The Grand Canyon Line
Grand Canyon Railway departs daily from Williams, Arizona and travels almost due north to the South Rim of Grand
Canyon National Park. The trip measures 65 miles and takes 2 hours and 15 minutes each way, 45 minutes faster than in 1901 when the train made its first trip.
Grand Canyon Country is located in northern Arizona on what's called the
Colorado Plateau. Most of the plateau is set at 5,000 feet elevation.
However, the plateau includes Williams and the Grand Canyon, both at
about 7,000 feet elevation, and the San Francisco Peaks, the highest
point in Arizona at over 12,600 feet elevation. What this means is out
your window you'll pass through different landscapes, from Ponderosa pine
forests down to the open and dry high desert, and then the train rises back
into the forest as it gets close to the canyon. There is a 1,500 foot vertical
drop along the way. This can be very challenging to engineers. In fact,
for years, the Santa Fe brought out engineers-in-training to teach them
how to operate steam locomotives on the Grand Canyon line.
Native Peoples
Many Native American reservations are in and around Grand Canyon National Park and Northern Arizona. This includes the Navajo, Hopi, Havasupai and Paiute. Their culture and way of life have made an indellible impression on the region. Designers like Mary E.J. Colter, who is responsible for many of the structures built on the South Rim, drew upon the inspiration of the surrounding native cultures.
Connecting Amtrak Service
Amtrak's Southwest
Chief travels from Chicago to Los Angeles and stops in Williams for connecting
service with Grand Canyon Railway. Plan an all-rail
vacation and experience America in a way that dates back to the early
20th century. Relax on the train and concentrate on the views instead of
the road.
Mileposts
Mileposts are markers set out by the railroad to tell distances, much like on a highway. During the trip keep your eyes out for the markers to know how far along the 65-mile trip you are.
Diverse Climate
The Colorado Plateau is semi-arid and water can be scarce. However, communities like Williams and Flagstaff typically see snowy winters and the snowmelt provides the region with its water base. The late summer months usually see "monsoon" rains, which occur almost daily, typically in the afternoon. When visiting the area, the best advice is to dress in layers. Learn more about the Grand Canyon's climate.
Plants
Along the way, you'll see a variety of plants and trees as you change in
elevation. In the first part of the trip leaving Williams and as you
approach the Grand Canyon, you'll be at over 6,000 feet elevation where
you'll be surrounded by forests of Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, spruce
and aspen. In the middle part of the journey, the Upper Sonoran Zone,
you'll see Pinyon-Juniper woodlands, sagebrush, grama grass, and a
variety of brush like live oak, salt bush and mountain ash.
Wildlife
It's not uncommon to spot some of the region's natives. Keep your eyes out
for elk, mountain lions, mule-deer, squirrels and even skunks while
in the forests. In the high desert, it's common to see pronghorn, which
look like antelope. You'll notice a variety of birds, from bald eagles
to horned owls to ravens to California condors. While at the South
Rim, you'll notice the animals are accustomed to humans, but please
don't feed the animals as this increases their dependency on people
for food.
