If I keep my job, this summer I am hoping to drive from St Louis (actually we start in Champaign Il) to the Grand Canyon. Now I know that is a blooming long way but does anyone have any recommendations of places to go that fall broadly in between so I can begin to start planning the route in a bit of detail. I would particularly be interested in shortlines and regionals where I could still see older locos, shorter trains and a bit of switching. Or what about camp sites or tourist spots next to busy lines to get some rail fanning while the family chill? Any ideas gratefully accepted. Phil
Here is your route, I44 to the I40 to Williams, Board the Grand Canyon Railway...should be an easy 2-3 day drive. There are no trains right off of this route until Tucumcari,New Mexico. This is where the SP met the Rock Island, the station still stands, and I think that the Borg still runs there. In Arizona, you have a lot more options. The BNSF main follows the 40 real well. Flagstaff is 20 miles from Williams, and there is a 2-8-2 and a 2-6-6-2, as well as a busy main. The last time I was in Winslow (taking it easy of course), I saw a working turntable. I know that the BNSFstill has one in Phoenix, so it might still be there. Also, the Apache (APA) connects with the BNSF at Holbrook down to Snowflake. This is an Alco lover's dream. They tend to run 4 C420/C424's together. I really need to drive up there one of these days. Now for the off the beaten path, but worth it items...North of the 40 is the Black Mesa and Lake Powell Railroad, they only run E60CF's and E60C-2's (ex NdeM) electric locos, it is a private railroad that runs coal to a power plant. Just remember, it is on the Navajo Nation, and trespassing laws are a lot different than what we are used to. DO NOT STEP OFF OF THE ROAD'S SHOULDER. a large amount of the road is near US160 between Cow Springs and Tsegi. They tend to run 3 round trips a day. The Arizona Central Railroad is a a VERY seanic tourist line out of Clarkdale, about an hour south of Williams, near the historic mining town of Jerome, they use a pair of FP7's for passenger power, and have a pair of GP's for freight. Take time to stop in Sedona on the way and take a Pink Jeep tour to see the red rocks.
Thanks Bremner. I have also been doing some web searching and found that we will be passing Farmrail at Clinton Oklahoma - seems to have some GP10s - which I would love to see and hear. Any other suggestions gratefully received! Phil
