Grand Canyon
TRAVEL – GRAND CANYON RAILWAY
Arizona is known as the Grand Canyon State, but, how many of us have actually gone up to see it?
If it is on your list, one of the best ways to see it is on the Grand Canyon Railway.
How do you do that?
Easy, just drive North on the I-17 towards Flagstaff (2 hours), then head west (I-40) for about 30 miles and you will Exit 163 (Grand Canyon Boulevard). Then go a 1/2-mile south to the historic Williams Depot located in Williams, Arizona, also called the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon”. The town was named after Billy Williams and is located in the Kaibab National Forest.
Williams has more than two dozen motels, but, our recommendation is to stay at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. It is right next to the train depot and has all the amities you could ever ask for.
The modern Grand Canyon Railway Hotel was designed to resemble the historic Fray Marcos Hotel and Williams Depot structures that stand nearby.
Today’s Grand Canyon Railway Hotel offers guests the choice of 297 rooms, including 198 Standard rooms, 88 deluxe rooms, 10 Luxury Suites and the Rail Baron Suite.
Going back to the historical significance of the hotel, it is important to note that quality lodging for its passengers was an important part of the Santa Fe Railway system during the late 19th century and early 20th century. A string of hotels and restaurants run by the Fred Harvey Company opened up along the Santa Fe rail lines during this time. The hotels and restaurants were known as Harvey Houses, and they became famous for their quality food and service. The Fred Harvey Company often named its hotels after early explorers.
The Fray Marcos Hotel in Williams was one such Harvey House and was named after Spanish missionary Marcos de Niza, who explored the Southwest in the early 16th century. The hotel and adjoining depot opened to the public in 1908.
The historic hotel still stands on the Grand Canyon Railway campus in Williams, but is no longer used for lodging guests. Parts of the original structure are home to the Grand Canyon Railway ticket counter, a gift shop and company offices. The newer Grand Canyon Railway Hotel was built to resemble the historic Fray Marcos Hotel.
Both Williams Depot and the Fray Marcos Hotel are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The historic depot is still open to the public.
The hotel offers a couple of dining options at either Spenser’s Pub or the Grand Canyon Depot Café, which is perfect for anyone traveling with kids.
If you want to just walk a few blocks, Williams offers several restaurants with just about every cuisine you would like.
The town has a great small-town America feel to it. Main Street in Williams is the historic Route 66, which in and of itself attracts visitors. (For questions on Williams, call the Williams Chamber of Commerce at 928-635-0273).
If you drive up the night before, get your tickets for the next day’s train, right away. Each day at exactly 9:30 a.m., the Grand Canyon Railway departs to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The trip takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes (to travel 65 miles), so you will arrive around 11:45a.m. The train departs the Canyon at 3:30, getting you back to Williams at 5:42 p.m.
There are Four classes of service available: Coach Class with 90 seats; First Class, a 42-seat area in the spacious Coconino, Kokopelli, Anasazi or Grand View cars, a 50-seat area in the Colorado River and Buckey O’Neill cars and a 68-seat area in the Arizona and Bright Angel cars; Deluxe Observation Class, 24-passenger capacity in a unique second-story dome viewing area of the Coconino, Kokopelli or Grand View cars; and Luxury Parlor Class, The Chief and Santa Fe are deluxe parlor cars with 41 and 33 seats, respectively. The Chief also features an open-air observation platform in the rear.
Cocktails can be purchased in First Class, Deluxe Observation Class and in the Luxury Parlor Class. These classes of service also enjoy complimentary pastries, fruit, coffee, tea and fresh juice during the northbound journey, and a variety of cheeses, vegetables and soda on the southbound journey.
Deluxe Observation Dome and Luxury Parlor classes are also provided with a champagne toast on the southbound trip. Vintage 1950s and 1970s-era diesel locomotives are utilized throughout the year.
The rates are as follows (and are subject to change): Round-trip Coach Class fares are: $70 for adults ages 16 and older; $40 for ages 2-15; plus applicable tax and a National Park Service entry fee of $8 for people ages 17 and older.
Value packages including lodging and meals are available. One-way travel is also available. Dome and Luxury Parlor Class are not able to provide service for passengers with disabilities and children under age 11 are not allowed. For Grand Canyon Railway info call: 1-800-THE-TRAIN (1-800-843-8724) or visit www.thetrain.com.
Trains started running in 1901up to the Grand Canyon, and then stopped in 1968.
In 1989, Max and Thelma Biegert announced redevelopment of the railway route to the Grand Canyon. In 2007, the Grand Canyon Railway was purchased from Max and Thelma by Xanterra Parks & Resorts. Xanterra is the nation’s largest park-management company with a proven history of park preservation and environmental commitment.
The idea of running a rail to the Grand Canyon got started back in the late 1800’s when William Owen “Buckey” O’Neill who was mayor of Prescott at the time, owned several mineral claims and had built a substantial cabin on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Although he found his wealth, he wasn’t able to unlock it from the canyon due to the high cost of transporting the ore. He lobbied for nearly five years before securing the funding for the Railway.
On Sept. 17, 1901, O’Neill’s vision became a reality when the first steam train took passengers and supplies from Williams, Ariz., to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. We were told that when they first started running the train back in 1901 to the Grand Canyon, that same trip took about 45 minutes longer. And, before that, the horseback or stagecoach trip was too difficult for most people. Unfortunately, O’Neill wasn’t there to see it for himself, having been killed while serving as a Rough Rider in the Spanish American War.
Grand Canyon Railway recreates the historic trip by rail to the Grand Canyon 364 days a year, providing passengers with the opportunity to relive an important part of American history. The look and feel of the train is right out of the Old West. You feel like you went back in time.
These days, trip highlights include a daily Wild West shootout at the 1908 Williams Depot prior to the morning departure; and entertainment and live action aboard the train, featuring roaming western singers, as well as the infamous Cataract Creek Gang and the Grand Canyon Railway Marshal.
From your train window, you will see Ponderosa pine forests then dry high desert and eventually more forest as you approach the Grand Canyon. The train arrives within 200 yards of the edge of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, and next to the world-famous El Tovar Hotel.
Here are a few facts about the Grand Canyon; it was formed primarily by erosion caused by the Colorado River. It covers an area of more than 1,900 square miles or 1,218,376 acres, and is about 190 air miles or 277 river miles long. The canyon’s width ranges from 600 yards to 18 miles but averages about 10 miles from rim to rim. The average depth of the canyon is about one mile with the South Rim elevation at 7,000 feet and North Rim elevation at 8,000 feet. The canyon was first established as a forest preserve in 1893 and became a national monument in 1908 by presidential proclamation. Grand Canyon National Park wasn’t established until Feb. 26, 1919 by an act of Congress. The park was again enlarged on Jan. 3, 1975.
Annually, nearly 5 million people visit Grand Canyon National Park. Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most popular destinations in the United States, and it has been referred to as America’s No. 1 natural tourist attraction. For more information, call Grand Canyon National Park at 928-638-7888.
If it is on your list, one of the best ways to see it is on the Grand Canyon Railway.
How do you do that?
Easy, just drive North on the I-17 towards Flagstaff (2 hours), then head west (I-40) for about 30 miles and you will Exit 163 (Grand Canyon Boulevard). Then go a 1/2-mile south to the historic Williams Depot located in Williams, Arizona, also called the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon”. The town was named after Billy Williams and is located in the Kaibab National Forest.
Williams has more than two dozen motels, but, our recommendation is to stay at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. It is right next to the train depot and has all the amities you could ever ask for.
The modern Grand Canyon Railway Hotel was designed to resemble the historic Fray Marcos Hotel and Williams Depot structures that stand nearby.
Today’s Grand Canyon Railway Hotel offers guests the choice of 297 rooms, including 198 Standard rooms, 88 deluxe rooms, 10 Luxury Suites and the Rail Baron Suite.
Going back to the historical significance of the hotel, it is important to note that quality lodging for its passengers was an important part of the Santa Fe Railway system during the late 19th century and early 20th century. A string of hotels and restaurants run by the Fred Harvey Company opened up along the Santa Fe rail lines during this time. The hotels and restaurants were known as Harvey Houses, and they became famous for their quality food and service. The Fred Harvey Company often named its hotels after early explorers.
The Fray Marcos Hotel in Williams was one such Harvey House and was named after Spanish missionary Marcos de Niza, who explored the Southwest in the early 16th century. The hotel and adjoining depot opened to the public in 1908.
The historic hotel still stands on the Grand Canyon Railway campus in Williams, but is no longer used for lodging guests. Parts of the original structure are home to the Grand Canyon Railway ticket counter, a gift shop and company offices. The newer Grand Canyon Railway Hotel was built to resemble the historic Fray Marcos Hotel.
Both Williams Depot and the Fray Marcos Hotel are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The historic depot is still open to the public.
The hotel offers a couple of dining options at either Spenser’s Pub or the Grand Canyon Depot Café, which is perfect for anyone traveling with kids.
If you want to just walk a few blocks, Williams offers several restaurants with just about every cuisine you would like.
The town has a great small-town America feel to it. Main Street in Williams is the historic Route 66, which in and of itself attracts visitors. (For questions on Williams, call the Williams Chamber of Commerce at 928-635-0273).
If you drive up the night before, get your tickets for the next day’s train, right away. Each day at exactly 9:30 a.m., the Grand Canyon Railway departs to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The trip takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes (to travel 65 miles), so you will arrive around 11:45a.m. The train departs the Canyon at 3:30, getting you back to Williams at 5:42 p.m.
There are Four classes of service available: Coach Class with 90 seats; First Class, a 42-seat area in the spacious Coconino, Kokopelli, Anasazi or Grand View cars, a 50-seat area in the Colorado River and Buckey O’Neill cars and a 68-seat area in the Arizona and Bright Angel cars; Deluxe Observation Class, 24-passenger capacity in a unique second-story dome viewing area of the Coconino, Kokopelli or Grand View cars; and Luxury Parlor Class, The Chief and Santa Fe are deluxe parlor cars with 41 and 33 seats, respectively. The Chief also features an open-air observation platform in the rear.
Cocktails can be purchased in First Class, Deluxe Observation Class and in the Luxury Parlor Class. These classes of service also enjoy complimentary pastries, fruit, coffee, tea and fresh juice during the northbound journey, and a variety of cheeses, vegetables and soda on the southbound journey.
Deluxe Observation Dome and Luxury Parlor classes are also provided with a champagne toast on the southbound trip. Vintage 1950s and 1970s-era diesel locomotives are utilized throughout the year.
The rates are as follows (and are subject to change): Round-trip Coach Class fares are: $70 for adults ages 16 and older; $40 for ages 2-15; plus applicable tax and a National Park Service entry fee of $8 for people ages 17 and older.
Value packages including lodging and meals are available. One-way travel is also available. Dome and Luxury Parlor Class are not able to provide service for passengers with disabilities and children under age 11 are not allowed. For Grand Canyon Railway info call: 1-800-THE-TRAIN (1-800-843-8724) or visit www.thetrain.com.
Trains started running in 1901up to the Grand Canyon, and then stopped in 1968.
In 1989, Max and Thelma Biegert announced redevelopment of the railway route to the Grand Canyon. In 2007, the Grand Canyon Railway was purchased from Max and Thelma by Xanterra Parks & Resorts. Xanterra is the nation’s largest park-management company with a proven history of park preservation and environmental commitment.
The idea of running a rail to the Grand Canyon got started back in the late 1800’s when William Owen “Buckey” O’Neill who was mayor of Prescott at the time, owned several mineral claims and had built a substantial cabin on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Although he found his wealth, he wasn’t able to unlock it from the canyon due to the high cost of transporting the ore. He lobbied for nearly five years before securing the funding for the Railway.
On Sept. 17, 1901, O’Neill’s vision became a reality when the first steam train took passengers and supplies from Williams, Ariz., to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. We were told that when they first started running the train back in 1901 to the Grand Canyon, that same trip took about 45 minutes longer. And, before that, the horseback or stagecoach trip was too difficult for most people. Unfortunately, O’Neill wasn’t there to see it for himself, having been killed while serving as a Rough Rider in the Spanish American War.
Grand Canyon Railway recreates the historic trip by rail to the Grand Canyon 364 days a year, providing passengers with the opportunity to relive an important part of American history. The look and feel of the train is right out of the Old West. You feel like you went back in time.
These days, trip highlights include a daily Wild West shootout at the 1908 Williams Depot prior to the morning departure; and entertainment and live action aboard the train, featuring roaming western singers, as well as the infamous Cataract Creek Gang and the Grand Canyon Railway Marshal.
From your train window, you will see Ponderosa pine forests then dry high desert and eventually more forest as you approach the Grand Canyon. The train arrives within 200 yards of the edge of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, and next to the world-famous El Tovar Hotel.
Here are a few facts about the Grand Canyon; it was formed primarily by erosion caused by the Colorado River. It covers an area of more than 1,900 square miles or 1,218,376 acres, and is about 190 air miles or 277 river miles long. The canyon’s width ranges from 600 yards to 18 miles but averages about 10 miles from rim to rim. The average depth of the canyon is about one mile with the South Rim elevation at 7,000 feet and North Rim elevation at 8,000 feet. The canyon was first established as a forest preserve in 1893 and became a national monument in 1908 by presidential proclamation. Grand Canyon National Park wasn’t established until Feb. 26, 1919 by an act of Congress. The park was again enlarged on Jan. 3, 1975.
Annually, nearly 5 million people visit Grand Canyon National Park. Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most popular destinations in the United States, and it has been referred to as America’s No. 1 natural tourist attraction. For more information, call Grand Canyon National Park at 928-638-7888.