Operates steam and diesel service from Williams, Arizona to the historic Grand Canyon depot, just steps away from the South Rim. For reservations call 1-800-THE-TRAIN or see their homepage
Light Rail at the CanyonAccording to the July 2000 Railway Age, the National Park Service (NPS) is seeking a Finance - Design - Build - Operate - Maintain supplier for the 8.3-mile light rail system and connecting buses at the Grand Canyon: "DMU equipment is specified for the 8.3-mile line, although the NPS will also entertain proposals for alternative-fuel vehicles. Eighteen vehicles will be required to transport up to 47,000 daily visitors to the park... The system is expected to be in operation by late 2003 or early 2004." The light rail system will complement GCRY's operations, serving the Maswik Transportation Center. More information on the Grand Canyon Station page. Classic Alco FP-4 diesels
"VIA 6773 initially led a low-profile existence. Painted in a dark olive green, like the passenger train it pulled, the diesel was hidden behind Grand Canyon Railway's steam engines to add horsepower when needed on the hilly 64-mile route between Williams, Ariz., and the south rim of the canyon. GCR later decided to run steam only during peak tourist season, and diesels now haul its growing passenger business eight months a year. With that decision, GCR bought [unit] 6793, and added a little color to both FPA4's in the form of gold bands and red nose logos... "Robert Franzen, Grand Canyon's chief mechanical officer, discovered [another] three Cabs and a Booster in a scrapyard in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 1997, two A's and the B moved to Arizona, and GCR also acquired components from the other A unit, which will be cut up. "Plans call for the B unit to be overhauled for service, giving GCR an operable A-B-A set. One of the latest A's also will be made operational, with the other likely becoming a parts source. The extra horsepower is needed to handle Grand Canyon's growing business, as the line plans a second Williams-Grand Canyon round trip when ridership increases sufficiently. GCR provides the toughest operational challenge for the rescued VIA [Canada] fleet. Trains of heavyweight passenger cars run seven days a week over hilly terrain at a maximum speed of 40mph... "Franzen predicts Grand Canyon's FP4 fleet will be running for at least 10 more years." Articles
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Grand Canyon depot
Grand Canyon Railway train at the Grand Canyon depot, July 1994
Amtrak #821 at Williams
Amtrak #821 and
Pacific Overland Express consist
Restaurant under construction, October
1998. Yes, the train cars still use steam.
Fray Marcos Hotel, October 1998
Train at Grand Canyon, March 1998 (Mike Garey)
Santa Fe freight passes Williams Depot