Hoilday Advice

collinsl

New member
Hi all,:wave:

Does anyone know of any good Rail spots in Eastern Arizona or New Mexico?

They have to be close to Major roads that an RV can get along easily, and not too far north, because according to my father "It gets too cold up there at nights..."

Thanks in advance,
 
Where will you be?
Tucson, AZ has the Old Pueblo Trolley.
http://www.oldpueblotrolley.org/
It's over by the U of A, and the roads around there are a bit small for an RV, but with Google maps you should be able to find a place to park within easy walking distance.
And the Gadsden-Pacific toy train museum in north Tucson might be worth a visit, although you should call ahead for that one to see when they'll be open. http://www.thepepper.com/tucson_toy_train.html
There's also the Arizona Railway Museum in Chandler, just south of Phoenix. It's a bit small and probably out of your way, but here's the link anyway. http://www.azrymuseum.org/ In Google Earth, search for Chandler, then follow the UP line south past the 202 and look for a ladder yard in the middle of some farm fields. I love that little Plymouth switcher. We don't have any Plymouths in Trainz.:confused:
New Mexico has the Wheels Museum in Albuquerque. http://www.wheelsmuseum.org/ It's built in the old Santa Fe Railroad locomotive shop.
That's a few things to look at while you're getting started. Locals on the forum should be able to point you toward the local spotting areas.

Claude
 
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Check out the Clovis Sub; it's there on google earth! :hehe:

And watch out for rattlers and gila monsters... :confused:

Hey isn't the Rio Grande gorge in NM?



Cheers

Nix
 
Thanks for the advice!

I will be sticking to the southern regions of AZ and NM, but will make a 1-night stopover at Albuquerque, so this infomation is all relevant.

Thanks again!
 
It sounds like a road trip.
In that case, you might also want to check out the Maricopa Live Steamers in Phoenix. They have one of the biggest live steam layouts I've ever seen. http://www.maricopalivesteamers.com/
I grew up near Tucson, and I've never seen a gila monster, and the rattlers are okay if you don't step on them. Use a stick if you have to pick up something from the ground in case there's a snake under it.
The biggest hazards in Arizona are heat, sun and distance. The air is really dry, so you dry out before you know it. Keep plenty of water handy.
Don't forget sunscreen. Also, since the air is so dry, the view is fantastic. It was once a volcanic area, so the mountains come straight up out of the desert floor with very little foothills, and you can see them clearly for 30 miles or more. People who hike over to the hill on the horizon before breakfast might be walking for a day or two before reaching it.
And take your cell phone with you. The emergency number in the US is 911. Try to keep track of what road you are on so you can direct rescuers.
That should be enough basics to keep you out of trouble or to handle any trouble you get into. Coming from England, you sholdn't notice much cold, except early mornings before sunrise. By breakfast even the coldest night will normally warm up to shirtsleeve weather.
Do you know when you'll be coming yet?

:cool: Claude
 
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It sounds like a road trip.
In that case, you might also want to check out the Maricopa Live Steamers in Phoenix. They have one of the biggest live steam layouts I've ever seen. http://www.maricopalivesteamers.com/
I grew up near Tucson, and I've never seen a gila monster, and the rattlers are okay if you don't step on them. Use a stick if you have to pick up something from the ground in case there's a snake under it.
The biggest hazards in Arizona are heat, sun and distance. The air is really dry, so you dry out before you know it. Keep plenty of water handy.
Don't forget sunscreen. Also, since the air is so dry, the view is fantastic. It was once a volcanic area, so the mountains come straight up out of the desert floor with very little foothills, and you can see them clearly for 30 miles or more. People who hike over to the hill on the horizon before breakfast might be walking for a day or two before reaching it.
And take your cell phone with you. The emergency number in the US is 911. Try to keep track of what road you are on so you can direct rescuers.
That should be enough basics to keep you out of trouble or to handle any trouble you get into. Coming from England, you sholdn't notice much cold, except early mornings before sunrise. By breakfast even the coldest night will normally warm up to shirtsleeve weather.
Do you know when you'll be coming yet?

:cool: Claude

Thanks!

I'll be in over easter, flying in on saturday 22nd (day before easter) and coming back two weeks later.

I can't wait to relive some of the memories I got from doing exactly the same thing in 2006, but with a different route.
 
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