Long before paved roads, Grand Canyon hotels and Arizona statehood, the Grand Canyon Railway introduced millions of sightseers to one of North America’s greatest marvels. The Grand Canyon train began its first 60 mile journey, from Williams to the South Rim, in 1901. The Fred Harvey Company and his girls pampered Grand Canyon guests on the Atchison, Topeka & Sante Fe Railway.
     Paved highways and independent travelers brought an end to this train service in 1968. But this nostalgic run was reborn in 1989, thanks to Max Biegert. Today’s management, looking for an eco-friendly replacement for a coal-fired locomotive, decided on a plan to power #4960 and #29 with vegetable oil.
     Pictured here is #29, an ALCO locomotive built in 1906 that's sidelined for the winter. Looking like new, this steam locomotive was restored in 2004, requiring 26,000 man-hours of labor. The SC-3 class engine, weighing in at 185 tons, looks in fantastic shape. Special commemorative steam train runs will be featured again in 2010.