By Linda & Dr. Dick Buscher

“All Aboard!” The conductor’s call to passengers will initiate the memorable New Year’s journey from Williams Depot to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Aboard a powerful locomotive adventurers looking for a unique way to bid adieu to the old year—and begin the journey into the new—ride north for a glimpse into the greatest chasm on earth.

The route from Williams Depot to the Grand Canyon was initiated on Sept. 17, 1901, as the locomotive steamed 65 miles north to the magnificent gorge. This spur line belonged to the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Company.

The Fred Harvey Company built the original Fray Marcos Hotel near the tracks in Williams, as well as many of the lodges and buildings at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The Fray Marcos Hotel is now a museum and part of the Williams Depot. The Williams Depot is the oldest poured-concrete structure still standing in Arizona.

The railway to the Grand Canyon continued to operate until the mid-1980s. Hard economic times forced its closure, but the obituary for this historic railroad was premature.

Max Biegert, a lifelong lover of trains and railroads, soon bought the tracks and right-of-way to the Grand Canyon and was determined to restart the Grand Canyon Railway. On Sept. 17, 1988, puffs of smoke rose from the smokestack as the train heaved back to life, and headed to the Grand Canyon, 88 years to the day after its maiden run.

In 1968, the Xanterra Parks & Resorts bought the Fred Harvey Company and thus acquired rights to an amazing array of historic buildings. By 1995, Xanterra had become the largest national and state park concessionaire in the United States and operators of the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams. Through their unique environmental program, Ecologix, Xanterra has won multiple environmental awards in the hospitality industry.

Today’s train passengers can choose from four classes of travel services. Many of the cars are restored treasures that first road the rails in the 1920s. Riding in the Observation Dome car is an unforgettable experience! Strolling musicians and other entertainers make the two-hour journey a most enjoyable way to travel.

Winter rates for riding the train to the Grand Canyon are now in effect. This is also the time of year when the South Rim of our amazing Grand Canyon is far less crowded with guests. Winter also brings a chance of seeing the canyon covered in a blanket of snow, one of the great photographic opportunities found in Arizona.

So as New Year’s Eve arrives, consider doing something unique by responding to the conductor’s call of “all aboard,” and ride that historic train from Williams to the Grand Canyon. Happy New Year’s everyone! io



If You Go

Grand Canyon Railway

233 North Grand Canyon Blvd., Williams

Get There Take I-17 North 110 miles to Flagstaff. Merge onto I-40 West for 33 miles to Exit 163. Turn left onto Grand Canyon Boulevard and follow the signs to the train depot. The Grand Canyon Railway Depot is 147 miles from Anthem.

Price Many plans with many options; see website

Hours Leaves Williams 9:30 a.m.; arrives at Grand Canyon 11:45 a.m.

GPS Coordinates

N 35° 15.129’

W 112° 11.000427’

Info 800-843-8724, thetrain.com/index.html, xanterra.com

Linda and Dr. Dick Buscher are Arizona educators who have toured, taught and written about the history of Arizona for over 35 years. Contact the Buschers at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it