Good locations near Phoenix for train photos (Tucson, Scottsdale: hotel, moving)

[yousah]

We're going to be vacationing in the southwest next week and will be landing in Phoenix. Our oldest daughter loves trains and we were trying to find some of those classic locations where you can see trains going over bridges or coming through canyons.

Our trip will take us north to Flagstaff, then eventually south to Tucson. Is anyone aware of any nice sites near those areas for those 'classic' photos. Thanks!

[Guitarmaan]

There's an interesting bridge with tracks over Tempe lake, but I think it's just a tram line. I posted a photo of it in the pic thread recently.

A train line runs right through Chandler, near downtown. I've seen carriages on it, but not a moving train yet.

[azdr0710]

the main line of the Santa Fe runs right thru downtown Flag and many trains run on it, maybe three or four per hour....downtown may not be the "classic" location for a photo op, but look around for something by the old depot or similar...you can also go out of Flag in either direction and maybe try to find a curvy part of track with some pines and mountains in the background....Google Earth and Google Maps might help....

less busy is the main line of the old Southern Pacific (now Union Pacific) thru Tucson....mostly flat terrain, but a place called Three Bridges east of Tucson about 20 miles will have great photo ops when a train eventually comes along (maybe once every hour or two)....Three Bridges is along the Marsh Station Rd N of I-10 between exits 281 and 291...will take a few minutes to get there from the interstate...(you'll know when you get there!!)

the tourist train out of Clarkdale/Cottonwood goes thru a nice canyon, but good photo ops may require a ticket purchase!....

not a whole lot of active tracks out here....

[BuckeyeBoyDJ]

You can stand on any intersection on the westside on Grand Avenue and watch the train backup traffic for 20 minutes as it moves at a whomping 10mph. While not a "train" in the traditional sense but when the light rail goes across Tempe Town Lake it looks kind of cool from a distance.

[motormaker]

If you are going to Flag, go west to Williams and see the Grand Canyon Railway. They don't run the steam engines anymore, but they are on static display.

Grand Canyon Railway | Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel, Arizona

[yousah]

Thank you everyone for the ideas. You've all been really helpful. I can't wait to get out there. We're from the Chicago area and our scenes of trains basically have a very urban background to them.

[MarianR]

Not a moving train, but there is a railroad park in Scottsdale, and the Pioneer Museum (may not be the exact name) in Flagstaff has an engine out front. Desert Breeze Park in Chandler had a kiddie train ride... check to see if it's still there because it's a few years since we've been there.
Next trip you need to plan to drive over Temecula Pass on I-10 and see the trains go around the special curves there - forget what it's called, brain not totally engaged today!

[azdr0710]

Originally Posted by MarianR

Next trip you need to plan to drive over Temecula Pass on I-10 and see the trains go around the special curves there - forget what it's called, brain not totally engaged today!

do you mean the Tehachapi Loop near Tehachapi, CA??....it's not on I-10, but is spectacular for trainspotters....google it for tons o' pictures.....

[AZ Tracy]

There is a Railway Museum in Chandler. Note the comments about photography: Home Page of the Arizona Railway Museum

[MarianR]

Yes, that's what I meant, thanks!