Lines from Ireland
columnist James Scannell remains busy on the lecture circuit.Late
Januaryfound him presentingthe post-Annual General Meeting talk for the Bray
Cualann Historical Society, speaking about The Great Northern Railway (Ireland).
Another local history society heard a slightly differentversion of the same talk
in early February. Laterin the month a Wicklow Town history society gets to
learn about the 1867 Bray Head Derailment.And then he hopes to be selected for
the Saturday March 23rdDublin City Library & Archives 15th
Annual Local History Society Day, to speak on the Armagh 1888 Railway
Accident.He stresses it is coincidence that all three talks are on railroading,
just one of his wide-ranging interests.
Renowned
Riding the Railsphotographer Robert A. LaMay recently moved to St.
Augustine on Florida’s northeast Atlantic coast. His new
home is2 miles from the Florida East Coast mainline between Jacksonville and
Miami.When the wind is from the right direction, he can hear the trains which
aremostly TOFC (Trailers on Flat Cars)in single and double stacks like out west.
FEC is currently performing major upgrades, replacing certain track panels and
numerous concrete ties.
Passenger
trains are scarce, with the closest being Amtrak’s Silver Star and Silver Meteor
that stop at Palatka,about 30 miles southwest. Trackage is shared with CSX.
Other “nearby” passenger railroads are Sun Rail, a new commuter service around
Orlando, about 100 miles southwest, and Brightline operating out of Miami. Bob
plans to check these out and to send a report and some photos. Stay tuned!