Rails to the Rim

Getting There   

To arrive by train at the departure point of the Grand Canyon Railway, Williams, AZ, you can take the Southwest Chief from as far east as Chicago, or as far west as Los Angeles.. 

This trip was by car from Placentia, CA, to Williams, because by train the trip both ways is after dark, and we wanted to have a car in Flagstaff, to take side trips to the Grand Canyon Railway and the Verde Canyon Railroad (A report on the Verde Canyon will soon follow this report).

Since the train leaves Williams, AZ, at 9:30 a.m., and I had made arrangements with Bruce Brossman, Director of Reservations and Sales, for breakfast at 8 a.m. at the train station, I left Little America in Flagstaff at 7 a.m.  As I walked to my car, I saw that the "30% chance of snow" prediction had been correct.  I brushed the light, dry snow off the windshield, and headed west on I-40 to Williams.  I drove through lightly falling snow for a while, but it stopped before Williams.  Driving less than the 75 mph speed limit, I arrived about 45 minutes later and walked around the facility before I met Bruce in the large dining room at the station's restaurant.  Even though it was 1.5 hrs. before departure, there were many guests having breakfast and others milling around in the gift shop.  Company employees were keeping the snow off the sidewalks between the hotel, parking lot, restaurant, and the station.

A light snow had fallen during the night.  Grand Canyon Hotel, background, has 297 rooms.	No. 29 is still outside the Restaurant, one of two working steam locomotives of the GCRR.
	No. 29 was picturesque in the light snow.

2011 Steam Dates

Friendly ticket agents will give you your reserved seat tickets.

A gentle reminder to take your coat for your time at the South Rim.

If you are having breakfast at the restaurant, either on your own or as part of one of the packages, notice that they have an omelet bar.  It was here that I had a delicious ham and cheese omelet with a sweet roll from the large buffet of other breakfast items.

Formerly Max & Thelma's

Now named Grand Depot Cafe.

Bruce gave me a great tour of the former Fray Marcos Hotel and Harvey House, now being remodeled into Xantera Grand Canyon Railway offices.

Bruce Brossman, Reservations and Sales Director Bruce gave me a behind-the-scenes tour of the GCR offices and parts of the hotel and Harvey House yet to be remodeled into office space.	Come see Santa in 2011 aboard the Polar Express! 2011 departure dates: • November 11*-12, 18-20, 23, 25-27, 30 • December 1-5, 7-12, 14-24, 26-30 • January 6*-7*  *6:30 p.m. train only. All other dates have both 6:30 p.m and 8:00 p.m. departure times.
Where Mrs. Claus meets the children.	Original tile from the Harvey House dining room.

Fray Marcos Hotel safe. Right, hotel rooms being remodeled into offices.	I later noticed that these same brown leather chairs are used in the Luxury Class observation platform car, Max Biegert.
Finished Offices	This office is proud of the use of reclaimed vegetable oil and rain water used as fuel for the steam locomotives at the GCRR.

My tour was during the cowboy show, so at 9:30 it was time to locate my Dome car seat.  This is a view of the Station and Harvey House from the dome.

The Schedule

Grand Canyon Railway departs daily at 9:30 a.m. from Williams, Arizona, about 30 miles west of Flagstaff just off Interstate 40. The train travels almost due north to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, arriving at 11:45 a.m.. The trip measures 65 miles and takes 2 hours and 15 minutes each way, 45 minutes faster than in 1901 when the train made its first trip. The train departs Grand Canyon Depot at 3:30 p.m. returning to Williams Depot at 5:45 p.m.

The GCR website lists its railroad equipment at:  http://www.thetrain.com/Locomotives-&-Passenger-Cars-5685.html  (with no mention of their two operating steam locomotives).

Photos from the trip from Williams to the Grand Canyon Depot

Underway to the South Rim. Right, Directly above my seat were remnants of the overnight snow on the curved dome window.
Snow clouds were breaking up as we left Williams.	The GCR shops are visible on the right.

No. 4960, the second working steam locomotive of the GCR.	Locomotive 6793 is the last of the series the FPA-4 model locomotives built. Originally belonging to Canadian National Railway, the FPA-4 locomotives were purchased by Grand Canyon Railway in the 1990s.  --from their website.
Mark gave some announcements in the car, then came around to take orders for the in-car bar.	The bar is located under the dome.

Sharp Shooter Imaging took photos on the way north and had them for us to purchase on the way back, even if we changed cars, as I did.	The package included 2 small ones, one frame, and a folder with an 8 x 10 and another 8 x 10 of the cowboys in front of a steam engine.
My purchased photo and frame.	I walked down from the dome and took this photo of the lower level seating.

In car 1, the coach car, Clyde Score, of Arizona Art & Entertainment, was performing.
He later came to the lower level of the Dome Car.	And later to the Dome.

	On the way back, he had a different set of songs he did for us in the Observation Car. He was a very good musician and entertainer.
Conductor Ed Greer and On Board Supervisor Paul Sanchez and I chatted during the trip.	Not much wildlife on the way, just the Angus beef cattle "outstanding in their field."

The scenery is much the same for the 2:15 hr. ride, except when nearing the South Rim you enter some gorges and pine trees.	We 'wye' and back in before detraining.  This puts the observation Car nearest the station.
Today was as short as the train ever gets, three cars/four classes.  After detraining is a good time to photograph the consist.

The Classes of Service

Coach Class, First Class, Observation Dome, and Luxury Parlor.  An excellent page of the Grand Canyon Railway's website has complete descriptions, prices, and videos of each class at:   http://www.thetrain.com/grand-canyon-train-5677.html

The Grand Canyon Railway Diesel Fleet

From the Grand Canyon Railway's website:

Grand Canyon Railway's Unique Passenger Cars 

Grand Canyon Railway is home to a unique collection of historical railway cars, each with its own story. Grand Canyon Railway works to maintain the original look of the railcars, showcasing rail travel’s rich and diverse history.


All of the Railway’s cars are equipped with restrooms, staffed by a Passenger Service Attendant and can be reserved for groups and special events.


• Budd Coach cars — Built by Budd Manufacturing Company. Refurbished by the Grand Canyon Railway’s locomotive shop in 2005-2006, these coach cars offer guest air-conditioning and better serve passengers with disabilities.

• Pullman Coach cars — Built by Pullman in 1923, Harriman-style coach cars seat 80 to 88 passengers. The Grand Canyon Railway uses fully restored Harriman-style coach cars exclusively for The Polar Express™. Grand Canyon Railway established the limited schedule in 2006 to help preserve these fascinating railcars for future generations.

• The Bright Angel class — Grand Canyon Railway acquired the cars in 2003 from Amtrak. The complete and full restoration of the cars was completed in 2004, and went into service as First Class coach.

• Buckley O’Neil class — When Southern Railway passed its passenger service to Amtrak in 1979, the Buckley O’Neil Class Cars followed, then served on the Alaska Railroad before coming to Grand Canyon Railway. The name of these cars honors Grand Canyon Railway’s original owner.

• The Colorado River — This car was built in 1948 as a 16-section sleeper for the Denver Rio Grande Western. The car changed hands multiple times before being acquired by the Railroading Heritage of Midwest America. Grand Canyon Railway purchased the car in June of 1999, rebuilt the car and it into service in April 2000.

• The Yavapai — This car was built in 1950 by the Budd Manufacturing Company for use by the Southern Pacific. Grand Canyon Railway purchased the car in 1998 and put it into service that year. This car was renovated in 2009.

• The Coconino — This is a unique dome coach was built by Budd Manufacturing Company in 1954. Grand Canyon Railway purchased it in 1996, and went into service March 1997.

The Coconino

• The Grand View — The Grand View Car ran as a Vista Dome Coach on the famed California Zephyr, arguably one of the most famous trains of all times. The Grand Canyon Railway acquired this classic dome coach car in 2004. The Grand View remains all original.

• The Kokopelli — In May of 2000, Grand Canyon Railway leased car No. 1326 from the Great Northern Dome Company to replace another dome car. It was repainted and named the Kokopelli

• The Santa Fe — The Santa Fe was built in 1948. A 37-seat coach, it was considered the lap of luxury, providing patrons with modern and comfortable seats. The Grand Canyon Railway became the proud owner in 2004.

• The Chief — Grand Canyon Railway acquired the car in 2002; this car had many restorations and one collision prior to arriving at Grand Canyon Railway. The Chief was put into service in October 2002.

• The Max Biegert —This recently refurbished Luxury Parlor Car is named after the businessman responsible for reinstating train service from Williams to the Grand Canyon in 1989. The railcar was built in 1954 and was originally known as the Bonaventure. The car debuted as The Max Biegert in September 2006 and is still in use on Grand Canyon Railway today.

The Max Biegert

Inside the Max Biegert.	This photo in the observation car I believe is Max and Thelma Biegert, original owners of the GCR.
Snacks on the way back to Williams.	Complimentary drinks on the way back to Williams.

The Region

Grand Canyon Country is located in northern Arizona on what's called the Colorado Plateau. Most of the plateau is set at 5,000 feet elevation. However, the plateau includes Williams and the Grand Canyon, both at about 7,000 feet elevation, and the San Francisco Peaks, the highest point in Arizona at over 12,600 feet elevation. What this means is out your window you'll pass through different landscapes, from Ponderosa pine forests down to the open and dry high desert, and then the train rises back into the forest as it gets close to the canyon. There is a 1,500 foot vertical drop along the way. This can be very challenging to engineers. In fact, for years, the Santa Fe brought out engineers-in-training to teach them how to operate steam locomotives on the Grand Canyon line.

View from the South Rim

Upon arriving at the South Rim, you can take a pre-arranged tour, shop, walk along the Rim and have lunch for the 3+ hr. layover.  I did not  take a bus tour this trip, so had plenty of time to photograph, shop, and eat lunch before returning on the 3:30 train to Williams.

The Grand Canyon Depot

The northern terminus of the line resides in Grand Canyon National Park. Constructed in 1909-1910, Grand Canyon Depot is part of the Grand Canyon National Park Historic District and is a National Historic Landmark. Designed by architect Francis W. Wilson of Santa Barbara, Calif., the log and wood-frame structure is two stories high. Originally, the downstairs was designated for station facilities and the upstairs was inhabited by the station agent’s family. Today, the first floor is used for railway passenger services. The building is one of approximately 14 log depots known to have been constructed in the United States, and one of only three remaining. Of the three, the Grand Canyon Depot is the only one in which logs were used as the primary structural material and which still serves an operating railroad. The Depot’s logs are squared on three sides creating bearing surfaces, flat interior surfaces and a rustic exterior appearance. Just beyond the depot is the El Tovar Hotel, built in 1905 by the railroad. The El Tovar is the signature hotel along the rim. The railroad built the depot five years after the hotel and placed it conveniently close for the rail passengers. 

--from the GCR website

Two tours are available as you detrain.

If pre-arranged, this van is available for wheelchair bound passengers.

As you walk up the steps from the Depot, you see two historic buildings.  On the left (above) the El Tovar Hotel.  On the right (below) the Hopi House. One of the great buildings of Grand Canyon architect, Mary Coulter, Hopi House was designed as a place for the Hopi Indians to create and sell their works to Grand Canyon tourists.

Around the El Tovar Hotel

Front of the El Tovar.	From a side porch of the El Tovar.
View from the Rim Trail.	Lunch at the El Tovar

Large painting in the dining room.

dining room with canyon view tables.

The Hopi House designed by Mary Coulter

Water drain and ladder.	From a second floor window.

Second floor window and El Tovar Hotel.

Rawhide door pull at the Hopi House.

Views of the Grand Canyon from the Rim Trail

I Heard a Raven's Call

	Bird's eye view of the Grand Canyon.
Can you still see the Raven?

A Favorite Structure of Mine on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon - Lookout Studio

Lookout Studio is a short walk west of the El Tovar Hotel along Rim Trail.  A good place to get inspired.

Although built long ago, it seems to be part of the landscape on the brink above the Canyon.	A second floor lookout within, and two lower patios outside overlook the Canyon.

The Canyon from the 2nd floor porch.	View of the upper of two outdoor patios.

View of El Tovar from the 2nd Floor of Outlook Studio	Yours Truly on the patio of Lookout Studio.
Gift shop windows at Lookout Studio	Southwest structure in winter along the Rim Trail

Further west on Rim Trail is Kolb Studio, also designed by Mary Colter

View from Kolb Studio bookstore of the Canyon

Kolb Studio, on the brink. Right, Don't slip going down the stairs!

While walking the Rim Trail, photographing the beautiful Grand Canyon, I also took notice of the many standing trees which no longer were alive.  I thought that these pieces of Mother Nature's beautiful creation would have been cut down for firewood if this were not a protected area of a National Forest.  I made some photographs of these trees to share the beauty with you.

Too soon, 3:15 p.m., it was time to make my way back to the Grand Canyon Train.  With the sun lower in the sky and far south in the winter, the train was more photogenic than earlier.

For the trip south, I was in Luxury Class, in the observation car.  Here with Paul Sanchez.	The weather had turned from snow in the morning to beautiful, cool, dry weather by afternoon.  I love spending time outdoors on the platform.
In shady areas the snow is slower to melt.  I call this shot, "Tracks in the Snow."	Many curves in the track soon after departure give an opportunity for a photo of the front of the train from the platform.

A good thing about a round trip on a train, if you miss a shot on the way up, you can get it on the way back.	San Francisco Peak is due north of Flagstaff, and east of Williams.  A nice view of it is available on the 2nd half of the southbound trip.
Clyde Score was an excellent musician and entertainer.	San Francisco Peaks (Humphreys and Agassiz ) from the Grand Canyon Railway.  The land along the tracks is National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, and a very large private ranch.

We "ran into some trouble down the track!"
Soon the Sheriff arrived ...	and the Bandits had no place to go.  Either jump off the observation platform on the moving train, or surrender.  They opted for surrender, and actually talked horses to some of the guests in the car that owned horses.

As our shadow passed the car barn, we could see a before and after shot of the locomotive.	No. 4960 was easier to photograph from the observation platform than from the dome.
The "P Line" goes past a snow spreader and later the Williams Station and on to Phoenix.  There are about 6 trains a day on this adjacent track.	Other coaches await the call on a busier summer day.

Another great ride on the Grand Canyon Railway has come to an end.

THE END.