Frequently Asked Questions

Steam locomotives are amazing, complex machines! Here are some of the common questions we're asked about the Sugar Express!

  • Q: Is your train climate controlled?
  • A: Each of our ticketed passenger cars has heating and air conditioning.

  • Q: Is your train handicap accessible?
  • A: Due to the historic nature of our passenger train, none of our cars are ADA accessible. Our train can accommodate guests who utilize walkers and scooters if they can navigate the steps with assistance from our staff.

  • Q: Can I bring my dog/pet?
  • A: Due to the historic nature of our train and the number of small openings, narrow walkways, and pinch points for paws, we only permit designated service animals aboard our trains.
  • Q: Does Sugar Express operate a real steam train?
  • A: Yes! Sometimes you can even see puffs of white steam (water vapor) emerging from different parts of the locomotive.
  • Q: Does Sugar Express run in inclement weather?
  • A: Sugar Express operates rain or shine. Except for our open-air car Miami Locks, all coaches fully covered, enclosed from the elements, and are climate-controlled. In the event of a hurricane advisory for our region, trips may be annulled and rescheduled.
  • Q: Are there restroom facilities on the train?
    A: Yes.
  • Q: Is your train air-conditioned?
  • A: All ticketed coaches and first-class cars are air-conditioned.
  • Q: If we are running late, will you hold the train for us?
  • A: Passengers must arrive no later than 30 minutes before departure time to allow adequate time for parking and boarding. We cannot hold the train for late arrivals.
  • Q: Will your train feature a diesel locomotive?
  • A: The 148 is perfectly capable of operating the train on its own, but due to limited turning or run-around facilities on the railroad, many trips often include a diesel locomotive on the rear end of the train to allow for backup or return trips.
  • Q: How old is your steam locomotive?
  • A: Locomotive 148 is over 100 years old having been built in May of 1920. However, the locomotive just finished a complete overhaul with every part having been disassembled, inspected, and refurbished or upgraded as needed – it is basically in better-than-new condition!
  • Q: How fast can it go?
  • A: The large main driving wheels show that Number 148 was designed as a fast passenger engine. It is capable of reaching 70 MPH, although the speed limit on our railroad is 40 MPH.
  • Q: What fuel does it use?
  • A: In keeping with US Sugar’s commitment to the environment and the agricultural industry, No. 148 burns waste vegetable oil. This sustainable fuel combined with an improved combustion system make locomotive 148 one of the cleanest steam locomotives in the world!
  • Q: So how do you “upgrade” a historic steam train?
  • A: While there are limits to what can be done, locomotive 148 received a number of modifications aimed at improving safety, efficiency, reliability, and emissions. The axles received one of two types of improved bearings which makes it easier for the locomotive to roll down the tracks. The important main driving axle bearings even include wireless temperature sensors to alert the engineer if there is a problem. The burner system, while similar to other proven burner designs, features carefully placed air openings mimicking those found in modern jet engines to help minimize smoke. The heart of any steam locomotive is its exhaust nozzle and smokestack where the steam and fire meet. These critical components were redesigned using jet engine technology to help improve efficiency. Lastly, a modern radio and speaker system were installed in the cab allowing both fireman and engineer to hear instructions from the dispatcher.

AGRITOURISM WAIVER

Under Florida law, an agritourism operator is not liable for injury or death of, or damage or loss to, a participant in an agritourism activity conducted at this agritourism location if such injury, death, damage, or loss results from the inherent risks of the agritourism activity. Inherent risks of agritourism activities include, among others, risks of injury inherent to land, equipment, and animals, as well as the potential for you to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to your injury, death, damage, or loss. You are assuming the risk of participating in this agritourism activity.

DISCLAIMERS

Your support and participation are greatly appreciated.

By purchasing tickets or attending our events, you agree to review and consent to the following terms:

  • All schedules, timetables, and event amenities and offerings may be altered by the Sugar Express at any time due to railroad logistics, late departures, mechanical substitutions, or other unforeseen circumstances.
  • Your presence and participation indicate that you, as a ticket holder, ticket purchaser, guest, passenger, crew, or vendor accept the limits of liability from inherent risks of all activities and operations. We reserve the right to substitute motive power or rolling stock as necessary.

SAFETY

These operations take place at a working railroad facility. Please be mindful of your safety and the safety of your guests. Watch your step, be mindful of moving railroad equipment, uneven surfaces or bad footing, and pinch points for fingers, arms, and limbs. Do not walk on the railhead and obey instructions from the train crew at all times.

  • Please wear sturdy, comfortable shoes – DO NOT wear flip-flops, sandals, or open-toed or high-heel shoes. Boarding and detraining sites may well have uneven footing, large heavy gravel, unusually high steps – sometimes as much as 20 inches, and walking is required at all locations. Passengers with limited mobility need to be aware of these limitations and should expect such situations, and should contact us for advance planning and accommodations.
  • Trains to run rain or shine. No smoking onboard the train.
  • You must wear safety glasses if riding in an open vestibule during a trip or on a railroad that permits open vestibules.
  • We cannot guarantee the security of cameras and other personal property – you must keep track of your own belongings.
  • For their safety, we do not allow household pets aboard our trains. Service animals are welcome.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Most of the passenger cars used on these trains were built in the 1940s and 1950s, decades before ADA handicap considerations were implemented on railroad passenger cars. These historic cars mostly have narrow hallways, narrow doorways, and small restrooms and these can present many handicapped persons with insurmountable challenges. Cars used on excursions are historic in nature and may be subject to mechanical issues, which while possible are nevertheless uncommon.

Passengers who desire to sit together must make reservations at the same time and present themselves on the train together as seats are not assigned.

Some first-class cars have more than one type of seating arrangement within the car. Passengers may be asked to switch seats to best accommodate groups or uneven parties. A class of ticket refers to accommodations and services and may not be specific to a car unless specifically stated on the ticket.

Do not book other transportation or make time-sensitive reservations or obligations.

Sugar Express utilizes historic steam locomotive No. 148 for most of its events. Due to the absence of a turntable or suitable turning facilities in numerous destinations, some trips may require the use of a diesel locomotive for reverse moves or on the return portion of some trips.

REFUNDS ON EXCURSION TICKETS

Refunds or cancellations are only applicable 30 days before an event.

Refunds are not applicable in the event of missed or late trains. Passengers are responsible for being at the boarding site at least 30 minutes before departure time. Delayed and “No show” guests are not entitled to a refund. Reserved tickets will be released for resale 10 minutes before departure.

Any refund is subject to a 25% service charge and is only issued if there is a waitlist for that particular class of tickets.

Sugar Express has the right of refusal to any passenger who refuses to obey safety rules or whose behavior has been or may be detrimental to other passengers and/or crew. In the unlikely event of a cancellation, refunds will be issued less any ticketing fees.

CONSENT TO PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO RECORDING

By entering Sugar Express or U.S. Sugar property or participating in Sugar Express events, operations, and excursions and by your presence here, you consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded. Your entry constitutes your consent to such photography, filming, and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media throughout the universe in perpetuity, of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with the Sugar Express. You understand that all photography, filming, and/or recording will be done in reliance on this consent given by you by entering this area.

HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT

By entering Sugar Express or U.S. Sugar property or participating in our events, operations, and excursions and by your presence here, you and your guests agree to hold these parties harmless in the event of sickness (including COVID-19), physical risk, or damage. You assume all related liability for accidents, negligence, combined negligence, and omissions.

No. 148 was manufactured in April 1920 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Richmond, Virginia, for use by the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC). Already by that time, FEC had taken receipt of dozens of nearly-identical locomotives to haul its many passenger and freight trains. Given the very flat topography of their route, these light weight engines were well suited to hauling passenger as well as freight trains.

The FEC operated the famous “Overseas Railroad,” a 128 mile extension that it built between 1905 and 1912 to connect Miami to Key West. This route was home to passenger and freight operations, and No. 148 certainly hauled trains across this line. The route was only in service until 1935, when the Labor Day Hurricane partially destroyed many of the long viaducts between the island chain. This, combined with the ongoing great depression, spelled the end of this unique line.

An unidentified locomotive, perhaps even No. 148, is shown here hauling a freight train across the Long Key Viaduct of the Overseas Railroad in 1926. Image Courtesy: Library of Congress

Engine No. 148 hauls the Hastings-Binnell local train across the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida, on August 1, 1932. The Denver Public Library, Western History Collection: OP-11628.

Already by the time of the Labor Day Hurricane hit, FEC had begun to dispose of its older 4-6-2 type locomotives, either scrapping the older versions or selling them to other railroads. In the 1930’s, U.S. Sugar purchased sister FEC steam engines Nos. 98, 113, and 153 to haul the raw sugar cane from the harvest field to their processing plant. Engine No. 148 continued its service on behalf of the FEC until 1952, when it too was sold to U.S. Sugar.

A thoroughly modern operation even at the time, U.S. Sugar relied upon the rail system to efficiently transport raw materials as well as to ship out finished product.

U.S. Sugar operated its fleet of steam locomotives into the early 1960s, at which point they were replaced by more efficient diesel-electric locomotives. While locomotive Nos. 113 and 153 were donated to the Gold Coast Railroad Museum, engine No. 148 was sold by U.S. Sugar to Mr. Sam Freeman in 1969, after which time he transported the locomotive to New Jersey for operation on the Black River & Western Railroad (BR&W). It operated at the BR&W from 1971 until 1973, when it was moved to New Hope & Ivyland Railroad for boiler and mechanical work.

After this overhaul, No. 148 operated across multiple tourist railroad lines in New Jersey. Upon the death of Mr. Freeman in 1982, No. 148 was donated to the Connecticut Valley Railroad Museum, but due to the extensive cost required to return the locomotive to operation, it was sold to a private party in 1988. This resulted in the locomotive being transported to Michigan in the early 1990s, and after being sold to another owner, it was shipped to Monte Vista, Colorado, in 2005.

After being purchased by U.S. Sugar for restoration to operation in 2016 and returned to service in 2020.

U.S. Sugar No. 98, sister to No. 148, is shown here servicing the mill at Bryant, Florida, in this 1942 photograph by Marion Post. Image courtesy: Library of Congress

Engine No. 148 returned to operation in April, just in time for the 100th anniversary of its construction.