The
Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
learned a lot about trains and railroads
at the unique Benson Visitor Center
249 E. 4th Street
Benson, AZ 85602
September 16, 2022 |
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In the heart of Cochise County,
Benson proudly calls itself a stopping point on the Southern Pacific
Railroad line which is ingrained in the city's culture. The Benson Visitor
Center is a must-see place for railroad and train enthusiasts. It is
a beautiful replica railroad depot using many of the same architectural
features as the original depot that was built over a century ago. Real
trains pass right behind the Visitor Center. |
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After parking their car (known
as a toad), Karen Duquette took a moment to photograph the wall with
different railroad logos. There were seven in all, but Karen could only
photograph six of them because of the car parked in front of one of
them. |
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Below: Walking
in the parking lot which was right next to train tracks, the wall gave
way to fence posts, so the two RV Gypsies photographed a train that
came by, as shown in the first photo below on the left.
Walking just a few steps toward the building, the second picture shown
below on the right shows the real train passing in the background above
a mural on a section of the fence - how clever. |
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Below: A bench on the deck
before entering the Visitor Center. The real train could still be seen
passing by on the nearby tracks. |
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Below: Entering the Benson
Visitor Center, the first thing the two RV Gypsies noticed was train
tracks all around the interior, just below the ceiling. The train was
not moving, but the nice lady working at the Visitor Center asked Lee
Duquette if he wanted to drive the train, so of course, he did. |
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Below: Karen Duquette took
a short video and another photo of the train as it was going around
the tracks. (the video is not posted here). The ceiling fan even had
trains on it. |
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 Below:
Lee Duquette driving the train, as the lady signed a special certificate
for him.
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Below: More
interesting things inside the Benson Visitor Center. |
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