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Daniel Metcalf Railroad Photography
Railfanning Arizona's Copper Country
On Monday, January 21st, 2019, I headed to Arizona's Copper Country to do some railfanning, from Superior to Globe and back.
The Magma Arizona Railroad Tracks
The Magma Arizona Railroad (MARR) is a famous shortline railroad. It operated from 1915 - 1997. The MARR was the last industrial shortline railroad to use steam locomotives, switching to diesels on September 4th, 1968.
These Photos were taken near Queen Valley, Arizona
U.S. 60 Hwy. Crossing
This is the former U.S. 60 Hwy. Crossing. It last saw a train cross it in 1997, when the railroad suspended operations.
This Photo was taken near Queen Valley, Arizona
Arizona Eastern Railway #4011
Built in 1987 for the Southern Pacific Railroad (SP) by General Electric as a B39-8E. It was numbered 8032. When the SP merged with the Union Pacific Railroad (UP), the 8032 became UP 5641 and was converted to a B40-8. Sometime between 2008 and 2015, the locomotive was purchased by the Arizona Eastern Railway and was numbered 4011.
This Photo was Taken near Miami, Arizona
Southern Pacific Railroad #1774
Built in 1901 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works as a 2-6-0 Mogul Class M-8 Steam Locomotive. Between 1910 and 1924 it was acquired by the Arizona Eastern Railroad. When the Southern Pacific Railroad (SP) bought the line in 1924, the locomotive was assigned to mainline freight. It wasn't until around 1946 that the locomotive came back to home rails, the Arizona Eastern Railroad. Back on the Arizona Eastern the locomotive ran both passenger and freight trains. On November 2, 1956, the locomotive was donated to the City of Globe, AZ. Currently the locomotive is on display in Globe.
These Photos were Taken in Globe, AZ
The Globe Train Station
Built in 1916. For 38 years the station served Globe. In 1954 the station saw its last passenger train until 2006 when the Arizona Eastern Railroad started operating excursion trains under the name Copper Spike Train Excursion. Since 2012, the railroad has not operated the Copper Spike Train Excursion, due to new owners. Currently, the depot serves as a museum and is opened by appointment only.
This Photos was Taken in Globe, AZ
Copper Spike Train Excursion Schedule
A Former Magma Arizona Railroad Caboose
This Caboose is now used as an information center in Superior, AZ
This Photo Was Taken in Superior, Arizona
The Sunset on the Magma Arizona Railroad Tracks
The Sun is setting so it is time to go home.
This Photo Was Taken Near Queen Valley, Arizona
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