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BostonRich
03-20-2021, 08:36 PM
Does anyone know why there is an abandoned railroad track just north of the Morse Boulevard bridge going towards Lake Sumter Landing? Did the developers plan to stuff and mount an old locomotive here at one time? I did go back through Google Earth historic maps and it looks like nothing was ever put on these tracks. Just curious.

Zoom Earth | LIVE weather satellite, radar, storm maps (https://zoom.earth/#view=28.915786,-81.969152,21z)
pqrstar
03-20-2021, 08:46 PM
I think it is just to give the place character.
Just like the wrecked boats at the dock on Lake Sumter, the Lighthouse, and water tank and water wheel behind Barnes and Nobles.
Look at the walls above all the buildings and shops in Lake Sumter and you will see a lot of "Made-up" history written there.
billethkid
03-20-2021, 09:17 PM
Itsa prop for decoration....like the buildings....
Arctic Fox
03-21-2021, 07:13 AM
There is mock track-work between the square and the lake at Sumter, too. At Spanish Springs they put in some old rolling stock so I don't know why Sumter missed out on that.
Jim 9922
03-21-2021, 09:44 AM
The mock trackwork is just an example of Developer approved "lawn ornaments". Similar to other "historic glitz" such as rusty gas pumps, inoperable junk trucks, faded beer signs, gigantic fiberglass fish, etc. Actually they can serve some purpose. We have developed several "scavenger hunts" for the grandchildren to participate in during their Villages visits.
mulligan
03-21-2021, 09:51 AM
Keep in mind also, that the bridge was built on dry land. They added the water after it was done.
dewilson58
03-21-2021, 11:59 AM
At one time there was a RR car sitting on it.
CWGUY
03-21-2021, 03:35 PM
At one time there was a RR car sitting on it.

:coolsmiley: I seem to remember a that. A 2 man railroad handcar. :ho:
rustyp
03-21-2021, 04:14 PM
Flagler ?
tvbound
03-21-2021, 04:35 PM
The explosion of the creosote plant destroyed all of the other tracks, along with the boats you can see half-sunk and blasted the rail cars into Sumpter Lake.
John_W
03-21-2021, 05:31 PM
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rustyp
03-21-2021, 06:40 PM
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J1ceasar
03-22-2021, 05:17 AM
Well these tracks may be made up, the history of trains in Florida is truly fascinating with many small companies running their own rails
Tomptomp
03-22-2021, 06:36 AM
Aesthetics !
Neils
03-22-2021, 08:42 AM
They use the tracks to roll out the Space X capsules from the storage warehouse behind Gators Dockside prior to launch
sallyg
03-22-2021, 11:06 AM
Like most of the villages townsquare areas - all artificial.
Bogie Shooter
03-22-2021, 11:19 AM
Like most of the villages townsquare areas - all artificial.

Is that so bad?
jimlambert
03-22-2021, 12:03 PM
The explosion of the creosote plant destroyed all of the other tracks, along with the boats you can see half-sunk and blasted the rail cars into Sumpter Lake.
There’s no P in Sumter lake 😂.
chuckpedrey
03-22-2021, 01:13 PM
It’s also amusing to walk through town and read the little placards that are mounted on posts in front of some of the buildings. Again, just to add ambience to the setting.
Number 10 GI
03-22-2021, 01:55 PM
Are we never satisfied? We live in a place where it is much safer than nearly anywhere else, beautiful flowers and shrubbery that are well maintained, no trash on the streets, no "antique" cars on cement blocks in the front yards of homes, no run down business buildings with the windows boarded up, walking paths where you can see nature first hand, and on and on. So what if the plaques, railroad tracks, boat wrecks, light towers, etc. depict a make-believe history, it's just whimsical little things that make TV different and more interesting than other places. The same roads that brought you here can take you away from here also.
John_W
03-22-2021, 02:22 PM
...
SIRE1
03-22-2021, 03:18 PM
And all the time I thought those tracks at the bridge led to the Costco that they tore down to build the Lake Sumter Landing town square !!!!!!!
tvbound
03-22-2021, 04:54 PM
Well these tracks may be made up, the history of trains in Florida is truly fascinating with many small companies running their own rails

With the most amazing being Flagler, who extended his railroad all the way to Key West. Sadly, a hurricane took out that portion, but what kind of vision and drive did it take to even try that way back then?

Overseas Railroad - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overseas_Railroad)
BostonRich
03-23-2021, 04:26 PM
Have to add that there was a train station in Lady Lake that is now the home of the Lady Lake Historic Society. The trains used to run under 441 at the bridge which is now being torn down just south of Miller's Ale House.

BTW - For those who don't know, Amtrak actually has a "train station" for The Villages. It's only a bus connection but it does exist.