by Adele Woodyard
Tampa Bay’s talks on a high-speed rail system may eventually amount to more than just words. I’m not holding my breath for it to happen anytime soon. However, it has made me wonder how many people under 50, have actually ridden on a train instead of a car, a plane, or a bus? Just to get from Point A to Point B, in the U.S.
The rails that opened up the country back in the late 1800s now carry more freight, than passengers via Amtrak. But some tracks left to rust are resurrected into rails-to-trails for foot and bike, railroad depots become museums, and rolling stock that lure tourists with the conductor’s call. “All Aboard!” As a travel writer, I’ve ridden a coal driven locomotive chugging up Colorado mountains, interviewed passengers returning to Florida on Amtrak, and enjoyed gourmet meals on board the American Orient Express (now the GrandLuxe). Here are some nostalgic train rides you can take in the Sunshine State.
The Florida Railroad Museum in Parish offers one and a half hour train trips at 11 a.m and 2 p.m. on weekends. Or you can swing for a Murder Mystery Dinner ride where the train stops for a barbeque meal half way through the trip. A Train Robbery and Civil War weekends are scheduled in May. This month kids especially will love a Day With Thomas and Friends and 25-minute train rides with the little engine that could. Live music, storytelling and pictures with Sir Topham Hatt are part of the fun in this Special Event that runs from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. this weekend, April 17-18.12210 83rd St. E. Call 941-776-0906; http://www.frrm.org for full details.
It’s a five-course gourmet dinner along with the murder on the Seminole Gulf Railway, five nights a week. The three and one half hour trip leaves Fort Myers Colonial Station at 6:30 p.m. Wed. through Sat., 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. The 1930s-40s vintage rail cars are air conditioned, fun to be on, and you might win a prize if you solve the mystery. Reservations strongly recommended. Shorter daytime excursions with snack bar leave at 11 a.m. Wed, and Sat., 1:30 p.m. on Sunday through April. 2805 Colonial Blvd. Fort Myers; 239-275-8487, 800-736-4853. http://www.semgulf.com
Little kids (and big adults) have a great time on the miniature Largo Central Railroad train in Largo Central Park , 101 Central Park Drive. FREE (donation accepted) rides run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the first full weekend of every month. If weather is questionable, call 727-587-6775. http://www.largo.com
Want to ride up with the train engineer? It’s possible to do just that on weekends at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum in Miami. Number of people that fit in the diesel engine cab are limited, so call ahead for availability. Hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m Sat. and Sun., 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Tues.-Fri. There’s also 20 minute rides for kids on the Edwin Larks Children’s Railroad at 1 and 3 p.m., on weekends. While you wait, the museum has a wide variety of all scales of model trains on display that interest all ages. 12450 SW 152nd St.; 305-253-0063, 886-608-7246. http://www.gcrm.org
The L&N West Florida Railroad Museum in the Panhandle does not offer rides. What it does have is a FREE outdoor display of full-size dining, baggage-dormitory, box and flat cars spread around the yard. Of course there’s a caboose as well as a bridge tender’s house and plenty of RR memorabilia inside the station museum. Fri-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 5003 Henry St., Milton; 850-623-3645 http://www.wfrm.org
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