The Seminole Gulf Railway Excursion Trains

The Seminole Gulf Railway, located in Fort Myers, Florida is a shortline freight railroad that also hosts excursion trains, which have become quite popular over the years. Today, you have your choice of a standard excursion train run during the day or the very popular Murder Mystery Train that includes a fine dinner and show. The Seminole Gulf’s excursion trains also offer you a beautiful look at southwest Florida by rail as trains travel north out of Fort Myers. If you are looking for a relaxing alternative to the nearby hustle and bustle whether you’re a vacationer or local resident, a trip aboard the Seminole Gulf is most definitely a memorable experience.

The Seminole Gulf Railway started out in 1987 as a shortline freight railroad in 1987 when it took over an ex-CSX Transportation line, originally built by CSX predecessor Atlantic Coast Line that totaled 118 miles in length. The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, also known as the ACL or Coast Line, was synonymous with the South and served points from Richmond, Virginia to Florida and east to Birmingham, Alabama. The railroad was also very profitable being that it served direct north-south routes from Florida to Richmond. It also held one of the most unique paint schemes of any Class I of both its day, having a beautiful purple and silver livery with yellow trim.

Remembered in the likes of the Southern Railway in later years the ACL was highly respected throughout most of its existence and like the Southern was blessed with excellent management and never faced any serious bankruptcy (and only entered receivership once during the Depression years of the early 1930s) threat up until its merger with the Seaboard Air Line in the late 1960s to form the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad. Today the Seminole Gulf is a prospering short line that has a diverse traffic base including paper, natural gas, plastics, sugar, steel, and much more.

According to Carl Appelberg, current manager of passenger operations for the railroad, owners Gordon and Susan Fay began excursion operations on the Seminole Gulf Railway (with the help of Mr. Appelberg) just a few years after its startup, in 1990. Originally its tourist trains only included the daytime excursion with the railroad later adding its now very popular Murder Mystery train. Today, all of the railroad’s excursions are quite popular with the public for both their great onboard services and dinners and spectacular seaside and tropical scenery of southern Florida. It should be noted that the railroad is well known for its five-course dinner with three different entrée choices that range from prime rib, Atlantic Salmon, and chicken (a selection which constantly sees changes to preparation).

The Seminole Gulf’s excursion trains are powered by streamlined EMD F units (an F9Am and F7Am), whose heritage date back to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific (The Milwaukee Road). For equipment you can ride in vintage streamlined passenger cars dating back to the 1930s and 1940s. The Seminole Gulf runs a total of four cars on its excursion trains whose names include the Sanibel, Marco, Gasparilla and Captiva.

For an idea of what each excursion train the Seminole Gulf offers includes please read on below:

Daytime Excursion Trains - A 1 to 1 ½ hour ride through splendid tropical Florida with a history provided of the state’s rail operations in the region.

The Dinner Train - The Dinner Train includes a fine onboard meal and murder mystery show. This train has become quite a real hit over the years so be sure and get your tickets as they usually sell out pretty quickly!

Specials - Throughout the year the Seminole Gulf runs special trains like the Father’s Day Train, Halloween Ghost Train, New Year’s Eve Gala, and much more. These trains feature particular themes and services, and are also very popular.

All in all, since the Seminole Gulf Railway operates its excursions year round you have a chance to ride its trains whenever you wish. You certainly should not be disappointed if you do decide to take a ride aboard one of its trains as the trip and passing scenery are very much well worth it!

For more information on tourist trains like those offered by the Seminole Gulf Railway you might want to consider the book Empire State Railway Museum's Tourist Trains 2006 from the Empire State Railway Museum. Given excellent reviews this guidebook covers nearly all of the tourist railroads and museums operating in the country in fine detail. So, if you’re interested in locating a tourist train or railroad near you, or simply want to know more about a particular one, you will certainly not be disappointed in Empire State Railway Museum’s guidebook to tourist railroads and museums. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit The Railroad Diamond by clicking the tab in the menu to your left marked "TRD Store".