Seminole Gulf Railway GP9 #580 works industries north of Sarasota. This engine will run north to Oneco to deliver cars to CSX and wrap up for the day. The Seminole Gulf's Sarasota Branch is made up of the remnants of a former Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard Air Line trackage, running in a U-shape throughout the city. This job would normally run once a week, but it has been running five days a week for the past year after Hurricane Ian destroyed the railroad's bridge across the Caloosahatchee River, blocking rail access to Fort Myers. The railroad adapted by offering transload service in Sarasota until the bridge is repaired. This situation has provided railfans with an opportunity to see this high-hood GP9, which is typically only used as back-up power, in regular service. The engine was built in 1954 for the Florida East Coast Railway and operated on the opposite side of the state before it was purchased by the Seminole Gulf.
