Whether it’s during planning meetings or at the groundbreaking ceremony, Plant City’s train-viewing platform committee can’t talk about the community’s future amenity without mentioning the Folkston Funnel.
Plant City’s train-viewing platform, which is currently under construction by the depot, is loosely based on the small Georgia town’s platform. The Folkston Funnel is a double track that serves as the main artery for railroad traffic into and out of Florida.
Like Folkston’s platform, Plant City’s will have a scanner to hear the transmissions between trains. Both platforms also have restored depots. However, when complete, Plant City’s version will feature a 14-foot tower, in addition to the lower deck platform. Overall, it’s bigger.
“(They’re) amazing — the train enthusiasts,” committee member and Plant City Commissioner Mike Sparkman said.
Like Plant City, Folkston draws many train hobbyists. While Plant City has around 25 trains come through daily, Folkston has 70 trains chugging through.
People from all over the world flock to Folkston to watch the trains and snap a picture of notable locomotives, such as the Tropicana train. Dawn Malin, the director of the Okefenokee Chamber of Commerce and Folkston/Charlton County Development Authority, said she’s met people from Spain, the United Kingdom and beyond.
“I wake up every morning and am just amazed by the people,” Malin said.
Visitors aren’t the only ones impressed by the town’s trains. Not one of Folkston’s 2,500 residents doesn’t have their day interrupted by the whistle of a passing train or the roar of its wheels sliding against the steel tracks.
In fact, it was a resident who first brought up the idea of creating a platform for safe viewing. Cookie Wilson had lived in Folkston since the 1970s and was an avid train-watcher.
When Dixie McGurn became mayor in 1998, Wilson talked to her about his longtime wish of a train-viewing platform. McGurn thought it was a wonderful idea but also had a few doubts.
“I was kind of apprehensive about all this,” McGurn said. “But having watched Mr. Cookie and others, it made sense.”
The city secured $30,000 from the state to build the platform. The labor came from a state-prison program.
After the opening dedication in 2001, the train platform continues to draw tourists. Folkston hosts an annual Rail Watch Weekend every April.
“It’s not like a festival; it’s more like a family reunion,” Malin said.
About 2,000 train hobbyists gather to cook out, socialize and of course watch the trains. The city also strings up lights, so visitors can participate in the annual photography contest.
Plant City hopes to host a similar celebration. Sparkman said the downtown merchants and the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce thought that an event right before the Strawberry Festival — in January or February — would be ideal.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.