Steam Saturday

One of our main interests is photographing history, which includes ghost towns, cowboys, and all things rusty. When thinking of history, especially in the West, steam locomotives are at the top of the list. There’s no better way to experience a live steam locomotive than by visiting the Grand Canyon Railway during one of their Steam Saturdays.

A Journey Through Time with #4960

For train enthusiasts, history buffs, and nature lovers alike, there’s something truly magical about experiencing the Grand Canyon Railway’s Steam Saturday. On select Saturdays, the railway brings history to life by running its iconic steam locomotive #4960, a 2-8-2 "Mikado" built in 1923, on a breathtaking journey from Williams, Arizona, to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. This event offers passengers a rare opportunity to step back in time and experience rail travel as it was a century ago.

4960 Departing The Grand CanyonBuilt in 1923 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, #4960 originally served the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad before finding its home at the Grand Canyon Railway. Over the years, this beautifully restored 2-8-2 Mikado has become a symbol of classic railroading. Thanks to dedicated preservation efforts, #4960 was converted to run on waste vegetable oil, making it one of the most environmentally friendly steam locomotives in operation today.

During Steam Saturday, visitors can witness the mighty locomotive in action, pulling historic railcars through the scenic landscapes of northern Arizona, from the ponderosa pine forests of Williams to the rugged high desert leading up to the Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon Rail Yard at Night

This photograph captures the rail yard across the street from the depot in Williams, Arizona. The Grand Canyon Railway illuminates the cars at night, and the mercury vapor lights in the yard create a beautiful night scene.

Grand Canyon Rail Yard at Night

The image features the Chief, the Grand Canyon Railways premiere parlor car, that offers amazing views from the rear of the train. 

The Chief was built in 1947 for use on the Atlantic Coast, running between New York and Miami. It was retired in the early 1980s and stored for years. A private investor bought it and moved it to San Antonio. After a $250,000 refurbishment, it began service for the Texas Southern Dinner Train from 1989 to 1991.

After 1991, it served as a dinner car for charter in Mexico until it was seized by the Mexican government in 1993. After a long legal battle, the car was returned to the U.S.-Mexico border in 1994. The Union Pacific picked it up for delivery to San Antonio, but the car was lost along the way. Later that year, it was found in New Orleans and was damaged in a rear-end collision on the journey back to San Antonio. The owner stored it before selling it in 1999. The next owner added an observation platform for $95,000 to fix the collision damage, but they chose to sell the car before completing the restoration. Grand Canyon Railway acquired the car in 2002 and put it into service as The Chief in October of that year.

Experience the Magic of Steam Saturday

Final Thoughts

There’s something undeniably special about steam locomotives—their raw power, rhythmic chuffing, and billowing steam evoke a sense of nostalgia that few other machines can match. Grand Canyon Railway’s Steam Saturday featuring #4960 is not just a train ride; it’s a living piece of history that continues to captivate new generations of travelers and photographers alike.

So whether you’re capturing the stunning nighttime rail yard scene or enjoying the daytime excursion to the Grand Canyon, Steam Saturday is an experience you won’t want to miss.

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About the author: Keith Peters is a co-owner of T&K Images.

We are a husband-and-wife team whose passion is exploring our world, looking for the perfect light to show you this incredible place we call Earth.

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