Introduction to the F.E.C.R.S. by Seth Bramson

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Introduction to the Florida East Coast Railway Society

by Seth Bramson

The Florida East Coast Railway is America's most exciting railroad. With a history that goes back to the late 1850's, when the very first of the predecessor railroads was built, the Florida East Coast (F.E.C.) is, today, one of America's few “smaller” independent railroads.

On December 31, 1885, the fabled Henry M. Flagler purchased, lock, stock, barrel, right of way and equipment, the Jacksonville, St. Augustine & Halifax River Railroad and through other purchases and construction would eventually extend the road from the Jacksonville beaches, down the entire east coast, and on to Key West, in the greatest single railroad construction and engineering feat in American, and possibly world history. Numerous branch lines were acquired or built through the years, and today's F.E.C., having survived boom, bust, bankruptcy, the destruction of the Key West Extension in the 1935 Hurricane, strikes, sabotage, and the rebuilding of itself from the ground up, is, today, America's most admired railroad.

In 1999, a group of F.E.C. aficianados met with the intent of forming a technical and historical society dedicated to the history and operations, both current and past, of the Florida East Coast. From that meeting has arisen the F.E.C. Railway Society, now with 200+ members[1], whose interest in the railroad ranges from its great and glorious history to present day equipment and motive power.

The Society issues a regular newsletter “The Speedway” and plans to hold regular meetings and educational seminars to delve into the railroad's history and to discuss current operations. Longer term plans call for books, booklets and monographs to be published dealing with various facets of the railroad and it's incredible and exciting past.

Join Now

You are invited to join the F.E.C. Railway Society, and membership is open to any and all who have an interest in the F.E.C., it's activities, operations, and history. Use the link below. We look forward to having you as a member.

Join the more then 200+ members who love the various aspects of the F.E.C. Railway.

Upon receipt of your membership application and annual dues, you will receive a subscription to the Speedway newsletter, invitations to our events, and a membership card.

Membership: Join, Renew, brochure

Membership dues are:

• $30/year for US mailing addresses.
• $40/year for non US mailing addresses.

Members as of Dec. 31, 2007, have a membership expiration date of Dec. 31st. New members beginning Jan. 1, 2008 will have a renewal date of the end of the month that their first membership payment is received. Membership lapses if not renewed within 90 days following membership date. When a lapsed member renews membership within a year of their membership date, the membership date remains as it was. After one year of lapsed membership, a new membership application is required; membership expiration date is determined as for a new member.

Brochures, Link, and email:

• Membership brochure (pdf).
• Join/Renew Online Now
• Membership form Fill in, print, mail with payment.
• Blank membership form Printable (pdf).
• Email contact for additional information.

or via mail below

Correspondence Address

Please use the following address for all correspondence, including membership applications, convention registration, and address updates:

Welcome aboard!