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:
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