The Sarasota Subdivision

Durant to Willow, FL

Home | FL | SAL , SCL

This abandoned railway line wyed off from an existing phosphate line in Durant, FL and ran south to Sarasota, FL--a distance of 69.7 miles. The line was constructed in 1895 and had nine stations, the major ones being Sarasota and Venice. These nine stations in order heading south are: Durant, Wimauma, Parrish, Palmetto Jct., Bradenton, Oneco, Sarasota, Bee Ridge, and Venice. A line also extended from Durant to Turkey Creek further to the North. In 1903, the first passenger train arrived in Sarasota. The line was extended into Osprey and Laurel in 1910 and in 1927 the first passenger train arrived in Venice. This was also the route of the Tropicana train up until 1967--when the Seaboard/Coastline merger occured. Most of the thru trains were discontinued at this point and were re-routed through the ACL line that currently runs between Tampa and Bradenton, although work train still serviced industries on the Sarasota sub line up until 1981. The CSX acquisition spelled doom and gloom for the Sarasota sub from Durant to Willow--the only purpose this portion of the line served was for storage of cars near Durant until early 1986 when the cars were removed--then the tracks shortly thereafter from the wye in Durant through Willow--where a spur of tracks lead into the Florida Power Plant. The Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum currently operates excursion trains from Parrish to Willow and the line south of Parrish to Bradenton was recently cleaned up to transport transformers to the power plant.

Picture of the abandoned Little Manatee River bridge used by the... — Picture of the abandoned Little Manatee River bridge used by the SAL/SCL along the route. According to a few sources, the bridge was built c. 1902. Photo by Harvey Henkelmann.

Saffold Road, just south of Wimauma, FL. This view is towards th... — Saffold Road, just south of Wimauma, FL. This view is towards the northeast. The rails are still intact at this point — the rails are taken up just a few yards beyond the photograph. Judging by the growth over the rails, they probably should've removed these as well. Photo by Lance Sweat.

The rails joining in from the left are the end of the line as it... — The rails joining in from the left are the end of the line as it joins the old ACL line that is the main line from Tampa to Bradenton. Heading north is the famous Tropicana Juice Train, just after crossing the Little Manatee River Bridge (which runs west of US 301) just leaving Bradenton and headed for Tampa. CSX services Conrad Yelvington about a mile east of here on what is known as the "Parrish Sub". The Sarasota Sub, however, used to cross the Little Manatee River on the east side of US 301 prior to its abandonment, as its line would continue on through Sarasota and south towards Venice. Photo by Lance Sweat.

This point of the railroad is in Willow, FL — the northernmost p... — This point of the railroad is in Willow, FL — the northernmost point of the active railroad, although freight action hasn't been seen on this part of the line in 23 years. This is where FGCRR stores its rolling stock and locos during the week until it runs the excursions Saturday and Sunday. Photo by Lance Sweat.

This point of the railroad has never been abandoned, but sold to... — This point of the railroad has never been abandoned, but sold to Florida Power. Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum has operated excursion trains on these rails since 1981. Photo by Lance Sweat.

This picture is looking south — the northernmost point of the ab... — This picture is looking south — the northernmost point of the abandoned ROW — just north is the CSX's phosphate line in Durant, FL. The ROW is well maintained 18 years after the track was taken up. If you look closely, you'll see where the lined wyed off to catch the eastbound main track, where the Tropicana trains used to rumble towards Edison Junction prior to taking its turn to the north and continue through Plant City. This route avoided a crew change in Tampa. Photo by Lance Sweat.

Lithia, FL looking west. Just down the line is where CSX stored ... — Lithia, FL looking west. Just down the line is where CSX stored cars for years prior to the line's abandonment in 1986. Photo by Lance Sweat.

Parrish, FL — US 301 grade crossing. FGCRR runs its excursion tr... — Parrish, FL — US 301 grade crossing. FGCRR runs its excursion trains from this point and heads south towards willow. For years, the rails west of here were seldom used for transport to the power plant. In 2003 however, the rails west of here were refurbished to allow Florida Power to transport heavy transformers to the plant (Sorry, no coal trains to this plant). On the side track sits an old FMD-40 that FGCRR has leased. Photo by Lance Sweat.

Another picture of the abandoned Little Manatee River bridge. Photo by Shaun Hirschmann, 1/9/2011.

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Florida Railroad Museum

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