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ABOUT GOLD COAST RAILROAD MUSEUM

In August 1956, University of Miami student William J. Godfrey heard there were miles of unused railroad tracks at UM's south campus (present day GCRM) Godfrey reasoned that, with almost three miles of tracks, UM's south campus would be a greata great place to have an operating steam engine. It could be used as an engineering, educational and historical attraction. He presented the idea to Dr. Jay F.W. Pearson, President of the university who just happened to be a ril fain. President Pearson liked the and thus the seed of the Gold Coast Rail Road Museum was planted!

A Sweet Steam Engine

The U.S. Sugar Company ( USSC) agreed to donate the Florida East Coast Locomotive #153 to UM. Months of preparations for the movement were completed and on February 19 1957 the Locomotive left USSC on its trip to Miami. The engine moved "cold" over Atlantic Coast Line, Florida East Coast Railway, and Seaboard Air Line trackage to reach the South Campus.

On Friday April 12, 1957 at 2:30 PM, the FEC #153 arrived at the UM's South Campus. The gathering took place on a portion of NAS Richmond's Navy blimp landing pad. In attendance was UM president Pearson, U.S. Sugar executive V.P.H.T. Vaughn as well as representatives from the FEC, ACL and SCL.

At the same time, the Miami Railroad Historical Society( MRHS) was created under the University of Miami to oversee the maintenance and operation of the locomotive on the university property.

The MRHS was steamed-up and ready to roll. the persons originally involved were: William J. Godfrey ( President), Henry G. Dooley ( Vice President) and Charles H. Rose III ( Secretary / treasurer). The Original Board of Directors were: Robert L. Beekman, Lois Beekman, Joan Lea Godfrey, Nina Creel Talor, Erie B. nelson, and John R. Edmonds. Additional early supporters were "Johnny" Johnson, Bill Moneypenny, Wayne Whistler, Walter Locke, Leo Desola and Charles Flygare

Operations

The MRHS set up operations in a small portion of one of the former wooden warehouses of NAS Richmond, calling it 'Dogpatch Station', and named their rail operations the 'Gold Coast Railroad'. On those Sundays when the MRHS operated for the public, many members would dress up in 'period' clothing to add to the visitors' experience. Walter Locke, later to become President of the organization, often dressed as a convincing railroad hobo. Visitors were treated to train rides behind a real operating steam locomotive. The train was called the ' Gold Coast Special' The cost to ride it in 1961 was 50 cents including admission. The engineers paid $2.00 per half hour to cover the cost of fuel

A Presidential Rail Car

In April 1958 the U.S. Car No. 1 'Ferdinand Magellan' was declared "Surplus" by the U.S. Government. This was the armor plated railcar used by Presidents Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower and Reagan. Wasting no time, Godfrey approached the Dr. Pearson with the idea of obtaining this unique car.

The UM President agreed and on August 11, 1958 Dr. James M. Godard made the formal request to Mr. R.B. Beard of the Florida Development Commission that the ' Ferdinand Magellan" be acquired by the State of Florida for the UM. the car was transferred to the State of Florida, which then passed ownership to the University of Miami for educational purposes.

On January 17, 1959 the ' Ferdinand Magellan' arrived to the South campus and drew much attention. The car arrived with very little to identify it as the former U.S. car No. 1 there were no speaker cones on the roof. no presidential seal on the rear platform, not even its name on the side of the car. Regardless, it was a magnificent prize for the still small MRH. Shortly thereafter, the car was opened to visitors.

Moving to Ft. Lauderdale

In the late 1960's, The G.S.A determined that some of the land leased to the University would be needed for a 'listening post' for the C.I.A. The University, under pressure from the G.S.A., informed the MRHS that the museum would no longer be able to operate 'Gold Coast Railroad' on the south campus and would have to look elsewhere to find a new home for its activities.

As a result on November 13, 1966 at 11:30 AM the Gold Coast Railroad ( MRHS) chugged off the south campus property heading for its newfound home in Port Everglades, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. UM then transferred ownership of all rail locomotives, cars and rail objects to MRHS. The train trekking tow Ft. Lauderdale was pulled by #153 under steam.

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Running along the north side of Ft. Lauderdale airport was a rail track that connected the Seaboard Coast Line (SCL) Railroad to Port Everglades. After discussion the SCL agreed to having the museum operate on the line so long as there were no interruptions in their schedule

Over the next few years, GCRR would have two operating steam locomotives that would operate on the weekends, going back and forth along the north side of the Ft. Lauderdale airport. The train rides were a popular attraction for the South Florida residents and visitors

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In 1983 the Florida Department of transportation notified the museum that plans were being finalized to build a east-west expressway to be known as I-595. The elevated route would run through the museum's location. Once again, the museum had to look for a new home. In 1984, GCRR moved into a portion of the same property that the museum had occupied in the 1960's, in the areas of hangars #1 and #2 of the former Naval Air Station

Back Home Again

In 1904 the 'Princeton Station' had been built on the mainline of the Florida East Coast Railway ( FEC) between Miami and Homestead. In the 1950's, it had been moved and preserved at Crandon Park on Key Biscayne. the station was now relocated to the Gold Coast's new home. The station became the entrance and museum store for the Gold Coast Railroad Museum today!

In 1984, the museum's collection and new additions were to be moved to the areas of hangars #1 and #2 of the former airship base. Maintenance of the land began by removing excess flora and three additional tracks were constructed into the concrete pad of hangar #1. Rail was re-established to connect CSX's mainline at the western end of the property. A large "butler building" was erected over a third of the length of the four tracks now in hanger #1's floor

Miami's First National Historic Landmark

In 1977, the Ferdinand Magellan was designated a 'National Historic Site' and later the rail car would be nominated as a 'National Historic Landmark'.

In 1984, the rail car traveled to Washington D.C. to be inspected by the Park Service for President Ronald Reagan. The White House contacted the museum and proposed that the rail car be used as a whistle stop re-election campaign train for President Reagan in Ohio and October 12, 1984.

Once the trip was completed, the Magellan returned to Washington and was on display as Washington Union Station. The Magellan was visited by politicians as well as the local and national press. It then returned to Ft. Lauderdale, and was moved to Miami as the museum was relocated.

The Ferdinand Magellan officially became Miami-Dade County's first historic landmark on Monday February 1985. A short time later, the National Park Service presented the ' National Historic Landmark' plaque to the Gold Coast Railroad during official ceremonies held on the Magellan's rear platform. Today the Ferdinand Magellan remains available for presidential service

Andrew, Andrew, Andrew

On August 24, 1992, Hurricane Andrew roared through Miami-Dade county. The Display shed was uprooted from its foundation and the building collapsed over the collection of equipment. One of the building's overhead beams pierced the roof of the Ferdinand Magellan. The 'Silver Crescent' had a beam crush down on its 'vista Dome' and the windows blown out. The historic Princeton Station lost its roof and the remaining structure collapsed and was never rebuilt. The site of the museum was of great devastation.

A mandate from FEMA claimed that they would put all non-profits back to their pre-Andrew condition. In the case of the museum, this agreement ended up being a multi-million dollar promise that took over 8 years to complete!

A New Millennium: Entering 2000

In April 1998, the museum changed its name to the ' Gold Coast Railroad Museum, inc.' to more accurately reflect its educational goals.

In April 200, Gold Coast Railroad Museum reached its 50 year anniversary. Expansion of the MetroZoo's master plan is hoped to increase the museum's attendance and importance as an education destination for students, residents and visitors. As the museum continues to expand and grow, we strive to reach out to more community members and rail enthusiasts, to educate, enlighten and inspire each individual.

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