Phoenix Union Station, view from West

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 1991

Historic Steam Train, Modern “Superliner”
To Highlight This Weekend’s
“Phoenix Union Station Days”

Amtrak, The Arizona Rail Passenger Association and Grand Canyon Railway are cosponsoring “Phoenix Union Station Days” this Saturday, February 23, and Sunday, February 24. The event will take place at the Amtrak Station, 401 West Harrison Street, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM both days.

Amtrak will have equipment from their Sunset Limited “Superliner” passenger train on display both days, according to Arthur L. Lloyd, Amtrak’s Regional Director of Public Affairs in San Francisco. A bilevel coach, sleeping car, dining car, and “Sightseer” lounge will be displayed, as will a General Electric P-30 locomotive of the type currently used to pull the Sunset on its journeys between Los Angeles and New Orleans three days each week.

Grand Canyon Railway will display the steam locomotive and consist of its historic “Williams Flyer,” which currently operates between Williams and Grand Canyon on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and will resume daily operations later this Spring. The historic train will travel to Phoenix as the “Hassayampa Special.” The name was suggested by Rob Bohannan, the Arizona Rail Passenger Association’s Vice President of Communications.

“It is appropriate that this special trip honor the memory of Santa Fe Railway’s own service between Williams and Phoenix,” Bohannan explained. “Though listed in Santa Fe timetables only by its numbers, the train is fondly remembered by all as the ‘Hassayampa.’”

Santa Fe Railway itself plans to bring a modern General Motors FP-45 locomotive. Now used on their premier freight trains, the engine is a veteran of “Super Chief” service and is once again painted in the familiar red and silver “Warbonnet” style. Phoenix Vice Mayor Alan Kennedy will proclaim the weekend “Phoenix Union Station Days” from the nose of this locomotive.

Southern Pacific is providing transportation to the station of vintage passenger eguipment which belongs to members of the Arizona Railway Museum in Chandler.

Phoenix Union Station was completed in 1923, replacing separate facilities which had been operated by Santa Fe and Southern Pacific. After the Southern Pacific’s main line through Phoenix was completed in 1926, both the Sunset Limited and the Golden State, the railroad’s fast train between Chicago and Los Angeles, stopped here. The Golden State last ran in 1968, and the Santa Fe’s “Hassayampa,” ceased operation a year later.

“This beautiful station, in the final stages of restoration, and the continuing enhancement of the Amtrak service it receives, are examples of the positive contributions rail transportation is making in Arizona,” says James Bradley, who chairs the event for the Rail Passenger Association. “The bright future of rail service in this state, and the growing realization by many of the important role that rail will play in Arizona·s continued growth, are more than worthy of celebration,” Bradley added.

City of Phoenix officials indicated that a formal dedication of Union Station is planned as soon as restoration of the building is complete.

Non-railroad participants include Operation Lifesaver, Pepsi-Cola, U. S. Sprint, and the Arizona Railway Historical Society.

Grand Canyon Railway #18 at Phoenix Union Station

Grand Canyon Railway #18 at Wickenburg

Grand Canyon train, en route to Phoenix, meets Santa Fe freight

Event Review

PHOENIX UNION STATION DAYS

FEBRUARY 23 & 24, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Arizona Rail Passenger Association is organized to promote increased rail passenger service in Arizona and the Southwest. One of the methods used to meet this goal is our Adopt-A-Depot Program. Our Phoenix Adopt-A-Depot member, James Bradley, conceived the idea of an event to be held at Phoenix Union Station. Through trainset displays and booths, passenger railroading would be brought to the forefront for a weekend. This event would expose the citizens of Phoenix and surrounding communities to Amtrak service and promote the use of the railroad as a means to travel to work and leisure destinations.

EVENT GOAL:

Sponsor an event which will bring a large number of citizens of Arizona into contact with the railroad industry generally and the rail passenger sector specifically. Further, to demonstrate to the rail passenger industry that the people of Arizona want, need and will use the service

PARTICIPANTS:

The following participated in the event:

• Arizona Rail Passenger Association
• Grand Canyon Railway
• Amtrak
• Santa Fe Railway
• Southern Pacific Railway
• Sprint Communications Co.
• Arizona Railway Museum, Chandler
• City of Phoenix
• Operation Lifesaver

ATTENDANCE:

The attendance was estimated at 10,000 each day for a total attendance of 20,000. Over 10,000 toured the Amtrak set and the lines for this at times extended the length of the train. It is estimated that 5000 toured the Grand Canyon set and that up to 4000 went through the Santa Fe locomotive. The ARPA booth was busy all day, both days, explaining the ARPA goals and the Regional Rail proposal. Grand Canyon personnel reported that they were kept busy selling tickets and explaining their operations.

CONCLUSION:

The participation and attendance at the event exceeded all expectations. There is no doubt that the Grand Canyon excursion drew a large part of the crowd to the event and that many more would have ridden the train had they had enough notice. The media, as far away as the Los Angeles Times, gave extensive coverage to the Grand Canyon show. Through the attendance and the questions asked, it is apparent that there is an untapped market for rail passenger service in Arizona.

SUGGESTIONS:

Next year we will start planning early. Advertising will begin at a much earlier date to insure more ridership excursions and more participation at the event. Al1 participants will be well informed of all other participant’s plans.