Florida East Coast Railway Society in Statewide, Florida
Rail preservation groupNo public museum building; the society shares FEC history online and at events
The Florida East Coast Railway Society brings together historians, model builders and rail fans who care about one railroad, the Florida East Coast, from its earliest days before 1895 through today's freight trains and the return of passenger service with Brightline.
- Volunteer FEC history group
- Covers pre-1895 to today
- Free public events
- Public Facebook group
Florida East Coast Railway Society at a glance
- Hours
- No regular public hours; attend a posted event
- Admission
- Posted events have been free
- Best for
- FEC history fans, modelers and rail hobbyists
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- WhereStatewide, Florida(opens in a new tab)
- Emailinfo@fecrs.com
- Websitefecrs.com/index.html(opens in a new tab)
Follow Florida East Coast Railway Society
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Taking the kids to Florida East Coast Railway Society? Bring Rally along.
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Keeping the FEC story in good hands
The Florida East Coast Railway Society is a group of train enthusiasts, hobbyists and volunteers who share an interest in a single railroad. Their focus runs from the Florida East Coast Railway's beginnings before 1895 through its current operations and into the future, and members follow Brightline closely as it brings passenger trains back to the FEC for the first time since 1968. The society uses the Florida East Coast Railway name and marks under license from the railroad.
Its members range from historians to modelers, and much of their work happens out in the open: sharing historic photographs and stories in a public Facebook group, posting a timeline and information on the society's website, and taking part in public events. The society does not operate a museum building or keep posted visiting hours, so the best way to meet it is at one of its events.
How to see the society's work
The society has held public events at the Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science, 2201 Michigan Ave in Cocoa, where members run trains on the society's own version of the FEC and admission is free. Its website lists upcoming and previous events. Between events, the public Facebook group shares old FEC images, such as views of the tracks through early Stuart.
Don’t miss
- Public events in CocoaMembers have run trains on the society's own version of the FEC at the Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science, with free admission.
- The public Facebook groupA steady stream of historic FEC photographs and stories, open for anyone to read.
- The society's FEC timelineA timeline on the society's website walks through the railroad's history.
Trains running at free events
There is no museum for kids to explore, but the society's free public events, where members run trains on their version of the FEC, can be a fun stop for young train fans. Check the upcoming events page on the society's website for dates and details before you go.
Plan your visit: tips for Florida East Coast Railway Society
- Check the society's upcoming events page for dates and locations.
- Email info@fecrs.com with general questions.
- Read the public Facebook group for historic FEC photos between events.
Historians, hobbyists and volunteers
The society is made up of train enthusiasts, hobbyists and volunteers, from historians to model builders, who share an interest in the Florida East Coast Railway. To get involved or ask about membership, email info@fecrs.com or write to the society's mailing address in Palmetto Bay listed on its website.
Places to see Florida railroad history in person
For a museum visit, the Central Florida Railroad Museum in Winter Garden displays Florida East Coast dining car china, and the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach tells the story of the FEC's founder. The Orange Blossom Cannonball historic railway offers a ride. Find more in our guide to train museums in Florida.
- Central Florida Railroad MuseumWinter Garden, FL · about 51 mi
- Orange Blossom Cannonball historic railwayTavares / Mount Dora, FL · about 65 mi
- Historic Plant City Union DepotPlant City, FL · about 87 mi
- Henry B. Plant MuseumTampa, FL · about 108 mi
- Florida Railroad MuseumParrish, FL · about 109 mi
- Sugar ExpressClewiston, FL · about 113 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
The Florida East Coast line runs close to the ocean for much of its length, and that makes me think of Rally pressed against the arched window in our book, watching the waves and greeting a white bird. Our train in the story is the Pacific Surfliner on the other coast, but the ocean view feels the same. You can read how my mom first imagined that ride on our story page.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in Florida: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Florida
- Halloween train rides in Florida
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Florida East Coast Railway Society?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
- Florida East Coast Railway Society official website(opens in a new tab)
- Florida East Coast Railway Society on Facebook(opens in a new tab)
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Florida East Coast Railway Society: 20 common questions
What is the Florida East Coast Railway Society?
The Florida East Coast Railway Society is a volunteer group of train enthusiasts, hobbyists and historians who share an interest in the Florida East Coast Railway. Its focus runs from the railroad's beginnings before 1895 through its current operations and into the future, including Brightline's passenger service.
Is the Florida East Coast Railway Society the same as a Florida East Coast railway historical society?
People often search for it that way. The Florida East Coast Railway Society is the group at fecrs.com. A separate Florida East Coast Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society lists a mailing address of PO Box 238293, Cocoa, FL 32923. Check which group you mean before you write or join.
Does the Florida East Coast Railway Society have a museum?
The society does not operate a museum building or post regular visiting hours. It shares Florida East Coast history through its website, a public Facebook group and public events, where members run trains on their own version of the FEC. Check its upcoming events page for dates.
Where does the Florida East Coast Railway Society hold events?
The society has held public events at the Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science, 2201 Michigan Ave in Cocoa, Florida. Locations can change from event to event, so look at the upcoming events page on fecrs.com or email info@fecrs.com for current details.
Are Florida East Coast Railway Society events free?
Yes, the society's posted public event at the Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science listed free admission. Other events may differ, so check each listing on the society's upcoming events page before you go.
What happens at a Florida East Coast Railway Society event?
At its public events, members run trains on the society's own version of the Florida East Coast, giving visitors a chance to watch FEC-themed trains in action and talk with people who know the railroad's history. Specific activities vary, so read the event listing first.
How do I contact the Florida East Coast Railway Society?
Email info@fecrs.com for general questions. The society also lists a mailing address in Palmetto Bay, Florida on its website. It does not post a public phone number, so email is the best way to reach it.
How can I join the Florida East Coast Railway Society?
The society describes itself as open to everyone from historians to hobbyists and volunteers. Membership details are not spelled out on the public pages, so email info@fecrs.com to ask how to join and what membership includes.
Does the Florida East Coast Railway Society have a Facebook group?
Yes. The society runs a public Facebook group, Florida East Coast Railway Society, where members share historic photographs and stories, such as early views of the FEC tracks through downtown Stuart. Anyone can read it, which makes it a good starting point for newcomers.
Does the Florida East Coast Railway Society follow Brightline?
Yes. The society says it is interested in Brightline as it brings passenger service back to the Florida East Coast for the first time since 1968. Members follow current operations on the FEC as well as its history.
Is the Florida East Coast Railway Society connected to the railroad?
The Florida East Coast Railway name and marks belong to the Florida East Coast Railway, L.L.C., and the society uses them under license from the railroad. The society itself is a group of enthusiasts and volunteers rather than part of the railroad company.
Where can I see Florida East Coast Railway records?
HistoryMiami's archives hold a Florida East Coast Railway Collection covering 1895 to 1951, with construction and personnel records from the line between Jacksonville and Key West. Florida State University's archives also hold FEC and Flagler enterprise materials, including blueprints, plans and maps.
Is the Florida East Coast Railway Society good for kids?
Its public events, where members run trains on their version of the FEC, can be a fun outing for young train fans, and posted events have been free. There is no museum to visit between events, so plan around the dates on the society's events page.
Does the Florida East Coast Railway Society have a timeline of FEC history?
Yes, the society's website includes a timeline page along with an information page about the railroad. These are a good companion for anyone researching the Florida East Coast before visiting a museum or attending an event.
Can I volunteer with the Florida East Coast Railway Society?
The society describes its members as train enthusiasts, hobbyists and volunteers, and it welcomes people with an interest in the Florida East Coast. To find out how you can help, whether at public events, with history research or online, email info@fecrs.com and tell the society a little about your interests.
Can I send corrections or updates to the Florida East Coast Railway Society website?
Yes. The society invites questions, comments and updates for its website through a webmaster contact listed on fecrs.com, which helps keep its timeline and event listings accurate. General questions about the society, membership or events should go to info@fecrs.com instead.
Does the Florida East Coast Railway Society run excursion trains?
The society does not advertise excursion rides on its public pages; its events focus on members running trains on their own version of the FEC. For a real train ride in Florida, the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish and the Orange Blossom Cannonball historic railway both carry passengers.
What era of the FEC does the Florida East Coast Railway Society cover?
All of it. The society's interest spans the railroad's beginnings before 1895, its long history of passenger and freight service, its current operations and its future, including the return of passenger trains with Brightline for the first time since 1968. Members range from historians to model builders.
How do I find upcoming Florida East Coast Railway Society events?
The society keeps an upcoming events page and a previous events page on fecrs.com. Check there for dates, locations and admission, and watch the public Facebook group for announcements. Email info@fecrs.com if a listing is unclear.
What train museums are near Florida East Coast Railway Society events in Cocoa?
From Cocoa, the Central Florida Railroad Museum in Winter Garden is about 51 miles away, and the Orange Blossom Cannonball historic railway in the Tavares and Mount Dora area is about 65 miles. Farther south, the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach covers the FEC's founder.
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