Arizona is the six largest state in the United States of America with predominantly urban population. Arizona is well known for spectacular landforms such as Grand Canyon. There are some tourist trains in Arizona. In the capital of the state – Phoenix – there is a people mover to airport.
Three Amtrak trains travel through Arizona – Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle.
There are seven Amtrak stations in the state: Benson, Flagstaff, Kingman, Maricopa, Tucson, Winslow and Yuma.
Amtrak has no railway station in Phoenix. Closest station to Phoenix is Maricopa, about 40 miles south of downtown Phoenix. Amtrak service in Phoenix was discontinued in 1996, but there are plans to reinstate Phoenix to Tucson train operated by Amtrak.
Tourist trains in Arizona
Grand Canyon Railway – most famous tourist railway in Arizona and one of the most famous scenic train routes in the USA. Trains run daily on the Williams – Grand Canyon route (103 km). To reach Williams, it is best to take the Southwest Chief train operated by Amtrak to Williams Junction station. There is a shuttle bus to Williams station. The railway offers numerous tours. The route is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. One of the cheapest tour offers is the Railway Express, which includes a one-way journey, an overnight stay in a railway hotel at the Grand Canyon station, and a return journey the next day. The one-way journey takes two hours and 15 minutes. Usually diesel hauled
Grand Canyon Railway – official website
Verde Canyon Railway – a tourist railway between Clarkdale and Perkinsville (20 miles) on the tracks of the Clarkdale Arizona Central Railroad. Trains run most days of the year except Tuesdays. Trains are comprised a diesel locomotive, an open-air car, and retro-style refurbished passenger cars. All passenger cars are equipped with air-conditionng and each one has a restroom. Each car has large panoramic windows and access to an open-air viewing car for 360-degree viewing and lots of fresh canyon air. At the starting station, there is a café, a small museum housed in an old railcar, and a souvenir shop. Alcoholic beverages can also be purchased on board the train. The return journey takes about 4 hours.
Verde Canyon Railroad – official website
Railway museums in Arizona
Arizona Railway Museum – railroad museum located in Chandler, Maricopa County dedicated to the railways of Arizona and the Southwest. The museum is open only on weekends and closed during the Summer. Self-guided walk around yard to view the equipment – currently 12 passenger cars are available for visitors, display building with gift shop
Arizona Railway Museum – official website
Adobe Mountain Desert Railroad Park – park complex that houses the Sahuaro Central Railroad Heritage preservation Society, Sahuaro Central Railroad Museum, Arizona Model Railroading Society, and the Maricopa Live Steamers. The approximately 160-acre Adobe Mountain Desert Railroad Park is located south of Pinnacle Peak Road on 43rd Avenue in the City of Glendale, Arizona, north of Phoenix. There are multiple routes of miniature railways with a total length of 18 miles. Public rides available usually most Sunday afternoons.
Adobe Mountain Desert Railroad Park – official website
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park – a small railroad museum located in downtown Scottsdale. In addition to an exhibition dedicated to the history of railways in the region, there is a model railroad. Visitors can also ride “Paradise & Pacific Railroad” miniature train that carries visitors along a route about 1.5 kilometers long. The museum is open every day of the year except Christmas Day and Thanksgiving.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park – official website
There is also the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum in the historic depot in Tucson. The museum does not charge for admission.
Transportation Museum in Tucson – official website
Miniature railways in Arizona
C.P. Huntington Train – a miniature railway in the Old Tucson movie town (similar to a Wild West town) in Mescal.
Daisy Mountain Railroad – a miniature railway located in the community park at Anthem, 25 miles north of Phoenix. It operates on selected days, and the ride takes 10 minutes.
Daisy Mountain Railroad – official website
Superstition Scenic Railway – a narrow gauge railway in the “Goldfield Ghost Town” located about 10 miles from Phoenix, in Apache Junction. Two-kilometer loop circle the ghost town. The engineer tells of the history of Goldfield, the Superstition Mountains, and the desert southwest in general. The train departs every 35 minutes on a 20 minute journey. Tickets are relatively expensive.
Goldfield Ghost Town – official website
Related articles:
Railways in the United States of America by state
PHX Sky Train in Phoenix
Phoenix has an electric people mover at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. It replaced shuttle buses for transit within the airport property. The first segment was opened to the public on April 8, 2013. The first extension was opened in 2014 and second extension in 2022. Total length of the route is 8 kilometers. Trains run every 3–5 minutes and operate 24 hours a day. The system is designed to carry 3,300 passengers per hour per direction.
The PHX Sky Train is an automated train that transports travelers between Valley Metro Rail at 44th and Washington streets, the East Economy Parking area, the airport terminals, the 24th Street PHX Sky Train Station, and the Rental Car Center.
PHX Sky Train – more information
