FEC101 Nov 29, 2014

101-29 by mp216 at 7:03 with 107 & 102 and Ray giving toots and blue light flashing
from the cab to my sparklers. Long string of racks and IM up the ying yang, like 13,000
plus.
Anita and Caboose

FEC101 Nov 29, 2014 vid link:
http://youtu.be/Bbk-YL-_Fiw

FEC202 Nov 29, 2014

202 by mp216 on 6:37 with 704, 710, 507, 418, a yellow & a Alaska with happiness from the cab and blue light flashing. A lot of Tropicanas,  with a lot of Wal-Mart and IM and racks on the rear. Lots of power. Meet in Micco with 101.
Anita and Caboose

FEC202 Nov 29, 2014 vid link:
http://youtu.be/1ErlDlnFeIs

FEC202 Nov 28, 2014

202 by mp216 at 5:45 with 100 & 709. Ray giving me a nice sequence of toots with lights
flashing to my new sparklers.  Leading was IM, box cars, center beams, newly lettered
side dumpers  amongst the freight cars. A rather short 202 and not sure of the meet as
101 was still in Smyrna when we got here.
Anita and Caboose

FEC202 Nov 28, 2014 vid link:
http://youtu.be/ytSGtdIq6Ts

FEC202 + 101 Meet at Micco Nov 27, 2014

Back again for an update to the Turkey Shuffle.  Turns out 101 and 202 were too long to pass, hence the two hour wait in Micco for 202. EOT for 202 by mp216 at 4:37 and we flew to Micco where just made the lights at crossing and Conan had the 714 stopped, however the gates would not  go back up and a signal maintainer was called. He showed up in 35 minutes with traffic going around the gates. 101 finally comes by 6:00 and we watch EOT again of 202 go by us at 6:22.  What a night for both crews and a happy Turkey day for the Cabooses train wise. ECH came over and gave me a Turkey hug and Conan conversing from the cab. We also had fellow Fecrs member Richard Dobbis join the meet. Hopefully some vids and pics to follow.
Anita and Caboose


413 FEC202 Nov 27, 2014 into Micco vid link:
http://youtu.be/XZY39c7j2yQ
149 FEC202 + 101 Meet at Micco Nov 27, 2014 PART 1 vid link:
http://youtu.be/Q_h83vZqf0c
151 FEC202 + 101 Meet at Micco Nov 27, 2014 PART 2 vid link:
http://youtu.be/2OEQM7Gh4Dk
153 FEC202 + 101 Meet at Micco Nov 27, 2014 PART 3 vid link:
http://youtu.be/XFrQPLhOfgg
155 FEC202 + 101 Meet at Micco Nov 27, 2014 PART 4 vid link:
http://youtu.be/SQaaeWDJ9ms
156 FEC202 + 101 Meet at Micco Nov 27, 2014 PART 5 vid link:
http://youtu.be/PEYwC9G9SLM

FEC202 Nov 27, 2014 PART 1

202 by mp216 at 4:37 with Hertwig's 714, 716 & 708. Lots of gobble toots from Conan and lights with ECH flapping his Turkey wings to my fusees. Meet in Micco with 101.????  On our way. Back later.
Anita and Caboose


FEC202 Nov 27, 2014 vid links:
402 FEC202 Nov 27, 2014 PART 1 vid link:
http://youtu.be/pt0miSQ7Zn4
405 FEC202 Nov 27, 2014 PART 2 vid link:
http://youtu.be/y3pLoqu8WAs
408 FEC202 Nov 27, 2014 PART 3 vid link:
http://youtu.be/zVpsH19jbss
409 FEC202 Nov 27, 2014 PART 4 vid link:
http://youtu.be/x5tppNuoaJU
410 FEC202 Nov 27, 2014 PART 5 vid link:
http://youtu.be/DoxliytQVdw
411 FEC202 Nov 27, 2014 PART 6 vid link:
http://youtu.be/oFbsou4rOLc
412 FEC202 Nov 27, 2014 PART 7 vid link:
http://youtu.be/m97Qvegyu0Y

annulled for Thanksgiving holiday

I know a few asked so here's what's annulled for Thanksgiving holiday.
 There are a few locals annulled too.
 ANNULLED
 Thursday-Nov 27, 123-224, 335-336
 Friday-Nov. 28, 109-210
 --
 David (ECH)

FEC101 Nov 26, 2014

101 by mp216 at 6:20 with 104 & 101. Conan toots away with ECH waving  and a nice neat compact of IM with one Ashley towards the rear.
Anita and Caboose

FEC101 Nov 26, 2014 vid link:
http://youtu.be/v0z1EVd0hXs

FEC202 Nov 26, 2014

202 by mp216 at 5:47 with Hertwig 720 and 710. Tommy and Tony tooting and flashing lights to my fusees. Yes, with our rain last night, brought out the fusees. Rock up front, tubs, IM with lots of double stacks of FEC containers, racks, tanks a plenty on the rear with lonely CSXT double door box car pretending to be the caboose. 
Meet in Micco with 101.
Anita and Caboose

FEC101 Nov 25, 2014

202 by mp216 at 4:56 with 708 & 704. Conan hitting those toots, lights flashing and ECH waving and saluting from the cab window with his infamous Cheshire grin. Mucho rock up front, IM, racks and tanks on the rear with entire consist neatly blocked. Meet in Pineda with 101, now dusk and looking like some nasty weather.
Anita and Caboose

FEC101 Nov 25, 2014 vid link:
http://youtu.be/5433fawqxr0

FEC101 Nov 24, 2014

101 by mp216 at 6:08 with 107 leading in the dark, but Conan with melodic toots, lights flashing and ECH shining blue light from the tread. With flashlights aimed, made out lots of IM,  Crowley & Tropical(unusual for 101) and 2 Ashley's towards the bottom. Friends Ryan and little Ryan Lee joining us in their safety vests. Meet in FO with 202. Sorry Tony and Tommy, but pick up too late, so tomorrow.
Anita and Caboose

FEC101 Nov 24, 2014 vid link:
http://youtu.be/OH8stbDqaxA

FEC101 Nov 21, 2014

FIRST RUN of the new GEVO engines 804 and 803 on FEC101 by mp216 at 6:34 with lots of toots from the beautiful horn and love the sound of the engines.  Racks up the ying yang and well worth the wait for the new ones!
Anita and Caboose

FEC101 Nov 21, 2014 vid link:
http://youtu.be/3uFaTf8DDnk







It might have been dark thirty but we watched 202 and 101 through Caboose Junction tonight between 5:30 and 6:30. We were given toots and lights flashing by both as I gave them my sparklers glowing in the dark. Yea, the highlight was waiting to hear 101 but we got a special treat of FECRS members Ron Hammond and Doug Friar joining us @mp216 as 101 went whizzing by and joined us for a delicious dinner at Woody's in Roseland. Got to see their pics and discuss their following of 101 from New Smyrna south to the meet with us. Thanks fellas and so nice to break bread together!!!
Anita and Caboose




Ah! Finally some quiet time to myself. It was a pleasure to join you Cabeeses for some pretty darn good BBQ tonight after a long trip from Broward to NSB for 101 in daylight, which, that's just about all there was since a big fat cloud covered our golden hour. Oh, about 3 minutes later, the rails were bathed in that golden hour sun light as we watch 101's EOT vanish in the distance.  :sigh: Oh well. That afternoon I got a call to work for Saturday so we were going to dead head right back to Broward but as we got closer to Sebastian Beach we figured we had time to stop for a bite with Mikey and Anita after all. Good food, good conversation with good company. We enjoyed every minute but before you knew it, it was time for that trek home. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Caboose, see y'all on the next go round. Be safe.
Ron

FEC202 Nov 21, 2014

202 by mp216 at 6:12 with 709 & 416lhf. Ray with toots to my sparklers. Rock up front , IM and racks. As Mikey says,  very neat consist. Meet in Micco with 101 and those new G's everyone waiting for. Unfortunately going on be too dark through the Junction.
Anita and Caboose

FEC202 Nov 21, 2014 vid link:
http://youtu.be/-H7GfqI6W8s

FEC202 Nov 20, 2014

202 by mp216 @ 5:12 with 106 & 100. Rock up front followed by IM and a miss mash of what ECH calls junk.  Center beams, empty and loaded gons, KCS box not  normally seen, tanks, bulkheads and array of various other freight.  Meet in Palm Bay with 101.
Anita and Caboose

FEC202 Nov 20, 2014 vid link:
http://youtu.be/MUImZTgiFAM

FEC202 Nov 18, 2014

202 by mp216 at 6:50 with 2 Hertwig's and Jim toots while ECH waving blue light. Rock up front, tubs, IM, empty tables, an eighty tank consist and three box on the rear. Such a surprise of this drastic weather change,  but not sweating!!.
Anita and Caboose

FEC101 Nov 18, 2014

101 by mp216  6:11 with 101, Hertwig 714 & 707. Tommy and Tony tooting away to our flash lights and sparklers with 10000 feet of IM, mostly double stacks and two Ashley's. Meet in Gifford with 202. A little chill in the air, dampness&  breeze, but does not deter us rail fans!!!
Anita and Caboose

FEC101 Nov 15, 2014

Six FECRS members have waited patiently for a very late FEC101 to storm through New Smyrna Beach Yard in the darkness. Blue light from Ray on 107 and 141 as they try to make up lost time.
EoT past MP125 at 6:36PM.
cabooseMikey.

FEC101 Nov 15, 2014 vid link:
http://youtu.be/jGIlUh06_Ao

FECRS railfanning excursion to FEC's First Division

On November 15, 2014 cabooseMikey joined Gregg Stoll, Tom Loshe, Tommy Chaffee and Austin and Joe Strenecky for a day long FECRS railfanning excursion to FEC's First Division.

Our first objective is to obtain a suitable long-distance photo for a back drop mural for our Jacksonville balloon Ntrak module. The Ortega Bridge is the ideal site because of its long view across the mighty St. John's River but the stiff breeze makes for tough shooting conditions. No matter, it's always more fun in a group with fellow hobbyists.


We'll take a stop to see the St. Augustine FEC passenger depot and freight house which are now used by the FEC MoW Department. Trucks, backhoes and payloaders are tied up inside the compound for the weekend and a small undercutter is on the service track near the depot but everything is quiet right now.


The Moultrie Junction at Palmer Street in the ancient city of Saint Augustine is our next stop and there is a fine view of the skyline off to the northeast. We are really interested in seeing the diverging Wilbur Wright Industrial Lead, though, and its time-locked hand thrown switch. This was the FEC mainline to Palatka one hundred years ago but today the branch only extends five miles and the Moultrie Cut-off carries the mainline south.

After a neat lunch break we are on the way to Bunnell to see the equation at MP67/MP86.4 where the abandoned mainline rejoins what is today's Moultrie Cut-off and we ponder those missing twenty railroad miles. Great photo op here, too, thanks to the magic of the camera remote. We have a lively discussion of self-guarding switch frogs here and then there are more miles to go.

Harwood, National Gardens and Holly Hill slip by our little convoy and soon we are checking industrial sites in Daytona Beach for fecNtrak ideas. Scrap yards and concrete batch plants offer promise for new modules as we check for the spot where Big Willy Burns always used to report penguins clatter-blapping across the frog.
And a brand new intermediate signal poses for us at MP109.3 on the north edge of 2nd Ave just feet from a nifty little trackmobile sitting inside the plant.

With the last of the golden sunlight, we check out the golf course lying astride the FEC mainline from Wilder Blvd to compare Tom Loshe's module handiwork to the real thing. His depiction is right on the money, but I'm afraid that my golfing foursome will have wait on me any time an FEC train splits the course when I'm out there duffing.

In the gathering dusk, we tie up at Canal Street in New Smyrna Beach to check out the north end track lead of NSB Yard. Big honking undercutter snoozing quietly there as the 716 waits on the ready pick-up lead.
We politely set up our train watching spot behind Ace Hardware and in the darkness we can hear FEC101 warning the north end of New Smyrna Beach of its urgency. Ray returns our blue light from 107 and 141 with hoppers, tanks and IM trailing. They are trying to make up lost time and at 6:36PM EoT blinks goodbye to us.

After a race to the south, we nearly catch him at City Point but FEC101 is by the DD at MP170 just ahead of us and it is time for us to break up.

Another hour to Caboose Junction and I return home after 14 hours on the road with a great story to tell.

Best regards, cabooseMikey.

The Snowbird Express

An HO scale train presentation by the Palm Bay Model Railroad club in conjunction with the Sebastian Area Historical Society at the Sebastian Historic School. Finishing touches are being applied for this show from November 11th through December 30th, 2014. Tues, Wed, Thurs and Sat from 1-4PM.
Come join us!

The Snowbird Express PART 1 vid link:
http://youtu.be/1Dkv45d7bfc

The Snowbird Express PART 2 vid link:
http://youtu.be/-JiiiZpvzZU

The Snowbird Express PART 3 vid link:
http://youtu.be/nOhhRVORHp4

An HO scale train presentation by the Palm Bay Model Railroad club in conjunction with the Sebastian Area Historical Society at the Sebastian Historic School. This show now running from November 11th through December 30th, 2014.
Tues, Wed, Thurs and Sat from 1-4PM.
Come join us!


129 The Snowbird Express PART 4 vid link:
http://youtu.be/toumPfQHeAA


130 The Snowbird Express PART 5 vid link:
http://youtu.be/iyJcWGlMtZ4


131 The Snowbird Express PART 6 vid link:
http://youtu.be/H_w-bzXOPT4



132 The Snowbird Express PART 7 vid link:
http://youtu.be/w8v2DI5aHp4


133 The Snowbird Express PART 8 vid link:
http://youtu.be/obuNAze28_c


134 The Snowbird Express PART 9 vid link:
http://youtu.be/-BKp5Ie9uLo


136 The Snowbird Express PART 10 vid link:
http://youtu.be/S4Khe5xS15E


137 The Snowbird Express PART 11 vid link:
http://youtu.be/NL193DMLZ4M


138 The Snowbird Express PART 12 vid link:
http://youtu.be/lDiVxO92O9A


139 The Snowbird Express PART 13 vid link:
http://youtu.be/Htg19evuOJ0


140 The Snowbird Express PART 14 vid link:
http://youtu.be/dsDNHFGFgo0


141 The Snowbird Express PART 15 vid link:
http://youtu.be/i8jwsOe5o7g


142 The Snowbird Express PART 16 vid link:
http://youtu.be/w7sU271xjHc



143 The Snowbird Express PART 17 vid link:
http://youtu.be/nG7b3sIxMB4


144 The Snowbird Express PART 18 vid link:
http://youtu.be/75IeqjZ8W60


145 The Snowbird Express PART 19 vid link:
http://youtu.be/ol7hPpX9OkY


146 The Snowbird Express PART 20 vid link:
http://youtu.be/UaJLWtJXBvE


147 The Snowbird Express PART 21 vid link:
http://youtu.be/WA8lCAJyrYU

FEC202 Nov 13, 2014

202 by mp216 at 5:18 with 101 & 416. A couple toots from the cab and ECH waving and
blowing kisses my direction to my sparklers. Long string of rock followed by really
long string of tanks, a couple of bulkheads as spacers, IM, 2 "short sheets" in a well bed
and racks on the bottom with final, a TTX articulated.  At this point feeling so bad for
Tommy and Tony with no idea where the meet will be. Has to be a long painfully trip home.
Be safe for the rest of the trip fellas.
Anita and Caboose

FEC202 Nov 13, 2014 vid link:
http://youtu.be/HSvhq3nUP5c

FEC202 + 101 Nov 12, 2014

101-12 with Hertwig713, 709 & Hertwig 714 by mp216 at 6:27 with Jim, student
conductor and ECH waving blue light special, toots and lights flashing to my sparklers.
All IM and could make out with flashlight quite a few containers of  building materials.
Picked up speed big time by us and then heard on scanner a form T at Oslo mp 232.6
Anita and Caboose



202 by mp216 on 6:07 with 708 & 717. Tommy/Tony with melodic sounds tonight and
lights flashing to my sparklers. Rock up front, followed the IM, freight, 4 shiny dumpers,
center beams & bulkheads making waves in the wind, tanks followed by 32 racks on the
rear. Caboose with no video as too dark. Meet in Micco with 101.
Anita and Caboose

NRHS FEC Chapter Nov 11, 2014

The Florida East Coast Chapter of the National Railway Hstorical Society held their
annual dinner banquet at Malibu's in Rockledge and invited E. Nelson Fell and me to give
a slideshow presentation of the historic Fellsmere RR/Trans Florida Central.
Seventeen guests including dual members Hal Greenlee and George Diller enjoyed the 90 minute show. Good to see long-time friend Gerry Sheehan again and to make so many
new friends, too.
My especial Thanks to Mr. Rich Votapka for partnering with me.
Best regards, cabooseMikey.

FEC202 + 101 Nov 11, 2014

101-11 by mp216 on 5:43 with 102 & 103. Tommy/Tony with nice sequence of toots and
lights flashing to my sparklers. Still just light enough to make out engines and consist.
Lots of racks up front(is there a turkey day special on new cars?),  a hefty amount of
double stacks and IM, with a Tiger Cool Express in a well and an Ashley 3/4's back.
Caboose busy being a Conductor at School  in Sebastian with Palm Bay Modelers and a
dinner meeting in Cocoa  with Hal Greenlee and the NRHS tonight.  Bless his heart for
wearing the conductor garb and giving presentations about FEC, FECRS, Fellsmere rail
road and simply sharing his vast knowledge of Trains!!  I am so proud of him,  but can not
keep and remember all he loves to explain to me.
Anita


202 by mp216 at 5:24 with Hertwig's 715 & &716. Jim toots away with melodic sounds and
ECH waving from the cab window with student conductor to my sparklers. Had some
rain, but still too dry for fusees. Rock up front, 2 freight cars, long string of tanks,
lots of IM with double stacks, a Tiger Cool Express on top of a blue FEC container and
racks on the bottom. Meet in Micco with 101.
Anita

FEC101 Nov 10, 2014

Once again using Glenn's post to report Os 101 by mp216 at 5:48 with 103 & 100. Jim with S & H while ECH out on the tread spreading his wings with kisses blowing to my sparklers.  A nice long hot train of IM with lots of double stacks, a Tiger Cool Express and two Ashley's towards the bottom. Looks like meet will be in FO with 202.
Going to be awhile and dark thirty, so to the ranch we go.
Anita and Caboose

FEC101 Nov 10, 2014 vid link:
http://youtu.be/jJysJy1qWbM

Manatee Central RR Fall Meet

Night time running on the Manatee Central RR November 7, 2014 under the brilliant full moon.
Manatee Central RR Fall Meet Part 1 vid link:
http://youtu.be/Clbe_xPLl6Q
Manatee Central RR Fall Meet Part 2 vid link:
http://youtu.be/cDbgDs5CiSw


Day time running on the Manatee Central RR November 8, 2014 on a fine Florida fall morning.
Manatee Central RR Fall Meet Part 3 vid link:
http://youtu.be/v5VZWUqRP0E
Manatee Central RR Fall Meet Part 4 vid link:
http://youtu.be/elFA5BpmhPM
Manatee Central RR Fall Meet Part 5 vid link:
http://youtu.be/4td_oqGL1Yo
Manatee Central RR Fall Meet Part 6 vid link:
http://youtu.be/cXUBZtpWTu8


Riding the Manatee Central RR behind Paul Levy and his magnificent 1396 on Nov 8, 2014.
Manatee Central RR Fall Meet Part 7 vid link:
http://youtu.be/wsJ4fMa1PZs
Manatee Central RR Fall Meet Part 8 vid link:
http://youtu.be/7zZK3u1t_48
Manatee Central RR Fall Meet Part 9 vid link:
http://youtu.be/YqaynI907ac
Manatee Central RR Fall Meet Part 10 vid link:
http://youtu.be/ND3RdfD9t2A
Manatee Central RR Fall Meet Part 11 vid link:
http://youtu.be/5CxajEntCgg
Manatee Central RR Fall Meet Part 12 vid link:
http://youtu.be/s2cKqvxwV-w
Manatee Central RR Fall Meet Part 13 vid link:
http://youtu.be/0mQLiCeaHSA

FEC101 Nov 6, 2014

101-6 by mp216 at 6:02 with 107 & 141.  Tommy and Tony tooting and flashing lights to my sparklers under a gorgeous full moon.  Long beautiful train of IM and just dark enough to not make out the consist.  Could tell there were lots of double stacks.
Anita and Caboose

FEC101 Nov 6, 2014 vid link:
http://youtu.be/jSIkcikd9pQ

FEC202 Nov 6, 2014

202 by mp216 at 5:02 with Hertwig 714 & 709.  Jim toots S&H, lights flashing and ECH waving and blowing them kisses to my sparklers.  Rock up front, tubs, IM with lots of UPS & UMAX, racks on the bottom with one articulated and three tanks followed with the eot.  Meet in Palm Bay with 101.
Anita and Caboose

FEC202 Nov 6, 2014 vid link:
http://youtu.be/m03-n2w8CgU

FEC202 Nov 5, 2014

202 by mp216 at 6:23 with 107 & 141. Tommy and Tony tooting and flashing lights to my
sparklers. Rock up front with tubs, IM, racks, freight and lots of center beams causing
waves in the wind. 

Lucky to see trains tonight after attending the Vero EIS presentation for AAF.  Pleased
to see Bob Ledoux, Debra Phillips, Rusty Roberts, Matt Mohler, Ali Soule, Dave Cokinous,
Phil Mattson, Haynes McDaniel and they were delighted to see us in return.  FRA hosts
were cordial and had fantastic interactive displays and experts available to converse
with all concerned.
A worthwhile function to attend and may this serve as a reminder to attend the upcoming
meetings.
Anita and Caboose

FEC202 Nov 5, 2014 vid link:
http://youtu.be/aX_RKyupZOQ

FEC101 Nov 5, 2014

101 by mp216 at 5:47 with 105, 142 & 710 lhf. Jim toots away and ECH waving blue light
special from the tread to my sparklers.  Racks up front, freight cars, lots of FEC
containers and IM. Meet in Gifford with 202.
Anita and Caboose

FEC101 Nov 5, 2014 vid link:
http://youtu.be/2YIXBZNeNPM

The Snowbird Express

An HO scale train presentation by the Palm Bay Model Railroad club in conjunction with
the Sebastian Area Historical Society at the Sebastian Historic School. Finishing
touches are being applied for this show from November 11th through December 30th,
2014. Tues, Wed, Thurs and Sat from 1-4PM.
Come join us!

The Snowbird Express PART 1 vid link:
http://youtu.be/1Dkv45d7bfc

The Snowbird Express PART 2 vid link:
http://youtu.be/-JiiiZpvzZU

The Snowbird Express PART 3 vid link:
http://youtu.be/nOhhRVORHp4

FEC101 Nov 4, 2014

101 by mp216 at 6:31 with 103 & a big blue. Tommy tooting like crazy to my sparklers on
this evening in the total dark. We have no street lights, etc so can not make out the
consist, other than all IM.
Anita and Caboose

FEC101 Nov 4, 2014 vid link:
http://youtu.be/7-LPKQEKFds

FEC202 Nov 4, 2014

ECH and Jim through the junction at dusk on 710,416,426 with a blue light and honks.
EoT past MP216 at 6:03PM.
cabooseMikey.

FEC202 Nov 4, 2014 vid link:
http://youtu.be/xsTwHEqT2Vc

FEC202 Nov 1, 2014

202 by mp216 at 6:56 with 103, 102 UPS train 434. Great toots and lights from the cab to my sparklers. Lots of gons up front, followed by hoppers, tubs, tanks, racks, some freight incuding center beams, box cars, more tanks and three sand cars on the rear.. Think meet in Pineda with 101.  Already dark thirty and no change yet!!
Anita and Caboose

FEC202 Nov 1, 2014 vid link:
http://youtu.be/8fxFANDobEs