boatsmate wrote:I am going to be in the Fort Lauderdale/ Miami area the end of next week, I was wondering if there have been any major changes to the FEC schedules? I found a listing on line that seems to be up to date, but just wanted to check. Anything special going on that I might want to check out? I will also check out the dodge island area and report back after my trip.
Thanks in advance
'
Capt Bill
The schedule that I posted in November, 2012 has not changed very much except for 292 and 193 which no longer run. There is a 111 and 212 between Bowden (Jacksonville Yard) and I believe City Point which runs five nights a week on a turnaround basis out of Bowden. There are occasional extras as well but not on a regular basis. Train 109 has been running most days except Sundays and often but not always 202 is annulled Sundays. There are two road locals out of Fort Lauderdale plus a yard job (970), one local goes north and the outer south often to Hialeah in the morning with cars to go north because they do not have enough room for all of them in Fort Lauderdale. Traffic is pretty good right now but instead of running more trains for the most part they are simply running longer trains. The trains are fast and generally difficult if not impossible to follow in a motor vehicle and the line is in superb condition, probably as good as any railroad in the US anywhere. Trains to Dodge Island (Port of Miami) are still more or less a hit or miss affair, they run them as required because they still do not have the yard built there and there is limited space available. My guess is one train and maybe not every single day at that with an engine on both ends to assist with the switching. My suggestions: if you want to watch or photograph them at 55 MPH go to Downtown Hollywood where they move right along and if you want to watch them at a moderate pace go to the Fort Lauderdale Bridge which is only two blocks south of Broward Boulevard and at the Riverwalk. It is a good spot for trains with the bridge lowered about 15 minutes ahead of each train and the line at this location has two tracks as well. It is about a mile or so from the main Tri-Rail Station to the FEC on Broward Boulevard served by a city bus no. 22 with pretty frequent service. I don't know where you are staying but if it is in Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood I do not recommend driving to Miami, Tri-Rail runs all day every hour and much more often in both the AM and PM rush with a connection to downtown Miami. You can observe the line to the Port by using the Metromover downtown and getting off at Bayside station and walking a couple of blocks north to the American Airlines Arena where the railroad passes right by.
You should not have any problems at any of the places I mentioned as long as you do not trespass or enter railroad property. We all have a good relationship with the FEC down here because we all respect that. Enjoy yourself and have a safe day.
Noel Weaver
