Trains still shape Tucson’s history

Southern Pacific steam locomotive 1673 sits proudly on display at the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum on Feb. 15, 2026

Eighty years ago, one of the most devastating railroad accidents in Arizona history occurred in Gila Bend, when Southern Pacific steam locomotive 5037 suffered a massive boiler explosion that killed three railroad workers.

The explosion was so powerful that the cab was ripped off the entire frame of the locomotive.

The history of that tragedy was the focus of a recent lecture at the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum.

Since 2005, the museum has been educating the public about the history of railroads in Tucson and Southern Arizona, drawing people in to learn about how the Southern Pacific railroad transformed this part of the country since its arrival in March 1880.

“Prior to the railroad arriving here, the highest building you could build was about three stories high because the adobe would crush if you went much higher than that,” said Randy Hill, a volunteer who has worked at the museum for 13 years.

Randy Hill (center) shows off one of the display cases inside the museum to two visitors who were interested in learning about what train travel used to be like on Feb. 15, 2026

Hill said the arrival of the railroad brought materials like steel, bricks and cast iron stoves, which could be shipped directly by rail instead of covered wagons.

Every February and March, the museum holds lectures about significant railroading events that happened in Tucson and southern Arizona, like the fatal boiler explosion in Gila Bend.

Rick Hoffman, a retired Southern Pacific and Union Pacific railroad employee who worked on both railroads for 20 years, presented the lecture.

Though he was sharing information about train history, he also said railroads continue to play a major part in the Tucson economy  “because of the amazing, massive amount of freight that they can move.” 

Rick Hoffman (left) presents his slideshow presentation on the fatal boiler explosion of Southern Pacific steam locomotive 5037 on Feb. 15, 2026

Railroads have always had a big impact on the American economy because they are reliable and provide services at a lower cost, added Dr. Ali Shamshiripour, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona’s School of Civil and Architectural Engineering.

“Rail is a very sustainable way of transporting goods across the country and also internationally,” he said.

In Tucson, he cited expansion of the SunLink streetcar downtown as an example of the future of railroading.

“With light rail, a very important factor is development, not ridership, because these services are beautiful,” he said.

Because SunLink specializes as a form of public transit, he said it helps promote walkability, the startup of local businesses and helps in development of the city. He said expanding the streetcar should be a priority in the city.

Hill, the volunteer, also highlighted the impact of railroads today, noting that massive container trains still transport bulk commodities across the country.

“With one train, we’re getting 250 to 300 semis off the highway,” he said.

Virtually every item in the average home has at one point been transported by rail, he added, especially items from China, Japan and Korea.

At the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum, the history, present and future of rail are celebrated and explored.

A westbound SunLink streetcar stops at University Blvd and Tyndall Ave to let passengers on and off on Feb. 19, 2026

The Southern Arizona Transportation Museum is open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free, and visitors are encouraged to admire the indoor displays and take photos of Southern Pacific steam locomotive 1673 outside.

Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.

Original news Webpage: Arizona Sonoran News