Palatka Railroad Preservation Society


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Summer 2019

6/15/2019

 
Picture
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: palatkarailroad@gmail.com

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 When the proposal was adopted, it superseded 49 different operating times in the U.S. and Canada.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.

Summer 2018

7/1/2018

 
Picture
Mainline Report
Thanks to the members who volunteer on Open House days and for the special tours. A special thanks to one of our newest members, Larry Dipianta, who put on a HO locomotive servicing clinic, and serviced many our Railrodeo locos.
Members, please note there are no Monday activities on the calendar. There will be extended hours for members and guests on the fourth Tuesdays until 7:30 PM. [See Upcoming Events]
Be sure to note that we will not having any Open Houses during April.
Check our website for future updates.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday – April 1st – EASTER
No Open House
Tuesday – April 3rd – 5:30 to 6:30 PM
Work Night
Tuesday – April 10th – 5:30 to 6:30 PM
Work Night
Saturday – April 14th – 9 AM to 4 PM
DELAND TRAIN SHOW
Tuesday – April 17th – 5:30 to 6:30 PM
Board Meeting
Saturday – April 21st
CLOSED – Callahan RR Days
Tuesday – April 24th – 5:30 to 7:30 PM
Members Meeting
Tuesday – May 1st – 5:30 PM
Board Meeting

Did You Know?
Union Station - Palatka
Palatka’s train station is 110 years old. Designed by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company, it initially served Atlantic Coast Line and Florida East Coast passenger trains.
During the mid-1940s, Florida East Coast passenger service to and from East Palatka was discontinued. Mixed train passenger service on the Atlantic Coast Line to and from Gainesville was also discontinued.
During the 1960s the station began handling LCL freight, as well as passengers. Atlantic Coast Line became Seaboard Coast Line in 1967 and decided to exit the passenger business in 1971.
After a five year absence, passenger service was resumed on a trial basis. Amtrak made Palatka a permanent station stop in 1979.

HISTORY
Palatka & Heights Street Railway:
Palatka’s “Rapid Transit”
As early as 1884 two companies filed for a franchise to operate a street railway in Palatka. Nothing happened as the city leaders attempted to pass a street railway ordinance. Three years later the city finally passed the ordinance and in 1888 they issued a charter for the Palatka & Heights Street Railway Company.

A mile of three-foot gauge track laid in the center of the streets was open for operation in January of 1889. Two years later the route length had increased to two miles. Motive power for the two streetcars was ‘mule’ power.
By the turn of the Century, the line proceeded across the Jacksonville, Tampa & Key West main line and up the hill to Palatka Heights. The route distance was four miles with plans for further extensions. At the 1902 directors meeting, the president stated that “… he had just secured additional motive power for the line in a new and perfectly reliable five-year-old mule.”
Palatka’s largest hotel being vacant for a few years due to a significant decline in tourism cut into the profitability of the line and it was reportedly up for sale in 1903. The City planned to have the streetcar tracks removed to install storm sewers along the streets. This was to be followed by paving the streets, further impacting the line.
By the end of 1905, after numerous meetings with the City and proposals followed by revised proposals by the streetcar company, no agreement could be reached and the existing franchise being cancelled, operations ceased. In March of 1906, the tracks and equipment were removed.

NEW MUSEUM ACQUISITIONS
Usually this section acknowledges our most recent acquisitions.
However we are 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 any of the following:
Trains ‘street-running’ on Main & Laurel
Rail yard & maintenance facilities in Palatka
Old train depots throughout Putnam County
Other historical rail photos from the 1900s
We are also interested in Railway Post Office cancellations of the following RPOs:
ACL Palatka & Rochelle
GS&F “Val. & Pal.”
FEC “Jack & Ft. Pierce”

March 01st, 2018

3/1/2018

 
Picture
Mainline Report
Thanks to the members who volunteer on Open House days and for the special tours. A special thanks to one our newest members, Larry Dipianta, who put on a HO locomotive servicing clinic, and serviced many our Railrodeo locos.
Members, please note that there are no Monday activities on the calendar. There will be extended hours for members and guests on the fourth Tuesdays, until 7:30 PM. [See Upcoming Events]
Be sure to note that we will not be having an Open House on Saturday, April 21st.
Check our website for future updates.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday – March 27th – 5:30 to 7:30 PM
Members Meeting
Sunday – April 1st
No Open House!
Tuesday – April 3rd – 5:30 to 6:30 PM
Work Night
Tuesday – April 10th – 5:30 to 6:30 PM
Work Night
Saturday – April 14th – 9 AM to 4 PM
DELAND TRAIN SHOW
Tuesday – April 17th – 5:30 to 6:30 PM
Board Meeting
Saturday – April 21st
CLOSED – Callahan RR Days
Tuesday – April 24th – 5:30 to 7:30 PM
Members Meeting
Tuesday – May 1st – 5:30 PM
Board Meeting

Did You Know?
Union Station - Palatka
Palatka’s train station is 110 years old. Designed by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company, it initially served Atlantic Coast Line and Florida East Coast passenger trains.
During the mid-1940s, Florida East Coast passenger service to and from East Palatka was discontinued. Mixed train passenger service on the Atlantic Coast Line to and from Gainesville was also discontinued.
During the 1960s the station began handling LCL freight, as well as passengers. Atlantic Coast Line became Seaboard Coast Line in 1967 and decided to exit the passenger business in 1971.
After a five year absence, passenger service was resumed on a trial basis. Amtrak made Palatka a permanent station stop in 1979.

History
Palatka & Heights Street Railway:
Palatka’s “Rapid Transit”
As early as 1884 two companies filed for a franchise to operate a street railway in Palatka. Nothing happened as the city leaders attempted to pass a street railway ordinance. Three years later the city finally passed the ordinance and in 1888 they issued a charter for the Palatka & Heights Street Railway Company.

A mile of three-foot gauge track laid in the center of the streets was open for operation in January of 1889. Two years later the route length had increased to two miles. Motive power for the two streetcars was ‘mule’ power.
By the turn of the Century, the line proceeded across the Jacksonville, Tampa & Key West main line and up the hill to Palatka Heights. The route distance was four miles with plans for further extensions. At the 1902 directors meeting, the president stated that “… he had just secured additional motive power for the line in a new and perfectly reliable five-year-old mule.”
Palatka’s largest hotel being vacant for a few years due to a significant decline in tourism cut into the profitability of the line and it was reportedly up for sale in 1903. The City planned to have the streetcar tracks removed to install storm sewers along the streets. This was to be followed by paving the streets, further impacting the line.
By the end of 1905, after numerous meetings with the City and proposals followed by revised proposals by the streetcar company, no agreement could be reached and the existing franchise being cancelled, operations ceased. In March of 1906, the tracks and equipment were removed.

New Museum Acquisitions

Usually this section usually acknowledges our most recent acquisitions.
However we are 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 any of the following:
Trains ‘street-running’ on Main & Laurel
Rail yard & maintenance facilities in Palatka
Old train depots throughout Putnam County
Other historical rail photos from the 1900s
We are also interested in Railway Post Office cancellations of the following RPOs:
ACL Palatka & Rochelle
GS&F “Val. & Pal.”
FEC “Jack & Ft. Pierce”

Summer 2015

7/7/2015

 
Picture
Mainline Report

  I want to thank all members who volunteer on Open House days. Also, I want to thank Jerry and Howard for building the rolling stock storage cabinet. It has been filled with surplus engines and cars from the layout.

Members, be sure to clear your calendars for our upcoming RailFest, October 10th - Saturday ONLY. It will be here sooner than you think. We still have many things to accomplish before then – layout work, labeling exhibits, reorganizing and storing items, cleaning museum displays & floors. We will need to start doing these on Monday and Tuesday evenings.

Please invite family and friends to assist us as volunteers during the RailFest. We can use them as greeters in the museum or in front of Railrodeo. Even if they are only available for an hour, it would be helpful.

Check our website for future updates.  

Marvis Champion, President

UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday – June 23rd – 7 to 8 PM
Model RR Clinic

Sunday – July 5th
CLOSED

Saturday – July 18th – 1 to 4 PM
PRPS Open House

Tuesday – July 21st – 6:30PM
Board Meeting

Tuesday – July 28th – 7 to 8 PM
Business Meeting

Sunday – August 2nd – 1 to 4 PM
PRPS Open House

Tuesday – August 13th – 6:30 PM
Board Meeting

Saturday - August 15th – 1 to 4 PM
PRPS Open House

Tuesday – August 25th – 7 to 8 PM
Program – Georgia Southern & Florida

Did You Know?
Numerous railway stations have served Putnam County through the years. Several were located in Palatka. Whether called a depot, a station or terminal, they all served the same purposes – places where passengers embarked or disembarked, and places where express shipments and freight were loaded or unloaded.

Within Palatka: Florida Southern; Jacksonville, Tampa & Key West; and Georgia Southern & Florida had stations in the late 1880s. These gave way to new brick stations for Atlantic Coast Line/Florida East Coast and Georgia Southern & Florida by 1908.

The north-south route through the county (Jacksonville, Tampa & Key West/Atlantic Coast Line) had stations at West Tocoi, Bostwick, Sisco, Pomona, Lake Como, and Crescent City Junction.

On the Florida Southern route west of Palatka, several communities had stations. At Francis, Hollister, Interlachen, Edgar, and Johnson, frame structures served the freight and passenger needs.

On the Georgia Southern & Florida, stations were located at Carraway, Florahome, Grandin, and Putnam Hall. East of the St. Johns River, stations were at Orange Mills, East Palatka, San Mateo, and Yelvington.

HISTORY
Florida Southern Railway:
The Orange Belt Route
“Palatka’s First Railway”

The first railroad to begin construction in Palatka was the Gainesville, Ocala and Charlotte Harbor. Although incorporated in 1876, it wasn’t organized until 1879. Palatka’s city council passed an ordinance allowing for trackage right of way over Main St. and a riverfront wharf. The ordinance included $10,000 in bonds to construct the wharf.

By the time construction began in 1881, the name was changed to Florida Southern Railway. The line was to be constructed as a narrow gauge (3ft.) line.

The first timetable was issued on October 16, 1881. Stops between Palatka and Gainesville were: Francis; Brittians; McWilliams, near Hollister; Blue Pond (later renamed Interlachen); John (now called Johnson); McMeekin; Wait’s Crossing (Hawthorne); Magnesia Springs, near Grove Park; Perry Junction (listed on some early RR maps as Gruelle & now known as Rochelle); and Tarver. The 49-mile train trip to Gainesville took 3-1/2 hours.

By December of 1881, the line was completed to Ocala with construction in a southerly direction from Perry Jct. The route distance was increased to 82 miles. Among the settlements along the route were cotton, citrus, general farming and saw mills.

The Florida Southern Headquarters were located in Palatka adjacent to their riverfront wharf. They also had extensive shop facilities here – roundhouse, foundry, blacksmith shop, paint shop, and wood working shop with a planning mill.

By the summer of 1886, the line consisted of approximately 300 miles of rail. It ran from Palatka on the St. Johns River to Punta Gorda on the Gulf.

It was acquired by the Atlantic Coast Line in 1903 and formed the nucleus of ACL’s west coast route in Florida. Most of the original line in our area has been since abandoned. Only a portion between Interlachen and Hawthorne is in service today, operated by CSX.

New Museum Acquisitions
This section usually acknowledges our most recent acquisitions.

However we are seeking additional photos as part of our purpose to preserve the heritage of the rail history of Palatka and surrounding.

We are interested in any of the following:
      Trains ‘street-running’ on Main & Laurel
      Rail yard & maintenance facilities in Palatka
      Old train depots throughout Putnam County
      Other historical rail photos from the 1900s







3rd quarter 2010

8/12/2010

 

Picture
Mainline Report

Our permanent signs have been made and should be mounted by September 9th. Marvis Champion took on this project and did the “leg work” – approval from the city, sign permit, and other arrangements.

Members clear your calendars for our upcoming RailFest, October 16th & 17th, Saturday & Sunday. We still have many things to accomplish before then – layout work, cleaning museum displays & floors. We will be doing these on Monday and Tuesday evenings each week, and Saturday, Oct. 9th.

Please invite family and friends to assist us as volunteers during the weekend. We can use them as greeters in the museum or in front of Railrodeo. Even if they are only available for an hour Saturday or Sunday, it would be helpful.

Elections for President, Treasurer, and Board Member will be held at the October meeting. Please contact one of the officers if you are interested. Nominations will also be taken from the floor at the October meeting.

Later this year we will have a joint meeting with the Northeast Florida Chapter of the Railway Locomotive and Historical Society. They will provide the program for our November meeting.

                     Howard Blasczyk, President

 
Did You Know?
Germany’s Deutsche Bahn railroad is Europe’s largest freight operator. Its companies operate in the Netherlands, Poland, France and Britain, as well as other countries.

Deutsche Bahn is expanding passenger operations in Europe. It now operates an ICE (inter-city express) passenger train from Frankfurt to Paris, France. Its ICE trains are more spacious than the French TGV, but not as fast. The French are also providing high-speed passenger service from France to Germany.

In October, Deutsche Bahn plans to test an ICE-3 high speed train through the “Chunnel”. They hope to be able to provide passenger service from Germany to London for the 2012 Olympics.

The David Browning Railroad Museum has a 1:20 scale Exhibition Model of Deutsche Bahn ICE, and also displays some early ICE souvenirs.

Current Officers for 2010
President: Howard Blasczyk
Vice-President: Jerry Iser
Treasurer: Ray Lucas
Secretary: Marie Blasczyk
Board Members:
Larry Beaton
Marvis Champion
Billy Sparks


HISTORY
Florida East Coast Railway:
        ~ mile posts 62 to 87
“FORGOTTEN EAST COAST”

Located west of the original mainline of Florida East Coast Railway between St. Augustine and Bunnell was the Palatka Branch. It connected East Palatka with Palatka via a bridge across the St. Johns River. Although the branch route was only 1.81 miles, it provided rail service to Palatka proper and connection with the Atlantic Coast Line.

In April of 1888, Palatka Bridge Co. incorporated for a period of 99 years. The bridge was completed by December 10th, after just seventy days of construction.   In May of 1896, Henry Flagler acquired the property rights and franchises of Palatka Bridge Co.

Originally trains stopped at the Water Street passenger platform on the riverfront. However by 1908, FEC trains were stopping at Union Station, twelve blocks from the river. Union Station was constructed by the Atlantic Coast Line and jointly operated with the FEC. It had two telegrapher bays, one on the west side for ACL and one at the north end for the FEC.

After stopping at the platform on the north side of Union Station, FEC trains would back down Main St. to the river then across the bridge to East Palatka. This was not without problems. On February 11, 1913, train No. 37 backed off the open draw span, apparently left open by the bridge tender. The trailing Pullman was partially submerged, but the coupling held fast and there were no injuries - just a number of terrified passengers, according to the news paper account.

During June of 1917, a “gas-electric” motorcar was used on the branch. This service was short-lived as it is not listed in early 1918 schedules. In September of 1934, passenger, mail and express service ceased on the branch – it was transferred to the highway with ICC approval.

Freight service continued on the Palatka Branch until November of 1948. The FEC deemed the bridge unsafe and petitioned for abandonment. A year later the ICC gave approval. The draw span was opened for the last time in 1950.

1st quarter 2010

2/12/2010

 
Mainline Report
 
During the January Board meeting the officers and directors talked about many things that should be done, as well as discussing things they would like to see accomplished this year.
 
On the top of the “To Do” list was Railrodeo maintenance. This includes addressing track concerns (areas of poor electrical properties), animation problems, repairing worn or damaged scenery, and bringing rolling stock up to standards. 
 
Also discussed was the Palatka layout. Some of the current plans are additional throttle locations, remote control of inaccessible turnouts (purchasing necessary machines), and continuing scenic work.
 
Other items were completion of the 501(c)3 application, look into insurance for exhibits/layouts, and members rolling stock listing.
 
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 4th Tuesday Members Meeting. Of course 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

Did You Know?
The first railroad in this area predates the “War Between the States”. In 1858, the St. Johns Railway was incorporated to construct a railway to connect Tocoi Landing on the east bank of the St. Johns River with St. Augustine, 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”, accounts indicate the rails were pulled up and the original steam locomotive destroyed by Union soldiers.
 
After the war, tracks were re-laid with iron and service resumed with “horse power as well as steam”. Around 1876, 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. By 1889, business on the St. Johns line had decreased to the point that trains consisted of 2 or 3 boxcars and ran  only three times a week. The occasional passengers would have to ride among the freight.
 
Ownership of the St. Johns Railway transferred to Henry Flagler in the 1890s.

Our most recent acquisitions were donated by Matthew Conner. They include three mounted photos of British locomotives, a Florida East Coast sign, as well as other items.

Matthew is one of our frequent museum guests. He comes with his father and is our youngest donor. A special thanks to Matthew for his donations.

How about some history?
Florida East Coast Railway:
mileposts  40 to 62

“FORGOTTEN EAST COAST”
A portion of the original mainline of Florida East Coast Railway was once part a company that bore the name of St. Augustine and Palatka Railway. A sketchy history of the line must be obtained from news accounts as documentation is limited.

The St. Augustine & Palatka Railway Company was incorporated in 1885 or 1886 by William Astor. It was a 22-mile standard gauge line running from Tocoi Junction (a few miles west St. Augustine), on the old St. Johns Railway, to East Palatka. When completed, it provided a continuous route from East Palatka to St. Augustine.
 
The following companies were involved in construction:

      W. D. Burtchnell & Co. ------- clearing & grading
      Morgan, Reynolds & Co. ---- clearing & grading
      W. G. Hawkins ----------------- bridge construction
      Curry Brewton -----------------  bridge construction
      Morgan, Reynolds & Co. ---- bridge construction
      W. D. Burtchnell & Co. ------- tracklaying
      Joseph Hawthorne ------------ tracklaying
 
The first scheduled train operated from East Palatka into St. Augustine on May 31st, 1886, using the St. Johns Railway for the last few miles.
 
The annual report of the St. Augustine & Palatka Railway Company for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1888 filed with the Interstate Commerce Commission gives the following financial information:

      Outstanding capital stock --------------- $225,000
      Investment in road & equipment ------ $225,000
 
A news account on President Grover Cleveland’s visit to Palatka on February 23rd of 1888, gives a little history on the line and lack of connections between rail lines. He came from St. Augustine to East Palatka via the St. Augustine and Palatka Railway. He had to cross the river to Palatka via steamship – the railway bridge wouldn’t be constructed until latter that year.
 
During 1889, the property of the line was conveyed to the St. Augustine & Halifax River Railway Co., which was leased to the Jacksonville, St. Augustine & Indian River Railway Co. The property, rights and franchises, including track, were deeded to FEC April 4th, 1896.
 
The line between Hastings and East Palatka was abandoned in the early 1980s. The line between Tocoi Junction and Hastings was abandoned in 1988.

4th quarter 2009

11/12/2009

 
Mainline Report

 This year’s RailFest was another successful event. I believe it was one of our best, even though our membership was down somewhat this year. I think the effort that went into the Palatka layout really paid off. Many of our regular visitors noticed. I would like to thank all of our members and anyone who had a part in RailFest 2009 for their help. We need to incorporate the aspects that were successful next year’s RailFest and be sure to make adjustments in our problem areas.

 Please encourage 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 4th Tuesday Members Meeting. Of course 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. Just a reminder that November 1st begins our new membership year and the more members we have the more we can accomplish.

 Hopefully over the next year we can incorporate many of the things we have tried in the past year, i.e. have a historical presentation and model RR clinic each quarter. In addition to running trains, I would like to see us have an “Operating Session” each month. Also we need to get out more, i.e. tour other layouts and museums as a group. I would also encourage our members to consider being guests at other RR and historical organizations’ activities.

Howard Blasczyk, President

 

Did You Know?

The first transcontinental railroad to join the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans was not completed at Promontory Point in Utah in 1869. The joining of these oceans by rail occurred much further south in 1855. It was not the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads but the 47-mile Panama Railroad that became the first transcontinental railroad in the Americas.

The railroad was originally constructed to 5’-6” gauge. The first rails were of the inverted “U” type. The original construction cost was $6.5 million. Much of the original railroad was relocated due to the route of the Panama Canal. The relocation cost $9 million. The line was re-gauged to 5’-0” which remains to this day.

The David Browning Railroad Museum has a Panama Canal railroad exhibit that displays some of the early rails and spikes utilized on the line.


MUSEUM ACQUISITIONS A Lionel O-27 gauge train set from 1976 with structures, donated by Steve Banton

An American Flyer (A. C. Gilbert) S-gauge train set from 1955, donated by Steve Banton

The “B&O Royal Blue” circa 1938, Pacific P-7 #5304 crossing Thomas Viaduct over Patapsco River in Maryland, a framed color print on loan from Walter Corkran (the artist)

Other color prints on display by Walter Corkran are Pennsy “sharknose” #9591 at Kendall Tower (Selkirk, NY yard), ACL RPO #11, and St. Petersburg station



Florida East Coast Railway:
mileposts   37 to 87
“FORGOTTEN EAST COAST”


     Approximately fifty miles of the original mainline of Florida East Coast Railway via East Palatka (between St. Augustine and Bunnell) no longer exists. Located between milepost 37 and milepost 87, it was the route that all trains used for thirty years. All trains bound for the Keys passed through East Palatka until the Moultrie Cut-off was completed. Its shorter route (by only 20 miles) allowed many trains to bypass East Palatka. However, passenger service remained on this line almost until the F.E.C. discontinued its passenger service. Freight service was provided up to the time the line was finally abandoned.

     On the east side of the St. Johns River, the St. Johns & Halifax Railroad was originally a 3-foot logging railroad from Rollestown to the Halifax River. Incorporated in 1881 by Utley J. White, it reached Tomoka in 1886 and was extended south to Daytona by 1887. The Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Halifax River Railway, a 36-mile narrow gauge railway, was completed from Jacksonville to St. Augustine’s outskirts by mid-1883.  

     The St. Augustine & Palatka Railway was incorporated in 1885 by William Astor and his son. It was a 22-mile standard gauge line running from Tocoi Junction, on the old St. Johns Railway (a few miles west St. Augustine), to East Palatka. It provided a continuous route from East Palatka to St. Augustine, albeit by different rail gauges. When the St. Johns & Halifax Railroad, which ran from Rollestown to Daytona, became the St. Johns & Halifax River Railway in December of 1888, it connected at East Palatka with the St. Augustine & Palatka Railway. This permitted rail travel on the east coast of Florida from Jacksonville as far south as Daytona.  
     The San Mateo Branch was abandoned in December of 1942. Next came the Palatka Branch which included the St. Johns River bridge (1.8 miles), and operation under trackage rights of Atlantic Coast Line rails (0.79 miles between the west side of the bridge and Union Station). The last movement over the Palatka Branch occurred in November of 1948. The original mainline between East Palatka and Bunnell was abandoned in 1972. The line between Hastings and East Palatka was abandoned in the early 1980s. The line between Tocoi Junction and Hastings was abandoned in 1988.

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Photo used under Creative Commons from Hunter-Desportes