Joe Moyer, Mr. Moe and Chris Belland

The Conch Tour Train employees enjoyed a picture-perfect summer picnic with our friends at the Old Town Trolley. The weather cooperated this year and we were able to hold the event at our favorite venue, Higgs Beach.  We had an amazing day this year, instead of our rainy-day alternative location in our Round House.

Chef Jim Lamberson

Our chief cooks, Safety Jim Lamberson and Mechanic Hank Amole, presided over the smoky grills, serving up burgers, sausages, hot dogs, chicken and garlic shrimp. Chips, salads and gooey desserts rounded out the menu. Runners were dispatched from the Conch Train Round House and the Trolley Barn to take plates back to those still at work. We caught up with our CASTmembers and their ever growing families, pet visiting dogs, played catch, peered over the seawall at the local fauna, and ate too much. It was a very satisfactory event!

After the relatively cold, wet winter, summer arrived with a bang and temperatures soared to near record heights. All employees are advised to drink plenty of water, and we make certain to pass that caution on to our guests, as well. We all have access to rehydrating drinks and are offered neck wear designed to cool through evaporation.

We continue to see cruise ship passengers on the island through the summer months and welcome those travelers, as well as the foreign visitors and Florida families who also fill the seats on the Conch Tour Train. 

Operations Manager Linda Test, Head Sales Rep Nancy Bartlett, and Chief Operating Officer Herschel Hayo.

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On Sunday May, 9th, 2010 the Conch Train would like you to celebrate Mother’s Day with us!  See the Best on the train tour that’s been entertaining visitors to the Island City of Key West, Florida since 1958. The Conch Tour Train is one of Florida’s most popular attractions, and for a good reason. Our expert ‘engineers’ and friendly staff have delighted over 15 million guests.
After a great day aboard, all mom’s are invited to wander across the street to Mattheessen’s Ice Cream Shop and redeem your coupon for some free ice cream courtesy of us.  We hope we can make your Mother’s Day special!  See you Sunday!

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During her visit Behati decided to take a ride on the Conch Tour Train to see all the great sites of Key West.

On Thursday March 11th, 2010, Victoria Secret hosted a free concert in Mallory Square for Spring Break 2010.  This is a special event was for members of their “PINK Nation”, an exclusive club where members receive free gifts, exclusive offers, special access and the inside scoop on everything PINK. (Victoria’s Secret younger range clothing line)

High School Musical's Ashley Tisdale celebrated the launch of Victoria's Secret new fragrance collection Life is Pink.

Key West’s landmark Mallory Square was transformed into the definitive spring break destination complete with a PINK-ified Pop-Up Shop featuring must have Spring Break items, a photo booth and musical performances by One Republic and Matt White. PINK Nation event goers are invited to participate in Spring Break activities such as silk screening tees, corn hole, friendship bracelet making and much more.
Along with the participating performers were Victoria’s Secret model Behati Prinsloo and High School Music Star Ashley Tisdale who was celebrating the launch of a new fragrance collection Life is Pink.

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The history of Key West has been greatly impacted by the lives of its African American citizens.  Their influences can be found today all over the island and many which can be seen on our tour.

Sandy Cornish (Uncle Sandie) a freed slave who became a successful businessman and community leader.  He built one of the most well recognized churches on the island, the Cornish African Methodist Episcopal Church at 702 Whitehead Street.  It is famous for the stained glass over the front door which is said to represent the eye of God.

At Higgs Beach you will find the African Cemetery.    Two US gunboats, the Mohawk and the Wyandotte captured two slave ships, the Wildfire and the Williams, and brought them to Key West.  The citizens of Key West donated food, clothing, and care.  Many of the slaves died from the harrowing journey and 294 of them were buried in a mass grave.  The grave was undetected for nearly 150 years.  In 2002 a consecration ceremony took place and today this hallowed ground has been lovingly preserved.  Mel Fisher’s Maritime Museum has done a display on the cemetery that warrants a visit.

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Each year, more than 30 thousand visitors flock to our small island to partake in the 10 day celebration called Fantasy Fest.  As the party was ending on Duval Street a different party of sorts was just beginning.  For the past 28 years, Historic Tours of America, Inc. has organized Children’s Day, a family oriented event that  draws hundreds of kids dressed in their Halloween Costumes to Bayview Park.  On this gorgeous and a little steamy Sunday in the park, each child had the opportunity to enter in costumes contests, play games, ride rides, and eat lunch with their families.  Entertainment was provided by the local high school band, dance team and gymnasts. Anyone who wanted a free ride aboard the Conch Tour Train was granted one and the Old Town Trolley was on site to provide seating for anyone with tiresome feet.

First State Bank of the Florida Keys graciously helps out every year in the organization and is greatly in charge of the costume competition that all kids could enter.

Booths filled with food and games lined the grass around the bandstand all raising money for local charities and organizations.  A special thank you goes out to the Finance Department at Historic Tours of America, Inc. (our parent company) for their hard work and dedication in organizing this years’ celebration.

The grounds at Bayview Park were filled with games and food booths.

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Key West Attractions Association President Sarah Knott (left) with We're Glad You're Here Volunteers Tom Lavender and Loretta Uhl.

The Key West Attractions Association, of which we are a member of, has started a fabulous new program called We’re Glad You’re Here.  Volunteers will be posted at high traffic areas around down town such as the Southernmost Point, Duval Street, the cruise ship dock, to assist visitors with questions they may have.  They don’t make recommendations or suggestions on how to spend time, but direct guests towards the attractions, shops, restaurants and beaches they may be looking for.  They are also available to take pictures since so often, vacation pictures are always missing someone…the photographer.

Keep an eye out for the volunteers. They are wearing red aprons and  straw hats with large red bands that say We’re Glad You’re Here.  And we sure are!

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This Sunday, September 6, is Local’s Day here in Key West and that means free admission for all Monroe County residents.  In addition to the Conch Train, the Key West Aquarium, Harry S. Truman Little White House and the Key West Shipwreck Treasures Museum are participating so make a day of it!  All you have to do is bring a id with your local address on it and enjoy the day on us.  It’s a great way to reacquaint yourself with the city or if you live up the Keys, to come to Key West and play tourist for the day.

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Here at the Conch Train, we are in the business of sharing this beautiful island we call home with thousands of visitors everyday. As such, each one of us is responsible for keeping it clean and green not only for our visitors, but for ourselves and

future generations. We have made great strides in the last year in our operations to reduce, reuse and recycle. We have eliminated styrofoam, gone to bottle less water coolers and recycling anything we can get our hands on to. Our vehicles have been running on clean burning propane since we started over 50 years ago. In the Great Law of the Iroquois it is written, “In every deliberation we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.” On the seventh day of every month all of our CASTmembers wear their “Love Your Island” t-shirts to remind ourselves, our guests and our residents of our responsibility be good keepers of planet earth for the next generations to enjoy.

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We are still riding on our Today Show high.  The Conch Train and engineer Bruce Dodge were invited by the Today Show to escort Al Roker for  his 7:30 weather live broadcast.  The whole day was great fun for visitors and residents alike!

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Vickie Clark, Matt Lauer and Linda Test

Today Show weatherman Al Roker

Matt Lauer of NBC's Today Show

It’s not every day the Al Roker of the Today Show decides to make his entrance for the weather on the Conch Train, but that is exactly what happened  yesterday.  Al, along with co anchor Matt Lauer, spent time in the Southernmost City for their series, Today Takes A Vacation.   While Al was busy riding the Conch Train, Matt Lauer managed to meet veteran sales rep Vickie Clark and Director of Key West Operations, Linda Test.

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