Searchlights and GP40's: Local Freight Trains on the Florida East Coast Railway

Join us as we take a look at Florida East Coast's only two local trains on the stretch between Jacksonville and Titusville, FL. Chasing these trains is exceedingly difficult until they stop to work industries, as the track speed on much of the FEC system is 60mph.
An interesting note: I lucked out with FEC train #905 unexpectedly working the Bayard Industrial Spur just south of Jacksonville, switching out insulated BNSF boxcars at Saddle Creek Logistics, located at the very end of the branch. The main goal with going to Bayard was to capture the last remaining searchlight signals on the entire FEC system. After 905 cleared the north end, we watched the signal give a clear aspect for train 202 (seen in the previous video), but the train never took the signal in the hour we spent at Bayard, even after watching 905 switch the spur.
If you enjoy what you see, please leave a like, comment, and be sure to subscribe for more railroad content. Thank you for watching!
-- October 10, 2023 --
905 (Southbound - Bayard, Palm Coast, Bunnell, and Favoretta, FL)
-- October 11, 2023 --
910 (Northbound - New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach, FL)
910 (Southbound - Ormond Beach and Titusville, FL)

[@robertbeck97850]

Great video, FEC engine 415 looks a little rough. She first came to the FEC in 1972 with 4 more GP40’s-2. They were numbered 411 thru 415. The Trains Magazine did a really nice article on the FEC in the copy dated July 1996. In fact on page 37 you will FEC engine 415 in its better paint days. It did have a different paint job logo but still the same blue paint. 415 was a great engine. I worked for the FEC from 1982-1985 and used to be the conductor on the Unit Train, which ran from Hialeah yard (Rinker materials n Medley) to City Point to unload the rock. We used to 2 of the 400 series On the 60 car Unit Train. Sometimes we got GP40’s and other times we used GP40-2. Please keep your FEC videos coming.
Robert now retired in Island City Oregon.

[@andreasforster7757]

Excellent. Andreas 👨‍✈👍👍👍

[@CSXAC4400CWno5112]

Thanks so much!

[@ICE6365]

Another great video. Been loving the FEC vids!

[@CSXAC4400CWno5112]

Thanks man! Was a fun experience, albeit stressful at times lol

[@tfs4499]

Great catch!

[@CSXAC4400CWno5112]

Was a treat chasing these locals, for sure!

[@Jfrmr1]

Excellent video. I thought I was the only one on youtube without narrated content lol

[@CSXAC4400CWno5112]

Glad you enjoyed it! Nope, I haven’t crossed that bridge yet and may never do so lol!

[@TrainBoy-fd1bp]

0:23 I caught the exact same locomotive on the exact same Train symbol 6 days before you checked out the FEC

[@CSXAC4400CWno5112]

Very cool!