McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
McCornick-Stillman Railroad Park entrance
Location	Scottsdale, Arizona
Area	40-acre (16 ha)
Operated by	City of Scottsdale

The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is an exciting 40-acre (16 ha) park in Scottsdale, Arizona. It's a fantastic place for anyone who loves trains! Here, you can ride a special 15 in (381 mm) gauge miniature railroad. You can also see a real Magma Arizona Railroad locomotive and visit a railroad museum. The park is also home to three model railroad clubs and a 7 ¹⁄₂ in (190.5 mm) gauge live steam railroad.

Discovering the Park's History

In 1967, the Fowler McCormick family gave 100 acres (40 ha) of their land, called McCormick Ranch, to the City of Scottsdale. They wanted it to be a park for everyone to enjoy. Guy Stillman, whose parents were Anne and James Stillman, built a cool 15 in (381 mm) gauge miniature railroad on the property.

He named his railroad the "Paradise & Pacific Railroad." In 1971, he offered it to the city. The United States Marine Corps and Senator Barry Goldwater helped make the railroad even bigger. Thanks to their help, the park officially opened on October 4, 1975.

The park was first called McCormick Railroad Park. But in 1996, its name changed to McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. This was to honor Guy Stillman, who started the railroad. The City of Scottsdale later sold 60 acres (24 ha) of the original land to a developer.

Exciting Park Attractions

Children's Western Town Playground

Ride the Paradise & Pacific Railroad

The Paradise & Pacific Railroad is the oldest and first attraction at the park. Guy Stillman created this 15 in (381 mm) gauge ridable miniature railway. Its track is 3,800 feet (1,158 m) long, with an extra 1,400 feet (427 m) of sidetrack. Along the way, you'll see two trestles, a tunnel, and two water tanks. There's also a loading platform, a turntable, and two crossing signals. The railroad has a large train shed and workshop. It uses three steam locomotives (two can run), three diesel locomotives, and two cabooses. You can also ride in a coach car, a trolley car, three stock cars, and many gondola cars.

Spin on the Charro Carrousel

This fun merry-go-round was built in 1950 by The Allan Herschell Company. The Scottsdale Railroad & Mechanical Society bought and fixed it up.

Play at the Park's Playgrounds

The park has two playgrounds for kids. One of them has a cool Southwestern theme, built with adobe-style structures.

Meet the Bil Keane Statue

You can find a statue of Bil Keane here. He was the famous creator of The Family Circus newspaper comic strip.

Fascinating Exhibits to Explore

The Swiss Railway Clock

Antique Railroad Bell

Magma Arizona Railroad Engine #6

This impressive locomotive was built in 1907 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works. It worked for the Magma Arizona Railroad for 54 years. The Scottsdale Railroad & Mechanical Society bought it in 1977. It is the only engine from Arizona and New Mexico that is still in Arizona.

Railroad Museum

Step inside the Railroad Museum to learn even more about trains and their history.

The Roald Amundsen Pullman Car

This special car was donated to the Scottsdale Railroad and Mechanical Society. It's one of only six cars built by the Pullman Company in 1928. It cost $205,000 to build! Many U.S. Presidents used this car, including Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. President Eisenhower used it a lot during his 1952 election campaign.

On August 18, 1940, President Roosevelt and Canadian Prime Minister W.L. McKenzie King met on this car. They agreed to the Ogdensberg Declaration, which planned for North America's joint defense. This was the start of the North American Air Defense, also known as N.O.R.A.D. The car was given to the park in 1971.

The Swiss Railway Clock

The City of Interlaken, Switzerland, gave this clock to the park. It celebrates the partnership between Interlaken and Scottsdale. Hans Hilfiker designed the Swiss Railway Clock in 1944. It was used as a station clock by the Swiss federal Railways.

Gabe Brooks Machine Shop

This shop was built in 1930 by Gabe Brooks. He was known as the best machinist in the United States during World War II. The shop still has its original machining equipment.

Navajo Hogans

You can see two Navajo hogans here. These are traditional homes of the Navajo people. Only three Indian hogans exist outside the Northern Arizona Navajo Indian Reservation. The other one is at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona.

Xeriscape Arboretum

This desert arboretum has been growing since 1980. It features many different types of plants from various regions.

The Antique Railroad Bell

This old bell was given to Henry S. Sturgis in 1958. Mr. Sturgis was a vice president at the First National Bank. He helped a lot with railroad finances and was chairman of the executive committee of the Erie Railroad.

Fun Railroad Clubs

Scottsdale Model Railroad Club O scale model train layout housed in the McCormick Ranch Bunkhouse

Scottsdale Live Steamers

The Scottsdale Live Steamers is a 7 ¹⁄₂ in (190.5 mm) gauge miniature railroad. It goes around the Xeriscape Arboretum. This was once the home of the Maricopa Live Steamers. The track is 3,000 feet (914 m) long. It has a loading platform, a train shed, a transfer table, a tunnel, and one trestle. The layout has two main loops. The outer loop goes over the tunnel, and the inner loop goes through it.

Model Railroad Clubs

Three other railroad clubs are located in the McCormick Ranch Bunkhouse:

• Scottsdale Model Railroad Historical Society: This club has a HO scale model train layout.
• Paradise & Pacific Tinplate Club: This club features an O scale model train layout.
• Sun-N Sand Club: This club has an N scale model train layout.

Gallery of Attractions