All Aboard McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

e*Train Issue: Jun 2019 | Posted in: Railfanning

By Don Santiago Summer 2019

Minutes away from Scottsdale, Arizona’s luxurious resorts, upscale shopping and fine dining, sits the thirty-acre McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. As the name suggests, it is indeed a railroad themed park not just for train enthusiasts, but also for families.

The park opened on October 4, 1975. Upon entering, one is greeted by the Magna Arizona Railroad Number 6 steam locomotive on one side and on the other side, a Merci train box car that was once used by France to aid European countries devastated by World War II. Both are also within walking distance of two Paradise and Pacific railroad dining cars that can be rented out for events and meetings.

Now cross the railroad tracks, and after a short walk inside, you are immediately impressed by the size and the influence of trains upon the design, while still maintaining the feel of an old western town. What you may gravitate towards is the beauty of the fully restored and operational antique Charros Carousel giving you no doubt this park is for kids of all ages.

If you’re now craving a snack after the short walk, there are two dining options in front of you. There’s a snack shop operating, to no surprise, out of a Southern Pacific Railroad Caboose or, step inside Huntley’s General Store for more food options. But you may want to ignore those hunger pangs as you hear the sound of a train whistle followed by a booming voice beckoning “All Aboard!” There you’ll find a replica of a Paradise and Pacific Railroad train- a reproduction of a Colorado gauge railroad, about to depart from a replicated train depot, to take you on a leisurely one mile ride around the park.

For those who are interested in train history, take a tour of a Roald Amundsen Pullman Car that was used by four presidents during the 1940’s. And right next door is the “do not miss” highlight of the park, the ten-thousand square foot building housing model railroads of different gauges operated by several local model railroad clubs.

Step inside and you are immediately greeted by a friendly volunteer ready to answer any questions you may have. There are three model railroads, each a different gauge: O, N, and HO. And each model railroad reflects a part of Arizona from its desert landscape to its rich history in mining. Recognizable landmarks can be easily spotted and then there are the friendly volunteers standing nearby eager to answer questions. Each layout has a great viewing area and there plenty of interactions within reach for the little ones.

Even if trains are not your interest, stay outside and play, or sun bathe on one of several large grass fields, and let the kids enjoy themselves on the playground; also train inspired, while you just relax or plan your next celebration, event and/or barbecue for the park offers also offers these amenities.

But no matter your intention, the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is an enjoyable place to visit, relax and enjoy the great Arizona weather for both adults, kids of all ages, and even the inner child.

Details:
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
7301 E. Indian Bend Road
Scottsdale, AZ, 85250. Phone: (480) 312-2312.
Open all year long.
Admission: Free.
Fees to ride the Charros Carousel, the Paradise and Pacific Railroad, or tour the Roald Amundsen Pullman Car.
See website for prices and hours: www.therailroadpark.com

Contact the author at [email protected].

Shop Amazon and Help TCA

TCA members who shop at Amazon.com can have each of their normal purchases generate a modest payment to TCA! And it won’t cost you anything!

The Train Collectors Association is now a participant with AmazonSmile, which is a special website operated by Amazon that lets customers enjoy the same wide selection of products, low prices and convenient shopping features as on Amazon.com.

The difference is that when customers shop at AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organizations selected by customers.

The process is simple. Just search for and select Train Collectors Association when you sign up and shop at smile.amazon.com.

You use your regular Amazon.com username and password, but when you log in to smile.amazon.com, you’ll see that you are supporting TCA with your purchases:

Note that if you just log in to the regular amazon.com, this benefit does not operate.

There are no costs to either you or TCA, but TCA benefits!

This is a great way for TCA to earn extra cash to offset costs, so sign up today to help support TCA.

* Note: TCA is not a party to any of your Amazon transactions, and does not endorse any products or vendors.

Helping TCA with your ebay purchases when you use PayPal

If you’re an ebay user and have a PayPal account you use to make payments, you can designate a donation for TCA when you’re checking out — any amount, small or large.
If you’re a regular seller on ebay, you can pre-designate a percentage of your sales to be donated automatically in your name to TCA as long as the purchaser pays with their PayPal account.

In both cases, you will receive a donation receipt from the PayPal Giving Fund, and enjoy applicable tax advantages.

How to do it:

Click on the image above, or use this link. This will take you to ebay, where you will see the following page (log in to ebay if you are not already):

This offers TCA as an option. Click on the “Add to My Charities” button where indicated with the red arrow. Thereafter, when you make a purchase, at checkout you will be offered the option to make a donation to TCA in any amount of your choosing. Small amounts add up, larger ones are great! It’s always up to you!

The option will appear at the lower part of your checkout page, something like this:

If you’re a regular seller on ebay, you can allocate a portion of your sales proceeds to be donated to TCA. Look at the green arrow marked “Optional” above to see how to do it. Details on how ebay calculates the donation may be read here. This is a wonderful way to share the financial benefits of your hobby with the organization that promotes it!

An added benefit to TCA is that these donations are not subject to normal processing fees, so that makes your donation work harder!

* Note. TCA is not a party to any of your eBay transactions, and does not endorse any products or vendors. PayPal issues the receipts to you for your donation, not TCA.

All Aboard McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

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