OCALA, FL (352today.com) – In 1895 a railroad going through Ocala was probably the best thing for the city, but it’s an idea that seems antiquated in the 21st Century.
The line connected Palatka to Brooksville. It was a topic of discussion at the Ocala City Council meeting on Aug. 5, with questions arising among the council members, if a train going through downtown Ocala is really necessary.
Those were the sentiments of Ocala resident John Barber, especially in the wake of the recent train derailment on July 25, the second one in 2025, and the fourth derailment in the past decade. Ocala Fire and Rescue, the Ocala Police Department and Marion County Fire and Rescue responded to the incident.
‘The best thing for Ocala that could happen today, would be for it (the railroad) to go away,” said Barber. ‘The rail line is out of date, it’s obsolete. It’s in horrible condition. I’m here before you today, to ask that we become proactive, direct staff to directly connect with CSX, the owner of the rail line, and not with the short line operator.”
Barber noted the rail line has very little oversight.
“It’s an opportunity for our city, our community to spur economic development, increase property values, increase the quality of life for our residents, our visitors and all the businesses, including the county,” said Barber.
A crisis was avoided 12 days ago, and although several of the cars did derail and overturn, one of those that didn’t was carrying hazardous materials. The overturned cars were carrying gravel and rock that spilled. Multi-family residences and an assisted living facility are in close proximity to the scene of the incident.
A consensus among council members found them in agreement with Mr. Barber.
Ocala City Manager Pete Lee said the city will contact CSX. The Federal Railroad Administration and possibly the Surface Transportation Board appear to be regulatory bodies regarding railroads.
“The first thing is to contact whoever the authority is to do something about the track,” said Ire Bethea Sr., Ocala City Council president pro-tempore. “The point is the safety of our citizens.”
The formation of a citizens advisory committee is currently in progress.
In the city’s 2035 vision, the conversion from rail to trail was incorporated.
The tanker cars, whose wheels were off the track, one was carrying a toxic substance, said Ocala Fire and Rescue Chief Clint Welborn.
“The track is operable, but the cars are still on the side of the track,” said Welborn.
If the car carrying the toxic substance would have fallen, the Environmental Protection Association would have had to have been brought in, and evacuations would have had to have taken place, but that would be contingent on the size of the leak, said Welborn.
The railroad company regulates the track problem and the cars.
A crane will be brought in to get the cars upright.