The Orange Blossom Special Passed Through the Jungle on Its Regularly Scheduled West Coast Run

The Pinellas Trail, a 38.2 mile urban pathway, makes its way across the east side of the Jungle on land that was formerly Seaboard Air Line railroad tracks. 

1939 Postcard The new streamlined version of the train was introduced in 1938 and drew thousands of onlookers when it arrived at train stations.(source: Creative Commons)

Beginning in November 1925, direct train service from New York to Florida was available during the winter season on the Orange Blossom Special. Initially, the Orange Blossom Special trains traveled on alternate days to Miami and St. Petersburg. Later, trains from New York split at Wildwood, Florida to form west and east coast trains.

The Silver Meteor also ran through the Jungle on these tracks from 1939 until 1984. Billed as the "Train of Tomorrow," its inaugural run departed from the Long Island train station at the 1939 New York World's Fair.

The Orange Blossom Special made its final run in 1953.

For more information on the Orange Blossom Special and the Silver Meteor, visit Streamliner Memories.

Pictured: Egret near the Pinellas Trail at 13th Avenue North in the Jungle where the Orange Blossom Special once ran.
(Photo: Steve of the Jungle) 

Section of 1950 map shows Jungle neighborhood and Seaboard railroad tracks (currently the Pinellas Trail).

1928 Seaboard Air Line Railway Schedule

credit: Seaboard Air Line Railway: Steam Boats, Locomotives, and History by Richard E. Prince

Credit: american-rails.com

Portion of 1936 Route map shows stations in Clearwater, Belleair, Anona (Largo), Pasadena and St. Petersburg.

Advertisement: Orange Blossom Special service to St. Petersburg (credit: Friends of Tampa Union Station)

Postcard: Seaboard Air-Line Passenger Train Sun Lounge (Wikimedia Commons)

Postcard: Seaboard Railroad Passenger Station at 34th Street South and Fairfield Avenue South - St. Petersburg, Florida (State Archives of Florida)

(Credit: Streamliner Memories)

Ervin T. Rouse - Orange Blossom Special

The ORIGINAL 1939 version of the MOST famous fiddle song ever recorded.

Flatt, Scruggs, Foggy Mountain Boys - Orange Blossom Special

Johnny Cash - Orange Blossom Special