I know pre-CSX the Seaboard Coast Line had a route connecting Tampa to Newberry were it split were one line went towards Baldwin and the other went towards High Springs and then North and it connected to Valdosta. How busy were the SCL tracks through Dunnellon and Newberry back in 1970's. What was the reasoning for cutting it back to Crystal River and getting rid of the line North Of High Springs? I know back in the 1970's and 1980's railroads were struggling but I still wish SCL and later CSX kept the right of way especially as an Alternative to Jacksonville since it is such a huge bottleneck. I am shocked the Norfolk Southern did not try buying up the right of way as a way into the Tampa Florida market. I also think having the S line as the only through freight route in Florida is risky even after the upgrades. Also is there any videos or pictures of it when it was still was freight through route and not just used for coal trains to crystal river and a local train. I am thinking about modeling it when I do a new train layout in a few years after college.
I found some pictures of it on rrpicturesarchives.