The Tradewinds & Atlantic Railroad is a nonprofit organization
dedicated to promoting history and education of railroading.

 

Where are you located? (Click here for directions)

The track site is located in Tradewinds Park, Coconut Creek, FL just west of the Florida Turnpike on Sample Road. If you are using a GPS, enter 3600 W. Sample Road, Coconut Creek. We are in the north side of the park, across Sample Road from Butterfly World. If you are planning on bringing equipment please Click Here for more information.

What exactly is a live steamer anyway?

A “Live Steamer” refers to a person who is interested in the worldwide hobby of Live Steaming. A catchall phrase, “live steam” refers to the fact that the engine or locomotive is running on real steam, generated by burning coal, oil, or using electricity to boil water. But that’s not all Live Steamers do. We are generally metalworking hobbyists, covering the gamut from building and running our own model trains (usually one-eighth life-size, like the ones at Tradewinds Park), to pattern-making and foundry work, live steam cars (like Stanley Steamers), stationary steam engines, steam boats (like the “Delta Queen”), to welding and metal forming are just some of the things we cover in our hobby.
It is not necessary to have all the tools for these trades to participate in the Live Steam hobby, or have a shop to work in, or even know how to do what it is you want to do. That’s what we’re here for – to teach about the hobby of Live Steam and teach each other new methods to enable us to make new things

.

A typical scene at Goodwin Station.

 

About our trains

The trains that you can ride on in Tradewinds Park are one-eighth life-size, or scaled at 1-1/2″ per foot. This makes them eleven times bigger than the typical HO scale train you might have in your home. The track gauge is 7-1/2″, a world-wide standard that allows us to host visitors from all over North and South America, England, Europe, Australia, and Africa. Steam, batteries, or small gas engines power the locomotives. Steam locomotives might burn coal, propane gas, or fuel oil depending on the whims of the builder. Models of Diesel-Electric locomotives using batteries give quiet dependable operation, while gasoline-powered locomotives give the ability to operate all day.

The “little” trains operating on the elevated track are either “O” guage or “G” gauge. Commonly referred to as”garden scale”, these trains are powered by electricity or steam. These trains are not big enough to ride on so they are controlled remotely or by radio command. The scale of these trains varies from 1:48 for “O” gauge to 1:20 for the “G” gauge.

About our people

All of the people you see working on the trains at the Tradewinds & Atlantic Railroad are volunteer members of the club and not employees of the park. In fact, we have no connection with Broward County Parks except for the fact that they graciously allow us room to build our facility in order that we may share our hobby with you. The money that we make from ticket sales goes strictly to help maintain and improve our facilities, insurance coverage, and educational programs for members and the general public. We have no paid employees, only volunteer club members.

.

TARR Members rebuilding the Logan Trestle.

 

Membership in the TradeWinds & Atlantic Railroad

Did you ever want to be an engineer? Large-scale model railroading is as close as you’ll ever get without getting a job with a real railroad. New members are always welcome, and you don’t have to know ‘diddly’ about trains or anything else, nor do you do not have to own any equipment. You just have to have an interest in one of the many fields we cover. Please click here or ask one of our members at the track for more details.

.

Happy Railroading!