Mainline Report
The museum is open based on Ride Solutions staffing (typically Mon.–Fri., 9AM–5PM). Open House Events are scheduled quarterly. Revisit our website, where we will announce other 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 (include name & number) at: (386) 328-0305
UPCOMING EVENTS
Calendar Dates
Saturday – February 10th – 9 AM to 4 PM
Golden Spike TRAIN SHOW
Prime Osborn Convention Ctr.
1000 Water St., Jacksonville
Saturday – February 17th – 9 to 10 AM
Members O.H. Preparation
Saturday – February 17th – 10AM to 2PM
OPEN HOUSE EVENT
Browning Railroad Museum
HO scale model railroads operating
Saturday – March 9th – 9 AM to 2 PM
LIONS CLUB TRAIN SHOW
1908 E. Ft. King St., Ocala
Saturday – April 6th – 9 AM to 4 PM
Golden Spike TRAIN SHOW
Volusia County Fairgrounds
SR44 East, Deland
Did You Know?
Many early rail lines organized for construction in Florida would only exist on
paper. Palatka had its share of “paper railroads” as well.
Palatka's first was the Palatka Orange Spring Railway organized in 1870 by local steamboat and stage line operator, Hubbard L. Hart.
Also in 1870, was the Great Southern Railway, which was to pass through Palatka
on its way south. Within five years this project was “canned”.
Palatka & Sanford Railroad incorporated in 1881. With no construction in progress, their
reserved Land Grant acreage was given to another railroad in 1883.
The Jacksonville & Palatka Railway published a Notice of Incorporation in 1882. The line
was planned to be sixty-five miles. 1885 produced four more “paper railroads” for
the Palatka area: Palatka & Ocklawaha River Railway; St. Augustine & Seaboard Rwy. (with a branch to Palatka); Drayton Island & Gulf Railroad; and Homosassa, Ocala & Palatka Railroad.
In 1887, five more lines were planned, but never constructed.
We need photos (or copies) 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; businesses served by rail; as
well as any other historical rail photos from this area.
HISTORY
FEC (Florida East Coast Railroad) Predecessor:
Palatka Bridge Company
In the mid-1880s, Palatka was served by rail lines on both sides of the river. Any passenger connections or freight interchange between the rail lines on opposite banks of the river had to be accomplished via ferry boats. Thus the need for a rail bridge across the St. Johns River at Palatka was obvious.
Around 1886, rumors began circulating regarding a railway bridge at Palatka. With four rail lines have four different riverfront wharfs locations, speculation abounded as to what rail company would build it, as well as where it would cross the river.
In June of 1887, officials from Florida Southern, St. Augustine & Palatka, and St. Johns & Halifax met to discuss a rail bridge at Palatka. Local business men envisioned a bridge to accommodate trains, vehicles (wagons), and pedestrians.
Pros and cons of the proposals were aired in the local newspapers. Each proponent stated why their proposal made the most sense. The controversy over who, and where, continued into 1888.
After a few years of speculation, discussion and rumors, the bridge‟s location was finalized. It obviously was not determined by the newspaper editors or even public sentiment. Right-of-way deeds for a railroad bridge over the St. Johns River at Palatka were recorded in January of 1888.
Apparently, common sense prevailed. Constructing multiple railroad bridges or making the western connection at the busiest section of the riverfront might be a hindrance to river traffic. The location finally selected was apparently the most logical.
The Palatka Bridge Co. was organized in August of 1888 for the expressed purpose of constructing and operating a railway bridge across the river at Palatka. Construction bonds were issued By St. Johns & Halifax Rwy. The river narrows to about one-mile wide where this bridge crossed. After a seventy day construction period, the bridge was
completed on December 10th.
The museum is open based on Ride Solutions staffing (typically Mon.–Fri., 9AM–5PM). Open House Events are scheduled quarterly. Revisit our website, where we will announce other 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 (include name & number) at: (386) 328-0305
UPCOMING EVENTS
Calendar Dates
Saturday – February 10th – 9 AM to 4 PM
Golden Spike TRAIN SHOW
Prime Osborn Convention Ctr.
1000 Water St., Jacksonville
Saturday – February 17th – 9 to 10 AM
Members O.H. Preparation
Saturday – February 17th – 10AM to 2PM
OPEN HOUSE EVENT
Browning Railroad Museum
HO scale model railroads operating
Saturday – March 9th – 9 AM to 2 PM
LIONS CLUB TRAIN SHOW
1908 E. Ft. King St., Ocala
Saturday – April 6th – 9 AM to 4 PM
Golden Spike TRAIN SHOW
Volusia County Fairgrounds
SR44 East, Deland
Did You Know?
Many early rail lines organized for construction in Florida would only exist on
paper. Palatka had its share of “paper railroads” as well.
Palatka's first was the Palatka Orange Spring Railway organized in 1870 by local steamboat and stage line operator, Hubbard L. Hart.
Also in 1870, was the Great Southern Railway, which was to pass through Palatka
on its way south. Within five years this project was “canned”.
Palatka & Sanford Railroad incorporated in 1881. With no construction in progress, their
reserved Land Grant acreage was given to another railroad in 1883.
The Jacksonville & Palatka Railway published a Notice of Incorporation in 1882. The line
was planned to be sixty-five miles. 1885 produced four more “paper railroads” for
the Palatka area: Palatka & Ocklawaha River Railway; St. Augustine & Seaboard Rwy. (with a branch to Palatka); Drayton Island & Gulf Railroad; and Homosassa, Ocala & Palatka Railroad.
In 1887, five more lines were planned, but never constructed.
We need photos (or copies) 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; businesses served by rail; as
well as any other historical rail photos from this area.
HISTORY
FEC (Florida East Coast Railroad) Predecessor:
Palatka Bridge Company
In the mid-1880s, Palatka was served by rail lines on both sides of the river. Any passenger connections or freight interchange between the rail lines on opposite banks of the river had to be accomplished via ferry boats. Thus the need for a rail bridge across the St. Johns River at Palatka was obvious.
Around 1886, rumors began circulating regarding a railway bridge at Palatka. With four rail lines have four different riverfront wharfs locations, speculation abounded as to what rail company would build it, as well as where it would cross the river.
In June of 1887, officials from Florida Southern, St. Augustine & Palatka, and St. Johns & Halifax met to discuss a rail bridge at Palatka. Local business men envisioned a bridge to accommodate trains, vehicles (wagons), and pedestrians.
Pros and cons of the proposals were aired in the local newspapers. Each proponent stated why their proposal made the most sense. The controversy over who, and where, continued into 1888.
After a few years of speculation, discussion and rumors, the bridge‟s location was finalized. It obviously was not determined by the newspaper editors or even public sentiment. Right-of-way deeds for a railroad bridge over the St. Johns River at Palatka were recorded in January of 1888.
Apparently, common sense prevailed. Constructing multiple railroad bridges or making the western connection at the busiest section of the riverfront might be a hindrance to river traffic. The location finally selected was apparently the most logical.
The Palatka Bridge Co. was organized in August of 1888 for the expressed purpose of constructing and operating a railway bridge across the river at Palatka. Construction bonds were issued By St. Johns & Halifax Rwy. The river narrows to about one-mile wide where this bridge crossed. After a seventy day construction period, the bridge was
completed on December 10th.
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