24-09-06 PHOTOS: Benson AZ

Since visiting the Least Used Amtrak Station (tm) in various states is all the rage these days, when offered chance to visit Benson, home of the Least Used Amtrak Station in Arizona, I quickly accepted and booked a flight out. I know that technically one is supposed to use Amtrak to visit these stations, but my friend had an airline companion pass and I'd be able to complete the trip in the same amount of time an LD train could get to the station. In addition to the Benson Amtrak station I have other photos taken along the old Southern Pacific main line ( mirror ).

The route between Phoenix and Benson along I-10 directly parallels the Southern Pacific and one will inevitably have the opportunity to catch Union Pacific freight trains rolling between the Southern California ports and Texas. Some highlights on my trips include ES44AC #7730, C44ACM #9817 and SD70ACe #8611.

The Benson, AZ Amtrak Station is the Least Used Station in Arizona with only 2071 boardings in 2024. The "station" consists of a dirt parking area, a shelter with two seating benches, an info sign and a one door "platform".

It wasn't long before an eastbound doublestack rolled past on track #2 with AC4400's #6859, #5660, #6524 and C44ACM #5868 leading.

UP C44ACM #5929 along with SD70ACe #8994 followed later as DPUs.

After arriving at my friend's house I was greeted by what locals call a "Gadsden Doormat".

The next day I found myself at the Sybil Road crossing east of town where the old SP Line winds its way through the Dragoon Mountains. Once again I managed to catch an eastbound doublestack train with three different generations of ES44AC in the form of #7958, #5549 and #8140. The milepost 1041 intermediate signals had recently replaced surviving Southern Pacific tri-lights in this area.

My next stop was the town of Wilcox, which had converted its old Southern Pacific station into a town hall and heritage centre.

The San Pedro Valley Railroad typically runs south out of Benson, but they also switch the grain elevator and transloading track in Wilcox. GP15AC #722 was on duty that day just barely visible from the old station.

I was unfortunately out of position to catch the passage of a westbound manifest train, but did manage to catch ES44AC #2578 running as DP.

Before departing on the last day, I got some breakfast at the Horseshoe Cafe and checked out the old Benson SP station, which had also been turned into a visitor's centre.

After breakfast I rushed out of the cafe to try and get photos of a gonzo westbound lashup with 5 leading GE units, AC4400 #6392, ES44AC-H #8255, C44ACM #5731, ES44AC #7092 and ES44AC #5495.

This was followed by a eastbound intermodal train with ES44AC's #8204 and #8255 leading and ET44 #2607 and SD70ACe #8432 as DP.

Finally another westbound intermodal showed up with C44ACM #5937 and ES44AC #5336 leading and ES44AC #7513 in the middle.

The 3-day-a-week Amtrak Sunset Limited was due soon in Benson, but was running about 45 minutes late. Since my ride was worried about getting back to Phoenix in a reasonable amount of time we hit on the compromise of catching Train 2 about 10 miles west of Benson at a town called Mescal. Train #2 was lead by a rather battered P42DC #5, along with #180.

On the drive back we encountered additional UP freights adjacent to Interstate 10 in Tuscon and Red Rocks.

Well I made it back all safe and sound. Check back next time for the first part of my trip to Hartford. Springfield and the CT River Valley.