CORONET PHOSPHATE #7

Join us and become a part of bringing this locomotive back to life.

At Florida Adventures in Railroading Inc., we are passionate about preserving the past and bringing it to life for present and future generations. Our team of historians and preservation specialists are dedicated to maintaining and restoring historical sites and artifacts, so that the stories of our ancestors can be heard and appreciated by all. Steam locomotive #7 will require a dedicated crew to bring it back to life. We welcome all who want to be hands on. No experience is required as there will be a training program. Insurance does require all volunteer crew members to be a dues paying member in good standing

Join the crew

FLAIRR NEEDS YOUR HELP BRING number 7 back home to Florida, click the donate button below.

EAST COAST STEAM ACADEMY

Shop Machinery

Pictured here are some of the machines that will be a part of our shop. It was made available to us with the condition that our shop would be a teaching facility. With the acquisition of steam locomotive #7 this Bridgeport mill will be kept busy machining new parts. Built in 1967 it is equipped with a triple axis digital readout and is very accurate.

At Florida Adventures in Railroading Inc., we are committed to preserving history in a way that is respectful, inclusive, and sustainable. We believe that every historical site and artifact has a story to tell, and we strive to honor those stories by preserving them for future generations.

Our Partnerships

Collaboration is at the heart of our work at Florida Adventures in Railroading Inc.. We partner with a wide range of organizations, from local historical societies to national museums, to ensure that our projects are grounded in community needs and values.

FLAIRR GETS STEAMED

The seed of thought is planted

From the very beginning the of the forming of FLAIRR was centered around the idea of finding and restoring a steam locomotive. Early in 2023 board member Kyle Wayne Cochran notified the organization that a 15 ton Porter steam locomotive was listed for sale. Kyle paid to have an inspection of that locomotive completed. That inspection came back as favorable. However we were unable to raise the $55,000.00 purchase price before someone else purchased the locomotive.

A second chance

Rebounding from the disappointment FLAIRR set out looking for another stream locomotive. The search took us to an old friend who just happened to have small steam locomotives. We learned of Coronet Phosphate #7 a 44 ton 0-4-2T from Florida was surplus and available to return to Florida.

Where we go from here…

The restoration of a steam locomotive is something that is done because of a passion. A desire preserve something that is not commonly seen today. They are one of the most recognized and powerful machines that man ever made. As we embark upon this restoration we will be teaching the skills and the craftsmanship that built it to begin with. The time has come to pass these down to the next generation.

a photo history of #7

Rail operations at Coronet Phosphate

a very rare photo of railway operations at Coronet Phosphate mines.

Still in service

Rail operations at Coronet Phosphate

This is the only photo we have been able to find of Coronet Phosphate #7 in service.

First attempt at preservation.

Rail operations at Coronet Phosphate

Time and the weather have taken their toll.

Taken on an unknown date it appears that members of the Central Florida Chapter of the NRHS are inspecting the inside of the smoke box.

Time and the weather have taken their toll.

At Gold Coast Railroad Museum awaiting rescue

Time and the weather have taken their toll.

Still sitting next to the same building as the previous photo, time and the Florida weather have not been kind to #7.

At Gold Coast Railroad Museum awaiting rescue

Number 7 eventually ended up at Gold Coast Railroad Museum who sold it to the current owner

Loading #7 for the trip to a new owner

At Gold Coast Railroad Museum awaiting rescue

Number 7 is winched up onto the heavy duty drop deck trailer.

Leaving Florida

Cold winter’s nap

At it’s new home

All secured the truck leaves Gold Coast Railroad Museum northbound with #7.

At it’s new home

Cold winter’s nap

At it’s new home

It was a cold snowy day as #7 arrives at its new home and an uncertain future.

Cold winter’s nap

This is not the place for a Florida steam locomotive. Let’s bring #7 home.

Open for inspection

With the smoke box door open inspection photos were taken and sent to FLAIRR. Number 7 is in better shape than it looks and is restorable.

Port Orange Railway #7

in the very early stages here is the concept art of what the locomotive will look like as Port Orange Railway #7.

How you can help

The best asset we have is our members. Likewise the best way for you to be of a help is to become a member. We are currently building our shop crew and steam team. Both Florida Adventures In Railroading Inc. and Port Orange Railway Society are 501(c)(3) tax exempt charitable corporations in Florida.

Follow the link below to join.

Join us, click here!

***SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT*** HELP FLAIRR RETURN CORONET PHOSPHATE TO FLORIDA.