Arizona Rail Passenger Association

Grand Canyon Railway Plans for the Future

From the February 1994 ARPA TIMETABLE

Bill Lindley

Having read and heard recently about the plans to improve rail access to the Grand Canyon, I spoke recently with John James, Executive Vice President of the Grand Canyon Railway.

The recent Joint Environmental Impact Statement (from the Forest Service and Park Service) was recently approved; this calls for a new five mile long branch track to connect the airport to the railway. According to Mr. James, the Grand Canyon Railway is currently obtaining permits and land allocations for this track.

Additionally, a new General Management Plan, which will guide development at the Park until the year 2010, is now in formulation. (The last Plan was implemented in 1977.) As a primary concern of this plan will be the forecast growth of tourism in the Canyon area, Mr. James hopes the new GMP will not only embrace the Airport to Canyon plan, but capitalize upon the advantages of rail transport.

Mr. James enumerated a number of advantages of the rail mode:

It would help remove automobiles from the park. Currently autos are not only a major contributor to air and pollution but also a visual detractor at the Park. The rail mode is much more protective of these natural resources;
Visitors could receive education and orientation even before their arrival at the Park itself, with services provided at the station and on the train;
The train itself is a historically significant part of the Grand Canyon.
Further, the rail expansion project is in line with plans for staging areas outside the Park.

Asked about the recently released JLSC report, which suggested the possibility of running a Phoenix to Williams train, or Phoenix to Grand Canyon, Mr. James said that although he felt the plan was "ambitious," he welcomed the concept of expanded passenger service. The possibility of attracting passengers directly from a Sky Harbor airport connection would be an especially positve aspect of such a plan.

Asked about Grand Canyon Railway's financial picture, he said they were "very close to making a profit." He said that their experience proves that the rail passenger business can be feasible and viable.

In closing, he asked for support in communicating to the Park Service in particular, and the political sphere in general, that rail service to the Canyon is the right way to help solve the severe - and increasing - automotive overcrowding there.

Related Articles (from ARPA's Media Watch)

"Babbitt to OK Canyon plan" Canyon to restrict cars, use light rail for visitors. By Steve Yozwiak, The Arizona Republic, Nov. 25, 1997
"Rail transit for Grand Canyon?" Railway Age, May 1997, page 30.
"Grand way to see Canyon: Light rail or buses to replace autos in state's 'crown jewel'" Arizona Republic, 31 January 1997, page A1. Diesel powered light rail, or electrically powered buses, may soon replace automobiles at the Grand Canyon.