PURPOSE:
The GADSDEN-PACIFIC TOY TRAIN OPERATING MUSEUM, LTD. (GPD)
is a charitable, non-profit corporation dedicated to the advancement of
model railroading by the collection and operation of toy trains and railroad
memorabilia, as well as preserving 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 90 members currently. In 1988, GPD first opened its' doors to the
public with the dedication of its' largest O-Gauge layout in the Foothills
Mall; and thus, the museum began. Since then, the Museum grew to
include G-Scale, Standard Gauge, S-Gauge, HO-Scale, N-Scale, Z-Scale
operational layouts throughout the display area. Visitors operated the
trains and accessories by pushing buttons located with the displays
throughout the museum. The Museum, as it existed 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 August 28, 1998. Construction of new
layouts and exhibits has progressed significantly but is not complete.
Our Foothills Mall museum contained a 19' x 35' display
designed to accommodate three rail O-Gauge equipment of all major
manufacturers. It also included an American Flyer S-Gauge layout.
The HO layout was our other major display. The G-Scale and
Standard Gauge were displayed on a "bookshelf" type layout mounted
eight feet above the floor, and running over 200 feet in length around the
display room. The N and Z-Scale were both small layouts.
Our new building has
provided us with the opportunity to have much larger layouts, all at
tabletop level, to give visitors a better view of all trains.
STATIC DISPLAYS:
The Museum will contain displays of unique and sometimes
rare examples of our hobby and railroadiana as well. These exhibits
change periodically to offer new insights into our hobby with each visit.
One prize piece of railroad memorabilia is the Centralized Traffic
Control console donated by the Southern Pacific Transportation Co.
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 an SP Combine Car in Daylite livery of red and
orange. Another wall is being decorated to represent the Hayden Flour Mill
Woodside Boxcar produced by Weaver for the Museum. Our latest
acquisition is Rio Grande Steel Sided Caboose
01433 which is in excellent condition.
SPECIAL EVENTS:
GPD hosts two toy train shows/swap
meets
annually, now called the Winter Toy Train (formerly Coyote) and Summer Toy
Train (formerly Roadrunner) Shows. The Winter meet is usually held the
third Saturday in January. The Summer meet is held the first Saturday
in June. Both are open to the public and feature model and toy trains
as well as prototype railroad memorabilia.
Also, the Museum is again
providing special tours for various community organizations and visitors
upon request. To have a tour the group must have 10 or more persons
attending. Contact our Tour Chairman Ray Mason at 520-790-0337
for more information on tours.
MAINTENANCE:
The Museum continues to be free to the public. GPD has
and will continue to meet its' financial needs through our special fund
raisers (i.e. ore cars, engines, boxcars, other special promotional toy
train items), other fundraising events, and donations. All support and
donations are greatly appreciated.
When in Tucson stop by and
see us. If the Museum is
not open, contact the Publicity Chairman Ivan English at 520-881-2050 for
special arrangements.
Email: IEnglish@aol.com
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