The Grand Canyon Railroad

The Grand Canyon Railroad saved the town of Williams from becoming yet another ghost town on the old Route 66 after Interstate 40 bypassed it in 1984. 

The Santa Fe Railroad first ran passengers from Williams to the Grand Canyon South Rim in 1901.  The 64-mile trip cost $3.95 and John Muir commended the railroad for its low environmental impact on the Natural Wonder.

However, with the popularity of the automobile, by 1968 only three passengers rode the last passenger train from Williams to the Grand Canyon and operations ceased.

The town of Williams survived only because of tourist traffic using the Mother Road, Route 66.

That is why Williams fought so long and hard to prevent the town from being bypassed by Interstate 40.

Williams couldn't stop the Federal Interstate forever though: in 1984, Williams became the very last town to have its section of Route 66 bypassed by Interstate 40.

Without the passenger railroad and without Route 66 car traffic, the town nearly died.

However, in 1988, Phoenix couple Max and Thelma Biegert bought the rail line and began restoring passenger service to the Grand Canyon.

The first passenger rail run from Williams to the Grand Canyon was on September 17, 1989.  Max and Thelma built this hotel next to the Railway station in Williams, reviving Williams from a dying town into a tourist destination.

The Williams Train Depot was built in 1908 and is the oldest solid concrete-poured structure in Arizona.

Riding the train is a memorable way to get to the Grand Canyon.

Entertainers make the journey pass pleasantly.

We rode up to the Grand Canyon on a 1923 Pullman Coach.

The scenery is breathtaking and varied.

After reaching our destination, the majestic Grand Canyon, we all piled out of the train.  More than 230,000 people ride the Grand Canyon Railway each year!

If you want to do a day trip to the Grand Canyon from Williams, you will have about four hours of time to explore the South Rim.  Four hours of the world's most spectacular natural wonder makes the trip something etched in your memory forever.

The Grand Canyon Train Depot is also historic.

Built in 1909, the logs are all squared on three sides to create a flat interior and to limit the amount of moisture that can get through the building.

We rode back to Williams in a first-class observation car.

The air conditioning and champagne made for a refreshing return trip.

We were entertained again with wonderful cowboy music.

The train was held up by horse-riding bandits.

Riding the Grand Canyon Railroad is a wonderful experience: a chance to experience the Wild West using an authentic mode of transportation.

We were sad when this day came to an end, but hope to be able to ride the train again next summer.