Museum Grounds Use Information

The Museum grounds are routinely used for a variety of functions including:

• Field Trips

• Birthday Parties

• Events, Meetings, and Weddings

• Film Shoots

• Model/Still Shoots

• Lounge Car Rentals

Please see our Reservation Information section for details on booking your event.

Field Trips

The Museum welcomes school groups and field trips. We offer a unique educational experience for students of all ages. Your groups will enjoy:

• Train Rides.
• Educational Tours.
• Historic Artifacts.
• Picnic Areas.
• Interactive Games.
• Model Trains and Thomas Tables.

Field Trip/Group Rates:

Price includes a ride on our Link Train for all guests and Guided Tour. Allowances may be made for schools on tighter budgets. Field trips require a $60.00 non-refundable security deposit at least two (2) weeks prior to scheduled arrival.

Please see our Reservation Information section for details on booking your trip.

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Birthday Parties

The Museum invites you to plan your birthday celebration in our nostalgic atmosphere.

Amenities include exclusive use of one of our designated Picnic Party Areas consisting of a group of picnic tables under our train shed or use of an air-conditioned Lounge Car (depending on package). During your party, guests can enjoy the Museum's exhibits, including the Model Train room.

Package #1—Sheltered Picnic Party Area

Price includes admission for up to 20 guests, a ride on our Link Train for all guests, and exclusive use of one of our our Picnic Party Areas.
Package #1 requires a $100.00 non-refundable space usage/reservation fee to secure a reservation on a first-come, first-served basis.
An additional $100.00 is required on the day of the party for a total of $200.00. Additional guests are $6.00 per person

Package #2—Air-conditioned Lounge Car

Price includes admission for up to 25 guests, a ride on our Link Train for all guests, and exclusive use of our Seaboard 6300 air-conditioned lounge car.
Package #2 requires a $175.00 non-refundable space usage/reservation fee to secure a reservation on a first-come, first-served basis.
An additional $175.00 is required on the day of the party for a total of $300.00. Additional guests are $7.00 per person.

Big Kid Birthday Party—Air-conditioned Lounge Car

Who says that a railroad party is just for kids? Here is a package for the young at heart. Prior to the Museum opening the "Big Kid" will be trained on basic railroad operating rules and familiarized with the controls of a standard gauge locomotive. Guests will then arrive to celebrate with the "Big Kid" on board the air-conditioned lounge car. Guests will have the opprtunity to explore the Museum and, at the appointed time, climb on the train as the conductor shouts "All aboard." The train departs with the "Big Kid" at the throttle for a special train ride. Two guests will be able to ride in the cab with the "Big Kid" as they engineer the train (under supervision of a certified locomotive engineer).

Price includes a membership to the Gold Coast Railroad Museum for the "Big Kid," training at the controls of a standard gauge locomotive for the "Big Kid," exclusive use of our Atlantic Coast Line #254 Lounge Car, admission and standard gauge train ride for up to 20 guests, and a cab ride for 2 guests.
The Big Kid Birthday Party Package requires a $250 non-refundable deposit to secure a reservation on a first-come, first-served basis.
An additional $300.00 is due the day of the party for a total of $550.00. Each additional guest over the 20 included is $12.00.

Requirements for the "Big Kid" are:

• Must be 18 years of age and speak and understand English.
• May not have consumed alcohol 12 hours prior to classroom instruction and/or locomotive operation or be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
• Must have completed a membership application (since insurance regulations require that persons operating Gold Coast Railroad Museum equipment must be members.)

We have the room to host multiple parties at the same time and can offer special rates for schools and other special needs.

Please see our Reservation Information section for availability and details on booking your party.

Feel free to download the more detailed Party and Event Information Sheet.

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Film Shoots

Please call Rick Olsen at 305-253-6240 for more details or email executive_director@gcrm.org

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Model/Still Shoots

Fee Structure:
8:00 am - 4:00 pm - $100 per hour
(This fee includes: A staff member to assist you, reservation fee, gate entrance fee, equipment usage fee (for photographic purposes – non-operating), and fixed costs (electrical, restrooms, etc…)

6:00 am - 8:00 am and 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm - $125 per hour
(This fee includes: A staff member to assist you, reservation fee, gate entrance fee, equipment usage fee (for photographic purposes – non-operating), fixed costs (electrical, restrooms, etc…), and after-hours staff costs.

7:00 pm - 6:00 am - $175 per hour
 (This fee includes: A staff member to assist you, reservation fee, gate entrance fee, equipment usage fee (for photographic purposes – non-operating), fixed costs (electrical, restrooms, etc…), after-hours staff costs and Metro Zoo main gate security fees.

Extras:

1. An air conditioned train car for make-up and dressing room or on-site production office use is available.  Up to three of these cars are available at an additional $25 per hour each.

Additional Information:

1. Partial hours billed in 1/2 hour increments. 
2. Insurance Certificate is required
3. Tax will be charged in the absence of an exemption certificate
4. Minimum shoot time is four hours
5. Additional fees apply with regard to operating/relocating equipment.

Download our Scouting Guide for more information.

Please call Rick Olsen at 305-253-6240 for more details or email executive_director@gcrm.org

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Events, Meetings, and Weddings

The Museum's plaza area, main display shed, and several air-conditioned lounge cars are available for meetings, weddings, and other events.

Fees vary based on time and the number of people. Please consult the Party and Event Information Sheet or call for more details.

The area of Museum property desired for the service or reception must be approved by the Museum in advance. Generally, most of our train cars are not available for events with the exception of our lounge cars (see Lounge Car rental section). Tax will be added to total bill.

Large events and/or multi-day events requiring significant use of the grounds, including closing the Museum during the event, require significant lead time (a minimum of one month is recommended).

Pictured here are Bill and Lourdes Metz.

Please see our Reservation Information section for availability and details on booking your event.

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Business Meeting

The Museum has a lounge car which is now available for rent. The ACL Observation Bar Lounge #254 is sure to offer a very unique place to conduct your next business meeting. The air-conditioned lounge car can accommodate up to 45 people and is ready for catered events such as business meetings. After hours use can be arranged. Please follow the link to see photos of the car.

ACL Observation Bar Lounge #254

We require a $60.00 security deposit. Tax will be added to total bill.

Please consult the Party and Event Information Sheet or call for more details.

Please see our Reservation Information section for availability and details on booking your rental.

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Reservations Information

For reservations, availability, or other information, call 305-253-0063 during regular weekday hours, or e-mail reservations@gcrm.org.

Please consult the Party and Event Information Sheet or call for more details.

Driving Directions and other Contact Information.

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