Florida East Coast Railway Key West Extension Express Train 1910 postcard

Description: Vintage Postcard: Florida East Coast Railway, Key West Extension Express Train crossing Famous Long Key Viaduct Florida H &W.B. Drew Co. Jacksonville FLA Florida Artistic Seal Postmark: West Palm Beach FLA Dec 19, 1911 Condition: used The Florida East Coast Railway's Key West Extension Express Train, also known as the Key West Extension or simply the Overseas Railroad, was a remarkable engineering feat and an important transportation link in the early 20th century. It aimed to connect mainland Florida to the island of Key West.Construction of the Key West Extension began in 1905 and was completed in 1912. However, the concept for the railroad had been conceived earlier by entrepreneur Henry Flagler, who saw the potential for tourism and trade in the Florida Keys. The extension was an ambitious project that involved building a railway line across a series of small islands and over the open water of the Atlantic Ocean.The Key West Extension Express Train provided an efficient and luxurious means of travel between mainland Florida and Key West. It offered amenities such as comfortable seating, dining cars, and observation cars, providing passengers with stunning views of the ocean during their journey. The train was well-appointed, catering to the wealthy tourists and affluent residents who sought to visit or live in Key West.The route of the Key West Extension took passengers through picturesque landscapes, including the Florida Keys with their coral reefs and turquoise waters. Notable features of the railway included the Seven Mile Bridge, which spanned seven miles of open water, and the Long Key Viaduct, an impressive structure that extended for over two miles across the water.Unfortunately, the Key West Extension's lifespan was cut short due to the devastating impact of the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. The hurricane severely damaged the railway, making it economically unviable to restore. Instead, the Overseas Highway, a road built on the remnants of the railway, replaced the train as the primary transportation link to Key West. Today, the Overseas Highway (U.S. Route 1) remains a popular scenic route for travelers visiting the Florida Keys.

Price: 14.99 USD

Location: Montrose, California

End Time: 2025-02-15T03:34:28.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0.95 USD