The Florida Trains

Travelers to Florida had several rail lines they could choose to get to Jacksonville. But south from there, there was only one railroad, The Florida East Coast. Owned by Henry M. Flagler, the road was founded in 1895. The simple chart here shows how all lines lead to the FEC. This chart is not at all complete, but a short summary of major name trains that carried FEC cars in interline service. Of these railroads, only the Illinois Central insisted that the FEC cars be painted in the IC’s ‘Panama’ chocolate and orange colors, (for The City of Miami). All other FEC cars in the streamline era were stainless steel by Budd or Pullman-Standard.The Seaboard eventually had lines to Miami but these were not as direct as the FEC.

Eventually the FEC consolidated north/south trains running these name trains in composite consists. Thus a FEC train would be very eclectic in appearance.

To build an accurate Florida train, you will need cars of these different rail lines to replicate a specific train. These books are a great resource for consists in specific time periods.It is for the purpose of building an accurate consist, that RailSmith is producing these Florida East Coast cars. Cars never before produced in N Scale. All-Aboard for Florida!

Read more about it:

‘From the Mid-west to Florida By Rail â€˜Vol. 1 & 2 by Blardone published by the Pennsylvania RT&HS

‘Speedway to Sunshine’ by Bramson

‘Selling Sunshine’  a Kalmbach Video

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Lowell Smith

A native of Portland, Oregon, Lowell Smith married his church choir sweetheart Barb in 1978. After a lifetime of rail-fanning, Lowell and Barb ventured out in 1992 to launch a new business in Portland, Oregon. Read more

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What They Say:

Anonymous

What a trip! We had a great time- exceeded our expectations by a mile. The Silver Lariat was simply stunning. A gem on the rails. The scenery and weather were perfect. The delays were not an issue for us at all. All just a good days work on the railroad! Thank you for all the…

J. LaBoda

To say the least this is a HUGE development for N-scale and I, along with a number of others, are indebted to you for making these cars possible. Thanks so very much!!!

J D

Thanks, Lowell, for another awesome addition to an already incredible train.

Jerry E.

Received GN A10 today. Absolutely stunning! I am very pleased. Thank You all.

Jeff B.

Keep up setting the bar high and providing a product that exceeds expectations.

Joe W.

And as for your goal of 5 releases a year, I admire your ambition, but I won’t hold it against you if you fall short on that accomplishment.  I’m just thrilled you’re doing such an AWESOME job of releasing this amazing train, and hope you don’t stop until it’s all done!

Jim and Jo Ann K.

Every aspect of the trip was professionally done.  You and Barbara were on top of every change and your matter-of-fact assurances speak highly of your professionalism.  Jo Ann is a retired chef  and we know what good food is, and the meals provided on the CZ trip were stellar! BRAVO to you and Barbara for…

S. Reames

I received my observation/business car today and – like all of my other cars from you – I love it!

D.

“You have no idea how excited I am about these cars . . .”

George H.

Blunt End Observation is a GRAND SLAM! I’ve wanted this car for ages but never figured out a good way to kitbash it.