Passenger train on the FEC Saturday, Dec. 11th

On Saturday, December 11th the Florida East Coast will operate a "Toys For Tots" special from Bowden Yard, Jacksonville to Hialeah Yard. It is scheduled to depart Bowden at 7:30 AM and operate as follows stoping at St. Augustine at 8:40 AM, New Smyrna Beach 10:30 AM, City Point 11:35 AM, Fort Pierce 1:30 PM, West Palm Beach 3:05 PM, Fort Lauderdale 4:15 PM and Hialeah at 5:30 PM. Two locomotives, the two office cars with power car and finally a flat car with a container on it for the toys.
As always, railfan safely and do not trespass. This will be a neat train to see and photograph.
Noel Weaver

I've seen pics floating around the internet already, looks good. How long has 2000 been painted as a heritage unit?

Tadman wrote:I've seen pics floating around the internet already, looks good. How long has 2000 been painted as a heritage unit?

The 2000 has been painted this way for a long time (several years) but it has sat in storage at Jacksonville for close to two years. Just a guess on my part but I think they might keep this as an executive locomotive and use it when they run the office cars on a special move. Maybe a soft local out of JAX or some light duty as well.
Noel Weaver

Saw 2000 heading south a few weeks ago on a local thru St Aug. Maybe moved to New Smyrna away from freezing weather or 92 day maint?

KV1guy wrote:Saw 2000 heading south a few weeks ago on a local thru St Aug. Maybe moved to New Smyrna away from freezing weather or 92 day maint?

Virtually all of the FEC's locomotive work now is taking place at Bowden Yard in Jacksonville. They did some work on the 2000 and then ran it on various locals on the north end of the railroad usually with a second unit to fine tun the work. I do not know the present status of this locomotive but I do not think they intend to return it to regular service at least at the present time.
Noel Weaver

See, that's what I get for not trolling more forums as site admin I missed it.

I was in New Smyrna over Thanksgiving, no surprise zero rail traffic along A1A that I could see, looked meager from the 44? bridge over the tracks and saw little in the yard.

This must have been a sight!

Jeff Smith wrote:See, that's what I get for not trolling more forums as site admin I missed it.

I was in New Smyrna over Thanksgiving, no surprise zero rail traffic along A1A that I could see, looked meager from the 44? bridge over the tracks and saw little in the yard.

This must have been a sight!

Next time you are in FEC territory, let me know and I will try to fill you in on what to expect. Sundays and holidays during the day there is just about nothing from end to end but Sunday evenings and nights is a different story. ATCS helps out a lot in this territory as well.
Noel Weaver

The second annual Toys for Tots special train will operate south from Bowden (Jacksonville) to Hialeah on Saturday, December 10th, 2011. The newly painted 714 will be on this train and it looks really sharp along with the two passenger cars which are also a nice piece of work. It will make several stops along the route to distribute toys etc. Link below will provide some of the details and if there is interest in this move, I'll try to supply some more as time gets closer.

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville ... 22/FL11456

You can bet that I will be out to see this move through Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, December 10th.
Noel Weaver

Where did the time go? It is time for another Florida East Coast Toys For Tots special train and it will operate this coming Saturday, December 8th, 2012. I suspect the lead engine will be the 714 with the historic classy paint. Here is the schedule as of right now:

12-8-12 FEC TOYS FOR TOTS SPECIAL

Here is the schedule for the Florida East Coast Toys For Tots special train on Saturday, December 8, 2012:

LV. BOWDEN YARD, JACKSONVILLE 7:00 AM No visitors PLEASE

STOP So. Jacksonville, MP 11+5212 Mussels Acres Road, 7:20 AM – 7:40 AM west

STOP St. Augustine, MP 33+3324, Sebastian Way Crossing, 8:20 AM – 8:50 AM east

STOP New Smyrna Beach, MP 124+3153, Canal Street, 10:15 AM – 10:35 AM east

STOP City Point, MP 169+2222, Beau Geste Crossing, 11:40 AM – 12:00 PM, east

STOP Fort Pierce, MP 241+2508, Orange Av. Crossing, 1:25 PM – 1:45 PM, west

STOP West Palm Beach, MP 297+324, 36th St. Crossing, 2:55 PM – 3:15 PM, west

STOP Fort Lauderdale, MP 342+2916, SW 17th St. Crossing, 4:20 PM – 4:40 PM, west

STOP North Miami, MP 360+388, NE 87th St., 5:10 PM – 5:30 PM, west

ARRIVE HIALEAH YARD 5:50 PM No visitors, PLEASE

Direction following the times indicates the side of the train they will be unloading or loading from.

As always the above information is subject to change and if it does, please don’t shoot the messenger.

As always PLEASE stay off railroad property.

Barring something very unseen the lead engine will probably be 714 in the classy paint..

Noel Weaver 12-3-12

Here is a link to a nice video of the FEC Toys for Tots special that operated Saturday, December 8th, hope you enjoy it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9ZR6UUmbYQ

Noel Weaver

Florida East Coast Toys for Tots train, videos, 12-8-12


Here are some videos taken aboard the FEC Toys for Tots train on Saturday, December 8th, 2012 by Brylon Terry. Brylon is a freshman in college but I don’t remember the name of the college and has a strong interest in railroads especially the Florida East Coast. The railroad made available to the Florida East Coast Railway Society two spaces for two members to have an opportunity to ride and be a part of this operation. The society sold chances for $25.00 each and each winner could bring along a guest. They were expected to be a part of the process which meant dressing up as an elf and helping out at stops all of which Brylon did very well while doing some excellent video. If any of you wonder why I happen to like the Florida East Coast, this should remove all doubt.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrK69VpzOv0
Part 1 with commentary( not in HD )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jECCYgK6YM
Part 1 without commentary( in HD as the rest )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8DJ09NyGRs
Part 2.( HD )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hYLh8ln4nc
Part 3.( HD )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBJuL6w1Ehc
Part 4.( HD )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOsFLrvMieg
Part 5.( HD )

Looking at these almost makes you feel like you were on this train.
Noel Weaver