Grand Travel to a Grand Canyon
Book #4 in my Route 66 Ranch Hotel Mystery Series is dedicated to the Grand Canyon Railway for so many reasons.
I've loved trains as long as I can remember. It probably all started with Hercule Poirot's problematic journey aboard the Orient Express imagined by Agatha Christie, the Grand Dame of Crime. Over the years, I have traveled by train from coast to coast, up to Alaska, in the eastern and western parts of Canada, in the U.K., Ireland, Europe, and on historic train tours in various locations. And, of course, the more historic the train, the more I love it.
One of the most amazing moments on a train was in my early 20s when I saw Arizona for the first time. Growing up in the lush and rainy Northwest, I was fascinated by the desert but I had never experienced it. I had left the stunning Los Angeles Union Station the night before and slept on the train as it chugged towards Tucson. I awoke early as the light began to illuminate our surroundings. I made my way to the observation car and was mesmerized as the bright, hot, sun in the cloudless sky rose over the dry, barren, beautiful landscape. I fell asleep in one location and awoke in another world, a new world, a world I had only seen in movies. It was a glorious experience that only train travel could provide, and the best form of travel to introduce me to the land of Westerns.
The coupling of historic trains and the Grand Canyon in Arizona is perfection. And I love that the historic train that connects to the Grand Canyon lies right on Route 66! From this same location, trains have been taking tourists from Williams, Arizona to the Grand Canyon since 1901. The Grand Canyon Railway is keeping alive the functional and charming tradition with its varied train cars and engines.
Grand Canyon Railway Train Cars
I have taken the train up to the Grand Canyon a few times but I have always been fascinated by what the other cars look like- especially the luxury cars that are out of my price range. To my delight, I recently happened upon the Grand Canyon Railway on a day they opened up a selection of train cars for tours (for free)!
The Max Biegert Car
Named after the businessman who is responsible for the resurrection of what is now the Grand Canyon Railway, this luxury parlor car features a full kitchen, a bar, and an open-air rear platform. Recently refurbished, this car was originally built in 1954 and known as the Bonadventure and made it's GC Railway debut as the Max Biegert in 2006.
The Fred Harvey Car
This 2-story luxury dome car features an observation dome on top with lounge seating and a bar below. It is the sister car of the Mary Colter Luxury Dome Car. This car was built in 1955 and served on the Great Northern Railway’s Empire Builder Train between Chicago and Seattle for many years as the "Mountain View" car. It later changed hands and was renamed the “New Orleans” when it served on the American Orient Express. It was renovated by the Grand Canyon Railway and became the "Fred Harvey" in 2012.
The Yavapai Car
Originally built in 1950 for the Southern Pacific, the Yavapai train car is a first class car that features large windows and reclining seats with extra leg room.
Budd Car #402
One of the 1950s streamliner-era coaches featuring bench seating. Originally hailing from the Boston & Maine Railway, these cars were first known as “Highliners.” The Grand Canyon Railway has twelve of these climate-controlled coach class cars.
and more
They also had Steam Engine #4960 on display!
And their restored 1929 Cadillac 341-B that was once part of Fred Harvey's legendary "Indian Detours" created in 1926!
You can visit thetrain.com for more information about the Grand Canyon Railway.