Guide to Arizona's Miniature Railroads
Featuring
The Trail Dust Town Railroad
The Trail Dust Town Railroad in Tucson, Arizona
Construction began over 50 years ago on Trail Dust Town, Tucson's most
popular western theme attraction. Wooden plank sidewalks and red brick streets
line the way to restaurants, shops, and galleries. A banquet facility is available
for large parties and conventions. Trail Dust town boasts many other attractions as
well. Among them are: The "Dragoon Street Wild, Wild, West Stunt Show", the "Museum
of the Horse Soldier", the "Rifle Saloon" shooting gallery, gold panning at the 'ol
terrible mine, the "Fiesta del Presidio Carousel (a 1920's Allan Herschell Carousel),
and a C.P. Huntington Train Ride.
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The 24" gauge C.P. Huntington train came to Trail Dust Town in July of 1996. The engine
(Number 287) pulls a consist of two passenger cars. Among the ammenities of the railroad
are several western themed buildings and structures, 2 tunnels, 3 Chance Industries crossing
signals, a Chance Industries crossing gate, and one of the most beautiful depot's I've ever
seen. The depot is an accurate reproduction of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western station at
Wallace, New York built in 1882. It serves as retail space for an icecream, candy and gift
shop, as well as a loading platform for the train.
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Once the train leaves the depot it starts passengers on "an excursion through the
great American frontier". The journey begins with passage through the Trail Dust
cemetery. A short while later the train passes through an Indian village. A long
straight-away brings the train to a tunnel that's overgrown with vegetation. Inside
the tunnel is the "Lost City of Gold". After emerging on the other side of the tunnel,
the train circles past Indian teepees on the outskirts of "Fort Trail Dust", an old
log-style cavalry fort. From there it's just a short distance across the front of the
fort to the freight depot. While passing the entrance to the fort, passengers can catch a
glimpse of Trail Dust Town inside the fort's walls. After leaving the freight depot the
train enters Fort Trail Dust and makes its way to "The Ol' Terrible Mine". Exiting the
opposite side of the mine brings passengers back out into the light of day and just a
few moments removed from their return to the Trail Dust Town depot. The excursion lasts
approximately 8 minutes and is quite enjoyable.
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For ticket prices, days and hours of operation visit the
Trail Dust Town website.
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