Copper State Museum of Railroading

06/07/2026

Here's another new acquisition to our Model Railroad collection: An Athearn HO Scale model of the Arizona & California Railroad #3801! This DC powered HO Scale was purchased yesterday (Saturday, June 6th, 2026) at The Hobbyist Park & Swap Meet in Mesa, Arizona.

The Arizona & California Railroad is a shortline freight railroad that runs between Matthie, Arizona, and Cadiz, California. The A&C was part of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway until 1991, when it was sold to the ParkSierra RailGroup and became the Arizona & California Railroad. In 2002, it was acquired by RailAmerica. As of December 2012, the railroad has been owned by the Genesee & Wyoming Inc. For more information on the Arizona & California Railroad, please visit: https://www.gwrr.com/railroads/arizona-and-california-railroad

06/07/2026

Here's a new acquisition to our Model Railroad collection: A Cary Locomotive Works HO Scale Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway F3 A-B-B-A Locomotive Set! It was acquired today (June 6th, 2026) at the Santa Fe Railway Historical & Modeling Society 2026 Annual Convention in Mesa, Arizona

07/22/2025

We have added a lot of stuff to our website:

About Us

07/09/2025

Here are a couple of pieces from our Photo Archive:
Southern Pacific Railroad #2521 in Yuma, Arizona

The Southern Pacific Railroad #2521 is a 2-8-0 Consolidation Steam Locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1907. For fifty years, it could be seen operating on the Southern Pacific Railroad system. In 1957, it was retired and donated to the City of Yuma, Arizona, for display. It was then placed on display at the Yuma Crossing State Historic Park in Yuma. After fifty-one years of display at the Yuma Crossing State Historic Park, in June 2008, it was moved to the Pivot Point Park in Yuma for permanent display. Currently, it can still be seen on display at the Pivot Point Park in Yuma, Arizona.

The vintage photo was taken around April 1957.
The other photo was taken in June 2017 by Daniel Metcalf Photography.

02/22/2025

We just created our website! Please check it out!

Our Founder, Daniel Metcalf, sitting on the steps of the Magma Arizona Railroad #9

02/21/2025

Here's another piece from our model railroad collection: the San Manuel Arizona Railroad #1! This O-scale model train was manufactured by Weaver Model Trains. It was acquired by the Copper State Railway Museum in May 2021.

The actual San Manuel Arizona Railroad #1 is an RS-3 Diesel-electric Locomotive built by the American Locomotive Company in January 1955. it was delivered new to the San Manuel Arizona Railroad. After almost forty-five years of service with the San Manuel Arizona Railroad, in 1999, it was retired. Its current whereabouts are unknown.

02/21/2025

Here's a piece from our model railroad collection: the San Manuel Arizona Railroad #18! This O-scale model train was manufactured by Weaver Model Trains in 1995. It was acquired by the Copper State Railway Museum in 2019.

The actual San Manuel Arizona Railroad #18 is a GP38-2 Diesel-electric Locomotive built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in September 1970. Originally delivered to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Around 2013, it was acquired by the San Manuel Arizona Railroad. It is believed to still be owned by the San Manuel Arizona Railroad.

12/23/2024

Here's a piece from our Photo Archive:
Phoenix Street Railway #513 in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 1st, 1946.

The Phoenix Street Railway #513 was built in 1928 by the American Car Company in St. Louis, Missouri. It was originally numbered 126 by the Phoenix Street Railway. In 1948, it was retired and sold. It was then converted into a trailer home. Its current whereabouts are unknown.

This photo was acquired in October 2020