Passenger Trains > Phoenix-Tempe-Mesa Valley Metro (and other topics)

In May 2019 the Phoenix area's Valley Metro rail line extended east to Gilbert Road in Mesa.  Here are some pics of that and other rail-related subjects from today (12/6/19):
Phoenix Sky Harbor airport has a Sky Train that gets one from the terminals to near the Valley Metro light rail line, though it does take a bit of walking.
1. SkyTrain spurs
2. The SkyTrain ducks under the UP, where these plug door boxcars were spotted
3. This shows the Valley Metro light rail stop that serves the airport.  The SkyTrain facility is barely visible (rounded-roof building) through the trees at left.  A few air passengers and air crew members transferred to Valley Metro the day I rode.

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4. This grade crossing is for the Valley Metro shops.  Note the U-turn sign for drivers
5. This crossing is for a bike path next to a canal
6. UP through truss bridge over the Salt River

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7. New east end of the light rail line at Gilbert in Mesa. 
8. Downtown Tempe, where an eastbound Valley Metro train crosses the site of a future diamond.  The other track is for a Tempe streetcar route, which is slated to open in 2021.
9. Streetcar track construction on Rio Salado.  The trains will operate on battery power in this area; no catenary will be constructed on these sections.

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10. Another view of streetcar line construction
11. A UP freight (short local) crosses the Salt River into Tempe
12. Another view of the local.

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13. Former union station in Phoenix.  If local commuter rail ever returns, would it use this station area again?
14. The SP lives! (in the form of this Private Property sign).  This faces east at 4th Ave, across from the station. Will more high rise residences be built in this area, kind of like what happened in Denver?

Thanks for viewing

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Thanks for these great photos and interesting information. Although I live in Mesa, I have not been following the progress of the Tempe streetcar project. I was not aware that they were that far along. 

isn't the station for sale  soon?

I came across the Tempe streetcar info on line before I went by there; the '2021' estimated opening date is from a sign near the downtown platform.  I don't recall seeing any of that (streetcar track construction) when I last rode the Valley Metro line in early 2018.  The Metro extension to Mesa likely made that route more practical with the large park-and-ride lot there.  I rode late morning and early afternoon; the trains had a decent amount of riders and were not full.  A fare inspector came on board one of the trips and all seemed to be ok; I did not see her write anyone a ticket or escort anyone off the train. 

As for the Phoenix union station, there were several Sprint trucks on site inside the chain link fence; I don't know if the station is for sale.  It would take some effort to move all those communications towers.
 

Nice coverage. I spent several months working on the extension into Mesa. Even though it was in the summer working on imbedded track I enjoyed Mesa.

The PHX airport sky train is useful for passengers parking offsite at 44th Street and for workers commuting to airport terminals 3 and 4.  After having rented a car there last month and taking the better part of 30 minutes on a shuttle bus in traffic to get to the central rental facility two miles away to the west, I found out the sky train is going to connect all the terminals to on-airport parking and to the rental center in 2021. It will certainly make it convenient for all the above.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/10/19 12:55 by Cumbresfan.

Thanks for the photos.  I have fond memories of flying into PHX in March of 2013 and 2015 - on 2-day trips to see the Angels Spring Training games at Tempe Diablo stadium, and just using Valley Metro Light rail and buses to get around.  Saved a ton on a rental car from the airport.

Rich