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I got back a week ago from a visit with my brother in Phoenix (Texas Eagle going, Southwest Chief coming back). The previous Sunday he and I visited the Adobe Mountain Desert Railroad Park. We could not have been more impressed!
Took in the HO and N scale layouts; talked with the "curator" (can't recall his name) and was invited to grab some old magazines from their giveaway stack. I happened to pick up a 1993 issue of Garden Railways - a lot of info still useful after all these years! Then outside to the 15-inch gauge facilities. My bro's not much into trains (likes to refurbish MGBs, Harleys and small planes for fun), but we both treasure the American Flyer layout we had as kids (I have custody). We were both amazed and impressed with the size and scope of the construction that happens inside all those containers disguised as a wild west town. Normally I wouldn't bother to go for a two-minute train ride, but their two mile route was something we both were glad we didn't miss. We were more than happy to toss some $$ into the jar at the end. That is one impressive operation.
Unfortunately for me, the G scale layout was sitting nearby with no full-size humans in evidence. I'd have had a dozen questions if someone had been there.
Since I work for a non-profit that is mostly volunteer-operated, I know how tough it is to motivate people to put in their time for free. The work that they've done so far is seriously impressive; I couldn't help envision the possibilities the park has. Not Disneyland yet, but certainly a must-see for railfans visiting Phoenix.
Kudos to the Adobe Mountain Desert Railroad Park (within the Maricopa County Adobe Dam Regional Park, 22822 N. 43rd Avenue). High point of my vacation, although riding the new light rail was cool, too.
Took in the HO and N scale layouts; talked with the "curator" (can't recall his name) and was invited to grab some old magazines from their giveaway stack. I happened to pick up a 1993 issue of Garden Railways - a lot of info still useful after all these years! Then outside to the 15-inch gauge facilities. My bro's not much into trains (likes to refurbish MGBs, Harleys and small planes for fun), but we both treasure the American Flyer layout we had as kids (I have custody). We were both amazed and impressed with the size and scope of the construction that happens inside all those containers disguised as a wild west town. Normally I wouldn't bother to go for a two-minute train ride, but their two mile route was something we both were glad we didn't miss. We were more than happy to toss some $$ into the jar at the end. That is one impressive operation.
Unfortunately for me, the G scale layout was sitting nearby with no full-size humans in evidence. I'd have had a dozen questions if someone had been there.
Since I work for a non-profit that is mostly volunteer-operated, I know how tough it is to motivate people to put in their time for free. The work that they've done so far is seriously impressive; I couldn't help envision the possibilities the park has. Not Disneyland yet, but certainly a must-see for railfans visiting Phoenix.
Kudos to the Adobe Mountain Desert Railroad Park (within the Maricopa County Adobe Dam Regional Park, 22822 N. 43rd Avenue). High point of my vacation, although riding the new light rail was cool, too.
