I'm Just Train Loco

I just love train journeys and the Grand Canyon Railway, originating in Williams, Arizona, offered a great opportunity to indulge my passion.

When I was in America's Southwest in 2009, I made sure I reserved 3 trips with my internet bookings. The Verde Canyon, Arizona, through desert country, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Guage Railroad, Colorado, through mountains, and the Grand Canyon Railway, Arizona, to that famous canyon. All very different trips.

Some journeys are about the train itself, others are about the country travelled through, or about the destination. The Grand Canyon Railway is more about the destination than the countryside en route. However, what happens on the train during its journey is quite memorable.


Before boarding the train, there's a bit of a cowboy shootout in an outdoor theatre. The characters board the train with the passengers and the comedy carries on during the journey. Our conductor was a very talented and funny woman who kept us entertained with stories about the scenery and the railway. On the way back from the canyon, we were even entertained by guitar playing cowboys.

The main attraction really is the time spent at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (engine pictured below). If you plan it properly you can go on some of the walks to the scenic spots and then catch the free buses to the lookouts. Just make sure that you're back in time to catch the train because it's a long and expensive process to return to Williams if you miss the train. We were well and truly warned!

Having modern carriages meant that the large glass windows couldn't be opened and so reflections marred many of the photos I took during the journey. However, it's still one of the great scenic railways that you must go on.

Check out the product below if you're into train journeys.