Grand Canyon Railway Trains to and from Williams
If it's adventure, sightseeing and history all rolled into one that you want on your Grand Canyon vacation, then Grand Canyon Railway is your answer.
A Grand Canyon Railway trip is a nostalgic journey to the country’s most famous natural wonder. Before there were paved roads and automobile access to Grand Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon Railway made its first paid passenger journey to the South Rim in 1901. At the time, the 61-mile-long journey reportedly had a price tag of $3.95.
It was the Santa Fe Railroad, along with the Fred Harvey Company, that commissioned and built most of the historic structures that still exist along the South Rim. The branch line from Williams, AZ to the South Rim, was completed to provide access to the canyon. Operation of the railway as a passenger train failed in 1968 thanks to competition with automobiles, but continued operation as a freight train until 1974.
In 1988, the line was bought by a Phoenix, Arizona, couple, Max and Thelma Biegert. The railway was restored and in 1989 began operations as a separate company, independent of the Santa Fe. The first run of the restored railroad was on September 17, 1989, commemorating the September 17 debut of the original railroad.
Today, the railroad carries hundreds of passengers to and from the Canyon every day, totaling about 240,000 passengers a year. Notable passengers in the railway’s earlier days included Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, Clark Gable, Doris Day, and others. Warren Buffet and Bill Gates are among passengers who have enjoyed the railway in recent times.
The restored former Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Station serves as the base of Grand Canyon Railway’s Williams operations and houses the ticket counter along with a coffee and fudge shop. The Grand Canyon Depot, located inside the national park, remains the northern terminus for passengers of the line and is the oldest operating log train depot in the nation. Both depots are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Riders are immersed in history and culture as they travel to the Grand Canyon in restored 1920s vintage Harriman coaches and 1950s climate-controlled coaches. Back in the day, President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir paid $3.95 to ride on the rails. Today, the Old West lives on daily with authentic characters staging a train robbery and musicians leading cowboy sing-alongs. Some of the masked cowboys play really accomplished people in real life like Dennis Shirley who was Ray Charles’ head photographer back in the day. The adventure begins with a Wild West shootout in the corral located next to the Depot before their train departs.
“Grand Canyon Railway comfortably takes guests on a scenic journey to the Historic Village at Grand Canyon South Rim. During the ride, passengers take in classic Arizona landscapes while learning about the Grand Canyon’s dynamic history. And now you can enhance this already memorable experience by chartering your own private train to the Grand Canyon.” Says Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel’s VIP sales and community relations manager, Sam Langer.
These Rail Baron Charters are the perfect experience for weddings, reunions, retirement parties and more. You get to choose your car and locomotive to bring you and your guests from Williams, Ariz., to the Grand Canyon.
Or, turn your train ride into a vacation with a package including lodging at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel.
Trains Powered on Vegetable Oil
What do French fries and the Grand Canyon Railway have in common?
Vegetable oil used to fry the popular side dish literally helps fuel the railway’s Locomotive No. 4960, also known as the French Fry Express. Collected from restaurants in the Grand Canyon, Phoenix and Williams, Ariz., where the 65-mile train ride to the Grand Canyon starts, the recycled oil emits 50 percent less carbon emissions than diesel fuel. These special excursions are scheduled the first Saturday of each month, March through October. In addition, passengers who take the train to and from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim help reduce vehicle pollution and traffic by an estimated 70,000 cars per year.
Polar Express
During the winter season (November-January), the line runs The Polar Express from Williams to the ‘North Pole,‘ a station about 10 miles (20 km) north of town.
For more information:
Grand Canyon Railway
(800) THE-TRAIN
thetrain.com