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.
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