McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

We thought we had done the research before going to Arizona but learned from both Deb and Darrin that THE place to go for railroad fun is the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale. We didn't have time to go before Bill had to return to Alamosa but did talk Grandma into going with us later on.

The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is home to the Paradise and Pacific Railroad. It is built and operates as an exact 5/12 scale reproduction of a Colorado narrow gauge railroad and winds through the park on a one mile track.


The Park also has an antique carousel with 30 horses and 2 chariots. Jamie was afraid to ride on one of the horses so we sat and enjoyed the chariot ride.


In addition, the Park has railroad exhibits including the Magma #6 Locomotive, The Baggage Car and the Roald Amundsen Pullman Car. The Magma #6 hauled copper ore from Superior to Magma, AZ for 38 years before being retired in January 1960. The Baggage Car houses the Railroad Museum. It was built as a dining car and then converted to carry baggage during World War II.


The Roald Amundsen Pullman Car was built in 1928 for $205,000. It is best known for its presidential travel. The car provided maximum security and was used at various times by every president from Herbert Hoover through Dwight Eisenhower. It was on this car in 1940 that President Franklin Roosevelt and Canadian Prime Minister W.L. McKenzie King signed the Ogdensberg Declaration, an agreement that provided for the joint defense of North America, now known at NATO.



And, what would a Park be without a playground? We rode the train three times and played at both of the playgrounds before hunger and exhaustion got the best of us. The Park is grassy and has picnic tables throughout...next time we will bring picnic items and make a day of it.


The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is also home to several model railroad clubs and the Scottsdale Live Steamers Club (similar to Maricopa County Live Steamers). Unfortunately, these exhibits are open only on Sundays and we were not able to enjoy them on this visit. Now that we know about this great Railroad Park, we will definitely return for many years to come.