South Eastern Railcar Operators, Inc.

Florida Midland Railroad
Florida Central Railroad
Florida Northern Railroad

South Eastern Railcar Operators, Inc. will sponsor a motorcar excursion on the Florida Midland, Florida Central and Florida Northern Railroads, all of which are a part of the Pinsley Railroads group who have graciously allowed us to operate.

FRIDAY MARCH 28, 2008 - Florida Midland Railroad - Lake Wales, FL NEW TRACK FOR THE HOBBY. Set On will start at 09:00 A.M. Ample parking is available adjacent to the Set On location at E. Stuart Ave. East of N. Scenic Highway. For a photo of the set-on site click HERE . We will make a reverse move (back the cars) North about 1/3 mile, where, after clearing a switch, we can proceed to West lake Wales near the CSX connection. We will turn on a paved crossing and return to the point clear of the switch, turn the cars again on one of several paved crossings in a city park, then proceed South to Lake Wales for a lunch break.

Lunch facilities are available at several restaurants close to the set-on location along Stuart Avenue as pictured HERE. In the afternoon we will run South through rolling hills and orange groves to Frostproof and turn near the end of track. We will run about 34 round trip miles. After set-off we will have the opportunity to visit the nearby ACL railroad Depot Museum.

There are not many hotels in the Lake Wales area, but there is a new Hampton Inn on US 27 just north of Lake Wales. Phone number is 863-734-3000. If you have AARP or AAA the rate is $125.10 plus tax. It might be best to drive the 58 miles to Winter Garden where more accommodations are located along highway 50 (Colonial Drive) within a few miles of Saturday’s set-on location. An RV Park is located nearby as illustrated HERE. Accomodations in this area include:

Red Roof Inn, 11241 West Colonial Drive, Ocoee, FL 34761 (407) 347-0140
Holiday Inn: Orlando West, 10945 West Colonial Drive, Ocoee, FL 34761(407) 656-5050
Courtyard by Marriott Orlando Ocoee, 10971 West Colonial Drive, Ocoee, FL 34761 (407) 573-1010
Orlando Winter Garden Campground Resort, 13905 W. Colonial Drive Winter Garden, Fl. 34787 (407) 656-1415

SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 2008 - Florida Central Railroad - Winter Garden, FL Our set-on location is on South Main Street just East of the railroad museum in the old depot in the city center. The set on site is pictured HERE and the depot museum near the old fashioned water tank is HERE or HERE for a spherical photo in QuickTime or HERE for the same photo in Flash. We will be treated to an “Old Fashioned” pancake breakfast starting at 06:30 by the Central Florida Chapter of the NRHS. Set on begins at 07:00 We will Leave Winter Garden at 08:30 and run to Wooten Park in Tavares with a “pit” stop at the railroad headquarters in Plymouth. (NOTE: In previous years, we have always set-on in Wooten Park and run to Winter Garden. Due to an antique wooden boat show and construction in the park, our normal parking is not available, hence we will do the reverse of what has been done on past runs.) Lunch is your choice in one of the several restaurants near the park or street vendors at the boat show which we will visit during our lunch break.

In addition to wooden boats, the show also features wooden body cars. Our motorcars will be of as much interest to them as their boats and cars are for us, so be ready for lots of questions about our activities. We will return to Winter Garden in the afternoon. Round trip distance is about 57 miles.

After setting off, we can again visit the railroad museum before heading for Sunday’s run in Ocala. It’s an easy 65 miles trip via the Florida Turnpike (entrance only about 2 miles from set-off) and I-75 to Ocala. Ocala’s many hotels include:

Days Inn of Ocala, 3811 N US-27, Ocala FL 34482 (352) 629-7041
Ramada Inn, N US-27, Ocala FL 34482 (352) 732-3131
Holiday Inn Express of Ocala, 1212 SW Pine Ave, (Hwy 441, 301 & 27) Ocala FL 34474 (352) 629-7300
La Quinta Inn and Suites, 3530 SW 36th Ave, (near SR200 & I-75) Ocala FL 34474 (352) 861-1137

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2008 - Florida Northern Railroad - Ocala, FL We will set on in downtown Ocala, Florida, North of Highway 40 grade crossing in an area where the track runs down the middle of the street for several blocks starting at 08:00. Click HERE for a picture of the set-on site, or HERE for a spherical photo in QuickTime or HERE for the same photo in Flash.

Departure at 09:00. We will run South to Candler (14 miles each way) and return to the set on location for a lunch break. Anyone on a tight schedule can set off at this time. In the afternoon, we will cross the CSX main line on the diamond at the Ocala station and run North to the end of the track near Lowell (11 miles each way). It is a very pretty run. There are a number of busy crossings that we will have to flag. We will also have to cross the CSX main on the diamond at the Amtrack station in Ocala.

Do not set on any track before checking in on any day

NARCOA Insurance is required. NARCOA Operating Rules and Regulations will be in effect. A NARCOA Certificate of Examination is required.

Cost is $135.00 per Motorcar for any or all three days. Make checks payable to:

Kathy Pults,
PO Box 867,
High Springs, Florida 32655.

BE SURE AND INCLUDE AN EMAIL ADDRESS
All confirmations, etc. will be by email.

Coordinators:
Charles Pults 386-454-4659 rrequip@alltel.net
Keith Mackey 352-347-0770 keithm@gate.net