The Seaboard Coast Line Reborn

The Florida Central Railroad, a shortline with branches in Orlando, Ocala, Winter Haven and Lake Wales, recently started a program to paint a few of their locomotive in predecessor road colors. The predominant predecessor road for them in Florida was the Seaboard Coast Line. I set out to find one of their black and yellow homages.

[@alexlorenz4103]

When Danny uploads, you stop what you're doing and watch I laughed when a crew member on Amtrak 98 said "Looks like Mr.Danny Harmon out there!"

[@HighballProductions940]

That’s what I’m saying!

[@roylafountain5478]

Agree!!

[@fuzzyalpaca4727]

Ain’t that the truth!

[@hlcx2330]

Been like that for the past 10 years for me!

[@jaysmith1408]

I’m at the pub. But this is more important.

[@knill1494]

It was cool that the Amtrak Engineer knew who you were on the radio

[@CSXKid5016]

Was not the engineer, was me, the conductor

[@distantsignal]

Was that you, Mr. Breedlove?

[@knill1494]

@@CSXKid5016 sorry 😅

[@CSXKid5016]

@@distantsignal yes sir that was me

[@JJfan48]

It was wholesome to hear that. Best hobby

[@giovannidelacruz6893]

14:27 That is one funny engineer. 😂 It's really cool when a locomotive engineer recognizes you. 😁

[@CSXKid5016]

Conductor (me), not the engineer

[@giovannidelacruz6893]

​@@CSXKid5016 My bad. 😅

[@KibuFox]

To the Amtrak guys that recognized him, glad to have you watching along with us!

[@CSXKid5016]

It was me. You’re very welcome

[@jacksonsdrones]

14:27 "Looks like Mr. Danny Harmon out there." That was so Cool! Great Video as Always, always enjoy watching! Keep Up the Great Work!

[@Tr2u1ck]

14:27 Very nice shoutout from Amtrak 98

[@tomchidwick]

"That looked like Danny Harmon out there!"

[@MFRD-dh1gj]

That was a cool shout-out from Amtrak!

[@nascarben]

The call out on the radio at the end was cool.

[@davidwayneprins]

Cool that someone on the Amtrak crew spotted you at the crossing as they passed and knew your name.

[@IckAck03]

Looks like Amtrak actually saw Danny on the high iron!

[@Finetales]

The crew shoutouts are my favorite occurrence in your videos. That's gotta be a special feeling every time!

[@distantsignal]

Yeah, I have to admit it's pretty cool.

[@SimonsEMDProductions]

Danny getting a shoutout over the radio is awesome from the 98 crew!

[@CSXKid5016]

I’m always on the lookout for him. Finally got him that day

[@JordysRailVideos]

14:27 looks like Danny got recognized by the crew of 98

[@kirkchestnut5045]

As a kid I’d take every opportunity to ride down to the SCL main near my house in New Bern,NC. I’d watch them switch out box cars at the Budweiser plant on the wye. One day the engineer stopped the train at the grade crossing, called me over and said “climb aboard.” I got to be an engineer! Ring the bell, blow the horn and have my hand on the throttle. One of the most memorable 10 minutes of my life. And when we got back, my bike was still where I left it. I’m afraid those days are past.

[@CSX4772]

If you don't mind, where was the scl main in New Bern? I know where the NS runs on Hancock Street. I know that at the other side of the river, the ACL/SCL railroad connected with the NS.

[@kirkchestnut5045]

Tri-weekly trains originated at Wilmington NC and paralleled US17. Out by Riverbend it followed the south-side of Canaan (formerly PepsiCo) Intl Airport. Past Publix (formerly Lowe’s) at Glenbernie Rd. Crossed 17 @ MacArthur. At Red Robin Ln the track split into a wye with one to the right to service the distribution plant. Garden Center Ln was just a bit north of the former main roadbed. The bottom of the Wye stopped at Magnolia then rejoined in the new Lowe’s parking lot. Continue THROUGH the Walmart to the service road (roadbed) that passes under US70. Then crossing Trent at Simmons. It followed Park Ave. Here’s where memory is a bit fuzzy. . . I think it street ran Queen to Hancock and then on to Front and crossed the Neuse to Bridgeton.

[@philliptaylor4544]

14:27 "Looks like Mr. Danny Harmon out there"

[@the_halton_sub_railfan77]

14:27 Amtrak crew: "Looks like Mr Danny Harmon out there"

[@RMaster1112]

Danny, pretty cool to hear your name on the radio towards end of video, "Looks like Danny Harmon out there" ...priceless! Nice video as always.

[@georgecarter838]

I noticed that 57 has a home made spark screen over its stacks. Being a retired engineer, those old aspirated diesel engines would throw the sparks and embers out the stacks and set quite a few line side fires when worked hard. When we had a diesel that would be notorious for doing this, they were given the nickname "Firebirds", and believe me, we put out a bunch of fires when we could before it would get out of hand especially during a dry spell.

[@bennetfox]

"That looks like Mr. Harmon out there!" LOL Danny is railroader famous!!!!

[@peterredfern1174]

Great video Danny nice to see you were recognised by Amtrak 98,safe travels mate,👏👏🙏🙏👋👋👍🇦🇺🚂

[@richardoleson7934]

Nice shoutout from the Amtrak crew!

[@OSUfan757]

The Amtrak engineer! "Looks like Danny Harmon out there" Always get a little tingly when the crews say hello on the radio.

[@SDCarlin]

Really fun when the engineers on the AMTRAK 98 recognized Danny!

[@rickrogers2649]

Very cool how so many train crews know (and respect) Danny.

[@centralplains7608]

Hey Danny, there used to be an EXCELLENT guy (named Jules Bergman) that give SPECIFIC, insightful information on NASA's space program. YOU are = THE = guy for such information on railroading! Your vids are EXPERTLY edited and your use of drone footage IMMACULATELY coincides with your narration! Don't know how or where you find the time to pull it all together into "You are HERE!" style videos of railroad action. There's NOTHING AMATUERISH about your vids. Your historical presentations bring back 70 yrs of memories and bring whole new generations into the world of trains. I COMMEND and APPRECIATE what and how You do such a fantastic and welcoming railroad documentary. God Bless and Be Well !!👍🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽😉

[@contrapezist]

Lots of poles are needed in Tallahassee right now, tornado came through broke off 500+ poles and left heavy damage at Railroad Square including the the old depot.

[@schrap72]

I grew up with Seaboard Coast Line freight trains running a block away from my house in the 1950's to 1960's. They literally rocked me to sleep. The track is now a bike path and I miss those trains still.....

[@ColtonRMagby]

Those diesels looked great with that paint scheme. I didn't expect the Amtrak engineer to recognize you, but hearing that he did is a treat not many railfans experience.

[@Airplaneboi123-vj9yv]

Did you hear when the engineer said on the last shot "that looked liked Danny Harmon out there"

[@distantsignal]

Haha! Yeah, I heard it. That was Conductor Jakob Breedlove.

[@23431]

Nothing beats a Danny Harmon video

[@bigdee8189]

Amen to that! Mr. Harmon has the perfect voice for narration, and his knowledge of trains, and especially Florida railroads, is unmatched! I love his videos big time! I'd love to meet Mr. Harmon sometime!

[@bryanlee5090]

Danny’s channel is better than most professionals produced. Love his content and his disposition. My mom thought he was so good looking when she was alive😂! Keep up the awesome content!

[@distantsignal]

That's a nice compliment, Bryan. Thanks!

[@beeble2003]

Good call by the crew to send you to that wooden bridge. And nice of them to ring the bell for you as they crossed.

[@centeroftheearthmining4095]

Love how the crew called you out at the end

[@FlipandTheBlueMule]

14:42 they just gave you a shoutout !

[@christophernorman684]

"Looks like Mr. Danny Harmon out there" -- That was really cool

[@jovetj]

And he didn't even mention it in his narration. 🫡👼

[@niobraraterminalrailroad2709]

Hello Danny, thanks for taking the time to make another one of your outstanding videos!

[@redflashpontiac]

The man, the myth, the legend...When Mr. Harmon posts a video, you drop everything and watch it.

[@jlane496]

If he looks like Danny Harmon out there by the tracks, guess what.... "The Paul Harvey of Railroading" Many Thanks Danny.

[@physicsphirst191]

Sixty years ago when we were elementary school kids up here in New England we learned about Frostproof, and how it got its name by avoiding freeze damage to orange groves while others were hit. Or maybe it was a marketing ploy to encourage more fruit development. Either way, it has stuck in my brain all those years. PS... and one time home to Cowboys great game breaking wide receiver Alvin Harper!

[@bnsfgevoproductions]

Nice video

[@thebluehero2219]

Dang even bridges are more photogenic than me 😂 great video Danny! Superb job as always!

[@distantsignal]

Haha! Me too. Many thanks!

[@ZachPfeiffer-sm4pi]

I literally caught CSX 1982 with the Seaboard heritage unit paint scheme today! What timing!

[@YardLimit]

Nice work, Danny. Always nice to get a shout out on the radio!

[@brentmiller3951]

Good evening I am a recent rail fan that grew up in a rail road family .love your stuff

[@--BiZ--]

You even got a call out on the radio!! Now that's cool 😎 - - Thanks again Danny for another great upload!

[@danielhildebrand6892]

I've had a shout out before "railfan at X crossing Hello" but never by name. Nice!

[@julianreedy4338]

Watching your videos has really sparked my inner Railfan! Thank you!

[@aceadman]

That old wooden bridge is intense. 😊👍👍

[@LancesLens]

Great video Danny! I'm glad to see any of these companies spending money painting engines these days. Also, that's pretty cool Amtrak recognizing you as they passed. (y)

[@richard_wenner]

Even 10mph on some of that track still looks like a wild ride to me :-)

[@RandyHenderson-bk2mw]

Danny, a big thank you for visiting Lake Wales and your video about the operational updates and paint livery of the Florida Midland Railroad! As a long time volunteer and board member of the Lake Wales History Museum, I sincerely appreciate your acknowledgement of the hard work our museum staff and volunteers have accomplished with our SAL caboose, which by the way operated on the former SAL and later SCL Valrico and Coleman subdivisions out of Wildwood and Tampa, prior to its retirement and subsequent donation to the museum. For history buffs, the original location of the SAL depot was on the southeast corner of Scenic Highway (SR 17) and Kissimmee Avenue. The interior of the ACL Depot (main museum building) is currently undergoing renovations and upgrades. We are tentatively scheduled to reopen to the public in late 2024. I hope all those who enjoyed Danny’s video about the Florida Midland Railroad come and visit the Lake Wales History Museum to see our updated exhibits and learn more about the work yet to be done on our other pieces rolling stock and historic structures.

[@moomen44]

Love that the crews recognize you and comment over the radio!

[@CSXKid5016]

He’s easy to recognize trackside when we aren’t going 80

[@sroevukasroevuka]

Watching this with my grandson. He told me mr. Danny movie. He loves these videos. Watches them over and over.

[@distantsignal]

That's awesome! Tell him Hello from me!

[@sroevukasroevuka]

@@distantsignal will do. Keep up the great work he loves your videos. His favorite is the one with those kids .

[@kevinlee583]

My dad worked for Seaboard Systems Railroad Seaboard Coastline and a few years into CSX Transportation. He was a payroll clerk for 35 years and was mainly in Rice Yard in Waycross, GA then transferred to Jacksonville Florida for the last 5 years before he retired. Good times and great memories with this video. Thanks for sharing Danny!

[@jakebrown5971]

Nice shoutout at the end!

[@fldon2306]

Danny’s famous!! Love the Shout Out from the Amtrak Crew!! Didn’t know those short lines were still used; good to know! (I’ve only seen the one working by Eagle Lake on occasion). And, for the out-of-towners, Florida’s Natural has a great Visitors Center right across the street from the juice plant on US-27, open in tourist season. Thanks again Danny!

[@samueledgarpegram7088]

Your videos are good. I had an uncle that started in Florence, SC as a fireman. He went to work for them in the late 1930’s, and retired in 1976. I remember seeing some of the old ACL locomotives painted purple also. Florence had a huge diesel repair shop also. My father was a Southern Railway employee. He started in 1948 and retired in 1989. He was a brakeman and a conductor a good part of the time. He liked to work the freight trains . I only saw him twice with his passenger uniform on.

[@kevinseminary]

Thank you Mr Danny Harmon I appreciate all your knowledge and information in your vidoes. Great shots of the Engines and Consist. Mr Harmon Amtrak must love to see you out there on the high iron. Keep up great work.

[@shawnpowell5876]

You know it's a great day when Danny posts a new video! Very informative and helps everyone understand the what, when, where and why's of railroading! Thanks again Danny for sharing another great video with us along with your PRICELESS time and effort my friend! Cheers from Laurel, Delaware USA.

[@atampaarnold]

I am glad to see there are so many other people who enjoy these videos. You are getting a comment every minute !

[@wayneyadams]

On December 8, 1955, we boarded the SAL in Miami for the trip to New York where we boarded the SS Independence (twin sister ship to the SS Constitution seen in the movie, "An Affair to Remember.") for the trip to Barcelona, which was homeport for the US Navy ship on which my father served. I remember the trip very well; it was an adventure for my brother and me. I also remember the train backing into what must have been Tampa. We also rode it from Jacksonville (Jacksonville NAS), where the Navy had flown us, to Miami on our return trip in April 1957. Another railroad adventure. I miss the old SAL.

[@TheLEMRR]

Got some respect from the Amtrak crew - nice!

[@RCAvhstape]

That Amtrak crew actually got to do it. They met Danny out there on the high iron!

[@trents9823]

I worked with Ken at NS in Savannah! Didn’t know he was still railroading! Great guy!

[@stevenbelsky1652]

What a great way to spend vacation watching a Danny harmon video by the camp fire.

[@bradleysmith6442]

That's awesome to get a shout out from the Crew when Amtrak went by.

[@rickdee67]

Looks like Mr. Danny Harmon out there! Nice

[@themaestro7922]

What a way to end!

[@philsellers6003]

It's always a good weekend when Danny posts a new video!

[@kevinscott3644]

Wait. What? A railroad bridge in Florida? I thought the entire state was within 5 ft of sea level. Lol But I live near Richmond, Virginia, where they stack trains 3 high. An old wooden structure, be it for a train or roller coaster, is an engineering marvel. Thank you, Danny!

[@MasonsReacts]

Yay

[@Ronprower]

Love these videos, they are so fun to watch and learn the history!

[@yankinga]

Hi, Danny. Great stuff, as always. I once had the occasion to order something from Frostproof, FL. The name intrigued me, so I looked it up online. What a hoot. According to Wikipedia, the name was a marketing ploy to entice potential landowners to the area by claiming it would never suffer a frost. Just a few years later the Great Freeze of 1895 killed most of the citrus in the area. Caveat emptor, buyer beware.😂😂😂

[@beeble2003]

"We told you there'd be proof of frost!"

[@physicsphirst191]

See my post above. If you read that Wiki entry further, there was a case of less frost damage in at least one event in 1894. And the location straddling 2 relatively large lakes, which serve as heat sinks and sources to moderate air temps and reduce the probability of frost, may well be a source of some frost protection, if not "proofing."

[@kennethross786]

You've become quite the railfan celebrity Danny - as most regular viewers know this is not the first train crew greeting you've received, and probably won't be the last. The truck driver in Ohio is the one who still blows my mind - if you showed up in east TN and I saw you, I would think "couldn't be him. Danny lives in/near Tampa" and probably wouldn't say anything (unless you were trackside and had a video camera. Then maybe I'd put 2 & 2 together and ask). Top-flight video as usual. People know about the Class 1's (NS, CSX, etc.) but there are still a lot of short-line railroads serving industry tracks, handling interchanges, even pulling the occasional road freight Glad to see one of these paying tribute to one of the major roads of yesteryear.

[@skimmer8774]

I like the black and yellow paint scheme the best. 😊

[@rogertemple7193]

I like watching and listening to videos about trains and i really enjoy watching Distant Signal for the greatest trains in the country going down the tracks thank you Danny.🇺🇲🤠🇺🇲 🇺🇲🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃🇺🇲

[@distantsignal]

Thank you very much, Roger!

[@Frost212]

:o I got here so early the yard wasn't even open yet!

[@Laura-iq5tj]

Looks like D Harmon out there!!

[@distantsignal]

Haha! Yeah, that was really cool.

[@mattbalboa1349]

Evening, Sir. Sometime in the next three weeks or so, I'll be driving with my11 year old grandson from the Norfolk area, to Central Texas so he can spend the summer. He and I are both railfans and Grandma told us we could take 3-4 days coming back and do some train watching. The trouble is, I haven't driven through the Carolinas, and Georgia, Alabama, etc., since May 1976 on my way from Cp. Lejeune heading for Japan, and have no idea where the train watching hotspots are these days. Maybe you can help me with some good info. Thank you.

[@nriocbhionls]

More wrinkles in that track than a prune!

[@rcycle4075]

Excellent video. Love that nostalgia! Track condition is marginal, hope that 10 mph is slow enough. Let's lobby for a rebuild. Be well.

[@devernepersonal3636]

i love that so many of the railroaders in florida know you and i love how much care you put into your videos. The Passion shows and i always enjoy them.

[@yungkidnf]

"Looks like Mr. Danny Harmon out there." 😄😄😄

[@randallfawc7501]

love your videos Danny. Always educational and wonderfully narrated!

[@edjones833]

Enjoy your commentary of what your showing.

[@Dannyedelman4231]

If you ever come to Oregon danny, the albany and Eastern railroad has vintage B40-8s, a GP35 GP/SD9s one Sw10 and a 2-6-2 plus a 2-8-2 steam locomotive along with the oregon rail heritage center in Portland oregon which has 4 steam locomotives and 2 diesels

[@tomchidwick]

Former Vancouver WA train-loving resident here. Love this!

[@nedj10]

Always a good video when we can see Amtrak serving the American people and our international guests as they seeing our country in the best way possible from an Amtrak train.

[@andrewschmid5917]

Not gonna lie, this video just put a bow on this weekend. And I proposed yesterday and am engaged now. Thanks Danny for another amazing work of art

[@distantsignal]

Congratulations, Andrew! That's awesome!

[@bowlinerailfan]

Congratulations!

[@andrewschmid5917]

@@distantsignal best part it was right on the CSX Hudson River subdivision, never have had to try so hard rail fanning to make sure NO TRAINS passed when it happened… it was followed up by 40 trains over 5 hours from both sides of the river. If you ever get up north this is a gem of a rail fan spot

[@mikehowey4869]

Love railfanning short lines and regionals.

[@sniper441]

I dont know what in youtube brought me to your channel but I'm a fellow Dan and I love all of your train content, thank you for making it

[@alcopower5710]

High quality content as always. Thank you for putting together great stuff.

[@actioncap81]

Those rails definitely need a little "straightening"

[@kens.3729]

Thanks for your Latest video, Danny. 👍🙏

[@billmorrison3714]

The GP7u’s are both former Santa Fe. All Santa Fe locomotives were equipped with those ground plane mounts at various locations in the locomotives.

[@ClearwaterSubProductions]

Danny, on your next stop at Lake Wales you have to look next to the warehouse at the corner of 1st street and seaboard Avenue where you were. There’s an old abandoned F40 locomotive!

[@kristoffermangila]

Somebody save that F40!

[@user-zp2ms8cv5r]

Wow love this short line thanks Danny so cool see different part of Florida. Awesome Amtrack crew given shout out .

[@fridayniteflights]

The aviation community calls old paint schemes "retro liveries" and they're always a treat to see! They did a nice job painting this locomotive.

[@discgolfillustrated2640]

You are still the best Danny. My father worked on the SAL /SCL for over 40 years in SC and brought me up to be a train lover. Seeing your videos brings back wonderful memories. Thank you so very much.👍🏼👏🏻

[@ZacharyAguilarSDmodelrailroade]

Great to see some short lines keeping the hariatige of the previous railroads around such as the Atlantic Coast line and the seaboard coast lines I like the paints

[@ruslsdad]

Great job as usual. Love the tribute! Keep them coming.