Gold Coast Railroad Museum — Attraction in Goulds

This place is amazing. Definitely has a lot of equipment that is interesting to look at and walk into when the exhibits are open. Rail car one or the presidential rail car is a sight to see. The NASA locomotive is incredible to see up close knowing it pulled SRB segments for the shuttle. Definitely would want to come back for Christmas. The model trains was like walking into a heaven for model train nerds. I came for one of their free Saturdays. Where getting in was free. Riding the train was a cost but for $20 bucks it wasn’t much to help them restore some of the trains. Highly recommend

Posting this as well. On the behalf of a friend and something I wish more people knew about this museum.

I am very sorry some reviewers were disappointed in their visit to The Gold Coast Railroad Museum (GCRM). I have been a Member and a Volunteer at GCRM for almost 10 years now. I understand your concerns. What you do not understand is that GCRM is run by a small underpaid staff and a lot of volunteers like myself that spend our free time and our own money to make the place the best we can. We are not the Smithsonian or Disney and we do not even get that much help from the County, so we make due on Memberships, Admissions, Events, Photo and Film Shoots and Donations.

To the negative reviewers. Did you not see Presidential Rail Car No. 1, the Ferdinand Magellan. Did you not feel any of the history that one of a kind railcar holds? FDR and Churchill discussed D-Day plans in that car. Truman made more than 300 Whistle Stop speeches from that car in 1948 and won reelection. In 1984 Reagan retraced Truman’s route of 1948 and made speeches from the rear platform and won reelection.

Did you get to see the 70 Ton NASA Skirt Car, that carried parts of the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters at Kenndy Space Center during the Shuttle program. It is one of only two ever made. Did you see NASA 2, one of two NASA Switchers that served the NASA Railroad from the early space programs up to the Shuttle that are at GCRM.

I could go on, our FEC No. 153 Steam Locomotive is a National Landmark, having pulled the last train out of The Keys before the devastating 1935 Labor Day Weekend Hurricane destroyed the Key West Extension. There is so much history that comes alive at The Gold Coast Railroad Museum.

The Gold Coast Railroad Museum is a Hidden Gem in Miami and a lot of people love it for what it is and appreciate what it takes to maintain. Sadly, some “Reviewers”, “Guides”, did not seem to take that into consideration when posting...

It doesn’t feel good to write such a bad review, especially for something meant to commemorate some overlooked history. Unfortunately, this place is in pure disarray. If it weren’t for the gift shop and admissions fee, you could easily mistake this for a landfill rather than a functioning museum.

Simply put, it feels unsafe. Planks of wood seem to almost buckle under each light step, metallic bars are coated with enough rust to ponder a tetanus shot, and some of the steps to climb onto these trains have more of the making of a slice of Swiss cheese than a surprisingly not defunct exhibit. Yes, these trains have fared a lot, and age was bound to catch up with them, but these trains are also left almost entirely unprotected by the elements. Exposure to the Miami humidity and consistent rain over these last few decades have certainly left their impact on these corroding giants.

Additionally, it is unclear at many points what is accessible and what is not. For example, the Model Train room is located in an area most guests would assume would be out of bounds. After all, the broken concrete on the path towards there gives off an abandoned warehouse vibe. For those who accidentally wanders into the room, it’s not much worth seeing. That is unless you’re the exterminator the museum has hired because then you’ll definitely need to deal with the termites that have certainly destroyed one of the legs of the antique cash registers. There is a display on African American history in the back of the Model Room, but without any context or description to the pieces on display—much less the lack of a guide or curator to answer questions—it really doesn’t leave an impact. I hate saying that. There is some crucial history that needs to be told to help show some of the injustices of the Jim Crow era, but this display—including other displays in this museum—simply does not.

I could go on about the poor design layout, the questionable decision to make the “Ferdinand Magellan” only accessible through a non-advertised tour, and other issues like a lack of interior lighting in some of these trains. Don’t just take my word for it, please feel free to experience this yourself. All in all, if the volunteers here truly do care about preserving history, then preserve it. Do a better job communicating these stories we don’t know. Until then, I believe there will be more bright-eyed visitors like myself coming in excited, only to quickly lose their train of thought, forever pondering why they came here in the...

Stepping into the Gold Coast Railroad Museum felt like embarking on a voyage through history itself. Nestled in the heart of Miami, this hidden gem beckons both train enthusiasts and history buffs alike with its impressive collection and immersive exhibits.

From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by the sheer scale of the museum. Vintage locomotives stood proudly on display, each one a testament to America's rich railroad heritage. The meticulous restoration of these trains transported me back to a bygone era, where steam and steel connected cities and fueled industrial growth.

One of the highlights was exploring the Presidential Railcar "Ferdinand Magellan," which once served presidents such as Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman. Stepping inside this beautifully preserved car felt like stepping into history itself, imagining the pivotal moments and decisions made within its walls.

The museum's knowledgeable staff added depth to the experience, sharing fascinating anecdotes and historical insights. Their passion for trains was infectious, making every exhibit come alive with stories and significance.

For families, the Gold Coast Railroad Museum offers a perfect blend of education and entertainment. Children marveled at the towering engines and interactive displays, gaining a newfound appreciation for the engineering marvels that shaped our nation.

As I strolled through the outdoor exhibits, I couldn't help but marvel at the museum's commitment to preserving these artifacts. The sprawling grounds allowed me to admire locomotives from different eras, each lovingly restored and meticulously maintained.

In conclusion, my visit to the Gold Coast Railroad Museum was nothing short of extraordinary. Whether you're a train aficionado, a history buff, or simply curious about America's railroad legacy, this museum promises an unforgettable journey through time. It's a place where nostalgia meets innovation, where stories of the past are told through the power of steam and steel. I left with a newfound admiration for the ingenuity of railroad pioneers and a deeper understanding of their enduring impact on our...