This weekend, Sugar Express ran a two-day photo charter event across 100 miles of the SCFE system between Sebring and Okeelanta. 148 was authentically painted into its 1930s era Florida East Coast paint which was without a doubt the highlight of the event.
Unfortunately for us much of the action required a ticket and details about the schedule were very limited. It was just too much of a risk to venture too far either direction from Clewiston as 148's train could have arrived there at any time. A big hint to us however was an SCFE light engine waiting to go west from the north yard, which implied that 148 was not far west. As storm clouds were moving over us we found 148 and the freight portion of its train on the mainline at the Sugarton elevator about a mile northwest of downtown Clewiston. I got a shot of 148 as it arrived in town at San Luiz Avenue and paced it to the north shops where its run would end.
Another notable feature of the consist besides 148 was the restored 'Clewiston' observation car (from Pennsylvania RR) back in service. This car had work started more than a year ago and this weekend marked its first run.
There was not much cane train action to be had today besides the SCFE Childs cane jobs and a few USSC jobs on the east side of the system, but 148 having been restored to its old look was ultimately the highlight of the visit.
20 апр 2024
