The Grand Canyon Railway (reporting mark GCRX), is a heritage railroad which carries passengers between Williams, Arizona, and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. The 64-mile (103-kilometer) railroad, built by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, was completed on September 17, 1901. The arrival of trains led increased tourism to the area, and the railway company was instrumental in the creation of the Grand Canyon Village to serve guests. Declining ridership due to the popularity of the automobile led the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway to cease passenger service of the Grand Canyon Railway in July 1968 and freight service on the line ended in 1974. The railway chugged back to life in the late 1980s, after private investors purchased the line in 1988, restored the facilities, and passenger trains started running again on September 17, 1989. Today, the railroad carries hundreds of passengers to and from the canyon every day and operates year-round. The entire Grand Canyon Railway has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing the contribution the train has made to the history of the United States. I think This will be a awesome Addon to Train Simulator.
Yes! This would be a great route for TS! We haven't gotten a US tourist line before so that could lead to some unique and interesting scenarios (photo charters, ect.), and it gives us 2 new steam locomotives! I chased #29 back in July and it was loads of fun!
I think this route is an awesome proposal. If it's made, we need the F40PHs, the FPA-4s, the GP7 as well as the #4960 and #29 steam locomotives.
Nice route idea TommyPicklesfan1992, why do you like this route? and what steam locomotives are preserved there?
As of 2020, GCRY has two steam engines that can be modeled for modern operations. #29; An Alco 2-8-0 built for the LS&I (Lake Superior and Ishpeming) in the early 1900s, arrived on thier property in 1989. Last ran in October 2019 and is currently in need of its 1472 day inspection/overhaul before returning to service. #4960; A Baldwin 2-8-2 built for the CB&Q (Burlington) in the 1920s, ran in excursion service on the CBQ until the mid 60s, then bounced around some museums/tourist lines until being obtained by the GCRY also in 1989. Has ran on and off since. Both engines were converted to run on used vegetable-oil at some point during the 2000s. Primary diesel power on GCRY when these aren't being used is a mix of ex Amtrak F40PHRs, NJT F40PH-2CATs, some ex CN MLW FPA-4/FPB-4s and a pair of ex ATSF GP7u's.
