F.E.C.R.S. Membership
Introduction to the F.E.C.R.S. by Seth Bramson
Join the Society
Renew your membership in the Society
Find our email and mailing address
Introduction to the Florida East Coast Railway Society
by Seth Bramson
The Florida East Coast Railway is America's most exciting railroad. With a history that goes back to the late 1850's, when the very first of the predecessor railroads was built, the Florida East Coast (F.E.C.) is, today, one of America's few “smaller” independent railroads.
On December 31, 1885, the fabled Henry M. Flagler purchased, lock, stock, barrel, right of way and equipment, the Jacksonville, St. Augustine & Halifax River Railroad and through other purchases and construction would eventually extend the road from the Jacksonville beaches, down the entire east coast, and on to Key West, in the greatest single railroad construction and engineering feat in American—and, possibly, world—history. Numerous branch lines were acquired or built through the years, and today's F.E.C., having survived boom, bust, bankruptcy, the destruction of the Key West Extension in the 1935 Hurricane, strikes, sabotage, and the rebuilding of itself from the ground up, is, today, America's most admired railroad.
In 1999, a group of F.E.C. aficianados met with the intent of forming a technical and historical society dedicated to the history and operations, both current and past, of the Florida East Coast. From that meeting has arisen the F.E.C. Railway Society, now with almost 200 members[1], whose interest in the railroad ranges from its great and glorious history to present day equipment and motive power.
The Society issues a regular newsletter “” and plans to hold regular meetings and educational seminars to delve into the railroad's history and to discuss current operations. Longer term plans call for books, booklets and monographs to be published dealing with various facets of the railroad and it's incredible and exciting past.
You are invited to join the F.E.C. Railway Society, and membership is open to any and all who have an interest in the F.E.C., it's activities, operations, and history. Just fill out the Membership Application Form and return it to us. We look forward to having you as a member.
To Join the Society
You can join the more than 200 members who love the various aspects of the F.E.C. Railway.
Upon receipt of your membership application and annual dues, we will send you all copies of the Speedway newsletter for the current membership cycle, your laminated membership card, and a “welcome aboard” packet.
Pictured, F.E.C. Railway Past President John McPherson (left) accepts his membership “card” from F.E.C.R.S. Past-President Richard Shores.
Mr. McPherson is a true railroad man and was eager to join our society once advised of its existence. You are among good company when you join the F.E.C. Railway Society!
Membership Application, Renewal, Updates
Membership dues are $25/year for US mailing addresses, $30/year for non
US mailing addresses.
Members as of Dec. 31, 2007, have a membership expiration date of Dec. 31st.
New members beginning Jan. 1, 2008 will have a renewal date of the end of
the month that their first membership payment is received. Membership lapses
if not renewed within 90 days following membership date. When a lapsed member
renews membership within a year of their membership date, the membership
date remains as it was. After one year of lapsed membership, a new membership
application is required; membership expiration date is determined as for
a new member.
There are 3 options -
Option 1: Membership form - New Members, Renewals, and Address updates. This is the preferred method for membership application as it is readable by staff. Complete this form, print the completed form, attach remittance, and mail it to the address below.
Option 2: Get the Membership Application Form in Adobe Acrobat form, print it, complete the form, attach remittance, and mail to the address below.
Option 3: Write our membership coordinator via U.S. Mail to request a form at the address below. On receipt, complete the form, attach remittance, and mail to the address below.
Membership Brochure: Brochure in Adobe Acrobat form.
Contact us via Email
For additional information, Email:
Correspondence Address
Please use the following address for all correspondence, including membership applications, convention registration, and address updates:
FECRS
PO Box 3574
Tequesta, FL 33469-1009
Welcome aboard!
Above introduction courtesy of Seth Bramson, author of Speedway to Sunshine, the definitive book covering the Florida East Coast Railway, from its earliest days to the new millenium. The newly revised book went to press in August 2002 and is available at many outlets and railroad hobby shops.
Note 1: Since the time this was written, the Society's membership has exceeded 200 members.