A bridge on the South Central Florida Express, the common carrier short line owned by U.S. Sugar, burned in early April, forcing the suspension of freight service on the line and a planned excursion behind 4-6-2 148. The bridge near Palmdale caught fire on April 6. The cause of the fire is under investigation by local law enforcement. 

The bridge is not far from the home base of “Sugar Express,” U.S. Sugar’s excursion operation. The fire forced the cancellation of an excursion behind 148 that had been scheduled for April 25. However, railroad officials said they have already begun to work with a bridge builder, and were confident enough to reschedule the excursion for May 30. Those who had tickets for the April 25 “Lake Placid Limited” were refunded.

—Justin Franz