Having been here for two days, I personally think the green stuff is BS in terms of actual practice - it is a marketing ploy. This is my fourth trip to the Grand Canyon but first to ride the railroad. My wife and youngest daughter have never been here before. So while they have been checking out the canyon, I have had time to people watch and look at things that interest me, like the buildings, the railroad, etc.
Looking at car tags, 1 in 3 is from California. Most of the people who road the train, or at least in our coach, were also from California. Given the "green" political climate of that state, and the large number of tourists/customers from California, it makes sense to market as a green company to appease/attract them to the Xanterra operation.
I could be totally wrong - my counts could be just randomly based on the fluke of the randomness of my observations.
I have thoroughly enjoyed our visit, the staff has been wonderful and friendly, etc. However, I am very tired of being hit over the head with all of the green stuff. Recycling makes sense and I have to laugh here, Xanterra probably makes some $$$$ of the recyclables as opposed to spending $$$$ desposing of large amounts of waste.
I had to laugh at the story in the company newspaper that stated one of the reasons steam was abandoned was due to the lubricating oil leaked on the tracks by the locomotives and the claim that diesels don't do that. What a crock.
I walked the wye at the Grand Canyon and there was a nice fresh trail of lubricating oil down the middle of the track.
I can see operating diesels in the winter - it is a year round operation and steam for certain events that are marketed as premium events - charge more when steam power is used. Good business and saves wear and tear on the steam locomotives, spreading out time between major repairs.
But this green stuff to the extent that Xanterra promotes it is bogus. The two F-40s that powered our train poured black smoke nearly the entire trip - and the hostess in our coach touted that these two locomotive were environmentally friendly and produced the least amount of particulate of any of the locomotives in the fleet.
A well fired steam locomotive will produce a lot less particulate than those two beasts did one would hope.
I think it was a business decision, or if the individual who made the decision really believes this green stuff to the extent that Xanterra promotes it, he or she is sadly mis-informed.
The railroad does reduce a lot of emissions in the canyon area by reducing the number of automobiles that visit the part each year.
At any rate, I will voice my disappointment when I leave, balanced by positive commitments about the positive quality of service, etc. we received during our visit.
