FLAIRR & PORT ORANGE RAILWAY SOCIETY TEAM UP.
Our Partnership
Over the last year both Port Orange Railway Society and Florida Adventures in Railroading Inc found we were working on similar projects at the same time. We began sharing contacts and other resources and soon found we were working together on the same projects. So during the summer it was decided that we would for a partnership and work on the Port Orange Depot jointly. We are excited about this new alliance.
The Port Orange Depot Park is located at 415 Herbert St. Port Orange, FL
Photo by Jim Kovalski
Florida East Coast Caboose #806
The last surviving FEC steel bay-window caboose is headed for preservation in Port Orange Depot Park.
a caboose for depot Park5
The FEC 806
It all started with a phone call, “There is a Florida East Coast caboose listed for sale Ozark Mountain Railcar.” The conversations that followed would result in an apportionment for an inspection.
The Inspection
On August 30, 2022, Larry Powers, Bill Bates and Mark Frazier ventured to an undisclosed location on US Sugar property to meet the seller and inspect FEC 806.
We will take it.
the inspection did reveal that much work needs to be done to most of it is cosmetic. The caboose is riding on BX express box car trucks with NFL roller bearings. The brake system is intact but ends a current test date. the decision was made to purchase 806 to become part of the Port Orange Railway Experience.
daytona beach station benches donated
Donation of the Daytona Beach station benches
Port Orange Railway Society President Larry Powers is sitting where many a traveler has sat Before him. This is one of two station benches that were saved form the Florida East Coast Railway Daytona Beach station by the Root Family before the station demolition, in 1986.
Surplus at Museum of Arts and Science.…
These benches were in need of a home. With the restoration of the Port Orange Depot they will be preserved in VoLuisa County.
Massive
The only way these benches can be described is massive. They are really emblematic of the railroads as everything to do with railroads is big.