Framing40s
Speedway To Fort Myers
South of Punta Gorda, the Fort Myers Division mainline track condition is significantly improved, allowing for trains to reach speeds of up to 40 mph ‘till Bayshore; since the SGLR’s ‘Murder Mystery Dinner Train’ operates on this stretch of track, it must be kept maintained at a higher standard to allow safe operation of the passenger service, which includes the use of 135 lbs rail and, in some sections, steel ties. The DeSoto Turn’s are permitted to operate at maximum authorized speed as well, making chases on this stretch a challenge.
As for our subject, the Seminole Gulf Railway’s Thursday-edition southbound DeSoto Turn could finally break out of the 10 mph speed restriction that had been holding them back for hours and start pushing 40 mph, the maximum authorized speed for freight trains. Passing by Best Aggregate Carriers, a frequently served SGLR customer, just south of MP AX943 at 10:38, the two ex-LMX B39-8E’s and their 41 car train continue their southbound journey at speed. 15 miles farther down the line at Bayshore, the DeSoto Turn would stop to serve customers at an industrial park before ending their run at Hanson Yard.
Dating back to 1903, the then-named Fort Myers Extension was constructed by the Atlantic Coast Line in an effort to extend the former-Florida Southern Railway’s Charlotte Harbor Division south to Tico and Fort Myers, with the first train arriving at the namesake city on May 10th, 1904. Freight traffic has always been present throughout the lines history and changes in ownership between the ACL, SCL, SBD, CSX and SGLR [starting in 1987]. Although the frequency of said services fluctuated, it still proved to be a vital link connecting southwestern Florida to the Lakeland and Tampa rail hubs, with the Seminole Gulf diligently maintaining rail customers in the greater Fort Myers area allowing for scenes like this to still exist.
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Tropical Gulf Acres, FL
SGLR Fort Myers Division
Date: 08/10/2022 | 10:38
ID: SGLR DeSoto Turn
Type: Local
Direction: Southbound
Car Count: 41
1. SGLR B39-8E #595
2. SGLR B39-8E #593
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© Vicente Alonso 2022
Speedway To Fort Myers
South of Punta Gorda, the Fort Myers Division mainline track condition is significantly improved, allowing for trains to reach speeds of up to 40 mph ‘till Bayshore; since the SGLR’s ‘Murder Mystery Dinner Train’ operates on this stretch of track, it must be kept maintained at a higher standard to allow safe operation of the passenger service, which includes the use of 135 lbs rail and, in some sections, steel ties. The DeSoto Turn’s are permitted to operate at maximum authorized speed as well, making chases on this stretch a challenge.
As for our subject, the Seminole Gulf Railway’s Thursday-edition southbound DeSoto Turn could finally break out of the 10 mph speed restriction that had been holding them back for hours and start pushing 40 mph, the maximum authorized speed for freight trains. Passing by Best Aggregate Carriers, a frequently served SGLR customer, just south of MP AX943 at 10:38, the two ex-LMX B39-8E’s and their 41 car train continue their southbound journey at speed. 15 miles farther down the line at Bayshore, the DeSoto Turn would stop to serve customers at an industrial park before ending their run at Hanson Yard.
Dating back to 1903, the then-named Fort Myers Extension was constructed by the Atlantic Coast Line in an effort to extend the former-Florida Southern Railway’s Charlotte Harbor Division south to Tico and Fort Myers, with the first train arriving at the namesake city on May 10th, 1904. Freight traffic has always been present throughout the lines history and changes in ownership between the ACL, SCL, SBD, CSX and SGLR [starting in 1987]. Although the frequency of said services fluctuated, it still proved to be a vital link connecting southwestern Florida to the Lakeland and Tampa rail hubs, with the Seminole Gulf diligently maintaining rail customers in the greater Fort Myers area allowing for scenes like this to still exist.
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Tropical Gulf Acres, FL
SGLR Fort Myers Division
Date: 08/10/2022 | 10:38
ID: SGLR DeSoto Turn
Type: Local
Direction: Southbound
Car Count: 41
1. SGLR B39-8E #595
2. SGLR B39-8E #593
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© Vicente Alonso 2022