With Amtrak to the Grand Canyon

[wkaemena]

Still not known to everybody but yes, you can visit the Grand Canyon all by rail ! Since a couple of years the cooperation of the Grand Canyon Railway with Amtrak created a new tiny stop for the Southwest Chief in the middle of nowhere called Williams Junction from here the Grand Canyon Railway provides a 10 min Thruway Motorcoach ride to the railway station in Williams at Route 66. From there the Williams Flyer makes its daily trip to the south rim which is 65 miles away. Grand Canyon Railway uses beautifully restored coaches of the golden era of US passenger railroads. Here some links showing the beauty of these cars:

Williams Station

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...ation-depot-usa

Parlor Car "The Chief"

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...e-chief-bar-usa

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...-chief-rear-usa

The open platform at the rear of the train

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...ar-platform-usa

Parlor Car "Santa Fe"

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...arizona-usaonei

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...fe-restroom-usa

Vista Dome Cars

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...car-arizona-usa

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...hyr-arizona-usa

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...hyr-arizona-usa

First Class

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...car-arizona-usa

Second Class

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...car-arizona-usa

Railway Station at Grand Canyon

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...ark-arizona-usa

Glimpse of the Grand Canyon

http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...rim-arizona-usa

 

[George Harris]

the Williams Junction stop has always been part of the Southwest Chief schedule.

 

[MrEd]

You can do the trip all on the train, except for the part on the bus. Its a great area to spend a few days. We went two years ago and had a blast in Williams and our tour of the canyon.

 

[Rob_C]

What is there to do in Williams, and how long of a layover is there in Williams?

 

[Guest]

What is there to do in Williams, and how long of a layover is there in Williams?

One problem is that is impossible to book in Arrow a trip to the Canyon from the East on the Chief. CHI-GCN turns up no results. Neither thus CHI-GCB. CHI-WMA does give you the little thruway bus.

 

[alanh]

It's cheaper and more flexible to book the trip on the GCRY directly with them anyway.

The SWC started stopping at Williams Jct. in 1999. Service was previously ended in 1969 when ATSF ended service to the Grand Canyon.

 

[MrEd]

Info on williams

http://www.williamschamber.com/

We spent 4 days, always had plenty to do, right on rt 66.

 

[greatcats]

The Williams Junction bus into Williams works fine. I have done it a couple of times when I worked at Grand Canyon. I felt more comfortable parking my car at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel than in Flagstaff. From the west, the connection works fairly well. If coming from LA, you will arrive Williams at about 5:30 a.m. and the GCRR will leave at 10 - plenty opf time for a leisurely breakfast in town. I recommend the Pine Country. Westbound, one will arrive from GC at Williams around 6 or 6:30 and depart around 9;30 pm, plenty of time for a leisurely dinner. ( Recommend the Red Raven. ) To and from the east requires an overnight in Williams.

 

[Rob_C]

Cool, would be doing it from LAX anyway. Biggest downside of this little trip appears to be that there would be virtually zero daylight train time on Amtrak!

 

[Guest]

Glimpse of the Grand Canyonhttp://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...rim-arizona-usa

Don't forget to check out the man in the blue denim jacket and HIS CLONE in the picture!

 

[wkaemena]

Glimpse of the Grand Canyonhttp://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...rim-arizona-usa

Don't forget to check out the man in the blue denim jacket and HIS CLONE in the picture!

No that is his twin brother.... but in order to compensate him, the photographer, who was apparently hovering over the rim, is not visible in the panorama. But I can assure everybody he did not fall down and he made it back to the Williams Flyer with the departure time at 3:30pm because you can see him here http://www.360cities.net/image/grand-canyo...ark-arizona-usa holding a mirrorball h34r: :lol:

 

[user 683]

Greetings all

I just wanted to add comment about train to GC.....its definitely worth it!! The GCRR folks make the connection between WMJ and hotel a snap. Also. recommend shuttle service between FLG and GCRR, that is if you prefer to stay in FLG.

Deimos