Tucson, Cornelia and Gila Bend Railroad facts for kids
The Tucson, Cornelia and Gila Bend Railroad was a special train line in Arizona. It connected the towns of Gila Bend, Arizona and Ajo, Arizona. This railroad was very important for moving copper from a big mine in Ajo.
Contents
What Was the Tucson, Cornelia and Gila Bend Railroad?
This railroad was created in 1915. Its main job was to serve the New Cornelia mine in Ajo, which was a copper mine. Even though it was called the "Tucson" railroad, it never actually reached the city of Tucson. It operated for many years, starting in 1916 and running until the 1980s.
How Long Was the Railroad?
In 1926, the main track of the railroad was about 44 miles long. That's like driving from one city to another! The railroad also had extra tracks and sidings (short tracks where trains could wait) that added another 3 miles.
What Were the Main Stops?
By 1969, the railroad had a few important stops:
- Ajo: This was one of the main stations where people could get tickets and send things.
- Gila Bend: This was the other main station, also offering full services.
- Childs: This stop was about six miles north of Ajo. It was named after a local rancher and miner, Tom Childs, who found copper in Ajo. In the 1930s, Childs even had its own post office. Some children lived there in the 1970s!
- Midway: This was another longer siding, like Childs, where trains could wait.
- Black Gap and Rocky Point: These were shorter sidings. They were mostly used when two passenger trains needed to pass each other.
What Happened to the Railroad Later?
In 1998, a company called Phelps Dodge updated the railroad. They hoped to start mining copper in Ajo again. The railroad also goes through the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range, which is a special area used by the Air Force.
Images for kids
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The Tucson, Cornelia & Gila Bend caboose No. 15, which is now a historic item.
