Original 1901 crew members		Today’s young tourist visitors

Grand Canyon Railway has been taking people from Williams, AZ, to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon since 1901 when it was built as a branch line by the legendary Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe (ATSF) railroad.  The now-historic Williams Depot was then an oasis for travelers heading to and from California. At that time, the 64-mile branch-line trip to the Grand Canyon cost $3.95. Today, Grand Canyon Railway runs daily from Williams, AZ, which is on historic Rt. 66, to within steps of the Grand Canyon South Rim and the historic El Tovar Hotel, located just 20 feet from the Rim.  The cost of the trip is $67 - $226, depending on traveling accommodations and amenities.

	El Tovar Hotel perched on the south rim of the Grand Canyon		El Tovar Hotel and its grand view of the Grand Canyon

Today’s pristine train, comprised of restored railcars from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, including luxury dome cars and an open platform observation car, as well as vintage coaches with opening windows, departs at 9:30 a.m. and returns at 5:45 p.m. with a 2.5-hour layover at South Rim of Grand Canyon.  The restored historic train now rolls daily directly into Grand Canyon National Park.

	Dome cars afford spectacular views of the countryside		Restored parlor cars bring history back to visitors.

Today, Grand Canyon Railway provides an historic and fun journey to the canyon with the help of authentic western characters who bring the Old West to life. Moreover, the train whose fate seemed sealed when it was shut down due to the popularity of automobiles, is now responsible for keeping approximately 50,000 cars outside of the national treasure.

	Visitors enjoy authentic music with their views.		The railway goes the extra mile to put on a show for its passengers.

Railroad aficionados will appreciate the Grand Canyon Railway’s history, especially the steam locomotives that operate on a limited schedule. During most of the summer and into early fall, the Railway pulls the train once a month with a massive 100-year-old steam engine built in 1923 that runs on waste vegetable oil. There is no extra charge. It is believed that Grand Canyon Railway is the last standard gauge passenger railroad in the US where steam engines are still scheduled to pull revenue trains.

	Original Grand Canyon Railway steam engine		The original steam engines restored and operating today Axel Bozier, Reddit.com

You can save 30% on train tickets when you book in conjunction with any 1 or 2-night stay at The Grand Canyon Railway Hotel.  Visit www.thetrain.com or call 1-800-THE-TRAIN (1-800-843-8724) for updated and current information on both the hotel and the train. It is now also possible to charter an entire luxury private railroad car or even an entire private train complete with chefs, bartenders, entertainers, and staff.  These are ideal for “milestone” moments such as graduations, family reunions, anniversaries, weddings, birthdays, etc. For charters call 928-635-5700 or visit www.thetrain.com/rail-baron.

	Sunrise view of the Grand Canyon		Sunset view of the Grand Canyon

About the Author

Lynn Rosen is an Emmy award-winning TV broadcaster, producer and director, and has been on the Journalism and Theatre faculties at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Wash. She’s also a theater critic, travel writer, published author, fearless skier and belongs to the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA) and the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW).