A Great Train Journey
Part One
NRHS 2023 Annual Convention in Deerfield Beach, Florida
by
Robin Bowers
September 06, 2023
Wednesday
Chapter Eight
Text and Photos by Author
The
author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed
without the author's consent
Comments are appreciated at...yr.mmxx@gmail.com
Gold Coast Museum
Today started the same as the last few mornings here in Deerfield
Beach. Dress for the day, proceed to breakfast downstairs in the
hotel and then queue up for quick bus trip to the town's train
station.
At 8:44 AM Tri-Rail Train 617 arrived at the Deerfield Beach
Station and the conventioneers boarded for a train ride to Miami
Airport Station.
After the travelers departed our ride in Miami, our train left the
station for the yard and its next assignment.
Views of station platform.
From the station platform is was a short walk to our waiting buses
and our ride to Gold Coast Railroad Museum.
Miami Airport at the start of our ride.
This is a big airport.
Nothing says Miami like palm trees.
Entrance gate to Gold Coast Railroad Museum.
For more information click here
Gold
Coast Railroad Museum
Art work at Museum.
Door support for hanger.
Sole remaining massive main door support.
The U.S. Sugar Co (USSC)
agreed to donate the Florida East Coat Locomotive #153 to UM.
Months of preparation for the movement were completed, and on
February 19, 1957 the locomotive left USSC on the trip to Miami.
The engine moved "cold" over Atlantic Coast Line, Florida East
Coast Railway, and Seaboard Air Line track-age to reach the
South Campus.
FEC 153 was one of a group of
7 pacifics (151-157) built by ALCO in 1922. #153 served on the
Florida East Coast Railway from 1922 to 1938. It even pulled a
train carrying president Calvin Coolidge to Miami in 1928.
# 254
Western Pacific "California Zephyr" Vista-Dome Car "Silver
Crescent."
The California Zephyr was a train that ran from Chicago, Illinois
to Oakland, California between 1949 and 1970. The route covered
2,525 miles each trip and averaged 2 1/2 days to complete, for an
average of 45 mph!
The display of an assortment of rail cars in the yard.
Relics of times past. Sides support of a long gone hanger and high
volume commuter cars that traveled in distance city's.
FEC #113 was one of a group of 60 pacifics (77-136) built by ALCO
between 1910 and 1917. It was used in regular revenue service over
the entire Florida East Coast Railroad.
At this time the lunch bell was ringing and bringing hungry people
to line up next to the food tables. The food was served buffet
style by local ladies who also did the cooking. It was a nice
break from restaurant food and miles better than the banquet food
of last night. The menu choices were slim but the quality and
quantity were excellent. We all left with a smiley face.
Next it was on to visit and explore the star attraction here at
GCRM. That is U.S.Car No. 1. Originally built by the Pullman
Company as the Ferdinand Magellan , the car was part of a fleet of
six luxury cars, all named after famous explorers and available
for private charter. Armor-plated with 5/8-inch steel on the car's
roof, floor and sided and fitted with three-inch thick windows and
two escape hatches, the refurbished car 285,000 pounds, double its
original weight.
U.S. Car No 1 is the only
private coach railroad car specifically designed for the
President of the United States. The Pullman Company built the
Ferdinand Magellan in 1928, refurbished the car and presented it
(dubbed U.S. Car No 1) to President Franklin D. Roosevelt on
December 18, 1942. Both President Roosevelt and President Truman
use the car extensively for state business, reelection campaigns
and personal trips. President Dwight D. Eisenhower briefly used
the U.S.Car No1 until air travel on Air Force 1 began to replace
the U.S.Car No1 as the preferred means of transportation.
Now let explore this gem.
Galley
You can invite me to dinner any time.
Very few rail cars have a bath tub.
Standing here and speaking to the crowds.
After that quick look back at life 80 years ago it was time to
walk in some sunshine. I walked to the yard to check out parked
cars and wait for the train to return from giving rides on the
museum property and wait to board the next ride.
Old bones of long gone buildings.
Next to the train boarding area was an out building to visit and
wait.
Inside were several nice model railroad layouts.
Then it was announced that the train would be returning and we
should line up for the next ride.
Adjacent the museum grounds is a Federal prison. Certainly unlike
the penitentiary of olden days with high brick walls, this must be
a club med for the high class convicts.
Our coach ride this afternoon.
After our train ride the crowd started moving toward the exit and
our buses for the ride back to the hotel and thus ending this
years NRHS convention in Deerfield Beach, Florida.
As I was leaving, I spotted this little guy standing sentry duty.
This will be my last night in Deerfield Beach, FL. Tomorrow I will
be riding for my first time in a private rail car overnight. My
longest trip ever in a private rail car.
I'll be saying hello to Broadway soon.
Thanks for
reading.
Text and Photos by Author, Robin
Bowers
The
author retains all rights. No reproductions are
allowed without the author's consent
Comments are appreciated at...
yr.mmxx@gmail.com
