The Phoenix Subdivision is a railroad line in the U.S. state of Arizona owned by the Union Pacific Railroad. The southeast end of the line connects to the Gila Subdivision near Eloy, runs northeast to Phoenix, and becomes the Roll Industrial Lead, running southwest before reconnecting to the Gila Subdivision at Wellton.[1] As of 2010[update], eighty miles (130 km) of the line between Roll and Arlington are out of service and used for car storage.[2]
Usage
The railway is used by almost exclusively for freight movements, with about four trains per day as of May 2018[update].[3] The McElhaney Cattle Company maintains trackage rights over the western six miles (9.7 km) of the line, with traffic consisting of grain cars.[2]
On October 9th, the 1995 Palo Verde Arizona Derailment was an intententional derailment of the Sunset Limited by saboteurs. They have never been caught.
History
The rail line between Wellton and Phoenix was built by the Southern Pacific Railroad, with passenger service commencing in 1928.[2] The line was downgraded to a branch line in 1997, as most traffic was rerouted via Maricopa.[2]
Phoenix Intermodal Terminal
Phoenix Intermodal Terminal was announced in November 2023,[6][7] and operation began on February 1, 2024.[8] The facility is located in UP's Phoenix Yard and will serve shipments coming from the Port of Los Angeles.[9]
