Train freaks get a double dose of fun on Saturday in Green Cove Springs

In early railroad days, the caboose did much more than just bring up the rear on the train. More an administrative office for the conductor and engineers, the caboose facilitating many important duties not generally associated with railroads and train travel – delivering and picking up mail and telegrams, taking on supplies for the passenger areas of the train, reconciling ticket counts and passengers, etc. Dressed in period clothes like those worn by passengers and other folk waiting for the train, these docents staff Clay County Railroad & History Day to the delight of visitors. Part of the festival’s living history exhibits, the docents also offer hands-on demonstrations of crafts and other activities. Although Green Cove Springs was not always the seat of Clay county, Fla., because of its historic warm sulfur springs, it rated a train depot very, very early on. The original depot still stands next to its railroad tracks in the Clay County Historical Triangle in Green Cove Springs. The Historical Triangle also preserves the Old Jail which house the county archives and the Old Courthouse.View the list »
All aboard for family-friendly railroad fun this Saturday.

Community Issues newsletter

Model train fans are a breed apart.

Related topics

Advertisement

Once you’ve met one, you’ll understand why. Just listen to them talk about their love of trains and the railroad.

Professional model railroaders and hobbyists alike can wallow in model train lore and northeast Florida railroad history to their hearts’ content this weekend at two family-friendly events.

Northeast Florida Model Railroaders Open House

On Sat., Mar. 2, starting at 10 a.m., the Northeast Florida Model Railroaders invite you to visit their FREE open house at Reynolds Industrial Park in Green Cove.

You’ll get to meet the members and tour their extensive modular layout that exhibits across Florida and Georgia.

Haven’t heard of them before?

Here’s a video produced by Randy Jaeger for YouTube to introduce you to the Northeast Florida Model Railroaders and their model trains.

For more information about the Northeast Florida Model Railroaders, email info@neflamodelrr.org or visit their website at www.neflamodelrr.org.

Northeast Florida Model Railroaders Open House

  • Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Admission: FREE & open to the public, donations welcome & appreciated
  • Club HQ
  • Reynolds Industrial Park
  • State Rd. 16 S
  • Green Cove Springs, Fla. 32043

www.neflamodelrr.org

Clay county celebrates choo-choos

Back when Green Cove Springs was a big draw for Yankee tourists, in the late 1800s, the easiest way to get to town was on the train.

Granted that’s been a while ago.

However, Floridians who know anything about Florida’s economic history know that without the railroad, tourists wouldn’t have gotten to the tourist traps as early or as often as they did.

21st Annual Railroad & History Festival – March 2

This Saturday The Cove’s Historical Triangle comes alive with GR8RJax™-worthy entertainment and other living history.

It’s not just the 1889 Courthouse or the 1894 Old Haunted Jail/County Archives & Research Center.

No siree, the oldest train depot in Florida lives in Green Cove Springs.

Just ask the Clay County Historical Society.

They even have an authentic, period red caboose.

And you can climb on it and see all the other exhibits and entertainments for FREE.

Parking’s FREE, too.

Fun & Historical

History-themed and educational, the many exhibits and demonstrations introduce festival goes to Clay county’s colorful local past.

You’ll see:

  • Strolling Southern Belles
  • Charles E. Bennett Bees Ensemble
  • Brothers of the Coast Pirates
  • Elvis Presley Tribute Artist David Bowen
  • Clay County Sheriff’s Office K-9 & Pipe and Drum Band
  • The Magnolia Point Singers and vocalist Steven Ambrugey
  • The Clay County Community Band
  • The Crossroads Band
  • Antique classic cars
  • Re-enactments by the Society for Creative Anachronism

And much more.

Your kids even get to ride the Tiny Mite Choo-Choo Train.

Visit IF-E’s Face Painting, Marie’s Ponies, Hendry’s Petting Zoo, and Slide & House Bouncies.

$5 all-day armbands available

It’s real. It’s rustic.

It’s all about the railroad all day Saturday in Green Cove Springs.

21st Annual Railroad & History Festival

  • Sat., Mar. 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Admission: FREE & open to the public
  • Clay County Historical Triangle
  • 915 Walnut @ Ferris St. (State Rd. 16) & Gratio Pl.
  • Green Cove Springs, Fla. 32043
  • Contact: Marilyn Haddock, Pres.
  • Clay County Historical Society
  • Phone: 904-284-9644 | 904-284-5243
  • E-Mail: marilyngcsfla@aol.com | historicsociety@aol.com

www.claycountyhistoricalsociety.org

-30-

©2013 All rights reserved.

OFFICIAL BIO: K Truitt is a second-generation, native Floridian born in Jacksonville. Truitt worked in public higher education for 25 years and knows newspaper publishing, printing and graphic design. Contact: kt.4examiner@yahoo.com

View the list
  •  Although Green Cove Springs was not always the seat of Clay county, Fla., because of its historic warm sulfur springs, it rated a train depot very, very early on. The original depot still stands next to its railroad tracks in the Clay County Historical Triangle in Green Cove Springs. The Historical Triangle also preserves the Old Jail which house the county archives and the Old Courthouse.
  •  Dressed in period clothes like those worn by passengers and other folk waiting for the train, these docents staff Clay County Railroad & History Day to the delight of visitors. Part of the festival’s living history exhibits, the docents also offer hands-on demonstrations of crafts and other activities.
  • In early railroad days, the caboose did much more than just bring up the rear on the train. More an administrative office for the conductor and engineers, the caboose facilitating many important duties not generally associated with railroads and train travel – delivering and picking up mail and telegrams, taking on supplies for the passenger areas of the train, reconciling ticket counts and passengers, etc.
View the list

, Greater Jacksonville Examiner

K Truitt is a second-generation, native Floridian born in Jacksonville. Truitt worked in public higher education for 25 years, most recently in Texas, is a successful grant writer, knows newspaper publishing, printing and graphic design and wants to work in the public sector. Contact: kt...

Advertisement

Today's top buzz...