Florida Central operations in Eustis, Tavares and Mt. Dora area....

[Modelcar]

....Have watched these operations in the winter in these areas and wonder if anyone might have some comments they might share for these areas. From what I saw the track provides for slow operations only.....[8D]

[AntonioFP45]

Modelcar,

Can you tell us a little more about Mt. Dora? I've heard of the tourist railroad "steam train" ride. Is it worth driving up 100 miles to see and ride it? Is it a decent ride, or a side-to-side rock crusher[:(!] (experienced this on my last tour ride - my wife was not a very happy camper!)

Appreciate any info, Thanks! [:)]

[Modelcar]

....Antonio: Spent quite a few winters in that area and witnessed the operation from the very start. The first was the Doodlebug....a converted rail car driven with a Chevrolet 454 V8 engine mounted under the chassis. It was restored very well and the ride on that was about 8 miles round trip and it wasn't bad as far as the ride was concerned. No speed involved so rough track at places didn't detract much. Steam train and several cars came later and it has had an on and off operation....Not sure if it is running this season. Doodlebug has had problems too....in fact original owner has sold out but I understand he is helping someone else trying to get some of the stuff running again....You can go to Google and type in Mt. Dora, etc....and probably find out the very latest of the status....Good luck. We have ridden the doodlebug and it was something different and we enjoyed doing it....Mt. Dora is a very interesting little place with lots of shops and restaurants, etc....IN March they usually have a top of the line automobile classic car meet at the grand old hotel there and that is the greatest....Loved it...!

[overall]

I remember years ago now, probably 1986, I went to railfan the Florida Midland, which is owned by the same people, so I'm told, as the Florida Central. I got to see, and ride on, the last active alco switcher in Florida. The crew saw me by the track taking pictures, stopped the engine, and invited to me ride with them up to their interchange with CSX at Winter Haven ( I think ) where they picked up some cars. They dropped one at a siding on the way back to where they started from. That was a nice unexpected cab ride that summer day.

George