How CSX Built a 35 mile Double Track Main Line Using Only 1500 Feet of New Track

How CSX created a double track Main out of their Rice Yard at Waycross by utilizing an old, underused subdivision. I tracked the project from Waycross over to Nahunta and back.

[@chickenpommes19]

From a foreign perspective it's very refreshing to see rail infrastructure getting build cheap easy and fast. No year long studies needed, just get to work and lay down tracks.

[@distantsignal]

Haha! It's great to see this from an American perspective, too. Everything that involves transportation in the US today requires months and often years of studies, tests, lobbying and meetings for public comment. It's refreshing to see a company just do something. Of course they had some government approvals required for this, but not nearly as much as usual.

[@blakegardner2339]

Please continue to add maps! They are very helpful to understand what is going on :)

[@SebisRandomTech]

Time to drop whatever I’m doing because Danny put up a new video!

[@lamarwildes8841]

Glad to see that you got the "45" sign up. Hope that you enjoy it! Just FYI...the crew change point in South Waycross is less than a 1/2 mile from my Dad's boyhood home on Blackwell Street. Saw many a train on that line while visiting my grandparents, including passenger trains in Illinois Central, Louisville & Nashville, and RF&P colors, in addition to ACL(SCL). Also, very nice to finally meeting you in Folkston!

[@terrellfarms1]

I used to live on the Nahunta Sub. The track ran right behind the house I was renting. I didn't like trains so much back then. Especially when they stopped right behind my house in the middle of the night. Which they did frequently. A dash 8 will rattle your walls when its idling 100 feet from your bedroom!

[@drewwilder5958]

Hey danny! I work for CSX in Ohio and I just wanted to tell you that you were much of the driving force to get me there! Yeah we derailed today (not my fault) but I still love the job! Thanks Danny!

[@distantsignal]

Hi Drew!!! That is so great to hear and congratulations. Sorry about your bad luck on the ground. Hopefully you got 'em back on the rail with out incident.

[@pooleandrew]

Woohoo! New video! Rest In Peace Uncle Joe, sorry for your loss Danny

[@distantsignal]

Thanks Andrew.

[@JamesStarkey-rq4ov]

Great video. Back in 1977 when I hired on with SCL out of Richmond they sent us to “school” in Waycross. They took us up to Nahunta to learn how to fall off boxcars and watch for snakes. ;-).

[@vegacore101]

I guess the Concept Of The Day in this video is: Network Fluidity.

[@allrounder7003]

That's 2 words.

[@vegacore101]

@@allrounder7003 True, but it still counts as one.

[@williamlyerly3114]

Then “Concept of the Day”.

[@vegacore101]

@@williamlyerly3114 Sure.

[@jeffallen4377]

Danny, hi I just found your channel. I’ll have to browse the archives. I have a dumb question: are railroads and regulators favoring one way tracks as well as double tracks. It would be great for passenger rail, as well. The fuel savings and making less air pollution would be great, too. Road vehicle waiting times could also be reduced. Could everyone be happier at once for a change?

[@tropicalrailroadproduction5028]

It's always a good day when this guy uploads, I'm also sorry for the loss.

[@gusfring9895]

Another 5-star video, Danny. There have been a number of occasions when CSX management has wished network fluidity had been taken into consideration when their predecessors ripped up the SAL and single-tracked the ACL 30+ years ago south of Collier Yard in Petersburg, Va. They got burned pretty badly when tropical weather events flooded some rivers in the region and shut down the ACL, forcing CSX to run expensive and time-consuming detours until the trackage was restored. A recent study of satellite photography shows that some of the 2nd ACL track has been restored, but I don't know if those sections are still considered to be sidings or if they have been upgraded to 2nd-main status. It's refreshing to see Class 1 managements change their thinking back to pro-growth and capacity improvement after the last 5 or 6 years of the PSR disaster.

[@HHopebringer]

Turns out robbing the company to pay the shareholders is actually a terrible strategy for having any sort of long term success. Who knew?

[@conductormike3step]

I have worked for CSX for about 2 years now. We do have some pretty smart folks here. I have not worked for another railroad but I would like to say we get treated pretty good minus the furloughs every now and then. I haven’t been hit with one yet thankfully. I have not been on a service in Florida or Georgia yet but I’m looking forward to it.

[@chrisbuxton1958]

Must be a great life. Am I right?

[@conductormike3step]

@@chrisbuxton1958 it wasn’t at first but now that I am used to it I love it! Best career in the world!

[@MrBillCNW]

Sorry for the loss of your friend. May he Rest In Peace.

[@charlesyell6318]

You make the best train videos that are on youTube. are there any other train videos that you would recomend .

[@RCAvhstape]

Watching trains is fun, but it's even more interesting when you understand how the system operates. Great video, Danny, and I agree, it's nice to see a railroad investing in infrastructure rather than cutting back for a change. I assume the railroad must've been paying taxes and maintenance on that old Brunswick Sub, right? If so, may as well make it useful again.

[@mathewrufrano7833]

I enjoy and like all your videos, but this one is special. Like you said, building rather than tearing down.

[@johnbidochka2795]

Appreciate the map at 6:15 to help those of us who don't know the territory visualize things. Thank you.

[@thomream1888]

Danny, you are e true railroad gem! And anyone who skips parts of your videos are really missing things. Your content is valid, educational and timely. I'm on the left coast so my chances of visiting your area are kinda low... really low! But I have NO doubt that if I have a chance to visit the East Coast I'm making a point to stop by your neighborhood! Lunch will be on me at the best BBQ place you know of! Thank you from Kali. And thank you Uncle Joe. My prayers for your family.

[@distantsignal]

Thanks Thom. Those are very nice thoughts and much appreciated.

[@nekomasteryoutube3232]

It'll be interesting if railroads start looking at old and/or less used lines like this, as its kinda depressing seeing lines become disused, abandoned, and then eventually ripped up when it might just be in a good spot to do something like this (maybe not always, but I'd like to see more of this done. I'll also have to remember to try thinking this way in transport games for capacity reasons)

[@shanestrains2849]

Man the beginning of the video broke my heart.. ,,my condolences go out to his family. I remember him in early videos, so sad..

[@josephholland676]

It's nice to see old track back into use with some old fashion common sense.

[@CarsSimplified]

Pretty clever addition! I imagine it's lucky that the land was available to build on!

[@FloridaRailProductions]

RIP Uncle Joe. He may have left us but his legacy lives on in our community and through everyone he left an impact on

[@Grainexpress]

It’s just Danny knocking another one out of the park! 😎 I really loved your shots with the drone! Those close up perspectives were great. Thanks for all your efforts and when you go back take Liz and split the time between trains and some sites to visit with the better half. 😉

[@chriswebb1935]

Excellent video Danny sorry to hear about Uncle Joe he seemed like a genuinely great guy

[@VirtualRailfan]

Great video as always, sure am gonna miss Uncle Joe, he was a class act! (We always watch the whole thing…🤣)

[@cmphighpower]

If the railroads hadn’t tore out so much rail in the 70s and 80s railroads would not have to do this type of action as often

[@johncallaway7410]

CSX engineer . Used to run on both of the subs. - side note. We don’t call it “ outlaws “ we either say “ on the law “ or “ dog lawed “ ….. or just …. “Dead” …. Lol. I find your videos to be very thorough and worth a watch, so thanks.

[@danielcobbins8861]

I think that is "hog lawed," because engineers, years ago, were called "hoggers."

[@johncallaway7410]

Daniel. I have been an engineer for twenty years. Never heard the term hog lawed.

[@distantsignal]

Yes, I've only heard "Dog-Lawed" or "On The Law" before.

[@distantsignal]

Much appreciated John!

[@Dallen9]

Probably the best news relating to railroads is hearing them laying new tracks to provide better service.

[@donbrearley3148]

Loved seeing your content featured on Practical Engineering the other day. Nice stuff, as always!

[@josephholland676]

It would be nice to see more on this when you go back to Waycross

[@Sega_1848]

Danny I live in Waycross. Trains are both a blessing and curse here. This new routing system has helped a lot with the congestion on the tracks around town.

[@mmi16]

Danny - you are the Premiere provider of railfan videos - BAR NONE! Everyone tells a factual accurate story.

[@distantsignal]

Many thanks!

[@shawnphillips4473]

Great video, I just accepted a job with CSX up here in Massachusetts

[@JohnWilson-hb5qc]

Is that where Pan Am used to run?

[@shawnphillips4473]

@@JohnWilson-hb5qc I do believe so, pan am went from Ny to Maine so it might have come through Massachusetts

[@tzadik36]

Thank you for this video! The railroad engineering personnel were quite creative with this one! One way to preserve outdoor signs is with a coat such as acrylic. Even Thompson's water seal from a spray can can be useful (but may become somewhat brown in the sunlight).

[@evanbart4109]

Great video (as always) Danny!👍👍 I’m sorry to hear about Uncle Joe! He will be missed❤️❤️❤️

[@BDTrooper76]

I've said this before, and can't compliment you enough. This rail video channel is better than any other I have seen. Why? You provide a monologue that is always very informative, usually educational, and entertaining. Your personal touch, such as your Alaska hat or Harmon road sign, only adds to the appeal. You take the time to explain things from track lights to old station locations, to significant station dogs. You point out the differences of signs between Florida and Ohio. The end result is that at the end of your videos, I never feel that my time was spent watching trains. I have at least some idea of what is going on from the rail switching perspective, and that makes all the difference. My perspective is that understanding the inner workings of a rail yard is far more important than viewing 10 trains roll by. Being aware of the defect tests, the size of trains (11,000+ feet, or more than two miles), what happens when air pressure is lost (braking), and having you attempt to help us understand that a train will rarely depart the origin point and enter the destination with the same consist (except maybe the old juice runs, empty auto racks, trains designed as a single unit such as coal). Thank you, and I hope you will continue to provide us with your insight as to the importance of how railroads operate.

[@distantsignal]

Those are some SERIOUSLY nice words, BD and much appreciated. You and I share the same viewpoint on KZbin content; If I'm not learning something, I'm not really interested. Thanks for taking the time to write this. I hope you won't mind if I copy and paste it to send to some of my friends who don't really get what I'm doing. (Ha!)

[@BDTrooper76]

@@distantsignal It would be an honor to be used as a reference for such a goal.

[@m1sterhockey]

You are the best! I love how informative you are. Great voice. You should be a professional narrator for the History Channel. THE TRAINS THAT BUILT AMERICA!

[@waltrogers9770]

Just judging by the traffic passing the VRF cam at the depot, I'd say the new junction at Nahunta is a success

[@keithsuggs7935]

Hi Walt!😊

[@filthyphil1000]

Great video. Grew up loving the railroad. From Queens NY. my grammar school looked out towards the Hell Gate bridge that went over east river. Bridge built in 1916 and still going strong. Amtrak and freight using it til this day. This is why I fell in love with the old GG1 locos also. I remember them like yesterday with the old Penn Central logo and painted green. Would love for you to do a video on the importance of this bridge then and now. Thanks :)

[@kentdillon3968]

I really enjoy your videos You have a great voice and talk just enough to explain things well, You keep it very informative and low key. Thank for all your work making these videos.

[@bgmcc907]

I lived in Waycross and worked at Rice Yard not that long ago, so it was good to see the old stomping grounds. As far as I know, the Brunswick Sub ran one local per day, so I bet the neighbors are loving the increase in traffic, in terms of both size and frequency. Very well done. 👍

[@jimmeade2976]

I worked on a project in Springfield MO many years ago for the SLSF, just before it was acquired by BN. They referred to a crew going past its expiration time as "hoglaw" or "piglaw", not "outlaw". The control center, which was what my company was upgrading with a new computer system, had logic built into it to estimate if/when/where a crew would hoglaw and warn the dispatchers hours in advance so they could deal with it.

[@jovetj]

That's neat!

[@michaelburroughs7494]

Any video made by Danny is interesting to see.

[@snydedon9636]

Hello Danny. Have been watching your channel for years and have never skipped a minute of your videos. I believe that you have the best rail fan channel on KZbin and I have never been disappointed with any of your videos. Have a good day, don, New Hampshire

[@distantsignal]

Many thanks, Don! Thanks also for sticking with the whole video. Ha!

[@tyleravery54]

LOVE seeing those old Maine Central side dumps. Great video as always, Danny!

[@petercole4573]

Thanks for noticing the MEC side dump cars as I missed them. I wonder how those MEC cars ended up on a CTX freight in Georgia in 2023. I tried to search for those cars on line (MEC 1040 & 1044) but didn't see anything about them. I make sure to make screen captures of those cars. Saw a KZbin video of a CP train with the same type of side dump cars done by Trackside Tyson called "CP SD40's Unloading Side Dump Cars ...". I remember the Maine Central going by my house in Carmel, Maine in the late 50s and early 60s as a kid. I even remember passenger trains but they soon disappeared and all I saw after that was mixed freight. Always enjoyed watching them. They came from the Northern Maine Junction going south and through Newport then Etna going north. Do you know of any good Maine Central sites?

[@thomasgattis4653]

Thanks for the video. This explains the increased rail traffic we are seeing in Waycross on what recently had been a rarely used line.

[@Sir_David_Beatty]

Dunno why I clicked on this video, but I'm glad I did.

[@distantsignal]

Me too, Sir David!! Welcome aboard.

[@RingwayManchester]

I hope one day that my production is as flawless as yours Danny. Amazing as always

[@Galaxy2517]

Of course us dedicated fans will watch all of any of your videos! ❤❤

[@calerail9558]

I honestly don't know how you don't have at least 500K subscribers. You provide the most informative and entertaining railroading videos out there!

[@SD40Fan_Jason]

Not enough railfans in the Southeast. Danny deserves a Million subs and more.

[@Munkey282]

Excellent video. Reminds me of the great story telling videos from the old PBS show All Aboard. I love how you cover everything including the route history and present day.

[@vincentmckiernan4975]

Where you a radio commentator in your last job? You have the best voice.

[@distantsignal]

Thanks Vincent. Yes, in TV for 45 years.

[@tissuepaper9962]

@@distantsignal that explains the tight directing and excellent shot choice. Right up there with classic news broadcasts and documentaries in terms of clarity and craft.

[@JasonHissong]

Yet another quality video! Thanks so much! I look forward to your videos. You have one of the best channels on KZbin.

[@gregyinger699]

Thanks, Danny! I love your videos. I appreciate how you incorporate your TV news/announcer skills into your railroad videos; making them informative, descriptive, and entertaining! Being from Ohio, the video of your trip up here was great!

[@jeffreybrown3691]

Danny really appreciate your diving into the background and history of your reports. Not aware of any reporters up here in Detroit, Michigan area. I do spend a lot of time up in Durand, Mi. Back in 1900s it was a big railroad junction. In 1906 they had a big train crash involving a circus train. Some pictures around the small town and the small railroad museum of this wreck. CN and Amtrak use the double track, and Great Lakes Railway currently runs the single track on the diamonds.

[@davidwayneprins]

not aware of anyone doing reporting either on the other side of the mitten in the Grand Rapids area. About twenty years ago, a friend of mine did a show on public access that was train watching videos with the scanner for audio. He knew a few spots near Waverly Yard in Holland where he was off CSX property but still near the action. "Train Time With Brad" was interesting not nearly as educational as Danny.

[@jsaurman]

Your voice reminds me of Bill Kurtis, and your narration is equally as professional. Nicely done.

[@davidsimmons9763]

Ha! He IS a professional!!! Works in TV and Radio around the Tampa area. Very famous around here. Railfan kids follow him around at train events like the Pied Piper. Saw it with my own eyes!!! Great guy!!!

[@kdwaynec]

LOL Yes, the first time I heard him, about 6 months ago, I thought it was Bill Kurtis.

[@georgebenson6036]

It is good to see CSX actually investing in better operation of trains.

[@tomgebbie6294]

I love to see Fallen Flag cars in operation (well, sort of in operation); theebad order coil car with NYC reporting marks. Also interesting are the side dump cars with Maine Central (MEC) reporting marks. It's interesting that they are so far from their former home rails. Perhaps with CSX's purchase of Pan Am, the cars are finding their way further afield?

[@SD40Fan_Jason]

On all their older company cars, they use the older reporting marks like CR, NYC, CO, BO, SBD and so on...

[@CharlesReiche]

Conrail maybe ex Penn central gondolas, probably built by my dad in the 70s at Freuhauf in NJ.

[@silversoozookee2839]

@ 10:00 That's a ballast cleaner and removes busted rotten ties, I operated one for Loram years ago, very complex but interesting machine. Aside from the railgrinders I primarily was on this was a loud violent shaking experience 😂 Worth every minute of work

[@thomasmackowiak]

Informative video on how CSX solved a problem by building a new connecting track to an existing track/ Thank you Danny!

[@michaeltidbury4835]

The map made a significant difference to one’s understanding of this video.

[@davidpulaski5628]

"DH", the professional quality of your quadcopter videos never ceases to amaze. A+++ work ! Keep the steel on the steel.& God Bless.

[@Graham-ce2yk]

Impressive and informative presentation. As you said it's wonderful to see a railroad make good use of underused track rather than handing it over to 'rails-to-trails' groups and then finding out that they actually needed the line. I remember reading years ago about how Norfolk Southern had essentially 'banked' a bunch of lines which they estimated had little use at the time, but could be useful in the future, one of those lines ended up becoming a key bypass when the yard in Atlanta became clogged. I for one look forward to the follow up episode, it will be interesting to see how this project develops, I can bet that CSX will be inspecting both lines for possible siding locations if this goes well.

[@SD40Fan_Jason]

Now if only they had done this with the Coleman to Auburndale line some 40 years ago instead of turning it into the longest, flattest, most boring bicycle path in the state. But they were not in a railroad track saving state of mind 40 years ago. Sure am gonna miss Uncle Joe. Thanks for adding a tribute to him at the beginning of your video, that was very honorable. Thanks Danny!

[@LolPepperGate]

No lunch today in this video😢 Great video Danny. Thank you

[@PrenticeBoy1688]

It's not just cool when railroads update or build new infrastructure, it's a sign of the economy picking up. NS put in a new industry spur near my part of the Rust Belt within the last couple years. That's pretty incredible. We've all sorts of hike and bike trails that have sprouted up on disused rail lines. Lots of industrial and railroad access roads made by pulling out infrastructure, or just burying ties and ballast and dumping gravel overtop.

[@dalelinton7716]

Nothing beats the end of a long week than one of your exceptional videos! Thank you!

[@gregbowen617]

Wow Danny, you just keep giving us tremendous insight into railroading in the south of USA! Nice video sir… Greetings from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺

[@TimPerfetto]

Come play with us, Danny

[@patrickbolmeyer9515]

I watch Virtual Railfan with their Waycross cam. Thanks to your video, I had no idea how BIG it was! Thanks Danny!

[@CobraChamp]

Danny you must invest tons of time preparing the dialog and also the video footage for these videos. MUCH APPRECIATED! For those of us not familiar with this territory, it'd be helpful to have quick maps to give us some idea of where we are and where the trains are coming from and going to. Thanks again!!!

[@ssgogeta29]

Very nice Danny! Always happy to hear of them reopening and using an older piece of rail. Gives me hope maybe they’ll bring back the north end of the Clinchfield some day

[@bigB6flyer]

Very sorry for the loss of your friend. 😢 I’m sure he’s railfanning still.

[@jimschnurr3512]

Really informative and interesting video. I like to learn about the operations versus just watching the trains go by. I traveled throughout this area in my job before retirement and know many of the locations you film and visit.

[@jackpetrone4031]

About time the railroads started to improve the infrastructure. Great video thanks.

[@robertwnorrisii9143]

Mr. Harmon, Great overhead shots of the rail cars. Thank you. Sincerely, R.W.N II

[@deauvilledad07]

Like you say Danny it's great to see railroads upgrading rather than closing down. Super video about a simple solution to a overwhelming problem. Well done 🤓

[@petewenk]

Thanks for the great video, Danny, and great to meet you at Folkston!

[@Trackside_Railfanning]

Great video, Danny! Keep up the great work!! Sad to hear about Uncle Joe. He will be missed.

[@shawntaber4475]

“Job Well Done” with the Joe Oates memorial at the beginning! My job in Savannah sends me to a Waycross a few times every year so I travel through Nahunta most of the time. It will be nice to see some CSX trains on the Brunswick Subdivision

[@willardlocks]

Thank you for the video Danny. I enjoyed watching as always.

[@williamrbohrer2513]

That was a awesome video . I am so very sorry for the loss of uncle Joe . Keep up the great work 🚂

[@larrysierens1029]

I can't imagine skipping ahead on any of your videos I always look forward to them and I don't want to miss a minute of them. Thanks for another great video 🙂

[@distantsignal]

Many thanks, Larry.

[@capefeartrainsandsirens]

Great Video Danny! It’s crazy how I could have gone my whole life not knowing about any of this at all! Rest In Peace Uncle Joe, sorry for you lost

[@christophertappero8426]

Love your videos, Danny. Thanks for how you explain all sides of the routes and history

[@tommythomason6187]

Enjoyed that. Wish I could settle in one of those small towns.

[@BertLensch]

It is good to see CSX doing more down in that area; although, I wish they were doing more in Brunswick. There used to be two large rail yards in Brunswick (for both CSX & Norfolk Southern respectively) on US-341 coming into town from I-95. But now there is only a handful of industry, and some rare bulk cargo ships that are not handled by either the Ports of Savannah or Jacksonville that come to town. I would love to see more industry and jobs return to Brunswick.

[@paralyzes]

NEVER disappointed in your informative, 1st. class productions!

[@distantsignal]

Many thanks, Vaughn.

[@beulahpowell1478]

Really enjoyed this new Railfan Danny video. Thanks so much. ❤️😊

[@jimc4731]

This one ranks as one of your top videos for me Thanks for your hard work! JIM ❤

[@distantsignal]

Comments like yours make all the work worth it. Thanks!

[@mikeyanello3664]

Great to see a new video Danny. Wait always for the new ones and always watching the old ones as well. Mikey

[@jimsexton]

Great video. I think this was a brilliant idea CSX executed. Glad to hear they are signaling the Brunswick Sub. That’ll be another good move in the project.

[@jovetj]

My impression is they're only signaling the western part between Waycross and Nahunta. The other CTC island(s) will remain, though.

[@charlesfarmer9474]

Danny, this is yet another example of the professional quality videos that you produce - Thank you, I really enjoy them!

[@matthewconley7381]

Awesome video, as always! I thought that was an interesting way of double tracking. It's not the traditional form, but it works!

[@kenwiggins2699]

I'm watching Herron Rail Illinois Central Steam Finale on RFDTV.. and lo and behold Danny is narrating. I Love it!👍👍 Reminds me of my favorite movie.. Emperor of the North.

[@randyrobey5643]

It is nice to see railroads laying new track instead of pulling up the old ones. This is an interesting video.

[@JamesStarkey-rq4ov]

The ancient side dump cars look like they have Maine Central reporting marks. This would mean they came south from Pan Am in Maine. Interesting.

[@StricklandA14]

Danny, I am from the Hoboken area, your video has made the rounds in town to explain why there are many trains where there used to be few. Keep up the good work, hope to run in to you out on the rails one day.

[@Jfrmr1]

Fantastic video. Always nice to see Engineering Dept folks come up with solutions to complex problems, and seeing a close up of the side dumps on manifest freight, most folks overlook the critical equipment that keeps the railroads working.