Grand Canyon Railway
Encyclopedia
The Grand Canyon Railway , is a passenger railroad which operates between Williams, Arizona
, and Grand Canyon National Park
South Rim.
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 El Tovar Hotel
, 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 track side 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 attempt helping to maintain interest in preserving the line and saving it from scrapping.
, 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 17 debut of the original railroad.
The Biegerts, a couple originally from Nebraska, had made their fortune in crop dusting through Biegert Aviation founded in 1947 which had a large federal government contract for its B-17 and later C-54 fleet. After leaving the crop-dusting business, they operated a for-profit day care
business in Houston, Texas
, which became the Children's World Learning Center and is now part of KinderCare Learning Centers
. The Biegerts never intended to get into the rail business. They had loaned money secured by the tracks to another person for the rail line. When they defaulted the Biegerts took over the line. In conjunction with the start up, the Biegerts were principal investors in the short-lived Farwest Airlines which was an air taxi service intended to bring tourists from California, Las Vegas and Phoenix to Flagstaff where the passengers would then take the rail line.
The railroad carries hundreds of passengers to and from the canyon every day, totaling about 240,000 passengers in 2006.
The restored Santa Fe Railway Station
in Williams now serves the Grand Canyon Railway's daily Williams Flyer (Williams to/from Grand Canyon), Seasonal Polar Express, and is the terminus for other special events trains operated by the railway. The Williams Depot also offers twice daily Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach service connecting to/from Amtrak's Southwest Chief trains at Williams Junction. Open Road Tours shuttles also call at the depot and offer passengers supplemental service to Grand Canyon South Rim, Flagstaff, Sedona, and Phoenix Metro Center.
The Grand Canyon Depot
, owned by the National Park Service, remains the northern terminus for passengers of the line.
The railroad operates reconditioned 1970s (EMD F40PH
) Diesel locomotives year-round. Passengers ride to/from the Grand Canyon in 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 17 miles (27.4 km) north of town. The Polar Express service operates with restored 1920s vintage Harriman coaches. In 2008, this winter service carried about 78,000 passengers.
In February 2006, the Grand Canyon Railway announced 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 common in Northern Arizona. As of June 2007, the logo seems to be applied only to merchandise, signs, and official company letterhead, as several cars have come into service or been repainted while retaining the "drumhead" logo on the sides. Even freshly painted locomotives MLW FA-4 #6793 and steam locomotive #4960 have retained the old logo.
In March 2006, owners Max and Thelma Biegert announced to the media that they were placing the railroad and its associated restaurants, hotels and amenities up for sale. The combined properties had an annual revenue of nearly $40 million. The Biegerts sought a new buyer/operator with a possible theme park background, which would ensure that the railroad, hotels, RV park, restaurants (and a possible new amusement park in Williams) would continue to be operated as one entity.
, a legendary company with restaurant, hotel and service ties to the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway as far back as 1876.
Xanterra said that it intended to keep all 480 of the railway's current employees, and planned to focus on growing the business and increasing the coordination between the railway and Xanterra's other services in the Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim. In the press release, the railway and Xanterra reported over 225,000 passengers and over $38 million in revenue in calendar year 2005. The purchase of the GCR included all of the railway's assets, land, depots, hotels, RV park, rolling stock, shops and linear pieces of land along the 65 miles (105 km) line. The Biegert family's 480 acres (1.9 km²) ranch near Gonzales Lake in north Williams was not included in the sale to Xanterra.
magazine reported that Xanterra would no longer operate its steam locomotives. The decision came as a result of the 2000s energy crisis and the late 2000s recession
conspiring against passenger numbers, although it was claimed to be an environmental decision. The railway's (unnecessary) policy of always running a diesel with a steam locomotive as backup however does render the decision environmentally friendly. As part of the end of steam, 20 employees were laid off. Around that time, both steam engines 29 and 4960 were placed on static display on the Williams Depot platform. Limited steam operation returned on September 19, 2009, with the engines being powered by waste vegetable oil. According to the GCR website, the service will be available during the 2011 season http://www.thetrain.com/Steam-Event-7275.html with engine 4960. Over the winter of 2011/2012, engine 4960 is undergoing its 15-year overhaul and inspection, and will be ready for service by February 2012 for a special Centennial Run on February 14, 2012 celebrating 100 years of Arizona Statehood.
would buy Xanterra. Negotiations for the sale began on June 5 and the sale was completed on September 25.
Williams, Arizona
Williams is a city in Coconino County, Arizona, United States west of Flagstaff. Its population was 2,842 at the 2000 census; according to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 3,094. It lies on the route of Historic Route 66, Interstate 40, and the Southwest Chief Amtrak...
, and Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is the United States' 15th oldest national park and is located in Arizona. Within the park lies the Grand Canyon, a gorge of the Colorado River, considered to be one of the Wonders of the World. The park covers of unincorporated area in Coconino and Mohave counties.Most...
South Rim.
Santa Fe Ownership
In 1901, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe RailwayAtchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859...
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
John Muir
John Muir was a Scottish-born American naturalist, author, and early advocate of preservation of wilderness in the United States. His letters, essays, and books telling of his adventures in nature, especially in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, have been read by millions...
later commended the railroad for its limited environmental
Natural environment
The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....
impact. To accommodate travelers, the Santa Fe designed and built the El Tovar Hotel
El Tovar Hotel
The El Tovar Hotel, also known simply as El Tovar, is a former Harvey House hotel situated directly on the south rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA...
, 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 track side buildings were razed.
Plans by entertainer Arthur Godfrey
Arthur Godfrey
Arthur Morton Godfrey was an American radio and television broadcaster and entertainer who was sometimes introduced by his nickname, The Old Redhead...
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 attempt helping to maintain interest in preserving the line and saving it from scrapping.
Max and Thelma Biegert Ownership
In 1988, the line was bought by a Phoenix, ArizonaPhoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, 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 17 debut of the original railroad.
The Biegerts, a couple originally from Nebraska, had made their fortune in crop dusting through Biegert Aviation founded in 1947 which had a large federal government contract for its B-17 and later C-54 fleet. After leaving the crop-dusting business, they operated a for-profit day care
Day care
Child care or day care is care of a child during the day by a person other than the child's legal guardians, typically performed by someone outside the child's immediate family...
business in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, which became the Children's World Learning Center and is now part of KinderCare Learning Centers
KinderCare Learning Centers
KinderCare Learning Centers is an American operator of for-profit child care facilities founded in 1969. The company provides educational programs for children from six weeks to 12 years old...
. The Biegerts never intended to get into the rail business. They had loaned money secured by the tracks to another person for the rail line. When they defaulted the Biegerts took over the line. In conjunction with the start up, the Biegerts were principal investors in the short-lived Farwest Airlines which was an air taxi service intended to bring tourists from California, Las Vegas and Phoenix to Flagstaff where the passengers would then take the rail line.
The railroad carries hundreds of passengers to and from the canyon every day, totaling about 240,000 passengers in 2006.
The restored Santa Fe Railway Station
Williams (Train station)
Williams is a privately owned train station in Williams, Arizona, United States. It serves as the Grand Canyon Railway depot in Williams, Arizona. It is located adjacent to the BNSF line from Phoenix...
in Williams now serves the Grand Canyon Railway's daily Williams Flyer (Williams to/from Grand Canyon), Seasonal Polar Express, and is the terminus for other special events trains operated by the railway. The Williams Depot also offers twice daily Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach service connecting to/from Amtrak's Southwest Chief trains at Williams Junction. Open Road Tours shuttles also call at the depot and offer passengers supplemental service to Grand Canyon South Rim, Flagstaff, Sedona, and Phoenix Metro Center.
The Grand Canyon Depot
Grand Canyon Depot
Grand Canyon Depot, also known as Grand Canyon Railroad Station, was constructed in 1909-10 for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, in what is now Grand Canyon National Park. It is one of three remaining railroad depots in the United States built with...
, owned by the National Park Service, remains the northern terminus for passengers of the line.
The railroad operates reconditioned 1970s (EMD F40PH
EMD F40PH
-Amtrak NPCU Conversions:In later years, as Amtrak's F40PH fleet was being replaced by the newer GE Genesis-series locomotives, Amtrak converted a number of the retired units—generally ones with major mechanical problems limiting their value in the resale or lease marketplace—into "Non-Power...
) Diesel locomotives year-round. Passengers ride to/from the Grand Canyon in 1950s climate-controlled coaches. The railroad adds to the Old West
American Old West
The American Old West, or the Wild West, comprises the history, geography, people, lore, and cultural expression of life in the Western United States, most often referring to the latter half of the 19th century, between the American Civil War and the end of the century...
experience by having actors dressed as bandit
Outlaw
In historical legal systems, an outlaw is declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, this takes the burden of active prosecution of a criminal from the authorities. Instead, the criminal is withdrawn all legal protection, so that anyone is legally empowered to persecute...
s stage a mock train robbery
Train robbery
Train robbery is a type of robbery, in which the goal is to steal money or other valuables being carried aboard trains.-History:Train robberies were more common in the past than today, and often occurred in the American Old West. Trains carrying payroll shipments were a major target...
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 17 miles (27.4 km) north of town. The Polar Express service operates with restored 1920s vintage Harriman coaches. In 2008, this winter service carried about 78,000 passengers.
In February 2006, the Grand Canyon Railway announced 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 common in Northern Arizona. As of June 2007, the logo seems to be applied only to merchandise, signs, and official company letterhead, as several cars have come into service or been repainted while retaining the "drumhead" logo on the sides. Even freshly painted locomotives MLW FA-4 #6793 and steam locomotive #4960 have retained the old logo.
Xanterra ownership
On September 21, 2006, it was announced that Xanterra Parks & Resorts of Denver, Colorado, submitted the winning bid (for an undisclosed sum) and was selected as the new owner for the Grand Canyon Railway. Xanterra is the corporate name and identity for what was originally known as the Fred Harvey CompanyFred Harvey Company
The origin of the Fred Harvey Company can be traced to the 1875 opening of two railroad eating houses located at Wallace, Kansas and Hugo, Colorado on the Kansas Pacific Railway. These cafés were opened by Fred Harvey, then a freight agent for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad...
, a legendary company with restaurant, hotel and service ties to the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway as far back as 1876.
Xanterra said that it intended to keep all 480 of the railway's current employees, and planned to focus on growing the business and increasing the coordination between the railway and Xanterra's other services in the Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim. In the press release, the railway and Xanterra reported over 225,000 passengers and over $38 million in revenue in calendar year 2005. The purchase of the GCR included all of the railway's assets, land, depots, hotels, RV park, rolling stock, shops and linear pieces of land along the 65 miles (105 km) line. The Biegert family's 480 acres (1.9 km²) ranch near Gonzales Lake in north Williams was not included in the sale to Xanterra.
Transition of steam operation
In September 2008, TrainsTrains (magazine)
Trains is a monthly magazine dedicated to trains and railroads, and is one of the two flagship publications of Kalmbach Publishing. The magazine is read both by railroad enthusiasts, commonly referred to as railfans, and those within the railroad industry....
magazine reported that Xanterra would no longer operate its steam locomotives. The decision came as a result of the 2000s energy crisis and the late 2000s recession
Late 2000s recession
The late-2000s recession, sometimes referred to as the Great Recession or Lesser Depression or Long Recession, is a severe ongoing global economic problem that began in December 2007 and took a particularly sharp downward turn in September 2008. The Great Recession has affected the entire world...
conspiring against passenger numbers, although it was claimed to be an environmental decision. The railway's (unnecessary) policy of always running a diesel with a steam locomotive as backup however does render the decision environmentally friendly. As part of the end of steam, 20 employees were laid off. Around that time, both steam engines 29 and 4960 were placed on static display on the Williams Depot platform. Limited steam operation returned on September 19, 2009, with the engines being powered by waste vegetable oil. According to the GCR website, the service will be available during the 2011 season http://www.thetrain.com/Steam-Event-7275.html with engine 4960. Over the winter of 2011/2012, engine 4960 is undergoing its 15-year overhaul and inspection, and will be ready for service by February 2012 for a special Centennial Run on February 14, 2012 celebrating 100 years of Arizona Statehood.
Expansion proposals
Also in September 2008, the railway sought to double its number of daily trains. The National Park Service requested public comment on allowing "up to three round-trip passenger trains per day from Williams to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park and one round-trip evening train ride per day from the South Rim to a short distance outside of the park."Philip Anschutz ownership
On June 24, 2008, it was announced that Philip AnschutzPhilip Anschutz
Philip Frederick Anschutz is an American entrepreneur. Anschutz bought out his father's drilling company in 1961 and earned large returns in Wyoming. He has invested in stocks, real estate and railroads...
would buy Xanterra. Negotiations for the sale began on June 5 and the sale was completed on September 25.
Operations
The Grand Canyon Railway offers one daily round trip from Williams to the Grand Canyon everyday except December 25.| Station | Train Schedule |
| Lv Williams | 9:30 a.m. |
| Ar Grand Canyon | 11:45 a.m. |
| Grand Canyon: | Enjoy Grand or Freedom Guided Motor Coach Tour |
| Lv Grand Canyon | 3:30 p.m. |
| Ar Williams | 5:45 p.m. |
Historic designations
- National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic PlacesThe National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
#00000319 - National Register of Historic Places #74000337 — Grand Canyon Depot (former Santa Fe Railway Station)
See also
- ATSF Grand Canyon LimitedGrand Canyon LimitedThe Grand Canyon Limited was one of the named passenger trains of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. It was assigned train Nos. 23 & 24, and its route stretched between Chicago, Illinois, and Los Angeles, California....
- El Tovar HotelEl Tovar HotelThe El Tovar Hotel, also known simply as El Tovar, is a former Harvey House hotel situated directly on the south rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA...
- History of the Grand Canyon areaHistory of the Grand Canyon areaThe known history of the Grand Canyon area stretches back 10,500 years, when the first evidence of human presence in the area is found. Native Americans have inhabited the Grand Canyon and the area now covered by Grand Canyon National Park for at least the last 4,000 of those years...
- List of heritage railways
External links
- Grand Canyon Railway official website
- History of Line
- More History of Line