Yuma

The Yuma Amtrak station location is a Southern Pacific division point that the Sunset Limited passes in the early morning hours. Located on Gila Avenue in the old downtown area of Yuma, the station facility today is but a shell of its original self.

The original Southern Pacific depot was constructed in 1926. This depot once was the area's major transportation hub, with many thousand passengers embarking or detraining over the years. Several military desert training camps were located near Yuma during World War II and native Americans once lined the depot platforms to sell handmade crafts and souvenirs to tourists.

Since the tracks are elevated behind the building, the station is below track level. Stairways lead from a "subway" up to the platforms.

The depot building itself was abandoned in the early 1970's. It was sold to the City of Yuma for $1.00 and transformed into the Yuma Art Center. In 1993, a fire caused by faulty wiring destroyed the structure. Here is a photograph, taken in 1994, of the burned depot. It was torn down shortly thereafter by the city.

Today the Amtrak station is unstaffed, and consists of a passenger tunnel leading from a parking lot to a stairway between the east and westbound tracks. Other stairways leading up to the tracks remain, but original fences containing gates at the top of the stairs are locked.

The boarding area is lighted. A nearby Southern Pacific freight facility is manned on a 24-hour basis. During inclement weather, passengers often wait inside the freight station's lobby.

In the months after the 1993 depot fire, the City of Yuma planted grass in the area.

One of the improvements made in the station area in recent years is a pay telephone in the subway. This may not sound like much, but passengers who get off the train in the middle of the night need to call taxis. Previously, they had to ask the SP policeman (who usually meets all passenger trains) or the freight station agent. I know, for when I first came to Yuma in 1989, I asked about using a public pay phone and was flabbergasted to find there was none.

Some Yuma citizens have suggested that the old station be rebuilt, but no definite plans are in place. Until then, the old wood-lined subway underneath the tracks, the concrete station platform and the historic "Yuma" station signs next to the rails, are the primary visible reminders of the glory days of passenger railroaders.

-- Chuck Wullenjohn

View from the California side of the river, looking South.
On the right is the historic U.S. 80 bridge, now open to foot traffic only.

Looking South from the Arizona side of the bridge.
We have walked across the U.S. 80 bridge in the previous photo.
In the distance is the Yuma station platform.

The Yuma Valley Railroad connects to the UPRR just north of the station. Their line enters from the left center of this photo. Someday, should the UPRR agree, the depot could also host the Yuma Valley tourist train. Today, you board their train about a quarter of a mile to the right of where this photo was taken.

Across the tracks from the station is the historic Yuma Territorial Prison, which operated between 1876 and 1909.

See also

• Station Services Guide (compliments www.texaseagle.com)
• Arizona Guide -- Yuma, Arizona
• Yahoo's Yuma links.

Arizona's Rail Stations

ARPA Home Page