June 2012 - InMaricopa.com

10m community InMaricopa.com
June 2012
MARICOPA LIFE
California Zephyr car
perfect symbol of rail past
BY WAYNE BLOCK
First, I have to explain I am a bit of a rail
fan.
Growing up in New York City
in the 1950s I had to take three
different subway lines to high
school, and also spent many
hours on the Long Island Railroad.
I have noticed there are at
least a few of us rail buffs in
Maricopa.
Every once in a while I see folks
photographing the Union Pacific freights
roaring through town on what is known
Maricopa
WAYNE BLOCK
as the Sunset Route, one of the main
cross-country routes in the U.S.
And living on the south side of the
tracks I fully understand the
frustrations of drivers caught
at the State Route 347 crossing
gates by 100-or-more car trains.
All that may be the subject of a
future column.
This, however, is about the
old California Zephyr dome/observation
car sitting just outside
the Amtrak station.
To me, it is a perfect symbol
of the city, honoring its past as a major
railroad junction in the late 1800s. I wish
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Wayne Block
Maricopa’s Silver Horizon California Zephyr was renovated with the parts of two other rail cars.
there was a way to bring in one of the old
Butterfield stage coaches to represent
that portion of our history.
The railroad car is actually owned by
Pinal County.
I was directed to District 3 Supervisor
David Snider who told me much of the
history of its ownership.
With help from state and federal
grants, the county purchased three cars,
scavenging parts from two to renovate
the one sitting outside the station, the
Silver Horizon.
Originally owned by Burlington
Northern Railroad, it served Amtrak until
1985 and then passed through several
private owners until being acquired by
the county in 1999.
Its original purpose was to serve as
the Maricopa Amtrak depot. After two
years, however, Amtrak decided to bring
in the modular structure it uses today.
What will happen to the car when
Maricopa moves the station to the
opposite side of SR 347, a move to help
eliminate early morning traffic tie-ups?
“It is not an easily transferrable asset
because of the state and federal funding,
as well as some private donations,”
Snider said.
There is also some interest by the city
of Casa Grande in acquiring the car.
“My predecessor, Mr. (Jimmie) Kerr
had undertaken some discussions with
the city of Casa Grande, which also had
an interest in the Zephyr,” Snider said. “It
was an issue that needed to be resolved
between the District 3 supervisor’s office
and the two cities. And that has taken a
while to accommodate.”
Other legal matters must be resolved
before any ownership transfer can take
place, but preliminary discussions are
occurring between Maricopa and the
county, as well as between the two cities.
“I think it’s safe to say at this point that
I am guardedly optimistic that a transfer
to the city of Maricopa is feasible,” Snider
said, adding the legal processes probably
will take at least a year.
Meanwhile, the Maricopa Historical
Society periodically runs tours of the car,
which are well received by the public.
Another question revolves around the
condition of the car, which needs some
work to look its best. Right now there
simply are no funds to undertake repairs.
On another railroad note, I recently
visited the Arizona Railway Museum
in Chandler and thoroughly enjoyed
the visit. Anyone with similar interests
should definitely make the short drive to
this fine facility I expect I will join in the
near future.
For the time being, enjoy the sight
of the Silver Horizon as you near the
intersection of SR 347 and Maricopa-
Casa Grande Highway. It represents a
part of Maricopa’s past that lingers in a
small way today.
Wayne Block writes a monthly column
for InMaricopa. He can be reached at
Wayne@InMaricopa.com.