannah ), Georgia at the Port is massive! It’s the largest of its kind.
Wow!!! You are I seem to have crossed paths a lot thorough these years. That's wild you were on that Circus train that morning. That was indeed a long day. I listened to the kerfuffle on the radio between everyone and the RBBX Trainmaster, who vehemently did not want that train shoved into Miami. I remember watching as you guys turned that beast on the wye up there. That's something about you switching to the martime industry. My Son is a Mate on a 290 foot OSV boat out of Fourchon, LA. He likes the work, but has just gotten married so the long hitches are getting old.
I'd love to meet any of the Tarbutton family up there in Sandersville. Some amazing folks. Thanks again for your comments, stay safe and good luck!
@@distantsignalthank you so much Mr. Danny! I really appreciate your comment and I also love watching your videos. I was a fan before I worked on the railroad, a fan while I worked for the railroad, and I’m still a fan now that I work in the maritime industry. I may go back to the railroad one day only time will tell. You are most welcome and yes sir we did cross paths a lot. I wish I could have stopped and talked to you when I was out there. Have a great rest of your weekend and thank you for the well wishes!Best of luck to your son as well. I totally understand how he feels about these long hitches it can become cumbersome. Especially for the ones of us that are married. Thankfully my girlfriend is totally understanding but once we get married and it’s more of a thing I may resort to being a little closer to home again. Maybe even back to the railroad. Not sure which one but I have a few ideas. Thanks again for your time making this awesome content. Very professional and enjoyable. Also to add you are one of the only people I’ve ever seen get the pronunciation of Tennille correct lol. 🚂⚓️
Another great film 👍. Appreciate the fact you don’t show every car on a train as it passes. 👍
I think of the Allman Brothers Band when talking about Stateboro GA. Woke up this morning had those Statesboro Blues. It was the late bros. Dewayne and Greg Allman and Dickie Betts, all those guys aren't with us anymore. EMD SW1500s are my favorite locomotives with their open face cab forward.
If you’re ever in Cali, here in Fresno we got a nice UP and BNSF line, Amtrak shares on BNSF and a short of SJVRR.
High speed rail as well when that eventually completes.
Would be happy to showcase the rails out here. Yards for both class 1’s as well.
Thank you once again, Danny (I'll never get tired of typing that.).
A good rule of thumb for railfans is to stay outside the crossing gates and signal posts. If the gate or the crossbuck is behind you then you are doing it wrong.
Wonderful video! Jeff - I grew up in Jax and spent a lot of time in southeast Georgia. Thank you for the nostalgia!
Glad you enjoyed it!
As always super video Danny. Strange that loco is still in situ all these years on. I imagine there's more sites like that all over the states. Well done 🤓 stay safe
That rail down the residential street is wild, even if it's just a short bit!
Georgia is crazy like that. Several cities have street runners. Augusta is a BIG one
I look forward to Danny’s videos . Thanks Danny
I really like this video, largely because of the intersection between the small and old with the large and new. Hope you keep wandering around and finding interesting stuff that wasn't part of the original plan!
Another most excellent adventure from Danny. Thank you once again.
Wow nice to see you up around my home rails. I remember my first time coming through tennile on train my engineer explained the sandersville railroad to me. Idk if its true or not but he explained that the sandersville either is or was one of the most profitable shortlines if not in the country then just in the area. We watched them work for awhile since we were waiting for another train to clear before taking another track authority and left. Their crews are pretty friendly if i remember.. also most those rboxes on 191 actually come from a few industries here in augusta before we run em out. Not to say savannah doesnt have em either ik theres several as well down there who still use em. If it was 191 however they probably came out of columbia or augusta. Out of savannah then it probably would be on either 158 going to augusta at millen or it would be 367/368 macon-savannah. They actually changed the numbers on that train recently though ive not gotten an actual reason why so i couldnt tell you.
Great travelogue, always fun when you get to a new territory. Bit of history doesn't hurt either, really like seeing the old stations.
Wow, a video chock full of variety. Thanks Danny! I'd love to see more of the Savannah area when you have a chance to get up there again. 😎
Me too!! I hope to be back up there this Fall.
Hello Danny. Thank you so much for this valuable history lesson. You are so blessed being able to share your knowledge of trains with your fans! I certainly enjoy learning from all your videos and I’m sure many other folks do also. Be safe out there.
Great video Danny! Thanks for taking us along.
Mr. Harmon’s productions are first class! Once I receive a notification of his posts, I tune in without delay. Even though I’m way up here in MN, the restaurant reviews are a terrific treat too.
Mr. Danny Harmon, have been watching your channel for a couple of years now. I'm impressed with the fact that you really do your homework. The industries that these rail companies serve is always fascinating subject matter. You are a plethora of knowledge and I always look forward to your next videos. So, we will see on the high iron! Thanks.
I love how often engineers say hello to you on the radio 😄 the local railroaders all know you.
Always like your videos wish you could post more
Ex Rock Island now a slug on the Sandersville, SR 1004 in the woods, a solo BNSF on CSX, Not to mention Honey Boo-Boo’s house?
You had your hands full with this episode. Again, another great video Danny!!!
When back in Savannah, check out the round table at the train museum. Worthwhile! Mrs. James
I don't drive, so I don't get to go exploring the Florida rails. I always appreciate you showing us more of the regional territory, and your background information is great.
love your videos sir. my only complaint is that they dont come out faster heh. ty for sharing ur love and knowledge of railroading!!
Love this channel and the local towns and railroad history around the southern states. Pretty cool to get a shout-out over the radio 👍
that damn mosquito close to the right eye... ruined the moment :) Looking to all your vids form Romania/EU! Thank you for making them, for me are very relaxing!
Danny is what inspires us railfans every time he uploads!
Great video show ing the different lines and old track with abandoned engine, always like the place you eat at with a good plug for the restaurants. Enjoy your show. Thanks
Another superb video Danny !!
You are # 1 in my book !
We have the old Ulster and Delaware tracks(later Penn Central)in our back yard here in the Catskill Mountains.
Sad to see trees and saplings growing up thru .
The county has torn up a bunch of this line to make rail trails.
Despite a large opposition, they are continuing the destruction.
I have many fond memories from my childhood of running to the tracks when we heard the train horn.
Thanx again.....
Hey Danny, if you're interested, across the street from that Central of Georgia Railway Station, is the Georgia State Railroad Mueseum. Few locomotives and railcars are kept in the former roundhouse there.
Another wonderful video, sir!
My late father loved the CofG, so it was neat to see and hear about the history of some of the line.
Keep up the great work, Danny!
Now this video takes me back to your ealy work it seemed longer than what it was and the variety was scrumptious, I love exploring sidings spurs and such it bring that much more interest, thank you for your generosity in time.
Another great combination of material. While the trip may have not been what you planned, what you presented was top drawer - excellent as always. Keep up the great work and fun adventures.
Best moment when Danny adds a informational video
Greetings from Australia. I always enjoy your videos, Danny. I'm learning so much about your neck of the woods.
That was pretty cool to hear about Statesboro. Hardly saw, if any, trains while I was a student. That’s Georgia Southern though. State is up in Atlanta.
Thank you again Danny Harmon for another great video. I always enjoy your running commentary & explanations of railroading.
Greetings from Southern Chicagoland. I wonder if I saw the hopper train at 24:08 on the CN 😅. Great video as always, you've covered some gems this time around. You should explore more small railroads since those are always the kind with old power still in use.
Glad you got out of Florida to show us something a little different. Really enjoyed the video. I really enjoy almost anything involving shortlines and the old equipment they typically use. Thank you for the exceptional effort you put into all of these.
You're a class act Danny... show more of those hard workin short lines! love em!
That is very cool when the crews know their rail fans.
Great video Danny! I usually pass through Savannah a couple of times every year, I guess I’ll have to make a stop!
Danny, the travelogue format and tight edit sets your presentations apart; well done, again!
Man I remember watching these videos something like 7 or 8 years ago before I was even out of elementary school, being a junior in high school this coming year its pretty exciting to still be able to watch these videos.
I'm glad you found the channel way back in elementary school!
Ahh, always makes my day better when a new video from Danny Harmon appears. Informative, easy-going and professional; as close to railfan perfection as you can get.
So cool! Hearing him acknowledging you on the radio !
Yet another excellent video Danny!!! Thank you for sharing!!!
The Sandersville is a unique operation I first heard about in a trains Publication years ago...Thanks for showing a bit of it
Somday I might try to get to there and view the Sandersville or the Birmingham Terminal ...A Watco poperty in Alabama
So great to see some Genesee & Wyoming Iron in the South. I live about 10 miles (as crow flies) from where the G&W started operations. Amazing what they’ve done over the decades. Would love to hear your take on their history.
I enjoy your videos! I can relate to them. I worked as a brakeman/conductor on the Seaboard coastline between 1973 - 92 out of Abbeville SC. I started in 1973 with SCL on the old Piedmont and Northern (P&N) RR. from Greenwood SC to Spartanburg SC. I finished my career on the Atlanta division in 92. When i was ten years in 1957 I lived and played on the line out of Statesboro Ga. (Register Ga.) Thanks for the memories!
I love that you covered this short line! Given that I spent a good time here as a kid in the 2000s, I have a lot of memories of this line. I also remember when they carried the caboose on their trains, up until 2009 I believe. I have a few videos filmed just got to upload them lol. Keep up the great work!
Some friends of mine and I are coming down from Cleveland, Ohio to Jacksonville Florida at the end of September we hope that we will be able to say hi. Love the videos
I finally met him at the Savannah Amtrak station, and it was the greatest experience.
It's always a great day when Danny puts up a new video. I've learned a lot from his videos on various things about railroads. Until we meet again on the High Iron Danny Cheers from Laurel, Delaware.
Thoroughly enjoyed your video. The variety was great. It is also an awesome thing to have a crew call you out by name. You have an amazing channel and many folks appreciate you. Myself included! God Bless!
Hi, I'm in the UK and RUclips prompted me to watch your video. I'm glad they did and I'm pleased that I did because I enjoyed it very much and hit that bell, thank you.
As well as all of the Trains and info, I liked seeing a bit of the everyday Life, Malls, Diners, Streets, Avenues and Highways between the Railroad stops.
I have a Freelanced HO Switching Layout that 'somehow' interchanges with IHB & CSS. A while back I picked-up some Athearn B/Box PS Boxcars and included was a 'Sandersville' model 'The Kaolin Line'. Now I've watched this - 'bingo'.
My grandfather and his siblings grew up in Sandersville. The Kaolin plant was close to my great aunt’s house that I would walk there whenever we would go visit.