In order to succeed with the Sanford-Tampa Charter, Plant had to lay over of new railroad through thick sub-tropical forests, wetlands, and swamps of central Florida before his charter expired. Plant called on Haines to oversee the entire operation in the field. Haines organized thousands of men, working together like clockwork, to complete this impressive engineering achievement. Over a thousand men were employed to just cut the vegetation and clear the land. Crews of blacksmiths and wheelwrights were at work 24 hours a day to stay on schedule. Tools, heavy equipment, work materials, food, and fresh water all had to be brought to the work site as it progressed across Florida. The operation began in June 1883, right at the beginning of the rainy season. Afternoon rains would deluge the worksite, turning everything to mud. Haines and his men struggled to move forward, and finally reached Tampa Bay with just a few days to spare.
