A Perfect Day Trip on the Rails | GRAND CANYON RAILWAY | Pullman and Coach Class Experiences

Today's adventure was one we've been wanting to do for a long time... The Grand Canyon Railway!
▬▬ C A C T U S A T L A S . C O M ▬▬
⚪ Read our review - www.cactusatlas.com/adventure...
⚪ Get more information - www.cactusatlas.com/informati...
We took two different classes of cars on our journey - the Pullman car and the Coach car - and give our thoughts on each. We also see how much of the South Rim one can see on a self-guided tour in the time provided between the train ride to and from the Grand Canyon when doing a day trip.
The Grand Canyon Railway provides a unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience when visiting one of the number one bucket list destinations in the world - the Grand Canyon.
Dating back to 1901, the Grand Canyon Railway has been making trips to the Grand Canyon carrying such guests as Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D Roosevelt, Clark Gable, Doris Day, and Bill Gates.
History of the Grand Canyon Railway - www.thetrain.com/the-train/hi...
The 65 miles of track from Williams, AZ to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon runs daily and takes 2 hrs and 15 mins. During this time you have access to a snack car, friendly passenger assistants providing interesting historical facts about the railway and areas, musical entertainments, and even some cowboy hijinks!
The Grand Canyon Railway offers various classes of cars to ride in - ranging from a historical 1923 Pullman Class car with bench-style seats and windows that open to let in fresh air to the Luxury Parlor car with a private bar and rear platform you can step out on!
Info on Classes - www.thetrain.com/the-train/cl...
Once you reach the Grand Canyon, you have roughly 3 1/2 hours to tour the South Rim if returning the same day. The South Rim offers free shuttle buses that can take you on one of four different routes to various destinations. In addition, the Grand Canyon Railway has partnered with various tour providers so you can make the most of your time at the Grand Canyon. If time is not a factor, stay at one of the various lodgings located in the Grand Canyon National Park, such as the historic El Tovar Hotel, and return a different day via the Grand Canyon Railway!
Information about shuttles - www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisi...
Grand Canyon Tours - www.thetrain.com/plan/grand-c...
Lodging @ the Grand Canyon National Park - www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisi...
We hope you enjoy this video as much as we did making it! The Grand Canyon is not to be missed and there's really no better way to add on to the experience than taking a step back in history by traveling by railway!
VIDEO FILMED: 08/20/2019
▬▬ R E L A T E D V I D E O S ▬▬
⚪ Hike To Bottom of Grand Canyon and Back in One Day | Cross Over to North Side/ Phantom Ranch | 2004 - • Hike To Bottom of Gran...
▬▬ L O C A T I O N I N F O ▬▬
⚪ Grand Canyon Railway - www.thetrain.com/
⚪ Directions to Grand Canyon Railway - goo.gl/maps/fRgbwyKNp6pfGnt28
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Welcome to the Cactus Atlas! We are Glenn and Amy and invite you to join us as we visit all sorts of locations across the American West. We tour both natural and man-made attractions.
Our base of operations is in the Phoenix, AZ area. We do a lot of hiking and day trips as well as campground reviews, and hope that we will be a great resource if you are planning a trip to the American West. We also hope to delight you with our exciting adventures!

Пікірлер: 91

  • @tessariffle9483
    @tessariffle94832 жыл бұрын

    Hi I’m the attendant that was running the Pullman car on this day! This was so cool to see what you see as a passenger and to see the workplace I fell in love with again! So cool! The train is the optimal option of getting the best experience out of your trip to the Grand Canyon. Especially for out of state/country folks!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    2 жыл бұрын

    Why hi there! So glad you found us! That day actually was one of our favorite experiences we've had since starting our little adventure here on KZread and 100% agree with you about the train being the best experience especially if paired with a stay at the canyon. Still hoping to check that one off our list one day in addition to experiencing the other class cars but we think we'll still be partial to that Pullman. Something about the history of that car... 🤩 Thanks for stopping by and commenting. 😄

  • @richardbeee
    @richardbeee2 ай бұрын

    Choo-choo. 😊 I travel a lot by train. Six times from Kingman to Chicago. Love it.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    2 ай бұрын

    So cool! Always wanted to do a longer distance train trip. Longest I did was from London to Paris which is only a couple hours.

  • @GiovannyTornell-yn9gv
    @GiovannyTornell-yn9gv Жыл бұрын

    I Love Grand Cayman Arizona and the other Canyon

  • @joywyse6996
    @joywyse69968 ай бұрын

    Thanks Glenn and Amy. This is a beautiful train ride and fun too. I've been to the GC but not since 2009. I want to return. Never seen it in the wintertime and want to do that.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    8 ай бұрын

    The train is completely fun and highly recommended. We, too, still need to see the Grand Canyon in winter with some snow.

  • @IronHorsefan1869
    @IronHorsefan18693 жыл бұрын

    Great Video! that steam locomotive is actually a Northern Pacific Locomotive that was recently moved back to my home state of Washington, and the diesels pulling the train you were on are former Amtrak F40 locomotives, I'm also a desert and train enthusiast

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yup. Once a month (plus Earth day and the railway's anniversary) they take the steam engines out.

  • @Zackman217
    @Zackman2174 жыл бұрын

    I think it was 2006 or 2007 that I went to the Grand Canyon for the first time. It's an amazing trip, especially the train ride. There's a lot of entertainment to keep you in the mood as you journey up to the south rim of the canyon, the train robbery is the one that really gets you excited, it's like you're now part of an old western movie or TV show. If I go back to Arizona just to visit the Grand Canyon again I would definitely do that.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    4 жыл бұрын

    Exactly! Couldn't have stated it better. Those reasons are why I'm itching to go back again too (and maybe try to sit on the side the robbers ride up on). 😋

  • @RishiDevanoor
    @RishiDevanoor2 жыл бұрын

    thank you for the pullman vs coach car details,. appreciate the specifics here.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    2 жыл бұрын

    No problem! We were curious about the differences ourselves so set out to see. Hoping one day to cover the other classes as well. One day! 😄

  • @anabriones2175
    @anabriones21752 жыл бұрын

    Love it! Your video was informative!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much! We love hearing that! 😄

  • @timbreedlove1385
    @timbreedlove1385 Жыл бұрын

    Fantastic video thanks so much will be there soon for my first experience of the grand canyon.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Hope you enjoy your time there! 😄

  • @whiterationalism4253
    @whiterationalism42533 жыл бұрын

    This was fantastic. Better than Rick Steves...you really did a great job. Thanks for sharing this..now I want to go.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    3 жыл бұрын

    Oh gosh! Thanks so much for the compliment! We're glad you enjoyed our video! 😄

  • @brettweary8491
    @brettweary84912 жыл бұрын

    We Miss-the Beard from Your Far West Cemetery Trip

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    2 жыл бұрын

    😄 Glenn's beard comes and goes throughout our videos.

  • @melissamiles788
    @melissamiles7883 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the information you provided. We booked a package with the grand canyon railway hotel. 2 nights in Williams with a stay in the park in the middle. We booked the first train car you rode in. Looking forward to our visit even more after watching your video. Thank you!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad our video was helpful! Sounds like a wonderful trip! 😊

  • @k-grannysophia3994
    @k-grannysophia39943 жыл бұрын

    Grand Canyon by train ? sounds more exciting. I was there in 1992. Whewww.... nearly 30 years ago.. I was rather young like you..... time flies .

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    3 жыл бұрын

    Grand Canyon by train is definitely a completely different experience. We loved it! 👍

  • @UPES2018
    @UPES20183 жыл бұрын

    I was just over there, they run steam once a month on a Saturday.

  • @74beeper97
    @74beeper973 жыл бұрын

    Great review! I just booked a 2 night stay at the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel for next month. Looking forward to the train ride. My 3 year old boy is a train FANATIC and this will be his first real train ride. Really excited! Thanks for all the information. It was a big help!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad to hear and happy to help! Your son is going to LOVE the ride. It's honestly such fun! 😄

  • @TonniMojumdar
    @TonniMojumdar3 жыл бұрын

    Nice upload Big like

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Cheers!

  • @maddrake3559
    @maddrake35593 жыл бұрын

    Wow! What a very informative video. I just booked my annual trip with grandkids for the three night experience. I didn't even know what to expect. I'm a native Tucsonan, and shockingly, I've never been to the Grand Canyon. I'm so excited now to do this. Great video!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    3 жыл бұрын

    Oh wow! You're all in for a treat then! Sounds like it's going to be a memorable trip and we wish you a fantastic journey. 😄 Thanks so much for watching and the kind comment.

  • @LONDONCITYWALK
    @LONDONCITYWALK3 жыл бұрын

    Very nice video keep it up watching from London stay connected new friend here

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much!

  • @LivingtheSilverLife
    @LivingtheSilverLife4 жыл бұрын

    Love it. Great footage of your train ride and very informative. Absolutely loved you old time black and white introduction. 👍🏼

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    4 жыл бұрын

    Why thanks! That was one of our favorite adventures of 2019. Looking forward to going back and doing it again! Thanks for watching!

  • @bechabeemusic915
    @bechabeemusic9153 жыл бұрын

    Wow, I wish I can come there one day 😍👏👍🙂❤️

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    3 жыл бұрын

    I hope so too! It's a fantastic place!

  • @kathleenernst7935
    @kathleenernst79353 жыл бұрын

    Loved your video and especially the suggestion - to change to the a/c car on the return from the Grand Canyon. We are making plans to visit the area in either mid-August or mid-September 2021. Thanks again. Safe Travels!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks! Yes, if you are planning to visit around that time of the year and the train is an activity on your list, definitely recommend an air conditioned car during peak temps. While the Pullman is fun, it was just too warm back there.

  • @ColoradoMartini
    @ColoradoMartini4 жыл бұрын

    That intro is fabulous. My mom use to love that train. Have you ever done the one in Durango. It is expensive, but so worth it. Spend the money and get first class. You will be glad you did. I do historical travel video myself. Glad we found you.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much! No, the Grand Canyon Railway is the only train trip we've taken and Colorado is a state we haven't managed to get to just yet. One day!

  • @BNSF36542

    @BNSF36542

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@CactusAtlas Thanks for showing part of the cafe car. I saw the Lay's Chips, but I couldn't tell if there were any candy bars onboard for purchase.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    3 жыл бұрын

    No problem! It's been a while since we went and I can't really remember every item they had. For some reason I don't remember candy sticking out. Mostly just snacks and beverages.

  • @BNSF36542

    @BNSF36542

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@CactusAtlas Well I'm going to try to do something that would make the cafe car even better even some of the concessions in the first class, dome class, or even the luxury parlor. But that's not going to be until 2022.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    3 жыл бұрын

    I hear you. We'd love to experience those class cars too but it might be a while before we feel comfortable. One day! 😄

  • @Sukyayu1116
    @Sukyayu11163 жыл бұрын

    thanks for this video! It helps a lot on the trip planning!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    3 жыл бұрын

    You're so welcome! Glad you found it helpful. 😄

  • @TravelSzN
    @TravelSzN4 жыл бұрын

    wow that looks so beautiful, thanks for sharing your amazing footage! new friend here!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much! Glad that you enjoyed the video. It was definitely one of our favorites. 😊

  • @AdCosmo
    @AdCosmo3 жыл бұрын

    Amazing video. I searched for "pullman" to find out about it, and you cover almost everything about the trip.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    3 жыл бұрын

    Nice! Glad our video was helpful! 😄

  • @citycam1565
    @citycam15654 жыл бұрын

    superb trip

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    4 жыл бұрын

    Yes it was! Thanks for watching!

  • @PopleBackyardFarm
    @PopleBackyardFarm3 жыл бұрын

    I love trains it's been awhile since I got to ride one

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yeah, that trip was my first time. Was so much fun. Look forward to doing that again sometime.

  • @ridered7262
    @ridered72623 жыл бұрын

    Nice video, Wife and I did this a couple years ago. Definitely a nice fun ride and something different to do. Thanks for the video! We did it in the winter so alot cooler temp and not nearly as many people.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    3 жыл бұрын

    It truly is a different way to do things and an experience we'd love to do again. Might have to try winter! Thanks for the comment and watching! 😃

  • @ridered7262

    @ridered7262

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@CactusAtlas Thank you, Nice to run up the hill and get out of the valley for the day.

  • @Slurrpee
    @Slurrpee3 жыл бұрын

    excellent vid!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much!

  • @kathleenernst7935
    @kathleenernst79353 жыл бұрын

    All booked for the GCRR for late September - can't wait. Able to snag a date - one which I had not planned on - but rearranged our itinerary and all is good right now. Question? We are heading over to Williams from Flagstaff early in the a.m. the day of. There is a parking area to leave our vehicle for the day? Thanks again. Happy Trails! PS - my Dad worked for AT & SF (NYC offices) and going to were my SF hat!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    3 жыл бұрын

    Awesome! You're going to have a fantastic time. They really do an excellent job in keeping guests entertained we think. As for parking... oh yes! Plenty of parking is available right next to the depot & hotel in Williams. When we went we had time to grab breakfast in Williams and still find plentiful parking in the lot.

  • @PanhandleHopper
    @PanhandleHopper4 жыл бұрын

    Great video. Thanks for taking us along on your trip. Other than towards the end, did you get any views of the canyon during the train ride, or was it all the wide open landscape?

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching and your comment! 😊 No, unfortunately other than the fleeting view of the canyon from the train as it is slowing down to arrive at the Grand Canyon Railway Station, there aren't any views of it during the ride. It really is mostly open landscape and a few areas of regional trees.

  • @MAnuscript421
    @MAnuscript4212 жыл бұрын

    Going to the Grand Canyon has always been on my bucket list. Taking a train ride there adds a new level of awesomeness to the trip and makes it more unique. How long is the train ride from Williams to the Grand Canyon?

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    2 жыл бұрын

    It really enhances the experience we think. Just over two hours.

  • @GratefulOverlander
    @GratefulOverlander Жыл бұрын

    👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸

  • @anneregh3592
    @anneregh35923 жыл бұрын

    Bighorn Sheep. not a Mountain Goat. Nice Video!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much for the comment! Glad you enjoyed it. 😊 Someone else pointed that error out as well. LOL. Unfortunately we can't edit the video or go back in time to correct what we said. If only we could! 😅

  • @md8744
    @md87442 жыл бұрын

    Hi Sir. I am from California so where we are going to stay in to get that train tour easier, hotels too? Thank you.

  • @cherrymaldonado4516

    @cherrymaldonado4516

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hi, I'm from CA as well. We stayed in Williams where the train depot is located.

  • @cacatr4495
    @cacatr44953 жыл бұрын

    09:58 That's a Bighorn Sheep Ewe (not a "mountain goat".) Bighorn Sheep live in areas of Arizona that are amazing for them to traverse. They're not mountain goats.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    3 жыл бұрын

    Ah. Thank you. Hard to get words right when you're in the moment.

  • @MonacoMike
    @MonacoMike4 жыл бұрын

    Would you recommend sitting on one particular side of the train riding up and then back? Is there a charge for riding the shuttles around inside of the park?

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    4 жыл бұрын

    No charge for shuttles in the park. As for the best side, for the most part, not much difference in scenery on either side of the train. A couple exceptions might be: on the trip to the canyon, if you are the left, you will briefly see the canyon for a few seconds when you arrive. See 6:57. On the way back, there is a mock train robbery. The robbers appeared on horseback on the left side of the train. Finally, on to trip to the canyon, the San Francisco peaks of Flagstaff are visible to your right, and on the return trip to the left. So if I had it to do all over again, I would choose the left side on the ride back from the canyon, and on the way up, if I had to choose, the left again for that brief glimpse of the canyon you get, but other than that, it doesn’t matter too much.

  • @MonacoMike

    @MonacoMike

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@CactusAtlas Many thanks for the reply. We'll be traveling in a 45' Class A and had also thought about staying in the campground in the park but I think it might be to tight for us to get into. Is there only one train that makes one trip a day? I didn't know whether or not if we stayed in the park if it would be possible to take a train ride into Wilson and back in a day.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    4 жыл бұрын

    I believe there is only one train a day. Departs Williams in the morning. The train ride is a little over 2 hours one way. Then, a few hours later, the train leaves the canyon and heads back to Williams about mid afternoon. They do have packages for staying overnight at the canyon. But, I am not sure they have something where you can do it in reverse (canyon to Williams and back again). If they do, you would be departing the canyon in the afternoon, would need to spend the night in Williams, and then return the next morning.

  • @MonacoMike

    @MonacoMike

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@CactusAtlas Tnx. I guess I suspected that. Does the train turn around or go backwards when returning?

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    4 жыл бұрын

    Funny you ask. My wife and I had a friendly debate about that before the return trip. She thought it would go backwards and I thought it would go forwards. They actually do turn it around somehow and I never conceptualized how they actually do that. Pretty neat though!

  • @gstiles7
    @gstiles74 жыл бұрын

    oh you meant the big red caboose, I thought you were talking about the butt shot Amy got while you were walking :)

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    4 жыл бұрын

    Lol! Actually, that is in fact what she meant. Glad you caught on to that! 😉

  • @AADHIRAINTERIORS1908
    @AADHIRAINTERIORS19083 жыл бұрын

    💖💖💖hey friend...realy superb video...💖💖💖you always give your best...keep grow...my frd...stay connect my frd...travel with💖💖💖 AIG DESIGNERS family..💖💖💖.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much!

  • @realestateconsultant
    @realestateconsultant4 жыл бұрын

    What happened to the cowboys, bandits and entertainment?

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    4 жыл бұрын

    The entertainment is woven throughout the experience. Prior to boarding the train in Williams, there is a little comedic shoot out that the passengers get to watch. They then accompany guests up to the Grand Canyon where on the return trip they "hold up" the train. Essentially the train slows down so they can board and "rob" (get tips). As for the bandits... Not really sure if the Sheriff ever caught them 😉 but they did all wish us well when the day was over. It really makes for a fun experience I thought! Much more of an experience than just a train ride.

  • @thepittsburghpirate
    @thepittsburghpirate2 жыл бұрын

    This was a good video, except that the camera technique was bad. The camera was way too close to his face and distracted me to the point that I almost stopped watching.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for your valuable input. However, if you notice, this video is almost 3 years old. We've changed cameras several times, have improved our filming, and have put out plenty more videos since then for you to peruse. 😊