Saturday's main event was the second convention rail trip to the Grand Canyon over the rails of the Grand Canyon Railway (GCR). The trip was pulled by AT&SF 4-8-4 Northern #3751. At every stop, this trip seemed to get better and better - a railfan's dream, especially for steam and passenger train enthusiasts.

The train departed the depot in Williams, AZ at 8:47 am for a three hour journey to the Grand Canyon. The sold out train included an open-window coach for those passengers who wanted to hear and smell the symphony of steam.

At about 10:00 the train stopped at a photo runby location. There were two runbys. The first was the #3751. We were told there would be a second runby but there seemed to be a long wait after the first.; waiting patiently in the high country desert is a difficult proposition; the hot sun only added to our longing for the train to return. But, return it did and in grand style as to our amazement Grand Canyon Railway had secretly placed (out of sight) #4960 on the head end. Therefore our next photo runby was a DOUBLEHEADER of steam! Needless to say, the runby was fantastic.

We arrived in Williams at about 12:00; With the sun nearly directly overhead the Canyon was a beautiful sight.

After some switching moves, the railroad then treated us to an unbelievable spectacular - 3 steam locomotives lined up in front of the depot side by side (see picture at top of page) - AT&SF #3751, GCR #4960, and GCR #18. This photo session went on for about 45 minutes with the engines being gradually repositioned to provide a variety of angles for photographic artists.

Our train departed the Grand Canyon at 2:30 PM. We expected one more photo runby; GCR made this happen at milepost 42.5; again to our amazement GCR had secretly placed (out of sight) #4960 on the head end. Therefore our next photo two back-to-back photo runbys were a DOUBLEHEADER of steam with #4960 on the point.

Our train then continued south under double headed steam; at Walhalla our train pulled into a siding at Willaha and passengers / photographers once again detrained. This time we waited in anticipation for a regularly scheduled train to pass by (see photo at left); #18 did so in grand style at full speed. Then our train backed up and performed two more double-headed runbys.

By then it was late afternoon, but GCR was not done with the show; we all piled aboard again and headed for milepost 3. By now it was nearly sunset as our train performed yet another flawless runby. Again, there was an unexpected delay before our train backed up; when it did #18 was attached to the front, making it a triple header. GCR executed two more flawless runbys with this time (front to back) #18, #4960, and #3751. As twilight set in and after a hearty round of applause for GCR and the Grand Canyon Chapters; we clambered aboard, exhausted but exhilarated at a fabulous day of railroading. Our train arrived back in Williams about 7:50 PM.

Points of Rail Interest by Milepost -

0.0 Williams, AZ - The city was founded in 1881. The Atlantic & Pacific Railroad arrived in 1882 and made Williams a Division point. The Harvey House, Fray Marcos, was built by the Santa Fe in 1908. The town is also located on Route 66; the building of I-40 took away much of the tourist trade that 66 used to bring to town. The town is named for Bill Williams, an old mountain man of the west.

1.3 Santa Fe Overpass - Here the train passes under the by-pass route that the Santa Fe built around Williams in 1960-61. The by-pass enabled faster movement of freight.

4.0 Cataract Creek - The tracks cross a 182 foot trestle, the longest on the line.

9.0 Red Lake Station - Former location of a telephone, siding, and cattle and sheep loading facility.

18.2 Cataract Creek - Former section bunkhouse was located here.

29.0 Valle Station - Former location of a bunkhouse, telephone, siding, and cattle and sheep loading facility.

29.1 Spring Valley Wash - 300 foot concrete bridge and fill as much as 50 feet off the ground.

36.0 1916 Wreck - A train wrecked here in 1916 as a result of floodwaters caused by a hailstorm.

37.7 Willaha Station - Former location of a bunkhouse, telephone, siding, and cattle and sheep loading facility.

43.8. Woodin Station - Former location of a bunkhouse, telephone, siding, and cattle and sheep loading facility.

37.7 Willaha Station - Former location of a bunkhouse, telephone, siding, and cattle and sheep loading facility.

44.8 Anita Station - Original destination point of the railroads for the purpose of serving mining interests.

45.0 Anita Mintes Spur - Former spur to Anita mines located here.

45.7 - 52.0 APEX Grade - Longest ruling grade on the line at 3%.

50.0 Hopi Station - Former location of a 23 car siding and telephone.

55.0 - 56.0 Switchbacks - Train makes two 180 degree changes of direction at this location.

57.2 Coconino Station - Former location of a 34 car siding and telephone that were installed in 1900.

59.9 Park Boundary - Train enters the park at this location, which is also the beginning of the GCR yards.

63.7 Grand Canyon Station - Depot was built in 1910.

Train Consist :

Train consist for the trip is provided here.

References:

Grand Canyon Milepost Guide excerpts from Rails to the Rim, by Al Richmond, Grand Canyon Railway, 2001, pages 25 - 59.

* All photos by J. Lilly, Dir. of Internet Services, NRHS