Grand Canyon Railway

Grand Canyon Railway

Company type	Private
Industry	Heritage railroad, Tourism
Founded	September 17, 1901 (1901-09-17) in Williams, Arizona, United States
Founder	Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
Headquarters	Williams , United States
Area served	Arizona, United States
Key people	Max Biegert, Thelma Biegert (former owners)
Products	Passenger rail transport, heritage tourism
Number of employees	480 (as of 2006)
Parent	Xanterra Travel Collection (since 2006)
Website	www.thetrain.com

The Grand Canyon Railway is a heritage railroad that transports passengers between Williams, Arizona and the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

Constructed by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, the line was completed on September 17, 1901. It played a key role in boosting tourism and contributed to the development of the Grand Canyon Village Historic District to accommodate visitors. However, as automobile travel became more prevalent, passenger numbers declined, leading the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway to discontinue passenger services in July 1968 and cease freight operations by 1974.

In 1988, private investors purchased and refurbished the railway, restoring passenger service on September 17, 1989. Currently, the railway operates throughout the year, transporting hundreds of travelers daily to the canyon.

Recognized for its historical importance in American transportation, the Grand Canyon Railway is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Santa Fe ownership

The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway completed a 64-mile branch connecting Williams to Grand Canyon Village at the South Rim in 1901. The inaugural scheduled passenger train arrived on September 17, with tickets priced at $3.95. To serve visitors, Santa Fe constructed the El Tovar Hotel near the canyon’s edge, which opened its doors in January 1905.

With growing competition from automobiles, Santa Fe ended passenger train service in July 1968—only three passengers were aboard the final trip—while freight operations persisted until 1974. Efforts to revive rail service in 1977, 1980, and 1984 were unsuccessful but maintained interest in preserving the line.

Max and Thelma Biegert ownership

In 1988, Max and Thelma Biegert acquired the railway and restored it as an independent enterprise. Passenger service recommenced on September 17, 1989, coinciding with the original launch date.

The Biegerts, entrepreneurs from Nebraska who amassed wealth through Biegert Aviation’s crop dusting business (established in 1947) with significant government contracts, later operated a successful Houston day care company now part of KinderCare Learning Centers. They took ownership of the railway following a loan default secured by the tracks. Additionally, they invested in Farwest Airlines, an air taxi operation designed to transport tourists from California, Las Vegas, and Phoenix to Flagstaff for connecting rail service.

Initially, the railway obtained two EMD GP7u locomotives from Santa Fe along with four former Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad 2-8-0 steam engines. During the early 1990s, they expanded their fleet by acquiring four distinctive ALCO FA diesel-electric units from the 1950s (two A units and two B units), enabling continuous year-round service. In 1996, they restored a historic Chicago Burlington and Quincy No. 4960 Mikado-type 2-8-2 steam locomotive.

Because of limitations with the ALCO FAs—such as reduced horsepower and absence of dynamic brakes—the railway purchased three late-1970s EMD F40PH locomotives from Amtrak in February 2003; these entered service in 2004.

In March 2006, Max and Thelma Biegert announced their intention to sell the railroad along with its hotels, restaurants, and other amenities. The combined operations generated close to $40 million annually. They sought a buyer experienced in theme park management to continue operating the integrated services including the railroad, hospitality venues, RV park facilities, dining establishments, and prospective amusement park development in Williams.

Xanterra Ownership

On September 21, 2006, Xanterra Travel Collection, previously known as the Fred Harvey Company, successfully acquired the Grand Canyon Railway for an undisclosed amount. Xanterra's connection with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway dates back to 1876, reflecting a deep historical relationship.

Xanterra pledged to maintain employment for all 480 staff members and sought to expand operations by integrating the railway with its other offerings at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. In 2005, the railway transported over 225,000 passengers and generated $38 million in revenue. The purchase encompassed all assets including depots, hotels, an RV park, rolling stock, maintenance shops, and the 65-mile stretch of operational track.

In September 2008, steam locomotive services were halted due to escalating diesel fuel expenses and environmental considerations—steam engines consumed nearly triple the fuel and significantly more water than diesel counterparts. Additionally, economic challenges from the late-2000s recession combined with rising fuel costs contributed to this suspension.

Steam locomotives resumed operation on September 19, 2009, after Xanterra converted them to run on recycled vegetable oil collected from local Northern Arizona eateries and installed rainwater harvesting systems for boiler use. Since 2011, steam-powered excursions have been offered on special events and monthly during summer months. In 2017, the Grand Canyon Railway expanded its diesel roster by acquiring two F40PH locomotives from New Jersey Transit. By 2021, only two steam engines remained active. In 2019, three former Rio Grande business cars were purchased for private charter services, operated using either steam or diesel power.

Operations

Annually, approximately 225,000 passengers are transported between Williams and the Grand Canyon. The restored Santa Fe Railway Station in Williams functions as the southern endpoint, while the Grand Canyon Depot, under National Park Service ownership, serves as the northern terminus.

The majority of trains are propelled by the railway's fleet of F40FH diesel locomotives—these are upgraded versions of F40PH units designed for enhanced speed. Steam engines run primarily on designated holidays and during peak summer Saturdays. Occasionally, historic ALCO FA diesel locomotives are utilized.

Travelers ride in air-conditioned coaches dating back to the 1950s, with additional 1920s-era Pullman Harriman-style cars available during high season. To enrich the Old West ambiance, actors perform staged train robberies on return journeys.

The Grand Canyon Railway operates at least one daily round trip of its Williams Flyer service between Williams and the Grand Canyon every day except Christmas. During periods of increased demand, a second daily departure is added.

Train Schedule

Station	Time
Depart Williams	9:30 am
Arrive Grand Canyon	11:45 am
Layover (time spent at Grand Canyon)
Depart Grand Canyon	3:30 pm
Arrive Williams	5:45 pm

Second Train Schedule
(during peak demand only)

Station	Time
Depart Williams	10:30 am
Arrive Grand Canyon	12:45 pm
Layover (time spent at Grand Canyon)
Depart Grand Canyon	4:30 pm
Arrive Williams	6:45 pm

From November through January, the railway operates The Polar Express, traveling from Williams to a 'North Pole' station located roughly 17 miles north of town; this service carried about 78,000 passengers in 2008.

Notable stops along the route include Quivero, Valle, Willaha, and Coconino stations.

Historic designations

The Grand Canyon Railway as a whole is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places due to its pivotal role in American history. This includes facilitating access to northern Arizona, boosting tourism at Grand Canyon National Park, and promoting local industries such as ranching, mining, and timber.

The Grand Canyon Depot earned a place on the register in 1974 and was elevated to a National Historic Landmark status in 1987 because of its outstanding historical significance. Additionally, the Williams Depot along with the railway stretch connecting Williams and the park was officially designated as a Historic District in 2000.

Locomotives

4128 1981 (NJ Transit) (Operational)

Locomotive details

Type	Manufacturer	Model	Image	No.	Year Built	Previous Owner	Current Condition
Steam	American Locomotive Company	2-8-0		29	1906	Lake Superior and Ishpeming	Currently undergoing a 1,472-day inspection and refurbishment
	Baldwin Locomotive Works	2-8-2		4960	1923	Chicago Burlington and Quincy	In operational status
Diesel	Electro-Motive Diesel	GP7u		1105	1952		Operational
				2134	1953		Stored out of service
	Montreal Locomotive Works	FPA-4		6762	1958	Formerly Canadian National Railway, Via Rail, Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad (6793)	Out of service; utilized for spare parts
				6768
				6776			On display
				6793			Active and operational
		FPB-4		6860
	Electro-Motive Diesel	F40PH		237	1977	Previously Amtrak	Currently operational
				239
				295	1979
				365	1981
				401	1988		Stored pending restoration efforts
				407	1987		Stored awaiting restoration work
				4124	1981	(NJ Transit)	(Operational)

Former units

2-8-2

Locomotive details

Type	Manufacturer	Model	Image	No.	Year Built	Previous Owner(s)	Condition Status	Present Owner(s)
Steam	American Locomotive Company	2-8-0		18	1910	Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad Undergoing a 1,472-day inspection and overhaul process Maguire Family Foundation
			19 On display City of Frisco, Texas
			20 On display City of Allen, Texas
		539 1917 Previously owned by Northern Pacific Railway and Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway On display Port of Kalama, Washington
Diesel Electro-Motive Diesel GP7u	2072 1953 Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Stored
	Montreal Locomotive Works FPA-4	6773 1958 Formerly Canadian National Railway and Via Rail In operation Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
	FPB-4	6871 1958 Currently undergoing restoration Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Rolling stock

Details of Rolling Stock

Type	Manufacturer	Model	Image	No.	Year Built	Designation	Lineage	Condition	Remarks
Steam Generator	Electro-Motive Division			460	1958		Canadian National, VIA Rail	In service	Originally numbered 15460, later changed to 15480 for unit No. 460
		480
Passenger Cars	Budd Company	Observation car		255	1947	"Chief"	Atlantic Coast Line Railroad		"Initially constructed as a daytime coach; damaged in a 1999 accident in San Antonio, Texas."
		Coach		301	1955		Boston and Maine Railroad		Originally an RDC-1 model
				304
				305		Currently stored
				306		Active service		Built as an RDC-2 variant
				308
				309				Originally an RDC-1 model
				311				Constructed as an RDC-3 type
	Pullman Company	Coach	2089	1923			Southern Pacific Railway	Features the Polar Express paint scheme.
	Budd Company	Dome car	2094	1954	Coconino		Northern Pacific Railway
		Slumbercoach	2093	1959	Restland	Baltimore & Ohio Railroad	Currently stored
		Dome car	2097	1955	Kokopelli	Great Northern Railway (U.S.)	Operational
	Pullman Company	Coach		2104	1923			Southern Pacific	Decorated with the Polar Express livery
				2117
				2119
				2129
				2128
				2130
				2133
				2152		The sole Pullman coach painted in the excursion colors of Silver, Gold, and Red.
	Budd Company	Sky dome	8742	1955	Fred Harvey	Great Northern Railway (U.S.)
			8743		Mary Colter	Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad
Caboose	International Car Company	Class Ce-8 Wide Vision	999727	1978		Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway

Former rolling stock

Details of Former Rolling Stock

Type	Manufacturer	Model	Image	No.	Year Built	Designation	Lineage	Current Condition	Present Owner
Passenger Cars	Budd Company	Dome car		1108	1948		Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad	Currently under restoration	Illinois Railway Museum

See also

• ATSF Grand Canyon Limited
• Grand Canyon Railway 4960
• Grand Canyon Railway 29
• History of the Grand Canyon area
• List of heritage railroads in the United States
• List of heritage railways