Uncovering the History of Waycross/Rice Yard & the Bow Line

In this video, we'll cover the origins of Rice Yard at Waycross, what created the Bow Line route and why CSX is upgrading sidings in several locations. You'll meet Gus Karle, the man who oversaw the terminal operations at Waycross in the 1970's and 80's. Then we'll Join Charles Burgess to chase down some freight trains across South Georgia.

[@oilman-kj6nh]

I have to watch this again because I fell asleep to you soothing voice 😅

[@andrewh.8403]

As always, one of my favourite channels whilst I'm in my shed working on my model railroad. Oh yes, my wife reckons she was going to take my old cap out back and shoot it. Put it out of its' misery.

[@Da__goat]

I normally don’t watch ads but for Danny, I make sure to watch them all the way through. That drone footage is worth every second of my time.

[@SouthTampaRealEstateToday]

That is so nice. We do the same for him.

[@dalu8718]

The owner of Mr. Chicks once used the caboose for his office. If you' gone into those warehouses behind the restaurant, you would have fallen in love with his museum quality collection of antiques of all sorts.

[@distantsignal]

I hope to take that tour one of these days.

[@johniacono3725]

Very well done. Your presentations are wonderful, accurate historically and magnificently presented. Stay well and I look forward to your next presentation. John M. Iacono, Manhasset, NY

[@kens.3729]

Mr Chick has Plenty of Hard Working Employees who are Not Afraid to Work their Shift and Earn their Paychecks. What a Concept in Year 2023. 😬👍

[@Csxdothansubrailfan]

Glad to see my neck of the woods upgrading and also all the road freights are run throughs now.

[@thomasfreeman7770]

One of the perks I enjoyed being a customer of CSX is their desire to show off their capabilities and equipment to customers. One of the best things I remember is when I was invited to the Rice yard in 2007. The train master had some one show me around the entire yard that also included visiting the top of the hump and being up in the control tower to watch the guys work the yard. Well worth the drive up from Tampa.

[@roboftherock]

Thanks for the history lesson, Danny. It opens up a few lines (😀) of investigation out of personal curiosity. Till the next meet, 73 de MM5AON

[@robertrichter6936]

Danny your rail videos are very professional & extremely educational for me some of my friends that watch your channel , thank you!

[@55nimrod55]

Dang, high praise on that chicken!!

[@ratfink55]

Thanks Mr Danny. One of my old favorite trips to fan back in the day.

[@petercruikshank2618]

Another excellent history lesson!

[@franksita4719]

Love the Bowline feature. Used to live in Dothan a few moons back and have traveled up Highway 231 to Montgomery many times.

[@stevenbelsky1652]

I love Danny's food stops would see a video of all his favorite restaurants

[@bethweber9398]

Danny's videos are always so interesting. I love watching him & Jaw Tooth.

[@kenrhodes948]

As a kid, my uncle (55 years ago) would take me along on in cab his diesel runs w Fairbanks Morse engine. Back then it was permissible. Thanks for reflector strips explanation; never knew that)

[@dennisfox2340]

Ah Danny, once again you hit me w/my past lives. I spent 15 yrs in Tally as the Owner of Culligan on W. Brevard St, then I purchased the M&M Ice & Cold Storage in Cairo, just a block north of the Rail line. You're SO right about Mr. Chick, He's a highly respected part of the Community & haven't thought of him 'till you brought back many fond memories of my time in Cairo.10 years of fun! You're a true joy!

[@RobertCraft-re5sf]

Sounds like a great place to live and raise a family.

[@Jaidyn228]

It is. Coming from another native of the city

[@Kevin-le2xo]

Fr

[@russellp4160]

Just another note. Yours is the ONLY KZbin channel that I watch about Trains.

[@billdelmar4827]

Great video, Danny. Good history and current status of the Bowline, which we thought was doomed just a few years ago.

[@Castlebank_Sidings]

Another absolutely brilliant video. Full of details and information. Thank you

[@Bosslifebiz661]

I live in Bakersfield basically central California outside the tehachapi loop so I’ve always been a Union Pacific BNSF fan. Ever since I’ve came across Mr. Harmon’s video’s I’ve caught myself focusing my attention on CSX which is all fun to me being it’s new territory. I just want to thank you for everything you do for the railroad community and I look forward to watching your video’s keep up the hard work and let get those thumbs up folk help monitize channels like these trips chasing trains does not come cheap. 🚀

[@bikerguy5829]

I love your photography and editing. It shows exactly what you're talking about. Excellent video

[@elizabethvernon3594]

I grew up in Waycross 46- 71. Albany Ave area. Loved seeing all the railroad crossings. My family came from Atlanta area to Waycross in 1920 to work for Coastline railroad. Love to hear the train horns. Thanks for the sweet tears of memories.

[@distantsignal]

Thanks Elizabeth. Wish I'd have known about Waycross in my youth in the early 1970's. I'd love to have visited there when it was still all Coast Line.

[@cadesmith4278]

"All-benny..." Brings back memories--we lived in Birmingham; my grandparents were from Eufaula, AL. When I visited as a child, I remember them talking about "All-benny."

[@jason27swg]

Danny, Great video as always. After 27 years with ns I retired last year. Just had my fill of their mess!!! I grew up very close to the bow line and it amazed me that csx hadn't done much to this line. Still jointed rail still speed restricted etc! . Alot of freight moved through this area as you touched on alot of ag products then another big papermill in cedar springs Georgia that csx serves on the southside. Ns use to serve them on the Northside. The papermill once had their own railroad that connected the two but they sold off to g&w. Norfolk southern out of Albany to Dothan. Lease that line now to g&w. As the bow line gets into dothan there is a small yard there. Then on up to Montgomery...there is a huge Hyundai plant there csx serves. Then on to bham where coal use to be king but Honda ships their autos to birmingjam from Lincoln Alabama to be loaded on auto racks. As well as Mercedes in West of birmingham in Vance alabama. Norfolk southern line runs from Atlanta to Norris yard in irondale right beside Honda but due to pricing Honda found it cheaper to Cary their autos to the bnsf yard in birmingjam and load them. As well as Mercedes. ... sorry got into a rant there. I would think the bow line would be a very valuable asset to csx and just shocked to see they have not upgraded before now!!!

[@BlackMan614]

CSX is under new management. One that thinks finding new customers rather than alienating existing ones is better for business. Go figure. Good luck in retirement. You made the right decision. NS is a mess.

[@beulahpowell1478]

This video is so full of history and new information you shared with us Danny. I would love to visit Cairo ,Ga to see all those artifacts. This excites me. Good seeing you again and thanks for a stunning video. Take care and be safe. 😊

[@rbean204]

I love info about Rice Yard. I went to church with the Karle’s and to high school with some of Gus Karle’s children and spent some good times at their home. Thanks!

[@nathanshanas6046]

My 6 year old daughter and I watch your videos when I'm trying to get her to sleep, its probably a bad choice of videos for that because she is always so excited to see the big trains racing by on the main lines. She seen you closing out this video here and she said, "daddy, he is nice...." her name is Vanessa and she is most definitely a future rail fan lol

[@bradfordthompson8326]

Love your Shows..... "THE GOVERNOR "......(DANNYS NEW NICK NAME)....EVERY TIME WE SEE "THE GOVERNOR " SHOWS WE ALWAYS THICK OF BEAUAFULL FLORIDA .. THANK YOU DISTANCE SIGNAL FOR YOUR GREAT VIDEO ❤❤WE APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK.. LOVE HOW YOU ALWAYS INCLUDE THE SWITCHING MOVES...NOW IS "THE GOVERNOR " GOING TO HAVE TO BUILD A LONGER FENCE FOR ALL YOUR NEW SIGNS.....ENJOY..😅😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@shericlanton2250]

I enjoyed watching this video. My husband was a signalman for csx. Waycross is our hometown. He worked in wacross for a while but we also lived in south Carolina, fla. DeLand, fla was my favorite. The history of rice yard was very interesting. Thank you. My name is sheri Rockett Clanton

[@railfanmaximstill7279]

Great Video Danny Waycross is big. There is another yard that is even bigger you've probably heard about it before North Platte Bailey Yard in North Platte Nebraska. 8 mile long Yard complex. With two hump yards

[@jonathanmontgomery7396]

Very cool 😎 very good very great 👍

[@jamesmccall8978]

Hello, Mr Harmon! Though I was raised in Brooklyn, I lived in Columbus,GA for 26 years and drove tractor trailer. After the great information on Mr Chick's restaurant, there was the display of the cross! I would've sworn that was in Virginia; on I-81, south of Winchester! I have always wanted to be a railroad engineer but the closest I came to it was trucking!

[@JohnHollowell]

Danny, I really appreciate you showing us your goof with the fogged up lens. Things don't go perfectly all the time and this is a great learning moment for us all!

[@michaelthompson7570]

Another excellent video…..

[@559806]

Excellent call to visit Mr. Chick.

[@FloridaBoatTrash]

Awesome video! Love the new hat!

[@OleanderJunction]

Great Video

[@nellybell7374]

Wow you really go out of your way to explain things which is really great. This is to dennis fox2340 I still live here in Tally and remember Culligan on Brevard and if I think about it , it's close to Swain Pools (I think!) and we've been using them for years, you know I've been to Cairo a lot of times, my mom's mother was born in Cairo and drove right by Mr. Chick and never stopped, guess I'll have to change all that next. Thanks for all of this you guys it was special!!

[@JohnR.1968]

Awesome vid Danny, I watched it twice and put it in my watch later also. Keep them great vids coming 👍👍👍👍👍

[@ram89572]

Your videos always have such great production values. I really appreciate the work you put in to them and the things you teach us along the way.

[@scottcieri2750]

Never expected to see a video showing locomotives I used to work on in Massachusetts in Georgia. I was a conductor and engineer and Pan Am Railways and we had a bunch of the ex CN GP40-2 motors. Adding an ex B&M motor to the same consist just shows how small of a world this really is.

[@distantsignal]

Haha! You never know what you're gonna run into out there.

[@RealJeep]

Loooong time watcher Danny and I'm glad you're still cranking out videos. I'm no longer in FL and have moved to Norfolk Southern territory but I still love your videos.

[@Northern_Idaho]

I always love seeing your videos, Danny! I live near the UP mainline, so it’s interesting to me to see how CSX operates differently down in Florida as compared to the massive freights that have been common for a long time.

[@jovetj]

Agreed! Agreeing from Omaha, Nebraska. (UP's headquarters, for those that may not know that)

[@Triplebuc50]

Enjoying your Videos Danny

[@CherylMotherofSeven]

Thank you for this video. My Dad was a supervisor in the Rice Yard. Great memories:)❤

[@rybak04]

Thank you for another great video Danny. Cheers from Canada!

[@kennethjackson8961]

I rode the Bow line in 1960 from Montgomery to Savanah. II was local and stop at every small town. I was by myself and thirteen years old. The train got into Savannah around midnight after leaving Montgomery around eight that morning.

[@JK-db2wj]

I’ve heard about waycross and watched the webcam feed from there but I learned a lot about the yard and whole of the bow line from this video. Thanks DH

[@RussellTHouse]

Your description of the locomotive storage tracks at Rice Yard being “dramatic” is an understatement, yet dramatic it certainly is! I am glad you let the next few seconds of video continue without any comment, which neatly underscored that dramatic scene.

[@kevinjwigner3038]

Gotta love Danny Harmon! Best channel on KZbin! "Two thumbs way up".....

[@darrylnelson6264]

Thanks again Danny!

[@williejones9335]

Another good one.

[@SCLModeler]

The Gus Karle interview is pure gold brother! Another stellar video!

[@kens.3729]

There is Only one (1) thing that can make Saturday Night any Better and Danny Harmon posted a Video today so we can Watch it and Learn more about Railroads.

[@creedrichards137]

Always a pleasure to watch these. I've always loved trains since I was a kid.

[@jesshansen3681]

Once again you have produced an extremely informative program. Thank you so much

[@robertseip210]

Another great video, Danny. Some time you need to head to Montgomery, where you can watch a ball game (Biscuits - AA Southern League) and simultaneously see CSX action just beyond the left field wall! A well-timed homer to left could end up in...who knows, Waycross, Tampa, or wherever. By the way, I miss seeing the Mile 0 hat but understand the reasons for its retirement...keep up the awesome work!

[@lawrenceromaine3063]

Great video. Glad to see the bow line being upgraded. I was a senior M/W manger covering that line as part of my territory from the late 80’s until 2003 when I left CSX. I always thought the bow line was under valued by CSX.

[@markokeefe8281]

Danny, I really enjoyed this episode. I have been watching for years and love what you do. The effort you put into history of the lines and the towns that they bisect is much appreciated. The technical detail of Rice Yard was impressive. AA Gus Karl was fascinating. Nice new hat too😊

[@victorrojas8798]

Great video, as usual.

[@emaglott]

Excellent video as usual sir! Love all that I learn about railroading in GA/FL from your videos but also your sense of composition makes me go wow on many of the shots you set up!

[@MikeG42]

Excellent video 👍

[@RobTuck1475]

I can't say any better than what RochelleM491 states in their comment. You are a true shining star in this field. Stay safe my friend and thank you again for taking us along on another awesome rail adventure.

[@railscanner]

Great video. I use to run a truck run From Montgomery Alabama to Cairo Georgia. I always enjoyed railfanning the bow line.

[@Kkurious009]

I don't know how you do it, Danny, but each new video you release sets a new standard for quality. Interesting narration, plus effective camera and sound work really draw the viewer in to the fascinating business of railroading. As other subscribers have described so well, you're the best railroad teacher out there!

[@mr.j2776]

Danny - watching your videos is always time well spent. So much information and interesting places. Thank you!

[@georgebenson6036]

I lived in Valdosta for 12 years and never knew the history of the bowline. Thanks for sharing.

[@MrTNuke]

@23:22 you are correct; even in dark territory, you don’t want to accidentally shunt a switch because you’re sitting too close to it, so it’s better to park away from it. General code of operating rules says 150ft at minimum where ever feasible; 400ft for signals (though each railroad company has their own specified rules. It’s usually 400ft though).

[@cbmonje]

Excellent commentary, three examples: at 10 minutes concrete ties replaced with wood, turnout technology is described, at 15 minutes are unique Georgia & Florida locomotives, etc,etc, very thorough !

[@distantsignal]

That's an extremely nice compliment. Thanks very much.

[@phillipwilliams1415]

Another great video!

[@remickbloss4423]

Love all your RXR signs on your fence! Its cool that one of them is Harmon Rd. Your videos are always informative and entertaining!

[@robertboissey2758]

I like that you’re on more often.

[@georgecox2924]

Another good one!

[@ralphwilliams2396]

Good to see you the author of Meeting of the Giants

[@wdputman556]

Danny I Alway look forward to your video. Thanks!

[@TheMadness51]

Thank you for sharing!

[@davemachoukas6175]

Fun interesting video.

[@dougpace7731]

Well done

[@MDRailfanProd]

Kepp up the Great Work Danny!

[@bhigdaddymark]

Danny you're soooo prolific! Consistently recording high quality very informative videos that I can't get enough of and one quickly realises their love for railroading after having the pleasure of watching your superb videos as the educational content is incredibly high to say the least. I must say over and over again, BRAVO to a most brilliant host and channel. I'm not one for hats despite the noticeable changes, but I'd proudly wear a Distant Signal hat! I'll check to see if you have a merchandise store to purchase one.

[@SouthTampaRealEstateToday]

Agree 100%

[@janicebuchanan671]

Really enjoyed the video. I’m from Waycross and had a lot of family that worked at the railroad and the rice yard.

[@daneknutson5375]

It's always a good day when there's a new distant signal video.

[@bobwadkins3416]

Thanks Danny for another great video. You make it easy for everyone to understand railfanning and railroading in general. Even for a novice like myself.

[@pmrailfan7521]

My first watch of a DS video. Loved it! I thought this was a very well made video - excellent photo and sound quality along with a great script. Thank you for sharing it, I look forward to more.

[@distantsignal]

MANY THANKS AND WELCOME TO THE CHANNEL!

[@bobpatterson9026]

Another outstanding piece. Always a great informative video and I look forward to everyone. Great job and thanks for the experience

[@kens.3729]

When people think about Switches, they think about a Standard Type but GOD knows there are many Different Types of Switches currently in Operation. 👍🙏

[@LordCarpenter]

Excellent video! I hit the "like" button before I watched it because I knew it would be good, and I wasn't disappointed. Be safe trackside.

[@adamlairsey6700]

Pretty cool seeing the all this from drone footage. I have been through every yard out there. I have approx. 17 working/retired family members from there and lots of buddies.

[@royjennings4781]

Rice yard now that is HUGE.

[@billreal76]

Thanks, Danny, that was interesting.

[@tmcb_]

The Rice Yard overview was fascinating...the number of mothballed locomotives was astonishing. One of your best videos...and I'm just a casual railfan.

[@williambellew767]

Great video. I live in Plant City and love to watch the trains.

[@kend3900]

Nice keep them coming

[@johngrant1337]

great video , thanks

[@ChrisMarshallUS]

Thanks for the great info

[@lonnie.stephens]

New to your channel and I’m enjoying it very much.

[@distantsignal]

Welcome aboard, Lonnie!

[@hank-stephens]

Great video as usual but I want to correct one point. 202 comes up the Bow Line and works Snowdoun as you mentioned. That is the HMMA (Hyundai Motors Alabama) Assembly plant for Sonatas, Santa Fes and now Santa Cruz vehicles. Half the empty autoracks are swapped for loads, the the train heads north through Montgomery on the AWP-WofA subdivision to GABBETVILLE, GEORGIA, just north of West Point, GA where it swaps the remaining empties for loads out of KIA MOTORS Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). They make Sportage, Sorento and Tellurides there. The loaded train then heads to Atlanta and north to Louisville, KY. I forgot to add some idea why the Bow Line is getting a long wished for makeover. With CSX and CPKC taking the Meridian & Bigbee RR, the Meridian Speedway will come into Montgomery, AL. I expect we will see another group of MMX branded trains linking the auto suppliers in the Guadalajara region to the various assembly plants in Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. All of these plants use large quantities of Mexico produced parts which is mostly trucked across Mexico to the border and handed over to truck based forwarders where they move into the Southeast and even the domestic suppliers in the Midwest (this is the current advertised MMX route of CPKC). I see traffic eventually coming by train on the MMX route, come to Meridian and on to Montgomery, AL. Trains then can use the Bow Line to access the CSX system via sorting at Waycross, GA. They can also turn north to Birmingham or run the AWP-WOFA to get to parts into South Carolina. A lot of work is happening on the Bow Line, AWP-WOFA and S&NA South to improve capacity. The interesting thing is trains off the M&B at Motgomery cannot turn south to the Bow Line at Bell St where all the Selma, Bow Line and M&M come together. CSX is reconfiguring the south end of S&NA to allow the potential trains off the Bow and Selma line to run into the yard and around a loop to so they can access each other since no wye can be built at Bell St. due to existing development.

[@johnrockstone]

Wonderful and informative, as always! Thank you!🙂🙂

[@briankeith2205]

I always look forward to your videos and always nice to see you back