When the UP closed the west end of the Phoenix Sub, it meant that the Sunset Limited would no longer serve Phoenix directly. Maricopa, some 25 miles to the south, became the default Phoenix Amtrak stop. Without going into the history behind it, the Silver Horizon was available and was turned into the Amtrak depot. Eventually, it was replaced with a more permanent "Amshack."
The Silver Horizon sits on a section of track to the back of the Amtrak parking lot and over time has been physically deteriorating. Recently, however, the Maricopa Historical Society purchased it from the owner, Pima County. There are hopes of moving and restoring it. A story at the local Maricopa news site tells more:
https://www.inmaricopa.com/zephyr-railcar-gets-3d-scanning/
John Timm
The Maricopa Historical Society has obtained government funding to move the Silver Horizon from the Amtrak depot site: http://www.inmaricopa.com/zephyr-railcar-on-track-for-new-home/?utm_source=InMaricopa+Newsletter&utm_campaign=99e2b1867d-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_08_18&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9816950bd5-99e2b1867d-188370561
Before the recession, it was the subject of a tug-of-war between Maricopa and nearby Casa Grande, both of whom wanted to give it a permanent home, despite its having no historical connection to either city or to Arizona railroading.
In response to Mr. Timm’s above informative posts on dome car Silver Horizon in Maricopa, AZ, the following are photos of the car at dawn on October 1, 2016.
Those above shots were taken after Amtrak No. 2 had arrived and departed the Maricopa, AZ depot, just a few hundred feet south of the Silver Horizon on display.
It is hoped the above photos makes the two news report posts of Mr. Timm more alive!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.
Situation Update as of January 14-15, 2018
I thought I would update desertdog’s thread on the fate of Silver Horizon since I was by there earlier this month, for those that may not follow the “Sunset Route Two-Tracking Updates” thread, which the included photos herein were originally posted in.
Evening shots of January 14, 2018 at Amtrak station in Maricopa:
January 15, 2018 views:
West, side-viewing the present Highway 347 alignment:
Northwest, with buildings still in the way:
Southeast from the platform of Silver Horizon looking towards the new, future overpass alignment of Highway 347:
No construction seems to have taken place, and Silver Horizon is still on site. Is it going to stay in place? Be moved?
It was thought by now the dome car would have been moved as previous reports insinuated, but as the photos show, it still is in the same exact spot.
Wouldn’t that car look grand rolling behind ATSF 3751 or 2926? Yes it is CB&Q and not ATSF but that is the B in BNSF. Just sayin’...
Silver Horizon’s New Home
Earlier this year (2019), the Silver Horizon was finally moved from by the Maricopa, AZ Amtrak station grounds to its new home a few blocks to the east:
Its previous old and now empty home was by the under construction Highway 347 overpass that caused the relocation.
It likely will be viewable by high up northbound traffic when the new Highway 347 overpass is finally open.
The above two photos were shown in the “Sunset Route Two-Tracking Updates” thread in the General Discussion forum. Not shown therein but new to any thread is a photo emphasizing the concrete ties the rails underneath Silver Horizon is resting on.
Those concrete ties have slightly slanting downward ends, and are new to the new location. When Silver Horizon was at its previous location the concrete ties there were totally flat ones and didn’t have any slanting to them.
So, apparently the old ties and old rails were NOT transported to the new location, but only the Silver Horizon was, with the new ties and rails waiting for it.
Forumist desertdog under two years ago started this most timely thread. It is hoped that if this particular post ends the thread by reason of showing everyone a photo of Silver Horizon’s new home, the thread ends fittingly with a true life conclusion that everyone visually can appreciate. Thanks, desertdog, for making us all aware of Silver Horizon’s then unclear eventual fate. Now we all know the car’s fulfilled fate!!
Silver Horizon is surprisingly very well known in the community of Maricopa. When the Highway 347 overpass finally has vehicle traffic on it, hopefully the tail-dome car Silver Horizon will become even more well-known to travelers passing high up on the overpass that see a wonderful, eye catching marvel a short distance away. I’ve been known over the years to stunningly stop and look at suchlike marvels. If the general public sees it and gawks in wonder, the display will have served its purpose and become a tourist attraction in itself! Nobody back seven decades ago on March 20, 1949 and the first runs of the then new domeliner California Zephyr probably ever could have imagined that one of those trains’ cars would eventually have such a fate, an easily seen display in Maricopa, AZ.
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