A portion of the train that once carried passengers through Arizona’s Apache country are once again rolling.
The Copper Spike takes passengers from downtown Globe to the Apache Gold Casino on the San Carlos Reservation. The rides continue until May 2.
“We’re thrilled to kick off train travel again in an area with such historic and cultural roots,” said John E. Thomas of the Copper Spike Train Excursion.
The effort to restore the route began with the restoration of the train depot in Globe. The freight offices had been empty for years. The passenger office also was in need of a serious upgrade, said Kip Culver of the Historic Globe Main Street Program.
In the early 20th century, companies offered passengers traveling by rail from New Orleans to Los Angeles the opportunity to tour Apache country by car. The tours went to Tonto National Monument, Theodore Roosevelt Dam and down the Apache Trail. Passengers reconnected with their train in Phoenix, Culver said.
The Copper Spike takes about an hour and a half round trip, Culver said. The cars are enclosed, and one is a 1950s-era dome car with a glass roof that provides panoramic views.
by Ron Dungan – Jan. 2, 2009 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic
