Railfan Hotspot: Decatur Alabama

[@andrewc1199]

The line "This is Danny Harmon, out." is one of the best video ending statements on KZbin.

[@IMRROcom]

I still think you have one of, if not the best rail fan sites on KZbin. You tell the story, that is much better than perfectly framed trains mindlessly running past with zero reason why.

[@Theprincesssbear]

This is my home town. Fun fact my brother helped create the museum in the old train depot. They were going to tear it down and he went to a town meeting to allocate for them to restore it. He got put in the newspaper and they interviewed him on TV. He's one of the reasons the train depot is still there. Along with a lot of other people who helped.

[@leeboulineau7959]

Between the trains and the barges, there is a lot of activity there. great railfan spot!

[@CMichealB86]

Live across from the busy CSX yard here in Decatur.....Love every bit of it

[@transitionalman]

WOW! That house is in the PERFECT location for NS, CSX and river traffic!

[@TrainsWow]

4:43 that's gotta be one of the best houses ever made!

[@alandvaemergencyresponses2883]

If I see a house for sale near this I’m taking it

[@jacobdubielak]

​@alandvaemergencyresponses2883 you would watch trains everyday

[@updave1199]

I got to spend an afternoon hanging out with the owners of that house. Great people!

[@alanc212]

Know them well... and yes: they love train people!

[@WestOkieRailroadVideos]

Bridge shots have long been one of my favorite things to pursue with railfanning. This place looks like heaven for a guy like me. Thanks for the video, Danny! Excellent as always

[@amyk6659]

I live in Decatur and worked for more than 20 years at The Decatur Daily newspaper. The office is less than 100 feet from the RR track, 3/4 of a mile or so south of the Depot. The train whistle blows at those crossings, I can tell you! LOL. On the rare occasions when we had the doors open leading into the press room, and the press room bay door was open, a northbound train blowing the whistle sounded like it was coming through the newsroom! LOL. Employees regularly took breaks by standing outside on the dock, watching the trains come by.

[@NVRAMboi]

Some great Southern and L&N rail history at that spot. Thanks Danny

[@jerrysinclair3771]

Danny, you never disappoint me or any railfan for that matter!

[@r.b.holmes2779]

Danny glad your enjoying your Alabama trip--ur having a GREAT time--Thanks

[@salmanela7853]

Awesome! Nice way to start a Saturday. Keep 'em coming! Hey to Liz.

[@richardepperly496]

I always seemed to get bored with busy mainline railroad videos. Then I finally ran across Danny Harmon's "Distant Signal". You definitely put the cherry on top for railfans. Thankyou for sharing with the upmost awesome narration I have ever heard!

[@dreadnaught3894]

Worthwhile stuff, Andy sir. Excellent camera work ensures easy and pleasurable viewing.

[@oaktadopbok665]

3:06 For google earth or maps fans, Danny is set up at 34°36'56.63" N 86°59'00.28" W

[@peterhanahoe4913]

Another excellent film and thanks again

[@MikeInPlano]

Great story, Danny. And as always, your hi-def videos are my favorites.

[@Sams_Trains]

I agree. And the best part is, I live in Huntsville! I go there every now and then.

[@jerra.star08]

Sam's Trains I live in decatur and my cousin's live in Huntsville

[@jacobdubielak]

​@@jerra.star08cool

[@keonisan]

I'm heading there in March for my spring trip. Thanks for the video Danny.

[@jeffpuro1040]

Great video Danny. The verticle lift draw bridge depicted in this video is similar to the draw bridge that spans the Displanes River in Joliet Illinois. The Joliet bridge was originally built for the Rock Island Line. It's used today by the Iowa Interstate RR.

[@briang6040]

Cool Danny. I've lived in Albertville, Guntersville and Scottsboro in years past, and I recognize this place. Lots of trains there.

[@SouthernTransconMR]

Glad to see you stopping through my neck of the woods! Enjoyed the video as always Danny, looking forward to the next one.

[@bryanphelan1104]

FANTASTIC, Danny. My son and I have been there several times but only shoot still photos. Maybe we will see you there, as there are always a few rail fans in the area who hang out at that location.

[@rickrogers2649]

Thank you for another great railfan video! We need to see lots more, maybe 2or 3 a day!

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

Decatur is about 25 miles from here, where I entered the world. They just completed a restoration of that depot...it looks really nice.

[@bigboy3jv]

Tyler, you must live in Huntsville?

[@BigBroada]

Or Madison

[@AlongCameDalton]

Huh, I never heard of Decatur, Alabama. I might have to go there one day.

[@BigBroada]

I live in Decatur

[@jasonburden9930]

It's a great city nicknamed the river city

[@jasonburden9930]

Check out point mallard park with america's first wave pool

[@jacobdubielak]

​@jasonburden9930 decatur al is a great place for railfanning and chasing the trains let's not forget about the cemetery

[@amyk6659]

@@jacobdubielak Right. The Decatur City Cemetery has a section that was opened during a yellow fever epidemic, and the victims are buried there.

[@jerseystar7378]

I might be going to Porter/Chesterton, IN around Christmas. Would love to see you there since I won’t be in Florida until the summer! Keep up the great work!

[@wcox4]

Great video, as usual, Danny. Sorry, but I've already got dibs on that house!!!!

[@michelles2327]

Wow! What a bridge!

[@amyk6659]

The lift span is relatively "new." It's only been there about 40 years or so. It replaced the swing span that was there for something like 100 years.

[@KeithChestnut]

Great Video and informative as well. Fantastic work as usual. Love the overhead shot and bridge crossings !!!

[@benchedthatpiece]

I learn a lot from your videos, they are always well done. I love bridges so this was great for me, very nice!

[@MrFullfocus]

I'm definitely going to head up there from Birmingham soon. Thanks for the heads up on a good spot for watching. Next time you're there check out Big Bob Gibson's for some first class BBQ

[@distantsignal]

Ha! Thanks. Yeah we stopped at Big Bob's. Had a pork sandwich. I didn't really dig the slaw with dill pickles in it. Oh well. Everyone's different.

[@austinellsworth1238]

Love the videos keep em going!!

[@darleneharpp9854]

Austin Ellsworth d

[@darleneharpp9854]

Danny love your decanter one also hey when you get up northern ind got to porter in let of traffic there a lot of traffic I used to work on the wabash Line !

[@Spenceman0831]

This is a city I could live in as well. What a great video. You always do an amazing job. All the best to you and Liz this holiday season.

[@distantsignal]

Thanks Ryan!

[@vishnunath1524]

Another fantastic video Mr Danny. The bridge particularly amazed me, a first of a kind for me to see a vertical draw bridge.

[@mikenevermon9041]

Great video and voice Danny. I enjoyed it much..didn't know you were into trains. Thanks!

[@distantsignal]

Thanks Mike!

[@dmorgan28]

That was an awesome video Danny. I really enjoyed it. Thanks 👍👍👍❤️

[@hotshotsportz6006]

O MY GOD!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!

[@LSM_Lover]

Nice video! What a huge bridge

[@WaffleDragon]

That reminds me of the bridge that also crosses the Tennessee River in Chattanooga. It's NS's CNO&TP third district going north. There's a little park there with fishing docks and a walking/biking trail that goes back to downtown. Both northbound signals are visible if you walk down the trail a bit to where it goes under the bridge. It's a nice place to have a little picnic, if there's a table open. The Chickamauga Dam is right next to it all.

[@appalachianrailfan4547]

Hey Danny I like your videos. Went here this summer got to see my first CSX "spirit of" unit here.

[@kutamsterdam]

Ah you're here again Danny, nice man, thanks!.

[@Jim-hw1xr]

I'll rent a room. Interesting area on the North side of the Tennessee River. While looking at the satellite view, you can see the single track splits on an island and you can see remains of some industrial services.

[@3dcritter]

Familiar area for me 40+ years ago. At that time, the bridge was a swing span where the silver spans are now. They replaced it with the lift drawbridge (late 1970's I think). The old swing span was a problem for river traffic since it was out of the main channel and narrower. Occasionally, barges hit the center pier. Glad to see the depot has been restored - I arrived and departed from it a few times in the 60's and 70's. Southern Railway ended passenger service here in 1968 and Amtrak dropped the Chicago-Florida "Floridian" in 1979.

[@distantsignal]

Yes, I read in BridgeHunter.com that the swing span was replaced in the 70's because of the headaches it was causing river traffic. That must have been some project. I wonder how they re-routed trains during that work?

[@1610nsb]

Awesome video as usual thanks for sharing👍

[@donmusolff5808]

Another great video good job thanks dan

[@bigboy3jv]

This is where I live. It's so cool to see you make this video:)

[@RealJeep]

As always, love your videos. Glad to see you're are venturing further away from Florida to video rail traffic. If you make it to Montana I'll put you on some real hot spots to film mountain passes and tunnels with DPU's and three engine pushers.

[@distantsignal]

I would love to do that. Never been to Montana. What's the best time of year to come?

[@JessicaKasumi1990]

@@distantsignal Autumn. BNSF and Montana Rail Link are quite busy. Especially during Grain Train season.

[@donmccrea6633]

Nice piece of work! Thanks

[@distantsignal]

Appreciate it, Don.

[@bigreed67]

One of my favorite hot spots. I try to make it down from Nashville a couple of times a year. Run through power is not unusual on both lines. NS regularly runs coal and intermodal traffic out of Memphis with pooled BNSF and Union Pacific power. CSX regularly runs unit ethanol, potash, and phosphate trains through Decatur with power pooled from just about every class one in the US and Canada. There is also a decent variety of standard cab power on locals for both railroads. CSX's Oakworth Yard is about two miles south of the Decatur depot and there is a public walking trail that runs along pretty much the entire length of the yard. Norfolk Southern's Decatur Yard is a couple of miles to the west of the depot and for the most part is not accessible from public property.

[@distantsignal]

Yes, I hope to spend a day in Decatur later this spring.

[@Gmbutler52]

Come to Huntsville Alabama next! It’s right next door to Decatur with rich rail history

[@James_Lee_]

Another great video!👍

[@firepower782]

Yeah that house would be awesome!

[@curraheewolf]

Your videos are awesome! I gave this video a thumbs up and I subscribed to your channel also. Happy railroading!!!

[@fosterchild420420]

Great video as always Danny, if you ever make it to Northern NC or Southern VA give me a yell. I would love to show you some of the hot spots around here.

[@Joeybagofdonuts76]

Love your videos Danny.

[@StrangsNTrains]

If you liked Decatur, you definitely need to check out downtown Birmingham! Right in the heart of downtown, there’s a 6 track lane that services BNSF, NS, and CSX.

[@redrock717]

Hope you visit Stevenson, Alabama! You find great ns and csx action on the old nc&stl chattanooga sub!

[@philliplee980]

awesome video. very cool. awesome catches.

[@HyperActive7]

The only drawback is the fact the river can and does flood. If they were to ever get a Harvey like we did.. However visiting, you bet! Thanks for the post.

[@lindamerrifield6285]

Nice video. Thanks.

[@louis9750]

Awesome video Danny!!!!☆☆☆☆☆

[@jackboerner1901]

I sure felt this was at home for me in the beginning of the video with that UP power leading (had I disregarded the introduction) because I along time the Union Pacific Martinez Subdivision in California. Every now and again, a good up to come roaring through Martinez at 30 MPH.

[@brandonrichardson6750]

Danny there is also a bottleneck across the Tennessee River at Bridgeport Alabama. It runs in a Smith s East and Chattanooga to Nashville CSX. Single lifts ban on the East End of the river crosses Long Island on the way west.

[@niobraraterminalrailroad2709]

I'm with you Mr.Danny. l'd love to own that house too!

[@mgarner1227]

Come on the rest of the way West to Muscle Shoals! We have a great yard and tons of trains that go through both there and Sheffield!!

[@Grainexpress]

Just had a 13,600’ Q026 pass by. Great video! Some drone shots of the bridge would have been very nice. 😉

[@coxsj]

Good juice Danny! Thanks mate!!

[@DASCO2136]

Great video Danny. If you ever come up north to Ohio, one place you have to check out is Berea Ohio

[@ApproachMedium]

Excellent video!

[@trainchaserelliot]

I would love that house!!

[@redrock717]

The Decatur and Huntsville area was an even bigger hotspot before the L&N and the seaboard abandoned the branchlines and secondary lines coming out of Tennessee.

[@16thaveproductions]

Awesome video Danny -Austin

[@victormioduszewski4729]

A great place for railfans.....thanks

[@parkertrainz6149]

Nice video Danny :)

[@distantsignal]

Thanks Bobby!

[@parkertrainz6149]

Distant Signal your welcome

[@JonBvideo]

Ok, that is cooll! I have family in Alabama, gonna have go there sometime....

[@randallbyrd1973]

Awesome video I live in Huntsville

[@danherrmann8755]

Thanks for your info today. To sit and watch trains stay on the move just makes time pass by. The bard traffic and trains look to have a race to get to port. To drop there loads and continue on. I could see how you would like live at the house Time goes by slowly and do so much. Later.

[@alabamadistrictrailfan]

I love railfanning in Decatur!

[@eddrck4679]

Thanks danny ill put that on my list.

[@Theprincesssbear]

I was in a college student film, filmed at the depot. It was so fun.

[@shnimmuc]

Great video

[@TolgaEastCoast]

Well done Danny!

[@LARDLOGO]

I'll defiantly have to add that lift bridge to my bucket list. Too bad I live in Washington State.

[@KDubielak]

I remember being in Decatur Alabama at the depot

[@buffaloditka]

Looks like a nice place to do some photography too

[@csxkid37]

The CSX coal train was a N013. I caught that train coming out of Birmingham on my return trip to Manchester.

[@timturrell1241]

A great video. My wife and I will grab some BBQ from Big Bob Gibson's and park near the depot. There is a good parking spot there.

[@FDNY8231]

Very cool video Danny ... Been neat if you could've got the drone up for aerial shots around there ... :o)

[@AbhinavLHB]

Very nice video Sir !!! Subscribed to your channel, I am a rail enthusiast from India.

[@anjuarunderwood6869]

Nice catch

[@alabamadistrictrailfan]

Please do another railfanning video in Decatur AL.

[@howielane8406]

Nice House!!! I hope you plan to have broaders.

[@KDubielak]

Railfan Andrew is a good railfan friend

[@Sams_Trains]

Quick question. How are you able to find the train numbers? Like the CSX Q 026? And how did you know where it was going?

[@distantsignal]

I get train numbers by listening to the radio scanner. CSX trains call out every signal location using their train ID. I find train profile info at railroadfan.com/wiki/index.php/CSX_Train_Symbols

[@BChandl13]

Danny, @6:12 how do train crews view signals they're passing when they're facing backwards in relation of the way of travel?

[@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606]

Nice video and yes I agree that's a nice house and if you needed to, you could jump the fence and land on top of those double stacks and hitch a ride, but I don't recommend trying that, still that cut is deep and looks pretty narrow not a lot of room to play with I guess

[@conraillock666]

SERRMI Crank Down signals are there too