Miami, FL
Gold Coast Railroad Museum
4.2· 1,168 Google reviews
At a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-23- TypeNonprofit railroad museum with narrow-gauge, standard-gauge, cab, and speeder rides
- LocationMiami, FL
- Rating4.2 ★1,168 Google reviews
About Gold Coast Railroad Museum
Gold Coast Railroad Museum preserves, exhibits, and operates historic railroad equipment on part of former Naval Air Station Richmond in southwest Miami. The collection includes more than 40 historic railcars, Florida East Coast steam locomotive 153, and the Presidential Rail Car Ferdinand Magellan, alongside model trains, an NAS Richmond exhibit, Thomas play tables, and rail-equipment displays. The museum currently advertises Link, standard-gauge coach, locomotive-cab, and speeder rides, but explicitly makes every ride subject to volunteer staffing and equipment availability and asks visitors to call ahead.
Plan a Gold Coast Railroad Museum Visit
Choose the visit that fits your groupFamilies and visitors seeking the most frequent ride pattern
Link train
Take a 10-minute two-foot-gauge ride around the back of the property when weather, staff, and equipment permit.
Rail enthusiasts and repeat visitors
Standard-gauge Saturday rides
Compare first-Saturday coach trips with Saturday cab and speeder formats; each has its own fare and schedule.
History and equipment enthusiasts
Historic railcar collection
See Ferdinand Magellan, FEC 153, dozens of railcars, model trains, and NAS Richmond interpretation.
Families building a full-day South Miami itinerary
Zoo Miami
Add the independently ticketed, open-air zoo next door only if the day has enough time and walking capacity.
Current Operating Status
Complete official operating-status check
Four recurring ride formats advertised · call ahead for day-of operation
The official train-rides page publishes open-ended weekly and first-Saturday patterns rather than a bounded date inventory. Every ride is explicitly subject to volunteer staff and equipment availability; the Link train is also weather permitting, and the museum asks visitors to call ahead. This complete decision therefore carries one operating-status row with dates: [] rather than manufacturing daily occurrences or an end date. It excludes past event-page listings and private bookings. Return to occurrence mode only when the operator exposes exact dated inventory or a bounded recurrence. Check official operating status ↗
Plan Your Visit
- ParkingThe museum says it is next to Zoo Miami and is the second entrance on the right; do not assume shared admission, entrance, or parking
- AccessibilityService animals are welcome; no current ride vehicle, transfer, platform, surface, or securement specifications are published, so call before an access-dependent visit
- Museum HoursWednesday-Friday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Monday-Tuesday
- Museum AdmissionAdults $12; children ages 3-12 $10; ages 2 and under free; seniors 65+ $8
- DiscountsMilitary free; AAA buy-one-get-one; Museums for All with EBT/WIC $3 for up to four people; one promotion per transaction
- Ride StatusRecurring rides are advertised, but volunteers, equipment, and weather control day-of operation; call ahead
- Link Train10 minutes; weekdays 12, 1:30, 3; weekends hourly 11-3; $10; weather permitting
- Standard Gauge25 minutes; first Saturday monthly at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30; $15
- Cab Ride25 minutes; Saturdays at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30; $20
- Speeder20 minutes; Saturdays at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30; $10
- CollectionMore than 40 historic railcars, Ferdinand Magellan, FEC 153, model railroad room, NAS Richmond exhibit, Thomas play tables
- Contact305-253-0063
- TimezoneAll published hours are local Eastern Time
Find the Depot
The Trains
The museum distinguishes a one-of-a-kind two-foot-gauge Link train, standard-gauge passenger-car or caboose rides, standard-gauge locomotive cab rides, and railroad speeder rides. The broader collection includes more than 40 historic railcars, FEC steam locomotive 153, and U.S. Car No. 1 Ferdinand Magellan. A published ride type or preserved vehicle does not guarantee a particular consist or operating locomotive on the day of a visit.
History
FEC steam locomotive 153 arrived and the Miami Railroad Historical Society formed.
The presidential railcar Ferdinand Magellan arrived at the south campus.
The collection moved to Port Everglades after leaving the university site.
The museum returned to the former NAS Richmond property in Miami.
Hurricane Andrew severely damaged the museum and collection.
See full history
The museum began after University of Miami student William J. Godfrey proposed using unused track at the university's south campus. Florida East Coast locomotive 153 arrived in 1957, Ferdinand Magellan followed in 1959, and the organization later operated near Port Everglades before returning in 1984 to part of the former NAS Richmond property. Hurricane Andrew devastated the site in 1992; rebuilding continued into the next decade.
Around the Depot
Zoo Miami is the independently operated neighbor at the adjacent SW 152nd Street address. It offers a substantial open-air wildlife day, but uses its own entrance, tickets, hours, parking plan, and accessibility arrangements; do not treat it as part of railroad museum admission.
Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Compare the attraction location with your airport or lodging before deciding whether a rental car fits the trip.
Compare rentals on Discover Cars →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Tours & Activities near Miami
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
Browse nearby tours →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are train rides guaranteed?
No. The museum explicitly says all rides depend on volunteer staff and equipment availability, and the Link train is weather permitting. Call 305-253-0063 before a ride-dependent visit.
When is the museum open?
Wednesday-Friday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Monday and Tuesday are closed. Holiday and operational changes can apply.
How much is museum admission?
At the source check, adults are $12, ages 3-12 are $10, ages 2 and under are free, and seniors 65+ are $8. Ride tickets cost extra.
What rides are advertised?
A 10-minute Link train, 25-minute first-Saturday standard-gauge coach ride, 25-minute Saturday cab ride, and 20-minute Saturday speeder ride.
What can I see without riding?
More than 40 historic railcars, Ferdinand Magellan, FEC steam locomotive 153, model trains, the NAS Richmond exhibit, play tables, and rail displays.
Is the ride wheelchair accessible?
The museum does not publish enough current vehicle, platform, transfer, surface, or securement detail to promise ride access. Call before an access-dependent trip.
Is Zoo Miami included?
No. Zoo Miami is next door but independently operated with separate admission, entrance, hours, and visit planning.
Where should I enter?
Use 12450 SW 152nd Street. The museum says it is next to Zoo Miami at the second entrance on the right; follow current signs.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 23, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official museum home page for identity, hours, admission, collection, policies, address, and phone
- Official train-rides page for ride types, schedules, durations, fares, and availability limits
- Official museum history for founding, moves, equipment, and Hurricane Andrew recovery
- Official FAQ reviewed for operational planning questions
- Official railcar collection page for equipment identities and access distinctions
- Official Ferdinand Magellan page for presidential-car history and landmark context
- OpenStreetMap geocoding attribution