Summer 2023

Mainline Report

Now that the train station has re-opened for the public’s use and the parking lot construction has been completed, P.R.P.S. has begun resuming activities. 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.

 
UPCOMING EVENTS
Calendar Dates
Saturday – August 19th – 9 to 10 AM
Members O.H. Preparation

Saturday – August 19th – 10 AM to 2 PM
OPEN HOUSE EVENT
Browning Railroad Museum
HO scale model railroads operating

Saturday – Sept 30th
Ocala Model RRs Historic Pres. Soc. 1247 NE 3rd St., Ocala
OPEN HOUSE - 10 AM to 3 PM

Saturday – November 4th
LIONS CLUB TRAIN SHOW 1908 E. Ft. King St., Ocala 9 AM to 2 PM

Did You Know?
During the early days of railroading, prior to radio communications, the railroads used various means of communication. Locomotive whistles and signal lanterns were a couple of the early forms. These methods were primarily used for train crews, but could be useful to the public.

Some of the whistle signals are still in use today, although they are sounded by a diesel horn instead of a steam whistle. For instance, two short blasts mean the train is starting to move forward, while three short blasts indicate a back-up move. Prior to approaching a vehicular crossing (highway, street, or road), two long blasts, one short blast, followed by another long blast, warns vehicles and pedestrians of an approaching train.

The first railroad signal lanterns used oil or kerosene to provide illumination. Hand lanterns were used by crew members to communicate between the locomotive and the caboose, or even a crew member on the ground. Lanterns were also mounted on the front of the engine and the rear of every train. Lanterns were mounted on switch stands so crew members could determine switch alignment at night.

HISTORY
A connecting line:
Green Cove & Melrose Railroad –“Lake Sante Fe Route”
A railroad worthy of mention is Green Cove Spring & Melrose Railroad. It connected with Jacksonville, Tampa & Key West Rwy. at Green Cove Springs, as well as a junction with the Georgia Southern & Florida Railway at Newburg (1890), east of Lake Geneva, and its eventual terminus at Melrose.

Chartered in 1881, it was a proposed 33-1/2 mile narrow gauge line between Green Cove Springs and Lake Sante Fe at Melrose. Six miles of rail was laid from Green Cove by July of 1882. When it opened for revenue business in March of 1883, 10 miles of track was in place.

By the end of December of 1884, with one locomotive, a combine, and 9 flat cars, the line was in receivership. After a foreclosure sale and reorganization as Green Cove & Midland, a 10 mile lumber spur was added at Sharon. By July of 1886 it was leased by the Western Railway of Florida and an additional 5-1/2 miles of track was added reaching Belmore.

Daily (except Sunday) trains carried passengers, mail, and agricultural products; however it was mainly a logging and lumber road.

Construction resumed toward Melrose crossing the route of G. F. & S. at Newburg. By January 10, 1890 the line finally reached Melrose. Daily round trips between Green Cove and Melrose were said to have taken 2 hours with at least a dozen stops en route. By February of 1892 the line was in receivership again. After another foreclosure sale, the line emerged as the South-Western Railway. Additional equipment was added, the schedule was shortened, and Sunday trains scheduled..

By mid-1896 the line was virtually shut down, but the courts required it to continue operation. By 1899, the owners were allowed to remove rails and dispose of equipment, thus ending its existence.

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; as well as any other historical rail photos from this area.

Contact us via email: [email protected]