NNG- Grand Canyon Railway Steam

Last week the Grand Canyon Railway hosted a photo charter organized by Pete Lerro. We had both steam locomotives operating: 2-8-0 #29 and 2-8-2 #4960.

After Xanterra bought the railroad there was a period of about a year when neither locomotive operated, with #4960 returning in the fall of 2009 burning waste vegetable oil (while many say the exhaust smells like french fries - I didn't get that impression - though it certainly smells different than a typical oil burner). #4960 only runs on special occasions now, pulling a round-trip to the canyon roughly once a month. In a surprise move, #29 was returned to steam last year (though I believe she only has 2 or 3 more years before her 15 year / 1472 day boiler time expires).

The first day of the charter had #29 pulling a 4-car train of the older Pullman cars (that in recent years are only used during the Polar Express trains). The second day had #4960 pulling a 5-car train in the morning, and then double-heading with #29 in the afternoon. It was a great trip, and I hope the railroad will host another event like this in the future. Here are a few highlights from the 2-day trip.

-James
[www.steamtrainvideos.com]