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GCRX logopng
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GCRX
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Arizona
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1989
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present
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The , is a passenger
Railroad and
Heritage Railway which operates between
Williams, Arizona and the South Rim of
Grand Canyon National Park .
In 1901, the
Atchison, Topeka And Santa Fe Railway completed a branch line from Williams to Grand Canyon Village at the South Rim. The first scheduled train to carry paying passengers of the Grand Canyon Railway arrived from Williams on September 17 of that year. The 64–
Mile (103–
Kilometer ) long trip cost $3.95, and naturalist
John Muir later commended the railroad for its limited
Environmental impact. To accommodate travelers, the Santa Fe designed and built the , located just 20
Feet (6
Meters ) from the Canyon Rim. El Tovar opened its doors in January 1905.
Competition with the automobile forced the Santa Fe to cease operation of the Grand Canyon Railway in July 1968 (only three passengers were on the last run), although Santa Fe continued to use the tracks for
Freight until 1974. After 1974, the tracks were abandoned and many trackside buildings were razed.
Plans by entertainer
Arthur Godfrey to bring the railway back to life in 1977 fell through. In addition, two other companies attempted to resurrect the line in 1980 and 1984, with each subsequent attempt further keeping pressure on to save the line from being scrapped.
In 1988, the line was bought by a
Phoenix, Arizona couple, Max and Thelma Biegert. The railway was restored and in 1989 began operations as a separate company, independent of the Santa Fe. The first run of the restored railroad was on
September 17 ,
1989 , commemorating the September 17th debut of the original railroad.
The railroad carries hundreds of passengers to and from the Canyon every day, totaling about 225,000 passengers in 2005. The restored Santa Fe Railway
Station in Williams now serves the Grand Canyon Railway, and is also home to a small railroad museum. The Grand Canyon Depot, owned by the National Park Service, remains the northern terminus for passengers of the line.
During the summer, the railroad operates
Steam Locomotive s, but otherwise uses reconditioned
1950s vintage
Diesel locomotives (
ALCO-MLW FPA4 s) for the remainder of the season. Passengers ride in restored
1920s vintage Harriman
Coach es and new 1950s climate controlled coaches. The railroad adds to the
Old West experience by having actors dressed as
Bandit s stage a mock
Train Robbery during the return trip from the Grand Canyon to Williams. During the winter season (November - January), the line runs ''
The Polar Express '' from Williams to the 'North Pole', a station about 10 miles north of town. In 2005, this winter service carried 65,000 passengers.
In February 2006, the Grand Canyon Railway annouced that it had established a new logo that unifies all of the operating divisions of the company. The new 'glyph' style "G" herald harkens to the native american petroglyphs that permiate the areas of Northern Arizona.
In March 2006, owners Max & Themlma Biegert announced to the media that they were placing the railroad and its associated restaurants, hotels and amenities up for sale. The combined properties have an annual revenue of over $40 million. The Biegerts are seeking a new buyer/operator with a possible theme park background, which will ensure that the railroad, hotels, RV park, restaurants (and a possible new amusement park in Williams) will continue to be operated as one entity.
From May 27 through
September 4 2006 , two daily trains will operate.
* Steam locomotive
''circa''
1901 .]]
