(Nassau County) Callahan Plans Railroad days

[adamh0903]

May 30, 31 2008. Callahan celebrates their great rail history with 2 days of fun and festivals

you can check it out at www.wnhsfl.org . I dont think they have a page up about this years railroad days, but you can look at pictures from past railroad days.

[Jason]

Hmmmmm sounds like something Jax should be partking in as well.

[Lunican]

About 20 miles north of Callahan is Folkston, GA, which is hosting its own railroad event on April 5th. The CSX line through these two towns hosts some of the heaviest freight traffic in the southeast. It is referred to as the "Florida Funnel" because pretty much everything entering the state passes through there.

According to the video it's like train-dweeb paradise...

http://www.youtube.com/v/daUMpot5aBA&hl

http://www.folkston.com/trains/trains.htm

[Jason]

Ock, Lunican just called you a "Train-Dweeb"!

[adamh0903]

I live about 100 yards from the CSX Lines in Callahan, Right at the Baldwin Spur. The East Coast Railway used to tie in here as well, the bed is still here, but the tracks are gone. My inlaws were instrumental in putting the railroad through Callahan, the street is named after my Great-Grandmother in laws Family. She is 93, here husband worked on the railroad as did her father. She says she could tell what train was arriving at the Callahan Depot by its horn or whistles.

[adamh0903]

Railroad Days Festival is this weekend if anyone is looking to get out of the city...

There is also an article about it here http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/052408/nen_281910804.shtml

2008 Railroad Days Festival

Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at or in the historic Callahan train depot on Brandies Avenue.

FRIDAY

Noon - Opening ceremonies

12:30 p.m. - Historical marker dedication ceremony.

Noon to 8 p.m. - Watercolor paintings and pencil sketches by Amelia Island artist William R. Maurer displayed

3 to 8 p.m. - Live entertainment

8 to 10 p.m. - Street dance



SATURDAY

8 a.m. - Food and craft vendors open.

8 a.m. to 8 p.m. - Watercolor paintings and pencil sketches by Maurer displayed

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Model train display, Callahan County Building on Mickler Street

11 a.m. - Railroad Days parade begins at the depot and will move down U.S. 1

Noon to 4 p.m. - Car show, Callahan County Building; West Nassau High School Booster Club bed race at the track. 879-5922; Children's games and family fun at Ewing Park. 879-3801.

12:15 p.m. - Opening ceremonies

12:30 p.m. - Introduction of the parade grand marshals - David Yulee, Joseph Finnegan and Daniel Callahan, portrayed by re-enactors - and announcement of parade and contest winners.

1:15 p.m. - Festival sponsors recognition

1:45 p.m. - Nassau County candidate forum

3 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Live entertainment

8 p.m. to 10 p.m. - Street dance

[Lunican]

Folkston is getting some national attention as a train watching spot.

FOLKSTON, Georgia (CNN)  -- Rain or shine, 80-year-old Cookie Williams plops himself on the wooden viewing platform perched over double train tracks.

On this warm May afternoon, a patient Williams sits slouched, legs crossed and arms relaxed, donning his vintage CSX railroad company cap littered with miniature train pendants.

He is waiting for a train.

Full Article:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/05/08/railfan.train.watching/index.html