Cholla Patch Garden Railroad Tour

The G scale Cholla Patch Garden Railroad in Tucson Arizona is designed, built and maintained by John Carmichael and Phil Pappas. It's at 1:24 G-scale with HDPVC ladder roadbed mostly on redwood trestles and bridges. There are three separate railroads here. A 375 ft. mainline, a 30 ft. trolley line and a rare 8 ft. funicular inclined railroad (the first and only G-scale funicular to be designed and installed in a garden railway). The railroad emphasizes the gardening aspect by incorporating a huge variety of tropical and desert plants- especially cholla cactus. It is an intricate symphony of handcrafted elaborate wood trestles, bridges, walkways and a tunnel, that carefully winds like a pretzel around all the plants and structures. Roughly designed to reflect turn of the century styles and technology, the detailed wood and stone buildings even have furnished interiors. Hand painted little people are everywhere. Keep your eyes peeled for the many odd and humorous vignettes and the luxurious Victorian treehouse!

This free event will be open to the public on March 7 and 8, 2026 from 10am to 4pm each day, and is not affiliated with the Tucson Garden Railway Society.

ALL ABOARD!

Category: Community | Local / Community