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Southern Arizona Transportation Museum: A Journey Through Time

Explore Southern Arizona's transportation history at the historic Southern Pacific Depot, home to fascinating exhibits and a vintage steam locomotive.

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Located in downtown Tucson's historic Southern Pacific Depot, the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum showcases the region's rich transportation history, with a focus on the impact of the railroad. Explore exhibits, artifacts, and a beautifully restored steam locomotive, Southern Pacific #1673, that starred in the movie 'Oklahoma!'

A brief summary to Southern Arizona Transportation Museum

Local tips

  • Visit on a Saturday to see the locomotive gates open and get a closer look at Southern Pacific #1673.
  • Check out the Amtrak waiting room inside the train depot to view replicas of Maynard Dixon murals.
  • Combine your visit with a meal at Maynard's Market & Kitchen, located at the opposite end of the depot.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From downtown Tucson, the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum is easily accessible on foot. Head north on Toole Avenue. The museum is located at 414 N Toole Ave, next to the Amtrak station. Look for the historic Southern Pacific Depot building and the large steam locomotive on display.

  • Public Transport

    Tucson's Sun Link streetcar provides convenient access to the museum. Take the streetcar to the 6th Ave & Congress St stop. From there, walk north on 6th Ave, then turn left onto Toole Ave. The museum will be on your right. An all-day Sun Link ticket costs $4.50 and includes transfers to the Sun Tran bus line.

  • Taxi/Ride-share

    Taxis and ride-sharing services offer a direct route to the museum. Simply provide the address, 414 N Toole Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701, as your destination. From Tucson International Airport (TUS), a taxi ride would cost approximately $28-55. Taxi rates are $5.50 to start and $2.25 per mile.

  • Parking

    If driving, several parking options are available near the museum. Limited free parking is available in front of the Depot. Metered parking is available on Toole Avenue and in nearby parking lots; meters run 8am-5pm Monday-Friday. Garages like the Pennington Street Garage and the Depot Plaza Garage are also nearby. Metered parking costs $1.00 per hour.

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Discover more about Southern Arizona Transportation Museum

Step back in time at the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum, nestled within the walls of the meticulously restored Southern Pacific Depot in downtown Tucson. This museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the evolution of transportation in Southern Arizona, with a special emphasis on the pivotal role of the railroad. The museum's exhibits feature a diverse collection of artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays that bring the history of transportation to life. Explore the impact of the railroad on the region's development, from its early days in the 1880s to the advent of Amtrak. See railway lanterns, old tools, tickets, and telegraph keys. A highlight is the exhibit about the Earp brothers and their connection to the train station, offering a glimpse into Tucson's Wild West past. Outside, you can marvel at the Southern Pacific Locomotive #1673, a 2-6-0 M-4b Mogul locomotive built in 1900. This impressive steam engine, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, once traveled over a million miles in Southern Arizona and even appeared in the 1955 film 'Oklahoma!'. Visitors are welcome to climb aboard, ring the bell, and imagine the days of steam-powered travel. The Southern Arizona Transportation Museum also hosts community events, including the annual Silver Spike Festival in March, which commemorates the arrival of the railroad in Tucson in 1880. The museum offers downtown historic walking tours from October to March, railroad safety education, and an active collections department.

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