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

In this video, we'll cover the origins of Rice Yard at Waycross, what created the Bow Line route and why CSX is upgrading sidings in several locations. You'll meet Gus Karle, the man who oversaw the terminal operations at Waycross in the 1970's and 80's. Then we'll Join Charles Burgess to chase down some freight trains across South Georgia.

[@dennisfox2340]

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!

[@RobertCraft-re5sf]

Sounds like a great place to live and raise a family.

[@Jaidyn228]

It is. Coming from another native of the city

[@Kevin-le2xo]

Fr

[@RochelleM491]

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!

[@thomasfreeman7770]

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.

[@kennethgrimsley7656]

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

[@bethweber9398]

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

[@kens.3729]

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. 😬👍

[@Bosslifebiz661]

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. 🚀

[@Da__goat]

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.

[@SouthTampaRealEstateToday]

That is so nice. We do the same for him.

[@cadesmith4278]

"All-benny..." Brings back memories--we lived in Birmingham; my grandparents were from Eufaula, AL. When I visited as a child, I remember them talking about "All-benny."

[@BrianHanscom0790]

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

[@bahopp9872]

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

[@jason27swg]

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!!!

[@BlackMan614]

CSX is under new management. One that thinks finding new customers rather than alienating existing ones is better for business. Go figure. Good luck in retirement. You made the right decision. NS is a mess.

[@3985uprr]

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.

[@russellp4160]

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.

[@wayneyadams]

@russellp4160 I agree, even if you are not a railfan, you can still enjoy the history, scenery, and stories of the various areas of Florida he visits.

[@jovetj]

@@wayneyadams And of Georgia! And anywhere else he goes!

[@beulahpowell1478]

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. 😊

[@walterrogers359]

I was furloughed in1974, a little more than a year since I hired on in Feb 1973 in Hialeah, Fl. Waycross was a fascinating place to work: 3 huge flat-switch yards, at least 60 trains a day, 50 or more yard jobs, enormous back shops. Stayed there for 2 years and witnessed the start of construction of the classification yard. The hump tower was built first toore all operations from Oklahoma ave. And centraize the yardmasters, as well as the Thomaville Eub road freights(that's where I worked). 12 trains a day plus 2 locals. I gained a lot of experience while there as that side was run by timetable and train orders,aka "dark territory". Nice to see how the whole yard turned out.

[@Mesabi193]

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.

[@jesshansen3681]

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

[@kenrhodes948]

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)

[@chriselectric1116]

LOVE YOUR VIDEOS DANNY,. THANK YOU...A WONDERFUL VOICE FOR ALL US RAIL FANS. ALL YOUR VIDEOS ARE SO WELL PRODUCED AND I HAVE ENJOYED ALL OF THEM THROUGH THE YEARS,.

[@northernidaho5750]

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.

[@jovetj]

Agreed! Agreeing from Omaha, Nebraska. (UP's headquarters, for those that may not know that)

[@Triplebuc50]

Enjoying your Videos Danny

[@BeyondtheRailz]

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

[@creedrichards137]

Always a pleasure to watch these. I've always loved trains since I was a kid.

[@ram89572]

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.

[@rbean204]

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!

[@CherylMotherofSeven]

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

[@andrewh.8403]

As always, one of my favourite channels whilst I'm in my shed working on my model railroad. Oh yes, my wife reckons she was going to take my old cap out back and shoot it. Put it out of its' misery.

[@RealJeep]

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.

[@russellp4160]

Just another note. Yours is the ONLY KZbin channel that I watch about Trains.

[@willconjura389]

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!

[@nathanshanas6046]

My 6 year old daughter and I watch your videos when I'm trying to get her to sleep, its probably a bad choice of videos for that because she is always so excited to see the big trains racing by on the main lines. She seen you closing out this video here and she said, "daddy, he is nice...." her name is Vanessa and she is most definitely a future rail fan lol

[@dalecomer5951]

This channel has a great narrator! Please tell the producer, director, editor and writer that we appreciate the detail information on the locomotives including the air horn.

[@distantsignal]

Thanks! You just told him. Ha!

[@dalu8718]

The owner of Mr. Chicks once used the caboose for his office. If you' gone into those warehouses behind the restaurant, you would have fallen in love with his museum quality collection of antiques of all sorts.

[@distantsignal]

I hope to take that tour one of these days.

[@JohnHollowell]

Danny, I really appreciate you showing us your goof with the fogged up lens. Things don't go perfectly all the time and this is a great learning moment for us all!

[@walterrogers359]

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.

[@rybak04]

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

[@jamesmccall8978]

I grew up in Brooklyn and have memories going to Alabama by train, the artifacts at Mr Chicks made me think of going to the store with family! Also, my middle school in Brooklyn with Ebbets Field Apts across the street! Cairo is where Jackie Robinson was born and grew up!

[@RussellTHouse]

Your description of the locomotive storage tracks at Rice Yard being “dramatic” is an understatement, yet dramatic it certainly is! I am glad you let the next few seconds of video continue without any comment, which neatly underscored that dramatic scene.

[@JK-db2wj]

I’ve heard about waycross and watched the webcam feed from there but I learned a lot about the yard and whole of the bow line from this video. Thanks DH

[@elizabethvernon3594]

I grew up in Waycross 46- 71. Albany Ave area. Loved seeing all the railroad crossings. My family came from Atlanta area to Waycross in 1920 to work for Coastline railroad. Love to hear the train horns. Thanks for the sweet tears of memories.

[@distantsignal]

Thanks Elizabeth. Wish I'd have known about Waycross in my youth in the early 1970's. I'd love to have visited there when it was still all Coast Line.

[@PCBill0622]

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.

[@jerrygrant3091]

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!

[@jamesarthofer3413]

Better than any documentary on TV!! Love the trains, and love the history.

[@alfrancisnh]

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!!

[@bobwadkins3416]

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.

[@tommysmith1134]

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

[@JohnR.1968]

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

[@alexsimmons1525]

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

[@SCLModeler]

The Gus Karle interview is pure gold brother! Another stellar video!

[@scottcieri2750]

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.

[@distantsignal]

Haha! You never know what you're gonna run into out there.

[@kens.3729]

There is Only one (1) thing that can make Saturday Night any Better and Danny Harmon posted a Video today so we can Watch it and Learn more about Railroads.

[@oilman-kj6nh]

I have to watch this again because I fell asleep to you soothing voice 😅

[@Kkurious009]

I don't know how you do it, Danny, but each new video you release sets a new standard for quality. Interesting narration, plus effective camera and sound work really draw the viewer in to the fascinating business of railroading. As other subscribers have described so well, you're the best railroad teacher out there!

[@bigduffone]

Danny Speaking of the concrete ties, I ran into a CSX crew that was replacing the ties that told me that the reason they are going back to wood was the cost and time to replace kevlar pads that sat between the rail and tie. They were put on with an adhesive and when they wore out, it was costly and very time consuming to replace those pads.

[@robertrichter6936]

Danny your rail videos are very professional & extremely educational for me some of my friends that watch your channel , thank you!

[@kennethjackson8961]

I rode the Bow line in 1960 from Montgomery to Savanah. II was local and stop at every small town. I was by myself and thirteen years old. The train got into Savannah around midnight after leaving Montgomery around eight that morning.

[@HyperActive7]

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.

[@notarotomwithhair5637]

I though CSX leased the line to Florida Gulf and Atlantic

[@andrewbonniwell3924]

@@notarotomwithhair5637 They did sell the Florida Gulf Coast Route to FG&L. I was just saying the line is no longer in use by CSX past Mobile.

[@ratfink55]

Thanks Mr Danny. One of my old favorite trips to fan back in the day.

[@shericlanton2250]

I enjoyed watching this video. My husband was a signalman for csx. Waycross is our hometown. He worked in wacross for a while but we also lived in south Carolina, fla. DeLand, fla was my favorite. The history of rice yard was very interesting. Thank you. My name is sheri Rockett Clanton

[@lawrenceromaine3063]

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.

[@markokeefe8281]

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😊

[@jamesmccall8978]

Hello, Mr Harmon! Though I was raised in Brooklyn, I lived in Columbus,GA for 26 years and drove tractor trailer. After the great information on Mr Chick's restaurant, there was the display of the cross! I would've sworn that was in Virginia; on I-81, south of Winchester! I have always wanted to be a railroad engineer but the closest I came to it was trucking!

[@davidguardado3164]

Just watch your B-Day trip with your son to Ohio. That was wonderful to watch. Another part of the country both you and your son need to see the Chicagoland area. The central hub of railroads for the country. 👍

[@castnetman]

South Georgia resident and long time viewer enjoyed that video. Thanks for all your videos and the professional quality you put into them.

[@nmccw3245]

Thanks Danny. As a CSX shareholder, it’s good to see how those dividends are generated. 😁👍🏻

[@blowemall]

Danny, this is the first time I have commented on your video! I love not only all the videos you put out there but also all the historical facts that go with it. Great work, enjoy every minute of every video. Thank you!

[@franksita4719]

Love the Bowline feature. Used to live in Dothan a few moons back and have traveled up Highway 231 to Montgomery many times.

[@OleanderJunction]

Great Video

[@bhigdaddymark]

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.

[@SouthTampaRealEstateToday]

Agree 100%

[@hank-stephens]

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.

[@thomasmackowiak]

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.

[@maestromecanico597]

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.

[@buddyburtonphotography]

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

[@roboftherock]

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

[@fred.larson2720q]

I don't really consider myself to be a "Railfan" but I enjoy your videos immensely. They are so interesting and informative and your videography and narration are incredibly professional.

[@distantsignal]

That's an awfully nice compliment, Freda. Thanks for taking the time to write and welcome to the channel!

[@jasmannygonzalez7462]

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

[@robertseip210]

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!

[@bobpatterson9026]

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

[@stanwhite5135]

Danny, great video! Listening to you is like listening to an old friend telling a great story.

[@billdelmar4827]

Great video, Danny. Good history and current status of the Bowline, which we thought was doomed just a few years ago.

[@UnionPacificRailroader]

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!

[@eriepete3421]

Danny I always look forward to seeing your videos. You're a pro at what you do. Thanks

[@distantsignal]

Many thanks, Eric!

[@mr.j2776]

Danny - watching your videos is always time well spent. So much information and interesting places. Thank you!

[@stevenbelsky1652]

I love Danny's food stops would see a video of all his favorite restaurants

[@nmpxxx]

Very nice job and interesting about CSX Rice Yard in Waycross you break it down how the yard became as big as it's today, Thanks you

[@Garythefireman66]

Love the memorabilia at Mr Chick. If I'm ever in the area, I'll stop there for sure.

[@railscanner]

Great video. I use to run a truck run From Montgomery Alabama to Cairo Georgia. I always enjoyed railfanning the bow line.

[@RobTuck1475]

I can't say any better than what RochelleM491 states in their comment. You are a true shining star in this field. Stay safe my friend and thank you again for taking us along on another awesome rail adventure.

[@railfanmaximstill7279]

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

[@glennac]

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❣️

[@bikerguy5829]

I love your photography and editing. It shows exactly what you're talking about. Excellent video

[@Galaxy2517]

Another awesome video!!! That is a nasty loud horn on that SD70 for sure!Love it....

[@stonewall3041]

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

[@johniacono3725]

Very well done. Your presentations are wonderful, accurate historically and magnificently presented. Stay well and I look forward to your next presentation. John M. Iacono, Manhasset, NY

[@philipcollins5440]

You always come up with such interesting 🤔 information on the different 🚂's.

[@daneknutson5375]

It's always a good day when there's a new distant signal video.

[@georgebenson6036]

I lived in Valdosta for 12 years and never knew the history of the bowline. Thanks for sharing.

[@niobraraterminalrailroad2709]

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

[@MBTAMoreRailfan]

another great one when bro had watched a minute of it 💀💀💀

[@joeygratton1426]

Who doesn't love a good history lesson?

[@swaool]

Danny - as always, another interesting and informative video. I thought that you might touch on why Rice Yard is oriented the way it is, parallel to the Bow Line and not one of the busier routes. Isn't it because there used to be a large volume of Florida traffic that moved via the West Coast and Dupont subs through High Springs, tying into the Bow Line at Dupont? Good to see old friend Charles Burgess make an appearance as well.

[@distantsignal]

Hi Mike. Thanks! Yes, I believe you are right about how Rice Yard is oriented. I've not gotten official confirmation of it though. It' gotta be the reason, otherwise they'd have lined it with the Fitzgerald and South Jesup subs.