Flat River & Southern
The Flat River & Southern was a commercial 7-1/2" railroad in North Palm Beach, Florida. It was owned and operated by Ed Pruitt.
History
The Flat River and Southern Railroad was built about 1970. It was one of the first 1-1/2" scale railroads to operate as a commercial venture. It was one of the most renowned railroads in Florida, and is mentioned prominently in the book Large-scale Model Railroading by T.A. Hill and W. C. Koster which was published in the mid 1970's.
The FR&S was featured in the 1972 catalog of Koster's Miniature Railroad Supplies:
- The Flat River & Southern is located in North Palm Beach, Florida, built to 1-1/2" scale is open to the public. Ed Pruitt is the owner and welcomes visits by Live Steamers.
The FR&S operated for just under 3 years before it closed. The assets of the railroad were sold at auction.
The Doolittle, Seemore & Nap railroad was built on the same property in the mid 1980's, over a decade after the original FR&S closed.
The propane powered Mogul pauses in front of the road sign for the FR&S. Note the engine house visible in the lower right corner of the photo.
Ed Pruitt at the throttle on the trestle of FR&S
Track plan for the original Flat River and Southern. The waterfall was 15 feet high, and grades exceeded 3% with curves as tight as 35'.
Bill Koster's 4-wheel switcher crossing the trestle on the Flat River & Southern RR. From Koster's Miniature Railroad Supply 1972 catalog.
Koster Switcher at Ruthville Station on Flat River & Southern Railroad. From Koster's Miniature Locomotive Supplies 1972 Catalog.
Koster two-light signal on Flat Springs and Southern Railroad. From Koster's Miniature Locomotive Supplies 1972 Catalog.
Flat River & Southern caboose, from "Large-scale Model Railroading".
A beautiful transformation of a flat area into a railroad with mountains, tunnels and a waterfall, is represented by this photo of the Flat River & Southern Railroad. From "Large-scale Model Railroading".
