I had never met a railroad enthusiast until my sister began dating and became engaged to my now brother-in-law. Last year, they came from their home in Salt Lake City to visit us in Scottsdale and were excited (I mean… REALLY excited) to visit the McCormick Stillman Railroad Park and Museum in my neighborhood.
I can only imagine how thrilled he would be to see the newly renovated John Bell Railroad Museum at the Verde Canyon Railroad depot in Clarkdale, Arizona. With its own new home in a fully restored WWII-era boxcar, the new-and-improved museum features artifacts, photographs and expert docents to treat visitors… and die-hard railroad lovers like my brother-in-law… to a first-hand look at what the for the nearly 100 year-old rail line and historic Verde Canyon Railroad has meant to the Verde Valley, the State of Arizona and the Town of Clarkdale.
Clarkdale, AZ – The Verde Canyon Railroad announces the expansion and renovation of the John Bell Railroad Museum. Since the train depot opened in 1996, history has been displayed inside the depot. Now, the museum has its own home, track side, just outside the depot doors. A fully renovated 1940’s boxcar, once used to haul ammunition for the U.S. Army, has been set upon track and wheel bed to honor its railroad history.
“We have a few artifacts from the original museum that have survived nearly a century, including a passenger bench and luggage carrier,” said general manager Robin Brean. She added, “Especially worth viewing are photos of the original livery of each of our rare FP7 engines, thanks to Alan Miller, who went to Alaska three times to capture these engines on their life-long journey. As a railroad enthusiast he felt the fate of these engines should be preserved for future generations.”
The museum is dedicated to John Bell, a long-time Clarkdale resident and great amateur historian long before donating time with the Verde Canyon Railroad. Bell accumulated, preserved and documented photographs that would be lost today if not for his efforts and love of the Railroad. Continuing Bell’s legacy, the Railroad is committed to keeping history alive with a historian available to speak to visitors at the museum prior to daily excursions. However, the museum artifacts may be viewed daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The current rail route has been in place since 1911, and is a bit of “living history” that passengers aboard the Verde Canyon Railroad still experience. The new museum has opened in time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the rail line, the founding of Clarkdale, and the State of Arizona, itself, as well as the 20th anniversary of the Verde Canyon Railroad. The Railroad understands the importance of preserving and sharing the history of mining and railroading in the Verde Valley for all who come to experience this precious ecosystem of Arizona.
