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Business Buzz

MOUNT DORA TRAIN REACHES END OF LINE TOMORROW

4/19/2019

2 Comments

 
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For decades Mount Dora has seen passenger train operations start and stop for a variety of reasons.  Inevitably, a new vintage passenger train always rolled in  to fill the void.   Train lovers are hoping that happens again after the train ceases its excursion rides to Mount Dora on April 22.   

Government regulations require tracks that carry passenger trains be maintained to a higher standard than their freight counterparts. Officials at Central Florida Railroad (CFR) have determined it’s cost-prohibitive to maintain 100-year-old  tracks to that high level, according to Pete Petree of Pinsly Railroad Company, the holding company of CFR.

The train operator, Royal Palm Railway, remains committed to the Tavares/Eustis excursion train. Last year the operator experienced strong growth in ridership as visitors rode the nostalgic train into Mount Dora from Tavares and used it as a shuttle into Mount Dora’s large festivals.  Additionally, the operator’s Polar Express train and other themed rides have been very successful, according to Neil Bagaus, spokesperson for Royal Palm Railway. He estimates ridership during a 12-month period to be between 100,000 and 125,000. 

After April 22, riders will still be able to catch the train at the downtown Tavares station and ride it into Eustis on 
Thursdays through Sundays starting at 10 a.m. 

CFR will return the use of the Mount Dora/Tavares tracks to its main business of freight and storage.  Meanwhile, government officials in Tavares and Mount Dora will study the feasibility of resurrecting a passenger train on that section of track or converting it to a trail.

Sign up for the free Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates  here.     For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.  ​​​

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2 Comments
Eric Liscom
4/20/2019 11:19:49 pm

LOL....The reason FCEN determined it was too expensive to maintain was because they did no maintenance at all for the last 5 years....since the rehab work was done...
The higher standard of maintenance is a laughable excuse as well...the maintenance work required is minimal...for the last 5 years their only "extra" expense has been to inspect the track 2 times per week (freight service only requires once per week).....so, one extra inspection per week is "too expensive" ....
Another point to note: FCEN created this problem on purpose by having a higher level inspection done that was not required to continue operating....but once done, that inspection requires repairs be made or the track is "unserviceable" ....giving a nice convenient way to get rid of the Tourist train operation....

Reply
Jeff Strickland
4/21/2019 01:49:40 pm

Thanks for yhe bad story Eric.
It's a big loss for the area not having the train running.

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  • Live Music
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    • City Scenes
    • Colorful Cottages of Mount Dora
    • Gilbert Park
    • Holiday Lights
    • Doors of Mount Dora
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    • July 4th Americana
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