Grand Canyon Railway

"I may not have gone where I intended to go,
but I think I have ended up where I intended to be."
~ Douglas Adams ~

When I worked at AAA as a travel agent one of the packages we sold more of than any other was our Rails to the Rim package.  The package was for the Grand Canyon Railway and included hotel stays, meals and a tour when you arrived.  It was a great package, which my husband and I have been on twice.  The Rails to the Rim package is a package designed for AAA members only, and is a great package, but the train itself has quite a few other options, so if you are not a AAA member you still have quite a few options.

Grand Canyon Railway

You can take the train from Williams and do it all in one day.  The train leaves Williams in the morning and takes a little over 2 hours for the trip to the canyon.  You would then have almost 4 hours at the canyon, time for a guided bus tour, or you could opt to go on your own with the free shuttle buses provided by the park.  You would return in time for dinner.  The trip from Williams to the Grand Canyon is mostly flat and you don't actually see the Grand Canyon until you are arriving, and then only for a few seconds.  We did see some deer from the train.  There are 4 different classes of service: Coach, First Class, Observation Dome and the Luxury Parlor Car.

Coach is a 1950' era car which has bench style seating, the seats are padded and has backs.  It is comfortable and the car is air-conditioned.  You can visit the cafe car for snacks.

First Class has over-sized relining seats and you are served fresh fruit and pastries on the morning run, and snacks and soft drinks on the return.  There is beer, wine and mixed drinks available for purchase.

Observation Dome has a glass dome for panoramic views and they have high backed padded seating.  you also get the fruit and pastries in the morning and snacks and a champagne toast on the return.  Children 15 years and younger are not permitted in this car.

Luxury Parlor Class is the ultimate in luxury.  It has lounge style seating and access to the open air platform at the rear of the train.  It also has the morning fruit and pastries, and the afternoon snacks and champagn.



The steam engine on the Grand Canyon Railway

You can experience 2 different classes by taking one class to the canyon and returning in a different class. They have both diesel trains and steam trains.  For several years they quit operating the steam train because of environmental concerns, but they have started operating them again, using a new method that is environmentally friendly.  The steam engine is only used a few days a year for special events, so if you want to ride when it is scheduled you will have to make reservations farther in advance.  Each train engine and each train car has been painstakingly restored to its original state. Strolling musicians play tunes from the past. And there's even fun re-creations of an old fashioned shoot out and a train robbery on the return trip.

Grand Canyon at sunset

There are several packages that you can book, including the AAA package which has to be booked at AAA.  Most of the packages include some kind of overnight stays, either at the canyon or the before and after hotel stays at the Grand Canyon Hotel in Williams.  I really recommend doing one night overnight at the canyon itself.  You really need more then 4 hours to explore the sights at the canyon.  But having the night before and the night after in Williams does make things easier also.  If you stay at the Grand Canyon for one night you have lots of options.  You can stay at the beautiful El Tovar, which is the top of the line for the Grand Canyon.  Other options include the historical Bright Angel Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge, Yavapai, Maswik and Kachina Lodge.  There are also some cabins available, some right on the rim. 

And if you have small children, then a great adventure for them would be at Christmas time when they turn the train into The Polar Express.  This is a very popular trip, so make sure you book it way in advance, it sells out every year. 

Experience the magic of The Polar Express™, the classic children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. The Polar Express comes to life when the train departs the Williams Depot for a journey through the dark and quiet wilderness for a special visit to the "North Pole." Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while listening to the magical story. Watch the joy on the children's faces when the train arrives at the North Pole, where Santa Claus and his reindeer are waiting! Santa will board The Polar Express and hand each child their own special gift. Make this a family holiday tradition. Call today to make your reservations because space is limited to those who truly believe in the spirit of Christmas! The train leaves each night at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Select days feature a 3:30 p.m. matinee departure. The ride is a little over an hour. Children are encouraged to come dressed in their pajamas.  There is a special Polar Express on Christmas Eve.

To book the Grand Canyon Railway either go to your AAA office and talk to a travel agent, or go online to http://www.thetrain.com/

You could also call 1-800-THE TRAIN

There are many more trains trips around the country that are fun to take.  In future writings I will explore some of those. 

**pictures taken from the internet