Hello,

My name is Bill, I live in Clearwater, Florida now.

I am looking for help with information on the Flagler Railroad and Key West. I am making a display for my HO gauge RR train. I need information on what Key West looked like from the late 1800's through 1912 when the first passenger cars came in. I have tried to find photos of the locomotive that was used to bring the passenger cars in for that first trip so that I can duplicate it. So far all I have found is on the internet and they are at an angle that doesn't give me much detail. I would like to find out what kind of engine it was. I am also interested in information and photos of the businesses, buildings, homes and harbor from that time period. I would like to make this as close to actually what it looked like then as I can.

I have a heart problem which has prevented me from a lot of activities, but this is something that I have found I can get involved with. I lived in the Keys from the early to mid 80's and loved it very much...this is my main reason for choosing this project. I had to leave because of my health, but hope to get to come down for a visit some time next year. I would really appreciate any help I can get. Please email me with any information or just to chat.

Thank you,
Bill Bostick
parrotnparadise@hotmail.com

Hi Bill! We're working on finding the info for you... this sounds like an amazing setup you'll have when finished. If you would, we'd sure appreciate having a picture of it!

Best of luck with the project!

Hi Bill, found a few pictures, and some sites that might be of help...

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jan22.html
http://history.jupiter.fl.us/celestial.htm
http://overseasrailroad.railfan.net/about.htm
http://gelwood.railfan.net/other/fec/fec-kwe.html
http://www.flaglerstation.net/
http://www.flagler.org/fec.html
http://www.geocities.com/jingram05/index14.html
http://www.millennium-exhibit.org/damian1.htm

Did you find this picture from Millennium-Exhibit.org? (doesn't show alot of it though)

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Another great website for information on Keys history (including the Overseas Railway and Overseas Highway) is www.keyshistory.org It is a facinating look into what makes "The Keys" "The Keys".

It may not help with your HO project but it is still a good read.

Good luck with your project.

It was 90 years ago Tuesday that Henry Flagler stepped off the first train into Key West... over 10,000 people were gathered for the big event.

You can read the whole story in the Keys News, here -
http://stories.keysnews.com/kwc/274093291453685.bsp

How's the project coming Bill? Patience must be a virtue in that sort of thing.