Paradise and Pacific Railroad
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Paradise and Pacific Railroad's primary exempt purpose is to educate the public regarding the history and importance of railroading in America through the building, operation, and public exhibition of a dynamic, elaborate, live operating O Gauge model railroad layout in a public venue.
- Income
- $38,020
- Spending
- $29,697
- Reserves
- 96.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 65%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- We have built and operate a working O Gauge model railroad exhibit in the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale, Arizona. During 2025 we were open to the public for twelve months, and hosted in excess of two hundred seventy three thousand (273,000) visitors, all of whom were admitted free of charge as an integral part of our public service. In addition, we actively participated in public events such as Holiday Lights (evenings for six weeks), and "Spook Track-U-La" (halloween, evenings for three weeks), and Rail Fair, where we acted as model railroading ambassadors and provided materials and service on a pro bono basis. All of the work in the construction, maintenance, and operation of the layout, as well as our public outreach efforts, has been done by volunteers. Our 115+ volunteers donated in excess of 3,500 man-hours during 2025.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2012.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2014.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.