Gold Coast Railroad Museum in Miami: Visitor’s Guide

What is the Gold Coast Railroad Museum?

The Gold Coast Railroad Museum is a Miami railway museum that can excite not only children but also train enthusiasts and those interested in the history of this fascinating mode of transportation. The museum was founded in 1956 and officially became one of the three state railroad museums in Florida in 1984, meeting the four essential criteria: being open to the public, non-profit, dedicated to preserving railway history, and primarily focused on the dissemination of the history of trains and the railroad system.

The Gold Coast Railroad Museum was built on the property that once housed the Naval Air Station Richmond, a former naval airbase.

Inside the museum, you’ll find not only over 30 vintage trains and railcars but also interactive exhibits, artifacts, films, and railway memorabilia. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to board one or more of the antique trains, access the locomotive cab of some of them, and on weekends, for an additional cost, take a 10-minute ride within the property on the Link train or a 25-minute ride on the Standard Gauge train on the first Saturday of the month.

Location

The Gold Coast Railroad Museum is located at 12450 Southwest 152nd Street in Miami. The museum is right next to the Miami Zoo.

If you have a car, you can reach the museum from South Beach and Downtown Miami in about 45 minutes by taking FL 874 S or US 1-S.

You can also reach the museum by bus. Take bus 252 and get off at the SW 124 Avenue / Gold Coast Rail Road Muse stop, which is about a 6-minute walk away.

For more information on getting around the city, please refer to our guide on how to get around in Miami.

Gold Coast Railroad Museum Tickets and Hours

The ticket prices for the Gold Coast Railroad Museum are as follows:

• Adults: $12
• Children (ages 3-12): $10
• Seniors (55 and older): $5

Children under 2 years old and active-duty military personnel enter for free. Those who have a valid Miami Zoo ticket are eligible for a $2 discount.

The Ferdinand Magellan train tour costs $5 per person.

During weekends, weather permitting, you can take a 10-minute ride on the Link train within the property for $5 per person. The cost for a 25-minute ride on the Standard Gauge train is $8 per person, while on the Railroad Speeder, it is $3 per person. However, these last two rides are generally only available on the first Saturday of the month and on selected Saturdays at the museum’s discretion.

The museum is open on:

• Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

The museum remains closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. For more information, please visit the official website.

On the first Saturday of every month, you can enter the museum for free as part of the Free First Saturday initiative.

Attractions and Things to See

The Gold Coast Railroad Museum is definitely a must-visit for train enthusiasts and those interested in learning more about the history of this mode of transportation that has facilitated the movement of people and goods for centuries.

The museum features an intriguing model train room, Thomas Play Tables where children can play and have fun with trains and tracks, displays of railway artifacts and equipment, informative films, and both indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces.

However, the highlight of the museum is undoubtedly its train yard, which houses 12 vintage trains, 10 of which are open to the public for visiting and photography. Among these, the following are particularly interesting:

• The Presidential Pullman Passenger Car Ferdinand Magellan US Car #1: This 1928 car is the only train car specifically built for a United States President. It was one of the last privately built cars and is part of a group of six cars named after famous explorers. The cost for a tour inside this car is $5.
• The Seaboard Air Line Railroad (SAL) Passenger Combination Baggage-Coach #259: This car was designed to accommodate both passengers and baggage. It is also known as the “Jim Crow” car and was recognized as a Historic Rail Object from 2001 to 2003 due to its historical significance. It features 18 seats in the front section and 24 seats in the rear section, designated for seating African Americans during the era of racial segregation.
• The Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) Passenger Coach #136: Built in 1925 and retired in 1958, FEC #136 was primarily used during the winter months and connected Jacksonville, Key West, and Havana. It was used in 1935 to evacuate people from the Keys before a severe hurricane. The train operates on the first Saturday of every month, offering a tour that includes a 20-minute ride within the property.
• The Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) Maintenance of Way Car Renumbered as #1996: Built in 1965 by the American Car & Foundry Co. for the Pacific Union, this car now hosts a photographic exhibit inside.
• The U.S. Army Hospital Car #89436: Constructed in 1945, it served as a “mobile hospital” during World War II. Typically, it transported one doctor, two nurses, four staff members, and could accommodate up to 33 patients.
• The Western Pacific “California Zephyr” Vista Dome Car “Silver Crescent”: The California Zephyr operated on the Chicago, Illinois – Oakland, California route from 1949 to 1970. Covering a distance of over 2,485 mi, with an average speed of 27 mi/h, the train took approximately two and a half days to travel between the two cities.
• The Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) Steam Locomotive #153 and #113: FEC #153 was built in 1922 and used until 1938. In 1928, it pulled a train carrying President Calvin Coolidge on his journey to Miami. FEC #113 was constructed between 1910 and 1917, also by ALCO.
• The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (ACL) Caboose #0322: This caboose was built in 1923 in Georgia and served as the last car in ACL freight trains. It is now used as the last car in the museum’s trains during the monthly tours within the property.
• The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (ACL) Observation Bar Lounge #254 and Seaboard Air Line Coach/Tavern Car #6300: Both of these cars can be reserved for birthday parties or special events by contacting the museum directly.

The Gold Coast Railroad Museum offers a captivating experience for both train enthusiasts and those interested in the rich history of railways.

Places to Stay 

Gold Coast Railroad Museum is located near the Miami Zoo, and there are several hotels in the area to choose from. However, in general, I would recommend selecting a location closer to downtown Miami or Miami Beach to avoid long commutes to other tourist attractions in the city. By reading our article on where to stay in Miami, you will find insights and recommendations to choose the best area that suits your preferences.