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There is no better way of experiencing the Grand Canyon than booking an affordable travel package which includes rail fare, lodging, meals and possibly a rim tour for the time at the canyon. Tours can be customized. [ more] |
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RailsNW
10200 SW Eastridge
Suite #210
Portland OR 97225 |
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This month's newsletter explores the historical railroads of two very distinct western regions, and offers information about how you can experience these recently restored rails. Each of the lines has faced abandonment as part of a rich history of events, but breathtaking scenery, unique railroad features, and the intrigue of each region have successfully captivated passengers and investors alike. |
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 The Grand Canyon Railway
The Grand Canyon Railway is quite possibly the best railway trip for adults and families in the West. The trip departs from the original brick loading-platform at the Williams Depot, built in 1908 in the frontier town located in the mountains of Northern Arizona . From there, passengers travel in vintage 1923 Pullman coach cars or in the comfort of first class. Regardless of where they sit, passengers cannot escape the remarkable views of Arizona 's diverse geological features and wildlife. Hospitality onboard is truly exceptional. Hosts in each car regale passengers with stories of the old west, cowboy balladeers roam singing songs of western flavors, and “train robbers” hold up the train before it reaches the Grand Canyon (much to the delight of the children passengers). For more information about booking your next Grand Canyon Railway adventure, please click here. Further historical information to prepare you for your trip can be found below.
The Grand Canyon Railway embarked upon its inaugural journey on September 17, 1901, just two years after the grading for the railway began. For the next several decades, the Grand Canyon Railway continued to be the favored mode of transportation to this amazing canyon, carrying thousands of visitors, including five American Presidents, each year from the Williams Depot to the Grand Canyon Depot. By the 1960s, however, the boom in visitors traveling by automobiles threatened the very existence of the Grand Canyon Railway; in 1968 passenger service had ceased. The tracks continued to be used intermittently for freight, but were abandoned altogether in 1974.
For over 20 years, the unshakable intrigue of the old Grand Canyon Railway lured several interested parties to attempt resurrecting the great Grand Canyon Railway. Success was finally reached in the late 1980s when Phoenix business man Max Biegert and his wife Thelma purchased the railway. The Grand Canyon Railway came to life once again on September 17, 1989, exactly 88 years after the first train whistle blew in the Grand Canyon Depot. |
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 Historic Oregon Train: The Coastal Express
On July 23rd and 24th, hundreds of lucky riders will have the rare opportunity to ride on the old Southern Pacific tracks from Eugene to Coos Bay, a route that has not boasted regular passenger service since 1953. The passengers of this chartered train will be privy to spectacular mountain, river, and coastal scenery unavailable to those traveling by automobile; covering many miles in road-less areas. The initial segment of the trip winds through the tunnels and trestles of the Coast Range . After crossing the Siuslaw River , the train begins travel along the coastal lines past fresh water lakes, paralleling the Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area for almost 45 miles. The return trip offers the same stunning views but from an entirely fresh perspective, with different lighting illuminating the sights seen and unseen on the outbound trip.
The Coastal Express offers six distinct classes, each promising an unforgettable experience. The Observation, dome cars and Pullman compartments have already sold out, but there are still a few available seats in the Coach, Club, and Presidential cars. Please click here for prices, schedules and reservations. For additional information about the historic Coos Bay line, read on.
Currently, the railroad tracks are owned by Central Oregon and Pacific (CORP), a subsidiary of Rail America . CORP took control of the rails in the early to mid 1990s when Southern Pacific was seeking to divest many less lucrative lines, including the line from Eugene to Coos Bay . While it may have been deemed unprofitable from a shipping standpoint, the historical significance of the Coos Bay line is undeniably rich.
The line is not the oldest in Oregon , but is arguably the most original with three of the largest operational swing bridges in the country. Each of the bridges was built in 1914. The majority of the line also originates in 1914, but some sections of the tracks in and around Coos Bay date back to the early 1800s.
Southern Pacific had little interest in maintaining and modernizing the tracks, and the original swing bridges remained until a coal mining operation in the area was conceived in the 1970s. The prospect of heavy coal trains riding the tracks prompted the need for rebuilding the bridges. The coal mine never materialized, but work on some of the bridges had been completed. Despite CORP's refurbishing projects in the 1970s, much of the line is still in need of renovation. The federal and state governments have allocated several million dollars for the repair of the Coos Bay line. It seems as though the short term future of the line is secure. |
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Copyright © 2005 Rails NW
Update:
March 28, 2007
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