Started Out Switchin', Ended Up Chasin'!

Here's another example of "You never know what you're gonna get." We got some really closeup switching in Lakeland and ended up on the road chasing down an ethanol train.

[@davemausner]

Danny Harmon, the best rail fan on KZbin. All agree.

[@freighttrainjoe]

I agree he's the best

[@jimmyseaver3647]

I'll admit it's a hard choice between him and DIB Productions.

[@railfanowen9372]

Man DIB or Danny hard to say I like both though

[@koryclarke1991]

No argument there.

[@diyboomboxesintexas2805]

Danny is the man! He is king of the rail fans

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

"If the cloud hadn't gotten me, it might have been perfect" - certainly a mantra among train chasers! Great video as always, if it weren't for you, I don't think I would have ever stepped out of my comfort zone to narrate my own videos. So thanks for the motivation and inspiration!

[@NSHorseheadSD70]

At 12:15 buffer cars are usually loaded with an inert material like sand. They usually need to be a certain weight to be in a buffer service.

[@aerialtrains6625]

Danny always provides the best info on trainwatching! Keep up the good work!

[@williamralph5442]

Great video Danny. Love the bridge shot..

[@rrrailservicehoscalemodelr4734]

That shot from Blackwater Creek was great!

[@SouthernIllinoisRailfan]

Another great video, Danny!

[@TrainsOhio]

Thanks for sharing!

[@garag3054]

You’re the best!! Haven’t watched any train vid since last Dec. & then sidetracked by a Jan. fall off of 2 steps at my porch. Just now walking normal so have missed catching trains here in Tupelo as well. At least I can hear them 😊... about a block away, I get all of the horns you’d want 👌. As always your vids are full of details and very interesting! Check out Crosstown in Tupelo to see how many lanes of traffic one train blocks 😊😊, people fuss and moan but I love it!!

[@troy4388]

I love seeing the engineers wave back.

[@taichanie]

You see a lot of UP engines on CP track in Canada. I know a few years ago I driving my load a long the interstate and saw 100s of UP engines just sitting with no work so I’ve wondered if they had leased out some. Engines to CP to keep them profitable. Or at least less unprofitable. Maybe it’s load sharing but it will be 3 cp engines and a UP engine.

[@user-ji3yi4oq1m]

Most powers have 2 spare knuckles one is a F type the other is a E type and backing up is called a shove buffers are filled with concrete not full tho

[@distantsignal]

Ha! thanks! Never knew there were two types of knuckles. And I'm glad I'm not Walker. :-))

[@richintalent]

Danny, do love bugs bite or sting?

[@distantsignal]

Haha! Nope. Love bugs don't do anything but fly in front of your car and splat on the paint. Birds don't like 'em either.

[@jujubee463]

"Folks who drive small pickup trucks never seem to be in a hurry." You have not met my husband. He drives everything like he stole it. Excellent video as always.

[@chascarpenter5006]

You gotta good man here...

[@dancolley4208]

My late Aunt drove hers like (as she would say) "a bat out of torment."

[@gaffneyrailroading1982]

No, but the people driving the bigger pickups seem to think they're running the last lap of the Talladega 500.

[@daddybearlv]

Thank you for explaining how railroads are paid for powering trains on a “foreign” line (horsepower x hours).

[@user-cu9kz5ec8o]

I could of sworn that foriegn power is paid by "kilowatt per hour", not horsepower per hour. Maybe times have changed...

[@25mfd]

@@user-cu9kz5ec8o i guess if it was an electric motor they would use kilowatt per hour... but i think the railroads don't care what they call it as long as there is someway to track the units overall use

[@user-cu9kz5ec8o]

They are electric motors... attached to a generator. I read they go by how much kilowatts an hour for lease agreements... the article was in trains magazine talking about the Oakway Leasing SD60s that were leased to the Burlington Northern.

[@rjohnson1690]

@@user-cu9kz5ec8o It’s definitely referred to in the business by horsepower hours. I have no idea how the calculate it, as that’s above my pay grade.

[@phillyphakename1255]

Horsepower to KIloWatt is about a 3:4 ratio. Doesn't really matter which they measure in, power*hours is energy.

[@MichaelAuslanderJr]

Put your seatbelt on Danny! Never know what could happen and we appreciate you too much

[@lawrenceslavin4507]

I was thinking the same. Please wear your seatbelt, we want you to be safe out there.

[@lelandrogers1078]

So I'm not the only one who noticed that. Tsk tsk Danny.

[@brandonmcken6752]

Not to mention the distracted driving as well.

[@brvfd822]

Danny, buffers are usually loaded with sand... in an attempt to provide enough mass to steer derailing hazmat cars away from the locomotives in the event of a pile up.

[@CSXNSTrainVideos]

You Know the routine, Drop everything, and watch the most recent premier! bet it will be another great one as always!

[@diyboomboxesintexas2805]

Hi Danny. As always another fantastic video. I think the locals videos are my favorite. Thank you for all the awesome videos. I find them very relaxing after a hard days work. I love trains. I have since I was a kid.

[@charlesshivoder2887]

Hello from Pennsylvania. Fun video as always from you Danny. Spending a lot of time trackside during the lockdown along the NS main near my home in Lebanon. Major track maintenance job underway with unique MOW equipment. Got up close to the ballast cleaner unit last week. What a unique piece of equipment. Great fun to watch and hear. Really great way to spend time as we all await the OK to get on with our lives. Many thanks for this trip around CSX in FL. Stay well!! CAS.

[@taylorbaggarleyunionpacifi5399]

I can’t wait see this video looks good Union Pacific power up front

[@zwmrailfan]

Taylor Baggarley Union Pacific railfan I get UP through my area daily. Because that is who owns the line. The line that comes through my area is Ex-SP

[@robertmoore1846]

usually forgin power on the the point have in cab signals that's what i was told

[@markmonse5285]

I have to tell you that I really enjoy your channel. I grew up in the 1960s loving trains (my mother worked for Southern in the late 40s/early 50s) but gradually my interests migrated towards aviation and airlines. I spent about 40 years as an airline dispatcher, and many of the operational-oriented issues I experienced I see reflected in your explanations in the videos. I can readily tell you the differences between different variants of the 737 family, and I'm now working on telling the difference between a GE and an EMD. ;) I especially appreciate all the little operational nuances you discuss that contribute to my understand of how the railroads run.

[@rickboivin7732]

First I took months to comb through Danny's archives. I subscribed and set up alerts. The alerts broke but that's fine because I was finding new videos the same day they were posted anyway. Now I'm finding myself waiting for the premieres. I've gone one step too far.

[@eliot_w]

Rick Boivin nah you haven’t don’t worry about it

[@ShawnTheDriver]

Danny: "This ain't like dropping a box somewhere on somebody's front porch." Me, an Amazon delivery driver: "Well I'll be damned."

[@odellb82282]

Love your videos Danny. I feel like I know more about florida railroads than I do here in Wilmington, N.C. Keep up the Great work.

[@oldtown6240]

Thanks for the info on the chains - I didn't know that. Same about the spare knuckle, but it makes sense. The cloud didn't hurt the shot at all. As always your videos are much anticipated, and for good reason - never disappoint.

[@Galaxy2517]

As always Danny you are the celebrity amongst rail fans.. Amazingly well informed, articulate and very humble. We are not worthy ;-)

[@nigelrichardson4327]

Another great video, Dan! To my knowledge, buffer cars on unit tanker trains usually carry a dense material like sand or gravel, that’s my guess. Usually however ethanol trains are rarity in Nashville.

[@vmdairy]

Having to stay at home, your videos make my day go faster and better; thank you.

[@distantsignal]

Happy to hear that!

[@AmtrakTBL]

Every time you are trying to catch up to a train you’re gonna get red lights and slow traffic. Has happened to me way to many times lol. Nice video Danny!

[@ronmorgan7502]

Great job as usual Danny, ...........best narrator on KZbin.

[@EagleCreekRailRoad]

Fantastic videos Danny, keep up the great work, from a UK based US railroad fan.

[@gunsandtrainsofusa]

Can you please please do more videos about DPU

[@railfanmaximstill7279]

13:21 I remember that creek. Millenniumforce ran through that creek screaming "HEY YOU FORGOT YOUR JUICE"

[@edwinbest9256]

My grandfather managed the City Products ice distribution plans on 17-92 in Sanford. He took me to watch vegetable trains being “bunker iced” in the Sanford yard several times in the late 50s. Amazing ice handling to put 25lb chunks into the open bunker doors on top of both ends of each car. The ice plant at the yard was at one time the largest in the world. All gone now just history.

[@eaglescoutgaming7640]

@Distant Signal I have a Bearcat BC125AT radio scanner with an RH77CA Antennae. Norfolk Southern runs through my town and their (I think) radio frequency is 160.9500. I usually just hear switching going on somewhere. How do I get it to where I can hear the trains on the main that pass me?

[@randyfleet9968]

Tisk, tisk Danny! Remember what your insurance agent tells you. Never admit culpability. Just say your were going your interpretation of the speed limit.

[@cherylsims5636]

Lots of comments! The SP Engines we probably, newer, nicer, cleaner than the CSX ones. That's why I would have had my guys use them anyways. Plain old sand would be in the buffer wagons.

[@dennismcgough9476]

Hey Danny, Another excellent video. All of your videos are very well done. Bravo! Query: I’m a new rail fan. Where can I find railroad timetables for my local area? TNX

[@johnplummer8077]

Love your videos. You have answered a lot of questions I’ve had about thing’s that are done on the way the railroad do things!

[@JointedRail2024]

Very nice slowdown on that SOO LINE buffer car, I thought it was lag for a second, and then I realized what I was looking at LOL. Amazing video Danny! Even though this one is a couple years old, your videos NEVER get old. :)

[@carlfalt174]

Love the chase with the ethanol train. With CP possibly buying KCS there will be more oil trains coming from Hardisty, Alberta to Houston for refining since the Keystone XL pipeline has been cancelled for now

[@railfanmaximstill7279]

10:20 UP Actually has a leasing deal with CP to lease them their ES44ACs numbered 5500 to around 5600 And 8007 was likely off another run through train somewhere on the CP

[@trcostan]

Up here in Kansas KCS, BNSF and UP all seen to use sand filled hoppers. They are all quite old tapped out cars that say buffer car service only on them. We see allot of old MoPac cars around here. Oh and that’s allot of hand sanitizer!

[@tomroise9426]

Buffer cars usually carry sand or soda. Anything to help contain the ethanol should it derail and spill.. Also help in braking. Especially if the train is empty.

[@jwrailve3615]

That first scene with the super faded cross bucks and stop sign was super cool, not to mention I love industrial track with very little ballast and gras growing through

[@terrybanderas]

Love your videos. Professional and clean and easy to watch. Enjoy everything.

[@lwvmobile]

I often find BBQ food isn't a good food to eat on the go, especially if you are driving. Way WAY to darn messy.

[@twimmd]

Thank you for explaining the 'simple' things! I appreciate when you explain terms like, "Spotting Cars", among other things. Being fairly new to the channel, when you take the time to put everything in layman's terms, it makes it very enjoyable. Thanks, Danny!

[@dwyman1972]

As always GREAT videos. Please use your seat belt so we can see many more videos.

[@postalfnj]

You are brave a Blackwater Creek you never know if a water Moccasin is around

[@moon47mars]

Excellent video, Danny! I think I can give some insight on a few curiosities in this video: The UP power on the ethanol train is probably because (correct me if I’m wrong) UP leases some of their older GEVO’s (5500-5600) to CP. It’s still technically a CP train with CP/CSX paperwork, but just has UP power. As for the buffer cars, from my past conductor experience, buffer cars are usually partially loaded with either sand or gravel. Now that only applies to cars that are strictly for buffer service and should be marked “Buffer service only, do not load.” The capstan is usually removed after so the slider can’t slide back and forth anymore and or sometimes welded shut.

[@railfanmaximstill7279]

What about Boxcars. I know it's rare but I've seen it.

[@Lucdoiron]

I quite enjoy your videos that feature some industrial works. Also, on CN engines we have a chain bin in the nose of the locomotive rather than hang them on the side. Keep the great videos coming!!

[@trafficsignalman]

Danny, beautiful under bridge shot of the ethanol train with UP Power. The amazing thing about the shot is the different eras represented. The bridge piles are timber with concrete caps, and still going strong. Great catches, as always.

[@stephenwilliamson4556]

Very enjoyable, thanks for sharing. Do the railroads there really care too much about train spotters filming their trains? The lines all look unfenced, and everyone seems pretty relaxed, however I’ve been chased off a few platforms in my time and had a little trouble here and there with people saying “you can’t take photos/ videos here”, despite being in a publicaly accessible area and not causing any disruption to anyone.

[@cherylsims5636]

No Stephen, we do not really care if anyone films our trains as long as they do it from a safe vantage spot . Just look at all the film events at the GA/FL State Line Junction ( the Folkston junction) If you were chased off if was no doubt do to some construction in the area.

[@allanwilliams1069]

Danny, I have a photo of an NS train using those chains for that very purpose. It is quite a sight to see! great video as always , Allan

[@fdonia3214]

11.07 Could you please fasten your seat belts, for your own safety ;-)

[@therealandrewstrains]

A great video Danny as usual. Lots of flats on the ethanol cars. I enjoy your videos as a railfan and more as a modeller. You help me to weather my cars by showing the mix of rust buckets to fresh to inbetweeners. Thanks mate from Melbourne (no the other one in Victoria Australia). Andrew from Andrew's Trains

[@veggiepowered]

Where Is Blackwater Creek ? What Is The Nearest Cross Road On 301 ? I Go Camping In Dade City At The Green Swamp

[@CSX4772]

@Distant Signal, the buffer cars can be filled with sand or gravel.

[@brycetienter9772]

I think boxcars can also be assigned as buffer cars. Those would be usually filled with shredded tires or some other similar substance if I remember correctly

[@CSX4772]

@@brycetienter9772 that's also very true. Anything inert between the crew and the oil or ethanol is a requirement. Sand being the most ideal. But used tires, gravel, sand, or any other inert, non explosive material is typically used. I suppose it's left to the railroad as to what materials to use.

[@erict5234]

Another great video Danny... on the UP we almost always have sand in the buffer cars. Also we run several trains out of Roseport, MN through WI to interchange in Chicago at Barr yard with csx power... foreign power is becoming the new normal on most trains since ptc is now interoperable between carriers.

[@railfanmaximstill7279]

Did you work for the UP at some point? Because you know waaaay more than I know

[@erict5234]

@@railfanmaximstill7279 yep.

[@railfanmaximstill7279]

@Eric T my grandpa on Both sides of mine worked for that same company back before I was born

[@samringgold8551]

Sand is what the buffer cars are loaded with.

[@gunsandtrainsofusa]

What is your favorite locomotive My favorite locomotive is a emd sd70mac

[@zwmrailfan]

snake boy mine is the Tier 4 GEVO

[@DiamondTheNerd]

mines the GE AC4400CW

[@gunsandtrainsofusa]

@@zwmrailfan cool

[@nathanielholmes79]

Mine is also the mac! An awesome locomotive

[@DJinNJ08830]

The alcos run out of Scranton Delaware lacawanna

[@fldon2306]

Another great video! I feel your pain on the backroads with slow traffic! CR 35A by Dade City's former depot (you've done videos on the depot/museum!) is lots of turning traffic. And US 98/FL50 from I-75 east until where US98 turns South to Trilby has been under construction for what, two years now, often to one lane each way. I travel through there often too. Thx Danny!

[@distantsignal]

Thanks. Yeah, just about everywhere has got a lotta traffic in Florida lately. I don't think it will get any better anytime soon.

[@JS-1983]

At 11:52 is there some truck with Detroit Diesel on it? sounds like that. Or some older loud v8 muscle car...

[@realcanadianrailfan110]

Buffer cars are either loaded with sand, usually, or sometimes water. Hatches are welded shut. It's their only purpose post life. Sweet video!

[@lightdark00]

So if there’s sand it can’t easily be emptied unless the welds are broken?

[@sandy1653]

@@lightdark00 Buffer cars aren't really meant to ever be unloaded until they're retired.

[@datguymiller]

I guessed sand

[@kennedygauger4680]

As others may have explained, buffer cars typically are filled with sand or gravel, something with considerable mass. As always, great video! Kennedy

[@AndreiTupolev]

Very interesting close-up look at the switching. Fascinating to hear the engineer report to the dispatcher; they report how much fuel they have then?

[@EmilC2012]

You mentioned you had a facebook group, what's the name of it? Loved the video as always!

[@ggstephens50]

It was real nice of CSX to supply you rail fans a spot a pot at Cummer rd. Lol

[@Tylerff26]

Right as I finished watching this video I look out the window and here comes a train with the Norfolk Southern Nickel Plate Road Heritage unit

[@TheSantaFeGuy]

Buffer cars are usually full of cement weights

[@TolgaEastCoast]

Great video, Danny! Nice chase. The S-Line is tough tough tough! We lost the shot at Bushnell once due to Sunday drivers one time.

[@steveramiza9990]

Those Soo Line buffers are half filled with Sand

[@ritaloy8338]

Danny, your comment about the cloud showing up at 13:07 I beg to differ with you as you do not have the harsh shadows that you would have had without the clouds. For me the cloud cover allows for me as the viewer to see more details that would I have due the sharp contrast that a bright Sun would bring. The cloud cover improved the overall shot.

[@jamesstallings2007]

Always interesting vids Thanks !!!

[@davedeiler2072]

Danny, thanks for sharing your passion with us. Be careful out there. Slow down some. I don't want to have to bail you out of the clink.

[@vmelvinkey]

You outdid yourself today Danny! Beautiful shots and the most unusual was over the railroad tressel and making it look like the train was headed downhill in Florida. Hard to do in the flatlands. You mentioned that the phosphate was headed out of the bone valley to Chicago. Can you sometimes add how long it will take to make the trip and how many crew changes it will take? More interesting information for railfans. Missed the drones today. Love it Danny!

[@nathanielholmes79]

Good thing florida isn't a video game; it would have too many bugs

[@Stephhhhyyy]

I do NOT miss lovebug season.

[@Tegridyvs]

Those buffer cars are usually sand.

[@patrickhunt5504]

You have a great voice for narrating.

[@markgloverville]

Put your seatbelt on dude. We need you.

[@mas121473]

Love the switching segments of your videos.... could watch those all day!

[@YardLimit]

Nice video. Buffer cars are filled with sand. Are you a ham radio operator?

[@distantsignal]

I have a ham ticket, but I never do anything with it.

[@Midway_CV-41]

Pulled pork and Chips eh? Looks good

[@kotabeaner]

Well that was a swell surprise to see this in my feed tonight! For National Train day I’ll say we both had a great one...at least from what I know! Also I’m fairly sure that those Buffer Cars are loaded with sand. That may not be fully accurate though.

[@distantsignal]

Thanks Dakota! Yes, it was a great day. Saw lots of other railfans out there, but only driving by them. I called a CSX friend Saturday night and he confirmed that's sand in the buffer cars. Some companies have dedicated buffer cars and they have concrete in them.

[@clarence43232]

YOUR videos are always amazing, Danny--many times I wish they were longer!

[@99flht]

Looking forward to the premiere.

[@treos17]

buffers usually have sand

[@travisgoff99]

Good to see the Union Pacific power on your channel Danny. I live in Wyoming where UP and BNSF run.

[@diyboomboxesintexas2805]

He mentioned a Facebook page of his in the video. Anyone got a link?

[@josephsize634]

His Facebook page is Railfan Danny. Also twitter.com/railfandanny

[@stevenmetzger3385]

Do you have Patreon? 👌 or another donation service?

[@distantsignal]

I do not, but have thought about it. I just don't know if I'm big enough for that yet.

[@MBTAMoreRailfan]

Distant Signal Danny I think you are DEFINITELY large enough. You got this!

[@jimmyseaver3647]

@@distantsignal 40+ thousand subs and a loyal fanbase? It's likely to be viable.

[@zwmrailfan]

Danny I will support you

[@gabrieldotterweich7388]

I live on Cummer Rd 8:15

[@jamesmclaughlin6886]

Thanks for another great video Danny! I especially liked the switching moves, and noticing that that the conductor visually checked the switch points after each repositioning. A real pro! BTW, saw a couple of CSX 44AHs up here in central Massachusetts the other day, they're a long way from home!

[@jonathanparker2939]

Danny, why no seatbelt at 10:58? We want you around for a long while, please be safe.

[@distantsignal]

Ha! Thanks Jonathan!

[@chucksayers1248]

thanks for the explanation of the chain on the engines, I always wondered what they were for.

[@stevenlawhon3695]

Did you notice that spike behind you at the end of the video, sticking up.

[@curailproductions7636]

I love the UP power:):):)

[@acrap56]

Great job as always Danny! Best train vids and train information on KZbin. Thanks for your channel! 😃