Florida East Coast Railway
FEC route map
Reporting marks	FEC
Locale	Florida
Dates of operation	1885 – present
Track gauge	4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) (standard gauge)
Headquarters	Jacksonville, Florida

The Florida East Coast Railway (AAR reporting marks FEC) is a Class II railroad operating in the U.S. state of Florida; in the past, it has been a Class I railroad. The FEC is renowned as the railroad that built the first railroad bridges to Key West that have since been rebuilt into road bridges for vehicle traffic, now known as the Overseas Highway. It was originally known as the Florida Coast and Gulf Railway and then the Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Indian River Railway; for more information and other former railroads merged into the line, see the family tree below. Florida East Coast Railway Herald This work is copyrighted. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Reporting marks on two CP Rail covered hoppers passing Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, June 20, 2004. ... Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Largest metro area Miami Area  Ranked 22nd  - Total 65,795[1] sq mi (170,304[1] km²)  - Width 361 miles (582 km)  - Length 447 miles (721 km)  - % water 17. ... 1885 (MDCCCLXXXV) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Rail gauge is the distance between two rails of a railroad. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... An inch (plural: inches; symbol or abbreviation: in or, sometimes, ″ - a double prime) is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... A millimetre (American spelling: millimeter, symbol mm) is an SI unit of length that is equal to one thousandth of a metre. ... As railways developed and expanded one of the key issues to be decided was that of the rail gauge (the distance between the two rails of the track) which should be used. ... Motto: Where Florida Begins Location in the state of Florida Coordinates: Country United States State Florida County Duval Government  - Mayor John Peyton (R) Area  - City  885 sq mi (2,264. ... Reporting marks on two CP Rail covered hoppers passing Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, June 20, 2004. ... A Class II railroad, as defined by the American Association of Railroads, is a railroad with an annual operating revenue between $10 million (1978 dollars) and $50 million (1978 dollars). ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Largest metro area Miami Area  Ranked 22nd  - Total 65,795[1] sq mi (170,304[1] km²)  - Width 361 miles (582 km)  - Length 447 miles (721 km)  - % water 17. ... A Class I railroad in the United States, or a Class I railway (also Class I rail carrier) in Canada, is one of the largest freight railroads, as classified based on operating revenue. ... Nickname: The Conch Republic, Southernmost City In The Continental United States Coordinates: Country United States State Florida County Monroe Government  - Type Council-Manager  - Mayor Morgan McPherson Area  - City  7. ... The Matecumbe Keys toll booth on June 21, 1938. ...

History

"Drumhead" logos such as these often adorned the ends of observation cars on the FEC.

Image File history File links FEC_combined. ... Image File history File links FEC_combined. ... The term drumhead refers to a type of removable lighted sign that was prevalent on American railroads of the first half of the 20th century. ...

Henry Flagler: Developing Florida's east coast

The Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) was developed by Henry Morrison Flagler, a United States tycoon, real estate promoter, railroad developer and Rockefeller partner in Standard Oil. Originally based in Cleveland, Ohio and formed as Rockefeller, Andrews & Flagler in 1867, in 1877, Standard Oil moved its headquarters to New York City, and Flagler and his family moved there as well. He was joined by Henry H. Rogers, another leader of Standard Oil who also became involved in the development of America's railroads, including those on nearby Staten Island, the Union Pacific, and later in West Virginia, where he eventually built the remarkable Virginian Railway to transport coal to Hampton Roads, Virginia. Henry Morrison Flagler (January 2, 1830 – May 20, 1913) was a United States tycoon, real estate promoter, railroad developer and Rockefeller partner in Standard Oil. ... Rockefeller Rockefeller family Rockefeller Group International, Inc. ... Standard Oil (Esso) was a predominant integrated oil producing, transporting, refining, and marketing company. ... Cleveland redirects here. ... Rockefeller, Andrews & Flagler was a business concern formed in 1867 in Cleveland, Ohio which was a predecessor of the Standard Oil organization. ... Cunt BAg Twat Fuk suck my penis ring 0778851865!!!!!!Year 1867 (MDCCCLXVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... 1877 (MDCCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Standard Oil (Esso) was a predominant integrated oil producing, transporting, refining, and marketing company. ... New York, NY redirects here. ... Henry Huttleston Rogers (January 29, 1840 – May 19, 1909) was a United States capitalist, businessman, industrialist, financier, and philanthropist. ... Staten Island, in yellow, lies to the southwest of the rest of New York City. ... The Union Pacific Railroad (AAR reporting marks UP) (NYSE: UNP) is the largest railroad network in the United States. ... Official language(s) English Capital Charleston Largest city Charleston Area  Ranked 41st  - Total 24,244 sq mi (62,809 km²)  - Width 130 miles (210 km)  - Length 240 miles (385 km)  - % water 0. ... The Virginian Railway (AAR reporting mark VGN) was a Class I railroad located in Virginia and West Virginia in the United States. ... Coal Coal (IPA: ) is a fossil fuel formed in swamp ecosystems where plant remains were saved by water and mud from oxidization and biodegradation. ... This view from space in July 1996 shows portions of each of the Seven Cities of Hampton Roads which generally surround the harbor area of Hampton Roads, which framed by the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel visible to the east (right), the Virginia Peninsula subregion to the north (top), and the... Official language(s) English Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Area  Ranked 35th  - Total 42,793 sq mi (110,862 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 430 miles (690 km)  - % water 7. ...

Promotional excursions such as the Florida Special helped make the state the tourist "Mecca" it is today.

Henry Flagler's non-Standard Oil interests went in a different direction, however, when in 1878, on the advice of his physician, Flagler traveled to Jacksonville, Florida for the winter with his first wife, Mary, who was quite ill. Two years after she died in 1881, he married one of Mary's former caregivers. After their wedding, the couple traveled to St. Augustine, Florida. Flagler found the city charming, but the hotel facilities and transportation systems inadequate. He recognized Florida's potential to attract out-of-state visitors. Though Flagler remained on the Board of Directors of Standard Oil, he gave up his day-to-day involvement in the corporation in order to pursue his interests in Florida. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... This article is about the city in Saudi Arabia. ... 1878 (MDCCCLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... The Jacksonville skyline and the Acosta Bridge. ... Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Largest metro area Miami Area  Ranked 22nd  - Total 65,795[1] sq mi (170,304[1] km²)  - Width 361 miles (582 km)  - Length 447 miles (721 km)  - % water 17. ... Year 1881 (MDCCCLXXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ... Five flags have flown over the city since 1565. ... Standard Oil (Esso) was a predominant integrated oil producing, transporting, refining, and marketing company. ...

When Flagler returned to Florida, in 1885 he began building a grand St. Augustine hotel, the Ponce de León Hotel. Flagler realized that the key to developing Florida was a solid transportation system and consequently purchased the Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Halifax Railroad. He also noticed that a major problem facing the existing Florida railway systems was that each operated on different gauge systems, making interconnection impossible. Shortly after purchasing the Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Halifax Railroad, he converted the line to standard gauge. 1885 (MDCCCLXXXV) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Flagler College, formerly the Ponce de León Hotel The Ponce de León Hotel was one of the magnificent hotels built in St. ... As railways developed and expanded one of the key issues to be decided was that of the rail gauge (the distance between the two rails of the track) which should be used. ...

The earliest predecessor of the FEC was the narrow-gauge St. John’s Railway, incorporated in 1858, which constructed a now-abandoned line between Tocoi and St. Augustine. In 1883, Henry M. Flagler, now retired from Standard Oil, moved to St. Augustine and purchased several hotels. The East Coast of Florida was relatively undeveloped at that time, and Flagler found it difficult to obtain the construction materials he needed. In 1885, Flagler purchased all assets of the Jacksonville, St. Augustine & Halifax River Railway; as the railroad expanded southward, the company was eventually re-named “Florida East Coast Railway Company – Flagler System” on September 7, 1895.

The Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Halifax River Railway served the northeastern portion of the state and was the first property in the Flagler Railroad system, which would eventually become the Florida East Coast Railway Company. Before Flagler bought the organization, the railroad stretched only between South Jacksonville and St. Augustine and lacked a depot sufficient to accommodate travelers to his St. Augustine resorts. Flagler built a modern depot facility as well as schools, hospitals and churches, systematically revitalizing the largely abandoned historic city.

Flagler next purchased three additional existing railroads: the St. John's Railway, the St. Augustine and Palatka Railway, and the St. Johns and Halifax River Railway so that he could provide extended rail service on standard gauge tracks. Through the operation of these three railroads, by spring 1889 Flagler's system offered service from Jacksonville to Daytona. Continuing to develop hotel facilities to entice northern tourists to visit Florida, Flagler bought and expanded the Ormond Hotel, located along the railroad's route north of Daytona. Year 1889 (MDCCCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Jacksonville skyline and the Acosta Bridge. ... Daytona Beach in 2005 Daytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, USA. As of 2004, the population estimates recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 64,422. ... The Ormond Hotel (also known as the Flagler Hotel) is a historic hotel in Ormond Beach, Florida, United States. ...

Beginning in 1892, when landowners south of Daytona petitioned him to extend the railroad 80 miles south, Flagler began laying new railroad tracks; no longer did he follow his traditional practice of purchasing existing railroads and merging them into his growing rail system. Flagler obtained a charter from the state of Florida authorizing him to build a railroad along the Indian River to Miami and as the railroad progressed southward, cities such as New Smyrna and Titusville began to develop along the tracks. 1892 (MDCCCXCII) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... The Indian River is a waterway in Florida, a part of the Indian River Lagoon system. ... This article is about the city in Florida. ... In 1763 after 250 years of Spanish rule , Florida came under English rule. ... Titusville is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. ...

The Florida East Coast Railway depot in Sebastian, Florida. The structure was built in 1893.

By 1894, Flagler's railroad system reached what is today known as West Palm Beach. Flagler constructed the Royal Poinciana Hotel in Palm Beach overlooking the Lake Worth Lagoon. He also built The Breakers Hotel on the ocean side of Palm Beach, and Whitehall, his private 55 room, 60,000 square foot (5,600 m²) winter home. The development of these three structures, coupled with railroad access to them, established Palm Beach as a winter resort for the wealthy members of America's Gilded Age. Palm Beach was to be the terminus of the Flagler railroad, but during 1894 and 1895, severe freezes hit all of Central Florida whereas the Miami area remained unaffected, causing Flagler to rethink his original decision not to move the railroad south of Palm Beach. It is said that Julia Tuttle, one of two main landowners in the Miami area along with the Brickell family, sent orange blossom to Flagler to prove him that Miami, unlike the rest of the State, was unaffected by the frost. To further convince Flagler to continue the railroad to Miami, both Julia Tuttle and William Brickell offered land to the Florida East Coast Canal and Transportation Company, and the Boston and Florida Atlantic Coast Land Company in exchange for laying rail tracks. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Sebastian is a city located in Indian River County, Florida. ... 1894 (MDCCCXCIV) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... West Palm Beach is a city located in Palm Beach County, Florida. ... The Breakers Hotel Complex is a historic hotel in Palm Beach, Florida, United States. ... The Lake Worth Lagoon is a lagoon located in Palm Beach County, Florida. ... The Breakers, a gilded-age mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. ... 1895 (MDCCCXCV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

On September 7, 1895, the name of Flagler's system was changed from the Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Indian River Railway Company to the Florida East Coast Railway Company and by 1896, it reached Biscayne Bay at present day downtown Miami, at the time a small settlement of less than 50 inhabitants. When the town incorporated in 1896, its citizens wanted to honor the man responsible for the city's development by naming it, "Flagler." He declined the honor, persuading them to keep the city's old Indian name, "Miami." The area was actually previously known as "Fort Dallas" after the Fort built there in the 1830's during the second Seminole War. To further develop the area surrounding the Miami railroad station, Flagler dredged a channel, built streets, instituted the first water and power systems, and financed the town's first newspaper, the Metropolis. Flagler was a great visionary and he can be credited for the development of the entire east coast of Florida. Yet he lacked vision on at least one issue: he felt that Miami would never be more than a fishing village. September 7 is the 250th day of the year (251st in leap years). ... 1895 (MDCCCXCV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1896 (MDCCCXCVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display calendar). ... Biscayne Bay separates Miami on the mainland from Miami Beach on the barrier islands of the Atlantic Ocean coast of Florida. ... Year 1896 (MDCCCXCVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display calendar). ...

As of 1905, Flagler started what everybody considered a folly: the extension of the FEC to Key West which would later be known as "The Overseas Railway," at the time considered the eighth wonder of the world and surely the most daring infrastructure ever built exclusively with private funds. The first train arrived in Key West on January 22, 1912.

A 1913 print advertisement extols the many advantages of traveling on the Florida East Coast Railway, the "New Route to the Panama Canal."

Image File history File links Size of this preview: 414 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (699 × 1013 pixel, file size: 288 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) 1913 print advertisement for the Florida East Coast Railway. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 414 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (699 × 1013 pixel, file size: 288 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) 1913 print advertisement for the Florida East Coast Railway. ...

Constructing the Florida East Coast Railway

The railroad south of West Palm Beach was constructed in phases by the FEC and the predecessor systems. Flagler began his railroad building in 1892. Under Florida’s generous land-grant laws passed in 1893, 8,000 acres (32 km²) could be claimed from the state for every mile (1.6 km) built. Flagler would eventually claim a total in excess of two million acres (8,000 km²) for building the FEC, and land development and trading would become one of his most profitable endeavours.

Before it became the FEC, the Jacksonville, St. Augustine & Indian River was constructing a line southwards from Daytona Beach in 1894. Fort Pierce was reached on January 29, and West Palm Beach on March 22. Further extension southwards did not begin until June of 1895, when a favorable deal was signed with Miami-area business interests. Fort Lauderdale was reached on March 3 of the following year. By April, the construction reached Biscayne Bay, the largest and most accessible harbor on Florida’s east coast. To further develop the area surrounding the Miami railroad station, Flagler dredged a channel, built streets, instituted the first water and power systems, and financed Miami’s first newspaper, the Metropolis. Flagler announced in 1905 that the FEC would be extended 128 miles to Key West over the ocean. The "Overseas Extension" was completed in 1912, a mere 16 months prior to Flagler’s death, at a cost of $27 million and lives of hundreds of workmen.

Key West Extension: Eighth Wonder of the World

Never one to rest on his laurels, Flagler next sought perhaps his greatest challenge: the extension of the Florida East Coast Railway to Key West, a city of almost 20,000 inhabitants located 128 miles beyond the end of the Florida peninsula. Flagler became particularly interested in linking Key West to the mainland after the United States announced in 1905 the construction of the Panama Canal. Key West, the United States' closest deep-water port to the Canal, could not only take advantage of Cuban and Latin America trade, but the opening of the Canal would allow significant trade possibilities with the west. Map of Key West Key West is a city located in Monroe County, Florida. ... A peninsula in Croatia A peninsula (from the latin words paene insula, almost island) is a geographical landform consisting of an extension of a body of land from a larger body of land, surrounded by water on three sides. ... 1905 (MCMV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar). ... Two Panamax running the Miraflores Locks The Panama Canal (Spanish: ) is a major ship canal that traverses the Isthmus of Panama in Central America, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. ... The Canal du Midi, Toulouse, France Canals are man-made channels for water. ... Latin America consists of the countries of South America and some of North America (including Central America and some the islands of the Caribbean) whose inhabitants mostly speak Romance languages, although Native American languages are also spoken. ...

The construction of the Overseas Railroad required many engineering innovations as well as vast amounts of labor and monetary resources. At one time during construction, four thousand men were employed. During the seven year construction, five hurricanes threatened to halt the project. Florida East Coast Railway train traveling on an Overseas Railroad (Key West Extension) railroad bridge. ...

Despite the hardships, the final link of the Florida East Coast Railway was completed in 1912. In that year, a proud Henry Flagler rode the first train into Key West, marking the completion of the railroad's overseas connection to Key West and the linkage by railway of the entire east coast of Florida. 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

FEC Through the Years

The stock market crash of 1929 was particularly harsh on the FEC. The railroad was in receivership by September 1931, a short 18 years after Flagler’s death. Bus service began to be substituted for trains on the branches in 1932, and the Key West Extension was abandoned after the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. However, streamliners terminating in Miami nevertheless plied the rails between 1939 and 1968, including such famous trains as “The Champion”, jointly operated with the Atlantic Coast Line. The FEC had barely emerged from bankruptcy in 1961 when a labor contract negotiation turned sour, leading to a prolonged work stoppage beginning January 23, 1963. Although freight trains were operated with non-Union and supervisory crews, passenger runs were not reinstated until later. During the stoppage, Miami’s wooden-construction downtown passenger terminal was demolished on November 12, 1963. The passenger runs reinstated in 1965 between Jacksonville and Little River (NE 79th St.), with a single diesel and two streamlined passenger cars, would continue six days a week until it was finally discontinued on July 31, 1968. Lowest pressure 892 mbar (hPa)[1] Damages $6 million+ (1935 dollars) $82 million+ (2005 dollars) Fatalities 408 - 600 direct Areas affected Bahamas, Florida Keys, Florida Panhandle, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina Part of the 1935 Atlantic hurricane season The Labor Day Hurricane was a very compact, intense hurricane that...

Flagler's heritage

In 1913, Flagler fell down a flight of stairs at Whitehall. He never recovered from the fall and died in West Palm Beach of his injuries on May 20, 1913, at 84 years of age. He was buried in St. Augustine alongside his daughter, Jenny Louise and first wife, Mary Harkness. Only his son Harry survived of the three children by his first marriage in 1853 to Mary Harkness. There is a monument to him in Biscayne Bay, and a college (Flagler) named after him in St. Augustine, Florida. The Florida East Coast Railway was the product of Flagler's resources and imagination. Flagler's construction of hotels at points along the railroad and his development of the agricultural industry through the Model Land Company established tourism and agriculture as Florida's major industries. Year 1913 (MCMXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ... May 20 is the 140th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (141st in leap years). ... Year 1913 (MCMXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ... Five flags have flown over the city since 1565. ...

Hundreds of workers on the Florida East Coast Railway's Overseas Extension were lost when a hurricane swept the through the Keys and battered Miami on October 18, 1906.

Nearly a century later, the effects of Henry Flagler's incredible accomplishments can still clearly be seen throughout Florida. Perhaps even more amazingly, as Florida is now well-known as a retirement state of preference for many Americans, Flagler accomplished these feats after retiring from his first career. Flagler had already founded and developed the vast empire of Standard Oil with partners John D. Rockefeller, Samuel Andrews, and Henry H. Rogers before becoming interested in Florida. Linking the entire east coast of Florida, a state that at the time was largely an uninhabited frontier, demanded a great deal of foresight and perseverance. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Standard Oil (Esso) was a predominant integrated oil producing, transporting, refining, and marketing company. ... John Davison Rockefeller, Sr. ... Samuel Andrews (1836-1904) was a chemist and inventor. ... Henry Huttleston Rogers (January 29, 1840 – May 19, 1909) was a United States capitalist, businessman, industrialist, financier, and philanthropist. ...

The Florida Overseas Railroad, also known as the Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast Railway, was heavily damaged and partially destroyed in the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. The Florida East Coast Railway was financially unable to rebuild the destroyed sections, so the roadbed and remaining bridges were sold to the State of Florida, which built the Overseas Highway to Key West, using much of the remaining railway infrastructure. A rebuilt Overseas Highway (U.S. Route 1) following Flagler's dream, continues to provide a highway link to Key West, ending at the southernmost point in the continental United States. Florida East Coast Railway, Key West Extension, express train at sea, crossing Long Key Viaduct, Florida. ... Lowest pressure 892 mbar (hPa)[1] Damages $6 million+ (1935 dollars) $82 million+ (2005 dollars) Fatalities 408 - 600 direct Areas affected Bahamas, Florida Keys, Florida Panhandle, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina Part of the 1935 Atlantic hurricane season The Labor Day Hurricane was a very compact, intense hurricane that... The Matecumbe Keys toll booth on June 21, 1938. ... The Matecumbe Keys toll booth on June 21, 1938. ... This U.S. Highway article needs to be cleaned up to conform to both a higher standard of article quality and accepted design standards outlined in the WikiProject U.S. Highways. ...

FEC in modern times

The Florida East Coast Railway operates from its relocated headquarters in Jacksonville after selling the original General Office Building in St. Augustine to Flagler College in late 2006. Its trains run over nearly the same route developed by Flagler (the Moultrie Cutoff was built in 1925 to shorten the distance south of St. Augustine). Today the company only provides freight service — passenger service was discontinued in 1968 after labor unrest that resulted in violence. However, there has been some speculation that the southern end of the FEC line may be used for a commuter rail service to complement the existing Tri-Rail line and that Amtrak may be allowed to use FEC lines for a more direct route between Jacksonville and Miami. The FEC currently transports Tropicana Products' "Juice Train" cars to and from the company's processing facility in eastern Florida. Motto: Where Florida Begins Location in the state of Florida Coordinates: Country United States State Florida County Duval Government  - Mayor John Peyton (R) Area  - City  885 sq mi (2,264. ... Five flags have flown over the city since 1565. ... Flagler College, simply known as Flagler, is a private four-year liberal arts college in St. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar). ... Five flags have flown over the city since 1565. ... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday. ... A Connex commuter train stands by the platform in Melbourne, Australia Regional rail systems, or commuter rail systems, usually provide a rail service through a central business district area into suburbs or other locations that draw large numbers of people on a daily basis. ... Tri-Rail is a commuter rail line linking Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach, Florida. ... Tropicana Orange Juice Tropicana Products is an American company based in Bradenton, Florida, USA, which is one of the worlds largest producers and marketers of orange juice. ... Seaboard System # 5501, a GE B30-7 diesel-electric locomotive, did the honors for the 1,000th trip to Kearny, New Jersey of Tropicanas Juice Train photo courtesy of Juice Train Enthusiasts Yahoo Group Juice Train is the popular name for famous unit trains of Tropicana fresh orange juice...

For many years the company was controlled by Edward Ball, who headed the trusts set up under the will of his brother-in-law Alfred I. du Pont and associated business interests. His "Pork Chop Gang" was also a powerful force in Florida state politics. Later, after 36 years with the railroad Raymond Wyckoff took the helm on May 30, 1984, the same year that Florida East Coast Industries was made the holding company for the Railway and the Commercial Realty and Development Company, a structure which persists to this day. As of March, 2005 Robert Anestis stepped down as C.E.O. of Florida East Coast Industries after a 4 year stint, allowing Adolfo Henriquez to assume that position, with John McPherson, a long-time railroad man, continuing as President of the Railway itself. Edward Ball (March 21, 1888 - June 24, 1981) was a powerful figure in business and politics in Florida for decades. ... Alfred Irénée du Pont (1864-1935) was another key player in modern day du Pont. ...

On May 8, 2007, Fortress Investment Group, LLC, announced that it had agreed to acquire Florida East Coast Industries for $3.5 billion.

Awards and recognition

On May 16, 2006, FEC was the recipient of the Gold E.H. Harriman Award for safety in Group C (line-haul railroad companies with fewer than 4 million employee hours per year).^[1] May 16 is the 136th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (137th in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... The E.H. Harriman Award is an annual award presented to American railroad companies in recognition for outstanding safety achievements. ...

Corporate history

The Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Indian River Railway Company was incorporated under the general incorporation laws of Florida to own and operate a railroad from Jacksonville in Duval county, through the counties of Duval, St. Johns, Putnam, Volusia, Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Dade, Polk and Hillsborough, in the State of Florida. Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Largest metro area Miami Area  Ranked 22nd  - Total 65,795[1] sq mi (170,304[1] km²)  - Width 361 miles (582 km)  - Length 447 miles (721 km)  - % water 17. ... Motto: Where Florida Begins Location in the state of Florida Coordinates: Country United States State Florida County Duval Government  - Mayor John Peyton (R) Area  - City  885 sq mi (2,264. ... Duval County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. ... Duval County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. ... St. ... Putnam County is a county located in the state of Florida. ... Volusia redirects here. ... Brevard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. ... Official website: http://www. ... Osceola County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. ... County slogan: Delivering Excellence Every Day Location of county in the state of Florida County Seat Miami, Florida Area  - Total  - Water 6,297 km² (2,431 mi²) 1,257 km² (485 mi²) 19. ... Polk County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. ... Hillsborough County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. ... Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Largest metro area Miami Area  Ranked 22nd  - Total 65,795[1] sq mi (170,304[1] km²)  - Width 361 miles (582 km)  - Length 447 miles (721 km)  - % water 17. ...

Florida state law chapter 4260, approved May 31, 1893, granted land to the railroad. At that time, it was already in operation from Jacksonville to Rockledge, the part south of Daytona having been constructed by them. The company had just filed a certificate changing and extending its lines on and across the Florida Keys to Key West in Monroe county, Florida. Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Largest metro area Miami Area  Ranked 22nd  - Total 65,795[1] sq mi (170,304[1] km²)  - Width 361 miles (582 km)  - Length 447 miles (721 km)  - % water 17. ... May 31 is the 151st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (152nd in leap years), with 214 days remaining. ... Year 1893 (MDCCCXCIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... A land grant is a gift of land made by the government for projects such as roads, railroads, or especially academic institutions. ... Motto: Where Florida Begins Location in the state of Florida Coordinates: Country United States State Florida County Duval Government  - Mayor John Peyton (R) Area  - City  885 sq mi (2,264. ... Rockledge is a city located in Brevard County, Florida. ... Daytona Beach in 2005 Daytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, USA. As of 2004, the population estimates recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 64,422. ... Palm trees in Islamorada The Florida Keys is an archipelago of about 1700 islands in the southeast United States. ... Nickname: The Conch Republic, Southernmost City In The Continental United States Coordinates: Country United States State Florida County Monroe Government  - Type Council-Manager  - Mayor Morgan McPherson Area  - City  7. ... Monroe County is a county located in the state of Florida. ...

The name was changed to the Florida East Coast Railway Company on September 7, 1895. September 7 is the 250th day of the year (251st in leap years). ... 1895 (MDCCCXCV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

On May 8, 2007, Florida East Coast Railway Company's parent, Florida East Coast Industries, announced that FECI would be acquired by private equity funds managed by Fortress Investment Group LLC affiliates. The transaction is valued at $3.5 billion.

Lines

Main line

Historical Brevard County Stations ( North to South )

• Lyrata
• Scottsmoor
• East Aurantia
• Jones Post Office or East Mims
• Titusville (Enterprise Branch begins)
• Indian River City
• Pritchards
• Frontenac
• Hardeeville
• Fuastina
• Sharpes
• City Point
• Cocoa
• Rockledge
• Rockledge Hotels (spur across Indian River)
• Coquina
• Bonaventure
• Pineda
• Bahia
• Horse Creek
• Eau Gallie
• Military Park (Station at the Kentucky Military Institute)
• Sarno
• Melbourne
• Tillman (now Palm Bay)
• Malabar
• Valkaria
• Grant
• Micco
• Roseland

The Kentucky Military Institute (KMI) was a military college, which was located in Lyndon, Kentucky and Venice, Florida. ...

Bypass around Miami

Kissimmee Valley Line and cutoff (K-Branch)

FEC Kissimmee Valley Extension Map

Stations (North to South)

• Maytown
• Osceola
• Geneva
• Chuluota
• Bithlo
• Pocataw
• Wewahotee
• Narcoossee
• Salofka
• Tohopkee ( Mail service terminated 1927 )
• Holopaw
• Illahaw ( Mail service terminated 1935 )
• Nittaw ( Mail service terminated 1935 )
• Kenansville

1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar). ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar). ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar). ...

Kenansville Branch (East)

• Apoxsee
• Lokosee
• Yeehaw
• Osawa
• Fort Drum Depot
• Hilo (Currently known as Hilolo)
• Efal
• Opal
• Okeechobee

Kenansville Branch (West)

• Armstrong
• Pine Island
• Halsey
• Greely
• Bassinger

South of Holopaw, the line roughly parallels US 441. U.S. Highway 441 is a spur route of US Highway 41. ...

Palm Beach Branch

Fellsmere Branch

Enterprise Branch

The Enterprise Branch (E-branch) was built in 1885 by the Atlantic Coast, St. Johns and Indian River Railroad and leased to the Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West Railroad, part of the Plant System. Initially, the westernmost five miles served as a connection from Enterprise Junction to Enterprise, a port for steamboat traffic down the St. Johns River. Later, the line was built through Osteen, Kalamazoo, and Mims to Titusville. The Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West Railway was a railroad and steamboat network in Florida, USA at the end of the 19th century. ... 1882 map The Plant System was a system of railroads and steamboats in the U.S. South, taken over by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in 1902. ... Enterprise is a former railroad community in Volusia County, Florida. ... Paddle steamers — Lucerne, Switzerland. ... The St. ... Mims is a census-designated place (CDP) in Brevard County, Florida, United States. ... Titusville is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. ...

A steam locomotive pulled the first train over the line onto the wharf on the Indian River at Titusville on the afternoon of December 30, 1885 and greatly accelerated the transportation of passengers, produce, seafood, and supplies to and from central Florida. While Titusville thrived thanks to this new transportation connection, Enterprise lost stature as a steamboat port, since Henry Plant's railroad paralleled the St. Johns River and greatly reduced travel times to Jacksonville. Union Pacific Big Boy #4012 at work on a cold November 29, 1941 A steam locomotive is a locomotive powered by steam. ... Metung Wharf on Bancroft Bay, Gippsland Lakes, Victoria, Australia A wharf is a fixed platform, commonly on pilings, roughly parallel to and alongside navigable water, where ships are loaded and unloaded. ... The Indian River is a waterway in Florida, a part of the Indian River Lagoon system. ... December 30 is the 364th day of the year (365th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 1 day remaining. ... 1885 (MDCCCLXXXV) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Central Florida is the central region of the United States state of Florida, on the East Coast. ... Titusville is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. ... The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (AAR reporting mark ACL) was an American railroad that existed between 1880s and 1967, when it merged with the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, its longtime rival, to form the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad. ... The St. ... Motto: Where Florida Begins Location in the state of Florida Coordinates: Country United States State Florida County Duval Government  - Mayor John Peyton (R) Area  - City  885 sq mi (2,264. ...

During the winter of 1894–95, a widespread freeze hit twice, decimating the citrus crop and ruining that part of Florida's economy. This allowed Henry Flagler to acquire the line at a discount to piece together what became the Florida East Coast Railway. Henry Morrison Flagler (January 2, 1830 – May 20, 1913) was a United States tycoon, real estate promoter, railroad developer and Rockefeller partner. ...

The track of the E-branch has been uprooted as far as Aurantia, about five miles northwest of Mims, ending directly under the Interstate 95 overpass and has been abandoned. The crossing gates and signals were removed before the summer 2004 hurricanes and the track is being removed by a steel salvage company. Mims is a census-designated place (CDP) in Brevard County, Florida, United States. ... Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Interstate 95 Interstate 95 (abbreviated I-95) is a well-known, important, and heavily traveled highway in the United States Interstate Highway System. ... The 2004 Atlantic hurricane season officially started June 1, 2004, and lasted until November 30, 2004. ...

This rail line would have been suited to recreational railroad use by such groups as the North American Rail Car Owners' Association assuming a representative who is local to the area could have been located. Otherwise, it is likely that the right-of-way will be converted to a multi-use trail. In many cases the Surface Transportation Board grants abandonment exemptions on the condition that the right-of-way become railbanked. Under this arrangement, if demand for rail service should arise in the future, rails could be rebuilt. Segregated cycle facilities may consist of a separate road, track, path or lane that is designated for use by cyclists and from which motorised traffic is generally excluded. ... The Surface Transportation Board (STB) was created by the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act of 1995 at the same time the Interstate Commerce Commission was destroyed. ... Railbanking is the practice of preserving railroad rights-of-way by using them as multi-use trails. ...

Atlantic and Western Branch

This branch, from Blue Spring on the St. Johns River via Orange City to the main line in New Smyrna Beach, was built by the Blue Spring, Orange City and Atlantic Railroad. In the mid-1880s it became the Atlantic and Western Branch of the Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Indian River Railway, which changed its name to the Florida East Coast Railway in 1895. It may have been the Atlantic and Western Railroad in between. The line was in use until 1930. The St. ... Manatees in Blue Spring State Park in Orange City Orange City is a city located in Volusia County, Florida. ... New Smyrna Beach is a city located in Volusia County, Florida. ... // Development and commercial production of electric lighting Development and commercial production of gasoline-powered automobile by Karl Benz, Gottlieb Daimler and Maybach First commercial production and sales of phonographs and phonograph recordings. ... 1930 (MCMXXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link is to a full 1930 calendar). ...

Tocoi Branch

The railroad from Tocoi to Tocoi Junction, outside St. Augustine, was built by the St. Johns Railway. The Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Indian River Railway took it over by 1894, and changed its name to the Florida East Coast Railway in 1895. The line was abandoned by 1917; it was later used for SR 95, which became SR 214 at some time after the 1945 Florida State Road renumbering, and is now CR 214. Five flags have flown over the city since 1565. ... Wikisource has original text related to this article: 1945 Florida State Road renumbering On June 11, 1945, Floridas state roads were renumbered. ...

Moultrie Cutoff

The almost arrow-straight Moultrie Cutoff was built in 1925 to cut the distance on the main line, avoiding the swing inland to East Palatka. It runs from just north of Bunnell to Moultrie Junction in St. Augustine. In 2005 the entire route had it's mileposts redone to configure with the rest on the main line. 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar). ... East Palatka is a census-designated place located in Putnam County, Florida. ... Bunnell is a city located in Flagler County, Florida. ... Five flags have flown over the city since 1565. ...

Flagler Beach Branch

The railroad from Flagler Beach to Dorena, north of Bunnell, was built by the Lehigh Portland Cement Company in 1953. The line connected to the Lehigh Portland Cement Company Plant located near Flagler Beach. The line was abandoned in 1957, after a deadly strike erupted in that year that closed the massive plant. The site of the old plant was where some of the monorail beams were assembled for Walt Disney World in the early 1970's. Current plans are for the route to become part of the rails to trails system. The plant has been demolished outside of one smokestack that will become a "lighthouse" for a new development. Flagler Beach is a city located in Flagler County, Florida. ... Bunnell is a city located in Flagler County, Florida. ... Cinderella Castle, at the center of the Magic Kingdom, is Walt Disney World Resorts most recognizable icon. ...

San Mateo Branch

Palatka Branch

The railroad from Palatka to Moultrie Junction, outside St. Augustine, was built by the The Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Halifax River Railway . The Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Indian River Railway took it over by 1894, and changed its name to the Florida East Coast Railway in 1895. The line was the main route until the construction of the Moultrie Cutoff in 1925. it was later abandoned in 1988 and all rail was removed to a point just west of I 95. In 2001 rail service resumed up to this point and track was rehabilitated when new industries were located there. A daily local serves the eastern end of the line today known as the Wilber Wright Industrial Lead. Location in the State of Florida Coordinates: County Putnam County Incorporated January 8, 1853 Government  - Mayor-Commissioner Karl N. Flagg Area  - City 19. ... Five flags have flown over the city since 1565. ... Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Interstate 95 Interstate 95 (abbreviated I-95) is a well-known, important, and heavily traveled highway in the United States Interstate Highway System. ...

Mayport Branch

This was originally built by the Jacksonville and Atlantic Railroad from Jacksonville to Pablo Beach (now Jacksonville Beach). It was later extended north along the coast to Mayport and taken over by the FEC. The Jacksonville and Atlantic Railroad Company was incorporated under the general incorporation laws of Florida, owned by John Q. Burbridge, J. J. Daniel, James M. Schumacher, H. S. Ely, F. F. Lengle, S. B. Hubbard, M. M. Drew, P. McQuaid, W. T. Forbes and W. A. McDuff, for the... Motto: Where Florida Begins Location in the state of Florida Coordinates: Country United States State Florida County Duval Government  - Mayor John Peyton (R) Area  - City  885 sq mi (2,264. ... Jacksonville Beach is a city in Duval County, Florida, United States. ... The USS departing NS Mayport, Florida Naval Station Mayport is a major U. S. Navy base near Jacksonville, Florida. ...

Family tree

Florida East Coast Railway formed September 13, 1895 as a renaming of the Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Indian River Railroad; still exists September 13 is the 256th day of the year (257th in leap years). ... 1895 (MDCCCXCV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

• Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Indian River Railroad - formed October 6, 1892 as a renaming of the FC&G; renamed the Florida East Coast Railway September 13, 1895
  • Florida Coast and Gulf Railway - formed May 28, 1892; renamed the Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Indian River Railroad October 6, 1892
  • Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Halifax River Railway - formed February 28, 1881 as a renaming of the Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Halifax River Railroad; merged with the Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Indian River Railroad October 31, 1892
    • Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Halifax River Railroad - formed March 1879; renamed the Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Halifax River Railroad February 28, 1881
  • St. Augustine and Palatka Railway - formed September 1, 1885; merged with the Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Indian River Railroad 1893

October 6 is the 279th day of the year (280th in leap years). ... 1892 (MDCCCXCII) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... September 13 is the 256th day of the year (257th in leap years). ... 1895 (MDCCCXCV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... May 28 is the 148th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (149th in leap years). ... 1892 (MDCCCXCII) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... October 6 is the 279th day of the year (280th in leap years). ... 1892 (MDCCCXCII) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... February 28 is the 59th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1881 (MDCCCLXXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ... October 31 is the 304th day of the year (305th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 61 days remaining. ... 1892 (MDCCCXCII) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1879 (MDCCCLXXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... February 28 is the 59th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1881 (MDCCCLXXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ... September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1885 (MDCCCLXXXV) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1893 (MDCCCXCIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Gauges

In 1890, the Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Halifax River Railway (the line north of St. Augustine) changed from narrow gauge to standard gauge. 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar). ... Narrow-gauge railways are railroads (railways) with track spaced at less than the standard gauge of 4 ft 8 in (1. ... As railways developed and expanded one of the key issues to be decided was that of the rail gauge (the distance between the two rails of the track) which should be used. ...

Further reading

• Bramson, Seth H. (2002). Speedway to Sunshine: The Story of the Florida East Coast Railway. Boston Mills Press, Erin, ONT, Canada. ISBN 1-55046-358-6.  Noted by the author as the official history of the railroad.

References

• Bramson, Seth H. (2002). Speedway to Sunshine: The Story of the Florida East Coast Railway. Boston Mills Press, Boston, MA. ISBN 1-55046-358-6. 
• Standiford, Les (2002). Last Train to Paradise. Crown Publishers, New York, NY. ISBN 0-609-60748-0. 
• Railroad history database
• Rand McNally Map — 1917 showing Western Kissimmee Valley Branch
• Florida East Coast Industries to Be Acquired By Funds Managed By Fortress Investment Group LLC in an All-Cash Transaction Valued at $3.5 Billion

1. ^ Association of American Railroads (reprinted by Norfolk Southern Railroad) (2006-05-16). Railroads Set Another Employee Safety Record in 2005. Retrieved on 2006-05-24.

For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... May 16 is the 136th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (137th in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... May 24 is the 144th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (145th in leap years). ...

See also

• List of United States railroads
• List of Florida railroads

There arergwertwertert[1] Kyle Railroad (KYLE) [2] Missouri and Northern Arkansas Railroad (MNA) [3] Montana Rail Link (MRL) [4] Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway (MMA) [5] Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado RailNet (NKCR) New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway (NYSW) [6] Northern Plains Railroad Paducah and Louisville Railway (PAL) [7] Palouse... Only current railroads are listed here. ...

External links

• Florida East Coast Railway Website
• Flagler Museum - History of the Florida East Coast Railway
• Florida East Coast Railway Society