Its counterintuitive. A 100-year-old steam engine still chugs itself to the Grand Canyon and back, and has become a global showcase on how ingenuity can save the past for future generations. The Grand Canyon Railway (GCR) is believed to be the last daily standard gauge U.S. railroad to run steam engines in scheduled regular service – a rare sight and sound to behold.
The Grand Canyon Railway is using recycled waste vegetable oil as fuel on No. 4960, a steam engine built in 1923. On select days now through October 2023, this massive steam engine will pull the daily train running from Williams, AZ to South Rim, Grand Canyon. What saved it from static museum display? Waste vegetable oil (i.e., the oil used for French fries, chicken wings and fried shrimp). While such a diet may not be beneficial to the health of most of us, not only does the century old engine run better because of it, but by using recycled fuel (and captured snow melt for water in the boiler where possible) the great machine has a neutral carbon footprint.
It is estimated that the Grand Canyon Railway, built and running since 1901, reduces the number of cars in the national park to the tune of around 70,000 per year. Now we’re talking many shades of green.
In 2023, the steam train is scheduled to pull trains on President’s Day (February 18), and on Saturdays including March 4, April 1, May 6, June 3, July 1, August 5, September 2, and October 7. The steam engine will also power trains on Earth Day (April 22) and September 16 (GCR’s anniversary). Always check the website because there can be changes due to weather, mechanical or other issues.
The Railway strives to utilize biodegradable lubricants on the steam engines wherever possible. GCR is also the first tourism railway in the US to receive ISO 14001 third-party certification of its environmental management system.
For more information about Grand Canyon Railway, visit thetrain.com
