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Gold Coast Railroad Museum - "History in the Making" - Pg. 4 |
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A NEW HOME / A NEW BEGINNING: Running along the north side of Ft. Lauderdale airport was a rail track that connected the Seaboard Coast Line (SCL) Railroad to Port Everglades. The SCL was agreeable to the museum operating on the line so long as there was no interruption in their schedule. The Beekmans, being well "connected" in Broward County, contacted a Mr. Snyder who had a small rock quarry along the side of that track. An agreement was worked out whereby the museum would be located on a portion of his property. There was not much usable land on the property. The Beekmans brought in fill to bring the area of the museum up to the grade of the adjacent track and make enough land for the buildings and a parking lot. They then set about to build a three-track, concrete train shed which could hold approximately 9 pieces of rail equipment. They also underwrote the building of a beautiful "turn of the century," country-styled, passenger station of brick and detailed wood trim. It was named Loisville for Mrs. Beekman. The remainder of the quarry property, along with the Gold Coast's portion, was to become a part of the Ft. Lauderdale park system known as Snyder Park. The land area of the GCRR was quite limited, and as a result the museum's rail collection could not expand to any great degree. Over the next few years it would have two operating steam engines and trains that would operate on the weekends back and forth along the north side of the Ft. Lauderdale airport. At times there were bandits who would "rob" the train on foot or on horseback. The train rides were a popular attraction for the South Florida residents and visitors. MORE ADDITIONS: 1968: William Godfrey donated a 1909 operational Case steam traction engine. 1969: U.S. Sugar donated a second steam locomotive FEC #113. Port Everglades donated a freight flatcar #1103. Port Everglades donated a Track Section Car. 1981: Liquid Sugars donated Western Pacific #881, Vista-Dome, Observation, "Silver Crescent." 1981: Liquid Sugars donated Western Pacific #802, Baggage Car, "Silver Stag." Seaboard donated wooden caboose #5292. |
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