FEC Key West Extension Exhibition layout.

[thomasjmdavis]

Actually, something really different.  I was thinking doing part of the FEC in the Keys using two 18" wide bi fold HCD's end to end for the visible part.  All water, elevated stone bridges and a few of the smaller islands with structures...sidings and a station.    The back would have a scenic back board and the ends of the tracks would be on spits of land with a stand of slash pines to mask the opening in the backdrop.  Miss doing boats and I think this might be a lot of fun...and really interesting.       Cal Winters did a nice HO room size layout that's the inspiration here.

Joe

If we get 2 inches of rain, I would have the perfect basement for this layout.  All I would need are the viaducts and islands, no other scenery required.

[JoeD]

Based on input (thank you btw)  here is something closer.  This gives me a little over a 5' run of viaduct which should look pretty cool.  I have a small swing bridge to let the boats through and some room to park a few cars here and there.   The Island in the center would be used to cover up the seam...the bridge goes over the top of it.  I may even put in a small auto bridge as well...but I don't want this too crowded. 

Joe

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Yep.

I think those FEC cars were for the FECRS: http://www.fecrs.com/

Now, as for reading material:
Useful, but mostly text - http://www.amazon.com/The-Railroad-That-Died-Sea/dp/0911607056
THE resource: Speedway to Sunshine by Mr FEC himself, Seth Bramson  - http://www.amazon.com/Speedway-Sunshine-Story-Florida-Railway/dp/1554077532

Speedway has great photos, great info, basically, much of what you need for a convincing model.

As for power... hope you like relatively plain looking, rather light, ALCO power that you'll need to kitbash. I think the MP pacifics are decent starting points, but the FEC power was typically pre-USRA, and generally had its own unique "look".

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPicture.aspx?id=182965
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPicture.aspx?id=120144
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPicture.aspx?id=36025
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPicture.aspx?id=84559
http://www.steamlocomotive.com/mikado/fec713-unknown.jpg

Luckily, some survives, but none is operational (I think).

https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/33296

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Based on input (thank you btw)  here is something closer.  This gives me a little over a 5' run of viaduct which should look pretty cool.  I have a small swing bridge to let the boats through and some room to park a few cars here and there.   The Island in the center would be used to cover up the seam...the bridge goes over the top of it.  I may even put in a small auto bridge as well...but I don't want this too crowded. 

Joe

I like it. I love the swing bridge inclusion too, because, when I think of the Key West Extension, it's concrete arches and swing bridges.

Now, get building!!

[davefoxx]

Based on input (thank you btw)  here is something closer.  This gives me a little over a 5' run of viaduct which should look pretty cool.  I have a small swing bridge to let the boats through and some room to park a few cars here and there.   The Island in the center would be used to cover up the seam...the bridge goes over the top of it.  I may even put in a small auto bridge as well...but I don't want this too crowded. 

Joe

I like it, Joe, but is there a prototype for the island at right with a siding on land, but the parallel mainline going to sea?  That might look a little awkward.

DFF

[JoeD]

yeah, probably right...may need to change that.

[JoeD]

  I like this low style bridge....

a must dio...

[Chris333]

A Gilligan figure would fit right in! 

[JoeD]

read my mind.

[Chris333]

With all these books on the FEC floating around I was wondering if someone could look up something for me... did the FEC have single window coaches?   

[davefoxx]

With all these books on the FEC floating around I was wondering if someone could look up something for me... did the FEC have single window coaches?   

HAHAHAHAHA!!!  That's one way to try to get a single window coach, Chris.

DFF

[davefoxx]

@Chris333,

So, out of curiosity, I went to the web.  I'm not saying that this is all of the FEC's heavyweight coaches, but the few I found are not single window coaches.  Sorry.

http://www.godfatherrails.com/photos/pv.asp?pid=2644
http://rr-fallenflags.org/fec/fec-c136.jpg
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3560250

DFF

[Chris333]

Yeah I would skip FEC and move on, find another prototype 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

  I like this low style bridge....

Yep, those bridges were a ubiquitous part of the extension.

However... when looking for colors for them, remember that the color photos you're seeing are of them 80 years after they were built. Don't get suckered into weathering them like they appear today (like I did on one of my Conrail B23-7s)...

[JoeD]

not taking the bait lol

HAHAHAHAHA!!!  That's one way to try to get a single window coach, Chris.

DFF