Abandoned Rails: Ocoee to Kissimmee

	Showing of

Neptune Avenue crossing in Kissimmee, facing southeast. The wooden crossbuck in the foreground marked where the branch swung away (toward the camera) from the main line (gated crossing in the distance). Photo by Mike Palmer, April 2010.

This was a light density branch that connected the ACL main line in Kissimmee with a secondary line in Ocoee. Judging by maps, the line was abandoned in stages. Most of the southern segment, from Doctor Phillips to Kissimmee, was abandoned around 1960. A short segment in Kissimmee remained to serve a cement plant and possibly some other industries, but that segment is now gone.

The middle segment, which went through Doctor Phillips and Windermere, has been completely removed and replaced with expensive residences and golf courses built over the right of way. North of Windermere the segment that ran parallel to Maguire Road is now a bike path. It is virtually impossible to find any traces in what are now residential areas; industrial areas still include some remnants.

The northern remnant, in Ocoee, still has a spur that serves a Sysco Food plant, but it appears to be out of service. The remnant of the ACL secondary main in Ocoee that is still in service is now part of the Florida Central.

Thanks to Mike Palmer for contributing information about this route.

I remember this track used to run right through the middle of the intersection with Broadway Ave and Drury Ave in downtown Kissimmee. I believe most of the remaining track in Kissimmee was removed between the late 80s and early 90s. The city is turning the old railroad right-of-way into Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. There are still reminders of the old track as of 2012 including faded "RXR" street painting on Thacker Avenue before intersection with MLK Jr Blvd and grade crossing with rails on Commerce Blvd where a spur track used to run behind warehouses.

Add your comments for this page here. All fields are required.
What is your name?
Where are you from?	,
Comments:
While required, your email address will NOT be displayed as part of your comment. Its only purpose is to allow me to contact you for further correspondence, if necessary.
Email address?

Ocoee to Kissimmee

Comments