Shawmut, Arizona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shawmut, Arizona
|
|
|---|---|
 Shawmut, Arizona
Location in Arizona
Shawmut, Arizona
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Maricopa |
| Elevation | 1,293 ft (394 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (MST) |
| Area code(s) | 623 |
| FIPS code | 04-65840 |
| GNIS feature ID | 24611 |
Shawmut was a special place in Maricopa County, Arizona. It was once an important stop for trains traveling through a tough mountain area. Imagine trains needing an extra push to get over a big hill – that's what Shawmut was all about!
Contents
Shawmut: A Helper for Trains
Shawmut was not a big town. Instead, it was a specific location. It was known as a "site where pusher locomotives would assist trains." This means it was a place where extra train engines helped other trains. These helper engines were called "pushers." They gave trains the power they needed to get through a mountain pass.
Why Trains Needed Help
Trains are very heavy, especially long freight trains. They carry tons of goods across the country. While trains are great on flat ground, they struggle with steep hills. Going up a mountain can be very difficult for a single train engine. The tracks might be too steep for it to pull all the cars.
The Job of a Pusher Locomotive
This is where Shawmut came in! At Shawmut, powerful "pusher locomotives" would wait. When a train needed help, these extra engines would connect to its back. They would then push the train up the difficult part of the track. Once the train reached the top of the pass, the pusher engines would disconnect. They would then return to Shawmut, ready to help the next train.
Where Was Shawmut Located?
Shawmut is located in Maricopa County, Arizona. This county is in the central part of Arizona. The site is about 1,293 feet (394 m) above sea level. This elevation shows that it was in a hilly or mountainous area. Its location made it a key spot for train travel. It helped trains cross challenging parts of the landscape.
Images for kids
-
Long container train eastbound at Shawmut, Arizona
.jpg)
