Switching The Auto Train

[@KMACKTIME]

Best rail fan channel on the internet hands down. The level of detail and knowledge is top notch. Well done

[@Atlantametrorailfanproductions]

Argee I go here for all my research

[@osten01]

As a foreigner outside of the states, these videos of yard operations are notably entertaining and informative. Enjoyed your narration behind as well. Keep it going and hope to see more videos like this!

[@distantsignal]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@VirtualRailfan]

Fabulous video showcasing quite a unique operation! Keep em coming!

[@WabashWesternRails1]

Hello! @Virtual Railfan! I’ve met you at La plata RR days you gave me the Awesome items at the gas station!

[@distantsignal]

Many thanks, Virtual! Maybe you can get a camera on Persimmon Ave.

[@scottmccullough6136]

A camera would be great at our 23rd Street location here in Chattanooga, Tn. It's a giant crossover for NS, CSX and theres even a turnout for the TVRM. Its 8 tracks wide and it used to be 60 to 70 trains a days, but.........precision scheduled railroading ????? Thanks for what you do, I saw your camera the last time I was in Cordele, Ga. on my way to Folkston and Danny's beautiful state of Florida of course.

[@sportsguy1992]

@@distantsignal when I do move to Lakeland Florida soon whenever. I'm not sure when yet. But railfanning can be risky too just like you said. Safety is important for sure.

[@jackulmen5791]

I mean Very Fabulous!

[@richardo2315]

You may not think about your videos this way, but you are doing something amazing about generation gap and such. It's usually younger people on KZbin. You are uniting people of all ages under the same hobby and educating in the same time. Huge thank you.

[@distantsignal]

This is one of the nicest compliments I've ever gotten, Richardo. Many thanks!

[@sanddabz5635]

There is no way you were NOT a RR engineer or conductor! Your railroading knowledge is unbelievable! I learned answers to questions I've always wanted to know and also learned answers to questions I didn't even know I had. Thank you Danny!

[@UltraMagaFan]

Luckily for us we don’t have to work on a railroad to learn stuff about railroading. Danny makes these awesome videos. I’ve also learned a bunch of stuff from him.

[@7thsonofa7thson80]

He does voice overs at a tv station i think.

[@johniacono3725]

Great Video.

[@Jumpingoffthecliff]

Your work is so outstanding in every way, shooting, editing, narration, just fantastic. Thanks for your incredible work.

[@distantsignal]

Thank you for such a nice compliment.

[@minnesotarailfan11]

@Jumpingoffthecliff I have to agree he is absolutely amazing with the work he does.

[@VinnieRozzisi]

I never thought I would see both a Ferrari and the Corvette coming off the auto train. I guess that means it's a very trustworthy way to move your car!

[@jonglass]

I wonder if it's the cheapest way to transport a Ferrari from NY to FL, and if that was the only reason it was on the train? :-)

[@marinusapeldoorn6631]

Indeed I think it could be a very safe way to move your sports car. It is protected by let's say 2000 tons of steel 😁

[@ebnertra0004]

@@jonglass Probably cheaper than gas to drive it down. Fuel efficiency isn't at the top of the priorities list for most sports cars...

[@supertoasting1011]

so back in the day most autoracks were open air (similar to when you see vehicles being delivered on a trailer) but people/kids would throw rocks at the cars and they'd end up with broken windows and scratches so they installed walls onto the autoracks which is why they look how they do today.

[@IstasPumaNevada]

Could be trustworthy, or could just be cheap and convenient. Being able to afford a sportscar doesn't automatically make you a good judge of services, or wise. :)

[@rickwatts7885]

This video should be on a commercial network like the Discovery channel. Premium quality work! Your history shines through. Like a member of the Atlanta Braves playing on a 10-12 year old park league team compared to most other channels. Love your work. Thanks for all you do!

[@distantsignal]

Wow! That's a NICE compliment, Rick. Many thanks!

[@garykuipers2696]

As a retired conductor and member of Operation Lifesaver I can't thank you enough for your safety advice concerning track side clearance. Most railfans are safety conscience, but there are a few who are not.

[@marinusapeldoorn6631]

Gary, looking at your last name you must have dutch ancestors. Regards from the Netherlands

[@larryclark5355]

I was an electrician tech on NJT. The large headed cable being pulled out was a 27 pin connector, there are 2 such cables one on each side. From the engine point of view the engineer side cable allows signaling between the engine and crew, door control trainline and controll voltages to be shared. On the opposite side that cable allows the Cab car engineer to control the engine. The 480 volt 3 phase plugs are about the size of a baseball and must have a continuous path to operate. I enjoy your videos and look forward to more.

[@Charlie-gv3zt]

I was an assistant conductor for NJT from 2005-2007. What years did you work there?

[@larryclark5355]

@@Charlie-gv3zt '88 - '95,shop,Dover, County Yard, Long Branch (first crew) Port Jervis and yard at Lake Hopacong

[@Charlie-gv3zt]

@@larryclark5355 Wow, why did you leave? I left in 2007 to go work for the LIRR.

[@larryclark5355]

@@Charlie-gv3zt While in Dover inspecting a line up i slipped off a platform that had no lights. Dover yard was still under renovation and I landed on a pile of used ties that were not mover offsite. My right lower leg was shattered.

[@Charlie-gv3zt]

@@larryclark5355 Wow, I am sorry to hear that😔. I hope you got railroad retirement!

[@mikeskinner45]

Excellent coverage of Auto Train. Amtrak really seems to care about this one. Liked the overhead shots especially. But the high point of the video was your takeaway from Fred's. Fried chicken, mashed and gravy, lima beans. Yum!

[@jeremycross8598]

A long time ago when I was a lot younger my grandparents took me to Sanford to watch this train work. A crew member came over and gave me a spare key to unlock the autorack doors on the end of the cars! Still have it to this day!

[@andrewpalm2103]

Excellent video! And a great safety message at the end. When I was a teenage railfan in the early 60's I nearly got run over by an NKP freight in the Michigan City yard. The standard routine there was to uncouple the two 400 class GP7s and the ex-LE&W caboose from the arriving train while it was still moving. The engines would run ahead onto the engine track, the train would coast into a yard track, and the caboose (running slower than the train) would coast into the caboose track. I was unaware of this, and while I was focusing on the engines I glanced to my right and saw the lead car of the train silently bearing down on me, about 60 feet away. (I'll never forget the end of that hopper car!) I got out of the way, but my heart was racing and I realized I'd just barely avoided a horrible death. When I got home my mother had been worrying about how long I'd been gone. I never told her or my father what an idiot I'd been. Trains are great, but a moment's inattention and they can kill you.

[@wwhitby]

An old-head conductor friend of mine always used to say that you only get one mistake on the railroad, and that's the one that kills you.

[@andrewpalm2103]

@@wwhitby I was stupid, but lucky, eh?

[@RCAvhstape]

@@wwhitby While riding Amtrak I spoke to a freight engineer who was deadheading home and he told me that there are no minor injuries on the railroad, you start with amputations and it gets worse from there.

[@mbbuckeyes8386]

I just took the auto train in late January from Lorton to Sanford and it was awesome!! I had a roomette and it was clean and comfortable. Not cheap but saves on driving time down I-95. It was relaxing and the employees were friendly. They even announced cities and points of interest on the trip. If you are looking for an alternative to driving from the north east coast to FLA, this is the trip you want to experience.

[@killerbees177]

This is one of the trains that are on my bucket list.

[@Triplebuc50]

Me Too.!! I took a trip with my Grandson From Pontiac, Michigan to Chicago, then from Chicago to Washington D.C., then down to DeLand Florida, where my daughter picked us up and her home in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Next either Chicago to San Francisco or Another trip to Florida with another Grandchild.

[@RollinIsbell]

Thanks for the peek behind the curtain. Back in the late '70s ... I used to pick up one of my UF roommates at the terminal in Sanford after his trip down from Eastern Pennsylvania. I still remember the time he told me that he didn't need a ride this trip because he was brining his car down on the Auto Train. I thought that was the coolest thing ever.

[@spenceranderson2072]

Now we know how 511 is so clean, goes through that washer so much.

[@Mnrr6131]

True. You should see the P32s where I am(706 and 708 are not in great condition)

[@1BillT]

Amazing story as told by a true professional. Thank you!

[@tedmaas3588]

Danny, you never fail to produce TOP SHELF video! Will be patiently waiting for your next production! Ted in AZ

[@crc760]

I 2nd that

[@Weatherarorg]

25 Feet is what UP Steam & Ed Dickens are saying too! Great message & Great Video as usual!

[@multicolorfilms]

Very, very nice job Danny! This is definitely an underrated sight here in Florida. After riding auto train in early March, I can tell ya, it was something I’ll never forget. Great job again!

[@distantsignal]

Thanks. Yes, it's definitely one of Amtrak's best services.

[@multicolorfilms]

@@distantsignal Definitely! Glad you mentioned the Dash 8s. I’m my documentary about them they were my favorites. Will you be including the Dade City Railfest anytime soon?

[@distantsignal]

I really didn't shoot anything much at Dade City. What I got wasn't really worth using. Hopefully next time.

[@multicolorfilms]

@@distantsignal ok let’s hope’

[@johnkolbjr8375]

Awesome Danny. Yes that was a C8 Corvette. Aka “the red car”

[@oxenforde]

I love that he knows every detail about the locomotives … and, he describes the automobile as “red”.

[@distantsignal]

Yeah. Not a car guy.

[@davidsimmons9763]

I like cars more than trains and you cracked me up at that point!!!

[@bradklingensmith]

@@distantsignal the new C8 Corvette

[@marinusapeldoorn6631]

It was hard to see the difference between the Ferrari and the Corvette.🤠 This would have been less difficult 25 years ago

[@paulbrown4625]

Without a doubt, one of the best informative Amtrak Auto Train videos I have ever seen. Danny you are a consummate professional and you have the voice! I think those folks at that TV station were crazy not to hire you but then again, I'm glad they didn't as your lovely wife has no doubt made up for that misfortune!! I met my bride with some friends in a serendipitous way and have been with her almost 40 years! So blessed. Thanks again from an old train enthusiast and that train is on my bucket list!! Blessings to you my friend, keep em coming!!

[@irish00011]

Danny: What a great and smooth production of a video about the Auto Train. I hadn't been aware this was an everyday 24/7/365 operation. In fact, I was under the belief it was only seasonable; I.E., the snowbirds retreating to a warmer climate for the Winter season, and then the return back North the following Spring. What a fun capture you've produced. And, only you, with your 'newsroom' voice delivery would make it so enjoyable. Thank you, it is wonderful.

[@davidsimmons9763]

Lots of people take it for lots of reasons. I have family in the Shenandoah Valley and use Autotrain often. Of course the snowbirds keep it rolling.

[@albertvieira6635]

❤ I love that video I would love to see that if I ever get to Florida you would need to bring me there I Love Trains you're just a man to take care of that detail and you also have a wealth of information thank you😊

[@samuelbennett227]

The train wash is really cool. They need to run the Amtrak Silver Star through that! Great video!

[@warrenvanwyck2765]

Add that train wash for the Amtrak California Zephyr -- I went out on a stop and cleaned my own window.

[@karlmahnke7602]

Qqq+

[@MichaelinKTown]

Our family had the opportunity, in 2008, to take the Auto Train to and from Florida. It was an amazing experience with excellent service and onboard crew. Ironically, we arrived in Sanford about thirty minutes ahead of schedule and had to wait aboard the train for the yard crew to arrive that day. Would take the Auto Train again! Thanks for the video. Cheers from Canada!

[@sargentrowell81]

Great idea covering the Auto Train yard. I'm a big Amtrak fan so that was awesome to me. That was also pretty bizarre seeing just how short the Silver Meteor was that day. Back on the topic of the Auto Train, does anyone else wish that there was more than one of those in the US? Maybe a west to east one? And then a second north to south Auto Train for the west coast?

[@SD40Fan_Jason]

There have been many discussions about the Lexington route that was scrubbed in the 70's and the possibility of bringing it back. But it would take a King's fortune to build the infrastructure and supply the facilities with equipment to power and operate it. Given that Amtrak is government-subsidized and struggles daily with cross-country and inter-city services, there's no chance they will ever be able to afford another route, despite being a profitable service over the long run. What it would take is for someone else, separate and isolated from Amtrak to build and operate it. If it doesn't make any money but enough people rely on the service then the government could force Amtrak to take it over. But that's the closest speculated scenario out there right now.

[@Genius_at_Work]

@@SD40Fan_Jason Similar Thing happened in Germany. The semi-nationalised (private Company but owned by the Government; the worst kind of Service as it combines the Disadvantages of both) Deutsche Bahn abandoned Auto Trains a few Years ago (IIRC 8), shortly before abandoning all Sleeper Trains six Years ago. They were running them at heavy Losses, but the Austrian nationalised ÖBB took over the Sleeper Trains and makes record Profits with them. That just shows how inefficient the Deutsche Bahn is at literally everything, but their ridiculous Bureaucracy and insane Management Salaries explain that. Anyway, it's sort of the same with Auto Trains, although the Difference is not that extreme as with the Sleepers.

[@rustyr0824]

Excellent as usual. I live 24 miles south of the North stop for the auto train. So it was nice to see how operations are conducted to get everything switched out and passengers and their cars or motorcycles safely off loaded. You made me laugh about needing to send flowers to the place that you applied for long ago. And as always your eating well. Thank you again, I am enjoying my journey with you back in time from my chair here at home in Stafford VA. :-)

[@christopherstyle878]

Excellent video Danny! Thank you sir. Love the production quality of your videos... they never disappoint. Glad you're including safety reminders as well. I see too many people getting too close to the tracks.

[@distantsignal]

Hi CHris. Yes, I've seen quite a few people lately who stand on tracks, stand three feet from passing Amtrak trains and other unsafe stuff. I don't like to preach but I figure I can reach a lot of railfans and maybe help change the culture a little.

[@sroevukasroevuka]

The railroaders say safety is no accident.

[@sroevukasroevuka]

@@distantsignal and if it prevents an accident or a death its a win win situation. Common sense dictates be safe around trains. You will not win against a train.

[@JruGordon]

I've often wondered how the autotrain worked. Thanks for making this

[@brandochlovely3590]

As usual, excellent. I subscribe to many channels across many disciplines. Distant Signal is, by far, the most well-produced channel out there. The amount of information provided per unit of time is second to none. Thank you Dan. You are a cut (perhaps two cuts) above the rest.

[@distantsignal]

Many thanks!

[@larryhall2805]

I agree.

[@constantcoogan7238]

My friend, your speaking voice is absolutely wonderful and comforting. Thank you for your videos.

[@marinusapeldoorn6631]

Totally agree

[@firecaptain5405]

Another excellent production, Danny. I especially appreciate the safety message at the end. While I’m working, I see many rail fans out here in St. Louis and for the most part, everyone stays clear and safe. I appreciate them being safe. I enjoy seeing folks out there and when I can, give them a wave or a horn shout out.

[@UweJMeyer]

Sir,thanks for this new brilliant video. It's a pleasure to hear your very enjoyable voice, very easy to understand even as a fan from Europ,especially Germany.Thanks for the outstanding informations and pictures.I prechuade the work and the time you spend for us railfans whole over the world.I can imagine how much work such a Video takes. Thanks for that, and have a nice weekend. Greatings from a German fan 👍🇺🇲🇩🇪🚂😄

[@bmorris106]

Have taken this train 4 times north and 3 times south, it’s always been a great trip, very enjoyable and meeting new people on the train has been great.

[@SteveSmithRailways]

From a viewer across the pond, I often watch the Auto-Train come through Ashland on the rail cam, so it's great to see the operation at the terminus. Thanks for a great video. Regards Steve

[@distantsignal]

What time of the day does AT come through Ashland?

[@SteveSmithRailways]

@@distantsignal I think it can vary but according to their log, one at 07.30 and the other at 17.00

[@davidsimmons9763]

They actually bet (but not with real money) on how many passenger cars and how many Autoracks just before it comes through on VR in the comments. It varies according to demand, but it’s fun to guess!

[@SteveSmithRailways]

@@davidsimmons9763 yes, I do notice in the comments that.

[@WxWiseOne]

I took the Auto Train back in 2019. It was a really great trip and the crew and staff where fantastic.

[@volvo09]

Very cool train. I'd take that instead of flying and renting a car. I can't stand flying.

[@WxWiseOne]

@@volvo09 if you do it get a sleeper as dinner comes with and you have privacy

[@PadraigTomas]

I have had the pleasure of traveling on the Auto-Train when it was an independent railroad painted in white, red, and purple colors. It was great fun traveling with the whole family by train.

[@marinusapeldoorn6631]

How long ago was this Patrick? Was it before the Amtrak area? (Question from the Netherlands)

[@PadraigTomas]

@@marinusapeldoorn6631 The old privately run operation closed shop in 1981. I travelled with my family on the train several times in the late 1970s. The Amtrak era began less than two years later on the same route, and using some of the old equipment. At that time there was a greater variety of car types in use. The older cars had been built at mid century and had some curious amenties, such as seating and ashtrays for smoking in the vestabules for some of the bathrooms. During this era a short reel of cartoons would be played for the children during the morning, on the second day of travel. "Dick Tracy" was amongst the offerings. During this early period of the Auto Train's history a rail fan had his home adjacent to the rails. He would sit on his back porch and wave to the passengers with a flashlight as the train passed through during the night . He did this without fail for years. As a child I thought this was wonderful, and I still do.

[@lindsaymoore7232]

This has always been one of my favorite Amtrak trains for years. I would love to take a trip down there and see this in person. I can spend all day there. Great job Danny!

[@Blowrods]

When I’m stoned this channel is a must. Love it!

[@chesterraybon3442]

Great showing that end of the auto-train. Had seen the front end and how they start before so thanks. Loved the train wash. Take care and God Bless.

[@outbackwack368]

As a non-full-time-railfan, but still a fan, I found this very educational and entertaining. Thanks!

[@TheHighRoad1748]

So, you're really a part-time railfan. Nice.

[@brianhickey5949]

So very cool to see and know what goes on with something folks take for granted :) I like that train wash! Excellent education as always, Danny!

[@jimdog6014]

Far and away, the best video on the Auto Train set up I've seen. Who are the 14 Yahoo's who didn't like this video? Were they expecting nudity?

[@Chris_Blaney]

As always a superb job Danny! I especially appreciate the safety message at the end, as my best friend was killed by an Amtrak train while troubleshooting a problem with a car on one of his consists. He was only 20 working as a conductor for CSX. Hope you’re doing well, and I look forward to the next one!

[@barrettwbenton]

Very sorry to hear about your friend!

[@karlsangree]

This is far and away better than any documentary I've seen on The Discovery or Science Channel. It was brilliantly filmed, edited, and narrated. Superb!

[@distantsignal]

Many thanks!

[@ralfie8801]

Not only can stuff come off the train, but the metal banding material they use for some loads can break if the load shifts. Then you have what is basically a knife blade hanging off the side of the car, even though it's not sharp, that thin strip of metal can cut you in half if you get hit by it as the train passes by at speed.

[@joncalon7508]

I've actually seen pictures of coiled steel that was supposed to be tightly wound flapping off the side of the car because the banding holding it together broke. At speed, it would quite literally cut someone standing too close to the tracks in two.

[@ralfie8801]

@@joncalon7508 I’ve seen it several times while walking to the head end of trains to work on one of the locomotives. I ran into a band in the dark, it wasn’t sharp, so no injury, but we cut it off behind the sill of the flat car it was on so it wouldn’t / couldn’t hurt anybody.

[@nancycarpenter6898]

This is a super show of operations for The Auto-train. It was also a wonderful memory for me personally!! You see I'm a Railroard brat. That would be an ACL brat. I was born in Sanford in '51 and my life there was from that time to '67. Have lived in Tampa since '67 all due to ACL, SCL, and finally CSX!! My daddy was an ACL Yardmaster at Rands Yard in Sanford! The man started his RR career as a Telegrapher and retired a Trainmaster!! In '67 when ACL & SEABORD merged he was promoted and transfered to Tampa to mainly work in the Bradenton area. His name was W.I. (Bill) Crabtree, in his years in the Tampa Bradenton territory he was put in charge of the Tropicana train! Then in the inter he worked with the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Getting both units back into winter quarters out of Venice. So watching your video on Tropicana was very sentimental and heart warming. My sisters and brother ( a welder and asst. Roadmaster himself). For that our gratitude and resounding thank you. My family was part of a big RR community in Sanford and Tampa!! Of which we were very good friends with Mr. Joe Jarrel!! This gentleman started out and engineneer on steam locomotives. Now has the distinction of being the very first engineer back in the beginning of the Auto-train. He took the maiden train out of Sanford on it's first run. I come from a big railroad line of employment. For that we thank you tremendously for giving people a bird's eye view. It's a hard job but honorable one...my dad would tell us as long as trains planes and trucks are moving, commerce is too!! This is a good thing!!! Oh btw he work for 41 yrs starting in Green Cove Springs, Fl. and retiring in Tampa, Fl. in 1981. The man had some stories. Again a big thank you and keep up the great work!!!

[@Dutch64]

A BIG Thank You. For many years I wondered how this all was done and thanks to you now I understand! Thanks again for all you do and for doing all this work so we all have a better understanding of this! By the way, on the Lehigh Valley RR back in the day they had a passenger train named John Wilkes!

[@Galastin]

I love how you always highlight these local places to eat. Nice touch!

[@thegreyspectre9838]

I’ve been designing wireless control and stopping systems for the past 10 odd years now. Couldn’t tell you how many yards I’ve been too or how many locos I’ve been on but it’s nice to stumble across a channel such as this and see people that are interested/passionate about locomotives. Puts a new spin on how to look at my work.

[@Boss42n]

On the Auto Train now. Looked out the window and saw the scenery at the 8:47 mark. I immediately thought of this video. We will soon be arriving in Sanford. Had a great trip. Thank you Danny for this video.

[@kyledillard3496]

As always this was a great video Danny. You’re second to none when it comes to educating us all on how and why trains and train systems work. Thanks!

[@marinusapeldoorn6631]

Betcha Danny used to be a teacher!

[@williamd7823]

Just rode the auto train southbound in late August. Fabulous trip. Terrific train crew. The roomette was a little cramped for 2 seniors but not bad. We left early but were trailing behing a slower southbound freight which put us into Sanford about an hour late. Our car was delivered within 30 minutes of our arrival (we did not pay extra for express unloading - just lucky!) Our attendant said they have been very busy thru the C-19 epidemic and have lowered their coach seating capacity. They did a great job of cleaning and keeping people safe. Lots of college students returning to school. I was surprised to find out how many folks did NOT know about the Auto Train - considering it has been operating for over 30 years. Thanks for the yard tour.

[@distantsignal]

Thanks William! Two points in your post struck me: 1. That CSX would let a freight train get out in front of Auto Train. and 2. That college students are wealthy enough to take a $500+ trip to return to college!

[@frankperez8202]

Very interesting and informative. Rode the original AutoTrain back in the 70s, looking forward to ride this one soon.

[@brianwarbrick2225]

Hi Danny. From the UK. I loved your video and the very comprehensive narrative that you gave with it. As a Retired Railwayman myself I heard your warnings regarding trespassing and being far too close to any passing train. Unfortunately you missed out that other category of people vulnerable of shock and that's the train crew. As a person next to the track knows they're not going to get hurt- hopefully but the train driver can't always tell what's in a person's mind. A near miss can put train crew off work for months or longer with the shock of nearly hitting someone etc. So to you great American rail fans please spare a thought for the drivers and don't scare them into sick leave. Thanks Danny I hope you don't mind my sticking my experienced thoughts into your comments bag. But other than that I always wondered how the cars were despatched on and off and now I do thanks again. Best wishes Brian.

[@ssmatt4924]

This is way underrated channel. Should have millions more subs.

[@karenebarker9244]

You are a man after my own heart! I simply adore trains ❤️ Your videos are delightful and so interesting and informative. We travel full time in our RV all over the country and I am always giddy when I see a train. Other folks avoid campgrounds near train tracks... I seek them out🚂! The rumble of the train and those wonderful horns just thrill me! Your channel pleases me very much and your soothing Southern voice brings a smile to this Southern lady's face. My husband shared this video with me this morning knowing it would make my day.

[@jackshittle]

Jaw Tooth learned his lesson the other day about standing too close. A train was inbound but he didn't notice that the sides of the train were spraying weed killer. The only reason he didn't get sprayed is because the operator noticed him and shut it off at the last second. After the car that was doing the spraying cleared him - the operator turned the spraying back on.

[@bhigdaddymark]

You're on point, I saw that video! I like his videos too as he has that easy-going terrific Danny Harmon demeanour.

[@Unknown_Ooh]

Jaw tooth is a joke

[@theofficerfactory2625]

Saw the same with the Baltimore&ohio KZbin channel. Only they kept on spraying.

[@jeffrumbach150]

Jaw tooth was in Thurmond West Virginia

[@Mesabi193]

So much more interesting than I was expecting. What an orchestra... loved watching the efficiency of an experienced crew!

[@distantsignal]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@torg0]

As a frequent traveler on at AT, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this video. Looking forward to Thanksgiving :) Thanks!!

[@aceadman]

Excellent! Really cool to see this in action. Thanks much as usual!😊👍👍

[@MotoRestoFL]

I had a motorcycle on the AutoTrain in 2008. Had a Superliner Roomette sleeper. Bikes came off first in both Lorton and Sanford.

[@marinusapeldoorn6631]

You are such a perfect narrator. Love your insight view of the Florida railroads. Regards from the Netherlands

[@distantsignal]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@louisdekoster2670]

Hoe gaat het ermee

[@marinusapeldoorn6631]

@@distantsignal I enjoyed it, thanks. Highly appreciate your culinary twists in lunch & diner choices 😄

[@marinusapeldoorn6631]

@@louisdekoster2670 Het gaat uitstekend Louis. En bij jou?

[@ricknixdorf7316]

This was an extremely interesting video. I had no idea that the auto train was such a complicated and efficient operation. Great job as usual.

[@stanbarkdoll7846]

I've ridden the Auto Train about 6 times in my life. several travelling alone, two times with one companion, and once with the whole family. Always coach. Excellent service every time. One round trip with a crotchety old car, but the drivers treated it with respect and got me where I was needing to be safely and on time.

[@ralphclark6034]

Another great job Danny, been a Rail fan since I was eight years old. Got to ride in the engine in 1955 in New Jersey. Great videos my friend !!!

[@marycope5858]

I am a true railfan and your video is so interesting!! Thank you for sharing this!!

[@andreydunin6712]

This is a fantastic video, I only recently found out about the auto train and wondered about the logistics, this helped a lot! Thank you!

[@micahbea-taylor414]

Tio

[@davefuelling7955]

I really enjoyed this video, your narration is top notch and you really do a great job of directing our point of looking at what you're describing. Many other video makers talk about what they are showing us but not in a way that leads our gaze to the right place on the screen so we are confused about what we are looking at. I moved to Belleview, FL about 4 1/2 years ago and enjoy seeing places I know, like the shot of the crossing gate control box at the SE Robinson St. crossing in Belleview and the Magnolia Street crossing in Ocala in your video on how crossing signals work. Keep up the excellent work.

[@GeorgiaRailfan55]

A great way to start my day!

[@douglasengle2704]

Thank You for the video. When I was an early teen our family took AutoTrain from Florida to N. Va. They seemed to be unloading the vehicles before the passengers start to disembark. This was around 1975 when AutoTrain was private non Amtrak train. I was actually looking forward to having 40 minutes or so to look over the operation, but almost as soon as we got off the train and got ourselves oriented our yellow '73 Pontiac Lemans station wagon rolled up to the curb and we got in and left. It seemed like is was only about 10 minutes from when the passenger cars had come to a stop at the terminal. That was great train trip! We had coach seats up in the dome section of a car. At that time the auto racks where placed a head of the passenger cars so from the dome at night I watched this hugely long train in front of us snake its way through the darkness with the headlights of the locomotives occasionally noticeable about 1/2 mile a head. The dinner car was actually two cars with a full width articulation passage way connecting them so it was something like 160 feet on unobstructed interior length! Up in the dome it was quiet and the interior lighting was limited to the footwell and individual reading lights so you could easily watch at night everything going by outside. The train only stops once to pickup fuel so the experience is that it is always moving. This doesn't seem like it should make big difference compared to other long distance trains, but it makes the passenger experience much more close nit, everybody is doing about the same thing and this is train is much more family oriented than likely any other passenger train travel that is not a tourist railroad. The cars had been beautifully rebuilt with Burgundy interior valor trim! They used traditional battery electric car axle generators so the A/C and electricity stayed no matter what was going on with the locomotives. Climate control was excellent through hot humid south east USA! It was just great experience!

[@piedmontrf81]

Another Danny video! Awesome!

[@BBT609]

Well there is your answer DH, That is WHY 511 looks so clean lol. FANTASTIC and beautiful video!!!

[@distantsignal]

Thanks, Brylon! Hope you're doing well.

[@EntertainmentWorldz]

great video bro

[@jackpetrone4031]

Great video and timely safety talk. Please keep them coming.

[@ajwawrzyniak]

Great video! I never knew that this was available. I always learn something when I watch your videos. Thanks for all your efforts!

[@bruceritchie3874]

Good to have connections in the yard. Good to get a refresher on rail fan safety. Thanks again for a great video Danny

[@antonyjerome7478]

When I was last rail fanning the auto train at Sanford visiting from the U.K. , the switching guys invited my son and I into their sun shelter to watch close-up and shared their drinks with us. Great guys.

[@distantsignal]

Very cool!

[@SD40Fan_Jason]

Kudos Danny on another fantastic video! Thank you so much for the bit on the end about safety around active tracks. This video was difficult for me because my Good friend David Felts was an engineer for the Auto Train for a very long time. He had considered retiring for about two years but just couldn't shake the idea of leaving what he considered the best job in the world! Sadly he passed away suddenly at his home in Central Florida a few years ago. When I was just a kid, he let me ride in the cab of the CF-7 they used to switch the yard out with. I got to ride thru that washer a bunch of times and I've got to tell you it's even neater seeing it from the inside. Dave was also a history buff and could show you where all the old railroads used to line up there. I think I remember his details pretty well. He used to tell me about his time before the Auto train working as a crew for the Seaboard Coast Line out of Sanford and down to Groveland on the old ACL / Orange belt line. When I was just 21 years old and working in IT, Dave pushed me to pursue my dream of working for the railroad if that was what I wanted to do and, 21 years later I have no regrets about the choice! The only thing I wished I could have done was worked with him on Amtrak. But now that I am retired I think back and have some really fond memories of my career and also of Dave's. Most of mine with Dave are there in the Sanford yard. Thanks again Danny!

[@distantsignal]

Thank You!! I didn't know David, but the name is sure familiar. I love talking to those old SCL guys. It was real railroading back then. Sorry to hear he went like that. I think Amtrak should let kids who were on the train ride through that washer. That would be a serious attraction. Thanks for your compliments.

[@SD40Fan_Jason]

@@distantsignal I have heard Dave on your videos in Folkston as he's calling signals. In fact he has pointed himself out to me on some of your videos, ha! He always took great joy in seeing the railfans at the Folkston platform.

[@theoutdoorvirginiancousins6210]

You are making me a train fan. Thanks.

[@Mastercorban]

Loved this. Best video i've seen of yours. Loved the help from the community too.

[@ArchJ17]

Literally like two days ago I was looking to see if there are any videos of the handling of the auto train so I can safely say it was a nice surprise to wake up to this video.

[@distantsignal]

Glad I could help!

[@dalestevens4601]

This is absolutely one of the coolest videos ever! 🔥🔥

[@trainmaster2102]

Thanks for posting this. I am in the planning stages of building an HO modular layout of the original Auto-Train of the 70’s. I know a lot has changed since then, but this is the best video I have seen on behind the scenes operations, and I feel I can adopt a lot of the movements on the layout.

[@The_DuMont_Network]

WESH should have hired you for your voice alone. You have a wonderful announcer's voice. Tone, enunciation, negligible regional accent, pacing, and all the rest of the qualities of a natural sounding announcer. Took me ages to develop that, but then only worked on that side of the mic in radio for a couple of years. Sometimes, if the sunspots and stars are all lined up right, I can get the old pipes working fairly well, but you have it all, hands down.

[@distantsignal]

Thanks. Trying to get my"negligible regional accent" back. The media world has been overrun with non-descript, characterless voices. I don't think I want to be one of them.

[@The_DuMont_Network]

@@distantsignal Naahhh. You should be doing voiceover$ just the way you are.

[@davidsimmons9763]

I have ridden Autotrain many times because I have family in The Shenandoah Valley, but I was too busy to railfan it like this. GREAT JOB, DANNY!!! 2:10 I’m not a big Disney fan, but I have loved that power pole ever since I first saw it many years ago. 2:19 This segment cracked me up. I got to meet you guys at Dade City Railfest and your wife is a real sweetheart!!! 12:27 Sweet Ferrari and yes, that’s the latest Vette. (I just finished reading all 418 comments and I am not the only C8 fan.) Actually, I like cars more than trains! (By the way, the Ferrari is a 458 Italia Spider. Built from 2010-2015. Only 6,000 made. 562hp.) 13:26 Probably paid extra for the trailer. We’ve paid different prices for different sized vehicles. Bigger costs more. You purchase tickets for your vehicle, just like you purchase tickets for you and your family. 15:32 THATS FUNNY!!! Had me cracking up!!! 17:16 OHMYGOSH!!! Best buffet ever!!! Found the place by accident on a trip to the viewing platform! I might have to try that…getting it to go and eating at the platform. Squirrels though…

[@Rob-px4cm]

Really enjoy the professional manner you exhibit with all your videos. Thanks for the entertainment and all your efforts! Live in Columbus, Ohio but spend the winter in Zephyrhills and have watched your videos for a couple of years.

[@distantsignal]

Thank you very much!

[@arthurgordon6072]

Great video as usual Danny. Thanks from Auckland New Zealand 🇳🇿.

[@xorbitman]

This was great! Your video was amazing thank you for posting! I was supposed to take the Auto-train back from Orlando to Lorton, VA. I had left my 2012 G37s Coupe (Red) in Cape Coral after my wife and I drove down for the first time from Montreal. I will never do this again. I'll either fly and rent a car or for longer stays, I will drive down the 401 Trans-Canada Hwy to Messina, NY and take the i81 down to the 15/270 all the way through Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia avoiding the east coast and the NJ turnpike. It takes under 10 hours as Ontario has increased the speed limit on the highway. Going down to Lorton you have to leave between 2 am and 3 am as it takes time. The train leaves Lorton at 2:30 PM however they don't like taking cars past 2:00 PM. I know this is very early however there are no cars on the road and within a few hours of driving you get daylight and the traffic doesn't start until 7 am. Cape Coral is a quick and easy drive from Orlando, about 3 hours. I recommend spending a few hours in Orlando when you arrive in the morning something like either downtown Disney or my favorite downtown Universal studios city walk with all the cool restaurants and colors. Maybe take some time and drive around downtown Orlando. Then after lunch drive back, that way you get to spend the best of day doing something instead of driving back right away. Anyway my car was stuck in my condo during Covid and my friend who lives across the street was able to drive my car every week to keep her running. I finally had to have her shipped back to Montreal using a snowbird transport service; Cape Coral to Fort Lauderdale the another truck back to Montreal. There was only 2400 kms all last year or about 1500 miles! The lowest mileage I've ever put on any car in my entire life in one year! Hopefully next year I will take the Amtrak Auto Train with a cabin and it's own bathroom. I will never take the NJ turnpike again. The whole drive down south from NYC is insane. I don't know what's worse? The wear on your body or the wear on your car. The train on the other hand is beautiful. It actually saves money on gas, hotels, restaurants and wear and tear on your car. I found your video fascinating. My dad was a railway lifer. He had a Masters degree in Civil Engineering, an MBA and several diplomas over the years for specialization courses. He was instrumental in expanding CNR's rail service in their St. Lawrence region which included Central Vermont, at that time one of the busiest corridors in CN's network. He was also responsible for maintenance and repair and when he was on duty he had a pager that went off in case of a derailment and had to go there even in the middle of winter at night. I worked for CN for 3 summers as a "Chain and Rod man" for the engineers that added sidings and used surveying equipment such as a theodolite and was taught how to use one by the middle of my first summer; It was really cool! Sidings are railway tracks that run to the back of loading docks of large companies so that their manufactured goods can be efficiently shipped out by rail. It was a great way to spend the summer; out doors. On the rainy days I would work in the diazo/blueprint room making copies and coloring coding the sidings and adding the switchgear information. Very cool work. This was before anyone had PC's and computers in the office. Slide rules and calculators only were used! The money was good too. It helped pay for my tuition and books.

[@bhigdaddymark]

I knew it, I knew it, I KNEW IT!!! The very first time I saw a Distant Signal video and immediately subscribed, I said to myself and at one point in another of Danny's videos or two, I said to Danny "With that voice, you ought to consider doing voice-over work in radio, TV broadcasting or in Hollywood" as I could immediately hear it (I'm going to get back into it as I've done college radio and a couple of PSA announcements for an Orlando radio station years ago) as I've always wished that I had that resonance in my voice as Danny does and so very many in radio. His mentioning that he once applied at WESH in Orlando confirmed what I knew the first time I watched one of his videos years ago now. Without question the finest production of this genre on all of KZbin with the absolute best Hollywood Big production camera angles, SUPERB narration, stocked full with brilliant information and the most pleasant demeanour ever as Danny's videos are of TV and film documentary caliber! When Christian Johnson got a shout out, I said "I know that guy!" Nor was I surprised that he was consulted for favourable shooting locations of the Auto train. He was a member at the HO Club that I'm a member of in Orlando and on my channel I have two videos of us racing Amtrak trains: his two P42 locomotives led consist versus my Acela. We had fun and he's a good guy, so hearing a shout out to him was nice. As usual Danny, a solid TEN stars!!

[@gjkmiami]

Great video, Danny. My maternal uncle founded AT and watching videos like yours always brings back a mixture of happy and sad memories.

[@GaryGP40]

What a great video! I knew a little about the loading in Virginia, but never had seen the unloading. Thank you for the comprehensive and well made video. And for making us all hungry with your lunch lol

[@CharlieSFL]

Excellent video Danny! I've taken the AutoTrain North and South about 3 times and the train and station crews never disappoint. On one trip south, I noticed a very distinct train on a siding as we were given priority on the main line. That train had all-white freight boxcars with satellite insignias on each one. It turned out to be the "Juice Train". I did some research and it is a special train where each car is in constant communication to make sure that the refrigeration and other mechanics are always functioning. I think a "Juice Train" video would be interesting all OJ loving rail fans!

[@nriocbhionls]

Wow!!! Thank you once again for showing us the trains.

[@Flo-M]

Excellent photography and narration! Super informative and fun to watch! Thank you.

[@albertvieira6635]

All I know is soon as I hit the lottery you're going to be my tour guide I want to see that yard where the Auto racks it looks really interesting

[@keeganseva3975]

Wow, this video was so well put together and I learned a lot about how they operate the Auto Train. Thank you for sharing. I actually passed by the Lorton, VA location a couple of days ago during a work trip in DC. A much smaller operation than the one in Sanford, FL for sure! haha