![toplogos](http://tucsonhistoricdepot.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/toplogos.jpg)
Welcome to Our 19th Year of
THE SOUTHERN ARIZONA TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM
![](http://tucsonhistoricdepot.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/gift-card-300x185.jpg)
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Now available in our gift shop
click on card to enter shop
![](http://tucsonhistoricdepot.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/amfleet30-6522-300x22.jpg)
Our Sorrow
We lost one of our most significant founders this week, who was also a founder of National Rail Passengers’ Association and Amtrak itself. Anthony Haswell was 94, we’ll all miss Tony in so many ways.
“But perhaps the best way any of us can honor him is to keep his work alive by redoubling our efforts to bring more trains, to more places, for more people, everywhere in the U.S. – Jim Mathews, President & CEO, Rail Passengers Association”
From Trains Magazine: “Anthony Haswell is an attorney who, in 1967, founded the National Association of Railroad Passengers, serving as its Chairman and Executive Director through 1974. During that time he was deeply involved in the development, refinement and enactment of the legislation which created Amtrak, testifying before numerous Congressional committees and working closely with committee staff. From 1975 to 1977, he was Managing Director of Passenger Services of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, where he assisted with the transfer of the company’s Chicago commuter trains to Metra.[1]”
More is at https://railpassengers.org/happening-now/news/blog/standing-on-the-shoulders-of-giants-an-appreciation-of-tony-haswell/
And https://www.hsrail.org/blog/in-memory-of-legendary-rail-advocate-anthony-haswell/
![](http://tucsonhistoricdepot.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/tony-pic-300x197.jpg)
Image is from interview by Jennifer Davis- Page
click here to view interview
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Our Annual Spring Event in Review
The Silver Spike Ceremony
Honoring our history and our benefactors
Is over now, here is a recap
Posted at 5:15 PM, Mar 16, 2024, KGUN9
On March 20, 1880 the Southern Pacific Railroad officially had its first train stop in Tucson. It was a moment that has helped shape the city’s history.
“When the train came in it changed everything,” Kenneth Karrels, Museum Division Chairman for the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum said. “It opened up the doors, more people came in, business and the architecture came in, the food and the culture.”
Some family members of those who helped bring the railroad here to Tucson all those years ago honored their relatives by reenacting what happened on that historic day.
Steve Ochoa emceed the event and attended with his two brothers. They are the great-grandsons of Don Estevan Ochoa who was mayor of Tucson in the 19th century. Don Estevan Ochoa also presented a silver spike from Toughnut Mine to Southern Pacific Railroad’s president to show appreciation for the company bringing the railroad to Tucson.
During the event three people were awarded for being the 2024 Silver Spike Honorees.
- Sandy Chan-Benefactor of the Year
- Jerry Alexander- Railroader of the Year
- Debbie Rosenberg- Volunteer of the Year
![](http://tucsonhistoricdepot.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/daylight-consist-crop-300x51.jpg)
COME VISIT OUR NEW MURAL
Located on the Toole St. side of the building,
it covers building the railroad by a combination of local peoples;
the arrival ceremony in 1880;
and the tourist era in 1940s;
the latter featuring Tony Haswell.
![](http://tucsonhistoricdepot.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/mural3xc-1024x155.jpg)
See KGUN-9’s video here
and AZ Star Caliente Article here
We give special thanks to the Union Pacific Railroad
for the grant helping make our mural possible
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VISIT OUR REGULAR HOURS
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
11:00 – 3:00
Fridays, Saturdays
10:00 – 4:00
Sundays
11:00 – 3:00
Admission is FREE
Exhibits are bilingual
COME VISIT AND STAY SAFE
Volunteers are always needed
Museum, Engine, and shop
![](http://tucsonhistoricdepot.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/tram-3-crop-300x38.jpg)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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See the newly filmed video on the Water Boys
who supplied the Chinese workers
building the railroad near Tucson
in our videos section
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OUR FUTURE EVENTS
Celebrate Tucson’s 249th birthday with us at the
Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum
August 17, 6:00-10:00
Information is here
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End of the Line
Members and friends of the museum
who have passed
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Special Thanks to David Quakenbush, Owner of A1 Watch Repair on Broadway and
Camino Seco who made the raffle possible by his generous raffle gift to the Museum.
![](http://tucsonhistoricdepot.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/tram-3-crop-300x38.jpg)
Also, our sister museum,
THE TRANSIT MUSEUM IS OPEN
The OPT Transit Museum at S. 4 th and E. 36 th Streets
has reopened to the public.
The Transit Museum hours are
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Mon., Wed. and Sat. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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![](http://tucsonhistoricdepot.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/sp4car30-68168-1024x92.jpg)
And visit our cousin museum, reopens 9-1
Gadsden-Pacific Division
Toy Train Operating museum
![](http://tucsonhistoricdepot.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/chesieCoal-crop-289e45bb-d214-48d1-8e00-91867cfe050c-300x23.jpg)
* * * You can now * * *
See Us From Anywhere
We are now on Virtual Railfan
With a YouTube address
The Camera is on 24 hours
Showing UP Mainline,
Engine 1673,
and Doc and Wyatt
In the last month we had ~300 viewers,
one of the favorite sites.
![](http://tucsonhistoricdepot.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/satm3cmtWcrop2-300x56.jpg)
Amtrak Schedule is
# 1,21, west: Tu, Th, Sn 6:45-7:36 PM
# 2,22, east: Mo, Th, St 7:28-8:15 AM
![](http://tucsonhistoricdepot.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/sunset-schd-1-21-300x53.jpg)
![](http://tucsonhistoricdepot.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/sp2car30-68169crop-300x35.jpg)
Feel free to visit Engine 1673
anytime you want,
so she won’t be lonesome out there.
![](http://tucsonhistoricdepot.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/engine-nightCachedImage_1920_1080_POS0-300x169.jpg)
![](http://tucsonhistoricdepot.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/amfleet30-6522-300x22.jpg)
NEW FEATURES
Follow the Epes Randolph Facebook page
and satm1673 on Instagram
for fun and fascinating photos and tales of Tucson history!
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You can now donate, join, and renew on this site
push the button for the donation page
![](http://tucsonhistoricdepot.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/donate-button.jpg)
We also have a new brick donation form
Press the donate button above for illustration and form
Leave a lasting legacy on display
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The Big Boy 4014 has come and gone
leaving many memories,
For better memories, visit the UP site
here
add up urls rr and foundation
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Arizona Daily Star’s Road Runner column features
SATM, Ken Karrels, and All Aboard Arizona Rail Passenger Association
discussing rail passenger service between Tucson and Phoenix.
Thanks, Joe Ferguson
Read about it HERE.
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All Aboard Arizona – Rail Passenger Association
Tucson-Phoenix Commuter Service
New links July 2021
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see our display cases and displays
women engineer
lanterns
still running
Dinner in the Diner
Featuring original china and silver service
from the named first class Pullman trains.
![](http://tucsonhistoricdepot.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/bigboy4014detail-300x43.jpg)
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And Celebrating the Movie “Oklahoma“
Starring our Engine 1673
which was filmed in Elgin, AZ, and surrounding areas,
Read more at this link:
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See how to donate a car, help the museum, and the high school JTED mechanical education program: here
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