Branches South Florida Railroad

lake charm

the sanford , indian river railroad chartered in 1881 run sanford southeast oviedo , lake charm. south florida leased in 1883, , standard gauged on september 21, 1886. today, route still in service csx s aloma spur sanford winter springs. cross seminole trail runs along former right of way winter springs oviedo.

apopka

the apopka branch part of original charter, running mayo on mainline west withlacoochee river via apopka. line never opened south florida, instead partially opening apopka , atlantic railroad. never success.

narcoossee

the st. cloud , sugar belt railway incorporated in 1888 connect kissimmee st. cloud , narcoossee. operated south florida, , merged in 1893. neptune road runs along of former right of way.

bartow

the charter specified railroad must pass through bartow; bartow branch built mainline @ lake alfred (bartow junction) southwest bartow. opened in 1884 , standard gauged on september 23, 1886.

part of bartow branch remains today winter haven south gordonville (just northeast of bartow). segment operated florida midland railroad. abandoned segment between lake alfred , winter haven route of chain of lakes trail.

pemberton ferry

part of agreement worked out henry plant between south florida , florida southern railway specified south florida build north-south pemberton ferry branch. branch began @ junction florida southern @ pemberton ferry (known today croom), running south-southeast across mainline @ lakeland bartow. south of bartow, florida southern continued punta gorda, using trackage rights on branch. once bone valley phosphate district discovered near lakeland, pressure increased standard-gauge line, , done on august 7, 1891.

after plant system bought south florida, extension built north pemberton ferry inverness, plant system s silver springs, ocala , gulf railroad continued north.

the branch still in service mainline north lacoochee , south of mainline eaton park. abandoned segment north of lacoochee part of withlacoochee state trail (which continues abandoned extension inverness). fort fraser trail today runs along former right-of way eaton park south bartow.