Steam locomotives to pull Grand Canyon Railway trains 11 times this year
Jan 23, 2022, 5:45 AM | Updated: 6:57 pm
PHOENIX – The Grand Canyon Railway announced 11 dates for 2022 when vintage steam locomotives will lead the way to and from Arizona’s top tourist attraction.
Steam-powered journeys are set for the first Saturday of each month for March-October, as well as on Feb. 21 for Presidents Day, April 23 for Earth Day and Sept. 17 for the Grand Canyon Railway anniversary. The steam schedule is subject to change.
The Grand Canyon Railway fleet includes two steam engines purchased in 1989 that have been restored for use on a limited basis over the years.
No. 29 was originally built in 1906 by the American Locomotive Company to haul iron ore trains in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Baldwin Locomotive Works built No. 4960 in 1923 to haul iron ore and other freight in the Midwest. In 2009, it was converted to run on recycled vegetable oil.
The Grand Canyon Railway operates year round, offering daily trips from Williams, about 30 miles west of Flagstaff, to the South Rim and back.
The ride takes two hours and 15 minutes each way, with 9:30 a.m. departures from Williams in January-October and 8:30 a.m. starts for November-December.
The schedule allows passengers to spend around 3½ hours at Grand Canyon National Park.
Visit the Grand Canyon Railway website to make reservations and for information about other services, including vacation packages.
