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Mainline Report
During the April Board and Members meetings, the following items were discussed:
Marvis will be checking with the city about the installation of a permanent sign. A preliminary design has been developed.
On Saturday, May 22nd, a Camp Blanding Museum Tour is planned. During the 1940s, it was a training center for both the European and Pacific theaters. From a railroad perspective it was served by both the GS&F and SAL.
For the Palatka layout, we will be purchasing machines for remote control of inaccessible turnouts, installing additional throttle jacks, and continuing scenic work.
Later this year we will have joint meetings with the Northeast Florida Chapter of the Railway Locomotive and Historical Society. We will provide the program for one of their meetings and they will reciprocate.
Please invite anyone you know that might be interested in any of the aspects of Palatka Railroad Preservation Society to visit one of our Open House Events or Members Meeting. Guests are also welcome to see what we do any time we are at the train station or go with us on a field trip. Remember, the more members we have the sooner we can achieve our goals.
Howard Blasczyk, President
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Did You Know?
This nation’s steam railroads required extensive maintenance facilities to keep their locomotive fleets operating. Since steam locomotives were routinely serviced every 150 miles, numerous facilities were located along the line. Major facilities were typically located near the midway point on the roads main lines. Some were located near important junctions.
Each maintenance facility had tools and equipment to perform the required services, and any necessary repairs. They required numerous workers, such as boilermakers, blacksmiths, machinists, mechanics, electricians, painters, carpenters, and laborers. The workforce also included managers, supervisors, clerks, telephone operators, store-keepers. Without these workers and their countless hours of work, the railroads would have ceased to function.
Often communities sprung up around the facilities or the communities prospered because of the railroads’ presence. The Atlantic Coast Line’s Emerson Shops were located at Rocky Mount, NC with another major shop at Waycross, GA. On the Florida East Coast, Miller Shops were just north of St. Augustine, and other major shops were at New Smyrna and Hialeah.
As the steam locomotive evolved, its range was increased and some smaller facilities were closed. By the time the railroads had fully dieselized, some of the major facilities were converted to service the “new” diesel engines. Fate caught up with many of the workers, especially in the “anachronistic” crafts. Layoffs and “pink slips” reduced the workforce.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday – May 2nd – 1 to 4 PM
PRPS Open House
Saturday – May 15th – 1 to 4 PM
PRPS Open House
Tuesday – May 18th – 6:30 PM
Board Meeting
Saturday – May 22nd
CAMP BLANDING MUSEUM TOUR
Tuesday – May 25th – 7:00 PM
Members Meeting - VIDEO NIGHT
Saturday – June 5th – 9 AM – 4 PM
LIONS TRAIN SHOW - Ocala
Sunday – June 6th – 1 to 4 PM
PRPS Open House
Tuesday – June 15th – 6:30PM
Board Meeting
Saturday – June 19th – 1 to 4 PM
PRPS Open House
Tuesday - June 22nd – 7:00 PM
Members Meeting - TBA
Sunday – July 4th
INDEPENDENCE DAY
No PRPS Open House
New MEMBERS
Our newest members are:
Shaun Ryan
Elijah Ryan
Be sure to introduce yourself to them often. We only have two names to learn, they have several to remember.
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How about some history?
Florida East Coast Railway:
“FORGOTTEN EAST COAST”
mileposts 62 to 87
A portion of the original mainline of Florida East Coast Railway between East Palatka and Bunnell was once part of the St. Johns & Halifax Railroad. It originally was a 3-foot logging railroad owned by Utley J. White, having been incorporated in 1881. It was to be a 45-mile line from Rolleston (between East Palatka and San Mateo) to the Halifax River area.
Apparently construction progress was slow. By mid-1883, only nine miles of track had been laid. Mr. White was reported as saying that there wasn’t a single house or sign of habitation for the first forty miles of the route, and only at one point or two was there a sign of a settlement.
A new company, St. Johns & Halifax River Railroad, was organized and incorporated to operate and maintain the St. Johns & Halifax Railway, and to extend the line from Rolleston to Palatka. By the end of the century it was part of Florida East Coast Railway.
Stops/stations between East Palatka and Bunnell were:
Miles Location
61.5 East Palatka
62.8 San Mateo Junction
66.6 Yelvington
68.8 Roy
75.4 Dinner Island
80.3 Negoa
82.3 Espanola
86.6 Bunnell
As with most railroads, the Florida East Coast passenger roster included RPO cars. They had five full RPOs on the roster (#319-323). From 1913 to 1926, The “Jack & Ft. Pierce” RPO operated via East Palatka through Bunnell. From 1930 to 1935, Trains 45 & 46, “Hastings-Bunnell Local”, carried a “St. Augustine & Bunnell” Railway Post Office car.
The line between East Palatka and Bunnell had no on-line customers and was abandoned in 1972, but some of the rails south of East Palatka remained in place. In 1975-76, they were used to ship equipment for a new electric generating plant being built by Florida Power & Light Co. A temporary spur was constructed from the old San Mateo Junction to the new plant site.
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Contact us at
386-328-0305
Palatka Railroad Preservation Society
220 North 11th Street
Palatka, Fl. 32177
Just look for the Red Caboose
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