The Way It was: Jacksonville 1999 - CSX Gateway To Florida

[@gismoogity]

My grandfather worked for CSX as an engineer years back. He was nicknamed "Trainwreck" when a train he was operating derailed. It was carrying a shipment of brand new Cadillacs worth around a billion dollars. There was a washout near US 90 (Beaver Street) and Edgewood Avenue, which was determined to be the cause of the derailment. Unfortunately, he passed back in 1996, I was 3 years old at the time. He was also the designer of the current Jacksonville, Florida city flag. 💪

[@AmtrakTBL]

Thanks for posting your old DVDs for free! Always good to see a long DH video in the subscriptions lol.

[@wnyrailfan9510]

I love these throwbacks!!! I hope you keep doing them!

[@zwmrailfan]

WNY RAILFAN: I agree!!

[@funkmasterbeavis]

Me to

[@richardl6688]

@@funkmasterbeavis úuu⁷778

[@richardl6688]

@@funkmasterbeavis ui8⁸iuuuyh

[@GRE2057]

@@richardl6688 English please!

[@talk2azs]

RIP Marvin Wharton “Cookie” Williams, Jr., 80, of Folkston, GA. Cookie passed away Thursday November 5, 2009 in Jacksonville, FL following a lengthy illness.

[@paullindberg9230]

Hey Danny;!Were in. the first week of March in Central Florida Been keeping up with your videos and your. finding. good Southern food ain't lacking either. stay safe as you probably do#!

[@justinmathis9600]

Distant signal notification, well my plans for this evening have changed!

[@ryanfrogz]

Danny you can’t just upload two great long videos in a row and not get praised! Amazing job!

[@seaboardspastic]

@Oakley Skidmore #1 Conventional Railfan Channel, with Delay in Block in second. CoasterFan could count more, but he doesn't really do the in-depth railfanning. Danny is like the golden ratio of railfans. Manages to pack in a bunch of information in one easy bite.

[@LocoPro]

Back when PSR didn’t exist. The glory days...

[@HHopebringer]

Before the dark times... Before the Empire.

[@nano31742]

What is PSR? New here.

[@IGuessIDoThings]

@@nano31742”Precision Schedule Railroading” basically where freight companies will run fewer, but longer, trains so they can pay less for crews and also sideline many of their older and less common types of locomotives. Overall nobody except the company executives and shareholders like it.

[@7thsonofa7thson80]

@@IGuessIDoThings less trains equals less crews and workers, less track maintenance,lower fuel costs,less maintenance and repairs across the board. Equals higher profits. At the expense of safety.

[@208Railfanning]

​@@IGuessIDoThingsCSX recently did away with PSR.

[@raymondowenssr1094]

Thanks for the tour of the Dispatch Center in Jacksonville, Fl. I’m a former Chief Train Dispatcher for CHESSIE/CSX, many years ago in Baltimore and Halethorp, Md. I spent 30 days in Jacks as an advisor when they were tying in. I spent my time in the Round Building when they were using the original screens that have since been replaced. Thanks again for sharing. It bought back some old memories.

[@mrmax128]

So many Dash-8s and clean new Dash-9s. Amtrak has its Phase 3/4 P40DCs. Views form inside the controls of the railroad. History being told at every turn. What a great show!

[@ironhorsethrottlemaster5202]

God bless your soul Danny I know it's hard to lose a friend and I say collectively for all the rail fence at watch you we love you Danny keep up the great work we're here for you through your rail dry spell or when you have a torrent of freight trains upon you we all appreciate what you do you're one of the best railroad documentary producers I've ever seen everyday you drop a video on KZbin You Make My Day good luck Danny in all your endeavors peace out into the world have a great day good luck on finding some trains

[@johnbcountry9568]

It was sobering to see the dedication of the Folkston, GA viewing platform, knowing just over a month later the world would change forever. What a great look back at Florida Railroading.. Thanks Danny... keep up the great work!

[@295g295]

How did the world change at Folkston?

[@johnbcountry9568]

@@295g295 Its not what happened at Folkston, its how we changed a month later. Watching the celebration care free and in a different mindset. I know I never looked at anything the same after that day. Also, the hobby has changed as access that was once enjoyed by a few with the right connections, like what was shown earlier... ended.,.. Danny makes mention of that in the end.

[@TheChaosJohnson]

No way! Another one of Danny's greatest videos along with his one from 1995. What did we do to deserve this?

[@timtraver7152]

We are no worthy! LOL!

[@klugermann5806]

@@timtraver7152 😂🤣👏👏

[@Morbid_Railfan]

I finally have faith in life again.

[@multicolorfilms]

Literally Paul.

[@stevepowsinger733]

Having faith is always nice.

[@railfanlynx]

Yes

[@scarver2840]

Can I ask why? Just curious

[@WildwoodSubRailfan]

I wish I could like this video 1,000 times. Man, you can sure see the before and after here of Precision Scheduled Railroading on CSX.

[@jasonking2943]

And here I'll pause and say thank you once again for a wonderful video showing the csx operations. Being an ns employee it's not often we get to go inside another companies operations. But when we do we can say oh cool not much diffrent. Thanks again Danny great job!

[@DelayInBlockProductions]

It’s so cool to see those P40s in Phase IV... It seems like they were hardly documented in that scheme. Nice video, as always!

[@isaacmr.trumpetmanbobonis]

I definitely love the interlocking tower switchboard.

[@fakecumberland]

Isaac Bobonis Wonder if anyone saved it.

[@amoeba.1523]

Old school definetely love it from todays digital boards

[@mikesmith4644]

9:20 that was one of the coolest shots I've seen.....CSX freight train appearing to accelerating up-grade, out of a curve, ditchlights..... whats not to love!...... Danny, absolutely love your videos!

[@rickrogers2649]

This should be a television series! Thank you Danny for the best railfan videos anywhere !

[@stephenwissel7902]

Danny, you a treasure, I love the story telling you do, not just the video blog. Thanks.

[@6777Productions]

Ooo another old one! I love these nuggets of history, Danny! Also nice to see a different color on your new end of train lantern on your wall. Wish you well and have a safe CSXToday!

[@charlesharwood5705]

Loving this the "Distant Signal Classics" Series! So much Nostalgia!!!

[@ronw59]

You knocked another one out of the park, Danny. Thank you for all of your time putting these enjoyable, informative videos together, as they are very much appreciated. Take care & stay healthy. Ron W. from Ontario, Canada

[@joshsadventures1776]

That old Amtrak CF7 is an absolutely amazing catch. It's really cool to see what they used to do back then and how it was done.

[@bsmfs1]

Hope to see more of these longer documentaries. Cant believe there are dislikes, how could you not like this stuff.

[@B3Band]

It's almost like everyone isn't exactly like you. Unbelievable!

[@harrisonofcolorado8886]

14:52 that P42DC on the Silver Star that's in phase 3 is now in phase 7 paint.

[@lordflasheart6801]

Another superb production. So absorbing and one that I really didn't want to end. Your tribute to your friend, in your closing dialogue, very touching and once again emphasizing the personal nature of how you produce your work, together with all the facts and figures. Amazing. Thank you!

[@tomschmidt3165]

I hadn't watched this video in a year or so. Terrific a second time. I was stationed in the USCG in 1972 - 1976 and lived less than a mile from the Budweiser plant. That north area around the old airport and brewery was a busy place back then. Used two have a GP35 and a road mate trundling around switching the small industries. It was still SCL back then. Thanks for all the videos you make Danny.

[@ekwilcox2456]

Truly enjoyed this “old” video footage along with the historical insight you shared. Found the story about the Prime Osborn Center to be of interest as I recall traveling in and out of the station in the 1960’s.

[@stephaneduguay7267]

You are a marvel of railfaining Danny, I hope you'll be there for many years to come.

[@stancrouch9642]

Beautifully produced. I Love Trains. Thank you

[@fball8052]

Hi Danny, just a note to say "Thank You" for the flashback to Jax and Folkston. I used to go to Folkston at least twice a year with my railfan buddy and we would spend the entire day watching and video taping trains. We also would visit Jax about once a year and not only railfan but would try to ride the monorail around Jax. But at 81 years old and in failing health I can no longer do the trips, a sad commentary on the life of a railfan. Fred from South Carolina.. 🚂🚂

[@distantsignal]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video, Fred. I'll try to keep railfanning for the both of us as long as I can. All the Best, DH

[@nriocbhionls]

Thank you again for an experience like no other. The interviews made this video a great time. From along the Erie Canal thank you for sharing

[@West_Coast_Trains]

This video is just a big heap of 90s railfanning nostalgia. The seas of YN2 paint, not a Dark Future in sight. An actual interlocking tower Several Dash-7s An Amtrak consist with a hodgepodge of MHCs, Heritage Fleet, and Amfleets. You don't see that out west too often. A pair of PHASE III P40s pulling said consist. Great video as always, Danny.

[@BarredCoast0]

I sat here and enjoyed this video as much as the very first time I saw a DHDS video. Thanks so much Danny for your dedication to making epic films like this. All of your videos are television documentary worthy and I wouldn't be the least surprised if they didn't show up on The Discovery Channel one day. 😉

[@TheTeaParty320]

I really appreciate your show from down here in Australia. I find it quite addictive watching the trains, and it’s educational.

[@claudecrump5518]

Always great to see these videos! I was a young kid when most of this was filmed, so it's so refreshing to see railroading the way it used to be. I wish I could've railfanned back then, it looks like it was awesome.

[@frankd.5424]

These look back videos are great. If you can't be there, these are the next best thing.

[@stanwhite5135]

You never disappoint!! Great look a railroading in one of America's hot spots.

[@BB63]

Thanks for taking me back to Jacksonville, I spent 21 years there from 1970 to 1991 and truly enjoy every moment. I met a very special man and his bride in Jacksonville. He worked for CSX and gave me the grand tour of so many places the CSX owned. Jake was a very special guy and loved his trains. I also had the opportunity to see the Jacksonville Terminal still in use, with Amtrak having to back in to the terminal to load and upload. Great times to remember and thanks again.

[@easttennesseerailfan1057]

As usual, and expected, another great video, Danny. I really appreciate your knowledge of your area. It’s just sad that we live in a world these days where this sort of access is simply no longer possible.

[@ericerickson7544]

Danny the way it was Jacksonville 1999 is simply fantastic. It truly gave me a insight of my career working on CSX. Great job. Great People.

[@calebrobinson5188]

Please bring the amtrak back in pensacola florida 🙏

[@rsandrews8115]

Of all the Distant Signal's videos, this has got to be my favorite. LOTS of trains, people and Trains. I could just sleep outside by the tracks and "Roll with the Rumble" of the passing trains.

[@kettlerunrailfan]

Love this throwback Danny!

[@IGuessIDoThings]

Honestly the music makes this the best addition of the “The Way It Was” series

[@LandonLTG]

Always very cool to see what it was like before I got into railfanning. I loved seeing the end with all the rail fans gather together. You really don't see that much, and its a neat thing to see.

[@MattChaffe]

Another banger of an episode! Truly love these historic videos and what railroading was like back then. Can't wait to see ya back out filming some modern moves!

[@schnauzahpowahz]

Oh my geez - 2! Within days. Spoil us Danny. You magical man you 😄

[@sntrainzchaserguy6883]

Nice footage of CSX trains back in the late 1990s. That is my favorite video of yours because I love to watch old train movies that take place in the 1990s man. I hope you continue to post more videos of todays railfanning. God bless you and have a good day.

[@SmithConductor]

Love the old Videos! Keep up the great work Danny!

[@RogerThunderhandsGilbert]

Never thought I would be saying 1999 was the good old days,,but compared to now,,well need I say more! Thanks for 50 minutes of stress relieving train meditations. I needed this!

[@alangibson3293]

Wish I could give it more thumbs up, another good one Danny.

[@scottmccullough6136]

Well after your last video Danny, I truly didn't think that I could be More impressed, well wAs I ever wronG About that. Absolutely amazing video, definitely simpler times back then, thank you so much for sharing this with all of us, I cannot wait until your next one, keep up the amazing work that you are doing for yourself and for all of us............................

[@pinchy08]

I remembered you announced a DVD about this. And at last it’s time. A look back in time. Long before I moved to Jacksonville FL. Because I was born in Massachusetts.

[@pinchy08]

Can’t anyone reply to my comment rather than just liking it? Everything I get a like on my comment I’m reading my own comment I wrote.

[@pinchy08]

I was born in Massachusetts in 1991. I moved to Florida in 2006 after graduating middle school. First I lived in the Tampa Bay Area. And moved to Jacksonville in 2010 after graduating high school. I moved to Florida because my grandparents brought a house here and I was worried about them. And I knew life in the sunshine state would be great for all of us. But my life in Jacksonville is even better.

[@zerounocordless4987]

This is the absolute best (explaining, extended-videos, and, throwback wise) Railfanning channel out there!

[@distantsignal]

Thanks!

[@isaacmr.trumpetmanbobonis]

I love the Bone Valley videos so much. I've always loved your videos since 2010 and now I've been exploring through the Tampa Bay area and Bushnell doing some occasional railfanning. You should check to see if you still have Streak of Orange.

[@t.d.5832]

You have THE BEST railfan videos on the net... Thank you.

[@SD40Fan_Jason]

Danny this was just an awesome trip in the wayback machine! Thank you. As for ads, the only plug I saw was you selling folks on a trip to folkston, Haha! It could be because I had to watch the video from my phone but I didn't see one single commercial tonight. So if you have a Patreon channel started I'd like to send you some patreon support for your fabulous content.

[@jeremycapps2678]

Being from Jacksonville myself it's always nice to see csx operations from the 90s keep up the great work danny

[@distantsignal]

Thanks Jeremy. I wish I'd shot more of Jax back then.

[@Kmaster2007]

YES DANNY! loving these old films!

[@ironhorsethrottlemaster5202]

Hi Danny great to see you put out another retro awesome video man all the paint schemes were so much cooler back then CSX with that three tone paint scheme looks so much more badass than what they got today and the original Amtrak paint Scheme with the thick red white and blue stripes with my favorite paint Scheme the Amtrak ever had then it just went to crap after that but wow it was awesome to see early General Electrics in CSX paint scheme there's a lot more variety back then it seemed and that was awesome seeing AT&SF in the red and silver warbonnet paint scheme I've only seen those in real life a few times and they've all been very ragged-looking please keep on showing us your stash of Awesome videos through the decades graciously appreciate this video Danny peace out into the world have a great day

[@jerrysinclair3771]

Danny, this was great!

[@ericcampbell4211]

Awesome video. I could sit and watch trains all day and night.

[@flrails2804]

Love the content Danny ❤️

[@jeremystark3350]

I grew up in Jacksonville and used to live close to the train tracks near Phillip's highway and when my mom would drive to work we used to always see the csx trains and loved watching them.

[@Soulstar830]

I grew up in Jacksonville as well. I remember there used to be a train track 🛤 near my grandmother's house on Kings Road near Myrtle Avenue in the early 80's

[@ToddReuterOutdoors]

Did anyone else know right away when he said “place near and dear to my heart” instantly that he was going to say Folkston?! 😀

[@jdyoung5621]

Sure thing! Talking aloud to the HTPC, I said "Folkston" before Danny did.

[@TolgaEastCoast]

Awesome throwback Danny! The area has changed quite a lot especially the Fernandina side, but it was certainly great to see some excellent memories with great folks. Cookie and Crick are definitely missed.

[@davidc8735]

Hurray, another blast from the past!!

[@MrURA1986]

Been there many times and had the pleasure to meet Cookie and Cricket. Also ran across a friend with CSX, Vick at the funnel. Very nice folks, shame rail traffic has dropped so much at the funnel. As always, great videos. Keep them coming. Really like the vintage video of what not's so long ago. I'm getting old.

[@DouglasP201]

Not only this was pre-9/11 back then, but also pre GEVOs.

[@demon9554]

Actually, the AC44CW was in existence by then, wasn't it?

[@DouglasP201]

@@demon9554 Yeah, but AC44CW aren't GEVOs.

[@demon9554]

@@DouglasP201 ah, ok

[@samkennedy676]

14:31 Those P42s are looking good in Phase III. I caught the lead unit 78 in Salinas, California back in August. Great video!

[@lyricof3003]

Thx for the vids mr distant signal, I always wanted to know what's the railroad looks like in 1990s

[@rickyates3510]

A great way to preserve the rail history of the Southern US. Very well done Danny!

[@NatesRandomVideo]

The last two historical posts reminded me that rail cars weren’t always.encrusted and vandalized with head to tail graffiti.

[@billwilson6670]

Good point. And there are a lot of idiots out there who call graffiti "art". Gets my blood pressure up just thinking about it.

[@dwaynehanaway]

Bill Wilson some graffiti is art but the stuff on trains cars is usually gangs just tagged stuff

[@gringo4x4do]

@@billwilson6670 If it's on a Canvas it can be Art, anywhere else it's Graffiti

[@billwilson6670]

@@gringo4x4do Sometimes property owners will give permission for a "mural", but otherwise I agree with you 100%.

[@railfanmaximstill7279]

19:23 Those were still quite common on The UP the CNW had just merged 4 years prior to the making of this video.

[@kman-mi7su]

"Crisp air of Florida" that's like 80 degrees for you guys down there Danny! LOL! Wow though you sure are able to get into a lot of places on the RR most people can't. Are you a "made" man on the RR Danny? LOL A little humor! Great video.

[@jstoli996c4s]

kman 4443 more like 70 degrees, but I know what you mean, being originally from Buffalo 😅

[@thereisaplace]

Was in the 50’s here in North Florida two days back. That’s colder than “crisp”! Had to dig out my big jacket.

[@kman-mi7su]

@@jstoli996c4s Jersey native myself

[@clffliese26]

@@thereisaplace Oh, hush. It's been in the mid to upper 30s, here in Northwestern Montana at night for the last week or so. It's 21:48 and it's 51 degrees, right now.

[@thereisaplace]

Cliff Liese - Too cold for these bones :-)

[@jackbleiberg932]

Danny, I am very impressed by your work, and your commitment to detail and accuracy. Thank you so much.

[@thetriclopsguy122]

Another fottage from the 1990's? Nice!

[@vanditch5415]

Mr Danny you tube should be like the country music association awards. Because when it comes to railroad videos and the knowledge that u have about trains is absolutely top notch. Mr Danny u definitely deserve a Entertainer Of The Year award for your train video’s.like a lot of people comment u have the perfect voice i can watch your video ALL DAY. Please never stop doing what u do. Your the legend of Florida and Georgia rail fanning.

[@distantsignal]

Very nice compliment, Van. Thanks!

[@nomenomen28]

R.I.P. Cookie Williams they should name that platform after him if they haven't already.

[@robertmoore2049]

The Folkston Funnel. I gotta up there later this month. I live in Northeast Florida, specifically Atlantic Beach. Thanks a lot for featuring the Folkston Funnel! I can’t wait to see it and all the trains passing by! God bless...

[@jujubee463]

"The crisp air of fall" I wish it felt that way here, it's been in the low 100s, and the only thing in the air is smoke from the fires. I think the entire state of California is burning up. 😞

[@donnkelley6823]

It is....... Less than 20mi in any direction is fire....... One friend, CalFire let back into his house, three others lost everything.....

[@clffliese26]

@@donnkelley6823 I'm glad I got out of California, last year. I was living in Oroville during the Camp Fire, 2 years ago and that was nasty. I'm glad I'm not going through that, again.

[@jujubee463]

@@clffliese26 Everything around the northeast side of Lake Oroville has burned, the wine country is on fire again, parts of Loma Rica/Collins Lake area burned two weeks ago, I don't know when it's going to end.

[@mrmax128]

Yep, California's burning. The wild fires aren't helping with it either.

[@clffliese26]

@@jujubee463 I'm glad I'm not there, anymore. During the Camp Fire, I had to go to Walmart. It was, about, a mile and a half from my apartment, I rode the bus, and, when I got home, you'd have thought I was a pack a day smoker. And, I've never smoked. I can't imagine what it's like, now, with over half the state on fire. At least, that's what it seems like, based on the news. Stay safe. I'd suggest learning a rain dance or three.🌧☔

[@tonydavey3741]

You are without any argument the best, your saving history for future generations with your superb films, Tony from England, uk

[@kovvaxfn7112]

Hey Danny what is your favorite GE locomotive and your EMD locomotive

[@kellymcdonald1895]

I had thought that all these old memories of mine were long gone, but thank you so much for the look back. Our family moved down here from Wilmington with the corporate offices came from Wilmington to Jacksonville, and we used to ride on my parents pass back and forth to Wilmington in the mid-60s before they pulled the Wilmington passenger traffic. I often wonder what line we took as that train went North to Wilmington I wonder if it was the line that went over the Trout River North past Anheuser-Busch? Obviously that was over 50 years ago. Thank you again!

[@jakescharfstein6352]

I love the old vintage videos!

[@jcmusco]

I live in Jacksonville and love history as I did not grow up here. Thanks for making this.

[@JeffrevinYT]

Ah, yes, the before times before the before times before the current times...

[@williampenn8674]

I really appreciated the visit to Beaver Street Tower. I was to delighted to see the interview with Larry Brennan, he is so knowledgeable and well-spoken on railroad history.

[@isaacmr.trumpetmanbobonis]

Imagine if Amazon trailer traffic travels southbound to Jacksonville.

[@johncopple7128]

Danny, really enjoyed this trip to Tampa. Loved seeing the backup procedure. Thank you so much for what you do.

[@treos17]

damn i miss seeing mp15ac's

[@tomkibbe835]

Always, always informative as well as entertaining. And for this Yankee who grew up in New England, lived for 30+ years just a bit north of Chicago, and finally settled in Sonoma, CA, a great history lesson as well! Thx as always Danny, be safe and be well. Tom Kibbe

[@curailproductions7636]

Nice

[@mk-jf1ux]

when I grew up people had time for one another, kind, even a lawyer knew to be cordial in public. Nice to see some reminders of that with Dan. Nice to see the simple respect for industry and effort is still undeniable and niw can be recorded in 4k!

[@TheRailroadCrossingChannel]

Life looked so simple back then...

[@charles5448]

Did my heart good to see everything I used to see when I would watch trains with my dad as a kid. Seeing those old Auto Train auto racks brought me right back to sneaking out of church with my dad to watch the Auto Train come through Chester, VA with P30CH power. Thanks for the memories and keep it coming!

[@AdamChristel2000]

love the nostalgia of the all trains. hope you can find more old relics

[@BB63]

Excellent video, enjoyed seeing Jacksonville railroading again. Thank you.