MTH Custom Run Suggestion: Magma Arizona RR #10 (AS-616 / DRS-6-6-1500)

This is a great suggestion.  This locomotive replaced steam locomotives on the Magma Arizona line from Superior AZ to it's interchange with the SP in central Pinal County in 1972 until the line was closed and is currently operational at the Chandler Railway Museum.  They usual have it started up during their annual Railroad Days event in late February / early March.   

As as aside, all three Mogul class locomotives that this diesel replaced are in existence with one displayed at the McCormick Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale, Arizona where my operating club, the Paradise and Pacific is located. 

Take my money now! I need this to replace the MP-15 that K-line used in the Magma Arizona set they made!

And any of the Magma Az RS's they want to make too!

@GG1 4877 & @Darrell I think we will need to reach out to other Arizona based O gauge RR clubs to drum up more interest. I think you are the only other two people based in AZ that I know of that are on the OGR forum. There are others out there, but I am not sure they are on the forum. I think the TCA Desert Division might be the best entity to do the run.

I think, as a side effect, if made, this engine will renew interest in ore cars.

There are several of us Arizonians here on the forum (is Arizonian a word?)  At least a dozen if not more.  The big three O gauge clubs in Phoenix are TCA Desert Division, the Paradise and Pacific Railroad, and the Grand Canyon Model railroaders.  Most of us are a member of two or all three.  I belong to TCA DD and the P and P.

Tucson has the Gadsen and Pacific club which has done many runs of Lionel and K-Line Magma ore cars.  They are very active as well. 

Between the four clubs there could certainly be interest in this one.  It helps having the prototype 30 minutes from my house to help on getting the painting diagram correct. 

I sent an email to the TCA DD President and Secretary to see if they would be interested in doing the custom run. I am moderately aware of the clubs in the area, but I am currently not a member of any as I am an ASU student and will be finishing my degree this year. Next year, however, I hope to become a member of several clubs.

I am have been friends with Chris and Angelo for several years.  This year is my 20th year as a TCA member.  We will have our next Division meet in September.  You are more than welcome to attend as my guest.  Desert Division is very active having hosted three national conventions in the last 25 years.  P and P is my operating club.  Lots of long time friends there as well.  If you are interested in visiting there, let me know as well.  I need to find out when my next run day is.

@GG1 4877 posted:

I am have been friends with Chris and Angelo for several years.  This year is my 20th year as a TCA member.  We will have our next Division meet in September.  You are more than welcome to attend as my guest.  Desert Division is very active having hosted three national conventions in the last 25 years.  P and P is my operating club.  Lots of long time friends there as well.  If you are interested in visiting there, let me know as well.  I need to find out when my next run day is.

Wow! Thank you for the very generous offer. I will have to take you up on that. I visited the McCormick-Stillman RR park many times growing up and it was what got me into trains along with seeing P & P's older train layout in the windows.

Just send me an email.  My email is in my profile.  I am going to try to get on the run schedule for September.  I have been a member of P and P since 2009 and have many fond memories of running on that layout as well.  The running board of my Williams Challenger over time sawed down one of the trees on the northwest corner of the layout.   We literally also wore out the Gargraves track in the curves from all the years of operation and the metal wore through.