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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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