The Jacksonville Southwestern was owned by Cummer Lumber Company, one of their logging engines (narrow gauge) is preserved at the Beaches Museum. The JSW was Standard Gauge which illustrates the many different types of railroad line that was used in the area prior to World War Two. An interesting side note is that the locomotives on the JSW, and many other local logging and shortline railroads were owned by William Daniels. Daniels had a locomotive leasing business and he bought up former railroad mainline locomotives and rebuilt them for lease operations. His office was located at 1700 West Church Street in Jacksonville. Here are a couple of vintage photos of the JSW in action.
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This is a Daniels engine at work West of Jacksonville, about 1905. Note that the engine was very old by this time
The Atlantic Coast Line would later buy out the JSW between Springfield, Jacksonville, and West Florida. For many years this was the ACL's West Florida mainline. Huge yards and shops were built in High Springs, and yards in Newberry. This is a photo of the early operations of the JSW in Newberry.
Following the history of these old line across Florida is more then just chasing Ghost Trains. It is the story of our State itself. The empires, people and communities that made us what we are today. I often spend entire weeks wandering from place to place, picking up maps, finding clues and looking for our past along these lines...wanna come along on the next trip??
