Boca Grande is a small island on the gulf side of Florida only accessible via a toll bridge.

Until quite recently, the only access was by railway ove this long trestle bridge from the mainland.  The bridge was built to carry minerals from the mainland to a deepwater harbour on the tip of the island.  Only scant remains of the harbour are visible today but the trestle bridge and old station buildings are preserved - the trestle bridge as a walk-way for fishing etc (but with the part accross the open sea fenced off) and the station as a restaurant/shop etc.  

When I was there a couple of years ago, I hadn't refired my railway modelling boilers so didn't really pay too much attention other than these 2 photos.  

Petermac

Sorry - forgot to re-size  :oops:  :oops:  :oops: and, it appears, only 1 got through - "could do better" springs to mind !!  

Petermac

MTH  :roll:

Les

Les:

???????????????????????
Petermac

Les said

MTH  :roll:

Les

Acronym dictionary, please :D

Petermac - I know this trestle as if it were in my own back yard, having fished from it quite a few times.  (My wife's family have a small beach house just up the coast.)  I never thought to research the history until now.  I feel a new project coming on …    

For the benefit of all forum members: When it comes to railway history research I am a bit like Sam!  Many projects and ideas on the go, and one of these days I will finish one of them :roll:  No offence, Sam :wink:

It's a small world Tim.

We spent a very happy 3 week holiday on Boca Grande and read a bit about the history of the railway but, as I said, at that time boats were my main modelling interest.  It would be great to learn more about what was obviously a very interesting little railroad.

We often walked along the bridge spotting pelicans and the famed sea cows - we even had a dolphin escort on one particular boat trip.  A very nice part of the States.  Good to hear you know it so well.

Petermac

A well-written history (in two parts) of the railroad that ran from Plant City down to Boca Grande, Florida, can be read here:

Charlotte Harbor & Northern Railway

Interesting that the company name used Railway and not Railroad