Where are some good locations for railfanning around Phoenix? Are there any local clubs or model railroads that are open to the public?
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Dan:
I'd recommend a visit to McCormick Railroad Park in Scottsdale. In addition to trains you can ride there is also a museum. Additionally, several club layouts are in the park. You'll want to check the park website for hours.
Curt
I'd recommend a visit to McCormick Railroad Park in Scottsdale. In addition to trains you can ride there is also a museum. Additionally, several club layouts are in the park. You'll want to check the park website for hours.
Curt
McCormick Railroad Park in Scottsdale is awesome. Real trains, ride on trains, several model railroads.
Here is a link to the website: http://www.therailroadpark.com
Joe
Arizona Railway Museum in Chandler, open weekends (except summertime) from 12 to 4 PM. I have not been there myself; its on my list for my Spring Training trip next March.
If you are living their, then Maricopa Live Steamers in the Phoenix are having there Fall meet, lots of cool trains their, and the swap meet for a group that meets on their property (can't remember name) is having their swap meet. This is during the weekend of Halloween.
For railfanning in the Phoenix area, follow Grand Ave. (rt.60). It heads northwest out of Phoenix and parallels the BNSF line. We followed it way out to Wickenburg ( a cool little town) and saw several trains. The locals in Phoenix get upset when the long trains block the grade crossings.
Also check out the Verde Canyon Railway. It's a bit out of the way north of Phoenix, but well worth the trip to see and even better to ride the excursion into the mountains!
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I'll second that for the Verde Canyon Ride! We rode it 3 years ago when in Arizona, and thought it was great. Branch off the old Santa Fe line....................Brandy!
Don't expect a lot of speed, as it winds down and back up the Verde Canyon walls. At the bottom where the engine runs around the train, to go back to Clarkdale there is what's left of equipment that was in the Movie "How the West was Won".
I remember a steam locomotive being in the old movie, but too many years ago to remember what type it was......................Brandy!
Another good ride is, the Grand Canyon Railroad, that runs from Williams to the Grand Canyon, and back......................
