Grand Canyon Railway recently announced that No. 4960, the beloved steam engine, will mark its 100th birthday by pulling the regular scheduled passenger train from Williams to South Rim, Grand Canyon on select dates throughout the summer and fall. Rail enthusiasts and visitors of all ages are in for a treat as they witness this iconic locomotive in action. To commemorate the milestone, a special birthday celebration will be held for No. 4960 on August 12 in Williams, AZ.
The Birthday Party Event
On August 12, Grand Canyon Railway will host a lively birthday party to honor No. 4960. The celebration will feature a lineup of exciting events and activities, including a book signing by Aaron Johnson, author of the popular children’s book series “National Park Mysteries,” which includes a story set at the Grand Canyon. The first 100 ticketed children will receive a complimentary copy of the book. Williams Mayor Don Dent will also make an official proclamation before the train, pulled by No. 4960, departs for Grand Canyon National Park. During the layover at the Grand Canyon Depot, special displays and demonstrations will be available for guests to enjoy. As the train returns to Williams, all ticketed passengers will receive a complimentary piece of commemorative house-made fudge. The day will conclude with a warm welcome from the Pipes & Drums as No. 4960 arrives back in Williams.
“The French Fry Express”
No. 4960 has gained fame for running on waste vegetable oil, often used for cooking french fries, as well as harvested snow melt. This unique fuel source not only allows the century-old engine to run efficiently but also ensures a neutral carbon footprint. Grand Canyon Railway takes pride in its commitment to the environment and is the first tourism railway in the U.S. to receive ISO 14001 third-party certification for its environmental management system. The railway’s efforts contribute to reducing the number of cars in the national park by approximately 70,000 per year.
No. 4960: A Historic Locomotive
Built in 1923 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia for the ex-CB&Q (Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad), No. 4960 has a rich history. In the late 1950s, it was chosen to pull “fan trip” trains on the railroad until the end of the steam excursion program in 1966. Grand Canyon Railway acquired the locomotive in 1989, and since 1996, after an extensive rebuild and conversion to run on waste vegetable oil, it has been in active service.
To learn more about No. 4960, the birthday festivities on August 12, additional scheduled runs, and to book tickets for the Grand Canyon Railway experience, please visit thetrain.com or call 1-800-843-8724.
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