Palatka Railroad Preservation Society

Mainline Report

Our plans for 2026 include:
    Pursuit of monetary grants to begin the restoration process on our M-5 caboose.
    Replace/restore the wheel spokes on our FEC baggage cart and return to display..
    Sort & organize items as ‘Project’ (keep for Society’s use) or ‘Resale’ (to be sold at Train Shows or by Society).
    Potential RailFest postponed until 2027, as the Price-Martin Community Center availability is questionable for this year.

Please invite anyone you know that might be interested in any of the aspects of the Society to any of our activities. We need members and volunteers  to be available on select days/times to operate layouts and greet guests, even if you can only spare a few hours.

UPCOMING EVENTS
 
Tuesday – May 5th – 4 PM ‘til 
Members Work Day
 
Saturday – May 9th - 10 AM to 2 PM
P.R.P.S.  OPEN HOUSE
HO scale model railroads operating
222 N. 11th St., Palatka
Free Admission
 
Saturday – May 16th - 10 AM to 3 PM
North Florida Railway Museum
Reynolds Industrial Park
Green Cove Springs, FL
 
Saturday – May 31st – 10 AM to 3 PM
Ocala Model RRs Historic Pres. Society
 Bi-monthly Open House
 1247 N.E. 3rd St., Ocala
 
Tuesday – June 2nd – 4 PM ‘til
Members Work Day
 
June 4th - 11 AM to 4 PM
YULEE RAILROAD DAYS   
Matheson Museum, Gainesville, FL
www.yuleerailraoddays.org 

Did You Know?
 
The “ditch lights” located on trains are not actually a modern idea. Back in the 1920s when electric lighting on trains was fairly new, ditch lights were being installed on the rear. Business cars, especially those assigned to the Operating department, got lights installed under the rear platform so that executives could inspect their railroad after dark.
 
The idea caught on and several name passenger trains featured ditch lights for the patrons of the observation lounge cars. It apparently fascinated people to watch the miles disappear into the darkness beyond reach of the light.
 
Applying ditch lights on the front of diesel locomotives is historically a relatively recent phenomenon, being first used in the 1960s. The United States required locomotive ditch lights on December 31, 1997. Federal rules require them if operating over public grade crossings at speeds greater than 20 mph.

New Museum Acquisitions 
The Putnam County Historical Society now has their safe from the Union Railroad Bank Station in Crescent City on display in the museum.
 
Look for new and refreshed exhibits during the year as displays cases are cleaned and exhibits are being redone.
 
We wish to thank the following donors:
   Sally Mazilli – Numerous railroad books from Kenneth Willis, Society past-President, extensive collection.

History
Seville & Halifax Railroad
    
In January of 1882, prior to Seville being reached by the Palatka & Indian River Railway, Seville’s leading citizen, Wm. K. Lente, filed a survey plat for the Seville & Halifax River Railroad. By May the railroad modified their plan with the state by changing it to narrow gauge specifications, making it compatible with the Palatka & Indian River Rwy., whose construction was progressing south from Palatka.
 
Early settlers arrived around 1869 at a steamboat landing on Lake George. The settlement became known as Seville within several years. Lente was instrumental in the development, founding a bank and enlisting investors to build a hotel (60 rooms). Sawmills, stores, churches and a schoolhouse would soon appear in the up and coming community.
 
An extensive water and sewage system was designed by a Sanitary Engineer from New York and constructed in the 1880s for Seville. This was extremely unusual for the time, in such a rural community.
 
In 1885, a Jacksonville, Tampa & Key West Rwy. excursion train arrived in Seville on the Palatka & Indian River Rwy. extension from Palatka. In August of 1886, the charter and land grants of the Seville & Halifax River R.R. were conveyed to the Jacksonville, Tampa & Key West Rwy. when the directors and stockholders met.
 
No record of construction has surfaced. Its proposed route does appear on maps of the 1880s. It is believed that the Seville & Halifax line would ultimately survive as a branch of J., T. & K.W., if only on paper for several years. It is not known when the route was abandoned, however it doesn’t appear on 1904 maps. Florida’s Division of Corporations does not indicate any Annual Reports filed and the corporation being dissolved.

Mainline Report
 
Our plans for 2026 include:
   Pursuit of monetary grants to begin the restoration process on our M-5 caboose.
   Replace/restore the wheel spokes on our FEC baggage cart.
   Sort & organize items as ‘Project’ (keep for Society’s use) or ‘Resale’ (to be sold at Train Shows or by Society).
   Potential RailFest postponed until 2027, as the Price-Martin Community Center availability is questionable for this year.
 
Please invite anyone you know that might be interested in any of the aspects of the Society to our Open House to or any of our members’ activities. We need members and volunteers  to be available on select days/times to operate layouts and greet guests, even if you can only spare a few hours.

UPCOMING EVENTS
 
Tuesday – February 2nd – 4 PM ‘til
Members Work Day
 
Golden Spike Train Show
Saturday – Feb 7th - 9 AM to 4 PM
Prime Osborn Convention Ctr.
Jacksonville
 
Saturday – Feb 14th - 10 AM to 2 PM
P.R.P.S.  OPEN HOUSE
HO scale model railroads operating
222 N. 11th St., Palatka
Free Admission
 
Tuesday – March 3rd – 4 PM ‘til
Members Work Day
 
Saturday - March 14th – 9 AM to 2 PM
LIONS CLUB TRAIN SHOW
1908 E. Ft. King St., Ocala, FL
$5 Admission
 
Saturday – Mar. 28th – 10 AM to 3 PM
Ocala Model RRs Historic Pres. Society
 Bi-monthly Open House
 1247 N.E. 3rd St., Ocala

Did You Know?
 
Transporting various commodities required special cars to be designed, or existing cars to be modified. One such commodity carried by railroads was helium.
 
Specialized heavy-duty tank cars were utilized to from 1930 to the 1990s for transporting helium. Transported initially to supply airships and later for NASA rockets from isolated extraction plants that produced helium
 
The cars consisted of stacked high-pressure cylinders in a framework with side braces on a heavy duty freight car. They were manufactured by General American Tank Car, American Car & Foundry, and Magor. Around 200 were produced.
 
Reporting marks were MHAX, USNX, and ATMX for Bureau of Mines & Land Management, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, respectively.
 
New Museum Acquisitions 
Putnam County Historical Society is displaying their safe from the Union Railroad Bank Station in Crescent City in the museum.
 
We wish to thank the following:
Sally Mazilli – Numerous items from Kenneth Willis, Society past-President, collection of Railroadiana. They include Pullman Passenger Car catalog & car listings, schedules, videos from various rail lines.
Susan Player – Railroad lantern lens, signal lenses, and other items.
Anonymous – Association of American Railroads "Teacher’s Kit on Railroad Transportation".

HISTORY
An early rail line in Florida - The St. Johns Railway
    
The first railroad in this area predates the “War Between the States”. In 1858, the St. Johns Railway was incorporated by a special act of the Florida Legislature to construct a railway to connect Tocoi Landing on the east bank of the St. Johns River with “New” Augustine 9on the west bank of the San Sebastian River), a distance of about 15 miles.
 
By the time Fort Sumter, South Carolina, had fallen, a few miles of track had been laid. The original tracks were wood stringers topped with thin strips of iron. During the “War Between The States”, some accounts indicate rails were pulled up and the original steam locomotive destroyed by Union soldiers. The dock, depot facilities, and rolling stock were burned.
 
After the war, tracks were re-laid with iron and service resumed with “horse power as well as steam”. Ownership changed hands a few times.
 
Then around 1876, while under William Astor’s ownership, two small wood burning locomotives were purchased along with new freight and passenger cars.
 
By 1886. The line connected with the St. Augustine & Palatka Railway and was operated jointly with it. A few miles of the St. Johns were utilized from the junction for St. Augustine & Palatka trains to reach “New” Augustine.
 
By 1889, business on the portion of the St. Johns between Tocoi Landing and the junction had decreased to the point that trains consisted of 2 or 3 box cars which only ran three times a week. Any occasional passengers on the St. Johns would have to ride among the freight.
 
Ownership of the St. Johns Railway was transferred to Henry Flagler in the 1890s. Ultimately most of the St. Johns was abandoned as Flagler only needed a few miles between the junction and St. Augustine to have access to Palatka.
 

Mainline Report
 Our new slate of Officers and Board Members are:
     President – Aubrey Walker
     Vice President – Jerry Iser
     Secretary – Jody Counts
     Treasurer – Howard Blasczyk
     Board Member – George Gibson
     Board Member – Jonathan Filion
     Board Member – Mark Frazier
 
We also have had some new members join our group this year. We welcome them ‘all aboard’!
 
Please invite anyone you know that might be interested in any of the aspects of Palatka Railroad Preservation Society to our Open House to or any of our members’ activities. We need members and volunteers  to be available on select days/times to operate layouts and greet guests, even if you can only spare a few hours.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Calendar Dates

Saturday – July 12th - 9 AM to 3 PM                  
Golden Spike TRAIN SHOW
Volusia County Fairgrounds    
3150 E. New York Ave., Deland           
 
Saturday – July 26th – 10 AM to 3 PM
Ocala Model RRs Historic Pres. Society
Bi-monthly Open House
1247 N.E. 3rd St., Ocala
 
Tuesday – August 5th – 5 PM til
Members Work Day

Saturday – August 9th – 9 to 10 AM
Members O.H. Preparation
 
3rd Quarter OPEN HOUSE
David Browning Railroad Museum
HO scale model railroads operating
222 N. 11th St., Palatka
Saturday, August 9th
10 AM – 2 PM

Did You Know?
 
Numerous logging railroads existed in northeast Florida, beginning in the 1870s  and continuing into the 1920s. Some  existed to supply to supply their own mills. Some were constructed to move the timber to bodies of water for transport to distant mills.
 
They varied in length from 1-mile to 30 miles. Often rails were laid with minimal or no ballast, some were temporary and would be relocated once an area was harvested. Many companies even owned multiple locomotives.
 
Some of the companies were:
Wilson Cypress
E.P. Rentz Lumber
Rodman Lumber
Tilghman & Sons
Welaka, Norwalk & Lake
Clifford & Keay Lumber
J.W. Jones Lumber
Dupont Railway & Land
V.J. White
McDowell Crate
Ford-Rembert Lumber
Carter & Williams
East florida Land & Produce
Western Railroad of Florida
R. B. Cotter
Dowling Shands Lumber
Leno Logging
Scotland Mills
 
 New Museum Acquisitions

This section usually acknowledges our most recent acquisitions. As part of our stated purpose to preserve the heritage of the rail history of Palatka and surroundings, we are seeking photographs (or copies) of:
   Trains ‘street-running’ on Main & Laurel
   Rail yard & maintenance facilities in Palatka
   Old train depots throughout Putnam
   Other historical rail photos from the 1900s

HISTORY
 
 Palatka Bridge Company
  
In 1886 with railroad lines located on both sides of the St. Johns River, passengers and freight cargo had to be ferried via steamship or boat to make connections between the rail lines on opposite banks. 
 
According to news accounts, rail bridges were discussed and proposed by railroad officials. In 1887, the Palatka Board of Trade called a meeting to gauge public opinion on the matter. Citizens desired a combination rail, pedestrian, and wagon bridge.
 
Location of where the bridge would cross was debated, as well as the type of bridge. It was said a draw span would not be required, if constructed from the 25-foot bluff at Rolleston. It also seemed that direct access from some rail lines would put the others at a competitive disadvantage.
 
After much speculation and rumors, the bridge’s location was finalized. Right-of-way deeds were for a railroad bridge over the St. Johns River in January of 1888. On the east bank it was north of Hart’s Point, and the west bank it was at Main St. (north of busiest section of riverfront). The river narrows to about one-mile wide where the bridge would cross.
 
Stock was issued by Utley J. White’s St. Johns River and Halifax Railroad for the construction and operation of a rail bridge with a draw span (no wagon or pedestrian passageways).  
 
The bridge company was organized on August 15, 1888. A contract with T. H. Brown and Co. was signed on October 1, 1888. The construction contract was an ambitious one, with the bridge to be completed by the 10th of December, in just seventy days. It was completed on schedule.
 
Palatka Bridge Co. originally connected the Florida Southern Rwy. in Palatka with St. Augustine & Palatka Rwy. and St. Johns & Halifax River Rwy. on the east side of the river.

Mainline Report
 
The David Browning Railroad Museum, located adjacent to the waiting room in the train station, is open based on Ride Solutions staffing (typically Mon.–Fri., 9AM–5PM).
 
Quarterly Open House Events with both HO scale model railroads operating have resumed for 2025. They are scheduled for Saturdays in February, May, August, and November. Visit our website for updates.
 
We are seeking model railroaders who are either new to the area or unaware of our existence to partner with us.
 
If you have any interest in railroads, scale model railroads, or local railroad history, we encourage you to contact us and connect with like-minded people.
Contact us via voice mail at (386) 328-0305, or at [email protected]

UPCOMING EVENTS
Calendar Dates

Saturday – Feb. 1st / 9AM-4PM
Sunday –Feb. 2nd / 10AM-3PM
The Villages Model Train Show & Sale
Savannah Recreation Center
1545 N. Buena Vista Blvd. The Villages, Florida
 
Saturday – February 10th 9 AM to 4 PM
Golden Spike TRAIN SHOW                                
Prime Osborn Convention Ctr.   
1000 Water St., Jacksonville               
 
1st Quarter
P.R.P.S. OPEN HOUSE EVENT
David Browning Railroad Museum
HO scale model railroads operating
Saturday, February 15th
10 AM – 2 PM
 
Did You Know?
Numerous businesses and industries were served by rail in Palatka when tracks ran down the center of Laurel, Main, and Dunham Streets. Although the tracks initially ran to the wharves on the riverfront to facilitate water to rail transfer (or vice versa) of passengers and cargo, numerous customers were added on the line, some were even served by sidings or spur tracks.
 
Some of the earliest were:
Vertrees & Co. – Grain wholesalers
Tilghman & Sons – Planning mill
G.M. Davis & Sons – Cypress tanks
Stringfellow & Padgett – Grocery
Squires Lumber –
Merryday Grocery - Wholesalers
Porter Bros. – Saw & planning mill
Gulf Refining – Petroleum distributor
Seldon Cypress Door & Shingle Co.
Wilson Cypress Co.
Florida Wooden Ware
Putnam Handle Mfg.
J.A. Champion – Building Materials
Gem City Milling Co.
Peninsular State Oil Co.
T.J. Barnett Boiler & Machine Works
Standard Oil Co.
Stanton Foundry & Machine Works
Southern Veneer Co.
H.W. Taylor Concrete
Municipal Water Works
County Fairgrounds (on Kirby St.)

HISTORY
auto-train
 
auto-train was a private corporation, formed in 1970, by Eugene K. Garfield. It was chartered to provide a uniquely different passenger rail travel experience by allowing you to take your car with you. As many passenger railroads were curtailing or discontinuing passenger service, the corporation purchased surplus equipment for its train service. New diesel locomotives were purchased from GE. Enclosed auto racks were purchased from Canadian National. All equipment was painted in a distinctive white, red, and purple scheme.
 
The route roughly paralleled I-95 between Sanford, Florida and Lorton Virginia (south of Washington, DC). It utilized leased tracks of the Atlantic Coast Line (later Seaboard Coast Line) and Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac railroads. Initial service began in December of 1971. auto-train consists passed through Palatka daily. With no stops en route, except for refueling and an engine crew changes, the trip only took 15 1/2 hours.
 
The service was first class with passengers traveling in luxurious coach-lounge cars and sleepers. Complimentary meals were provided in dining cars, entertainment provided in the nightclub car, while the automobiles were transported in fully enclosed car carriers.
 
Due to initial success of the service, it was decided to add another route. The added route would operate between Sanford and Louisville, Kentucky. Service began in 1974, but was discontinued in 1977. The second route was discontinued due to: the cost of adding the route, which was not as strong of a market, and inadequate revenue to cover operating costs. That did not save auto-train from filing bankruptcy. It continued to provide its unique service on the initial route until April of 1981.
 
Amtrak revived the concept in late 1983. It initially used surplus Amtrak passenger equipment and 2nd hand auto-train auto racks. Superliner passenger equipment was added in the 1990s. Their auto racks currently carry cars. vans, pickup trucks, motorcycles, and even small campers and boats.  After operating its Auto Train for more than forty years, it is one of Amtrak’s highest revenue routes.

New MUSEUM ACQUISITIONS
This section usually acknowledges our most recent acquisitions. As part of our stated purpose to preserve the heritage of the rail history of Palatka and surroundings, we are seeking photographs (or copies) of:                         

• Trains ‘street-running’ on Main and Laurel
  
• Rail yard & maintenance facilities in Palatka
  
• Old train depots throughout Putnam County
• Other historical rail photos from the 1900s
  

Mainline Report
 
Now that the train station has re-opened for the public’s use and the parking lot construction has been completed, P.R.P.S. has begun resuming activities. The museum is open based on Ride Solutions staffing (typically Mon.–Fri., 9AM–5PM).  We hope to announce other activities soon.
 
Our activities require members and volunteers to be available on select days/times to operate the layouts and greet guests.  If you have any interest in railroads, history, or model railroading, we invite you to partner with like-minded people. Even if you can only spare a few hours each month, we still encourage your involvement.  
 
Check our website for future updates or contact us via email:                                          [email protected]
 
UPCOMING EVENTS
Calendar Dates
Saturday – May 13th – 9:30 to 11:00 AM
Members O.H. Preparation
 
Saturday – May 13th – 11 AM to 3 PM 
National Train Day - OPEN HOUSE

Tuesday – May 16th – 5:30 to 6:30PM
OPERATIONS NIGHT (Tentative)

Saturday – May 27th
Ocala Model RRs Historic Pres. Soc.  1247 NE 3rd St., Ocala   OPEN HOUSE - 10 AM to 3 PM
 
Saturday – June 10th
LIONS CLUB TRAIN SHOW    1908 E. Ft. King St., Ocala                         9 AM to 2 PM
 
Did You Know?
UNITED STATES RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION
 
By 1914, war had broken out in Europe. Unable to broker a peace, America finally declared war on Germany in April of 1917.
 
Before the end of the year, President Woodrow Wilson established the United States Railroad Administration in the interest of national defense. As a war measure it took control of 385 major American railroads as well as other carriers and communication companies.
 
The U.S.R.A. centralized operations and consolidated many functions. It developed “standard” designs for steam locomotives to meet the anticipated increased needs of the railroads to support the war effort. ”. Most railroad employees were exempt from military service because they were needed to operate the railroads.
 
The Railway Administration Act of 1918 “guaranteed” railroads to be returned to private control in “at least as good condition as when they were taken over
 
By March of 1920 when railroads returned to private control, many lines were simply worn out. Within three years most lines had received their final cash compensation from the government, and were able to begin rebuilding.     
 
NEW MUSEUM  ACQUISITIONS

We are still seeking photos (or copies) as part of our purpose to preserve the heritage of the rail history of Palatka and surrounding areas.
We are interested in: trains ‘street-running’ on Main & Laurel; rail yard & maintenance facilities in Palatka: train depots throughout Putnam County; any area historical rail photos.
 
HISTORY
 
An interstate line:
Georgia Southern & Florida Railway –“Suwanee River Route”
 
Originally chartered in 1881 in Georgia with a planned route from Macon, GA to Florida’s state line, it eventually crossed into Florida reaching Palatka in March of 1890. Crossing the Suwanee River near White Springs, Florida, it was promoted as the “Suwanee River Route”.
. 
Apparently the organizers ‘woke up’ when a rival company organized for essentially the same purpose. In 1886, ‘movers and shakers’ in the Gem City sought to have the terminus of the line at Palatka’s waterfront. After the two rival companies consolidated in 1887, construction finally began at Macon with maps indicating Palatka as the southern terminus of the line.
 
It was published that through trains would be operating into Palatka by fall of 1888, despite the fact that only fifteen miles of rail had been laid in Georgia. Apparently newspaper editors knew nothing about rail construction. Although the city was ‘on board’ with another railroad entering Palatka, Florida Southern and Jacksonville, Tampa & Key West initially put up “considerable opposition”.
 
The 285-mile line to Palatka officially opened March 21, 1890, when the first southbound passenger train departed from Macon, GA. One hundred eighteen miles of the interstate line was located in Florida with remainder in Georgia. The route was never extended to the west coast of Florida as originally proposed. Within a year the line went into receivership, but remained in operation. In 1895 it was sold and reorganized with a minor name change – ‘Railroad’ became ‘Railway’.  
 
In the 1900s it came under control of Southern Railway, and ultimately was consolidated with Southern Railway.

Mainline Report
Members clear your calendars for our upcoming RailFest, October 26th, Saturday. Invite former members, as well as family and friends to assist us as volunteers during RailFest. We can use them as greeters in the museum or in front of Railrodeo. Even if they are only available for an hour or two, it would be helpful. Workdays will be scheduled during September to get things ready in the museum and on the layouts.
Remember, there are extended hours for members and guests on the fourth Tuesdays until 7:30 PM. This is for the convenience of those who get off work latter and for out of town members.
Check our website for future updates.
Also note our new email: [email protected]

UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday – July 7th – CLOSED
Saturday – July 20th – 1 PM to 4 PM
OPEN HOUSE
Tuesday – July 16th – 5:30 to 6:30PM
INFORMAL OPERATIONS
Tuesday – July 23rd – 5:30 to 7:30PM
Extended hours for members
Sunday – August 4th – 1 PM to 4 PM
OPEN HOUSE
Saturday – August 17th – CLOSED
VILLAGES TRAIN SHOW - 9 AM to 4 PM
Tuesday – August 20th – 5:30 to 6:30PM
INFORMAL OPERATIONS
Tuesday – August 27th – 5:30 to 7:30PM
Extended hours for members
Sunday – September 1st – CLOSED
Saturday – September 21st – 1 to 4 PM
OPEN HOUSE

Did You Know?
RAILROAD “STANDARD” TIME
Timekeeping on the earliest American railroads was based on local time, or “mean solar” time. Since the early rail lines were initially short, it was adequate. As mileage increased and connections with other lines were made, this “hodgepodge” of times became a cause for concern.
Each railroad initially came up with its own solution. The solutions varied from using the local time at the line‟s headquarters or at its most important terminus, to having multiple time zones over the length of the line. Telegraph offices along the lines would receive periodic time signals.
Railroad managers recognized the need for a standard time system. Confusion in their schedules could be minimized. Most early rail lines operated on time schedules, so uniformity in time was essential for safe and efficient operation.
Wm. F. Allen, editor of the Traveler's Official Railway Guide, was selected as Secretary of the General Time Convention (established by the railroads). He proposed five “standard” time zones. When the proposal was adopted, it superseded 49 different operating times in the U.S. and Canada. “Railway Standard Time” went into effect on November 18, 1883.

HISTORY
A CSX Predecessor:
Jacksonville, Tampa & Key West Railway – “Gem City Route”
Chartered in 1881 with a planned route from Jacksonville to Tampa, and then to Charlotte Harbor where steamships would disembark for Key West. Construction began in Jacksonville in March of 1883, and the line was completed to Palatka one year later.

South of Palatka the line acquired Palatka & Indian River Rwy. right of way south crossing the St. Johns River at Buffalo Bluff. The line bypassed Crescent City due to residents‟ concerns about noise. The line was not complete to Sanford until early 1886.
Tampa was reached by changing trains at Sanford to the previously constructed South Florida Railroad. Thus Jacksonville, Tampa & Key West did not build south of Sanford. Steamship connections to Key West were made at Tampa, not Charlotte Harbor.
By 1893, the line went into receivership. For the next few years it was operated in conjunction with several connecting lines under the moniker “The Tropical Trunk Line”. The Plant Investment Co. acquired it in 1899, reincorporated it as Jackson-ville & St. Johns River Railroad, and operated it as a division of the Savannah, Florida & Western.
After Henry Plant‟s death, it was acquired by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in 1902. The A.C.L. became Seaboard Cost Line in 1967, morphed into the Family Lines System around 1971, becoming Seaboard System in 1982.
Seaboard System became CSX Transportation in 1986. Today‟s CSX route through Palatka is called the “A” line and uses the same right of way as the original Jacksonville, Tampa & Key West.

NEW MUSEUM ACQUISITIONS
We are still seeking photos (or copies) as part of our purpose to preserve the heritage of the rail history of Palatka and surrounding areas.
We are interested in: trains „street-running‟ on Main & Laurel; rail yard & maintenance facilities in Palatka: train depots
throughout Putnam County; any historical rail photos.