Guide to Arizona's Miniature Railroads
Featuring
The Old Tucson Studios Miniature Railroad
The Old Tucson Studios Miniature Railroad in Tucson, Arizona
Constructed in 1939 for the movie Arizona starring Jean Arthur and William
Holden, Old Tucson Studios has been the site for more than 70 major motion pictures
and television shows. Among the noteable films shot at "Hollywood in the Desert" were:
Winchester '73, Gunfight at the OK Corral, Rio Bravo, Mclintock, El Dorado,
Rio Lobo, The Outlaw Josie Wales, and Tombstone. High Chaparral and Little House
on the Prarie were two of the more popular television series shot on the studio grounds.
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Old Tucson studios opened it's doors to the public as a family fun park in January of 1960.
The park continued to grow throughout the 60's, and in 1977 it debuted it's Silverlake Park
section which houses a wild west carousel, antique car rides, Rio Bravo canoe
adventure, C.P. Huntington miniature train and several other rides.
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As the C.P. Huntington 24" gauge railroad leaves Silverlake Park, a Chance Industries
crossing signal near the studio entrance warns pedestrians to keep an eye out for the
departing train. The 15 minute journey takes passengers across the Rio Lobo, then passes
between the High Chaparral set and the Spanish Mission, before circling past the
North end of town and out into the high desert terrain. The splendor of the old west captivates
passengers as the train weaves it's way back towards town and the depot at Silverlake Park.
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The Old Tucson Studios Miniature Railroad has two C.P. Huntington Engines, each
of which pulls a consist of three passenger cars. One is un-numbered and painted
brown, the other (number 164) is painted red, dark blue, and light blue. Only one
engine runs at any time and the other is kept in a storage yard awaiting it's turn
to delight passengers.
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In addition to it's miniature train, Old Tucson Studios is home to a locomotive
legend, the Reno. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1872, the Reno
originally saw service on the Virginia and Truckee Railroad. By the time Metro-Goldwyn
Mayer purchased the Reno in 1945, she had already starred in two films:
Courage of the West and Cecil B. Demille's Union Pacific. Old Tucson
Studios purchased the Reno in 1970 and her filmography now totals more than 100 films
including How the West Was Won. Like any good actor she knows the show must
go on. She refused to let the devastating fire that swept Old Tucson Studios in 1995 and
destroyed nearly 40% of the buildings end her acting career. After significant
cosmetic surgery she returned to the silver screen in the 1997 film Wild Wild West.
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Old Tucson Studios offers several live shows including gunfights and stuntshows,
guided tours, museums and exhibits, restaurants, shopping and several amusement rides
in addition to providing an old west backdrop for film and television crews.
For ticket prices, days and hours of operation visit the Old Tucson Studios website.