The combined properties had an annual revenue of nearly $40 million. In March 2006, owners Max and Thelma Biegert announced to the media that they were placing the railroad and its associated restaurants, hotels and amenities up for sale. Therefore, in February 2003, the Grand Canyon Railway purchased three late-1970s F40PH locomotives from Amtrak and placed them into service in 2004. The ALCO FA locomotives lacked the features found in more modern units, such as increased horsepower and dynamic brakes. In 1996, the railway boosted their steam roster by rebuilding a 2-8-2 mikado former Chicago Burlington and Quincy 4960, a locomotive with a long history of excursion service. The new locomotives supplemented the fleet of steam locomotives and allowed the railway to grow into a year-round operation. The fleet consisted of two cab-equipped lead A unit models and two cabless booster B unit models. In the early 1990s, the Grand Canyon Railway purchased a fleet of 1950s-era ALCO FA Diesel-electric locomotives, featuring an iconic "snub nose" design. The first locomotives the railway acquired were a pair of EMD GP7u units from the Santa Fe, as well as four 2-8-0 consolidation steam locomotives formerly operated by the Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad. In conjunction with the startup, the Biegerts were principal investors in the short-lived Farwest Airlines, an air taxi service operating a DHC Dash 7 that was intended to bring tourists from California, Las Vegas and Phoenix to Flagstaff where the passengers would then take the rail line. When they defaulted the Biegerts took over the line. They had loaned money secured by the tracks to another person for the rail line. The Biegerts never intended to get into the rail business. After leaving the crop-dusting business, they operated a for-profit day care business in Houston, Texas, which became the Children's World Learning Center and is now part of KinderCare Learning Centers. The Biegerts, a couple originally from Nebraska, had made their fortune in crop dusting through Biegert Aviation, founded in 1947, which had a large federal government contract for its B-17 and later C-54 fleet. The first run of the restored railroad was on September 17, 1989, commemorating the September 17 debut of the original railroad. The railway was restored and in 1989 began operations as a separate company, independent of the Santa Fe. In 1988, the line was bought by Max and Thelma Biegert. Steam locomotives GCRX in a rare joint appearance at Grand Canyon Depot, 2005. In addition, two other companies attempted to resurrect the line in 19, with each attempt helping to maintain interest in preserving the line and saving it from scrapping. Plans by entertainer Arthur Godfrey to resume service in 1977 fell through. El Tovar opened its doors in January 1905Ĭompetition with the automobile forced the Santa Fe to cease operation of the Grand Canyon Railway in July 1968 (only three passengers were on the last run), although Santa Fe continued to use the tracks for freight until 1974. To accommodate travelers, the Santa Fe designed and built the El Tovar Hotel, located just 20 feet (6.1 meters) from the Canyon Rim. The 64-mile (103-kilometer) long trip cost $3.95, and naturalist John Muir later commended the railroad for its limited environmental impact. The first scheduled train to carry paying passengers of the Grand Canyon Railway arrived from Williams on September 17 of that year. In 1901, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway completed a branch line from Williams to Grand Canyon Village at the South Rim. The entire Grand Canyon Railway has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing the contribution the train has made to the history of the United States. Today, the railroad carries hundreds of passengers to and from the canyon every day and operates year-round. Private investors purchased the line in 1988, restored the facilities, and started running passenger trains again on September 17, 1989. Declining ridership due to the popularity of the automobile led the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway to cease passenger service of the Grand Canyon Railway in July 1968 and freight service on the line ended in 1974. The arrival of trains led increased tourism to the area, and the railway company was instrumental in the creation of the Grand Canyon Village to serve guests. The 64-mile (103 km) railroad, built by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, was completed on September 17, 1901. The Grand Canyon Railway ( reporting mark GCRX) is a heritage railroad which carries passengers between Williams, Arizona, and the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
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