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Don Boyd | all galleries >> Memories of Old Hialeah, Old Miami and Old South Florida Photo Galleries - largest non-Facebook collection on the internet >> Miami Area Tourist and Local ATTRACTIONS Historical Photos Gallery - All Years - click on image to view > 1972 - the beloved miniature train at the Crandon Park Zoo
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FEB-1972 © 1972 Dave Kleylein

1972 - the beloved miniature train at the Crandon Park Zoo

Crandon Park Zoo, Key Biscayne, Florida


Thank you to former Miamian Dave Kleylein (William Jennings Bryan Elementary, North Miami Junior High, North Miami High, and Norland High Class of 1962) for contributing this great image of the little train that we all remember well.

UPDATE, 5/22/13:
Hooray, it looks like the county is looking for a concessionaire to run the miniature train at Crandon Gardens, the new name for the old Crandon Zoo. This is from the May 22, 2013, Miami Today issue:

Private ventures sought in Crandon Park

Miami-Dade County is looking for concessionaires to operate up to 10 business ventures in its 904-acre Crandon Park on Key Biscayne.
Among ventures on the list could be an outside operator for the restaurant at the Crandon Park Golf Course, long one of the nation’s premier public golf courses that has been home to professional tournaments.

Another concession the county is looking at is a narrow gauge tourist railway in the 52-acre Crandon Gardens site in the park. A narrow-gauge train was in use there for visitors more than three decades ago.

A county announcement Tuesday listed also a canoe and kayak rental concession, a wildlife educational opportunity in a 1.1-acre Crandon Gardens site, a chairs and umbrella rental concession, food service concessions and mobile carts at the 35-acre Crandon Beach, and a cabanas and food service operation at a 2.7-acre Crandon Beach site.
The county is also looking for a bicycle rental service throughout the park, a full-service casual restaurant operator and an amusement rides and party rentals service.
The county’s announcement says it’s seeking a master concessionaire but it’s willing to deal with multiple concessionaires.
“Miami-Dade Parks is seeking to improve the Crandon Park visitor experience,” said Parks Director Jack Kardys. “Expanded opportunities for recreational activities such as canoeing, kayaking and biking complement the character of this designated heritage park.”
In a two-phase approach to finding concessionaires, the county will first meet with candidates from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. June 5 at the Crandon Golf Course Restaurant, 6700 Crandon Blvd.
The next step would be proposals to the county.
Details: Deborah Tavera, (305) 755-5459.


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Cathey N. 17-Mar-2024 18:13
HI! It's been many years since anyone posted here, so I'm not sure anyone will see this. But I remember riding on the train back in the 70s at the former zoo. Does anyone know how many miles the train-loop was? Like was it a one-mile loop? Two or more miles? Just curious. Also, does anyone know how many passengers the train could hold? I know these are weird questions, but I'm a writer, and I'm journaling some memory notes to myself.
S Ayars 18-Mar-2014 00:51
Hope they get the train back. Wonder if things are progressing?
Don Boyd22-May-2013 19:16
Well, finally something is moving forward. Please see my update above this comments section under the photo regarding the county seeking a concessionaire for the narrow-gauge train. : )

Don
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Trainman29-Apr-2013 17:51
Amen Don. If we could generate a grass roots movement of letter / email writing and phone calls to the Parks Dept and Key Biscayne County Commissioner asking why it's taking so many years to bring back the ever popular train attraction that enchnted millions of residents and tourists alike for 3 decades, I believe that might get their attention and help fast track this project.
Don Boyd18-Apr-2013 06:48
Trainman, thank you for information on what is holding up the restoration. I, for one, would like to see it returned to service for the enjoyment of many like the old train accomplished.

Don
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Trainman 17-Apr-2013 21:45
As far as the restoration of the train attraction goes, we are at the mercy of the Miami-Dade Parks Dept to finalize approval at their pace.
S Ayars 20-Jan-2013 17:23
I rode the train as a kid in the 60's and 70's when visiting my grandparents in Miami. Is there any timetable for the train's return?
Don Boyd10-Jan-2013 17:11
I don't remember the train running along the beach either, but those memory cells could have died off. The only route I remember from the 1960's and 70's is the route in the above photo that went through the wilderness area to east, south and west of the zoo and then back along the north side of the zoo. It may have run along the beach in the 1950's but I just don't remember that at this point in time.

Don
Bo Seignious 10-Jan-2013 03:00
at the time I worked on the RR it did not run along the beach

Bo Seignious
Trainman01-Oct-2012 20:15
After a decade of continual persistance and cajoling, it appears that the return of the "Biscayne Bay, Gulf & Atlantic RR" is very close. If anyone recalls the specific route of the original train please notify us. I undestand that the train ran along the beach as well as around the gardens and would like to confirm that. You may reach me at: cgersene@hotmail.com
michael smith 06-Sep-2012 01:28
I am curious, do the trains still exist today? We know the caboose is at Gold Coast. But what about the 2 ft gauge trains? Where are they now? How goes the plans to get the train back running in the park again?

Michael Smith
Vice President
Tradewinds & Atlantic Railroad
Coconut Creek, FL
(exit 69 on Turnpike, north side of Tradewinds Park)
train rides every 3rd weekend of the month 10-4 weather permitting
Don Boyd24-Jul-2012 06:34
Barry, thank you for providing us with that great historical information on who laid the track for the train.

Don
Barry Brooks 24-Jul-2012 00:37
My paternal grandfather, W. O. Brooks Sr. was a section foreman for the FECRR. In '48 or '49 he took his section gang to Crandon Park and laid the roadbed & tracks for this train. I was three or 4 at the time. He had a lifetime family pass and took all his grandchildren for rides on it. It was something very special for all of us since "pawpaw" built it.
In 1970 I took my new bride to ride on it while on our honeymoon. My grandparents lived on FEC Dr. in Coconut Grove just off the Dixie Hwy. I drove out there to see the old house where I had so many happy childhood memories only to be diappointed that an industrial park stood on the sight. The last time I saw the train was in '76 while on vacation. Thanks for the memories.

Rev. Barry Brooks
Midland, Tx.
Kenny Pichardo 15-Mar-2012 21:45
CG, I would love to see the resoration of the train that I grew up loving and riding when I was a child. Please let me know how I can help in your mission.
Kenny
Miami shores
CG 03-Feb-2012 19:15
We have been working diligently with the Parks Dept for over decade to bring back the 2' gauge train that was a beloved treasure for so many. We are seeking to use authentic steam locomotives and extend the alignment to run parallel to the beach, as well as throught the lush botanical gardens. This would create one of the most scenic and exciting 2' gauge railroads attractions in America. We would appreciate if everyone who loved the original train and would like to see its restoratiion to please let us know. Your responses will help to bring this beautiful slice of Miami history back to life for all to enjoy once again!
Guest 22-Jun-2011 16:54
If you wish to ride miniature trains now-a-days you have to go to Tradewinds Park on the third Sunday of the month. Tradewinds is west of I-95 off Sample Road in Pompano.
Don Boyd08-Oct-2010 17:38
Ian, yes on your photos - I would love to add them to the site! I'll e-mail you in a bit for details. Thanks!

Don
ian 08-Oct-2010 17:16
I just re read a few comments and would like to reply -
Ira Ginn was still there when I drove the train - and boy oh boy did HE have some stories.
His job was to sell the tickets - and I had a heart shaped punch to validate them - I thought the heart shaped punch would endear me to the girls - but no such luck.
His other job was to anounce the train ride
he would anounce into the microphone
"its a mile and a half through the south side of the park - down through the jungle - alongside the zoo "
in the great southern drawl he had .
Thats it for now
I could send you the pictures Don if you're interested.
Please let me know
Ian
ian 08-Oct-2010 17:04
My name is Ian Riley - my summer job in 1969 was driving the train - I have pictures of me , with the Biscayne Bay and Atlantic Railroad hat on , at the controls .
At that time it was privatly owned by a lady that lived near us in the Gables .
I came to the USA from England in April of 1967 and am so happy to be part of the history of " the train ".
We had a lot of fun back then.
Terry Rosser 22-Sep-2010 14:54
After my father (Jim Rosser) retired from Greyline Sightseeing Boats he was the engineer on this train. He loved every minute of it.
Don Boyd14-Apr-2009 13:52
Hi Beverly, thank you for posting that information about your grandfather and his partner. Everyone loved that train and for good reason because you felt like you were going through a tropical jungle on the back side of the zoo to the south. I'm so glad that Dave Kleylein provided us with the image. Don
Beverly Riedy 14-Apr-2009 12:58
My grandfather, Lester Sargent, and his good friend, Mr. Hisey, co-owned this train. My grandfather was retired from L&N Railroad. He loved children, he loved trains, and he loved Miami. This venture was a great joy to him (and to our family). Following his death in 1967, with my grandmother unable to fulfill the obligations once handled by my grandfather, the train was sold. It was a shame! Everyone I know who remembers it loved it!!
Don Boyd16-Nov-2008 05:57
Bo, thank you much for posting those memories of yours.

Don
bseign15-Nov-2008 16:46
I had the good fortune to work for the RR in the summer of 1955, what a great job. As I remember at that time it was called the Biscane Bay Atalantic & Gulf RR. I was about 16 at the time and after training from the head engineer, Ira Ginn, was allowed to run the train. It had a Pontiac straight eight engine with a hydra matic transmission. Every Monday morning it was my job was to pull the engine over a pit to grease and change the oil. A Mr. Hisey owned the RR at this time. Part of my pay included a quater to pay the toll each morning on the way to work.

Bo Seignious
Teekeela Robertson Williams 02-Jul-2008 04:23
I first rode on this train in 1949 when I was in the 6th grade at Shadowlawn Elementary. The 6th graders acted as buddies for the younger classes that had a field trip to the Crandon Park School. In later years in the mid 1960s I took my own three children to Crandon Park to the zoo and beach. It was a fun place. There was also a carousel not too far from the train. Does anyone recall it or know what happened to it. I find no mention of it in any of the comments for Crandon Park Zoo.
Guest 09-May-2008 18:58
I was really "p.o.'d" when they replaced the train. The original locomotive (though gasoline powered) was a nice, scaled down model. The "new" one was more "Thomas" like.

Also, see the elevated signal box (behind the tree in the middle of the picture). That used to stand in downtown Miami at Flagler Street and the railroad tracks. The crossing gates for Flagler and NW 1st were operated from there.
Leighton 30-Apr-2008 23:19
Then it was very soon after this photo, that they replaced the train. We have family photos from 1973, that show a completely different one, with covered passenger cars.
christian w. olson 29-Apr-2008 22:49
i rode on this train.