The Grand Canyon Railway is hosting a birthday celebration for one of its most iconic steam engines.
Train No.4960 will be celebrating its centennial by following its regularly scheduled ride from Williams, Ariz. to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on August 5, 12 and 19. The famed steam engine will also run on certain days in July and October.
The birthday celebration will be hosted on August 12 in Williams, where there will be a line-up of fun events to celebrate all day, including:
- 8 a.m. — Aaron Johnson, author of the children’s book series called “National Park Mysteries,” whose latest book takes place at the Grand Canyon, will be holding a book signing inside the Grand Canyon Railway Depot. The first 100 ticketed children will receive a complimentary copy of the book.
- 9:15 a.m. — Official proclamation by Williams Mayor Don Dent
- 9:30 a.m. — The train, pulled by 4060, will depart for Grand Canyon National Park
- 11:45 a.m.–3:15 p.m. — Special displays and demonstrations at the Grand Canyon Depot during layover
- 3:30 p.m. — Train departs for Williams; all ticketed passengers will receive a complimentary piece of commemorative house-made fudge.
- 5:45 p.m. — Pipes & Drums will welcome 4960 back home to Williams.
The Grand Canyon Railway is one of the last daily standard gauge U.S railroads still running on a regular schedule. This railway hosts train No.4960, which is sometimes referred to as “The French Fry Express” as the engine runs on waste vegetable oil and harvested snow melt. Vegetable oil is a great alternative for trains because it not only makes the engine run better, it also leaves a neutral carbon footprint.
No.4960 was built in 1923 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia. In the 1950s it was chosen to pull “fan trip” trains on the railroad. It was brought to Arizona in 1989 where it got a massive makeover and started burning vegetable oil.
To book your tickets, visit www.thetrain.com.
Photos courtesy The Grand Canyon Railway
