Gold Coast Railroad Museum

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:

Children:	$6.00
Adults:	$5.00
Teachers:	Complimentary Admission

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.

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.

We suggest booking at least two months in advance.
Party hours on weekends are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (after-hours party packages are available).
Party area must be cleaned up and all guests and vehicles departed from the property by 4:30 p.m.

Package #1—Sheltered Picnic Party Area

Use of four (4) large picnic tables under the Main Exhibit Building from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Scheduled Private Train Ride on our two-foot gauge Edwin Link “Steam” Train.
A museum staff member will be on hand to assist you.
Your guests may tour our historic trains, historic artifacts and grounds, and have access to our Model Display building, home to our hands-on Thomas the Tank Engine play tables.
Admission for up to 20 guests ages one and up including all adults (additional guests are $6.00 each).

$100	Non-refundable Reservation Fee (the reservation is not confirmed until this fee is received).
+ $100	Payment due on the day of the party.
$200	Total (Based on attendance of 20 guests or less. Total may increase with additional guests.)

Package #2—Air-conditioned Lounge Car

View of exterior of the SAL #6300 Lounge Car.

Exclusive use of the air-conditioned Lounge Car #6300 on Track #1, as well as four (4) large picnic tables alongside the car, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Lounge Car is a guaranteed memorable experience, as well as an excellent way to avoid those excruciatingly hot Florida days.
Scheduled Private Train Ride on our two-foot gauge Edwin Link “Steam” Train.
A museum staff member will be on hand to assist you.
Your guests may tour our historic trains, historic artifacts and grounds, and have access to our Model Display building, home to our hands-on Thomas the Tank Engine play tables.
Admission for up to 25 guests ages one and up including all adults (additional guests are $7.00 each).

$175	Non-refundable Reservation Fee (the reservation is not confirmed until this fee is received).
+ $175	Payment due on the day of the party.
$350	Total (Based on attendance of 25 guests or less. Total may increase with additional guests.)

Package #3—Air-conditioned Lounge Car

Exclusive use of the air-conditioned Lounge Car #254 on Track #1, as well as four (4) large picnic tables alongside the car, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Lounge Car is a guaranteed memorable experience, as well as an excellent way to avoid those excruciatingly hot Florida days.
Scheduled Private Train Ride on our two-foot gauge Edwin Link “Steam” Train.
A museum staff member will be on hand to assist you.
Your guests may tour our historic trains, historic artifacts and grounds, and have access to our Model Display building, home to our hands-on Thomas the Tank Engine play tables.
Admission for up to 25 guests ages one and up including all adults (additional guests are $7.00 each).

$250	Non-refundable Reservation Fee (the reservation is not confirmed until this fee is received).
+ $300	Payment due on the day of the party.
$550	Total (Based on attendance of 25 guests or less. Total may increase with additional guests.)

View of exterior of the ACL #254 Lounge Car.

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.

Film Shoots

Film Shoot

The Gold Coast Railroad Museum offers a variety of different scenic backdrops for filming all located on its 50 acre site. The Museum, which is located just over a mile off of Florida’s Turnpike in South Miami-Dade County has historic railcars, a railroad yard, operating rail equipment, pineland forests, industrial-looking brick structures, and open fields. We are easy to work with and can accommodate most any shooting schedule. The Museum even has railcars that can be rented to serve as dressing/make-up rooms or on site production offices.

Download our Scouting Guide for more information.

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

6:00 am - 8:00 am and 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm - $150 per hour
(This fee includes: A staff member to assist you, reservation fee, gate entrance fee, equipment usage fee (for filming purposes – non-operating), fixed costs (electrical, restrooms, etc…), and after-hours staff costs.

7:00 pm - 6:00 am - $200 per hour
(This fee includes: A staff member to assist you, reservation fee, gate entrance fee, equipment usage fee (for filming purposes – non-operating), fixed costs (electrical, restrooms, etc…), after-hours staff costs and Metro Zoo main gate security fees.

Extras:

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.
Railroad equipment can be moved prior to your shoot in order to create a desired look or equipment can be operated during filming.

To rearrange equipment requires 2 weeks advanced notice and is billed at the rate of $150/hour to set it according to your plan as well as returning the equipment to its original location.
For operations during a filming the rate of $150/hour will be charged. This provides for a two person crew, fuel costs and equipment usage. Please note that if the crew needs to be attired in specific clothing it must be provided by your wardrobe department.

Exclusive Property Use:
For large shoots requiring exclusive use of the Museum (not applicable for night shoots) requiring it to be closed to the general public an additional $1000/day for weekdays and $1500/day for weekends will be imposed to compensate for lost gate revenue.

Additional Information:

Partial hours billed in 1/2 hour increments.
Insurance Certificate is required
Tax will be charged in the absence of an exemption certificate
Minimum shoot time is four hours

For more information, please contact Michael Hall, Executive Director at 786-217-8780 or email executive_director@gcrm.org

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:

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:

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

Download our Scouting Guide for more information.

For more information, please contact Michael Hall, Executive Director, at 786-217-8780 or email executive_director@gcrm.org

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.

Wedding of Bill and Lourdes Metz Over the past five decades, in close cooperation with the Miami Dade County Parks Department, the Gold Coast Railroad Museum has grown into a remarkable historic train and industrial arts collection. The Museum offers train rides on historic rail equipment and is open six days a week to the public (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday), 350 days a year. The railroad museum is not just a collection of trains. It is about families, community, schools and the joy of learning in a historic environment. On its fifty acres of historic property the Museum provides train rides and hosts increasing numbers of guided school field trips with an orientation presentation, lectures, bus tours, birthday parties, weddings, receptions, business and corporate meetings, film shoots and special events that bring the history of trains to life. The mission of the Museum is to serve by educating all the youths and adults who walk through its doors. Its commitment to education focuses on hands-on interdisciplinary and intergenerational exhibits, programs, outreach activities and special events which speak to the richness and diversity of our Florida heritage.

Option A

Rental fees per 3 hour event for the plaza and the lawn (up to 225 guests)

Friday, Saturday, or Sunday:	$400.00
Monday through Thursday:	$250.00

Maximum suggested number of guests is 225. Each additional guest over 225 is $9.50 per guest. Each additional hour $100.00.

Option B

Rental fees per 3 hour event for the Ferdinand Magellan platform ceremony (up to 125 guests)

Friday, Saturday, or Sunday:	$450.00
Monday through Thursday:	$275.00

Maximum suggested number of guests is 125. Each additional guest over 125 is $9.50 per guest. Each additional hour $100.00.

Option C

Rental fees per three hour event for air conditioned lounge car (maximum capacity 55 guests)

Friday, Saturday, or Sunday:	$450.00
Monday through Thursday:	$250.00

Each additional hour $100.00.

The Gold Coast Railroad Museum can work to meet your catering needs and can work with your preffered caterer.

All rentals are subject to 7% Miami-Dade County Sales Tax and a $200 refundable Security Deposit.
Evening rentals after 7:00 p.m. require a $100.00 per hour fee for Zoo Security because we are within the security perimeter of the MetroZoo after closing.
A summer discount of 25% is given during the months of June, July and August.
All prices are subject to change without notice.

For more information, please contact Michael Hall, Executive Director, at 786-217-8780.

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).

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.

Four Hour Package - (Use of the #254 for only 4 hours)
$100.00	Non-refundable Reservation Fee (the reservation is not confirmed until this fee is received).
+ $200.00	Payment due on the day of the meeting.
$300.00	Total (Based on attendance of 45 or guests. Total may increase with additional guests).

Full Day Package - (meeting may start as early as 9 a.m. and run until 4 p.m.)
$100.00	Non-refundable Reservation Fee (the reservation is not confirmed until this fee is received).
+ $300.00	Payment due on the day of the meeting.
$400.00	Total (Based on attendance of 45 or guests. Total may increase with additional guests).

Full Day "Table" Package - (meeting may start as early as 9 a.m. and run until 4 p.m.) Don't need a lounge car? You may use up to five of our picnic tables that are located within the main exhibit building to host your meeting.
$100.00	Non-refundable Reservation Fee (the reservation is not confirmed until this fee is received).
+ $75.00	Payment due on the day of the meeting.
$175.00	Total (Based on attendance of 45 or guests. Total may increase with additional guests).

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.

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.