I model the Florida East Coast Railway, a Class II Railroad currently operating on the East Coast of Florida. Having lived in Florida for almost all of my life, my admiration for this 129-year-old railroad, founded by Henry Flagler, runs deep.
When I was planning the layout, I was conflicted on what era to model as I am passionate about all eras of the FEC. Therefore, I decided to model different eras in different parts of my layout.
Highlights include:
- Drake Lumber Co logging area and Freight Depot in Princeton FL in 1912.
- Royal Palm Ice Co. in Jacksonville, FL in the 1930’s.
- Boynton Beach FL passenger and freight depot in the late 1930’s.
- Dr. Phillips Citrus Co., Fruit stand and team track in Deland FL in the 1940’s.
- Glidden Chemical Supply in Jacksonville FL in the 1990’s.
- Cemex quarry and truck depot in Miami in the 2000’s.
Vitals
- Scale: HO
- Era: Varied, 1912-2000s
- Railroads: FEC
- Location: Florida
- Scheme: Prototype
- Size: 4’x8′
- Mainline Length: 20′
- Track Complete: 100%
- Scenery Complete: 90%
- Control: Digitrax DCC
The layout is 4 feet by 8 feet. The track is code 83 on Woodland Scenics Track-Bed with #8 turnouts on the mainline and #6 in the yards. The minimum radius is 18”.
I use a Digitrax DCC EVOXD Evolution Express Advanced 5A/8A Duplex system with DT602D and UT6D throttles. I run a wide variety of locomotives that were part of the FEC through the years. Almost all the locomotives are DCC with sound. They include:
- 4-8-2 Mountain steam locomotive (PFM brass)
- F3’s and FP7’s in the FEC red/yellow scheme.
- BL2’s in both the red/yellow scheme and blue.
- GP7’s, GP9’s and GP 40’s in the blue hurricane theme (including the two 100th anniversary locos).
Rolling stock includes:
- Ortner hopper cars
- Refrigerator cars – Fruit Growers Express
- Tank cars – 10,000-gallon type 21 riveted tank cars
- Cabooses – Wood sided American Model Builders kits
- Box cars – West India Fruit and Steamship Company, Speedway to Sunshine.
The scenery includes sourced Florida limestone rock and several types of palms: Sabal Palms, Saw Palmetto, and Coconut Palms.
My layout takes one to two people to operate.
