Grand Canyon railway question

[CCC1007]

I am down here in Arizona and visited the Grand Canyon yesterday. While I was going up to the south rim, I began to wonder which system of authority is used to control the Grand Canyon railway. Does anyone have first hand experience?

 

[crescent-zephyr]

I am down here in Arizona and visited the Grand Canyon yesterday. While I was going up to the south rim, I began to wonder which system of authority is used to control the Grand Canyon railway. Does anyone have first hand experience?

Well the FRA (Federal Railway Authority) governs it like all railroads, But the Grand Canyon Railway is a privately owned for-profit tourist railway.

It runs on the ex-Santa Fe line, which was built in 1901, and hopefully you checked out the old Santa Fe depot that still stands at the rim of the canyon.

Up until a few years ago it was privately owned by a local couple. Sadly they sold it to Xanterra, which ironically enough is the corporate entity of the Fred Harvey Company! The reason I say sadly is because Xanterra really doesn't have railroad expertise and they made a decision to not operate Steam for "environmental concerns." They keep one steam locomotive operational and run it a few times a year but that's it. Which is a real shame in my opinion, since Grand Canyon Railway was at one time one of the few places that regularly ran steam at "mainline" speeds. Most tourist railroads only run at 20 mph.

 

[Seaboard92]

I believe they probably run TWC or track warrant control. But I could be wrong I've never been there. But I doubt they have a signal system

 

[Chaz]

Excellent fast paced podcast from The Roundhouse (March 26 '16--1 hour)

The National Parks Svc's 100 years anniversary in August has them restoring another steam train.

http://theroundhousepodcast.com/2016/03/26/038-grand-canyon-railway-hotel/

http://theroundhousepodcast.com/

Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel

"The railway operates a daily train from Williams Arizona to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, traveling over 64 miles of what was once the Santa Fe Railway. Their typical motive power is ex-Amtrak F40PH diesels, but for special occasions they use steam locomotive #4960. The trip includes beautiful scenery, train robberies, and a unique look at the ‘Wild Wild West’. You can ride in one of their coaches, vista domes, or observation cars.

The railway recently announced that it would be restoring ex-Lake Superior & Ishpeming #29 to service as part of celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service. Eric describes the work that will be necessary to have it in operation again.

As a lifelong railfan, Eric discusses how he built his career in the tourist railroad industry. He describes the type of work done for each of the locomotives and passenger cars. One recent addition to the roster ‘Desert View’ will be making its debut run soon, and Eric provides details on its restoration.

To learn more about the Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel, be sure to visit their website."

http://www.thetrain.com/

[the prior podcast was on the W. Maryland Scenic)

You may have heard that the Park Svc is in a fight over who owns the names to the lodges etc eg of the former Fred Harvey properties (Xanterra).

http://grandcanyonnews.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=11743

"Last year (2015) Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) went through a similar debate over some of Grand Canyon's historic lodges and restaurants names when Grand Canyon concessionaire Xanterra South Rim, L.L.C. attempted to trademark over 16 different lodges and sites in the park."

See also: http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/the-nps-says-its-promoting-competition-but-a-grand-canyon-concessionaire-claims-otherwise-6634100

and http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/the-nps-says-its-promoting-competition-but-a-grand-canyon-concessionaire-claims-otherwise-6634100

I've read elsewhere the the Park Svc hasn't given up on this yet.

Train Orders has a 2 page thread on the decision to restore another steam engine & why threy use vegetable oil instead of diesel (the podcast discusses it too) http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?10,3982133,page=1

Article abiut the current Nat'l Park Svc's chief (March '16)

Ensuring America’s Iconic National Parks Survive the Next 100 Years

http://www.govexec.com/management/2016/03/ensuring-americas-iconic-national-parks-survive-next-100-years/126925/

Chaz

 

[TinCan782]

I believe they probably run TWC or track warrant control. But I could be wrong I've never been there. But I doubt they have a signal system

No signals that I saw several years ago. We were there in January so only one train up in the AM and it returns in the PM.

With two train, both up in the AM and both return PM, about an hour apart.

Talking to the conductor, he told me they run a hy-rail up the line every morning before the first run.

As an aside, the White Pass and Yukon runs multiple trains (at least to the pass and a couple as far as Fraser) up and back to Skagway with no signal system.