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Grand Canyon Railway running steam-powered excursions on select dates in 2024
Tarah Chieffi
Senior writer
As a senior writer for TPG, Tarah Chieffi helps readers travel better, more often and within their budget.
Feb. 26, 2024
•
3 min read
Grand Canyon Railway running steam-powered excursions on select dates in 2024
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Steam locomotives were a widely used means of transportation in 19th-century America, but we've mostly moved on to more efficient (and less sooty) ways to get from one place to another.
Of the more than 30,000 steam engines that were built in the U.S., fewer than 200 still exist today. Even fewer are still in operation as passenger trains.
Related: How to plan your 1st visit to a national park
One of the last places in the U.S. where you can experience a classic, leisurely ride on a train pulled by a steam locomotive is onboard the Grand Canyon Railway.
On Feb. 23, the Grand Canyon Railway announced that it will once again run its 1923 steam engine for the 2024 season. No longer fueled by coal, steam engine GCR No. 4690 is now powered by nearly carbon-neutral waste vegetable oil and snowmelt. The railway even sometimes refers to No. 4690 as the "French Fry Express."
Steam locomotive excursions are planned for the first Saturday of the month between March and October on what is called Steam Saturdays. The steam engine will pull only the 9:30 a.m. train on each of these dates. The full schedule for the 2024 season is as follows:
- March 2
- April 6
- April 20
- May 4
- June 1
- July 6
- August 3
- August 12
- September 7
- September 21
- October 5
The Grand Canyon Railway is celebrating some special milestones on several dates. No. 4960's birthday is Aug. 12, and the anniversary of the Grand Canyon Railway is Sept. 21.
There is no additional cost to ride the train when the steam locomotive is in service. Ticket prices start at around $70 round trip for adults and $36 round trip for children ages 2 through 15. Discounts are available for guests with a National Park Service Park Pass and AAA members. Vacation packages that include a Grand Canyon Railway Hotel stay are also available.
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The Grand Canyon Railway takes riders on a full-day journey to the Grand Canyon and back. The train leaves Williams, Arizona, at 9:30 a.m. and arrives at the Historic Village on the Grand Canyon's South Rim around 11:45 a.m.
From there, you'll have about three hours to explore the Grand Canyon before the train departs at 3:30 p.m. You'll return to Williams at 5:45 p.m. If you want to spend a few nights in the Grand Canyon before returning to Williams, you can book different departure and return dates.
Related: 4 great scenic train rides across the US
If you love scenic train rides or you are looking for a unique way to see the Grand Canyon, take a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway.
If you want to secure your spot on a real, working steam train journey, you can reserve your tickets online or by calling 1-800-THE-TRAIN (1-800-843-8724).
Related reading:
Featured image by GRAND CANYON RAILWAY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
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- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.