Gold Coast Railroad Museum
In the mid-20th century, one of Florida’s three railroad museums, the Gold Coast, opened on the grounds of the former Richmond Military Airfield, next to the Miami Zoo. The place was not chosen by chance: almost 5 km of railroad tracks run through the airbase and some of the exhibits still move around on them today. The museum is dedicated to the history of the creation and development of railroads in Florida and the United States: you can learn all about the construction of highways, the principles of locomotives and wagon construction, as well as see powerful machines in action.
There are about 40 unique objects in the museum: steam and electric locomotives, passenger and freight cars, model trains and station models. Documents, photos and interactive displays complement the exposition.
The most valuable exhibit is the Ferdinand Magellan train car, in which Franklin Roosevelt rode. The 1928 Pullman wagon was converted specifically for the president to provide him with maximum security. The walls, floor, and roof were protected with 15-millimeter nickel armor, and two escape hatches were built into the ceiling and side wall.
For its youngest visitors, the museum has a narrow-gauge children’s railroad, and a popular cartoon character – Thomas the steam train – rides around its territory.
On weekends, you can take a 10-minute ride on an old diesel locomotive around the back of the museum, and every first Saturday of the month – a ride on a single track on a diesel-electric locomotive. It costs $6 USD to ride in the car and $15 USD to ride in the cab with the driver.
In November and December, the museum hosts a Christmas program – a trip to the North Pole on the Polar Express with Santa Claus.
Address: Miami, 12450 SW 152nd St.
How to get there: Take the Metrorail from Government Center Station to Dadeland South Station, then take bus 252 to Sw 152nd St & Sw 129 Av.
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 10:00am to 4:00pm; Saturday-Sunday 11:00am to 4:00pm. Admission for adults: 8 USD, for children from 2 to 12 years: 6 USD. On the first Saturday of the month admission is free (except March).
