The line notably ran through Lake Wales, Avon Park, Sebring, and Immokalee and would stretch as far south as Everglades City upon its completion in 1928.

Everglades City would be the southernmost point the entire Atlantic Coast Line Railroad system would ever reach.

The Haines City Branch was one of the Atlantic Coast Line's major additions to its Florida network, much of which was previously part of the Plant System.

This project also included a branch from Harrisburg, just south of Palmdale, to Moore Haven which was completed around the same time.

Track was built from Ortona south across the Caloosahatchee River through Goodno, Sears, and Felda to Immokalee.

In addition, a mixed train (both passengers and freight) ran six days a week from Palmdale to Immokalee and Everglades City.

[3] In 1958, service to Everglades City was discontinued due to diminished traffic and track was removed between there and Copeland.

[6] In 1980, the Seaboard Coast Line's parent company merged with the Chessie System, creating the CSX Corporation.

The short industrial spur in Avon Park is still in service that now branches off the Auburndale Subdivision (former Seaboard line).

U.S. Sugar, who has historically been a major customer on that part line for its entire history, bought it in 1994 and established its own shortline, the South Central Florida Express, Inc., who continues to operate it today.