WILLIAMS, Ariz. — The 2024 summer season has concluded at Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel, yet its steam season presses on with 2-8-2 No. 4960. The Mikado-type was at the head end on Sept. 7 for its seventh “First Saturday” excursion of the year — between Williams and Grand Canyon National Park.
“Overall, No. 4960 performed very well,” said GCRY chief mechanical officer Eric Hadder. “This trip had 12 passenger cars and a power car, for 13 cars total.
“I believe this is a few more than we hauled on the Aug. 12 trip. August is typically a slower month for us, so as we move into September, business levels typically increase.”
With the 2024 steam season now in its twilight, No. 4960 is scheduled for its second run of the month on Sept. 21. The round trip will be marked as a special event to commemorate the railway’s multiple anniversaries: The first passenger train to arrive from Williams to the Grand Canyon’s south rim on Sept. 17, 1901; and the former Santa Fe branch line’s reopening as the Grand Canyon Railway, 88 years to the day in 1989.
“The Sept. 21 trip is a ‘special event’, separate from our regular ‘First Saturday Steam Trips,'” Hadder explained. “For those, we position No. 4960 in front of the Grand Canyon Depot during the layover so it gets more exposure and guest interaction, instead of tucking it away at the tail of the wye for servicing.
“There will be stairs positioned for cab tours as well, the same as we did for the Aug. 12 birthday celebration.”
For more information, visit the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel website. The steam schedule is also available here.
I am proud to be one of the many employees that help start the new Grand Canyon Ry in 1989 and was a crewmember on that first train on 9/17/89. I am looking forward to returning and riding the anniversary train on the 21st.
Well done Grand Canyon Railway!
Mike Ramsey