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Hotels Near Florida Railroad Museum

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Behind the Scenes: Florida Railroad Museum

What are people saying about hotels near 12210 83rd St E, Parrish, FL 34219?

This is a review for hotels near 12210 83rd St E, Parrish, FL 34219:

“Recently in Sarasota for a 10 day coaching/training trip and this hotel and their staff were AMAZING! Breakfast was the best part and everyone was so friendly. Also, a great gym which is rare. Close to many shops and restaurants. Excited to stay there again next year. Thank you for making my stay great.”

Hotel Area Attraction At Ruskin Inn Tampa

Were the Tampa Sun City Center hotel Ruskin travelers like you can trust. When youselect Ruskin Inn as your hotel near Tampa International Airport or your pick of hotelsnear Florida Railroad Museum, youre also staying close to the pleasant Golf Club atCypress Creek plus busy Ellenton Outlet Mall, interesting Gamble Plantation and otherpoints of interest, including Demens Landing Park, St. Petersburg Museum of History,Florida Aquarium, Weedon Island Preserve and Boyd Hill Nature Park. Theres so muchto see and do in this area that you may want to add a day or two to your trip to help you fitit all in.

  • Ellenton Outlet Mall 14.1
  • St. Petersburg Museum of History 15.2
  • St Pete Grand Prix 15.3
  • Pioneer Park 15.3
  • Museum of Fine Arts 15.3
  • St Petersburg Bayfront Center 15.3
  • Salvador Dali Museum 15.3
  • Boyd Hill Nature Park 15.7
  • Children’s Museum 16.0
  • Tropicana Field – Tampa Bay Rays 16.1
  • Weedon Island Preserve 16.3
  • Henry B. Plant Museum 16.7
  • Tampa Hillsborough Convention & Visitors Association 16.7
  • World Trade Center Tampa 16.8
  • Tampa Museum of Art 16.9
  • Tampa Theater 16.9
  • Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center 17.1
  • Manatee Village Historical Prk 17.8
  • Gulf Coast Surgery Center 18.2
  • Mixon Fruit Farms 18.3
  • First Free Will Baptist of Tampa 20.6
  • Leading Edge Aviation 20.8
  • St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport 22.7
  • Strawberry Crest High School 23.2
  • Museum of Science and Industry 23.6
  • Adventure Island 23.7
  • Sarasota Classic Car Museum 24.9
  • Big Cat Rescue 26.5

A Brief History Of Florida’s Railroads

Railroads first came to Florida in the 1860s with a line running from Fernandina Beach to Cedar Key. However, real development arrived after the Civil War with lines eventually becoming of Henry Flaglers Florida East Coast Railroad and Henry Plants Plant System. Later, the Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard Air Line railroads built their tracks through Central Florida to the Gulf Coast. In the panhandle, Seaboard built a line west from Jacksonville to River Junction in Chattahoochee where it connected with the Louisville & Nashville Railroad west through Pensacola into Alabama. Also, the Southern Railway System pushed south from Valdosta, Georgia into Jacksonville.

Since the Florida Railroad Museum is located in the Gulf Coast area, we will focus on the Plant System and Seaboard Air Line in that region.

Henry Plant took over the Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West Railroad and expanded into Tampa to connect with his steamship lines running to Cuba and other destinations. He also built hotels and key locations along this line in the 1890s. In 1900, Henry Plant died and his railroad interests were soon purchased by the Atlantic Coast Line, along with several other acquisitions in Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia. The Atlantic Coast Line made Tampa its major destination on the West Coast with maintenance shops, yards and shipping facilities located there. The ACL Florida main line ran from Jacksonville to Tampa via Orlando, Lakeland and Plant City.

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Florida East Coast Railway

In 1912 Henry Flagler arrived aboard the first train into Key West, marking the completion of the Florida East Coast Railway’s Over-Sea Railroad to Key West. With the completion of the Over-Sea Railroad the entire east coast of Florida, from Jacksonville to Key West, was linked by a single railroad system. The FEC was the product of Flagler’s resources and imagination. Flagler’s construction of hotels at points along the railroad and his development of the agricultural industry through the Model Land Company established tourism and agriculture as Florida’s major industries, which remain so even now more than a century later. In essence, Henry Flagler invented modern Florida.

Amazingly, Flagler accomplished these feats after retiring from his first career and having reached an age equal to the average life expediency for an American male of the time. Flagler had co-founded Standard Oil with partners John D. Rockefeller and Samuel Andrews, long before becoming interested in Florida. Standard Oil remained the largest and most profitable corporation in the world for more than a century.

The Jacksonville, St. Augustine & Halifax Railroad served the northeastern portion of the state and was the first railroad in what would eventually become the Florida East Coast Railway Company. In addition to improving the railroad, Flagler built schools, a hospital and churches in St. Augustine, systematically revitalizing the largely abandoned historic city.

The West Florida Railroad Museum

Historic Gems in Fort Lauderdale  The New River Inn  South Florida ...

In the Panhandle is The West Florida Railroad Museum in Milton, preserving the railroad legacy in Northwest Florida and South Alabama. The museum centers on the L& N Railroad and includes a railroad depot built in 1909, caboose, cars, and model railroad telegraph. Open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday or by appointment for tours. For more information visit www.wfrm.org.

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The Orange Blossom Cannonball

Image copyright Tavares, Eustis and Gulf Railroad

RVers interested in trains can also enjoy a unique opportunity in Central Florida to not only see historic trains but take a ride on locomotives used in numerous movies over the years. The Orange Blossom Cannonball is the Central Florida train on the Tavares, Eustis and Gulf Railroad. Riders board at the historic downtown stations of either Mount Dora or Tavares for a round-trip of an hour and 45 minutes travel time, and can stay longer for shopping or eating in either village before re-boarding. The vintage coaches pulled by the 1907 wood-fired steam locomotive on most Saturdays and holidays or the 1941 diesel locomotive other days are the actual cars seen in more than 20 movies, including True Grit and 3:10 to Yuma. For locomotive scheduling and information visit www.orangeblossomcannonball.com.

Weather Forecast For Florida Railroad Museum Parrish Florida

Traveling to Florida Railroad Museum, Parrish, Florida?Here is your 6-day weather forecast in the area.Whether it is a warm weather destinations or cold climate dont forget to consider weather, while you pack your bags for this trip. Start your day when the sunrises at 11:21 AM and dont miss the sunset at 11:18 PM.Todays winds are traveling southeast at a speed of 31 MPH.The temperature feels like 73 with a humidity level of 91.Cloud coverage is 97 percent with 2.4 percent visibility.Todays UV index is 3 make sure to prepare properly.Make sure to plan your travel itinerary to match your travel weather forecast to make the most of your vacation with Reservations.com.

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The Central Florida Railroad Museum

In the middle of the state is the Central Florida Railroad Museum in Winter Garden near Orlando, a circa-1913 railroad station housing locomotive memorabilia and old train cars, plus displays for kids. It is part of a quaint town that serves as a major stopoff for bikers and walkers on the popular West Orange Trail. Just down the street is another depot which houses the Chamber of Commerce. Open daily 1 to 5 p.m. For information visit www.wintergardenpost.com.

The Florida Railroad Museum

The Florida East Coast Railway in NSB

North from there is The Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish, Manatee County. The museum was founded in 1981 to acquire, protect, preserve and operate interesting and historic examples of railroad rolling stock, artifacts, and other aspects of railroad history, with emphasis on railroads that served the state of Florida. The museum operates excursion trains consisting of its own rolling stock each weekend, year round. Trains include open window coaches, air conditioned coach and lounge cars, and cabooses, operated entirely by volunteers. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. year round. Diesel train excursions operate most weekends at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. For more information visit www.frrm.org.

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The Henry Morrison Flagler Museum

Flagler had founded Standard Oil with John Rockefeller and quickly became an icon of the Gilded Age, along with Henry Ford, Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, J.P. Morgan and others. But when his wife became ill and needed the humidity of Jacksonville to convalesce, he saw opportunity in the undeveloped landscape here. He eagerly promoted tourism and the agricultural industry that remain the foundation of Floridas economy more than a century later, and is known as the father of both Palm Beach and Miami.

Image copyright Flagler Museum Collection

Flagler also undertook what is considered the biggest and most complicated building project ever attempted by an individual the construction of the Over-sea Railroadfrom Miami to Key West. Flagler was called the builder of The Eighth Wonder of the World when the project was completed in 1912.

Weather Forecast For Central Florida Railroad Museum Winter Garden Florida

Traveling to Central Florida Railroad Museum, Winter Garden, Florida?Here is your 6-day weather forecast in the area.Whether it is a warm weather destinations or cold climate dont forget to consider weather, while you pack your bags for this trip.Start your day when the sunrises at 11:17 AM and dont miss the sunset at 11:14 PM.Todays winds are traveling northeast at a speed of 20 MPH.The temperature feels like 73 with a humidity level of 92.Cloud coverage is 100 percent with 4.3 percent visibility.Todays UV index is 3 make sure to prepare properly.Make sure to plan your travel itinerary to match your travel weather forecast to make the most of your vacation with Reservations.com.

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Central Florida Railroad Museum Of Winter Garden

101 South Boyd Street, Winter Garden, FL 34787

Hours:

Tuesday-Saturday: 11:00am 3:00pm

Put on your conductor’s hat and take a tour of the historic Central Florida Railroad Museum. Located in downtown Winter Garden, the museum is housed in the old Tavares and Gulf Rail Company building. The white aluminum exterior of the building stands in stark contrast to the vibrant history contained within. Step through the old screen door and sign the guestbook of the Railroad Museum to put your personal mark on history. Inside the museum you will be greeted by locals and a volunteer that will give you grand tour of the museum that chronicles the history of the two main railroads that ran through Winter Garden, the Tavares and Gulf Rail Company and The Atlantic Coast Line. Pasted to the walls are pictures and various signage that depicts the storied tradition and heritage of the still functioning rail system. The railroad was a key component of the Winter Garden economy that exported produce and freight and imported people from all over the State. Volunteer Terry Baker of the Railroad Museum notes that, “Trains were a civilized means of travel. You could jump on a train and avoid the day to day traffic.” Central Florida Railroad Museum, Winter Garden FL 34787 Railroad museum.

Of All The Hotels In Ellenton Which Hotels Have The Highest User Ratings

New Breakers Hotel opens

When traveling to Ellenton for the first time, many travelers find it difficult to choose a hotel to stay in. According to Trip.com data, Hampton Inn Ellenton/Bradenton, Super 8 by Wyndham Ellenton Bradenton Area and Red Roof Inn Ellenton – Bradenton NEare popular hotels with high ratings, making them good choices for your trip.

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Central Florida Railroad Museum

The museum has a large display of authentic railroad items including rails and spikes that were actually used in building the rail system as well as scale models of train systems from different parts of the United States. The real sight to see inside the museum is the telegraph room. This room contains authentic telegraph equipment as well as manuals and an old two piece telephone. Local historians note that the telegraph system was used as a communication device that helped keep the tracks safe, clear, and free from accidents. Train derailment was not uncommon and the telegraph system was vital to keeping collisions to a minimum. The railroads are certainly the lifeblood of the historic Winter Garden economy and the city may not be what she is today without the existence of the railroads. If you want to experience a piece of history, be sure and stop by the Central Florida Railroad Museum in downtown Winter Garden open Thursday & Friday 11am-3pm. Winter Garden, FL 34787 Central Florida railroad museum

Atlantic Coast Line RR #106 Class E Yard Switcher

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The South Florida Railway Museum

Another excursion nearby is Deerfield Beach and The South Florida Railway Museum, dedicated to providing the public with the history of railroading and how it affected the population growth and industry boom from the 1940s to the 1960s in the South Florida area. The museums mission is to teach through the use of railroad artifacts about the importance of railroads to commerce and development in the area, and through the design and building of a model railroad display depicting the area during that time frame. Open Wednesday 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday 12 p.m. to 4p.m. For information visit www.sfrm.org.

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Destination Florida: Railroads And Resorts In Florida

In the 1870s, the few railroads within Florida existed mainly in the northern part of the state. People could travel on steamboats in northern areas, but there were few navigable rivers in south Florida. St. Augustine was a popular tourist destination, but travelling further south by land was very difficult. In order to reach St. Augustine, Northern visitors traveled by steamship from either Charleston, South Carolina, or Savannah, Georgia. Developers and state leaders knew that a better transportation system was needed.

Henry B. Plant was another successful Northern businessman who also aided the development of Florida. He and his wife first visited Jacksonville in 1853 because of her lung ailment, and afterwards they spent many winters in Florida. Plant began investing in Florida in the early 1880s, and his transportation empire came to include both steamship and railroad lines. In 1884, his company completed a railroad line from Jacksonville to Tampa via Kissimmee. Plant built many more railroads in central and southwestern Florida, eventually totalling nearly 1,200 miles. In 1885, he financed construction of the Port of Tampa, which helped Tampa become a major shipping port for phosphate, tobacco, and cattle.

The 1890s were the heyday of Floridas first luxury resorts, and their establishment cemented Floridas place as a tourist destination.

Robert W Willaford Railroad Museum

See The Florida Railroad Museum Under Construction In Parrish

Right outside Tampa in Plant City is the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum and train viewing platform. The museum is in downtown Plant Citys historic train depot, and the platform is located adjacent to the museum. Visitors enjoy an interesting collection of rail equipment, beautiful grounds and fascinating activities. Viewing platform open seven days a week 24 hours a day and well-lit for great train viewing in the evenings. Museum hours: Monday-Wednesday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit www.willafordrailroadmuseum.com.

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Best Florida Train Museums

By Mike Miller September 20, 2022

Trains, the height of travel and luxury in the 1800’s and early 1900’s, have been mostly abandoned by modern society as a form of common travel.

Although Amtrak passenger trains still travel throughout the country, today’s passenger cars and engines do not compare to the classic trains of yesteryear.

Florida Railroad Museum, Parrish

We have listed here 8 of the best train museums all across Florida.

If you are among train enthusiasts looking for unique museum experiences or simply here to enjoy getting a look at one of the state’s historic trains, you will find something on this list.

Many of these museums not only have indoor and outdoor exhibits, some of them offer diesel train excursions.

Some also have facilities for corporate events, large family gatherings, and other special events.

Gold Coast Railroad Museum

After a visit to the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum to see Floridas railroad history from the beginning, you can head south to the Gold Coast Railroad Museum in Miami to continue the story. The museum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, exhibiting and operating historic railroad equipment. It was started in 1957 by a group of Miamians who were trying to save pieces of Florida history that were taken for granted and rapidly disappearing. Some of the earliest pieces in the collection are the private railroad car, called the Ferdinand Magellan, built for President Franklin Roosevelt, and the Florida East Coast Railway locomotive 153, which is the engine that pulled the rescue train out of Marathon after a 1935 hurricane. There is also a 1913 Florida East Coast locomotive used in regular revenue service over the entire railroad. Open Monday through Friday 10a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit www.gcrm.org.

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The Railroad Museum Of South Florida

Across the state on the west coast of Florida is The Railroad Museum of South Florida in Fort Myers. Located at the north end of Lakes Regional Park, the museum houses many artifacts, pictures, and model railroads. Just across from the museum is the largest miniature railroad in the state. Visitors can travel over 1.5 miles through Old World Villages among the parks scenic wilderness. The museum and railroad are open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and Sunday noon to 3:45 p.m. For more information visit www.trainweb.org.

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