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Eastern Railroad Discussion > Folkston Winterwatch 2016 24-hour reportDate: 12/04/16 15:59 Folkston Winterwatch 2016 24-hour report Author: florida581 I thought 45 degrees would be no problem. Boy, I was wrong! When living in Central Florida, one gets climatized to the heat and humidity. The cooler weather seemed welcoming after a long, sweltering summer and a very warm fall. I arrived in Folkston on Friday evening for the biannual railfanning event at the viewing platform. The December event is known as Winterwatch while the April event is known as Railwatch. Railwatch is by far the bigger event, by both attendance and by the amount of events. However, Winterwatch is more informal. A lot of railfans actually prefer the smaller crowds.
Upon arrival, the temperature was a comfortable 58 degrees. As the night drew out, the mercury fell to the mid 40's. With an occompanied breeze, the cold humid air cuts through you. But those temperatures are tolerated when sitting trackside from the busiest mainline into Florida. While still busy, traffic levels through Folkston are considerably lower than from my past visits. My record of trains for a 24-hour period is 66. However, the typical average count throughout the years had been about 55. Recently, CSX has been combining trains. Also, most Florida-bound coal traffic has been rerouted via Pensacola, Tallahassee and Baldwin, resulting in a Folkston bypass. With this in mind, this year's final count of 45 trains came as no surprise. Regardless of a lower train count, it was still great to hang out with my fellow railfans. There was also a few surprises throughout the day. One of the highlights, for many, was the return trip of the Santa Train from Clinchfield country back to its home in Jacksonville. Also appearing was five private varnish cars on P098. CSXT 3099, the "Spirit of West Springfield", graced us with its presence by leading an intermodal south. Another nod to nostalgia was a caboose on the end of Q441. Ok, it was a "shoving platform". But it was indeed a welcomed sight holding up the marker on a large road train! Recently, most autorack trains bound for Florida are now terminating in the big hump yard at Waycross. Those racks are now mixed within the multiple manifest freights bound for the Sunshine State. The result are monster trains. There were 6 trains over 10000 feet, the longest being a 14600 ft Q457. Another noticeable tidbit was the large number (7) of rock trains. It appears that construction is still going strong! In an unfortunate turn of events, the aforementioned Q457 suffered a minor derailment in Jacksonville. While considered "minor", I t was bad enough to delay a few trains, including Amtrak P098 and P053. Also, track 2 through Folkston was closed for the majority of the day due to trackwork. This caused a few lengthy lulls throughout the day, especially in the morning. That evening, after the MOW wrapped things up, the floodgates opened. Trains ran like streetcars; one after another. There was even 6 trains within an hour's time on one occasion. The following is the complete report of the train activity during my 24-hour marathon. I hope you enjoy! Andrew Winterwatch Folkston, GA Saturday 12/3/16 midnight to midnight •summary Intermodal: 19 Mixed Freight: 11 Unit Trains: 8 -rock: 7 -phosphate: 1 Amtrak: 5 Autorack: 1 OCS: 1 Total: 45 North of Folkston: 26 trains traversed the Jesup Sub to / from Waycross, GA. 19 trains traversed the Nahunta Sub to / from Savannah, GA. South of Folkston: 30 trains traversed the Nahunta Sub to / from Jacksonville, FL. 15 trains traversed the Callahan Sub to / from Baldwin, FL. •full report 00:05 K779-01 (Junction City, GA - Coleman, FL) rock loads CSXT 327 CW44AC CSXT 731 ES44AH 100 cars, 4591 ft, 412 axles Southbound track 1 02:48 Q041-01 (North Baltimore, OH - Jacksonville, FL) intermodal / Tropicana empties CSXT 3335 ET44AH CSXT 361 CW44AC CSXT 4767 SD70AC 41 cars (8 reefers, 33 platforms), 3146 ft, 150 axles Southbound track 1 02:56 Q103-03 (Savannah, GA - Jacksonville, FL) intermodal CSXT 5317 ES40DC CSXT 5261 ES40DC CSXT 5411 ES40DC 57 platforms, 4349 ft, 206 axles Southbound track 1 03:14 Q154-03 (Jacksonville, FL - Fairburn, GA) intermodal CSXT 217 CW44AC CSXT 3420 ET44AH 130 platforms, 9217 ft, 400 axles Northbound track 2 03:37 Q104-03 (Jacksonville, FL - Charleston, SC) intermodal CSXT 5200 ES40DC CSXT 3427 ET44AH 152 platforms, 10064 ft, 440 axles Northbound track 2 04:41 Q035-02 (Baltimore, MD - Jacksonville, FL) intermodal CSXT 5254 ES40DC CSXT 5362 ES40DC 38 platforms, 2628 ft, 108 axles Southbound track 1 04:57 L251-03 (Waycross, GA - Palm Center, FL) autorack loads / mixed freight CSXT 3189 ES44AH CSXT 8357 SD40-2 97 cars (46 mixed freight, 51 autoracks), 7196 ft, 396 axles Southbound track 1 06:09 Q031-02 (North Bergen, NJ - Jacksonville, FL) intermodal CSXT 644 CW46AC CSXT 859 ES44AH CSXT 479 CW44AC 111 platforms, 7620 ft, 318 axles Southbound track 1 06:18 P091-02 (New York City, NY - Miami, FL) Amtrak Silver Star AMT 113 P42DC 8 cars, 806 ft, 36 axles Southbound track 1 06:26 P053-02 (Lorton, VA - Sanford, FL) Amtrak Auto Train AMT 814 P40DC AMT 831 P40DC 37 cars (15 Superliners, 22 autoracks), 3634 ft, 156 axles Southbound track 1 06:53 Q140-03 (Jacksonville, FL - Philadelphia, PA) intermodal CSXT 5472 ES40DC CSXT 4770 SD70AC 34 platforms, 2589 ft, 116 axles Northbound track 2 07:14 Q027-01 (Bedford Park, IL - Jacksonville, FL) intermodal CSXT 118 CW44AC CSXT 7684 CW40-8 127 platforms, 8267 ft, 372 axles Southbound track 1 07:33 L609-03 (Waycross, GA - New Orleans, LA) mixed freight CSXT 4766 SD70AC CSXT 3132 ES44AH CSXT 4374 SD40-3 CSXT 1144 MP15 126 cars, 7855 ft, 522 axles Southbound track 1 07:52 Q124-02 (Winter Haven, FL - Chicago, IL 59th) intermodal CSXT 652 CW46AC CSXT 722 ES44AH CSXT 342 CW44AC 88 platforms, 6621 ft, 290 axles Northbound track 2 08:44 K724-02 (Taft, FL - Sparta, GA) rock empties CSXT 5421 ES40DC CSXT 7302 CW40-8 80 cars, 4129 ft, 332 axles Northbound track 2 10:43 Q456-03 (Taft, FL - Waycross, GA) mixed freight CSXT 8562 SD50-2 CSXT 8607 SD50-2 98 cars (71 mixed freight, 27 autoracks), 6836 ft, 404 axles Northbound track 1 11:01 P097-02 (New York City, NY - Miami, FL) Amtrak Silver Meteor AMT 118 P42DC AMT 93 P42DC 12 cars, 1237 ft, 56 axles Southbound track 1 11:09 Q457-03 (Waycross, GA - Jacksonville, FL FEC) mixed freight CSXT 523 CW44AH CSXT 823 ES44AH CSXT 702 ES44AH CSXT 5357 ES40DC 212 cars (124 mixed freight, 30 platforms, 58 autoracks), 14623 ft, 830 axles Southbound track 1 12:29 K210-01 (New Wales, FL - Cicero, IL BNSF) phosphate loads CSXT 307 CW44AC CSXT 8716 SD60 CSXT 878 ES44AH 100 cars, 6233 ft, 418 axles Northbound track 1 12:45 K709-02 (Junction City, GA - Taft, FL) rock loads CSXT 3020 ES44AH CSXT 3114 ES44AH 96 cars, 4372 ft, 396 axles Southbound track 1 13:01 Q453-03 (Waycross, GA - Miami, FL) mixed freight CSXT 9009 CW40-9 CSXT 7917 CW40-8 CSXT 4686 SD70M CSXT 8410 SD40-2 113 cars, 6923 ft, 476 axles Southbound track 1 14:14 Q606-01 (New Orleans, LA UP - Waycross, GA) mixed freight CSXT 351 CW44AC CSXT 3090 ES44AH CSXT 698 CW46AH CSXT 3315 ET44AH CSXT 8814 SD40-2 CSXT 5297 ES40DC CSXT 4319 GP39-2 192 cars (148 mixed freight, 44 autoracks), 13186 ft, 808 axles Northbound track 1 14:30 Q037-02 (Charlotte, NC - Jacksonville, FL) intermodal CSXT 5355 ES40DC CSXT 860 ES44AH 55 platforms, 4199 ft, 180 axles Southbound track 1 15:17 K928-01 (Miami, FL - Camak, GA) rock empties CSXT 3014 ES44AH CSXT 5235 ES40DC 78 cars, 4235 ft, 324 axles Northbound track 1 15:26 P900-02 (Cincinnati, OH - Jacksonville, FL) Santa Train Special CSXT 9998 F40PH2 CSXT 9992 F40PH2 11 cars, 990 ft, 58 axles Southbound track 1 16:20 Q034-03 (Jacksonville, FL - North Bergen, NJ) intermodal CSXT 5254 ES40DC CSXT 5362 ES40DC 121 platforms, 7729 ft, 320 axles Northbound track 1 16:58 Q025-02 (Bedford Park, IL - Jacksonville, FL) intermodal CSXT 3099 ES44AH "Spirit of West Springfield" CSXT 3283 ET44AH 113 platforms, 8824 ft, 358 axles Southbound track 1 17:44 Q026-03 (Jacksonville, FL - Bedford Park, IL) intermodal CSXT 74 CW44AC CSXT 4776 SD70AC CSXT 4767 SD70AC CSXT 361 CW44AC CSXT 3335 ET44AH 115 platforms, 7883 ft, 354 axles Northbound track 1 17:52 K743-02 (Dan, GA - Davenport, FL) rock loads CSXT 3323 ET44AH CSXT 624 CW46AC 93 cars, 4493 ft, 384 axles Southbound track 1 18:22 K902-01 (Jacksonville, FL - Camak, GA) rock empties CSXT 723 ES44AH CSXT 4831 SD70ACe 67 cars, 3557 ft, 280 axles Northbound track 1 18:36 Q155-03 (Fairburn, GA - Jacksonville, FL) intermodal CSXT 3092 ES44AH CSXT 250 CW44AC 92 platforms, 6220 ft, 288 axles Southbound track 1 18:45 Q455-03 (Waycross, GA - Taft, FL) mixed freight CSXT 7307 CW40-8 CSXT 947 ES44AH 130 cars (41 mixed freight, 89 autoracks), 10876 ft, 532 axles Southbound track 1 18:56 Q652-03 (Tampa, FL - Waycross, GA) mixed freight CSXT 5427 ES40DC CSXT 3366 ET44AH 146 cars (100 mixed freight, 46 autoracks), 9823 ft, 596 axles Northbound track 2 19:15 Q441-03 (Waycross, GA - Tampa, FL) mixed freight CSXT 3414 ET44AH CSXT 5422 ES40DC CSXT 4697 SD70M CSXT 8367 SD40-2 108 cars (75 mixed freight, 33 autoracks), 7863 ft, 464 axles Southbound track 1 *shoving platform on the end 19:17 Q141-01 (Greenville, NJ - Jacksonville, FL) intermodal / Tropicana empties CSXT 3125 ES44AH CSXT 3358 ET44AH 139 cars (115 platforms, 24 Tropicana reefers), 9325 ft, 416 axles Southbound track 1 19:33 Q133-01 (North Baltimore, OH - Jacksonville, FL) intermodal CSXT 3302 ET44AH CSXT 5395 ES40DC CSXT 3029 ES44AH UP 6805 AC4400CW 85 platforms, 6049 ft, 272 axles Southbound track 1 19:59 K703-02 (Camak, GA - Taft, FL) rock loads CSXT 300 CW44AC CSXT 4574 SD70AC 115 cars, 6136 ft, 472 axles Southbound track 1 20:49 Q601-03 (Waycross, GA - New Orleans, LA UP) mixed freight CSXT 3306 ET44AH CSXT 8096 SD40-2 BNSF 7329 ES44DC BNSF 8342 ES44C4 BNSF 5467 C44-9W 132 cars, 8090 ft, 558 axles Southbound track 1 20:56 Q458-03 (Jacksonville, FL FEC - Waycross, GA) mixed freight CSXT 8594 SD50-2 CSXT 1124 SW1001 CSXT 8627 SD50-2 CSXT 2805 GP38-2 CSXT 1174 MP15AC 135 cars (53 mixed freight, 82 autoracks), 10769 ft, 564 axles Northbound track 2 21:25 Q606-02 (New Orleans, LA UP - Waycross, GA) mixed freight UP 8154 ES44AC UP 6729 AC4400CW UP 8848 SD70ACe 149 cars (110 mixed freight, 39 autoracks), 10355 ft, 614 axles Northbound track 1 21:57 Q042-03 (Jacksonville, FL - North Baltimore, OH) intermodal / Tropicana loads CSXT 647 CW46AC CSXT 5317 ES40DC 97 cars (90 platforms, 7 reefers), 6808 ft, 312 axles Northbound track 2 22:14 P098-03 (Miami, FL - New York City, NY) Amtrak Silver Meteor AMT 101 P42DC AMT 18 P42DC 15 cars, 1459 ft, 74 axles Northbound track 2 *the last 5 cars were private varnish. 22:30 P052-03 (Sanford, FL - Lorton, VA) Amtrak Auto Train AMT 831 P40DC AMT 814 P40DC 37 cars (15 Superliners, 22 autoracks), 3427 ft, 156 axles Northbound track 2 22:36 M038-03 (Jacksonville, FL - Charlotte, NC) intermodal CSXT 3168 ES44AH CSXT 3318 ET44AH 92 platforms, 6459 ft, 276 axles Northbound track 1 22:51 X118-03 (Jacksonville, FL - Cincinnati, OH) intermodal reposition CSXT 5482 ES40DC CSXT 660 CW46AH 124 platforms, 8597 ft, 372 axles Northbound track 1 Posted from iPhone Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/04/16 16:08 by florida581. Date: 12/04/16 17:27 Re: Folkston Winterwatch 2016 24-hour report Author: cinder Andrew.....I always look forward to your posts.....and your comprehensive, accurate responses to many other posts. Keep them coming.
Date: 12/04/16 18:09 Re: Folkston Winterwatch 2016 24-hour report Author: calsubd Thanks Andrew, I caught Q606 in Sanderson
Ed Stewart Jacksonville, FL Date: 12/04/16 19:12 Re: Folkston Winterwatch 2016 24-hour report Author: stlrailfan Andrew,
appreciate the time and effort it took to type up this report. Mark Date: 12/04/16 19:17 Re: Folkston Winterwatch 2016 24-hour report Author: gmojim Good report Andrew. You Florida guys just can't handle the cold weather., and next year I will be a Florida guy.
gmojim Date: 12/05/16 04:50 Re: Folkston Winterwatch 2016 24-hour report Author: ns1000 Thanks for the report.
Date: 12/06/16 03:59 Re: Folkston Winterwatch 2016 24-hour report Author: ctillnc Even at "just" 45 trains a day, Folkston is worth a visit. But I wonder how the volume of trains compares now to NS between Austell and Inman Yard.
Date: 12/06/16 04:39 Re: Folkston Winterwatch 2016 24-hour report Author: florida581 ctillnc Wrote:
------------------------------------------------------- > Even at "just" 45 trains a day, Folkston is worth > a visit. But I wonder how the volume of trains > compares now to NS between Austell and Inman Yard. Folkston is definitely worth a visit! The NS between Austell and Inman is still seeing 55-60 a day. Andrew |