Arizona Central Railroad
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| Arizona Central Railroad | |
|---|---|
| Reporting marks | AZCR |
| Locale | Central Arizona |
| Dates of operation | 1989–Present |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) (standard gauge) |
| Headquarters | Clarkdale, Arizona |
The Arizona Central Railroad (AAR reporting marks AZCR) is an Arizona shortline railroad that operates from a connection with the BNSF Railway (AAR reporting marks BNSF) at Drake. The AZCR runs 37.8 miles from Drake to Clarkdale, Arizona. An excursion train also runs on the line through Verde Canyon and is operated by the same owners under the Verde Canyon Railroad. The AZCR is owned by David L. Durbano (The Western Group).
Contents |
[edit] Traffic
The AZCR handles 1,500 cars per year (1996 figure) of inbound coal to the Phoenix Cement Company and shipping outbound cement and copper.
The Verde Canyon Railroad carries 60,000 passengers per year (1996 figure).
[edit] History
[edit] Verde Valley Railway
From 1913-1989 the line was operated by the Santa Fe Railway. On November 17, 1911 the Verde Valley Railway was chartered as a non-operating subsidiary of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Construction from Cedar Glade (west of Drake) to Clarkdale was immediately commenced and was completed on February 1, 1913 at a total cost of $1,286,061. It was built to support the copper mines at Jerome, Arizona. On December 31, 1942 the Verde Valley was conveyed to the Santa Fe Railway by deed.
On April 14, 1989 the Santa Fe Railway sold the Clarkdale branch to David L. Durbano's "The Western Group". The new railroads were named the Arizona Central Railroad for freight and the Verde Canyon Railroad for passenger service. Passenger service resumed in November 1990.
[edit] Motive power
The AZCR has 4 locomotives that were all built in the 1950s. The railroad has one EMD GP7 (AZCR 2279), one EMD GP9 (AZCR 3413) and a pair of EMD FP7's (1510 and 1512, used to power the excursion)
[edit] Route
The route is nestled between two national forests and adjacent to a designated wilderness area, follows the Verde River the entire way and features a 680-foot long tunnel and many bridges.
- Drake - BNSF
- Mack
- Bear
- Perkinsville - A ghost town
- Sycamore
- Clarkdale
[edit] References
- Robertson, Donald B. (1986). Encyclopedia of Western Railroad History: The Desert States: Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah. Caldwell, Idaho: The Caxton Printers, 112. ISBN 0-87004-305-6.
- Stindt, Fred A. (1996). American Shortline Railway Guide, 5th Edition, Waukesha, Wisconsin: Kalmbach Publishing, 28. ISBN 0-89024-290-9.
- Walker, Mike (1995). Steam Powered Video's Comprehensive Railroad Atlas of North America - Arizona & New Mexico. Kent, United Kingdom: Steam Powered Publishing, 9,15. ISBN 1-874745-04-8.
