Western Railroad Discussion > Tucson help please

I'll be going to Tucson for several days after the new year. Can anyone recommend the "best places" to train watch, relatively near the city. We'll have a car.

This is one of my favorite places when in the Tucson area.
https://goo.gl/maps/NYvqyRAgnwtXWsLSA

 

SouthWest RailCams
CA, NM, CO, TX, AZ
https://SouthWestRailCams.com

RailFanAZ Wrote:
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> This is one of my favorite places when in the
> Tucson area.
> https://goo.gl/maps/NYvqyRAgnwtXWsLSA
>
>  

I'll second that.

I'll third that!

Chris

The 2nd video on this post shows the train above the other main.  https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,4711085
I had some earlier pictures, just can't find them.

SouthWest RailCams
CA, NM, CO, TX, AZ
https://SouthWestRailCams.com

Also to the North of Tucson is the Rail Fan Friendly Copper Basin RR

rantoul Wrote:
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> Drive west to I-10 exit 236 Marana Road.  At the
> end of the exit turn right then left before the
> railroad tracks.  You will be on the former 2
> lane highway which follows the Sunset Route main
> line west for miles with I-10 to the left
> (south).  This part of the railroad is under
> expansion to double track thus you may see rail
> teams with cranes adding track.  At Red Rock AZ
> the open acreage to the north (right of the rail)
> is an area planned for a new yard.  Traffic tends
> to be sorted in this area, trains held for faster
> trains, etc.

The double track project has been done for a few years now.  Red Rock and Picacho are used for switching cars and allowing for trains to pass.  There has been no new double tracking in a long time.  The double track is complete all the way to Estrella where it then goes to Single Track.  They also just completed 3 siding expansions this year at Bosque, Piedra, and Aztec for the long monster trains and replaced all SearchLights along the route.

SouthWest RailCams
CA, NM, CO, TX, AZ
https://SouthWestRailCams.com

I was just there in September, and scouted out the UP to the east. The parallel road being an Interstate makes it hard to catch a train coming the opposite direction. Since there's quite a bit of rail traffic, it might be better to find a spot trackside and wait. Both Sybil and Dragoon are scenic (desert-wise) and are a short drive off the freeway. Willcox still has the depot standing, but it's got a lot of junk around it. Benson is not so good for the UP due to trees and close quarters, but is home to the San Pedro Valley RR and its pair of GP30s (located on Country Club Drive, of all things). Bowie is the connection with the Arizona Eastern, but they don't seem to keep any equipment there except when the train arrives from Globe. The Port of Tucson (off the Interstate east of the airport) switches an industrial park with a GP28 and a pair of GP30s, all in old Kyle colors. Also, the Tucson light rail zig-zags through town on a four-mile route, and is kind of a fun ride.

Do a search here on. Train orders.

miralomarail Wrote:
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> Also to the North of Tucson is the Rail Fan Friendly Copper Basin RR

I was just there on Tuesday...late afternoon...
...everything was shut down, employees were out along the roads, picketing.
In the few minutes I spent in Hayden, I saw at least 10 police vehicles.
I thought it best to not stick around.

Hopmere Hank
 

wpamtk Wrote:
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> ...Both Sybil and Dragoon are scenic (desert-wise) and are a short drive off the freeway.

   My tour guides took me to Sibyl Road on Monday afternoon and there were lots of trains, in both directions.
   The big curves are impressive, and trains can be seen for a long way.

> Benson is not so good for the UP due to trees and close quarters,
> but is home to the San Pedro Valley RR and its pair of GP30s (located on Country Club Drive, of
> all things).

   I got to see this pair of GP30s doing some switching work, and they sound SOOOO good!
   I wish I had taken some recording equipment.

Hopmere Hank


 

superchief1944 Wrote:
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> I'll be going to Tucson for several days after the
> new year.
So sorry to hear. Hope you get better news in the near future.