Fort Myers, Fl (April 5, 2009) — The Gulf Coast Model Railroad at Shell Point Retirement Community is welcoming visitors from all over the Southwest Florida area during the spring break vacations. Located on the Island at Shell Point, the “Train Room” as it is called by the Shell Point residents, offers a very unique look at the state of Florida.
The 40’ X40’ model train display is in the shape of the state of Florida, and features hundreds of recognizable geographic landmarks such as Tallahassee’s old Capitol Building, Pensacola freight yards, the Gator Bowl in Gainesville, Epcot and Disney World, Kennedy Space Center with an orbiting Space Shuttle, Miami’s famous beaches, the Everglades and even Shell Point Retirement Community. The display also features several hundred buildings, automobiles, trucks, tractors, and even people. Originally built in 1971, by a group of residents who enjoyed model railroads as a hobby, the Gulf Coast Model Railroad is operated and maintained by Shell Point resident volunteers. Six to eight trains run around the nearly 750 feet of track, and on about 100 turnouts, or switches. The switches and trains are motivated electronically from four console panels.
Visitors can stop by to see the Gulf Coast Model Railroad for free on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Special tours can be scheduled for those who are not able to visit during the normal operating hours. The Train Room is located on the Island at Shell Point, underneath the Resident Activity Room in the Tunnel. Please call (239) 454-2152 to make arrangements.
Shell Point Retirement Community is a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community located in Fort Myers just off Summerlin Road, two miles before the Sanibel causeway. Shell Point is a nationally recognized leader in the retirement industry with CARF-CCAC accreditations, and holds a 5-star rating from the Federal government for the Larsen Pavilion, a skilled nursing facility on site.
