What we did on the 4th. Grand Canyon RR trip

[vsmith]

What we did on the 4th.

Left early wednesday, drove 6 hours to Williams Az to ride the GCRR. Got there about 2pm to get settled in. Outside the Station we saw a pair of neat little speeders

They town had a parade scheduled for that evening and had a bunch of tractors on Display that were going to be in the parade later

also included was the coolest and smallest Cat I've ever seen:

Later at the parade:

Lots of hot rods:

Cant handle a broken down float at the Rose Parade like this

Worlds first hot rod?

Now for the Trip up, we had A/C coach class which I HIGHLY recommend as the minimum class for summertime, it was 100+ crossing the open plain portion.

Our train was pulled in the morning by an F40 and a vintage FA1

Grand Canyon Station

At the Canyon it was HOT, but beautiful! It actually clouded up and we got thunderstorms there and on the way back.



Trip back we were in the DOME car, this is the best way to go IMHO

back at Williams, got nice close ups of our engine, a terrific 2-8-2

Friday we went to Sedona for a few hours, then back to L.A.

We would like to spend more time in Sedona, but it was getting late so, 8 hrs back to home...

PS the town also had a fireworks display on the 4th but cancelled it after about 10 minutes when it set 5 seperate small fires...[:0]
Funny part is that it poured rain the next day

[altterrain]

Great pix, Vic. I love the old JD's, we had a "H" down on the farm when I was a teenager (30 years ago). I love the parade, especially "the glorified wagon with a motor" 1901 Olds. Vic, buddy, you need to start hitting the treadmill or you'll become a client of my wife, the ICU nurse, in the near future. That FA is a beauty in that paint scheme, gotta love the silver and gold. Beautiful pics of the mike and canyon. I had the chance to visit the canyon and Sedona a decade ago. Fireworks are a bit less awe inspiring after seeing the canyon, anyway.

-Brian 

[vsmith]

Yeah I could stand to lose a few pounds, but I've always been burly. Even when doing hard mt biking and doing spin classes at the gym, I'm still over 220. Just my Scottish genes I guess, I'm built for tossing cabers

[ghelman]

Nice little vacation Vic. Someday I would like to take that train to the GC. I have read about it and it looks like a real nice trip. I was out that way last year but couldn't fit it in. Las Vegas and Zion were the planned stops. I have also read a little about a train trip through the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. Wouldn't mind that trip if I could save the pennies for it.

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Most interesting that you should post this as my wife and I are planning a trip West for the end Sept. Early Oct.    Going San Jose to visit my son & gang, Vegas, and GC!

Since it's looking like we'll be doing the Roaring Camp & Big trees behind the Shay, we're figuring to do either the Grand Canyon or the Verde Canyon (we were going to try to squeeze both into the itinerary).    Couple of folks that have done both say that the Verde is better scenery!

Anybody got a GRR there in Campbell or that side of San Jose???

[ttrigg]

Cpt Bob;

Look into adding one of these to your trip west.
http://www.cumbrestoltec.com/
http://www.durangotrain.com/

both are worth the extra miles. 

[MTCarpenter]

Excellent pictures!  Thanks for sharing.

[powlee]

  

 We had a great day on that railroad. Does it still get`robbed` on the way back.

[vsmith]

  

 We had a great day on that railroad. Does it still get`robbed` on the way back.

Yeah, but we joked our robber into submission They still have the cowboy minstrals playing songs for the passengers also. The only thing is the overall speed, mandated under 40 and average about 25, its like taking the Ghan before they completely rebuilt it...but thats half the fun I guess.

I read where Xanterra which operates the lodges in the park, now runs the RR also, and is looking to find ways to encourage people to take the train into the park instead of driving in to lessen the parking crunch  during peak months. More trains? That might explain the 2 ex-Amtrak F40s sitting in their yard!

[Anonymous]

Cool pixs Vic!
As for me I went to a State Park that was flooded so I splashed around there till the Alligators came up. Not much else just a kick back day.

Oh yeah, ate a sour pickle and made me sick. Dem pickles are ruff!!!

[Shay55]

Captain Bob,

Before you go to Roaring Camp, call them and ask about their "Engineer for the Day" program.

It will allow you ride in the loco cab and actually get to drive for a few minutes.   

I did it in June and had a ball.

 

Shay 55