Mainline Report
The museum is open based on Ride Solutions staffing (typically Mon.–Fri., 9AM–5PM). Open House Events are tentatively scheduled quarterly. Revisit our website, where we will announce activities as they are resumed.
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.
Contact us via email:
[email protected]
Leave a voice mail message at:
(386) 328-0305
UPCOMING EVENTS
Calendar Dates
Saturday – November 4th
LIONS CLUB TRAIN SHOW
1908 E. Ft. King St., Ocala
9 AM to 2 PM
Members O.H. Preparation
Saturday – November 11th – 9 to 10 AM
OPEN HOUSE EVENT
Saturday – November 11th – 10AM to 2PM
Browning Railroad Museum
HO scale model railroads operating
Did You Know?
During World War I most railroads in America, along other carriers and communications, were under government control.
The railroad companies had created a “War Board” in an attempt to support the war effort, but ran into numerous problems. As a voluntary organization, it had no authority to enforce any decisions made. On December 26, 1917, Woodrow Wilson established the United States Railroad Administration by Presidential Proclamation. Its stated purpose was the operation of railroads, communication companies, and interstate trucking. This included the control of 385 major railroads.
Duplicate and competing services were eliminated or reduced. Standard locomotive designs were developed and numerous locomotives were produced. Railroads received financial compensation base on 3 years of previous operations.
About a year after the Armistice was signed, the railroads were returned to private control. By this time many rail lines were simply worn out. Within 3 years the railroads received their final compensation from the government and began the rebuilding process.
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; as well as any other historical rail photos from this area.
HISTORY
Atlantic Coast Line predecessor:
The Plant System
Henry Bradley Plant (1819-1899), a Connecticut native, first business dealings in the South began in the express business. During "War Between the States‟, he purchased the southern division of Adams Express Co. and in 1861 created “Southern Express Co.". After the war, the handling of packages and parcels via stagecoach and ships would soon transition to the railroads. After the War Between the States, Henry Plant began purchasing bankrupt railroad companies serving the south. When feasible, the lines would be connected with one another, thus he was instrumental in the consolidation of many of North Florida's lines. Plant acquired stock ownership in several Florida rail lines. He also invested a portion of his profits in steamship lines, developing ports and other infrastructure, and the building of hotels in Florida. In 1882 he formed a company for his acquisitions, the Plant Investment Co. (PICO) with headquarters in Sanford. By 1893 his Savannah, Florida & Western Rwy., Charleston & Savannah Rwy., South Florida R.R., and Brunswick & Western R.R. lines totaled 1083 miles in several southeastern states. His “system” also included steamship lines. Next Plant acquired the Jacksonville, Tampa & Key West Rwy. When Henry Plant died in 1899, his rail empire included over 2,200 miles of track. Plant's holdings were not a single corporation although many of the railroad companies operated together, thus the “Plant System” name. After a 21/2 year legal battle, his widow agreed to sale the railroad to the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company, and the system ceased to exist. The Atlantic Coast Line had been formed in 1900 with the merger of 5 railroad companies in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Then in 1902 A.C.L. acquired Plant's Florida railroads.
The museum is open based on Ride Solutions staffing (typically Mon.–Fri., 9AM–5PM). Open House Events are tentatively scheduled quarterly. Revisit our website, where we will announce activities as they are resumed.
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.
Contact us via email:
[email protected]
Leave a voice mail message at:
(386) 328-0305
UPCOMING EVENTS
Calendar Dates
Saturday – November 4th
LIONS CLUB TRAIN SHOW
1908 E. Ft. King St., Ocala
9 AM to 2 PM
Members O.H. Preparation
Saturday – November 11th – 9 to 10 AM
OPEN HOUSE EVENT
Saturday – November 11th – 10AM to 2PM
Browning Railroad Museum
HO scale model railroads operating
Did You Know?
During World War I most railroads in America, along other carriers and communications, were under government control.
The railroad companies had created a “War Board” in an attempt to support the war effort, but ran into numerous problems. As a voluntary organization, it had no authority to enforce any decisions made. On December 26, 1917, Woodrow Wilson established the United States Railroad Administration by Presidential Proclamation. Its stated purpose was the operation of railroads, communication companies, and interstate trucking. This included the control of 385 major railroads.
Duplicate and competing services were eliminated or reduced. Standard locomotive designs were developed and numerous locomotives were produced. Railroads received financial compensation base on 3 years of previous operations.
About a year after the Armistice was signed, the railroads were returned to private control. By this time many rail lines were simply worn out. Within 3 years the railroads received their final compensation from the government and began the rebuilding process.
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; as well as any other historical rail photos from this area.
HISTORY
Atlantic Coast Line predecessor:
The Plant System
Henry Bradley Plant (1819-1899), a Connecticut native, first business dealings in the South began in the express business. During "War Between the States‟, he purchased the southern division of Adams Express Co. and in 1861 created “Southern Express Co.". After the war, the handling of packages and parcels via stagecoach and ships would soon transition to the railroads. After the War Between the States, Henry Plant began purchasing bankrupt railroad companies serving the south. When feasible, the lines would be connected with one another, thus he was instrumental in the consolidation of many of North Florida's lines. Plant acquired stock ownership in several Florida rail lines. He also invested a portion of his profits in steamship lines, developing ports and other infrastructure, and the building of hotels in Florida. In 1882 he formed a company for his acquisitions, the Plant Investment Co. (PICO) with headquarters in Sanford. By 1893 his Savannah, Florida & Western Rwy., Charleston & Savannah Rwy., South Florida R.R., and Brunswick & Western R.R. lines totaled 1083 miles in several southeastern states. His “system” also included steamship lines. Next Plant acquired the Jacksonville, Tampa & Key West Rwy. When Henry Plant died in 1899, his rail empire included over 2,200 miles of track. Plant's holdings were not a single corporation although many of the railroad companies operated together, thus the “Plant System” name. After a 21/2 year legal battle, his widow agreed to sale the railroad to the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company, and the system ceased to exist. The Atlantic Coast Line had been formed in 1900 with the merger of 5 railroad companies in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Then in 1902 A.C.L. acquired Plant's Florida railroads.
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