Grayson The TrainNut

10/12/2026

Not long after I came up to Tennessee to work on the Heritage Railroad in Oak Ridge I had the opportunity to meet and spend sometime with Paul Springowski A.K.A “Paul The Train Guy”. One thing I love about this industry of ours is the friends you make from all over the country and sometimes the world in this industry and the hobby. Though we don’t get to see each other much due to our very train centric schedules. It was neat to catch up for a bit again at The American 250 Locomotive Celebration a couple of months back now. This photo popped up in my timeline for memories and realized I haven’t yet shared it on here lol. So here is Paul and I in the “Plant “ as they called this part of the railroad on the old K25 site with GE U23B 9553 named for my other good friend in Railroad Wade.

This was a fun day if you want to see what this railroad looked like prior to WATCO Paul has a great video on TikTok from the day.

10/10/2026

Southern lady’s especially in the iconic tuxedo always have class. This 1947 SW-1 certainly does and even better it’s still on the job!

10/06/2026

Sometimes you’re at the right place and right time to catch cool things. Even if just by chance. Lesson of the day it’s a blessing to keep your camera’s ready.

10/06/2026

Family business would bring us to Nashville, where the music city would surprise us with a reminder of why it is one of the main names in one of CSX’s grandparents in the region. The L&N under CSX living up to their “Old Reliable” nickname as we get a brief glimpse of Rolling Coal. Led by a Wabtec GEVO and a veteran as delivered GE AC44CW no 521. Still in YN2 in the second trailing position.

When I was a young boy as these were coming online funneling into Central Florida. We would call these “Lightning Bolts”.

We’re hoping to plan a full day in the music city soon to share and enjoy more rail action in the Music City.

For now we hope you enjoy this quick peak! Happy Train Watching Everyone ! 🚂😁

09/22/2026

Sitting in Knoxville found on my family and I’s early Sunday morning Greenway Walk. Never heard of this particular railroad before. But GATX was definitely happy to lease them a locomotive.

09/20/2026

Very neat highlight to the former terminus depot of the former Seaboard Sarasota Subdivision that ran through my home town of Palmetto. Interesting place to visit and see what it has become in the hundred years since it was first constructed in 1927. This section of track was the absolute southern terminus of the old Seaboard airline by the time of its abandonment and final removal in 2004.

This is a neat video highlighting the history by the PBS and the city of Venice. Check it out it’s very cool.

🚂 The Historic Venice Train Depot is in the spotlight!

A new WEDU PBS episode explores how the depot, built in 1927, helped transform Venice by connecting the growing city to the rest of the country.

Its platforms welcomed Kentucky Military Institute cadets, World War II servicemen, circus performers and generations of travelers. Today, the beautifully preserved depot serves as a museum celebrating Venice’s rich railroad, military and circus history.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://video.wedu.org/video/greater-venice-yorkmf/

The episode features local historian and former KMI cadet Larry R. Humes, legendary Clown Chuck Sidlow, better known as ChuckO the All-American Clown, and City of Venice Historical Resources Manager Harry Klinkhamer.

Produced by Shaun Greenspan, the episode shares this important chapter of Venice history with audiences throughout WEDU’s 16-county viewing region.

09/20/2026

Seen a thing or two cuzz and done a thing or two.

Since it was brought up…. Here’s some of my favorite moments from many railroad adventures over the last decade. Nothing short of blood, sweat and tears got me to where I am blessed to be at today.

Hopeful that others will grow up with the courage to follow their dreams to fullest even through the hardships and even when you have critics.

09/19/2026

There’s been a few highlights in my career over the years this was one of them. This was From the news coverage of the railroad museum I worked for back in my hometown. I spent many years of my life there before moving to Tennessee.

09/18/2026

Sometimes you’re at the right place at the right time!

Not often do you see this train during Daylight hours ! Let alone with a beautiful sunrise backdrop!

NS - Sevier Yard to Alcoa Local crosses the historic Southern Railway Bridge in downtown Knoxville.

09/18/2026

I’ve done this job now so long that many of the folks that I have memories of days events that others coming up after me will never know except maybe in story and of people who aren’t alive anymore and realizing they trusted me to carry their knowledge and experience forward.
I cubbed up through several
Crafts at this small yet very tight knit and well run railroad museum in Florida. It still exists and there are many reasons to visit it even though I no longer live down there and am involved heavily in the day to day operations. However it is bittersweet to know stories and people that the next generation of railroad preservationist there today will never truly know or appreciate the same.