RailsNW: Train Blog

The Grand Canyon stands as one of America’s most prized National Parks and for good reason, the beauty is overwhelming.  Whether it is your first visit or your fiftieth, nothing can detract from the rock walls, the reintroduced condor soaring overhead, and the breathtaking vistas.  The promontories provide the type of enchantment that make the Grand Canyon famous around the globe.  The opportunities for sightseeing, hiking and relaxing abound, making it perfect for anything from a romantic getaway to an outstanding family vacation.  And what better conduit to deliver you than The Grand Canyon Railway? 

Started in 1901 as a mining train and completely refurbished in 1989 as a historic passenger train, the Grand Canyon Railway successfully resurrects the Old West’s most amiable qualities.  Colorful characters enliven the journey, singing songs, telling jokes, providing the type of entertainment everyone can enjoy.  The historic depots in Williams and the South Rim transport even the hardiest urbanite back to a simpler time.  Beware of the train robbers; they’ve been known to create quite a stir on the way home!  Come enjoy the sights under an overhead glass viewing dome or off the rear viewing platform and allow RailsNW to plan the perfect package for you.

Winter adds a special touch to the experience, as the canyon’s majesty is dusted with a touch of snow.  This is a fabulous time to beat the crowds and be awed by the quiet beauty of winter in the Southwest.   For more information or to book your getaway:  http://www.railsnw.com/Tours/grand/grand-canyon-railway.htm

Verde Canyon Railroad

Booking is in full swing for Grand Canyon Railways’s memorable Polar Express ride to the ‘North Pole’.  The award winning Chris Van Allsburg book comes to life on this magical journey.  Wear your PJ’s, enjoy cocoa and a cookie, and receive a bell from Santa!  Many mid-week departures are still available though not for long:  http://www.railsnw.com/tours/grand/tour7.htm#tour

The Polar Express also runs on the famous Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad:  http://www.railsnw.com/Tours/Durango/durango-and-silverton-railroad_polar_express.htm#durango

2010 ticket and tour booking is now available on many railroads, including the Alaska Railroad:  http://www.railsnw.com/tours/alaskaframe.htm , Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer:  http://www.railsnw.com/tours/rocky/rocky_mountaineer_canada_train.htm and the Verde Canyon Railroad:  http://www.railsnw.com/tours/verde/verde.htm.  If you don’t see what you are looking for, do call us at (800) 717-0108. 

Winter is the ‘hot’ time to visit Australia, to truly experience the countryside book a journey on the Ghan, Indian Pacific, or Sunlander:  http://www.railsnw.com/tours/australia/australia.htm#au

It’s also a perfect time to visit Mexico’s Copper Canyon, where can customize a trip to your specific needs and desires:  http://www.railsnw.com/tours/coppercanyon.htm

Please note that early booking is recommended to ensure space!   We are in the process of setting up the 2010 season of Pacific Northwest charter excursions- please email jill@railsnw.com if you wish to be on the interest and news list for those.

Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon Railway will commemorate the 20^th anniversary of its rebirth Sept. 19, 2009 with a special roundtrip run to the Grand Canyon of its Steam Locomotive 4960.  

The Sept. 19 event will feature live music, photo opportunities with the steam engine, a ribbon cutting and remarks by local dignitaries.

The Sept. 19 excursion for the Railway’s regular 65-mile journey from Williams, Ariz. to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and back to the Williams Depot departs Williams at 9:30 a.m. and arrives at the Grand Canyon Depot at 11:45 a.m. For the return trip the train departs the Grand Canyon at 3:30 p.m. and arrives in Williams at 5:45 p.m. The Railway’s typical four classes of service will be used.

Same schedule, same pricing, just different engine for one day only:  Click here for Booking Information

Jill

This Diesel rail journey on The Verde Canyon Railroad lasts 4 hours and takes visitors on an adventure into one of Arizona’s lesser known Canyons The Verde (green) Canyon can only be seen from the train, as there are no roads to this area. For a full version of this and other titles, please go to our website:www.sprucestudios.com

A ride on Verde Canyon Railroad’s historic route from Clarkdale to the ghost ranch of Perkinsville and back into Arizona’s other grand canyon is an unforgettable experience.

Home to America’s national symbol, the majestic bald eagle, the Verde Canyon is accessible only by rail.

The historic route is nestled between two national forests and adjacent to a designated wilderness area. This unique geological wonderland features rugged, high desert rock faces and spectacular panoramic views. This distinctive confluence of desert and wetland is populated by a variety of wildlife, which thrives among the indigenous trees, shrubs, cactuses and wildflowers.

Passengers on this popular excursion train are enthralled as the eagle-decorated vintage engines roll past towering, crimson cliffs, near ancient Indian ruins, over old-fashioned trestles and through a 680-foot manmade tunnel on a four-hour round trip to deserted Perkinsville Ranch and back.

Expert narration and open-air gondola guides leave passengers with a sense of history, archaeology, geology, wildlife and the Indian lore of the Verde Canyon. Original music also is an integral part of the excursion that takes passengers through Arizona’s longest-running nature show.

Verde Canyon Railroad, nestled in the heart of the expansive Verde Valley, is ideally located above the heat of the desert and below the cold of Arizona’s high country.

It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.

We are now booking winter at the Grand Canyon Railway, including the Polar Express.  We have new day tours and even hotels in Sedona!  Email or call for info.

http://www.railsnw.com/Tours/grand/grand-canyon-railway.htm

The Verde Canyon Railroad runs through Verde Canyon between Clarkdale and Drake, Arizona. At Drake, Arizona the railroad interchanges with BNSF. The Verde Canyon Railroad runs passenger tourist service on 20 of the 38 miles between Clarkdale and the station at Perkinsville, Arizona. Verde Canyon is considered Arizona’s other Grand Canyon. The trains consist of coaches and open air cars. There are two engines used by the railroad for passenger service: Covered wagons #’s 1510 and 1512. This is a great run and I suggest that you make a visit to this line at least once in your life.

This is the first video in the Railroading in America series. The Railroading in America series conncentrates on modern tourist and mainline railroading. The video in this film dates back to June 25 and 26, 2007.

The Grand Canyon is a tourist railroad that connects Williams, Arizona with the south rim of the Grand Canyon. In Williams, the railroad interchanges with BNSF. The railroad has 3 operating steam locomotives: 2-8-0’s #18 & #29 and 2-8-2 #4960. The railroad is also the only railroad in the United States that can run an A-B-B-A set of alcos.