Tag: Sugar Express

U.S. Sugar, Sugar Express and Autism Speaks Team Up to Raise Awareness and Funds for Autism Research During Autism Awareness Month

Posted on by U.S. Sugar

As part of April’s Autism Awareness Month, representatives from U.S. Sugar, the Sugar Express, and Autism Speaks coordinated a “Raisin’ Cane” train ride benefitting state and local autism awareness efforts.


“Our company is dedicated to serving our communities, and the Sugar Express is a great venue that empowers state and local nonprofits to raise funds to advance their cause,” said Scott Ogle, Railroad Superintendent of the Sugar Express. “We are so grateful these individuals decided to spend an enjoyable afternoon riding through our farmlands aboard the Sugar Express.”

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) an estimated 329,131 adults in Florida are living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The state also has a high prevalence of ASD diagnoses, with an estimated 4.88% of children being diagnosed with autism, which makes Florida one of the states with the highest estimated number of adults with ASD in the United States.

“As a mother, school board member, and advocate for special needs student in rural areas, I am so grateful to see local nonprofits and U.S. Sugar coming together to raise funds and awareness for autism research,” said Stephanie Busin, a Hendry County School Board Member. “The Sugar Express is a great way to bring together both advocates and neurodiverse individuals during Autism Awareness Month.”

The Autism Awareness train excursion was held on Friday, April 25, 2025, and funds raised through passengers taking the trip directly benefited to the Florida chapter of Autism Speaks. Throughout the ride, passengers were provided sensory kits by Mason’s Puzzle, a Clewiston-based nonprofit also supporting autism awareness.

“We are deeply grateful to U.S. Sugar for their unwavering commitment to our community,” said Candi Spitz, Area Executive Director, Community Engagement – Florida. “Your leadership helps to create a more inclusive world where everyone is celebrated for who they are.”

Raisin’ Cane Tours include train rides through the sugarcane farms in Clewiston, Florida in an effort to educate people about the history and farming practices of the industry. Group tours for communities and organizations typically take place during harvest season from October through March. The Autism Awareness Train Excursion was a special event fundraiser.

Raisin’ Cane Tours is a joint effort by the Clewiston Chamber of Commerce, Florida Crystals, Florida Sugar Cane League, the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida and U.S. Sugar.

To learn more about this train tour and others call 863-983-7979 or EMail

Top 10 Reasons I Spent a Career Here

Posted on by Judy Sanchez

Judy Clayton Sanchez

Senior Director, Corporate Communications & Public Affairs

  1. FAMILY–People of U.S. Sugar truly are a family that cares about each other and the community
  2. “TEAM SUGAR”—Extraordinary colleagues, friends, and community partners 
  3. NOBLE PURPOSE– American farmers sustainably feeding American families
  4. GREAT LEADERSHIP—Appreciate working  for and with such visionary, strategic thinkers (Notably, Nelson Fairbanks, Bob Buker, Robert Coker, Bubba Wade, Ken McDuffie, and Ryan Weston)
  5. AMERICA’s Sweetest Town—Clewiston, Florida is a great place to work, live and raise families
  6. CHALLENGING—Every day on the job demanded my very best effort
  7. GIRL POWER—So proud of all my Communication, PR and Community ladies getting things done
  8. SUGAR EXPRESS—Love a Company that has its own railroad (www.sugarexpress.com)
  9. THEY GOT NEXT—Happy knowing that my Company and its Communications/Community Relations/Public Affairs will be in good hands—Thanks, Ryan, Brannan, Eric
  10. SWEET—Spending more than 30 years doing something you love, with people you love

U.S. Sugar Steam Locomotive No. 148 Hauls Sugarcane Train to Mill Ending Harvest Season, New “Sugar Express” Launched

Posted on by U.S. Sugar

Clewiston, Fla. – For the first time in more than 50 years, a steam locomotive hauled a train of harvested sugarcane from the field to U.S. Sugar’s mill. To mark the end of U.S. Sugar’s annual harvest and the completion of a multi-year restoration of its 100-year-old steam locomotive known as Engine No. 148, the company called upon the vintage locomotive to haul cane on the last day of the season. The 2019-20 harvest lasted 239 days, and despite drier than normal spring conditions and the global COVID-19 pandemic, was completed safely as scheduled.

“Seeing No. 148 under steam and back on her home track is a heartwarming sight to see,’’ said Judy Sanchez, Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs for U.S. Sugar.

Locomotive No. 148 was built in 1920 by the American Locomotive Company for use on the Florida East Coast Railway. In 1952, the locomotive was sold to U.S. Sugar to haul sugarcane trains from field-to-mill for processing raw sugar. As diesel locomotives became popular, Engine No. 148 was sold by U.S. Sugar into private ownership in the 1960s. The steam engine spent a few years hauling passenger excursions, then it was moved across the country, finally landing in Monte Vista, Colorado. Thanks to the vision of U.S. Sugar CEO Robert H. Buker, Jr., the locomotive was re-purchased by U.S. Sugar in 2016, kick starting this restoration. Railroad mechanical contractor FMW Solutions LLC, working alongside more than two dozen U.S. Sugar employees, completed the restoration of No. 148 in late April.

“U.S. Sugar’s restoration of Engine No. 148 has been a tremendous source of pride for our employees, who have worked tirelessly over the past 4 years to bring this steam engine back to life,” said Bob Lawson, general manager for U.S. Sugar Railroad Operations. “We look forward to the day when we can host members of the public on excursions to share our rich history with railroad enthusiasts, Florida residents and children alike.”

“The pride that U.S. Sugar has in its heritage, and this historic symbol in particular, is something truly exceptional in this day-and-age,” said Shane Meador, FMW Solutions Vice President. “We are honored to have worked with U.S. Sugar to complete the restoration of No. 148 and have been pleased with its performance during recent test runs and yesterday’s historic run.”

To coincide with this momentous occasion, and in support of the expanded mission of operating No. 148, U.S. Sugar is also pleased to announce that it will be operating the steam locomotive under the brand it has dubbed the “Sugar Express.” This new name is in reference both to the locomotive’s heritage at U.S. Sugar and its future role hauling “Express” trains across some of the hundreds of miles of mainline railroad maintained and operated by U.S. Sugar. 

To learn more about the steam engine, and to stay up to date, visit SugarExpress.com and follow U.S. Sugar No. 148 on its updated Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SugarExpress

About Sugar Express

The mission of the Sugar Express is to provide a safe and educational means to learn about transportation history, agriculture, and U.S. Sugar. It will use historic steam locomotive No. 148 to take visitors on trips through the lush crop lands cultivated by the nearly 2,500 hardworking employees of U.S. Sugar. For more information, visit sugarexpress.com.

About FMW Solutions LLC

FMW Solutions LLC (FMW) was organized in 2016 to provide innovative solutions to clients in need of rail industry mechanical services. The three principals of FMW offer more than 50 years of experience in the field of railroad mechanical service, engineering design, and strategic planning, and FMW’s team of mechanics and technicians provide innovative solutions to the rail sector. This expertise spans a diverse body of work including Class I railroad diesel-electric locomotive repair, short line diesel-electric locomotive inspection and repair, total steam locomotive overhaul, and railroad mechanical equipment consulting. More info can be found online: www.fmwsolutions.com.