ABOVE: The Orange Blossom Cannonball rolls through the Florida scenery between Ellsworth Junction and Lake Jem. The period wooden coaches complement the wood-burner nicely. RIGHT: Spanish moss makes a nice frame as No. 2 simmers on the median running in Tavares. This line heads for Mount Dora and Sorrento and is used to reverse the train be- tween runs. BOTTOM: The friendly crew of the Orange Blossom Cannonball pose with No. 2 at Tavares.
Ellsworth Junction. Longer trips take it beyond the junction to Lake Jem. Host railroad Florida Central is part
of the Pinsly Railroad family of short lines, started in 1986 to operate a clus- ter of former CSX branch lines in the Orlando area. Located in central Flori- da, the FCEN operates a total of 68 miles, interchanging with CSX at Or- lando. With the original Reader Rail- road operation in Arkansas idled, the company was looking to expand into new territory using its collection of his- toric trains. The TE&G passenger oper- ations commenced in October 2011 fol- lowing a long negotiation with the City of Tavares. The FCEN received a $2.2 million federal grant to make improve- ments to the tracks to support the new passenger train. The original 1888 Tavares train station burned down years ago, but the TE&G built a new 2,800-square-foot cedar replica which was completed in May 2013. Future plans for the excursion include extend- ing to the tourist mecca of Orlando.
The Movie Train
So what of “The Movie Train?” The actual first use of the equipment in a
38 SEPTEMBER 2013 •
RAILFAN.COM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64