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.
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
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.
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.
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”
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”
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