STEAMIN TO THE RIM X2

For train enthusiasts like me, yesterday was a little bit of heaven for all of us, as we witnessed a passenger train, pulled by two steam engines, arriving at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Watching, and listening to these fire breathing monsters of steam was a real treat, particularly when the last grade into the village is pretty steep. Both of these vintage engines were working really hard to get this very long, AMTRAK charter train up the last hill, and onto the "Y" track, before backing into the depot.


This special train originated in Los Angeles, and it traveled on BNSF tracks out of LA, up the Cajon pass, through Barstow, and out into the Mojave Desert. East of Barstow, it switched to the Arizona & California tracks, bringing it into Parker, AZ where it spent the first night. The next days route was from Parker to near Congress, where it switched to another track, bringing it into Williams, AZ for the second night. Yesterday, it's arrival at the Grand Canyon was 1 hour later than it's scheduled time, keeping with AMTRAK's tradition of not being on time. The extra hour wait was well worth it, as the sight and sound of two steam engines pulling up a steep grade is something that you don't get to see very often. The last time I remember witnessing a double header steam engine combination was on the Sierra Railroad in our old hometown of Jamestown, CA., many years ago.

When the train left Williams yesterday morning, the Grand Canyon Railroad put it's steam engine at the front of the train, leading the BNSF #3751 steamer, and an AMTRAK diesel toward the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon Railroad #4960 only pulls trains to the canyon a few times a year, and it has been converted to burn waste vegetable oil.

This location is the last curve before the tracks reach the Grand Canyon Village.

The passenger cars were a combination of vintage & newer types, including several dome cars.

This photo shows the middle of the train as it's being pulled up the hill onto the "Y" track.

When the train arrived at the canyon, it pulled onto the "Y" track, the same as the daily Grand Canyon Railroad train does. I didn't count the cars, but this train was so long, it just barely fit on the Y, before it backed down the hill into the depot. The daily train had arrived just before the charter train, and it was sitting in front of the depot as the charter was turned around.

This picture shows the rear of the train, as it's being backed off the "Y" track into the depot.

While the train was pulling up the hill onto the "Y" track, I had time to move over in front of the Bright Angel Lodge, and get a few pictures as it backed down the hill into the village. By this time, the crowd was growing by the minute, and when the train had parked in front of the depot, there were hundreds of folks admiring these two steam engines.

Before I drove down to the village, I checked the web site for this special charter train, and I took particular note of the passenger ticket prices. They ranged from about $800 to over $4,000 per person. Naturally, the higher prices included more amenities, and the several thousand dollar fare got you a private sleeper room with your own bathroom.

This special charter, which left the canyon yesterday around 4 pm, was an 8 day adventure, and it included side trips, meals, and lodging if you payed for a private sleeper cabin. Today, I think the itinerary included a bus trip from Williams to Cottonwood, where the activity was a ride on the Verde Valley Railroad.

I'm glad this happened on one of my days off, so I could witness the rare sight of a double header steam engine combination, in a very special place. I was envious of all the passengers on board this charter, and maybe, perhaps someday, something like this might be in my future!

Grand Canyon Railroad #4960 parked near the depot.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe #3751 parked near the Grand Canyon Depot.

Part of the huge crowd that had gathered to take a look at the two vintage steam engines.