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What is a “narrow gauge” railroad?
As the saying goes, “It’s complicated.” To say that about the Arizona Narrow Gauge Railroad ("ANG") would be an understatement.
As railroads were getting established it was important for the Transcontinental Railroad to have a standard rail width. President Lincoln established the standard rail width of 4’ 8 ½“, so that the many railroad companies working on the project would all have a common standard.
When the Transcontinental Railroad was finally completed, many secondary or branch lines (especially those in the Southwest) used a “narrow” railbed ranging from 2’ to 3 ½'. This allowed for a substantial cost reduction in preparing the railbed, in the cost of equipment and materials, and managing the mountainous terrain of the west. Another benefit was that narrow gauge rail cars could make tighter turns, affording somewhat safer operating conditions in the difficult topography.
As railroad expansion continued west, the need to connect Arizona towns with each other became of vital interest to those seeking opportunity and wealth. Tucson had its eye on becoming a major shipping center based on nearby mineral and coal mining from Globe and beyond. Needless to say, politics, personalities and money got involved and stalled the progress of the ANG project time and time again.
Finally, the ANG was approved by the state legislature on February 16, 1883 and construction began on July 6 of that year. The line started at the (then) Southern Pacific Depot in Tucson and traveled north along what is now known as Fairview Ave, where it crossed the Rillito.
Six miles in 45 minutes!
There were a variety of stops and starts in the construction, but finally on July 24, 1886 the train took a trip to the end of the, thus far, established line. The train left Tucson at 8:15 a.m. and traveled to the end of the track; a distance of six miles in 45 minutes.
Financial difficulties lead to a reorganization
Financial difficulties and bond issue problems forced the railroad company to restructure. In November 1887 the company reorganized as the Tucson Globe and Northern Railroad and made a proposal to convert the line to a standard rail. A prospectus was issued showing the route from Tucson to connect with the Denver & Rio Grande Espanola. Other lines would serve Globe and Deer Creek. The total length of the project was to be 430 miles. The line north (what is now Oro Valley) was proposed to follow the valley of the Cañada del Oro.
Notable on the prospectus of the newly formed company, were the names of Directors George Pusch and John Zellweger. George, in fact, was the Treasurer. At the edge of Tucson, the company owned 17 acres of land suitable for the terminal. It also had a storehouse, blacksmith shop and two handcar houses and other amenities making it an attractive site. The reorganization seemed to be very promising.
The end of the line
Despite the new optimism for the company, investors for construction never materialized. The tracks ended about four miles short of Steam Pump Ranch somewhere in the vicinity of Magee and Oracle, though some think it may have gone as far as Hardy. When it was determined that the money for the project was not forthcoming, the Tucson Globe and Northern Railroad sold off their assets. The laid rails were removed and shipped to Los Angeles. Other material and train equipment was sold to railroad companies in an effort to pay off investors.
And that was, literally, the end of the line!
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Citations: Prospectus of Tucson Globe and Northern Railroad Co. of Arizona; Railroads of Arizona Vol I and II by David F. Myrick; and A Chapter in Early Arizona Transportation History by Howard A. Hubbard.
