Southwind began service in 1983, operating a heritage railroad passenger excursion train on a 35-mile route in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania that was owned by the Pocono Northeast Railroad.

[1] SRTL owns ex-Delaware & Hudson ALCO RS-36 diesel locomotive No.

5019, most recently leased to the former Upper Hudson River Railroad, and focuses on leasing locomotives and rolling stock for heritage railroad excursion companies in the northeastern United States.

They have partnered with Pocono Northeast, Steamtown USA, Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad, Towanda-Monroeton Shippers Lifeline and Upper Hudson River Railroad.

[2][3] In 2010, Southwind Rail Travel Limited sued Upper Hudson River Railroad, seeking $106,492.80, including $14,987.60 in lease payments and thousands of dollars in maintenance and repair costs.