[3h] Rail Yards Never Sleep: Norfolk Southern Brosnan Yard Macon GA, Part 1/2, 09/30/2016 ©mbmars01

[@shemarperkins7167]

Love your videos I been supporting your chennel for 3 years THREE yrs

[@mbmars01]

That's great that you like the videos here :) Keep watching!

[@CobbRailFilms]

Fun fact. At 32:36 ns 3629 came by. This unit had been involved in a derailment in november 2021 in Hiram Ga. I got some amazing video of the aftermath. A thing that made it even better is that right before I left supprisingly ns 4002 was leading a mixed freight and it was one of the best days.

[@seiscat1]

Great action in and out of the yard! Even a bit of snakey train. Plus, air show! Looked like a beautiful day.

[@mbmars01]

Absolutely - not a single cloud!

[@fstop6139]

What a superb video-really well done. Brings back Brosnan memories for me as it was my AFHT when I was a NS conductor. Here's a few of my memories from Brosnan: #The creatures..alligators, wild hogs, deer, snakes, fox, coyotes, and of course mosquitoes. #The heat..it could be 3am and you'd be sweating like a call girl in church #Going around the loop-the kiss of death for a crew #Seeing those giant pumps trying to keep the water out of the yard..Brosnan was built on a swamp #At 2 am, having to turn your power of 10-12 motors--took forever while 3-4 crews got out ahead of you. #The lovely accommodations NS provided crews in Macon #Waiting 24 + hours waiting for your return train out of Macon #Coupling to your train in the forwarding yard and being informed by the North Tower that you have 4 bad order cars to set out-cars would be @ 24, 38, 76, and 120 of your consist...while 3-4 crews got out ahead of you. #Being 12-times out when you left Macon and then being first out when you got back to your home terminal #Did I mention the mosquitoes? Great video

[@mbmars01]

Haha, this is is an awesome (or awful) collection of memories lol. For railfans it's a good place, of course. At least the mosquitoes are felt the same way :) Thank you, I'm glad you liked the video.

[@haroldsmith8698]

THE ONE WHO TAKE THESE VIDEOS IS GIVING US SOME LOOK AT HISTORY ON WHEELS. THAT GO IN A LONG TRAIN ONE CAR BEHIND ANOTHER. THEY SOME HOW KEEP ON GOING IF YOU ARE LIKE I AM I CAN WATCH ONE OF THESE VIDEO'S FROM BEGINNING TO END. SURE GOOD TO SEE THE WORK OF SOME ONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

[@mbmars01]

+Harold Smith Cool. Thanks for the nice feedback. I keep up filming and you commenting, okay? ;)

[@topdogtrucker6036]

+Harold Smith, well said !!! I concur 100%

[@jascat1013]

Thanks for making another sensational Video... Fantastic sights and sounds. really like the radio chatter too. Have lots of fun

[@mbmars01]

Thanks! I'm happy you like this style :)

[@rodfarney7742]

really enjoy your videos.....you make the camera simulate what a real railfan would look at and zoom in on. keep up the good work.

[@mbmars01]

Thank you very much. In my videos, I try to make this experience as authentic as possible. It seems that quite a crowd of people likes this style, fortunately.

[@TheBamaguy334]

You were about 90 something miles from Columbus GA I really like this video thank you for posting them as always and that last train those wood chip cars look like some of the train cars over in the Columbus GA rail yard.

[@mbmars01]

I love these big wood chip hoppers!

[@topdogtrucker6036]

I like those too, and the rail trains are awesome too !!!

[@djheath7720]

GREAT VIDEO. LOVE ALL THIS YARD ACTION. LIKED.

[@mbmars01]

Awesome, thank you!

[@drezdin4557]

Oh how I miss these videos 😭

[@mbmars01]

Ah, thanks so much for your interest in these videos. I know that you have closely followed my channel for years and enjoyed the videos. No worries, I'm not done yet. I had a great but very busy year in my work as a scientist and something had to give, unfortunately. Let's see what it will be like next year, which I already wish you all the best for!

[@drezdin4557]

@@mbmars01 ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@mikehowey4869]

Cool video,like yard action and watching locals.awesome train action!

[@mbmars01]

Thanks! Yep, there was a lot of local activity, which was nice. I like the local trains.

[@waterrobot123]

Some insight from a NS Conductor- train 151 comes from Macon to Valdosta, and brings all the cars necessary for the locals in Valdosta. The train usually consists from 80 cars, up to 120. 151 used to run every day, but due to the humps being taken out of service for a while, 151 was being ran on and off, usually no more then 3 times a week. Recently, the hump has been re opened and now it should start running every day again. Also, with the hump reopening, train 152 that is built and brake tested in the Valdosta yard no longer has to be blocked.

[@mbmars01]

Thanks for the info!

[@KDM66]

Thanks for the video. Some great shots and lots of action.

[@mbmars01]

+Ken Mowrey Thank you. I'm happy you like the video.

[@jleveille2]

THANKS FOR YOUR VIDEO. I APPRECIATE THE JETS GREAT CATCH I ENJOYED WATCHING THEM. I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK. TAKE CARE

[@mbmars01]

Cool, thanks!

[@ElliottWolcott]

Nice catches of the trains.

[@mbmars01]

Thanks!

[@ElliottWolcott]

mbmars01 Your welcome.

[@shemarperkins7167]

you the best train youtuber on youtube so far i promise you are...you make time go by fast even your one hour vids feel like 10 mins

[@mbmars01]

Many thanks! I'm happy you to hear that even the longer videos aren't boring. Cool, just keep watching :)

[@phildralle4526]

Very nice love it

[@mbmars01]

Cool, thanks!

[@michaeleaton9296]

Nice video and great catches, i always like to go railfanning

[@mbmars01]

Yep, thank you!

[@michaeleaton9296]

mbmars01 np 👍

[@davidstewart5694]

Ole Tommy Sims was the engineer on 07. Good stuff.

[@mbmars01]

Those were still good times...

[@davidstewart5694]

@mbmars01 yep, you could say near the end of better times. Pre ptc still. Just in the time since a lot has changed and not particularly for the better. TS is retired now.

[@tbfilms3427]

OOOOH yes another Macon video! Looks great!

[@mbmars01]

+Milepost 282 Productions Haha, thanks. The second part will come soon.

[@tbfilms3427]

mbmars01 Ill be waiting! lol

[@TheCheapReefer]

Love the vids

[@mbmars01]

Very cool, thanks!

[@ChOppasOnD3ck]

I will start working as a conductor for ns in Macon in 3 weeks. I'm Excited

[@mbmars01]

Awesome, congrats!! Maybe we meet each other there one day :)

[@fstop6139]

Be careful on what gets you excited. Watch your back, keep your head on a swivel, ask lots of questions, be ready for a furlough, don't act like you know it all, don't miss your crew calls, if you're married-good luck.

[@davorebo5790]

Eric Jerrod Jr. is being a conductor worth it? I have a family and keep hearing negative stuff about how it affects family life..

[@tom-and-mom]

Oh, my god! That solo high nose GP38-2 on outbound NS G41 pulled one grain car out of the outskirts on the tracks. Too bad!

[@terrellfarms1]

Those airplanes are the Air Force Thunderbirds. They were performing at the Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robbins, Georgia which is south of Macon. I forgot when they were there but it was just a few weekends ago. I heard about them and wanted to attend but work would not allow it.

[@mbmars01]

Cool. I didn't know it. I thought it was some special kind of flight training.

[@southernplace4656]

I see a rock train almost everyday. There's a quarry located about 7 miles from my house.

[@BenjaminEsposti]

34:00 Did anyone spot the two covered hopper cars carrying Sodium chlorate? Sodium chlorate is an oxidizer. (Placard # 1495) Interesting that the two hoppers were separated by a tank car, which appeared to be shiny and new!

[@Nicola636128]

Great video!

[@mbmars01]

Thanks!

[@markklinefelter9263]

If you can brave Atlanta traffic would be great to have another inman/tillman yard video. I like the different angles you get in the yards. Gives a different perspective. S. Florida is so devoid of rail that i have to get my train fix with Train Simulator. LOL

[@mbmars01]

Yeah, would be nice. Atlanta near the rails isn't particularly safe and pleasant. I'm sure I return one day to the yards, but probably not that soon. It's not close to where I live anyway. I understand your point very well. I had to do the same for several years (I used Trainz) but now I'm happy that an active line is at least in reach. From a railroad point of view it's a pity that Flagler's idea of an active port in Key West didn't materialize. The line down the Keys must have been awesome for as long as it existed (short enough...).

[@markklinefelter9263]

Would have been nice. Every town, city in FL has a street/blvd etc...named after Flagler. You would think they would have developed a better rail system but then again FL is not an industrial state but one that depends on world tourism.

[@mbmars01]

I know, I have been there several times. I made it my habit to get to FL once per year, but this year I will miss it probably.

[@dexterdog62]

Just subbed to your channel! Excellent videos, the scanner chatter is a nice touch. Please keep the videos coming !

[@mbmars01]

Thank you! There's more to come :)

[@heatherallan2695]

Ferraris of the railroad look at these beauties

[@mbmars01]

Lol

[@donconklin1770]

hi again mbmars, You had some real nice catches in here! Awesome job! Loved the military filmed part, and the foreign power once again! Keep it up! -Don

[@mbmars01]

Yeah, it's nice you like it. I always try to add some stuff that is not necessarily train-specific.

[@donconklin1770]

mbmars01 Good, glad to know you appreciate my comments. Good work with this, I strongly support the military

[@damonhill677]

42:28 that's actually the Thunderbirds practicing for an air show that was held on Oct 1st and 2nd

[@mbmars01]

Nice!

[@railangel6103]

another excellent video really awesome to see the yard activities keep them coming love your videos 😊

[@mbmars01]

Thank you :) I'm glad you keep watching them!

[@tom-and-mom]

Ok, mbmars. If Macon is a huge yard in GA, you remember an RJ Corman EMD 3GS21B switching in the nearby industrial area yet now.

[@CentralTexasRailJetProductions]

Sweet Stuff! Love your filming style.

[@mbmars01]

Thank you!

[@thomasfawcett9447]

I subscribed, because you have some assume videos. Thanks for letting me experience your type of work, and I will keep watching your new ones in the future. Tom

[@mbmars01]

Cool, thanks!

[@hlongjr46]

Another Great Video...I'm Hooked....Smyrna, Ga.

[@mbmars01]

Cool. Smyrna is great!

[@topdogtrucker6036]

Yeah, I'm hooked too, I grew up in Griffin. Spent many hours on my Grandparents front porch on E. Broadway (across from the mill parking lot, on the South end of the yard), watching the trains. Pulling lines of cars out and back as they built and broke-down trains. This is how I learned to count...LOL. I never wanted to eat my lunch til the Nancy Hanks passed on its daily NB run, never famous for being on-time but ONLY 1 passenger train a day ( SB was way past bed time, at night ) made it worth the wait. My mother took my brother and I on the 'Last Ride of the Nancy Hanks'. We saw Underground Atlanta and rode the 'Pink Pig' at Rich's Department store in downtown. I remember that the train made an unscheduled stop about 1/2 way from Griffin to Atlanta. We had past Jonesboro and the Station there, so it must have been near Morrow or Forest Park, maybe even Mountain View (or Rough-n-Ready as it called during the Civil War. Later the Conductor said someone had pulled the 'Emergency Stop' cord. A memory to cherish for a lifetime. I was stationed at the Pentagon in DC, and rode the Crescent back to Atlanta. Amtrak, just isn't the same. Yet I still dream the WB Sunset Limited rolling thru the SW at sunset in the dome car, its on the 'bucket list'. I live near Lula, GA now and they have an observation bridge for pedestrians over the tracks that is great !!! I don't have a video camera, except on my phone, but after watching your videos, I might just give it a try. I tend to have better luck catching a pic than video, but you have inspired me to try and even if I don't get a good one the 1st time, with some practice, who knows. I'll sure enjoy watching the trains. A couple other possible scenic train watching spots near me are the Toccoa Trestle, Gainesville area, Flowery Branch (downtown siding and Lake Lanier crossing near the marina) and Buford (downtown/Bone-Allen Mansion or siding stop just south of town near the Roy Rogers statute at Tannery Row). I might even catch Amtrak as it passes each of thee places I mentioned, every day South in the am and North in the evening. I like the radio chatter too, but I wish I could hear or understand it better. Maybe if the radio audio was louder and audio part of the train video was a notch softer, I could understand more. I would like to know more about what is being communicated and from who, train?, Tower?, dispatcher? I don't even know if you could add a small screen graphic about what's coming across the radio. Can anyone listen to RR radio ? If so, MAYBE, you could do a cool video about how it can be done and how you know the train # and where it's from and where it's going. Thanks again for the great video and nice camera angles and cool radio chatter, Well Done !!!

[@MarkAHHDvideostreaming]

Nice video, thumb up

[@mbmars01]

Cool, thanks!

[@patrickthewelder3598]

Nice video! We don`t have such large trains in Europe.

[@mbmars01]

Thanks! I know, this is really a different kind of railroading there and here.

[@HighRail62]

A+++++ Thanks for sharing!

[@mbmars01]

You're very welcome!

[@larryrwendelljr4465]

At 48:09, is that Sawdust he's carrying? Nice captures for Part 1, looking forward to Part 2 :o) Hobbies are FUN, FUN, FUN!

[@mbmars01]

+Larry R Wendell Jr Wood chips I guess. Thanks. You're right. Hobbies are fun but also important for recreation.

[@keonisan]

Watching this now in 2020, you really notice the changes. Especially with the GS&F trains, 321 is abolished, that autorack probably also due to the rona. 175 now takes the place of 321. I'm thinking about a trip up to Macon and want to see what the current amount of trains is. Also I notice the highhoods everywhere that won't be there now.

[@mbmars01]

NS has changed tremendously in very recent years and ongoing. Since I don't railfan NS regularly I'm totally at a loss regarding their symbols nowadays.

[@keonisan]

@@mbmars01 I was up in Cordele for the recent Holiday weekend and saw about 6-8 trains during the day when I remember seeing quite a bit more in past times. But Traffic was down for both CSX and NS

[@mbmars01]

I believe it. But traffic levels seem to increase. Let's hope for better times ahead again...

[@trainmasterbond1970]

I am hitting the brosnan yard tomorrow. What is the busiest end to view and best time to catch the most coming and going?

[@mbmars01]

Nice! I have never been in Macon on a Monday and cannot predict how much local traffic there will be. There are typically a lot of intermodals in the morning and manifests scattered over the entire day. Best hours are unfortunately morning and evening. Action never really stops, of course, but the time around noon can be slower. Both ends are busy and it's useful to keep an ear on the scanner. Relocating from one end to the other takes a couple of minutes and it is difficult to outrun a train once it has left the yard. Check google maps for the locations mentioned in my and other people's videos.

[@MissAstridOfficial]

I have a fear of trains... but love to watch them... is that weird?

[@mbmars01]

It's not. Trains want to be respected, so keeping distance and watching them in awe is always a good idea :)

[@rickt4552]

Question : I watch a lot of rail fanning videos ...I see on trains that there can be as many a 7 or 8 Units pulling these trains ...are all these Units Synced to pull together ...and if so then I would assume that they are all controlled by the Lead Unit .....??????

[@mbmars01]

Yes, they can be all controlled by the lead unit. However, many of these massive power assemblies are just power moves or transfers of locomotives to other locations, shops, etc. In other words, many of those extra engines are not "online", but are just towed.

[@rickt4552]

@@mbmars01 Wow...that Lead Horse has to have some kind of power then in some of these consists ....Amazing ....

[@tom-and-mom]

I think you might find that Operation Lifesaver GP40-2 #3053 in trail of local GM07 colloquially leaving the yard (I...THINK?).

[@darrencahill3800]

Love American trains

[@mbmars01]

Nice!

[@tom-and-mom]

hey 26q is the one that alcheng1000 saw in tennessee nice

[@chadcampbell9646]

nice locomotives

[@attlevi]

I'm thinking right where you shot that local with the woodchip hoppers. South West end , just South & next to the overpass. I have a dream to lobby a few fat cats to run Amtrak service from Miami to Atlanta . It'll be a high rise with the station on the first floor. The top floor would be high enough to view the Air Show , sunrises & sunsets. The North end might be a security or privacy issue.i just don't know which end see more traffic. I thought of partnering with a well known hotel. So many decisions.

[@mbmars01]

Well, sounds all interesting, but my suggestion would be more the opposite. Hidden, quiet, just the railfans and the trains in beautiful environment - like at Rutland Junction (see my video "Norfolk Southern Trains in the Heart of Georgia, Part 3/3..." from 03/05/2016).

[@jenniferbrown9486]

MY son likes trains

[@littleblitz8239]

Why was a UP engine the lead on the train @ about 4:20? UP NW line is directly across the street from my house. Runs out of Chicago.

[@mbmars01]

All railroads have agreements to share engines and rolling stock, when they cross over from one line to another, which makes sense because they all interchange freight or actually use foreign track. So it's not uncommon at all to see "foreign power" on any line, even as lead units.

[@littleblitz8239]

mbmars01 OK thanks for the information. I watched a train come out of the Whitefish Montana yard when I was there in 98. 200 + cars, 5 engines in front 1 in the middle and 6 in the rear. It was cool to watch.

[@mbmars01]

That's too cool. I have never seen something like this.

[@haroldsmith8698]

THE RAIL YARDS NEVER SLEEP.THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC USED TO SAY WE KEEP EM ROLLING, THE YARD WHERE I WORKED NEVER SLEPT. BUT NOW THERE IS NO SOUTHERN PACIFIC YES LIKE A LOT OF RAIL ROADS MISSOURI PACIFIC TO NAME ONLY TWO THE BIG ONES GULP UP THE SMALLER ONES. I GUESS THAT IS THE WAY IT GOES.WHEN THERE IS NO CONTROL OVER IT. .

[@aidenweening4844]

Thank you for another video. The NS loco 719 was carrying 2 yard slugs. What is the general purpose of yard slugs though? ~Aiden

[@mbmars01]

Thanks. I guess, slugs are just cheaper because they don't need the cab and controls and are as powerful as a locomotive.

[@brandonsmith4660]

Slugs have traction motors but no engines and are paired with diesel-powered locomotives to add pulling power and reduce fuel burn.

[@joe2300]

Is that E Allen Road the regular spot for crew changes for trains between Atlanta and Jacksonville? Just seems sort of out of the way

[@mbmars01]

No, I think this is a rather rare event. Most swaps happen in Macon on the main line or in the yard.

[@joe2300]

Thanks, that's what I figured. I noticed near Walnut and 6th Street there's an NS office with a staircase going up to the track, looks like it'd be a more regular spot

[@mbmars01]

Well, I think the most frequently used spot outside the yard is actually at Edgewood. They certainly try to avoid blocking junctions when swapping crews.

[@frankfeazell3405]

I grew up with me RR police trains will always be cool

[@mbmars01]

So what did the RR police do with you?

[@parkerproffitt3012]

What frequency do they use? B.T.W Great video!

[@mbmars01]

Oh, it's an entire bunch of frequencies. The NS road channel is 160.950, 160.245 is dispatcher-to-train and 160.830 train-to-dispatcher comm. Most of the others are yard channels. I think I have programmed 10 channels or so for Macon.

[@topdogtrucker6036]

How do you find out the channels you mentioned and find yard channels ?? Is there a listing or scan for them. Do you have to be close to RR to get the signal ?

[@MissAstridOfficial]

Personally I love seeing the graffiti on the cars, it's not normal not seeing it.

[@Tolya1979]

Macon-Bibb County officially merged as a consolidated city-county, in 2014.

[@theq4602]

Cars are waiting in the yard Tackling them with easel “Show the world what I can do!” Gaily boasts the Diesel In and out he creeps about Like a big black weasel When he pulls the wrong trucks out! POP GOES THE DIESEL!!!

[@mbmars01]

Cool, thanks!

[@Belleville197]

I hear they're gonna close this yard.

[@mbmars01]

I would be surprised if that's their plan...

[@waterrobot123]

Not a chance. Everything in Georgia connects to this yard. That’s what makes it so busy. Brosnan yard is like the hub for ga. If they closed this yard it would make it extremely difficult to run trains in ga

[@jacobybrownlee6456]

Whats happening at 24:00

[@iceclimberGD]

crew change

[@curtis13450]

after md 2020 and full stomach i end up in agusta ga .

[@marioxerxescastelancastro8019]

Nobody would steal your videos. There are literally thousands of railways videos that are just as good and some better. Yours is not special.

[@mbmars01]

300+ copyright claims later you would speak differently...

[@marioxerxescastelancastro8019]

🤥

[@renetiefenbacher2288]

super

[@mbmars01]

Danke sehr :)

[@haroldsmith8698]

ONE OF TMY MANY TRIPS THERE ARE A LOT OF RAIL ROADS THAT ARE ABANDNDEND AND JUST REMOVED THEY GO TO THE ENDS OF THIS HUNDRED MILE STREACH OF ROAD FROM EACH END SO THIS HUNDRED MILES OF RAIL ROAD IS NO LONGER NEEDED SO OUT IT WENT IF I WAS A MINER I COULD USE THE TIES THERE WAS A STACK OF TIES THAT WERE REMOVED AND THEY WERE ALL FOR SALE.. I LOOK BACK ON THINGD LIKE THIS..KIND OF THOSE WERE THE DAYS. MEMORIES.OF LOST TRIDITIONS.

[@mbmars01]

+Harold Smith That's true. I wish we had more 'color' on the railroads nowadays.

[@tomastoto2]

@VirtualRailfan

[@attlevi]

Now I know what to do do with my lottery money......build a hotel trackside..

[@mbmars01]

Yeah, and if you need a tip where to build it I have a favorite spot ;)

[@haroldsmith8698]

yes nice video's but the trains look kind of weather beaten looks like they should have some paint to cover the graffiti

[@mbmars01]

Thanks. You're right, some cars really need to be better taken care of.