The Florida Railroad Museum

The beginnings of the Florida Railroad Museum actually predate the museum itself. A form of the museum was started in 1981 and the museum itself was later recognized in 1982 as the official State of Florida railroad museum. Located in Parrish, Florida today the museum highlights railroading in general but tries to cover Florida’s rail history in particular. Along with featuring several pieces of rolling stock and locomotives (including a number of operational diesels, an Alco RS3, EMD GP7, and GE 44-tonner) the museum also has several other activities you can take part in. Below is a brief history and overview of the museum courtesy of the Florida Railroad Museum:

The Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum, Inc. was founded in 1981 to acquire, protect, preserve and operate interesting and historic examples of railroad rolling stock, artifacts, and other aspects of railroad history, with emphasis on railroads that served the state of Florida. It is a not for profit Florida corporation and has IRS 501 (c) 3 tax status. In 1982, it was named an official State of Florida Railroad Museum by the Florida Legislature.

Operated entirely by volunteers, the museum is located in Manatee County at the town of Parrish on US 301. The museum operates excursion trains consisting of its own rolling stock every weekend, year round. The trains board on 83rd Street East just behind the Parrish post office. Currently, the trains are diesel powered and include open window coaches, a covered gondola, air conditioned coaches and a lounge car.

The museum currently operates diesel powered trips every weekend, year round. Trains depart from our station on 83rd Street East in Parrish, behind the Post Office. The 1.5 hour trip departs Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, rain or shine. Special weekend events are planned year-round.

Train Schedule

Trains depart from the Parrish station at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM every Saturday and Sunday. The 1.5 hour trip runs rain or shine.

Special Event weekends are held throughout the year. Be sure to check for Events as the operating schedule may change to accommodate those weekends.

2008 Fares

Adults $11.00: Ages 12 & Up

Children: $7.00 Ages 3-11

Infants: Free Ages 3 & Under

* Ticket prices vary during special event weekends. Check the Events schedule for details.

Reservations are not required for general admission weekends. Tickets are sold at the station in Parrish.

Tickets for special event weekends may be purchased in advance through our Online Ticket Office.

Special Services

Train Charters: Available during the week with advance notice. Great for school trips or large special events.

Car Charters: You can charter an entire car for your own family, group, or organization. Car charters run on regular weekend trips.

The Birthday Caboose: The Birthday Caboose is available on weekend trips for your private birthday parties.

Cab Rides: Available on weekend trips, available first come, first served. $20 for Adults and $16 for Children. A great treat for railfans!

Group Rates: Discount fares are available for groups of 20 people or more. Advance notice is required for the discount rate to be applicable. Please call or e-mail us for details or to make a reservation.

For more reading about Florida railroading you might be interested in Last Train to Paradise: Henry Flagler and the Spectacular Rise and Fall of the Railroad that Crossed an Ocean from author Les Standiford. The book details Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast and it’s building of the spectacular Key West Extension, a very long railroad bridge that connected the Key West island chain with the mainland of Florida. The bridge and extension were lost with the massive 1935 Hurricane but the bridge supports remain today carrying Highway 1 to connect the Keys to the mainland.

If you have any interest in the Florida East Coast, also consider the book below written by Seth Bramson. In Speedway to Sunshine the author gives an excellent historical background on the FEC from its beginnings through today. From the reviews I have read about the book it is the very best out there detailing the railroad (especially considering it is quite shy of the public eye) so if you are a fan/historian of the FEC or just looking for a good railroad book you should not go wrong with Speedway to Sunshine.