Historic Connector Track Between Two Abandoned Railroads
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- Опубліковано 19 жов 2024
- Historic Connector Train Track Between Two Abandoned Railroads
It is now know as the CSX Homestead Subdivision and up until around a decade ago, it was used for freight and initially built for passenger trains to bring tourism to the area. This historic railway was built in 1926 by Seaboard Air Line and even connected with the Miami Extension of the FEC Overseas Railway en route to the Florida Keys and Key West until the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane destroyed it. This line played a vital role in the history of South Florida as we know it today and unfortunately, it is being left to rot disgracefully. I think it deserves better. Some investor with money should purchase it and make a tourism or excursion ride out of it. Join me for some archaeology in this video!
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The documentation of this historic area is one of your best!
If only we could see activity on these once busy railroads again.
Thanks for the tour!
I appreciate your kind words, GnR. I could feel the history in the air as l visit these historic locations, and stand where all these events once happened. Thanks as always for the views and comments!
@@railrol82 Your welcome.
@@gnrrailroad1531 good to see some history lessons from others countries.
Great video. This is what I love to see. Nice, long stretches of abandoned railroads. You'd be fascinated by the Toledo Terminal RR, Roly. Talk about interconnectors! The whole loop tied into so many railroads that came into Toledo. Wabash, New York Central, Pennsylvania RR, LS&MS, Nickle Plate Road, Cloverleaf... at one point, I think 12 different railroads tied into it. I can pore over those maps all day. It's weird., too, because some of the loop is gone totally, some is abandoned, and some is still in use by NS and CSX.
I sat under a bridge on the old Toledo Terminal in about... 94 or so, while a train passed overhead. I think mentioned all this before. I repeat myself.
Anyway... great vid, and thanks, Roly!
WOW, an interconnector that tied into 12 different railroads?! Not even in my wildest dreams would l have thought that! So some of it is gone and some is still in use. I'd love to film that one day!
Were you able to see Taj Mahal? He dropped his new single today, "Welcome to my Store". Thanks as always for the views and comments, Rob!
Thanks for the ride. Another fun and informative video. Railrol rocks!👍
I'm flattered you think so, Johnny B! I really appreciate that. Thanks as always for the views and comments!
Saving history, one episode at a time my good friend! Great job Roly! Cheers, Danny
That is my mission, DH. I like to pay tribute to and immortalize all the great rails of yesteryear that made this county what it is today. Thanks as always for the views and comments!
Great video my friend. Love the license at Wal-Mart part.
Now for something that totally blew my mind...I found out just the other day that when I lived at my house in East Fort Myers, I had an abandoned Seaboard line literally right next to my backyard. My bedroom window actually looked out onto it, I never knew it existed until about two days ago. I'm still in shock almost about it.
Cab you still see the tracks? Or just the grade mound.
Roy, that is some fascinating stuff. Can you please provide me with the Google Maps location link to see if it can be a possible future video?
Roly, I don't know how to link maps so I'll have to explain. It was an old Seaboard line that ran to Fort Myers and South. Gone since the 30s. There was a branch off it that ran from downtown to the town of Labelle. It paralleled Rt.80 then went in from the road a bit. That's where it went behind my house. I'll see what else I can find out.
Tommy, no tracks. They're long gone..but the grade is still there, stuff going on with it in some areas. I think it's a walkway further down...you would never know it was an old railroad line.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seaboard%E2%80%93All_Florida_Railway this link mentions it. Its the line heading right from Fort Myers to Labelle.
Excellent video...the next time I travel to Key Largo I am going to make a day trip up to these sites...I really need to see them and walk the tracks. Thank you for what you do...
My pleasure, James. I'm glad you like my videos. I like sharing RR history with like minded people who can appreciate it. And yes, a visit to these tracks and crossings would be worthwhile. Who knows how much time they have left. Thanks as always for the views and comments!
Great video your video made my day even better since is my birthday
Happy birthday! Hope you got everything you wanted!
Thanks for sharing this important information with us great job
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Michael. These historic tracks helped make South FL. Thanks as always for the views and comments
Very good video my friend!
Best regards from Croatia :-)
Thank you very much!
Hey Roly......great video. Very cool seeing more switches and what once was. That atlas is awesome! So much information.... Hope to make is down there once COVID get safer. Stay safe my friend. Lots of snow and cold in NJ!
Good afternoon John, I hear you guys are going through the ice age in NJ. I hope you're staying safe and warm. If you ever make your way down here, I will give you the red carpet tour and show you all the historic spots! Thanks as always for the views and comments!
Thanks to Tom Manion I found a 1956 map and it shows the Y but not connected on either leg. There's a Y up near the old airport (that had runways that look like an old crossbuck) but that Y doesn't show connecting to anything so it looks like it was just to Y locomotives. I've pasted the screen shot below of that map (thanks again to Tom M). I've traced this extension out a few times on google maps and so I really enjoyed
this video. Thanks for all you do! TJ
The map didn't stay in the post. Too bad.
I appreciate you trying, TJ. Thank you. I was able to see that map though. I'm wondering if it was already removed in 1956, since the Overseas RR was destroyed by the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. It definitely shows up on the SPV railroad atlas. Thanks as always for the views and comments!
Always like your videos
I'm flattered, Lou. I appreciate that. Thanks as always for the views and comments!
Szép videó lett!😀👍👍👍
Köszönöm, mint mindig a nézeteket és észrevételeket!
@@railrol82 👍 Várom a következő videót.😊
@@ferenctakacs3138 Köszönöm! A következő videó ennek a vonalnak a végéről szól, amely egyben Amerika legdélibb vasútja.
@@railrol82 😀👍
This was an interesting video of the connection between the Seaboard Air Line and the Florida East Coat from back in the day. It is amazing to see that this track is still in place and has not been ripped out. Thank you for taking us along on this journey!
I knew you'd like it, Thomas! Stay tuned for Wednesday's video where we will see the end of the line. Thanks as always for the views and comments!
Maybe one day an investor will bring this line back to life. Until that happens we can only hope. Great video
I think I will do that when I move to Florida but I can't do it alone but RailRol 82 said he would help with my operation and document all of the progress. I would like as much help from as many people as I can if possible. It will be a while before I move down there but I hope it will still be there waiting for me and my crew t restore it for a business. Since only half of the line is abandoned, I might just build another railroad that leaves the mainline and it should make a complete oval shape unless you guys have another idea
That would be wonderful world explorer channel!! I will be praying that line will still be there when you eventually move to Florida. I would love to see this being restored🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Thanks as always for the views and comments, Georgette!
@@regera_xxyt299 You can help me restore the railroad and be a conductor. How's that sound to you
@@regera_xxyt299 Your hired, but it won't happen until I get down there unless you want to start getting new railroad supplies
great but also sad video 👍😢
I completely understand!
Awesome video.
Thanks as always for the views and comments, Moon!
So sad to see these lines just disappearing like that...history just vanishing into nothingness. Like so many have said, I wish somebody would revive this line for tourism, a commuter line, SOMETHING. Heck, I’d love to see passenger service to the Keys restored, but that’s the ultimate pipe dream. Where’s Doc Brown and his DeLorean or Professor Peabody and his Wayback Machine when you need them?
Nice to see your videos documenting railroad history, Roly. We got another round of snow coming tomorrow, but that should be it for a while. Stay safe out there!
The biggest obstacle to passenger service to the FL Keys is environmentalists. In the 1970s and 2000s, a Monorail didn't even make it past the proposal stage : /
I wonder if Doc Brown was a railfan? LOL
Glad to see you guys made it out of the Ice Age safely!
@@railrol82 Ice age, heck-where I live, this past month has been what winters here used to be like before climate change started messing with the thermostat! The last time we had snowfall like this was during 2016, only that year we got a winter’s worth all at once thanks to Jonas! So rest assured that the winter weather didn’t bother me in the slightest!
You’d think that having increased passenger rail service would be better FOR the environment because it would mean fewer people driving their cars to and from work! Oh well, ours not to question why. And considering that Doc Brown replaced the DeLorean with a steam-powered, time-traveling locomotive, I think it’s safe to presume that he might be a railfan! Enjoy that thought and stay safe, Roly!
@@dragondancer1814 I'm assuming that there isn't enough population in the cities that this abandoned section goes through to justify a passenger train. I never saw when he replaced the DeLorean with a steam powered lcoomotive, is that part 2?
@@railrol82 No, Doc Brown actually replaced the DeLorean with the steam-powered locomotive at the end of Part 3 (I know, spoiler alert!). And I’m kind of surprised at the lack of commuter population in the area, but at the same time it’s not that much of a shocker when you consider how everything revolves around Route 1 these days (heck, the southern terminus is at the very tip of Key West!). Oh well, we can still dream. Stay safe out there, Roly!
@@dragondancer1814 Yes ma'am, no one can take dreaming away from us! Hope all is well with you!
Great stuff!
Glad you enjoyed it, Kevin. Thanks as always for the views and comments!
Nice video!
My main man, Arrow... Thanks as always for the views and comments!
There was so much going on in that area! I love how much track is actually still around there but still wish I could've been around there back in the day! My favorite sub still has a very cool ending! Great video Roly!
If only l had a smart phone and UA-cam channel in the mid 2000s, I could've filmed the last of the action here! This Wednesday is the big series finale, the end of the line : /
Hope all is well and that you're staying warm during this Ice Age!
Good Morning Railroad Archeologist!!
Top of the morning to you too sir!
Great video on those rusty rails my man! Keep em coming! You were a railroader, I have a question for you, "can a train with a couple of cars use that line if it ever had to? or would it derail?
I appreciate your kind words, Kman! Good question, there are some variables to consider. About 90% of this abandoned section has the original 1926 75 lb rail. This rail wasn't built to carry the modern 6 axle power locomotives. You asked about a couple of cars... remember we've seen rotten and cracked ties in all of the videos and missing spikes. That being said, I think if it is as you said, a couple of cars AND they keep it under 10 mph, they would be ok. However, I wouldn't risk it with more than a couple of cars and more than 10 mph. That is playing a dangerous game because ties keep the train from swaying and at high speeds the train tends to sway more. Remember that one bridge with 2 cracked concrete ties? A fully loaded train traveling 25mph would most likely ended up in the water! Thanks as always for the views and comments!
They need to get these railrod tracks reactived and get these semi truck off the roads causing problems
nice video, at least someone mows the lawn plus the train tracks.
Way to look at the bright side, at least someone still cares. Thanks as always for the views and comments!
Hey my Mijo R, this was amazing. Thank you for the info, its sad to see a crossing in this shape. if the Facist CSX dont fix or just cover them. its going to very bad on cars and trucks!! hey Mijo me and you got the same color SUV, SWEET!! well please stay safe and have a awesome day :-) BTW How are you doing?? cool music lol
hey Mijo your the bee's Knee's i like you :-) keep it my rr brothern
I'm doing well, thanks for asking Mijo! There is so much history in the last few miles of this track and no one seems to care about it. It is a darn shame the local government doesn't make at least a plaque or something. That isn't my car, my friend volunteered to drive me that day. Thanks as always for the views and comments, E!
I did some looking into my rail maps on the question of an SAL/FEC connection in Homestead. My October 1975 USDT maps (I believe generated as part of the study to creat Conrail) show both Seaboard and FEC going to Homestead, but unconnected. However, these maps don't show sidings and other track detail. If there was a connection, I'd guess it was not considered an interchange point by the railroads, but only gave access to the local industries by both lines if it was used at all. My home town had some connecting tracks between railroads (e.g., Monon and NKP, NYC and NKP) that may once have been used for interchange, but by the early 60's appeared to be unused and in very rough condition. Also, I suspect that the Y-track on the Seaboard end was used to turn steam engines when they were used. As always, thanks for sharing your explorations. PS. My old Rand McNally Rail Atlas from the late 1920's suggests that Seaboad had trackage rights on the FEC south of Palm Beach before they built their own line to Homestead.
Your old 1920's Randy McNally map is correct. There were 2 connections (aside from this one) between FEC and SAL, one near WPB and one in South Miami. The one in WPB is being rehabilitated and the one in South Miami no longer exists. Seaboard wanted a piece of the Overseas Railway action, which was destroyed in 1935 by the Labor Day Hurricane. Maybe that is why the 1975 doesn't show it, because SCL might've removed it by then. Thanks as always for the views and comments, Andrew!
Wow 😳 it’s crazy how abandoned railroads went somewhere and now it’s nothing . If your lucky you might find some loose spikes and switchers not locked .
That is the depressing part of this hobby, all that wasted potential and history. Thanks as always for the views and comments, Metro!
Awesome!
Thanks as always for the views and comments, BM!
I've seen this on Google maps, too bad so much is unused. It would be great if some new companies came in and used rail service. Great video.
You know how it is, Shawn. These days, RR companies are going after the big fish, intermodal. Simply take from point A to point B and drop off; you don't have waste time switching for a small fry customer who takes 1 tanker every 3 weeks. Know what I mean? Thanks as always for the views and comments!
Excellent Video. 💥💥🇮🇳
Thanks as always for the views and comments, Taslim!
Good afternoon from SE Louisiana 21 Feb 21.
Good Evening Bill, always good to hear from you!
Ooo, I wish I could own a line one day. It requires money unfortunately.
Chill vid as always
I'm pretty sure that would be a multi million dollar investment! Ain't nobody got time for that. Thanks as always for the views and comments, Silver! Please keep 'em coming!
@@railrol82 no doubt but I gotta say these lines haven't been made by hazard, it used to be for a reason. And np ;)
@@Navi_Silver Absolutely!
She probably shoplifted her license from Walmart. Lol. It would be cool if someone located an industry there somewhere that needed to put some of that track back in service
Sadly, they all switched over to trucking. But I wonder if CSX would be willing to lease this track to a shortline RR that could offer those customers competitive rates?
@@railrol82 why dont you start a shortline company?
Money is #1
@@railfanlynx It would take millions of dollars to start a shortline company.
@@railrol82 try grants or loans or something
Looks like there's still some business towards the end of the line for a short line company to restore this trackage. CSX would be able to lease this out to a company. Many successful new shortlines are established this way. Great coverage
as usual and will be watching for the last segment.
Yeah, it's funny you say that because these days most RR companies are looking for the big bucks, intermodal! Just take from point A to B, drop and go. They don't have to worry about unnecessary switching and dead beat customers who get 1 delivered every 2 weeks. Thanks as always for the views and comments!
@@railrol82I look at things in a positive business look. It may seem like a lost cause but a short line would be the best idea. A tourist line no way. Why is CSX holding on to this section? We will see...thanks for your response.
@@csxtommy6562 I definitely agree with you. There are shortline companies that would love to have this. I like your positivity. Tomorrow is the big finale on this series... The end of the line : /
Good video as usual I wonder how many trains used the line in a 24 hour period at the height of use
Good question, Alfonse. I'm going to answer that question based on what we've see so far... So in this 12 mile stretch of abandoned track I've covered, we've only seen 3 businesses, Diamond Fertilizer, Construction Materials, and ABC supply. They don't strike me as businesses that light the world on fire, So I assume that this was at the very least an every other day train, if not 2-3 days, or even weekly. Thanks as always for the views and comments!
Hi Roly: interesting video thanks for posting. The plot thickens, what fate awaits the last of the Homestead subdivision? I think it will remain as it is until someone decides to pull the remaining track and sell the land. I see no future in hoping it will be refurbished and be used as an operating line . See you Wednesday.
Good afternoon Edward, The plot thickens indeed and l wholeheartedly agree about the fate of the Homestead Sub. There's no future in hoping it will be refurbished and it will just continue to rot until someone buys the land and pulls the rails. CSX isn't going to pick up the bill for that. Thanks as always for the views and comments!
Awesome video. And I think that maybe the use of that track didn't necessarily end in 84 with the FEC; more than likely, CSX continued to use part of it as a wye to turn around engines/trains
You may be right. That would make sense. Thanks as always for the views and comments, Kenny!
That atlas still showed the Homestead sub still used. Sad this track has been put out of service.
Did you see the Delay in Block productions video on Rock Island? They're baaaaaaak! The name is back in use with a shortline in Mississippi I think. They even have their trains painted the same.
@@kman-mi7su Yes I did. The owner of the railroad ownes the rights to the RI name and can use their reporting marks if he chooses. It sure been nice if he gotten some ex RI trackage.
Rock, you're right, CSX filed for discontinuance of service way after it was printed. Thanks as always for the views and comments!
Except that that is wrong in the Railroad Atlas. There has never been a connection in the nearly 60 years that I have lived here. The track stopped just short of making the connection with the FEC all of that time. The tracks, IIRC ended even before they got back up to SW 2nd Ave. The building marked Gator Doors is the old Brooker Lumber Company building which had its own siding into their property. In later days, the switch was pulled and the cars were unloaded on the main. Most people don't know it but in the 60s, Homestead still had its own Coca-Cola bottling plant located where the car storage yards are located.
Wow, there was a Coca Cola bottling plant in Homestead? Did it have railroad access?
@@railrol82 Not directly. It was in the block just North of the tracks. But they could move stuff in if needed by use of the road next to the tracks as was done with lumber later on.
abandoned railroads are great investments..railcar storage ect
They are if you have a truck load of disposable income! Thanks as always for the views and comments, FI
hey RailROL were there any historic trains or streetcars in South/North beach? also you should do a video on the Coral Gables trolley line
Rest assured there were no trains in South/North Beach. The furthest East tracks go in South FL is the FEC Port of Miami tracks. I'm not sure about streetcars. Are you talking about the new Coral Gables trolley? Those are buses painted like trolleys!
I saw that Tri-rail (three railroads to form a triangle) I can't believe it ends so abruptly(in a weird way) since it ends literally at the edge of the road after it crosses it. What stores are the railroad atlas books available?
Good observation my friend, but that is known as a wye (pronounced "why") in professional railroad terms (Tri Rail is the name of a local passenger train in South FL). On Wednesday is my big finale of this series where we reach the end of the line : /
I bought my atlas on Ebay.
@@railrol82 You'll love the ending, It is cool and a weird ending
@@nickastridandtoothlessthen5494 You're absolutely right!
Hey Roli is there any chance that there are any warehouses close to these track to have them reactivated
Sadly, l think we have a better chance of seeing pgs fly, Jeff. Every one switched over to trucking and the line is officially abandoned.
Usually local switches only use 4 axle engines that can take those tight curves on customers switches
Does your railroad atlas show a Y at the tracks going to the Gold Coast RR Museum? From Google Earth it looks like there may have been a north leg of a Y. If there was a Y the south leg is still showing to be there. I’m thinking the GCRRM is at the sight of a round house facility, (not really round in this case). I wonder if this east bound track could have gone to the FEC, Florida East Coast, also.
Good question, Bill. I'm not seeing a Y at GCRRM. There wasn't a connection with the FEC here either. However, going North, there was another connection with the FEC at what is now SW 48th ST in South Miami and another in WPB which is currently being restored and will be a future video of mine.
I know me and you would get along great
Yes sir! I love history, railroads, and a good laugh!
Looks like some areas are in somewhat good shape
Yeah, it isn't terrible; definitely salvageable! Thanks as always for the views and comments, Glenn
They are building train tracks where I live
That's always good news! I love seeing railroad progress.
Interesting guesstimation that this was a connecting line between the two railroads. I went to the site "Historical Aerials" and looked at photos from 1940,1952, and 1964 and newer ones. It is not really clear but to my eyes, I do not believe they connected. My take is that at that junk yard the track curved to the left and there was a building that appears to have boxcars to load or unload. The angle of the track at that point does not looks like it would connect. Is this correct? Maybe, maybe not. Look for yourself and make your own conclusion. I enjoy your site and try to catch all that you post.
I'm flattered you try to catch all my videos, Albert. I really appreciate that. It's funny, because l agree with you about the angle of the track not looking like it would connect. I have the same intuition as you. However, if that railroad atlas says it did, as well as a former FEC engineer, I at least will give the benefit of the doubt that it did. Thanks as always for the views and comments! Please keep 'em coming.
That siding isn’t overgrowing badly
It really isn't. I'm guessing there is a railfan nearby who cares about it and keeps it clean. Thanks as always for the views and comments!
@@railrol82 and how many more crossings are there to the end of the line
@@csxtrainfan319 2
@@railrol82 Can the last video come in early March
@@csxtrainfan319 Sorry, I have my videos already edited and programmed with their release schedule. If your busy, you can always come back and watch it.
Hey maybe if I turn my speakers on I can hear you talking lol, I thought my sound card went rouge.
LOL no worries, it happens to the best of us. Hope your staying warm during this Ice Age!
@@railrol82 We had the arctic blast about a week or 2 ago, but I stayed warm by wearing my hunting gear home from work. Using my computer as a cheep furnace to keep my room toasty. And using a heated blanket to keep my bed warm.
@@Computist40 Using your computer as a furnace... Wow! Talk about innovative! Good stuff, C.
@@railrol82 As of right now it's 66.9°F in my room. I usually get it to around 73°F if I push my computer hard.
@@Computist40 I have a feeling one day you will invent and patent something that will change the world!
"This lady over here got her licence at Walmart" That would be a scary thought if possible! Hans
LOL Given the way that this world is headed, that might not be so far fetched in the future! Thanks as always for the views and comments!
one wonders why scl connected to fec, since there was no business south of
homestead by that time?
Good question Mel, l know the answer and I'll give you one guess...
(Hint: What's the most notable historical RR in South FL) they wanted a piece of it too.
@@railrol82 fec? and they had a lock on everythng south
of homestead and after 1935
it didn't matter, there wasn't
anything but the military bases
SCL wanted a piece of the passenger action on the Overseas Railway. The story goes that Henry Flagler told SCL to build the railroad to Homestead and he'd grant them access. However, he reneged at the last minute!
@@railrol82 INTERESTNG, never heard that one, seems
kind of hard to swallow, what
was flagler going to get in
return?
@@railrol82 Henry Flagler would of never allowed Seaboard to build in his domain and would of fought them every step of the way . By the time Seaboard planned their east coast extension , Henry had been deceased by almost a decade . As far as Henry building in Florida , He never expected any type of monetary return on his invest . If he needed money all he would have to do is reinvest his wealth back into Standard Oil .
Just because it is overgrown it's not meaning it is abandoned. I mean I'm not saying that it's not, but you know...
I hear you, but CSX filed for discontinuance of service in March 2019 for the last 12 miles of the Homestead Subdivision.
@@railrol82 Damn that sucks.
@@Ih8kone You know how it is. RR companies these days are after the big bucks, intermodal. Shortlines are on their way out.
@@railrol82 Not quite.
@@Ih8kone Well I know CSX and FEC are targeting intermodal.
This was the same rail road you did the video the other day did some one stole the head
lights.
Correct, I filmed a whole series on this railroad from SW 137th Ave South (the abandoned section). Thanks as always for the views and comments!
At least it didnt look like the Amazon. Someone evidently is mowing. Still sad...as historic as this part of the tracks are I cannot understand why it's not redeveloped into at least a bike or walking trail. That should be minimal for some interested party to do. Thanks for the history.
A bike or walking trail would require a substantial investment. There are 12 miles of track to remove, as well as all the crossing equipment. CSX already washed their hands in regards to all that. Whoever purchases this land next is going to have to pick up that bill. Thanks as always for the views and comments, Carolyn!
@@railrol82That seems terribly unfair but then life is not always fair...
@@carolyndavis7476 Sad but true
Sucks seeing tracks like that. I don't know why they never give tax breaks to businesses to use the railroad. And we all know businesses love tax breaks.
Good point, Celio. But the opposite side of that is that they use this as a tax write off : /
@@railrol82 so right about that.
@@celioleitao7303 There's always 2 sides to the coin unfortunately.
Where’s the old Illinois Central railroad in Florida there used to be a train called Illinois Central railroad city of Miami
I have honestly never heard of that! Do you have any articles or web pages about it?
@@railrol82 you can look up the Illinois Central City of Miami I heard it’s a beautiful train it’s orange and green
@@paducahandlouisvillerailro1694 That's very interesting! I just finished reading up on it. You're right, it was a beautiful train!
@@railrol82 you need to check out the Illinois Central railroad tracks in Florida
@@railrol82 I was at an antique store I found a Illinois Central railroad spike made of pot metal and its lead gray color I bought the antique railroad spike and it was last used in 1930s
some how I mist this video
No worries, you can always come back and see it. Thanks as always for the support, Walter!
Like 72
Big thanks