Train Trip to the Grand Canyon

First, let me say that Williams, AZ is at 6,800 feet, and the nights are cold! It was in the mid-30's when we got up on Tuesday! Our train to the Grand Canyon left at 10 AM, and it was in the low 60's by then, so that's OK.
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Before we boarded the train, all passengers were asked to attend a "wild west shootout" next to the depot. I guess that's so we're all not milling around the train, waiting to board. Four bad guys and the Marshal had a confrontation, after which, only the Marshal was left standing. How about that!



The Grand Canyon Railway has two operating steam engines which they use (along with a diesel helper engine) during the summer. The rest of the year, they use diesel exclusively, so that's what we got. No matter, though, it was a great trip.



There were 13 passenger cars on the train, each had a passenger service agent. Ours was Barbara, who offered us Diet Pepsi which made her special in Debbie's eyes.


The trip took just over two hours and was lots of fun. A singer/musician wandered through the cars and got a little "group sing" going. One of the "shootout" cowboys spent time in each car also, and visited with all the passengers.

Once at the canyon, we grabbed a quick lunch at the Bright Angel Lodge, then spent time walking along the rim.

Like Yosemite, private autos are discouraged, and they have a fleet of natural gas-powered shuttle busses to take visitors along the rim. Debbie wanted to mail some stuff, so we rode a shuttle to the Post Office, then back to El Tovar Hotel before boarding our train for the ride back to Williams.

El Tovar Hotel from Bright Angel Lodge

The trip back was just as nice as the trip to the canyon. We saw deer, elk, antelope, rabbits, squirrels, and lots of cattle. Arizona is a "free range" state, so cattle are not fenced in. If the train should hit one, the company has to pay the rancher $1,000. And if it's pregnant, there goes another $1,000 for the calf.

We were almost back in Williams when train robbers were spotted running their horses along side the train. They must have had an inside track (Ha! Ha!) because the engineer stopped the train and they came through terrorizing all the passengers. Fortunately, the Marshal showed up right after that, and I'm sure the bad guys were corralled at the back of the train.

To see more of our photos, click on the "Southwest Trip 2007" link on the right.

Tomorrow we're off to Canyon de Chelly for a couple of nights. We'll post when we get a chance.