Customer Reviews

Florida's Great Ocean Railway: Building the Key West Extension

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Florida's Great Ocean Railway: Building The Key West Extension by former college professor, professional boat captain, environmental guide, editor and writer Dan Gallagher is a meticulous study of the construction of a railway line that required extensive logistics, meticulous planning, as well as more than a decade of labor from 1905 to 1916, before it could be put into service. Black-and-white photographs fill the pages of this fascinating historical account which presents the impressive story of shaping dream into reality over the course of years and back-breaking effort. Florida's Great Ocean Railway is very highly recommended reading -- especially for railroading buffs.

Reading Les Standiford work on Henry Flagler's railroad folly naturally led me to Gallagher's FLORIDA'S GREAT OCEAN RAILROAD: BUILDING THE KEY WEST EXTENSION. This book is a wonderful review of the failed railroad. So many great pictures I had never seen before. The railroad could with stand hurricanes but the engineering for the day was marvelous. Take time to read this book if you are a fan of Florida history, railroads, engineering or the Keys. Well worth your time. RECOMMENDED.

The book captures, in a very readable fashion, the extraordinary daring and effort involved in creating the Key West extension. The engineering efforts involved become clear through the writing and the excellent, complementary diagrams,maps, and photographs. You need not be a railroad buff to appreciate this book; the book is ultimately about the spirit of adventure.

i got this book for my dad, it arrived promptly and he enjoyed it. thank you.