On 03/10/2009 we road the Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Expecting it to be more like Las Vegas weather, we were surprised when we woke up to a snow squall and that it turned out to be a rather cold, windy and blustery day. Out our window, and from the viewing platform at the rear, we got to see a variety of different landscapes, from Ponderosa pine forests down to the open and dry high desert. The train then rose back into the forest as it got closer to the canyon. There is more than a 1,500 foot change in elevation along the way. In the grand tradition of elegance and extraordinary comfort, we road the most exclusive seats on the train - inside the Luxury Parlor Car. Thanks to lounge-style comforts including a private bar and access to the open-air rear platform the exclusive service in this car provides fresh fruit, pastries, coffee and juice during the morning, finger snacks on the return trip along with a champagne toast and drinks of your choice at any time. The 4-1/2 round trip train ride made for a very enjoyable day.
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| Description: the Grand Canyon Railway made its first journey to the South Rim in 1901, long before Arizona was dubbed the "Grand Canyon State." With the arrival of the train, people could get to the legendary canyon with ease and comfort. All supplies used in the construction of Grand Canyon Village came to Northern Arizona aboard the train. The train also brought all water to the Grand Canyon until 1926. Supplies were not the only things carried in trains. Ranching and lumber were the primary industries of the early 1900s. Ranchers and lumberjacks contracted with the Grand Canyon Railway to transport their stock. The Railway shared the countryside with its neighbors forming a unique bond. Cowboys, lumberjacks and shepherds alike felt a little better and closer to civilization just being able to hear the train or see its lights off in the distance.The train stopped running in 1968, giving way to the popularity of automobile travel. But like any legend it refused to die. As fate would have it, Grand Canyon Railway was reborn in 1989 when entrepreneurs brought the Grand Canyon's train back to life. Leaving from Williams Arizona, Grand Canyon Railway departs daily at 9:30 a.m. 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. |
