Grand Canyon Railway Company Profile
Overview:
Grand Canyon Railway recreates the historic trip by rail to the Grand Canyon 363 days a year (excludes Dec. 24 and 25), providing passengers with the opportunity to relive an important part of American history.
Passengers depart from the historic Williams Depot and arrive at the Grand Canyon Depot, the last operating log depot in the United States. Located in the heart of Grand Canyon National Park's historic district, near the world-famous El Tovar Hotel, Grand Canyon Depot is just 200 yards from the edge of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
The trip to the canyon covers 65 miles of classic Old West territory, including high desert plains with endless vistas, small arroyos and portions of the world's largest ponderosa pine forest.
Nearly 225,000 passengers traveled aboard Grand Canyon Railway in 2005, helping to reduce automobile traffic to the South Rim.
Grand Canyon Railway is an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service and Kaibab National Forest and is a founding contributor to the Grand Canyon National Park Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, providing support for Grand Canyon National Park.
Amenities:
The Train
Vintage 1950s diesel locomotives are utilized year-round.
Four classes of train service are available, including coach, first, observation dome and luxury parlor class.
Trip highlights include a daily Wild West shootout at the 1908 Williams Depot prior to the morning departure; and entertainment and live action aboard the train, featuring roaming western singers, as well as the infamous Cataract Creek Gang and the justice of a Grand Canyon Railway Marshal.
Grand Canyon Railway Hotel
The modern Grand Canyon Railway Hotel was designed to resemble the historic Fray Marcos Hotel and Williams Depot structures that stand nearby. Grand Canyon Railway Hotel offers guests the choice of 297 rooms, including 287 standard rooms and 10 luxury suites.
Additionally, the hotel offers two spacious meeting rooms available for wedding receptions, seminars and other functions; a large courtyard with barbecue and wet bar; a game room for children; an enclosed crescent-shaped pool (approximately 50' long by 20' wide) and hot tub featuring a large glass wall with a southern exposure allowing plenty of light to fill the pool area; and an exercise room, which includes a multi-station weight machine and four pieces of cardiovascular equipment: a treadmill, an elliptical step machine, an elliptical climbing machine and a recumbent bike.
Grand Canyon Railway RV Park
Grand Canyon Railway RV Park is located just west of the historic Williams Depot and opposite the famed Cataract Creek. Nature paths and a shuttle take guests from the RV Park to the Depot. This facility is adjacent and an easy walk to Williams Visitor Center and Historic Downtown area, including Route 66. The park is comprised of 124 spaces featuring ample room for slide outs as well as buddy spaces for traveling companions and full hook-ups, including wireless Internet and cable television.
Park amenities include a 72-seat pavilion with gas grills, picnic tables and a fire pit, a full-service convenience store, laundry, and shower and restroom facilities. Recreational activities also abound with community volleyball and basketball courts as well as horseshoe pits and a children's playground.
Grand Canyon Railway Pet Resort
Guests who prefer not to leave their loved one alone when riding the train or exploring historic Route 66 in downtown Williams, can check them into Grand Canyon Railway's Pet Resort. This is especially ideal for RV Park guests looking to stay overnight at the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon Railway's Pet Resort offers 28 rooms for dogs and 16 comfortable rooms for cats. Both dogs and cats are kept cool and comfortable with central air conditioning during summer months and heat in the winter. The Pet Resort's canine guests also enjoy interactive group and individual playtime in the exercise yard during their stay as well as the opportunity for a doggie wash. The Pet Resort is available to guests of both the RV Park and Grand Canyon Railway Hotel as well as Grand Canyon Railway passengers and the general public.
Dining Options
Grand Canyon Railway's Max and Thelma's Restaurant is located across from the hotel. The restaurant has a wide selection of menu items for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Complete buffets are also served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Spenser's Lounge, located adjacent to the hotel lobby, serves beer, wine and mixed drinks as well as pizza and appetizers. The centerpiece of Spenser's Lounge is an antique bar that was hand crafted in the 19th century.
Vision:
Grand Canyon Railway recently completed a master plan for more than 100 acres of Railway property. The plan includes 900 new hotel rooms, eight new restaurants, 20,000 sq. ft. of retail space, employee housing and even the development of a full-service spa.
Industry Partnerships:
Grand Canyon Railway has established and maintains relationships with some of the most dynamic names in travel today, including AAA, LibGo and Travel Impressions, among others.
Employees:
Grand Canyon Railway currently employs nearly 500 people in Williams and Flagstaff, Ariz.
Corporate Office:
Grand Canyon Railway
1201 West Route 66, Ste 200
Flagstaff, Ariz. 86001
1-800-THE-TRAIN (1-800-843-8724)
Web site: www.thetrain.com