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The Orlando And Mount Dora Railroad
Take A good long last look of a wonderful train
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It All started....
Every saturday morning I would wake up happy because I knew where I was going. I work For the railroad! It was still a shock to me. I have just started in late December as the new porter selling food in the 290 Combine car (to your left). Every morning I would arive at the train happy and Well just plain happy! In the moring we got ready for the day. I was to get set up right away...... |
Next...
....I then Helped out in the Calumet Club (to your right) Witch was for first class passengers. It was fun in the morning. After the locomotive was fired up and we were all done we saved a couple of mins. to have hot cocoa and talk about whats happening. We would joke and have lots of fun. Then the time came it was 9:00am it was time to back into orlando. The Engineer and Fireman got into the the locomotive (A Florida Central CF-7)and the conductor went to the back of the train to back up the train. |
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Then....
We Would arive in orlando we lots of happy people ready for a train ride. After everyone got on we left at ten. After I sold food I told people history of the train. Its funny when you tell a bunch of kids your name is Thomas, they all think you are realated to Thomas-the-tank. Thats was a day I sold food and kept passengers happy. Heres a pciture of number 47 pulling the OMD train on is way to Mt.Dora |
GOODBYE #4
Steam Locomovtive Locomotive #4
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My personal goodbye
I only worked for the railroad for a month but in that month i learned alot and made lots of friends. I will miss this railroad very much. But who knows it may come back. If you got a chance to ride the train well be happy because youll never see something like this again. In this goodbye I say bye to the wonderful staff of the OMDRR who tried there best to make the railroad a sucess. They did not fail, but in way the succed. Goodbye Orlando And Mount Dora, Well see you down the line |
THIS TRAINS GOT THE DISAPPEARING RAILROAD BLUES
On February 22, 2003, the Mount Dora Limited made its last run between Orlando and Mount Dora.
However, before we get to that trip, lets find out a little history behind it and the Railway that operated it.
On December 1, 2001, the Orlando & Mount Dora Railway began operations. The Iowa Pacific Holding Company in Chicago created the company to operate trains between Mount Dora, Tavares and Orlando. President of the company is Ed Ellis. Ellis has a background in tourist railways and Amtrak Mail & Express. Steve Torrico was named Special Consultant and Neil Bagaus General Manager.
The company began by operating steam locomotive # 4 between Mount Dora and Tavares daily except Mondays. This schedule was maintained until January, when it was found that the flues in engine # 4 needed to be replaced. The M-201, Dora Doodlebug, did not begin service until March 2002. A diesel locomotive leased from the Florida Central Railroad acted as power for the train throughout the month of January. The train consist was made up of wooden coaches leased from the Arkansas Shortline Association.
In February 2002, the first steam powered trains began running between Orlando and Mount Dora. The coaches making up the train included four 1955 Long Island coaches, one 1948 New York Central combine, and one 1918 Illinois Central parlor/observation car. The train ran daily until late April.
In March, the OMD hosted the first A Day Out With Thomas event ever held in Florida. The nine day event was held in Tavares and drew over 32,000 Thomas fans. Arriving just in time to power the Thomas train was an ALCO S1 #10. During this time, the M-201, the Dora Doodlebug was placed back in service between Mount Dora and Tavares.
March 30, 2002 will be a day the employees of the Orlando and Mount Dora Railway will not soon forget. The Mount Dora bound train, after having air conditioning problems, left Orlando one hour late with 472 passengers. This was the largest passenger load and the heaviest tonnage steam engine # 4 had pulled for OMD. After arriving in Mount Dora, it was discovered that engine # 4 had sustained major damage to its main driver bearing. OMD crews went to Plymouth to get a diesel engine for the return trip. After arriving in Mount Dora it was discovered that the engine had mechanical problems, so an additional engine was brought up from Plymouth. Buses were hired from Lake Limo to bus passengers back to Orlando and most of the 472 passengers took advantage. The remaining riders arrived in Orlando at 10 PM on the train. The days of steam engine use on OMD had ended. Alco S1 #10 took over the after March 30, with Florida Central engines filling in occasionally when #10 was down for servicing and maintenance.
Over the next couple of months, the trips out of Orlando were gradually reduced to just once a week. The company stopped advertising in April and many trips were made with just 10 to 20 passengers.
First Class Parlor Car service on board the Calumet Club was introduced in September. This service offered 16 passengers the opportunity to ride in the Illinois Central Calumet Club car. On board the passengers were treated to breakfast, snacks, soft drinks and dessert. Two stewards served the passengers at tables using glassware. Reservations were required, as this service was very popular.
Other highlights over the 14 months of operations include:
(1) Carrying 875 passengers on the Pumpkin Limited.
(2) Carrying 825 passengers on the Polar Express.
(3) Running the first revenue passenger train out of Winter Garden on September 28, 2002.
(4) Filming a Friendly's Ice Cream commercial in February 2003.
(5) Carrying 32,000 passengers during the A Day Out With Thomas event.
(6) Introducing Orlando Magic basketball trains in November 2002.
In September, Alco S1 #10 lost its main generator. It was not fixed and an engine was leased from Florida Central for the remaining four months.
In December 2002, two consultants were brought in. They set up a sales staff, looked at new equipment, set up working relationships with Attractions on International Drive, visited with area Chamber of Commerce’s and produced marketing programs. None of this was implemented. On February 3, 2003, OMD employees were informed that the railway was to be shut down. An interesting side note to the final notice. OMD employees learned of the shut down from Florida Central employees before being told by Iowa Pacific officials. Doodlebug service, which had been suspended in January due to mechanical problems with the M-201, was annulled. The final run for the Mount Dora Limited was scheduled for February 22.
The final run was announced and 160 passengers quickly purchased tickets. The final train left the Hughey Street station on the advertised at 10 AM. Asst. General Manager Bill Dusenbury was at the controls from Hughey Street to the Amelia Street coach yards. Engineer Eric Liscom then took over the throttle for the journey to Mount Dora. Fireman for the final run was Bill Branch with Neil Bagaus, General Manager, serving as conductor. Dave Peterson served as Asst. Conductor. Stewards were Jennifer Hathaway and Jackie Owens. Thomas East served as porter. The final consist included: Arkansas Midland CF7 # 493, combine # 290, FCEN # 303 table car, coach # 2968, and parlor car # 3378 Calumet Club. The train arrived in Mount Dora at 12:07 PM. Eight minutes ahead of schedule.
Promptly at 3 PM, the Limited backed up the Sorrento branch mainline a quarter mile to pick up 3 coaches and engine # 10 the Alco S1. All Orlando & Mount Dora Equipment was now ready to depart for the last time. At 3:30 PM, the final Mount Dora Limited departed with Bill Dusenbury at the throttle. The final train was quite a sight! Four coaches, two engines, one table car, one combine, and one parlor car.
Final Mount Dora to Orlando consist:
Coaches # 2968, 2970, 2974, 2948
Combine # 290
Parlor # 3378
Table Car # 303
Engine # 493
Engine # 10
Led by Neil Bagaus, passengers sang Ive Been Working On the Railroad,The City of New Orleans. In addition they were served champagne and fruit juice. On hand for the final run from Iowa Pacific Holding Company were Ed Ellis, President, and Tracy Davis, Vice President. TV stations 13 & 9 covered the event and the Orlando Sentinel.
With the arrival at 5:45 PM, the Mount Dora Limited faded into Central Florida railroad history.
The train then deadheaded back to Plymouth awaiting interchange orders for the cars. The Calumet Club will be sent back to Fox River Rail in Wisconsin. Two Florida train enthusiasts have been looking at purchasing combine #290. The four commuter coaches currently have not been interchanged. The Alco S1 will be sent back to Relco Leasing in Illinois and the Florida Central #303 is stationed in Plymouth.
The 10 OMD employees are looking for other jobs. Engineer/Fireman Jason Turcyn has accepted employment with the Grand Canyon Railway and begins March 17. The remaining employees are still in the job market.
Writers Note: Although the railway had a life of only 14 months, many friendships were created. Many of you took pictures and rode with us. For all of that, we thank you! I thank all of the OMD employees for giving 100 percent all the time. You never gave up and never quit trying. As the song says, this trains got the disappearing railroad blues, but the memories will last forever.
Neil Bagaus
General Manager
Orlando & Mount Dora Railway
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Pictures From Jason, Web site master Orlando and Mount Dora Railway |
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