Ghost Town

(Change of direction:  I've decided to start posting to this blog again, but with a different angle; not that there was a specific angle in the past.  Although some of the posts will be off-subject musings, I will post photos off trains and depots.  I've collected post cards of both for quite some time, so will post them one, or a few, at a time.  I will try to include a short history or story to each, so may also attach photos which aren't mine to make the story understandable.  These will be clearly marked.)

Moonlight on the Ocean

The Florida East Coast's Key West Extension (officially known as the Florida Overseas Railroad or "Flagler's Folly") became one of the railroad industry's most celebrated accomplishments. The extension operated for just over twenty years before it was heavily damaged by a hurricane in 1935 and, with the FEC being bankrupt at the time, it was unable to repair the bridges and right-of-way. The property was sold to the state of Florida, which turned the railbed into a major roadway, the Overseas Highway (U.S. 1).  The highway still serves Key West today, but the former railroad bridges were replaced during the 1980s and no longer carry vehicle traffic.  

The Florida East Coast Railway had its beginnings on September 7, 1895 when it was officially dedicated by its original owner, Henry Flagler, who purchased the Jacksonville, St. Augustine & Halifax River Railway and renamed it.

The Key West Extension was built as a freight corridor, but Key West never materialized into the deep water port Henry Flagler had envisioned.  The extension was already in decline when the Labor Day Hurricane struck in 1935.

Havana Special

FEC passenger train on Seven Mile Bridge

Although built for its potential freight services, the railroad launched the Havana Special to operate up and down the US eastern seaboard between New York and Key West.  The entire route covered 1,523 miles to Key West, making it the longest east coast passenger route.  The train was quite successful due to the fact that rail service was still the most efficient means of transportation at the time and the FEC spared no expense in providing top level service. It was an all-Pullman train that include coaches, a lounge, a diner, six sleepers, and a parlor-observation car.  The lounge car offered separate areas for men and women to relax and included baths.

A 4-8-2 Mountain leaving the FEC main terminal at Trumbo Island in Key West in 1933