Looking for Input on the Grand Canyon Train.

[smcrea]

Hi Everyone,

We are very interested in taking the site seeing train from Williams Grand Canyon on the grand Canyon Railway.

Has anyone done this and can give input. For example the benefits of taking the observation dome as opposed to the coach class.

Also does anyone know if the Pullman class has AC?

Is first class a good choice?

All input would be greatly appreciated.

Here's the link.. http://www.thetrain.com

Thanks!

Steve

[D_E_Bishop]

I believe that Trailer Village is right next to Mather CG and inside the park. Reservations are a must for week ends almost all year long. We prefer Mather CG, no hook ups but nice.

[ttkparker216]

We enjoyed the train, something different. But make sure you don't miss it going back! They will leave without you. We almost missed it due to getting on the bus to get back to the train after exploring and the bus driver decided to stop and eat his lunch.

[Chock_Full_o__N]

noe-place wrote:
We rode the train to the canyon and back about four years ago. When we got back the steam engine broke down and they had to switch to a diesel backup. The ride was not particularly exciting or scenic; just interesting. They did have a couple of guys dressed as outlaw cowboys climb onboard and "rob" the passengers. Also a guy who played guitar and sang for us. That made the long ride to the canyon easier. We stayed in the Grand Canyon Railroad RV Resort in Williams; a large parking lot-like campground. Very nice with full h'ups, no shade but so close to town you can walk easily to restaurants and grocery store. Playground very close by; golf course a short drive north of town and most of all beautiful scenery around Old Route 66. :C

We did this too, and had a wonderful time! Our kids were 12 & 14--the younger one is severely mentally handicapped, so he's more like a toddler. Still, they both thought the train was fabulous. I think we had about 4hrs or so to see the GC--obviously, not enough time, but it was just right with the kids. Especially my youngest, who couldn't get enough of that view and tried his best to get over the side! I finally had to just strap him into a stroller and turn it around so he couldn't see it. :S Loved the "robbery" and the singing cowboys, too.

Oh, and there is a nice indoor pool and a hot tub at the resort. The RV resort is clean as a whistle, too. Great laundry facilities and you could just about eat off the bath house floors.

[noe-place]

We rode the train to the canyon and back about four years ago. When we got back the steam engine broke down and they had to switch to a diesel backup. The ride was not particularly exciting or scenic; just interesting. They did have a couple of guys dressed as outlaw cowboys climb onboard and "rob" the passengers. Also a guy who played guitar and sang for us. That made the long ride to the canyon easier. We stayed in the Grand Canyon Railroad RV Resort in Williams; a large parking lot-like campground. Very nice with full h'ups, no shade but so close to town you can walk easily to restaurants and grocery store. Playground very close by; golf course a short drive north of town and most of all beautiful scenery around Old Route 66. :C

[Twomed]

Club car//domes//private cars...all worth the extra $$$ just for what RCMAN46 points out. We have done the Canyon twice, enjoyable train ride. The train IS the adventure, not so much the scenery like DSRG. All are good IMHO. 🙂 🙂

[RCMAN46]

I like trains and the history about trains. When we took the train we booked the Luxury Dome Class. It was a little more spendy but worth it to me. Children under 15 are not allowed on the car. We had a train ride with the Durango-Silverton ruined by three children that yelled,cried and basically a total nuisance during the trip.
If you do drive to the canyon there is an air Museum Planes of Fame on the way that is worth the stop if you like airplanes.

[Dennis_M_M]

Unable to comment on the train, but the drive (60 miles) from Williams to Grand Canyon Village is seriously boring. Dead straight and no scenery worth seeing. Most notable sight was the old Super Connie sitting outside the airport!

[Dick_B]

Do a Google search for more results. We recommend it for all RVers.

[Finally_Fulltim]

Enjoyed the train ride, but there's really nothing to see along the way, so skip the dome. 2nd the motion on Canyon De Chelly - I'd put that on your "don't miss" list.

[snowdance]

We have done the train a couple times. Love it. There are a couple parks near Williams and we stayed at a KOA. They have bus service to the train and will pick you up. We took the train ride in and spent the night at the Rim Hotel and back out the next day. And got our bus ride back to the camp ground. Saves having to deal with a car/truck.. Great ride. We have gone 1st class and normal. Really saw no difference as far as enjoying it. Do not remember if there was AC. Had a jacket on both trips..

[Golden_HVAC]

The south rim of the Grand Canyon is around 6,500 feet elevation. I would be more worried about heat in the train, than A/C cooling. Check the weather, snow is possible in April, and sometimes in early May, yet it should be warming up now.

You can check Weather.com and zip code 86046

There is a trailer village just outside the park with hookups, and dry camping only inside the park. My suggestion is if you want to take the train, spend a couple of nights in Williams, and then dry camp inside the park at least one night, and if you feel the need for hookups, make reservations at the place just outside the park. There is a I-Max theater just across the street, whit great movie of the parks.

If a little more limited on time, your wife might take the kids on the train, then you can pick them up at the south rim village with the truck, and go back to your camping area. You can find out about it on video tape.

Also if you have heard about that bridge that sticks out about 100' over the canyon wall, it is closer to (and north of) Kingman AZ, and not near the Grand Canyon Village.

If you want to see a really steep canyon, go to Canyon De Chelley, and look at the south end viewpoint, the one southeast of the southern parking area. There is a wall almost straight down, about 300' or more. With a Indian tour guide, you can drive into the canyon, or be driven in on their vehicles, and see the walls from the bottom looking up.

Zion National Park, you can see the canyons from the bottom looking up. Grand Canyon and Bryce canyon have the roadways at the top of the canyon, looking down. Bryce and Zion are normally a lot cooler than Grand Canyon. It's all in the altitude.

Fred.

[hawkman541]

We took the train from Williams to the Grand Canyon. It was a beautiful train ride. Its an all day affair. Take snacks and water with you in a carry on or back pack. They have snack cars and for the 1st class riders, they have a diner car. We were able to see everything from coach. Our commentator was great. If you want 1st class, go for it. We were in coach, and had a great time. The western show in the morning next to the station are the same ones that rob the train in the afternoon. Its a lot of fun. With the walking at the canyon, you will have a good trip. Good luck