If you’ve traveled through Southern Arizona on I-10, then chances are good you’ve seen what may have looked at quick glance like a train passing through the area. But in reality, it’s hundreds of out-of-use train engines sitting idle in the desert plains near the city of Benson.
At times, the line of unused locomotives can go on for miles, with hundreds of them seemingly stranded.
youtube/randomlife
From the interstate you may, at times, see the tops of the engines and may think nothing of it.
Google Maps [streetview]
But to anyone who can see the whole picture, the miles of locomotives just sitting in the desert can raise a big concern. (The image below was captured by Google Maps’ satellite view and dated 2018. It shows hundreds of cars lined up but likely not visible from I-10.)
Google Maps {satellite view captured 2018]
But rest assured; they’re not abandoned. They’re just sitting in a holding area for the Union Pacific Railroad.
youtube/randomlife
Union Pacific sends them to this desert storage area when they’re not in use because the climate is optimal. The photo below shows more on their way to the holding area.
Flickr/Clay Gilliland
The number of locomotives you’ll find stashed in the desert plains near Benson varies at any given time. But the sight of just so many out of service engines is staggering no matter the count.
youtube/randomlife Learn more about these “grounded” trains in this short video from youtube user Randomlife:
Did you know about this caravan of seemingly abandoned locomotives in the desert plains of Arizona? What other odd things have you encountered here? We’d love to know in the comments!
youtube/randomlife
Google Maps [streetview]
Google Maps {satellite view captured 2018]
Flickr/Clay Gilliland
Learn more about these “grounded” trains in this short video from youtube user Randomlife:
If you’d like to see some bizarre photos of some truly abandoned things in Arizona, check out this previous article!
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