Photos: Riding the Rails
Gadsden-Pacific Division Toy Train Operating Museum is building a train track around its museum, which it will dedicate Dec. 1 with a golden spike ceremony. To be ready in time, volunteers, some are 80+, have been working Saturday mornings to clean, grade, finish laying track and test the trains. It will be another year or so, depending on fundraising, before there is a train that the public can ride.
Riding the Rails
Raymond McDaniel, right, pilots his 1/8th scale train with members of the Gadsden-Pacific Division Toy Train Operating Museum Dave Peterson, Burt Wright , l-r, during the first day of testing on the new 7 1/2 inch guage track on Saturday, November 17, 2012 in Tucson, AZ. The track at 3975 N. Miller Ave. has been under construction for more than two years.
Riding the Rails
Burt Wright, Dave Peterson, and George Fry, l-r, members of the Gadsden-Pacific Division Toy Train Operating Museum, rake and level rock at their property at 3975 N. Miller Ave. in preparation for the upcoming Dec. 1 golden spike dedication ceremony.
Riding the Rails
Members of the Toy Train Museum ride the 1/8th scale train past a full scale rail section mocked up for the upcoming Dec. 1 golden spike dedication ceremony. The track has been under construction for two years. Mayor Jonathan Rothschild will drive the golden spike along with a representative from the local branch of the Union Pacific Railroad.
Riding the Rails
Museum member Burt Wright tests a spike in a full scale rail section mocked up for the upcoming Dec. 1 golden spike dedication ceremony. Mayor Jonathan Rothschild will drive the golden spike along with a representative from the local branch of the Union Pacific Railroad.
Riding the Rails
Jesse Miller, 33, uses a cart to the new track during the first day of testing on the 7 1/2 in guage track at Gadsden-Pacific Division Toy Train Operating Museum.
Riding the Rails
Jeff Swanson and passenger Noah Huth, 9, ride the 7 1/2 inch guage train towards a full size caboose during the first day of testing at Gadsden-Pacific Division Toy Train Operating Museum.
Riding the Rails
Don Van Manen, 78, drives his electric train around the new track at Toy Train Museum during the first day of testing. Van Manen is new to model railroading having purchased this train just 4 months ago. "I grew up by a switching yard in Montana.", says retired airplane pilot Van Manen. "I always wanted to get involved with trains."
Riding the Rails
Members of the Gadsden-Pacific Division Toy Train Operating Museum ride rain past Don Van Manen, 78, as he works with his hopper car.
Riding the Rails
Jesse Miller, 33, tries his hand at running the train during the first day of testing. The engine, a 1/8th scale SW1500 owned by Raymond McDaniel. is equipped with a small Honda motor.
Riding the Rails
Noah Huth, 9, enjoys the sound of the bell on a small electric train as his dad Hans Huth, left, watches at the Gadsden-Pacific Division Toy Train Operating Museum during the first day of testing the track.
Riding the Rails
Hans Huth, left, helps son Noah, with the controls on the small electric train.
Riding the Rails
Members of the Gadsden-Pacific Division Toy Train Operating Museum l-r; Burt Wright, Dave Peterson and Raymond McDaniel ride the train as Hugh Madson, 81, watches for derailment of the rear car. Grading the ground is very important as the train can derail on uneven surfaces.
Riding the Rails
The Gadsden-Pacific Division Toy Train Operating Museum includes a caboose on its property in Tucson, AZ. The caboose was donated to the museum and is outfitted just as it was when it was operating in it's heydey.
Riding the Rails
Raymond McDaniel, right, and members of the Gadsden-Pacific Division Toy Train Operating Museum pass by the retired caboose. The 7 1/2 inch guage train is equivalent to 1/8 scale of a normal track.