A Summer Update on Steam in Florida

fmwsolutions · **Joined:** Fri May 14, 2021 10:57 am **Posts:** 27

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/pfRsJ8SDhSc

Sugar Express Operations Manager Scott Ogle recaps a summer of work on US Sugar No. 148, Atlantic Coast Line No. 1504, and their recently acquired passenger fleet.

Kelly Lynch
Director of Special Projects
FMW Solutions

QJdriver · **Posted:** Mon Sep 27, 2021 4:08 pm

That #148 sure does look fine hauling a cut of cane cars, especially the loads. !!! I sure do wish I could see that someday for myself.

YEA BUDDY !!!!!

Scranton Yard · **Joined:** Thu Feb 27, 2014 10:08 am **Posts:** 720

Looks like I have another reason to visit Florida. I'm with Sammy - great to see the loco hauling loads.

tomgears · **Posted:** Mon Sep 27, 2021 7:16 pm

Thanks for the update. This is one of the best preservation stories.

RookieFireman · **Joined:** Sun Jan 08, 2017 12:39 am **Posts:** 91

Mighty Fine!

BigBoy 4023 · **Joined:** Tue Dec 11, 2012 1:40 am **Posts:** 489

Mighty fine work indeed.

Any plans for FEC 253?

Would make it the only operational 0-8-0 steamer in the country.

Robert

CA1 · **Joined:** Fri Nov 11, 2016 10:17 pm **Posts:** 246

Is there a list of passenger cars they now have?

Would be quite the thing to see the 1504 moving at 60+ mph, but not sure that will ever happen.

would it be the only true "usra" locomotive that is operational?

QJdriver · **Posted:** Wed Sep 29, 2021 12:59 am

I'm dreaming of the 1504 with a passenger train, while 148 gets a cut of sugar cane loads to the mill before they spoil. I just heard from a friend (who may or may not be right), that 148 will handle the first train of harvest on October first. Too late for me to make it, if you're fortunate enough to see it, get some pictures for me PLEASE...

fmwsolutions · **Joined:** Fri May 14, 2021 10:57 am **Posts:** 27

Yep, 148 will be running and on display Friday:
http://sugarexpress.com/2021/09/start-o ... n-oct-1st/

PeterBarton · **Posted:** Thu Sep 30, 2021 6:45 pm

Indeed US Sugar's former FEC # 148 is a stunningly beautiful restoration as the attached image shows. The photo was taken on May 30th of this year as #148 hauled the final sugar cane of the 2020-2021 harvest. Looking forward to more tomorrow as the 2021 harvest kicks off behind #148!

Peter Barton
Retired Administrator, NV Division of Museums & History
now of Fort Pierce, FL

QJdriver · **Posted:** Fri Oct 01, 2021 1:40 pm

YES INDEED !!! She is stunningly beautiful, and I thank you most thankfully for posting your gorgeous photo here. Too bad I can't be there today, you must be having a blast, while I sit here at home, at my computer typing. Please post some more pictures, and THANKS AGAIN.

VIVA US Sugar #148 !!!!

Ed Kapuscinski · **Posted:** Fri Oct 01, 2021 3:44 pm

When I was a kid reading Speedway to Sunshine I was so mad that I missed seeing 148 operating nearby on the BR&W. I thought I had missed my last chance to see FEC steam run.

Boy was I wrong!

Way to go US Sugar.

PeterBarton · **Posted:** Wed Oct 06, 2021 8:15 pm

Sammy King,

Could you possibly PM me please. I have something to share but need to keep it sequestered from broader distribution just yet.

Thank you.

Peter Barton

QJdriver · **Posted:** Tue May 31, 2022 2:47 pm

Does anybody have any news, or recent photos of steam in the canefields of Florida ?? PLEASE POST HERE, and Thanks in Advance.

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2612

QJdriver wrote:

Does anybody have any news, or recent photos of steam in the canefields of Florida ?? PLEASE POST HERE, and Thanks in Advance.

There are some here, as well as upcoming events: https://sugarexpress.com/news/

A Summer Update on Steam in Florida

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