Information to the Grand Canyon Railway

Out of all of the nationwide parks in our nation, there are few as recognizable, or as visited, as Grand Canyon Nationwide Park. Over 4.7 million vacationers made their strategy to the pure surprise in 2023 alone, solidifying it because the second hottest nationwide park within the U.S. Grand Canyon tourism, nonetheless, started over 100 years in the past (even earlier than it was designated as a nationwide park) with the opening of the Grand Canyon Railway.

On Sept. 17, 1901, the primary passengers boarded the practice from Williams, Arizona, taking them on to the Grand Canyon South Rim in three hours; previous to the railway, guests would embark on a prolonged two-day stagecoach journey. In simply a few many years, although, the invention of the car altered the journey panorama perpetually, particularly on this a part of the world. Because the street journey grew in recognition, so did the variety of guests coming into the Grand Canyon by automotive (as a substitute of by practice). By the point the late Sixties rolled round, passenger practice service had come to an finish — and it stayed that means till Max and Thelma Biegert determined to revive and redevelop the Grand Canyon Railway in 1989. The Grand Canyon Depot formally reopened in 1990.

Immediately, the Grand Canyon Railway continues to attraction to vacationers in quest of the canyon’s wondrous views and unforgettable hikes. It’s estimated to hold greater than 225,000 passengers yearly, leading to round 50,000 fewer vehicles coming into the park. Each environment friendly and extremely entertaining — anticipate to see some cowboys and hearken to traditional Western songs — the Grand Canyon Railway is the right means for vacationers of all ages to expertise the nationwide park and study extra about its historical past. Right here’s all the things it is advisable to know to plan a visit. 

Route and Schedule

From Jan. 1 by way of Oct. 31, the Grand Canyon Railway departs the Williams Depot at 9:30 a.m. MST every single day. After overlaying 65 miles, it arrives at Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim at 11:45 a.m., giving passengers over three hours to discover the historic buildings, the canyon, and a few of the hottest mountaineering trails — together with the Brilliant Angel Path. The practice departs at 3:30 p.m., pulling into Williams at 5:45 p.m. Every means takes about 2 hours and quarter-hour, a full 45 minutes sooner than the primary practice that ran from Williams to the South Rim.

In November and December, the schedule shifts barely. From Nov. 1 by way of Dec. 31 (aside from Christmas Day), the practice leaves Williams at 8:30 a.m., arrives on the village at 10:45, departs at 2:30, and drops passengers again on the unique vacation spot at 4:45 p.m. On choose days, when demand is excessive, a second practice might run; vacationers might want to examine the schedule to see availability.

Tickets and Reservations

In 2024, grownup round-trip ticket costs vary from $69.98 for Pullman class to $239.98 for the Luxurious Parlor. Kids’s tickets (ages 2-15) differ from $35.98 for Pullman class to $189.98 within the Remark Dome. Kids beneath the age of two experience totally free in Pullman, Coach, and First courses, however they aren’t allowed within the Remark Dome. Passengers beneath the age of 16 can’t experience within the Luxurious Dome or Luxurious Parlor.

Tickets for the Grand Canyon Railway might be booked on-line and picked up a minimal of 20 minutes previous to the scheduled practice departure. These fascinated about reserving a one-way ticket should name 1-800-THE-TRAIN (800-843-8724) to make a reservation.

Lessons of Service

The Grand Canyon Railway has six courses of service: Pullman, Coach, First, Remark Dome, Luxurious Dome, and Luxurious Parlor.

In Pullman class, vacationers step into an unique 1923 Harriman-style coach automotive. The vehicles have bench seats and home windows that may open up, letting in as a lot contemporary air as you’d like (notice: these vehicles are solely accessible to experience within the spring and summer season). Coach class is in a automotive from the Fifties and has bench-style seating, air con, and huge home windows. Top quality gives outsized seats, and your entire experience is a little more elevated with bar service and complimentary snacks. Coach and First are ADA-compliant.

A ticket for a seat within the Remark Dome grants passengers entry to a glass-enclosed streamliner with panoramic views. Bar service, complimentary snacks, and padded high-back chairs add an additional dose of consolation through the experience. For much more consolation, you’ll need to e book both the Luxurious Dome or the Luxurious Parlor. Within the former, the full-length dome’s massive home windows are accented by non-public bar service, complimentary snacks, and unique cocktails. The latter is described because the “most unique seat on the practice” and an “elegant rail baron expertise.” Your ticket comes with open-air rear platform entry, unique snack and drink service, and a glowing white wine toast.

What to Count on on Board

The leisure begins even earlier than departure. Each morning, there’s a Wild West-style shoot-out on the Williams Depot between the Cataract Creek Gang and the Marshal (who additionally present up later within the afternoon as a part of a staged practice theft). To set the temper whereas on board and produce passengers again in time, dwell musicians enjoying fiddles, guitars, banjos, and squeezeboxes make their means by way of the practice vehicles whereas singing well-known Western tunes. Vacationers who’d relatively learn through the experience can tear by way of the railway’s complimentary Territorial Instances newspaper. Because the practice heads to the South Rim, notice the altering surroundings because the elevation decreases.

Meals choices on the practice differ by service class and time of day. In First, the Remark Dome, and the Luxurious courses, there’s complimentary fruit, pastries, tea, juice, and occasional within the morning; within the afternoon, cheese, greens, and soda tide over hungry passengers. Cocktails are additionally accessible for buy within the aforementioned courses.

Factors of Curiosity

There’s no scarcity of fascinating sights as you make your means from Williams to the South Rim and again once more — beginning on the Williams Depot. Right here, guests can spot an out of doors show of a Grand Canyon Railway steam locomotive and a caboose, in addition to parts of the previous Fray Marcos Lodge, which is among the unique Harvey Homes. Because the practice heads throughout the Kaibab Plateau, maintain a watch out for the San Francisco Peaks (the remnant of a dormant volcano) and the deserted Purple Butte Airfield. Probably the most thrilling factors of curiosity is the Grand Canyon Depot, deemed a Nationwide Historic Landmark and a part of the Grand Canyon Nationwide Park Historic District. It’s additionally one of many few remaining log depots constructed within the US.

Vacation Practice Rides

When winter arrives, vacationers get the prospect to hop aboard the Grand Canyon Railway’s Polar Categorical. The seasonal practice departs Williams twice a day — at 5:30 and seven:30 p.m. — on choose dates all through November and December. Lasting simply over an hour, the journey features a cease at “the North Pole” to see Santa and his reindeer. Kids are additionally gifted a souvenir current to get pleasure from alongside their scorching chocolate and chocolate chip cookies through the experience. Polar Categorical tickets vary from $59.99 to $97.99 for passengers 16 and over, whereas a baby ticket prices anyplace between $43.99 and $67.99.

What to Know About Williams, Arizona

Because of the transportation offered by the Grand Canyon Railway, Williams is among the gateways to the nationwide park. It’s additionally house to a booming tradition that highlights life within the Previous West and Route 66 nostalgia. The three,000-person city, which covers six sq. blocks, is named the ultimate stretch of Route 66 to be bypassed by Interstate 40. Route 66 lovers can spend a full day admiring the historic buildings and popping out and in of memorabilia retailers. Different Williams highlights embrace Pete’s Route 66 Fuel Station Museum, the world’s largest ponderosa pine forest, and Bearizona Wildlife Park.

In the event you’re staying the evening in Williams, the refurbished Grand Canyon Railway Lodge is true subsequent door to the depot and might be booked with practice tickets as a part of a bundle.