Yuma’s generosity is still incredible

Yuma Territory Live Steamers, a nonprofit corporation, operates the miniature riding railroad at Riverside

Park below the historic prison, with a typical October through May season. However, due to our current need to use borrowed locomotives and undertake equipment repairs, our board of directors made the decision that Sunday, April 24, would be our last day of the current scheduled ride season. Even though we hosted 127 riders that last run day, this was done to avoid potentially overtaxing aging equipment during the coming hotter days.

Now for the excellent news. With the help of several donations, we were able to place the order for two new locomotives last summer. We got in the production line behind one loco going to New Zealand, two to Switzerland, and last one to Texas. Ours will come in a bright red color scheme, proudly labeled Yuma Crossing Railroad, in order to honor our railroad’s location within the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area.

Our board of directors also made the decision we will run our equipment one day per month, from May through September, to keep it well maintained and ready for next season’s October 8th and 9th opening public ride weekend. The plan is to offer rides from 8-10 a.m. The first such ride opportunity is Thursday,

May 19. No ticket is required, and any donation would be most appreciated.

A special thanks to our benefactors and volunteers who have made the railroad possible, and to the Yuma community in making the rides so popular we needed to purchase new locomotives.

As stated in a previous letter, although YTLS received The Heart of Yuma Award from the Arizona Community Foundation of Yuma, it is the railroad that truly represents the heart of Yuma.

Hope to see you this summer, and please place our October 8th & 9th opening weekend on your calendars at home.

CHUCK FINNILA YTLS Senior Project Coordinator