Georgia Road Transportation

GP60

In 2018, Florida & Gulf Industries (FGI) launched its Hurricane Intermodal Service shortly after purchasing the Florida & Gulf Coast Railroad from MDRail Transportation. This regional service was intended to link the Big Bend and Panhandle areas of Florida to the nationwide Georgia Road QuickSilver Intermodal Service at its terminal in Birmingham, AL. The idea was to create frequent service as an extension of the QuickSilver hub and spoke network where long distance intermodals fed regional hubs through smaller terminals in a “slingshot” service with short, fast and frequent ramp times matched to the connecting long-distance routes. Along with GP25M and GP25MB units purchased from Georgia Road, FGI found three ex-TM GP60s cast off when KCS acquired the Texas Mexican Railroad in the early 2000s.

FGI initially leased the three units from Helm Leasing (HLCX), a secondary market dealer/Lessor of locomotives. FGI quickly exercised an option to buy the units, and they became the first FGC units repainted into the Sunburst 2 paint scheme earmarked for Hurricane intermodal Service. These unit were relatively new, well maintained and sported the two-tone red-burgundy scheme with the double flag Hurricane warning logo created for the Hurricane Intermodal Service. Primarily assigned out of Tallahassee, FL, these units perfectly fit the frequent and fast intermodal moves over the FGC and AFG to connections in Birmingham, AL with the Georgia Road.

In March 2025, FGI introduced its Sunburst 3 paint scheme in an effort to freshen up the corporate look. Gone was the Dupont “Stop for Safety” Stop Sign decal under the cab, replaced with larger numbers for easier spotting by railroaders and the general public alike. This scheme hearkens back to the original paint schemes applied to the early days of the MDRail Transportation schemes to more reflect the sunny Florida sunsets. This scheme was applied to two retired former CSX GP60 units that were originally EMD GP60 demonstrators acquired in 2024. These two units received the Sunburst 2 scheme but experienced major failures that resulted in the need for a full rebuilding. They are scheduled to be released in March of 2025 in the new corporate scheme. To date, there are no plans to repaint a significant number of units in this new scheme. Units will be painted as they are up for rebuilding or major repairs.