Flagstaff Arizona

My wife and I stay at a Best Western Hotel in Flagstaff Arizona [a bad mistake] earlier this year after a visit to the Grand Canyon south rim, opposite the hotel were railway tracks freight trains were running all night long and because there was a series of level crossings their warning horns were like ships horns, impossible to sleep i ended up counting how many container/oil wagons there was the longest was 4 x diesel units at the front 212 double containers one on top of the other with oil wagons in between plus 2 x more diesel units at the rear how anyone sleeps in this town is beyond me.

 

Spent a most pleasant afternoon there a couple of years ago. The action is constant and my wife had to drag me away as we were staying at Williams that night in the hotel owned by the Grand Canyon Railroad which we rode on the next day. I do find American Railroads quite wonderful!

 

I was last in Flagstaff in September 2011, and this was my first visit since 2005. The one thing that I noticed the most was that there were no train horns any more! Their compulsory use was stopped in March 2010 (Last train horn to sound Tuesday) and they are now only used in emergency or "men working" situations. Having spent a lot of time railfanning in the USA it was wierd - almost spooky - to see trains rattling through Flagstaff with no horns! It is one of my favourite USA places.

 

Ah We stayed in Williams the following day on our way through to Sedona we found a hotel with railway wagons as rooms and was lucky to get the caboose was this the same place as you found in williams!

 

I believe Flagstaff is somewhere near Williams, has anyone been on the Grand Canyon Railway with steam, to the grand canyon?
We're thinking of doing this in either 2013 or 2014, any information would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

When my wife and i were in Williams we enquired about the steam train but was told the steam engine was being repaired which seems to happen a lot, when it does run it"s always assisted by a diesel or two the steam engine is only a figure head so to speak but looks good. It"s also quite expensive for a ticket.

 

The Grand Canon stopped running their steam engines regularly about 4 years ago no. The largest is maintained and operated a few times this year but is not done so regulary and not normally on the full length of the line any more. The new owners of the railroad claiming it is too expensive to operate, despite this particular engine being very heavily tweeked, and use it as a gimic to promote a green image by running it on vegitable oil.....so quite likly it drinks more and dosn't steam so good....sorry that my cinic side talking

 

Enjoyed reading that, shame about the spelling!

 

Rode behind steam over 10 years ago ex LS & I Alco 2-8-0 , over 60 miles each way, usual hold up on the return to entertain the tourists who were mainly tour groups using the on site hotel and restaurant at Williams, high cost operation to renovate them to high standard, and put full steam shop facilities in, fantastic to see the nice depot by the rim being used as the tracks were overgrown with trees on previous visits, journey is not very scenic, trees and scrubby desert, but for an enthusiast there is a grade and they do work. Limited chase opportunities as track route and highway do part. More recently diesels for economy and the clients don't need full steam journey, classic diesels are an attraction anyway.
Flagstaff is about 30 miles east of Williams on I-40, 40 mins drive into depot parking, bigger more motels & food choices although Williams has a pub restaurant and a mexican, drive to Canyon another day as you need more time and a vehicle to get along the rim ( many overviews with parking to visit and it varies so much) the train trip doesn't give that access and you can get shots of the run around alone as the tourists go to the rim and of course very quickly the cafes but of course their presence has restored the route. Better still take time to hike in for a day as well, park entry permit last 7 days.

 

I stayed in Williams and Flagstaff 6 years ago. My wife and I were up most of the night at Flagstaff watching and listening to the seemingly endless procession of trains. At Williams during the night there were quite a few trains passing there, which also had us out of bed to see the show.

Paul

 

4960 worked through to Grand Canyon with the Alco FA diesels on Saturday 17th September 2011.

 

And the problem with that is?

 

Always thought it was the grand canyon not the grand canon!!