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Toy Train Museum InformationSPONSORED BY GIFT SHOP PURPOSE: The GADSDEN-PACIFIC TOY TRAIN OPERATING MUSEUM, LTD. (GPDTTOM) is a charitable, non-profit corporation dedicated to the advancement of model railroading by the collection and operation of toy and model trains and railroad memorabilia. The organization also serves to preserve prototype railroad history by sponsoring railroading related activities and events. HISTORY: Today's Museum started as a private organization of twenty-five individuals in 1980 and has grown steadily over the years to over 130 members. In 1988, the GPDTTOM first opened its doors to the public with the dedication of its O-Gauge layout in the Foothills Mall. Since then the Museum has grown to include G-Gauge, Standard Gauge, S-Gauge, HO Gauge, N-Gauge, Z-Gauge operational layouts throughout the display area. Visitors may operate the trains and accessories throughout the museum by pushing buttons located with the displays. The Museum, in the Foothills Mall, closed its' doors in August 1997. Construction of the Museum's new, 6000 square foot, wholly-owned facility was begun in January 1998, with building construction completed on August 28, 1998. Construction of new layouts and exhibits has progressed significantly ever since. The Foothills Mall museum contained a 19' x 35' display that was designed to accommodate three rail O-Gauge equipment of all manufacturers. It also included an American Flyer S-Gauge layout. The HO-Gauge layout was the other major display. The G-Gauge and Standard Gauge layouts were displayed on a "bookshelf" type layout which was mounted eight feet above the floor and ran over 200 feet in length around the display room. The N-Gauge was a smaller layout in the corner. Our new building has provided us with the opportunity to have much larger layouts of all the popular model railroading scales all at tabletop level to give visitors a better view of all trains. STATIC DISPLAYS: The Museum contains displays of unique and sometimes rare examples of our hobby and railroad memorabilia as well. These exhibits change periodically to offer new insights into our hobby with each visit. One prized piece of railroad memorabilia is the Rio Grande Steel Sided Caboose 01433 which is in excellent condition and is located just outside the museum. The Museum's walls are decorated with framed railroad art in the form of photographs, prints, graphic arts, line art, etc. One wall is decorated to represent a Southern Pacific combine car in Southern Pacific’s Daylight livery of red and orange. Another wall is being decorated to represent a Hayden Flour Mill wood-sided boxcar which was also produced as an O-Gauge model by the Weaver Manufacturing Company for the Museum. Numerous display cases line one wall with more memorabilia, and antique toy trains. SPECIAL EVENTS: GPD hosts two toy train and collectible shows/swap meets annually. The Fall meet is usually the second Friday & Saturday in November. The Spring show is in late March/early April. All are open to the public and feature model and toy trains, prototype railroad memorabilia, collectible toys, cars, figures, etc. The Museum provides special tours for various community organizations and visitors upon request. To have a tour, the group must have 10 or more persons wishing to attend. Contact our Tour Chairman Jeff Swanson at 520-310-1392, Tours@gpdToyTrainMuseum.com, for more information on tours. One of the newer features is that the museum hosts children’s birthday parties at no charge. Again, contact Jeff Swanson for details. MAINTENANCE: The Museum continues to be free to the public. GPDTTOM has and will continue to meet its financial needs through donations and revenue from the in-house gift shop. All support and donations are greatly appreciated. LARGE SCALE RAILROAD: The Large scale, 7 1/2 gauge railroad is running and encircles the museum property. Rides are provided to visitors at no charge. Kids of all ages are welcome to ride. Outdoor "G" Railroad: Progress on the Outdoor “G” Gauge Railroad, known as a Garden Railroad is progressing nicely. There are four lines currently operating. A fifth will be available for battery operated trains. Members can bring their personal trains from home and operate them on the layout.
When in Tucson stop by and
see us. Open Dates and
Directions: For Special
Group Tours (10 or more people) |
