Grand Canyon Railroad

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

The diesel engines are being used now, and it's a shame because they are much more polluting than steam engines. trance fee.

Originally Posted by kdog

Sorry, but you have that backwards. Diesel is less polluting for two reasons. Steam locomotives use wood or coal-fired boilers to make the steam, both of which generate much more pollution than do modern diesel engines which are actually very clean burning. Plus diesel engines are much more efficient than steam engines. That means they derive more power from their fuel, and so generate less pollution for that reason as well.

Over the years I have experienced both Steam and Diesel Engines and, in spite of the pollution issue, the engine up front has no bearing on the enjoyment level. Granted, the Steam Engine is a little more "romantic" and makes for better pictures . . .

MY TWO CENTS WORTH

[motormaker]

If I remember correctly from reading from a paper Xanterra put out, the steam engines actually used diesel fuel to create the steam and they actually used more diesel fuel that the diesel engines. So Xanterra was on a "green" kick and decided to drop the steam engines.

I think it was about the money. Wish I had kept that paper.

I did find this.

Grand Canyon Train at Depot - Williams Arizona on Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7202153@N03/2694996282/ - broken link)

[collinsl]

Originally Posted by motormaker

If I remember correctly from reading from a paper Xanterra put out, the steam engines actually used diesel fuel to create the steam and they actually used more diesel fuel that the diesel engines. So Xanterra was on a "green" kick and decided to drop the steam engines.

I think it was about the money. Wish I had kept that paper.

I did find this.

Grand Canyon Train at Depot - Williams Arizona on Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7202153@N03/2694996282/ - broken link)

You are correct - most restored steam engines have been modified to burn "bunker c" oil, or diesel oil, in place of wood or coal. but they still burn it in a converted firebox.

[Arizona1]

Originally Posted by motormaker

If I remember correctly from reading from a paper Xanterra put out, the steam engines actually used diesel fuel to create the steam and they actually used more diesel fuel that the diesel engines. So Xanterra was on a "green" kick and decided to drop the steam engines.

I think it was about the money. Wish I had kept that paper.

I did find this.

Grand Canyon Train at Depot - Williams Arizona on Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7202153@N03/2694996282/ - broken link)

Yes that is correct, it's a low grade diesel. Another benefit of couse is not sparks to start fires from cinders cause by wood or coal when going thru the dry wilderness areas.

[Magnum Mike]

The last time I remember riding a train was when I was a kid. It was infront of a grocery store and my parents put a coin in it...

I've heard from many people who have ridden on the Grand Canyon Railroad and they said it was very enjoyable, I'll have to try it out sometime... even though I'm more of an aviation enthusiast, but there aren't any flights from Williams International Airport to the Grand Canyon.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by Magnum Mike

The last time I remember riding a train was when I was a kid. It was infront of a grocery store and my parents put a coin in it...

I've heard from many people who have ridden on the Grand Canyon Railroad and they said it was very enjoyable, I'll have to try it out sometime... even though I'm more of an aviation enthusiast, but there aren't any flights from Williams International Airport to the Grand Canyon.

HELICOPTERS, Mike?

and, by the way, you should be ashamed of yourself as you call yourself an Arizona Native . . . definitely, one of the FUNNEST and BESTEST excursions available.

[Magnum Mike]

Originally Posted by Bummer

HELICOPTERS, Mike?

and, by the way, you should be ashamed of yourself as you call yourself an Arizona Native . . . definitely, one of the FUNNEST and BESTEST excursions available.

LOL.. I have taken the Grand Canyon Helicopter tour.. on a real helicopter, not the ones you put coins in!

Does the light rail in Phoenix have excursions to the Grand Canyon?

I'll get on the GC railroad sometime in the near future.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by Magnum Mike

LOL.. I have taken the Grand Canyon Helicopter tour.. on a real helicopter, not the ones you put coins in!

Does the light rail in Phoenix have excursions to the Grand Canyon?

I'll get on the GC railroad sometime in the near future.

Deal, Mike . . . we'll be patiently waiting for a DETAILED REPORT on your Grand Canyon Railway - The Official Site trip!

! ! ! ! ! !

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by Magnum Mike

The last time I remember riding a train was when I was a kid. It was infront of a grocery store and my parents put a coin in it...

I've heard from many people who have ridden on the Grand Canyon Railroad and they said it was very enjoyable, I'll have to try it out sometime... even though I'm more of an aviation enthusiast, but there aren't any flights from Williams International Airport to the Grand Canyon.

Originally Posted by Bummer

HELICOPTERS, Mike?

and, by the way, you should be ashamed of yourself as you call yourself an Arizona Native . . . definitely, one of the FUNNEST and BESTEST excursions available.

I think I'll assist both of you with round trip tickets on the Grand Canyon train, and one way tickets to your respective rooms.
()

On a serious note: this is also the tourist season in northern Arizona, so anybody that is planning a Grand Canyon trip from now through Labor Day had better expect the usual crowds. The entire Grand Canyon Village was already packed with visitors when we went in the middle part of May. Obviously the so called "dreary economy" hasn't put a damper on the tourism industry ... which is good because this is beneficial for the economy in northern AZ.