ATSF # 3751 & CB&Q # 4960 doublehead on the Grand Canyon Railway May 16, 2012

00:00 & 12:07 Driving to Williams, AZ, on the evening of May 15, to catch the doubleheader. On I-17, I stop at Sunset Point State Park and Rest Stop. The Goliath Forest Fire near Prescott, AZ, is seen on a ridge west of Sunset Point. Dusk. Fire is roughly 25 miles from the park. Goliath is one of 4 forest fires burning in AZ at the time of 3751 visit. The star is Venus. Coming home I do the same at night.
00:33 Grand Canyon Railway does not accomodate rail photographers. The yard is patrolled by armed guards. The wye in Williams is off limits except on special events. Our steam superpowers couple to the train at the yard with the engine house blocking the view from the sun side. I shoot the coupling and departure from the I-40 overpass.
02:04 & 10:22 The highway to Grand Canyon parallels the GC RY in one place. The rest of the line is a walk to shoot. This highway spot is a good place to watch and photograph. The Grand Canyon Railway is not scenic. Its purpose is to transport passengers to the Grand Canyon. The scenery is at the end of the line, not along the line. So enticements like steam, vintage luxury, entertainment, service, convenience, a means of getting to the canyon, these are the reasons to ride.
03:22 The regularly scheduled train arrives at Grand Canyon National Park.
03:53 Our doubleheading steam special is behind the Grand Canyon Limited.
06:48 The purpose of any and all travel to the canyon is to enjoy its grand beauty. I walk and film between two overlooks along Hermits Rest road and path. Free bus every 15 minutes. No cars. Bikes, hikers and park busses. Great scenery and quiet.
07:20 Grand Canyon RY train departs.
07:33 A single Amtrak engine moves the train. Two Amtrak engines are assigned to the train. Siding lengths reduce the trip to canyon to one Amtrak engine. One engine is not enough oomph for the train. The engine stalls and slips. Traction motors smoke. Three tries pushing the train into the siding, each run faster than before. Third try is the charm. The Engine clears the switch and the train is not on the ground.
08:10 Our steamers couple onto the train.
09:27 Double header departs Grand Canyon
10:22 3751 & 4960 fly low beside AZ 64.
12:07 Night view of Goliath Forest Fire from Sunset Point on the way home.