Guide to Arizona's Miniature Railroads
Featuring
The Daisy Mountain Railroad
The Daisy Mountain Railroad in Anthem, Arizona
The Daisy Mountain Railroad is a 24 inch gauge railroad located in the
community park at Anthem, Arizona a planned community about 25 miles
north of Phoenix. Originally opened during the community's grand opening
in 2000, the railroad resumed operations in October of 2002 after a several
month hiatus for reasons that vary depending on the source.
The beautiful landscaping is a highlight of this park railroad. Featured on
the DMRR are a trestle across a small lake, a tunnel through a faux rock outcropping,
lush green landscaping, several sparkling water falls and an eye-catching playground
for young children.
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The approximately 2800 feet of track is a modified dogbone design with a loop on each
end. It carefully winds it way past a tiered seating area cut into a sloping hill,
past skateboard ramps, softball and soccer fields, through the tunnel, along the catch
and release lakes, passes the depot and circles the children's playground before slowing
to a stop at the loading platform.
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There is a challenging grade as the locomotive climbs the slope from the tunnel toward
the loading platform. The tunnel is nicely done and serves as a secure storage facility
for the railroad equipment when it isn't operating. The loading platform is spacious,
well-designed and attractive. Crossing signals which flash and ring to warn of the
oncoming train add to the railroad ambiance. The depot building, unfortunately, looks
like a pagoda - not sure how they got so far off track on that one...
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The motive power on the line is provided by a steam-outline engine built by Jerry Shipman
of J & E Enterprises in Chandler, Arizona. The engineer sits in the locomotive cab as the
motor, which is actually in the tender, pushes the locomotive along the track. Three
comfortable and well-built coaches and a caboose fill out the rolling stock roster.
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The leisurely ride lasts about 10 minutes. For ticket prices, days and hours of
operation contact the depot at (623)551-5880.