Railroad Museum of South Florida in Fort Myers, Florida

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Fort Myers, Florida · Updated October 19, 2026 · 13 min read

Outdoor rail parkTrain ridesRegular train rides Saturday and Sunday; extended hours during the Halloween and Holiday Express

The Railroad Museum of South Florida shows how the railroads shaped Southwest Florida, with an interpretive center in Lakes Regional Park, a restored 1905 Atlantic Coast Line steam locomotive, and a mile of 1/8 scale railroad that has carried families since 1994.

  • Miniature train since December 1994
  • One-mile, 15 minute ride
  • 1905 Baldwin locomotive #143
  • 100-foot tunnel with lights and sound
  • Halloween and Holiday night rides
  • Inside Lakes Regional Park

Railroad Museum of South Florida at a glance

Hours
Regular train schedule Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm; longer daily hours during holiday events
Admission
Standard train tickets $5 for ages 6 and up; ages 1 to 5 free with a ticket
Train rides
15 minute miniature train ride; Halloween Express in October and Holiday Express in December at special prices
Seasonal events
Halloween Express, Holiday Express
Plan for
About 1 hour
Best for
Families with toddlers and young children
Best ages
Ages 1 to 9
Parking
Inside Lakes Regional Park; check the museum's Tickets/Parking page for park parking details

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Railroad Museum of South Florida? 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 Fort Myers.

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.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

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

A steam engine, a park and a mile of little track

The Railroad Museum of South Florida is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with one aim: to help visitors understand how the railroads built Southwest Florida. Its home is Lakes Regional Park in south Fort Myers, a Lee County park of roughly 300 acres that grew out of an old rock quarry nature has since reclaimed.

The museum's big piece of history arrived first. Atlantic Coast Line #143, an 0-6-0 switcher built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia in 1905, came to Fort Myers in August 1992 and moved to Lakes Park in 1995. Volunteers began restoring it in 1999 and finished in April 2001, and today it stands outside with its tender beside a 1953 Seaboard Air Line caboose, both cosmetically restored.

Meanwhile, the miniature railroad took shape. Operating as the Lakes Park and Gulf Railroad, the Train Village line opened in December 1994 on 7.5 inch gauge track and has grown into a fleet of nine locomotives pulling four seven-car trains. Inside a depot-style interpretive center, the museum added an S scale model railroad set in the late 1950s, with Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard trains stopping at a replica of Fort Myers' 1927 ACL depot. Twice a year, volunteers give hundreds of hours to light the whole route for the Halloween and Holiday Express.

From the depot to the tunnel and back

Start at the interpretive center, built to look like a railroad depot. Inside are live steam scale locomotives, rolling stock and track, a retired locomotive parked indoors for photos, and the S scale layout showing the four big industries of 1950s Florida: fishing, logging, farming and tourism. Outside, ACL #143 and the Seaboard caboose make the full size backdrop.

Then buy a ticket at the office across from the station and climb aboard. The roughly one-mile, 15 minute ride circles a lake through the north end of the park, passes four full size working grade crossing signals, a waterfall and an operating windmill, crosses a 24-foot trestle and runs through a 100-foot tunnel with lights and sound. Along the way, scale villages recreate Southwest Florida towns as they looked around 1950, and riders often spot local birds and wildlife.

Don’t miss

  1. Atlantic Coast Line #143A 1905 Baldwin 0-6-0 that volunteers spent two years restoring, finished in April 2001.
  2. The 100-foot tunnelThe ride's darkest and most exciting stretch, with lights and sound inside.
  3. Miniature Southwest Florida villagesScale buildings along the route show local communities as they were around 1950.
  4. S scale model railroadSet in the late 1950s, it features a replica of the 1927 Fort Myers ACL depot with Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard passenger trains.
  5. Dancing LightsDuring the Halloween and Holiday Express, tens of thousands of lights along the route flash in time to music.

Tiny trains sized for small riders

This is one of the easiest train rides in Florida for young children. Kids ages 1 to 5 ride free with a ticket and sit with an adult, and every seat has a cushioned bench in front for a small child. Children 6 to 9 sit in the seat in front of their grown-up. The ride lasts about 15 minutes, a good length for short attention spans, and the tunnel and windmill are the parts kids talk about after.

Some riders cannot board: babies under one year, pregnant women and anyone over 250 pounds. Riders keep both feet on the running boards and hands inside, and trains stop during thunderstorms. The park's splash pads are close by for cooling off afterward.

Plan your visit: tips for Railroad Museum of South Florida

  • Every rider needs a ticket, even free children ages 1 to 5; pick theirs up at the ticket office.
  • Tickets are not tied to a train and stay valid for a year until punched.
  • The Super Saver Rail Pass gives 13 rides for the price of 9.
  • Groups such as birthday parties and school trips must call (239) 267-1905 at least 48 hours ahead.
  • Seating is first come, first served at the station, and the engineer assigns seats.

The Train Village route turns into a nighttime light show twice a year. The Halloween Express runs from mid-October through October 31 (October 9 to 31 in 2026), with a $2 surcharge per child, and the Holiday Express runs from mid-December to December 30. Up to four trains run continuously on those evenings. For more seasonal rides around the state, see our picks for Halloween train rides in Florida and Christmas train rides in Florida.

Volunteers behind the throttle and the lights

The Railroad Museum of South Florida, Inc. is a Florida 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and its volunteers run the trains, restored ACL #143 and decorate the route each holiday season. Visitors help by riding, buying a Super Saver pass, booking a group outing, donating through the museum's website, or signing up as a volunteer. Reach the museum at info@rrmsf.org or (239) 267-1905.

More rail stops in Southwest Florida

The Historic Seaboard Air Line Depot in Venice is about 53 miles north, and the Sugar Express in Clewiston is about 60 miles east. For a full size train ride, the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish is about 82 miles away. Our guide to Florida train museums lists the rest.

Every train museum in Florida

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor view from inside a dark tunnel looking out at a sunny beach and cliffs
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

The little train here runs through a 100-foot tunnel with lights and sound, and that is my favorite moment in our book too. Everything goes dark, then a big bright light and happy cheers. My mom pictured that scene for Rally long before I painted it. I love imagining small riders in Fort Myers holding their breath in the dark, then cheering when the light comes back. You can read about my mom's idea 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
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 Railroad Museum of South Florida?

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.

Railroad Museum of South Florida: 20 questions about the Lakes Park train

Where is the Railroad Museum of South Florida?

The Railroad Museum of South Florida is inside Lakes Regional Park at 7330 Gladiolus Drive in south Fort Myers, Florida. The museum lists its ZIP code as 33966. Once you enter the park, look for the full size steam locomotive parked outside the depot-style interpretive center, then follow signs to the train station.

How much are Railroad Museum of South Florida train ride tickets?

As of October 2026, standard round-trip tickets are $5 per person for everyone 6 and older. Children ages 1 to 5 ride free but still need a ticket and must share a seat with an adult. The Halloween Express and Holiday Express have their own prices, which the museum sets two months ahead.

Where do you buy tickets for the Fort Myers miniature train ride?

Buy tickets at the museum's ticket office, just across from the train station in Lakes Park. Tickets are not issued for a specific train and stay valid for one year until they are punched, so you can ride another day. Free tickets for children 1 to 5 are also picked up at the office.

What are the Railroad Museum of South Florida hours?

As of October 2026, the regular train schedule is Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. During the Halloween Express, the trains run longer: weekdays 10 am to 2 pm and 6 pm to 9 pm, and weekends and holidays 10 am to 9 pm. Check rrmsf.org or call (239) 267-1905 before you go.

What is the Railroad Museum of South Florida train ride like?

The Lakes Park and Gulf Railroad is a 1/8 scale train on 7.5 inch track that runs about a mile in roughly 15 minutes. It circles a lake through the north end of the park, passes a waterfall, a windmill and working crossing signals, crosses a 24-foot trestle and goes through a 100-foot tunnel.

Is the Lakes Park train ride good for toddlers?

Yes. Children ages 1 to 5 ride free with a ticket, and each seat has a cushioned bench in front so a small child can sit with an adult. One adult can share a seat with up to two small children. Babies under one year old are not allowed to ride, so plan accordingly.

Who cannot ride the Railroad Museum of South Florida train?

For safety, children under one year old, pregnant women and anyone weighing more than 250 pounds are not allowed to ride. Riders must keep their feet on the running boards, stay seated and keep hands inside. Staff can refuse riding privileges to anyone who does not follow the rules.

What is the Halloween Express at the Railroad Museum of South Florida?

The Halloween Express turns the train route into a decorated, lit-up night ride from mid-October through October 31; in 2026 it runs October 9 to 31. Volunteers add tens of thousands of lights, and several trains run at once. There is a $2 surcharge per child, paid at the ticket office.

Does the Railroad Museum of South Florida have a Christmas train?

Yes. The Holiday Express runs from mid-December through December 30 each year, with the route decorated in tens of thousands of lights and the museum's Dancing Lights synchronized to music. As many as four trains run continuously at night. Holiday ticket prices are set about two months in advance.

Are there photos of the Railroad Museum of South Florida train ride?

The museum posts a gallery on its website and shares photos and videos on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. Good photo spots on a visit include ACL locomotive #143 outside, the retired locomotive parked indoors for pictures, the trestle bridge and the miniature villages along the route.

What locomotive is on display at the Railroad Museum of South Florida?

Atlantic Coast Line #143, an 0-6-0 steam locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia in 1905. It came to Fort Myers in August 1992, moved to Lakes Park in 1995, and was cosmetically restored between 1999 and April 2001. A restored 1953 Seaboard Air Line caboose sits nearby.

What is inside the Railroad Museum of South Florida interpretive center?

The depot-style building holds live steam scale locomotives, rolling stock and track, a retired locomotive for photos, and an S scale model railroad set in the late 1950s. That layout features fishing, logging, farming and tourism, with trains stopping at a replica of the 1927 Fort Myers ACL depot.

How long does a visit to the Railroad Museum of South Florida take?

The train ride itself lasts about 15 minutes, and most families spend around an hour riding and looking at the locomotive, caboose and interpretive center. Lines can build at busy times, but the trains keep running until every ticketed passenger in line has ridden. Add time to enjoy the rest of Lakes Park.

Can you book a birthday party at the Railroad Museum of South Florida?

Yes. Group rates are available for birthday parties, school groups, company picnics and similar outings. You must give at least 48 hours notice for group rates. Call (239) 267-1905 during operating hours to get pricing and make a reservation.

Is there a discount pass for the Lakes Park train?

Yes. The Super Saver Rail Pass gives you 13 standard tickets for the price of 9, which the museum says saves $20. Because tickets stay valid for a year until punched, a pass works well for local families who plan to ride several times. Holiday event pricing is separate.

Does the train run in the rain at the Railroad Museum of South Florida?

The museum must suspend train operations during thunderstorms and other unexpected events, such as mechanical problems. Summer afternoon storms are common in Southwest Florida, so a morning ride is a safer bet. Call (239) 267-1905 if the weather looks doubtful before you head out.

How many trains does the Railroad Museum of South Florida have?

The museum runs a fleet of nine locomotives and four seven-car passenger trains, each with 20 seats. Most locomotives use a 16 or 16.5 horsepower gas engine driving a hydraulic system, and one is electric. Usually one train handles the daily schedule, with up to four running during holiday nights.

Who runs the Railroad Museum of South Florida?

The Railroad Museum of South Florida, Inc. is a Florida 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs the interpretive center and operates the Lakes Park and Gulf Railroad inside the county park. Volunteers do much of the work, from restoring ACL #143 to decorating the route for the holidays. You can volunteer or donate through rrmsf.org.

Is the Railroad Museum of South Florida the same as the Florida Railroad Museum?

No. The Railroad Museum of South Florida is the miniature railroad and interpretive center in Lakes Park, Fort Myers. The Florida Railroad Museum is a separate full size heritage railroad in Parrish, about 82 miles north, where diesel trains run between Parrish and Willow.

What train museums are near the Railroad Museum of South Florida?

The Historic Seaboard Air Line Depot in Venice is about 53 miles away, the Sugar Express in Clewiston about 60 miles, and the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish about 82 miles. The Henry B. Plant Museum in Tampa and the Historic Plant City Union Depot are each about 104 miles north.

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