As steam rises from around the pistons, engineer Eric Liscom reflects upon the past.

"It's living history,” Eric said, sitting at the helm of a 1907-built Baldwin Locomotive Works steam train engine.

An icon of the industrial revolution, still breathes this weekend in Lake County. While the No. 2 engine of the Orange Blossom Cannonball can only utter a few syllables, like whistle chirps and bell tolls, this 110-year-old lady can still stop traffic and draw a crowd.

"This particular one (train engine), was built for a logging operation,” Eric reflected while the engine sat at the city depot in Tavares. "It spent most of its life in east Texas and Arkansas.”

Eric traded a job in aviation for time spent riding the rails. In the red caboose, still pulled by No. 2, find conductor George Boatwright. He left retirement after working for Amtrak to collect tickets on weekends.

"32 years on the railroad,” George says proudly wearing a ball cap with the words ‘Trains Matter’ embroidered on the top.

When wood is burned, it creates heat that mixed with water, produces steam.

"Are we putting water in?" Eric asks before leaving on the run from Tavares to Mt. Dora.

For everything the engineers feed the No. 2, she provides in return.

When underway, the engine’s firebox can reach 2,400 degrees. That's warm enough that if you take kielbasa sausage, wrap it in foil, and lay it on the metal housing around the engine, it will cook thoroughly for lunch.

Yet, the final boarding call for the No. 2 takes place this weekend.

"You got to make a deal with the owner of the tracks,” Eric says to the demise of the tourist train in Lake County

The Tavares, Eustis and Gulf Railroad lost its lease on the set of tracks it uses connecting Mt. Dora to Tavares.

The line may soon host freight trains and act as storage tracks for box cars.

"We are in the freight business,” said Peter Petree with the Florida Central Railroad, the owner of the tracks.

“That's what we have been, and that's what we will continue to do,” Petree said of the decision to not renew the Tavares, Eustis and Gulf Railroad’s lease.

Peter says the partnership began in 2011 and renewed on an annual basis, up until this year.

Now a relic with ties from the 19th century falls victim to 21st century realities.

While standing outside the engine, George’s radio snaps with an unidentified voice saying, "You all about ready to go?"

George pauses and answers, "Ah, Yes."

And while he says he's ready, George isn't ready to let go.

"Sorry to see this train going; wish it would keep running because it is a piece of history,” George concludes.

As the afternoon shadows grow long, the train’s reflection is a reminder of an era gone by.

In early February, the No. 2 and her passenger cars will be loaded onto flatbed trucks and hauled back to Arkansas by the way of the Florida Turnpike and Interstate 10.

NOTE: Tickets for the final rides aboard the Tavares, Eustis and Gulf Railroad are now sold out. Enthusiasts may still visit the train stations in Tavares and Mount Dora for free photos with the No. 2 engine and conversation with train engineers. The final rides will roll until 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, and Sunday, Jan. 29. 

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