Grand Canyon Railway

From its opening in 1901, the Grand Canyon Railway has transported passengers to and from the town of Williams, Arizona to Grand Canyon National Park. The railway was built by the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway, one of the largest railroad companies in the United States at the time of its construction. The completion of this railroad led to an increase in visitation which led to the creation of the Grand Canyon Village. As railroad passenger service started to decline in the post-World War II era, the Santa Fe railroad suspended service in 1974. After several short-lived attempts to resurrect the railroad in the decade that followed, a Phoenix couple purchased and operated the line in the 1980s. Today, the Grand Canyon Railway continues to transport families to and from the Grand Canyon under new ownership.

The Grand Canyon Railway was built by the Atchinson, Topeka, and Santa Fe railroad company in 1901. The first train ride ever conducted on the railroad happened in that same year on September 17th when paying passengers road the train from Williams, Arizona. John Muir, a local environmental rights activist, and philosopher, praised the railroad for its minimal impact on the environment surrounding it. A train terminal was placed at the newly-completed El Tovar Hotel which opened in 1905 for travelers.

By the 1950s, the automotive industry and highway system had grown to the point where more and more families chose to travel by car. Santa Fe decided to end service on this line in 1968. The railway would survive a few more years before operations shut down completely in 1974. Throughout the rest of the 70s, there were attempts to resurrect the railway, but all those plans fell through. In the next decade, two companies tried to operate the line, the first in 1980 and the second in 1984. Both were short-lived, but the track maintenance in those years proved critical.

Phoenix residents Max and Thelma Biegert purchased the railway in 1988 and service resumed in 1989. The couple initially intended to lend funds to another entrepreneur who would operate the railway, but when that connection fell through, they decided to buy and resurrect the defunct rail line. The new and independent company operated by the Biergerts launched on September 17, 1989, the anniversary of the first train ride when the railway opened. The couple purchased the railway with proceeds from Biegert Aviation, a crop-dusting company they established in 1947, and Children’s World Learning Center, a daycare business.

In 2006, the Colorado company Xanterra Parks and Resorts bought railway and announced plans to retain every employee while expanding service. Xanterra made some changes, including suspending steam locomotive operations in 2008, but the railway remains in operation.

“Grand Canyon Train,” Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel. Accessed June 24th 2021. https://www.thetrain.com/

“About the Grand Canyon Railway,” Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel. Accessed June 24th 2021. https://www.thetrain.com/