Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish, Florida

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Parrish, Florida · Updated October 19, 2026 · 13 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesTrain rides on weekends; ticket office, gift shop and model railroad open Wednesday to Sunday

The Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish preserves Florida railroading as it looked in the 1940s and 1950s, and its motto says it plainly: here you ride the exhibits, on a six mile stretch of the first rail line ever built through Manatee County.

  • Founded in 1982
  • Six miles of former Seaboard track
  • Weekend train rides to Willow
  • Run entirely by volunteer members
  • North Pole Express at Christmas
  • Free model railroad on weekdays

Florida Railroad Museum at a glance

Hours
Ticket office, gift shop and model railroad Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm; train rides weekends only
Admission
Weekday visits to the gift shop and model railroad are free; train ticket prices vary by date, departure, class and age
Train rides
Diesel excursions most weekends year-round, including the 1.5 hour Willow Express
Seasonal events
North Pole Express, Pumpkin Patch Express, Train Robbery Experience, Civil War Re-Enactment, Von Kessinger's Express
Plan for
About 1.5 hours for the Willow Express; 3.75 hours for the North Pole Express
Best for
Families who want to actually ride a historic train
Best ages
All ages; some re-enactment events are 12 and up
Accessibility
The historic cars are not wheelchair accessible between cars, but a ramp gives step-free, level boarding into an open-air coach.

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Florida Railroad Museum? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Parrish.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Saving the first railroad through Manatee County

The museum began in 1982 as the Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum, with one clear purpose: to preserve Florida's railroad history and keep it running. Some travelers still know it informally as the Florida Railway Museum or the Parrish Railroad Museum. Rather than set its equipment behind ropes, the group set out to acquire rolling stock and operate it, so that visitors could hear and feel Florida railroading the way it was in the 1940s and 1950s.

The track the museum runs on has its own history. The Seaboard Air Line Railroad built this line in the early 1900s, and it was the first railroad through Manatee County. After the Seaboard merged with its old rival, the Atlantic Coast Line, in 1967, the route lost importance, was downgraded, and was finally abandoned in 1986. The museum now operates trains over about six miles of it, between Parrish and the small community of Willow, through rural countryside.

Every train is run by museum members who volunteer thousands of hours each year, from the crews in the cab to the people behind the ticket counter. Their work keeps growing. At Willow, where restoration and repair happen, volunteers have laid more storage track to hold a larger collection and give the shop more room, and they have built a replica Seaboard Air Line station where passengers can step off during the excursion and look at a display of railroad artifacts. The museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and donations go to the general fund that restores and operates its equipment.

A depot in Parrish, a train to Willow

Your visit starts at the station in Parrish, home to the ticket office, the gift shop and a model railroad. On weekends a diesel-powered train pulls out with a mix of open-air, open-window and air-conditioned cars, and the most popular trip, the Willow Express, makes a round trip of about an hour and a half to Willow and back. The countryside along the way is quiet farmland and woods, the same view Seaboard passengers had more than a century ago.

At Willow, the replica Seaboard Air Line station holds a small collection of railroad artifacts, and the expanding yard there is where the museum's restoration work happens. Plan around the weekend schedule: the operating trains are not on view during the week, when only the ticket office, gift shop and model railroad are open, and those are free to visit.

Don’t miss

  1. The Willow ExpressThe museum's most popular ride is a 1.5 hour round trip to Willow on historic equipment, and it is the simplest way to see the whole line.
  2. Replica Seaboard Air Line station at WillowVolunteers built this station so passengers can step off mid-trip, and it houses a display of railroad artifacts.
  3. The Parrish model railroadOpen most Wednesdays to Sundays at no charge, it is a good stop for small kids on a weekday or before your train boards.
  4. The Party CabooseUp to 16 people can ride along in their own caboose for a birthday or celebration on a 1.5 hour trip.
  5. Locomotive Cab RideAdults 18 and older can ride up front with the engineer for a view of the 6.5 mile railroad that coach passengers never get.

Pumpkins, train robbers and a weekday model railroad

Most of the museum's rides are listed for all ages, so toddlers can come along on the Willow Express, and the open-air cars let kids feel the breeze and hear the horn. In the fall, the Pumpkin Patch Express takes families out to the museum's patch, where every child picks a pumpkin to bring home. The Train Robbery Experience, an Old West holdup staged on the train, is listed for ages 3 and up.

Some events are for older kids: the Civil War Re-Enactment and the World War II themed Von Kessinger's Express are both listed for ages 12 and up. On weekdays, the free model railroad at the Parrish station is an easy, short outing for little ones who just want to watch trains go around.

Plan your visit: tips for Florida Railroad Museum

  • Book online and check the museum's calendar; train equipment is not on view during the week.
  • Popular North Pole Express departures sell out, and Annual Pass members get early access a week before the public.
  • Children under one can ride free on an adult's lap; everyone else needs a ticket.
  • Online and phone reservations carry a service fee.
  • Take exit 229 off Interstate 75, about 35 miles south of Tampa and 25 miles north of Sarasota.

The museum's biggest night of the year is the North Pole Express: a 45 minute train ride from Parrish to a North Pole with campfires, storytelling, model train displays, unlimited cookies and hot chocolate, and a visit with Santa in his private office, where every child gets a gift. In 2026 it runs on select evenings from November 27 to December 22. Each October the Pumpkin Patch Express rolls out to the museum's patch. For more holiday ideas, see our guide to Christmas train rides in Florida and our list of Halloween and fall train rides in Florida.

Volunteer members keep the trains running

The Florida Railroad Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and its trains are operated entirely by members who give thousands of hours a year. You can help by joining: the Annual Pass Membership starts at $45 and includes early access to North Pole Express tickets. Tax-deductible donations go straight to the general fund for restoring and operating the equipment, and every ride and gift shop purchase helps too.

More rail history around Tampa Bay

Henry Plant's railroad era comes alive at the Henry B. Plant Museum in Tampa, about 22 miles north. The Historic Plant City Union Depot is about 29 miles away, and the Historic Seaboard Air Line Depot in Venice, about 38 miles south, was built by the same railroad that laid the Parrish line. See all of Florida's train museums to plan a longer trip.

Every train museum in Florida

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a conductor in a blue suit shaking Rally's paw on the train
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

The North Pole Express starts the moment the conductor calls out "All aboard!" in Parrish, and that made me think of Mr. Conductor in our book, in his blue uniform, holding out a hand to a very excited corgi. My mom loved those small kindnesses that make a trip feel safe for little ones. If your kids want to color Rally and his conductor, our coloring pages are free to print.

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
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

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

Work or volunteer at Florida Railroad Museum?

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

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Florida Railroad Museum: 20 questions before you ride

Where is the Florida Railroad Museum?

The Florida Railroad Museum is at 12210 83rd Street East in Parrish, Florida 34219, in rural Manatee County. It sits off Interstate 75 at exit 229, about 35 miles south of Tampa and 25 miles north of Sarasota. Trains leave from the museum's station in Parrish and run six miles to Willow.

What are the Florida Railroad Museum hours?

As of October 2026, the ticket office, gift shop and model railroad are open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Train rides run on weekends only, and the operating equipment is not on view during the week. Exact departure times change by date, so check the calendar at frrm.org before you drive out.

What is the Florida Railroad Museum train schedule?

Diesel train excursions run most weekends throughout the year, and special events fill many weekends with themed rides. The museum does not post one fixed timetable; departures are listed on its online calendar by date. The regular Willow Express is a 1.5 hour round trip, so book a time on frrm.org or call (941) 776-0906.

How much are Florida Railroad Museum tickets?

Ticket prices vary by travel date, departure time, class of service, seating type and the rider's age, and the current price appears when you pick a date and departure online. Weekday visits to the gift shop and model railroad are free. Online and phone reservations include a service fee. Call (941) 776-0906 with questions.

Are there Florida Railroad Museum ticket discounts?

The best-value option the museum promotes is its Annual Pass Membership, which starts at $45 and lets you ride throughout the year, with early access to North Pole Express tickets a week before the public. Children under one ride free on an adult's lap. For any other discounts, call the ticket office at (941) 776-0906.

Do kids need a ticket to ride the train in Parrish?

Everyone who rides needs a ticket, with one exception: children under one year old may ride without charge when they sit on an adult's lap. Most of the museum's rides, including the Willow Express and the North Pole Express, are listed for all ages, so babies and toddlers are welcome aboard.

What is the Florida Railroad Museum train ride like?

The Willow Express is a 1.5 hour round trip behind a diesel locomotive over six miles of former Seaboard Air Line track between Parrish and Willow. You can choose open-air, open-window or air-conditioned cars, and at Willow a replica Seaboard station holds railroad artifacts. It is the museum's most popular ride.

Does the Florida Railroad Museum have a Christmas train?

Yes. The North Pole Express is a 3.75 hour evening that starts with a 45 minute ride from Parrish to the North Pole, where families get campfires, storytelling, unlimited cookies and hot chocolate, and a visit with Santa. Every child receives a gift. As of October 2026, it runs select evenings from November 27 to December 22.

Is the Florida Railroad Museum North Pole Express the same as a Polar Express ride?

The museum's Christmas train is called the North Pole Express, and that is the event to book if you are searching for a Polar Express style ride in Parrish. Most evenings offer 5:15 pm and 7:15 pm departures. Space is limited and popular dates sell out, so book early on frrm.org.

What do families say in Florida Railroad Museum North Pole Express reviews?

The museum stresses how much is included with each ticket: round-trip train travel, a personal visit with Santa, a gift for every child, unlimited cookies and hot chocolate, campfires, model train displays, reindeer food and the toy tent. Extra food and s'mores kits cost more. Because departures sell out, families who book early have the most choice.

Does the Florida Railroad Museum host Day Out with Thomas?

The museum's posted event lineup does not include a Thomas the Tank Engine event. Its family events are the North Pole Express, the Pumpkin Patch Express and the Train Robbery Experience, along with the regular Willow Express. To ask whether a Thomas event is planned, call (941) 776-0906 or watch the museum's Facebook page.

What are the upcoming events at the Florida Railroad Museum?

The museum's special events include the Pumpkin Patch Express in October, the North Pole Express from late November to December 22, the Train Robbery Experience, a Civil War Re-Enactment and Von Kessinger's Express, a World War II re-enactment on the train. Dates are posted on the calendar at frrm.org.

What is the Pumpkin Patch Express in Parrish?

The Pumpkin Patch Express is a 2.5 hour fall outing for all ages: the train carries families to the museum's pumpkin patch for autumn activities, and every child picks a pumpkin to take home. As of October 2026, the museum listed remaining tickets for October 17 and 18 and October 24 and 25.

Can you ride in the locomotive at the Florida Railroad Museum?

Yes, for adults. The Locomotive Cab Ride lets riders 18 and older with a valid driver's license sit with the engineer for the round trip, and the Locomotive Rental, for ages 21 and up, lets you take the throttle yourself for an hour. Riders must climb the locomotive steps without help.

Can you have a birthday party on the train at the Florida Railroad Museum?

Yes. The Party Caboose holds up to 16 people of all ages for a 1.5 hour celebration on the train, and the whole train can be chartered during the week for large corporate events of up to 300 passengers. Call the ticket office at (941) 776-0906 or book through frrm.org.

Is the Florida Railroad Museum wheelchair accessible?

Partly. The historic passenger cars predate modern accessibility standards and you cannot move between cars in a wheelchair. The museum does offer step-free, level boarding by ramp into an open-air coach set up for wheelchair riders. Call (941) 776-0906 ahead of your trip to plan seating.

When was the Florida Railroad Museum founded?

The museum was founded in 1982 as the Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum, with the goal of preserving Florida's railroad history. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and its trains are operated entirely by volunteer members. Its collection reflects Florida railroading as it existed in the 1940s and 1950s.

Did Henry Flagler build the railroad at the Florida Railroad Museum?

No. The museum's line between Parrish and Willow was built by the Seaboard Air Line Railroad in the early 1900s, and it was the first railroad through Manatee County. After the 1967 merger with the Atlantic Coast Line it was downgraded, then abandoned in 1986, and the museum has run trains on it since.

How can I volunteer or donate at the Florida Railroad Museum?

Volunteers are the whole operation here: museum members run every train and give thousands of hours a year. Joining the museum is the first step, and memberships start at $45. Donations are tax-deductible and go to the general fund for restoring and operating equipment. Ask at the ticket office or call (941) 776-0906.

What train museums are near the Florida Railroad Museum?

The Henry B. Plant Museum in Tampa is about 22 miles away, the Historic Plant City Union Depot about 29 miles, and the Historic Seaboard Air Line Depot in Venice about 38 miles. The Central Florida Railroad Museum in Winter Garden and the Railroad Museum of South Florida in Fort Myers are each about 80 miles away.

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Kelsey Cecil
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