Tavares & Gulf

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Does anyone have any brief information on the Tavares & Gulf RR? I hear it was merged into the SAL but I am not sure. Where was this line located at and what type of equipment did they operate? How large of a railroad was this? Thanks,

James

-- James Baker (SNBfan17@hotmail.com), December 03, 2001

Answers

In response to your question if any of the Tavares & Gulf trackage is still in existence, the answer is yes, but not very much! The existing section extends between Ocoee and Winter Garden (about 6 miles in length), and is currently used by the Florida Central RR. SCL decided to use the section of track instead of somewhat parallel ex-ACL trackage. The old T & G depot in Winter Garden is still standing, as is the ex-ACL depot. Aaron Dowling

-- Aaron Dowling (aarondowling@cfl.rr.com), August 27, 2002.

Its odd, the T&G is listed separately on SCL timetables in 1968, maybe it wasnt immediately like was the case with the gainesville midland? I find subsidiary lines fascinating. Any idea if any trackage remains?

-- troy nolen (tnolen12@tampabay.rr.com), December 07, 2001.

Troy - Profuse apologies. The error is mine. The first paragraph of my posting should read:

"The Tavares & Gulf Railroad came under control of the SAL early in 1926 when the Seaboard purchased stock in that road owned by the estate of A. H. Jackson. This subsidiary line of the Seaboard continued to operate as a separate company, passing into the hands of the SEABOARD COAST LINE in 1967."

-- Stephen Dale (s.dale1@excite.co.uk), December 07, 2001.


I wonder why the T&G wasnt immediately absorbed into the SCL in 1967... does any of this trackage exist today? I kinda doubt it, but thought id ask

-- troy nolen (tnolen12@tampabay.rr.com), December 06, 2001.

The Tavares & Gulf Railroad came under control of the SAL early in 1926 when the Seaboard purchased stock in that road owned by the estate of A. H. Jackson. This subsidiary line of the Seaboard continued to operate as a separate company, passing into the hands of the SAL in 1967.

The T&G was first known as Tavares, Apoka & Gulf Railroad, which constructed its line during 1885-87 from a connection with the old Florida Railway & Navigation Co. (SAL) at Ellsworth Junction near Tavares, 26 miles to Clermont. In 1890 the TA&G was sold under foreclosure to Henry A. Jackson, who reorganized the road as the Tavares & Gulf Railroad. The new management extended a branch from Waits Junction (21 miles from Tavares) to Oakland in 1894, further to Winter Garden about 1899, and finally to Ocoee, 11 miles from Waits Junction about 1914. In all the T&G operated nearly 40 miles of road including three miles of trackage rights over the SAL into Tavares. In later years the road to Winter Garden was considered the main line with that to Clermont, the branch. Among the locomotives owned by the T&G were three of the 2-6-2 type acquired new, and a 4-6-2 purchased second-hand from the SAL in 1946. There were also several former SAL Tenwheelers on the roster.

The above information is taken from Prince’s SAL book – in print and well worth purchasing. Hope this helps.

-- Stephen Dale (s.dale1@excite.co.uk), December 06, 2001.



James, while I have no specific info as to the history, equiptment, etc. of the Tavares & Gulf, I do know that it became a property of the SAL before all rail operations ceased. A rail atlas shows this route leaving the Tavares area and heading in a southernly direction through Ellsworth, Astatula, and along the west bank of Lake Apopka through Ferndale. Next came the community of Monteverde then Waits Junction near the SW tip of the lake. The line seems to have gone on to Clermont to the west, with a branch going east from Waits to the Winter Garden and Ocoee area. Doesn't look to be over 25 miles total. The line ran very close to and intersected the Orange Belt Railway along its southernmost component. No doubt it was built as a citrus hauler. Perhaps someone with more complete (and accurate) data will chime in.

-- Greg Hodges (ghodges@smpsfa.com), December 06, 2001.

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