This Eerie And Fantastic Footage Takes You Inside Arizona’s Abandoned Train Graveyard
Arizona is rife with spooky abandoned places, but this one just might be the weirdest of all. It’s an abandoned train graveyard in the middle of the desert, with more than 300 Union Pacific cars not currently in use lined up end-to-end.
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About 33 miles southeast of Tucson, the stretch of I-10 passing through Benson isn't exactly the most scenic drive in Arizona. Its vast desert landscape is remote and sparsely populated, making the town a perfect place for a locomotive graveyard.
More than 300 Union Pacific train cars meander alongside the highway, lined up bumper-to-bumper for more than three miles. Some are less pristine than others, but the scene as a whole is undeniably eerie.
A recent downturn in manufacturing is to blame for the surplus of engines. That could change at any time, however — so the cars are still checked and maintained on a regular basis. After all, they're worth between one and three million apiece!
Several other storage spots are located in different places, but none come close to the length of this fleet. Union Pacific officials cite the Arizona climate as an explanation, stating its aridity renders rust a near-nonissue.
Union Pacific would like to remind everyone to appreciate the locomotives from a safe distance. Keep your eyes on the road and never get close to the tracks, as cars are frequently moved in and out of the area.
Check out this YouTube video by Aerial Aperture DPS to get a closer look:
Did you know about this eerie roadside wonder? Are there any other strange abandoned places in Arizona that deserve to be featured? Let us know, and check out our previous article for one we find particularly spine-tingling: There’s An Intriguing Airplane Boneyard In Arizona That You Need To Visit.
Are there any hikes, businesses, or other attractions in Arizona you think the world should know about? Head over to our nomination page and give them a shoutout — you just might see your submission featured in an upcoming article!
Address: Benson, AZ, USA
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Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing.
Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.
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