by Leslie Doran

Grand Canyon, Arizona (Spring 2001) Step back in time. Way back. Nothing like a little history and antique surroundings to make one feel young.

Passengers "stick 'em up" on the Grand Canyon Train.      Stage Photo / Leslie Doran

Visiting Williams, Arizona and the Grand Canyon by way of the incomparable Grand Canyon Railway and Resort will cause visitors to thrill to ancient and modern, natural and man-made wonders. Many expected and shocking thrills await visitors to this action-packed part of our 48th state.  The action portion of the visit is reminiscent of the area's wild western heritages.

The town of Williams, Arizona (under 3,000 full-time residents) which was founded in 1882 has the copyright to the title "The Gateway to the Grand Canyon, a small town with a big destination." The town was named for mountain man Bill Williams and later was a well known stop on the old historic Route 66. In fact, Williams has the dubious distinction of being the last such town to be by-passed by Interstate 40. Many gift shops in town display Route 66 memorabilia for sale. The town has many fine galleries and quaint gift shops.

The main attraction to this part of the United States is that amazing geologic showcase of Mother Nature's work, the Grand Canyon. This natural phenomenon is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The floodwaters of the Colorado River worked their magic over six million years on the shale, sandstone, lava and limestone of the region, eating away and then exposing the history of the earth's formation. The remaining handiwork attracts five millions visitors annually from around the world. Grand Canyon National Park is the most visited of the 370 United States parks, and is considered America's Number One natural tourist attraction. 

The scope of the canyon is awe-inspiring, with 1900 square miles or 1,218,000 acres of land inhabited by 315 species of birds, 88 of mammals, 26 of fish, 59 of reptiles and amphibians and over 1,500 varieties of plants. The greatest depth of the canyon is one mile and the average width of the canyon from rim to rim is ten miles. The length of the Grand Canyon covers 277 miles. The biotic life zones encompassed by the park include: Lower Sonoran, Upper Sonoran, Transition, Canadian and Hudson-ian. The park also houses seven designated National Historic structures, many of which were designed by the Grand Canyon a national monument in 1908. In 1919 the Grand Canyon was upgraded to a national park making it the 17th in the system. Finally, coming into its own in 1979, the park was named a World Heritage Site. 

Access to this major natural attraction was made easier with the arrival of the Grand Canyon Train in 1901. The 65 miles of track led from Williams to the canyon, allowing passengers to disembark just steps from the South Rim. In the 1920's a road for that young upstart, the automobile, changed the fate of the railroad. By 1968 the last passenger train to the Grand Canyon carried only three people. The historic rail line was almost lost, but in 1989 salvage work was stopped and restoration started. New owners Max and Thelma Biegert resuscitated this great piece of rail history and breathed new life into the once proud railroad. 

In 1989 the new, improved version of the Grand Canyon Train was unveiled. Traveling on the railway today is a fun and historic way to experience the grandeur of the West. Mother Nature isn't the only entertainer on the right-of-way between Williams and the Grand Canyon. Every morning at the Williams Depot, there is a Wild West shoot-out. Don't worry, the good guys win. On the train, passengers are entertained by strolling western singers with a healthy dose of good humor. 

Just as passengers are about to reach the safety of the Williams Depot at the end of a full day, the Cataract Creek Gang (Does this mean they can't shoot straight?) arrive on horseback and attempt to rob the train. But Thanks to Marshall John B. Goodmore, their attack of villainy is thwarted. The sun sets on weary but happy travelers at day's end. All's right in the West. 

The Grand Canyon Railway has made travel easy by offering package tours. One way to experience this amazing travel destination is to sign up for one of the Grand Canyon Railway and Resort's visitors packages. The Senior Escape is an example of a full package which includes first class round trip fare on the train with coffee and treats on the way to the Canyon and cheese and snacks and champagne on the return trip. 

This package also includes two night's stay at the newly refurbished Fray Marcos Hotel in Williams. The original Fray Marcos Hotel was built in 1908 as one of the famous Fred Harvey Hotels to serve railroad passengers in the West. Today's modern, comfortable version will please any traveler. As a major package bonus, two buffet breakfasts and two buffet dinners at Max & Thelma's Restaurant are also included. What a sumptuous way to enjoy the thrill of our natural wonder, The Grand Canyon. 

Check out other special packages which include: The Railway Getaway, The Canyon Railway Express, Grand Views & Grand Shores, Las Vegas Day Tour and the "All Rail Vacation," Amtrak Rail-to-Rail. For complete information call 800/The-Train (843-8724) or check their web site at www.thetrain.com.