It’s counterintuitive. A 100-year-old steam engine still makes it to the Grand Canyon and back, and has become a global showcase for how ingenuity can save the past for future generations. The Grand Canyon Railway (GCR) is believed to be the last US daily standard-gauge railroad running with steam engines in regular scheduled service, a rare sight and sound to behold.
The Grand Canyon Railroad uses recycled waste vegetable oil as fuel in No. 4960, a steam engine built in 1923. On select days through October 2023, this massive steam engine will pull the daily train from Williams , AZ to South Rim, Grand Canyon. What saved him from the static exhibition of the museum? Waste vegetable oil (ie the oil used for French fries, chicken wings and fried shrimp). While this diet may not be beneficial to the health of most of us, not only does the century-old engine run better because of it, but it uses recycled fuel (and captured snowmelt to get water for the boiler when be possible) the great machine. has a neutral carbon footprint.
The Grand Canyon Railroad, built and in operation since 1901, is estimated to reduce the number of cars in the national park to about 70,000 a year. Now we are talking about many shades of green.
In 2023, the steam train is scheduled to run trains on President’s Day (February 18) and Saturdays, including March 4, April 1, May 6, June 3, on July 1, August 5, September 2 and October 7. The steam engine will also power trains on Earth Day (April 22) and September 16 (GCR’s birthday). Always check the website as there may be changes due to weather, mechanical or other issues.
The railway endeavors to use biodegradable lubricants in steam engines whenever possible. GCR is also the first tourist railroad in the United States to receive third-party ISO 14001 certification of its environmental management system.
For more information about the Grand Canyon Railway, visit thetrain.com
