RailNewsNetwork
writer
The 2012 Grand Canyon Limited train
trip was put together by the
Central
Coast
Chapter (based in Santa Clara, CA) of the National
Railroad Historical Society (NHRS) also known as the Central Coast
Railroad Club
and
Trains &
Travel International
of Portola, California. The Central
Coast Chapter was responsible for onboard operations and Trains &
Travel handled ticket sales. Each organization had their own
responsibilities and shared other workload. The last time a steam
engine pulled trip from
Southern California to the Grand Canyon happened was in 2002.
Although the 3751 seems to get out on
smaller more local trips, this one was to be 6 days covering 1337 miles
through
California and Arizona. This trip was also an Arizona
official
Centennial
event.
From the
Trains
and Travel International web site
"The Grand Canyon Limited will be pulled
by the ATSF 3751 4-8-4 steam locomotive from Los Angeles to Williams,
Arizona via Parker and return. Additionally our excursion train will
double head with the former CB&Q 4960 2-8-2 steam locomotive on the
Grand Canyon Railroad between Williams and the South Rim roundtrip.
Photo
run-bys will be made on all 5
operating days, freight traffic and timing permitting. This 6 day steam
excursion will be operated under contract with Amtrak, BNSF, the Grand
CanyonRailway and the Arizona & California Railroad.
Trains
& Travel International is the official reservation agent
for this excursion. All reservations and ticket sales must be made
through us. The Central Coast Railway Club is in charge of the
operating portion of this excursion."
The
San Bernardino Railroad
Historical
Society
(SBRHS) was happy to be able to run their beautiful restored steam
locomotive on this trip. I was so overjoyed that I joined their
group.
Day 1: Los Angeles, CA to Parker, AZ
Day 2: Parker, AZ to Williams, AZ
Day 3:Williams to the Grand Caynon AZ
Day 4: Free Day in Williams Arizona
Day 5: Williams, AZ to Parker, AZ
Day 6: Parker, AZ to Los Angeles
