The Grand Canyon Railway recently marked its 30th anniversary, and it helped revive the Route 66 town of Williams, Arizona, after it was bypassed by Interstate 40.
The Williams News posted an excellent overview of the railway, which carries passengers from Williams to the south rim of Grand Canyon National Park, and its impact on Williams just a few years after the interstate bypassed the town in 1984. It was the last town to be bypassed by I-40.
This video provides a good overview of the railway:
A railroad line had run from Williams to the Grand Canyon since the 1800s, but the last train had made its run in 1974.
The newspaper article contains several fascinating stories:
- John Moore was key to preventing salvagers from dismantling the railroad line during the late 1980s.
- Railroad Resources bought from the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway the 1,781 acres of the line from Williams to the Grand Canyon for $4.35 million.
- Railroad Resources fell into financial trouble. Businessman Max Biegert acquired the rail line’s upper 20 miles of track during Railroad Resources’ foreclosure, then purchased the remainder.
- Biegert initially invested $15 million to revitalize the train. He announced its maiden voyage would be Sept. 17, 1989.
- A lot of money and effort went into restoring the rail line itself, including removing trees, refilling washouts and even buying 30,000 railroad ties to replace ones that had been stolen from nearly a 1-mile stretch.
- Thousands of people attended the inaugural journey in September 1989.
- Two prominent Williams residents said the town wouldn’t be as prosperous as it is today without the railroad. Its success inspired more businesses to invest in Williams, and it brought more tourists in general.
The Biegerts sold Grand Canyon Railway to Xanterra Parks & Resorts in 2006. The entire railway was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Prices for adults range from $67 for basic Pullman cars to $227 for the luxury dome cars.
(Image of the Grand Canyon Railway at Williams Depot in Williams, Arizona, via Wikipedia)
The success of the revitalized Grand Canyon Railway was a major victory for the preservation of historic railways. My only regret is that the GCRY curtailed its steam program. Most trains are now diesel-powered. I’m glad that I got to ride behind former CB&Q #4960 and ex-LS&I #18 when they were still plying that line.