SCL 1177

SCL 1177 sits in Boca Grande, Florida on 11/07/1971. This image taken by Robert Selle is one of the best images of SCL power in Boca Grande located so far. This locomotive is a Phase 1 Alco RS3 and was formerly SAL 1665. The locomotives, initially built as Seaboard Air Line 1657 - 1665 were constructed by Alco in December 1950 through January 1951. Many of the SAL specific details can still be seen to include the front number board immediately above the headlight, the fan shroud, and unique front and rear handrail stanchions.

Modeling these unique details of the RS3 is now far easier than when I once constructed an Alco RS2 thanks to KV Models SAL specific detail parts.

http://kvmodels.com/alco-rs-series-details/

The RS3 was the primary power used to switch the elevator and haul trains north. A typical consist included Alco RS2s, RS3, as well as other smaller B-B configured power due to weight ratings of the two mile long trestles. Other power examples seen in photographs include EMD GP35 and GP40 locomotives.

The Library

The following books, though not all of which are in my collection, would be of value to the modeler seeking to familiarize oneself with the history and operations of Port Boca Grande. Robert Fischer's excellent work, "Boca Grande Once a Railroad Town" is arguably the most authoritative source spanning multiple eras. It includes color photography, route maps, government survey plats, and many other gems of information.

Boca Grande Yard Operations

I located these images several years ago of the south end of Gasparilla Island and have studied them in great detail.

This image is looking in an easterly direction towards the elevator. The small structures to the north are equipment sheds while the the pass through structure is where cars were unloaded and dumped. Unlike Rockport and Port Manatee, still a few years in the future by the time of these images, the use of gravity unloading was the only means available. Rockport and Port Manatee would use rotary dumping as a means of delivery which would lead to SCL modifying numerous car classes in 1969. The image above includes P-9/U-7 type immediately west of the dumping station, while the photographer and his compatriot are standing atop what appear to be 1,958 cubic foot two bay covered hoppers. The west leg of the wye can be seen to the north. SCL 1140, an Alco RS-2, is at the ready.

This image is looking west towards the Gulf of Mexico. Boca Grande Terminal had a small three track yard which was accessed via a wye. The yard spanned the distance of Gasparilla Island and included turnouts so that cars could be switched. The water tank denotes an earlier time where water was not readily available. The small spur running northwest was used for car storage or repair in place. A larger tank can be seen beyond the aged wooden tank. In this view, additional car types can be seen to include flat cars, more examples of Seaboard Air Line P-9 class phosphate hoppers, tank car, and boxcars. Boxcars were often used to bring supplies to the island. The interesting component of this image is the presence of "flip tops" which were previously gravity dump phosphate hoppers, however, modified in 1969 by Bethlehem Steel Company to create a rotary dump hopper. At least four examples of "flip tops" can be seen on the south yard track. The string of unmodified cars on the center track, including SAL 59016, are being attended to in anticipation of unloading or secured for movement. The presence of these details in these two images would place this scene as early as 1969.

Post #1 - Boca Grande Inspiration

Boca Grande drying bin #1, located on the eastern side of the island. The below image is taken from an eastern vantage point within the harbor looking west at the southern end of the elevator (Images courtesy of Florida Memory, Florida State Archives) 

Boca Grande, Florida was the southern terminus of the Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railway and a vital link in developing the export phosphate markets for Florida. CH&N is a relatively modern railroad and became part of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad in 1925 when the desire to secure phosphate shipments from American Agricultural Chemical Company (Agrico) in Pierce, Florida deep in the heart of what is now known as the "Bone Valley". The railway was built to access the deep water port of Charlotte Harbor via Boca Grande Pass.

A phosphate elevator was constructed at the southern end of Gasparilla Island which allowed for automated loading of deep drafting ships. The phosphate was delivered to the elevator via the length of Boca Grande island and connected with points north and east via two miles of bent pile trestle.

Other improvements to the area include large oil storage tanks and off loading where Belcher Oil, of Miami, Florida, and later Florida Power and Light, would use to store fuel.

My inspiration for modeling these historic and unique operations came from my love to fish. I've fished in Boca Grande for many years, and never once have lost an interest in how this fisherman's playground came to be through the railroad. My family has been in railroading for many generations, when my then great-grandfather retired from Seaboard Air Line Railroad as a road foreman of engineers.

I hope to create a prototypical, historically accurate piece of Florida's phosphate operation set in the 1960s after the Seaboard Coast Line merger in 1967 in HO scale. This blog will serve as a vehicle to share information, modeling projects, and historic images for those who have an interest in Boca Grande's unique history.