I guess it could vary alot because the Northern Florida has alot of logging and paper mills while Central Florida is more phosphate. It seems like alot of route miles were downgraded or abandoned during the time.
Originally Posted by p51:
The problem with Florida is that the operations varied greatly depending on which part of the state you were in.
I lived along the Panhandle of the Northern part of the state and SBD/SCL/CSX ops were totally different there than they would have been in the central part of the state and along the Atlantic coast...
Yeah it is crazy how much CSX's Florida operations have changed post Sun Rail. I am interested to see if CSX sells off the A Line from Orlando to Jacksonville because it seems like they do not operate to many freight trains on it these days.
Originally Posted by Gary Graves:
Even today it varies. I just finished a review of track mileage in Polk County where CSX just built a new intermodal transfer facility and was amazed at how much track they have weaving through the county to serve phosphate mines, yet the intermodal facility has three electric cranes with a capacity of 300,000 containers per year to serve all Florida ports. TTX mileage is way up over last year as a result.
I grew up in Clearwater and my Dad's family lived in Ruskin, so during the 70's I sat and watched many long SCL trains carrying hoppers full of phosphate to the Gardinier (sp?) plant in Gibsonton where my Grandad worked for awhile. I didn't pay much attention to locomotives, but I know I counted well over 100 cars most of the time. I also took an Amtrak to Washington inn 1978.
I will have to look for these books. It seems like from the 1990's onwards CSX's Florida operations changed alot. Now most trains have six axle GE locomotives and four axle EMD power is only used on locals.
Originally Posted by SIRT:
There are 4 SCL books that cover all your questions. Generally found on ebay.
I lived in the Tampa area 50 mile radius from 73-77 watching the SCL.
Lots of unit trains - N-S US 41 gondola sand and gravel runs and Phosphate trains operating east of TPA.
One book covers the East Coast side including Jax.
I will have to look for that issue too. It seems like CSX's operations to Clearwater are fairly minuscule now and Amtrak has not served there since the 80's.
Originally Posted by Borden Tunnel:
The April, 1975 issue of Trains may be of interest: "Clearwater for Train-watchers" was one of the better location articles in the magazine at that time. The article, by Fred Clark,Jr. dealt with the freight and passenger traffic in the Clearwater,FLA. area, and included a detailed map.
