Join the Florida East Coast Railway Society!

Introduction to the
Florida East Coast
Railway Society
Seth H. Bramson- Society co-founder and FEC Company Historian

The Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) 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 is, today, one of America's few independent regional railroads. 

On December 31, 1885, the fabled Henry M. Flagler purchased, lock, stock, barrel, right of way, track, structures 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 America's most admired railroad. 

In 1999, a group of F.E.C. aficionados 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 well over 400 members, whose interest in the railroad ranges from its great and glorious history to present day equipment, motive power and operations. 
The Society issues a regular news and scholarly publication, "The Speedway" and holds an annual convention plus regular meetings and educational seminars to delve into the railroad's history and to discuss current operating updates, particularly in regard to the partnership with Brightline.

Under current president Jim Kovalsky and an active and interested group of directors, the Society has established strong ties with its namesake railroad and "The Speedway's" readership includes all FEC employees. The Company, now owned by Grupo Mexico and with the cooperation of the railroad the Society is expecting to see strong growth in the coming years. 

Membership Benefits and Dues


Link with an enthusiastic group of FEC fans

Receive our quarterly newsletter The Speedway filled with colorful pictures and articles covering the latest current and future news about the FEC and look-backs at its rich and colorful history

Attend the annual convention and attend special mini-conventions, with tours of FEC facilities and talks by FEC and Brightline leaders

Access members’ unique knowledge-base about FEC operations, train schedules, and good train-watching and photography locations

Upon receipt of your membership application and annual dues, you will also receive a membership card

National Railway Historical Society Affiliation

The FECRS is an Affiliate of the National Railway Historical Society (NRHS), a leading organization in the preservation of railroading and railroad history. Two major activities of the NRHS are the Rail Heritage Grants program, and RailCamp. The NRHS Bulletin is published four times a year with articles highlighting historical railroads, operations and preservation. 

The Rail Heritage Grants program, provides monetary grants to organizations to assist in the restoration or preservation of railroad artifacts, equipment, and facilities, each year. Click here to visit our page on RailCamp.

As an NRHS affiliate, our members may attend NRHS conferences and conventions. There are several two- or three-day conferences each year in different locales around the country with opportunities to visit local railroad attractions. There are usually presentations of interest of railroad history and preservation. The conventions happen in the warmer months in different cities each year for four days featuring several railroad activities, seminars, and the Annual Meeting of the NRHS. 

More information about the NRHS and its activities and programs can be found at www.nrhs.com

Still Have Questions?

Send us an email: info@fecrs.com

Mailing Address

FECRS
7415 SW 170th Ter
Palmetto Bay, FL 33157-4888

Contact Information

For General Questions and information
email: info@fecrs.com

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License Information

The Florida East Coast Railway mark and trade names are the property of the Florida East Coast Railway, L.L.C. and are used under license from the Florida East Coast Railway

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