New train ride in Grand Canyon National Park

Want to take a train from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon?

Well, it’s a bit of a step back in time.

The Coconino Canyon Train — a 90-minute train ride that originates in Grand Canyon National Park and travels on tracks built in the 1800s — quietly started service Monday. About 75 visitors took a spin that day to see some of the rugged Southwest landscape, a spokeswoman said.

The route starts at the Grand Canyon Depot, which turns 100 this year, and travels through Ponderosa pines during the short out-and-back journey in a historic Pullman car.

The first tourist train ride was offered in 1901 at $3.95 per person from Williams, Arizona, to the Grand Canyon — a lot cheaper than the $15 per person round-trip stagecoach ride.

Today, the Coconino train costs $35 for adults, $20 for children 2 through 12 and is free for kids younger than 2. The ride leaves at 5 and 7 p.m. daily through Sept. 1.

To make a reservation, call (888) 297-2757, swing by one of the lodges or click here.

– Mary Forgione, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

[Photos: Xanterra Parks & Resorts]

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This entry was posted on Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 1:03 pm by Mary Forgione and is filed under Arizona, Family & Kids, National Parks, Rail Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.