Palatka Railroad Preservation Society

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 When the proposal was adopted, it superseded 49 different operating times in the U.S. and Canada.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

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”

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”

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

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.