4960-grand-canyonWILLIAMS, Ariz. – The Grand Canyon Railway will bring back steam to commemorate the 20th anniversary of its rebirth on Sept. 19 with a special roundtrip run to the Grand Canyon with 2-8-2 No. 4960 fueled by recycled vegetable oil. The event will feature live music, photo opportunities with the locomotive, a ribbon cutting, and remarks by local dignitaries.

The 65-mile-long excursion from Williams, Ariz. to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and back departs Williams at 9:30 a.m. and arrives at the Grand Canyon Depot at 11:45 a.m. The return trip departs the Grand Canyon at 3:30 p.m. and arrives in Williams at 5:45 p.m. Tickets for adults range from $70 to $190, and children’s rates range from $40 to $110. Children 15 and under are permitted only in the coach and first classes.

In addition to the run to the Grand Canyon, the 4960 will also make several eight-mile trips out of Williams on Sept. 5 and 6 using Harriman cars built in 1923. Tickets for the “Cataract Creek Rambler” will be sold on-site for unreserved seating and will cost $15 for adults and $10 for children 15 and under.

The railroad operated steam from Memorial Day to Labor Day but in 2008 discontinued regular runs because of environmental considerations. Operating an all-diesel fleet of locomotives year-round saves fuel and reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

For more information about the railway and the steam runs, go to www.thetrain.com

For more information on Arizona train rides, visit:

http://www.scenicrailexcursions.com/arizona_trainrides.php