All Aboard!
For Historic Fun
at the Central
Florida Railroad
Museum
Michelle L. Curtis
O
ne of Winter Garden’s historic
treasures is tucked away, just
off of Plant Street. The Central
Florida Railroad Museum,
located at 101 South Boyd
Street, is chock full of memorabilia
ranging from vintage timetables to a
velocipede handcar. The museum is
housed inside of what was the Tavares
and Gulf Railroad depot, which was
built over 100 years ago in 1913. The
Tavares and Gulf Rail Company, along
with the Atlantic Coast Line, were the
main railroad systems which operated
through Winter Garden, exporting
produce, freight and brought travelers
to the city.
In the early days, the railroad had a
reputation of having track problems
and multiple derailments, giving the
line nicknames including the “Tug
and Grunt’ and the “Try and Go.”
Despite the mechanical challenges
along the 38 miles of track, the T&G
was active, productive and had a
reputation for exceptional customer
service. After being absorbed into the
Seaboard Air Line System, it made
its final run in 1969. But that wasn’t
the end for the little depot, with it’s
modest white aluminum exterior.
Ten years later, in 1979, the National
Railway Historical Society - Central
Florida Chapter purchased it and
opened the railroad museum in 1983.
Though small at first, the museum
collection continued to grow with
the help of railroad enthusiasts, the
National Railway Society and a few
private collectors. When the Winter
Garden Heritage Foundation, City
of Winter Garden and the Central
Florida Chapter of the National
Railway Society joined forces in 2003,
the museum’s access to extensive
private collections and photographs
brought Winter Garden’s railroad
history to life.
14
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WINTER GARDEN MAGAZINE
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APRIL 2018