Rail travel popular again in the U.S.
Speaking of light rail and trains, train travel made a comeback in popularity in 2008, according to an article in World Hum, a travel publication that speaks to
the global world. The author indicated it had to do with our carbon footprint, that train travel makes less of a dent than other forms of travel.
I think train travel is about to get more attention this month in the United States. If you haven’t heard this already, President-elect Barack Obama is expected to ride into Washington D.C., for his inauguration on a train.
Retracing the journey from Philadelphia to D.C. that Abraham Lincoln took for his swearing-in, Obama will pick up his running mate, the Vice-president elect Joe Biden, in Delaware on the way and ride by train into the nation’s capital. I think the publicity this event receives is going to spur even more interest in train travel, even if it’s indirect. Who isn’t going to be glued to the TV to watch this?
If you want to recession-proof and, and at the same time, green your travel plans, maybe a train ride is in your future. If it happens to be in Arizona, here are a few options:
Copper Spike Train Excursion New via the Arizona Eastern Railway, the hour-long ride through copper mines and ranch land to the San Carlos Apache Reservation’s Apache Gold Casino Resort is a 15-mile round-trip. It leaves the historic Southern Pacific Train Depot in downtown Globe four times daily when operating. Food service may be available soon. TIP: You can ride round-trip without getting out at the casino, or you can explore the area and a ride a later train back to Globe. Ask about this when you order your tickets. Call toll-free: 1-866-979-7245.
The Grand Canyon Railway The train departs from the historic depot in Williams, where you can tour the museum and participate in other tourist-type events. The train only goes one place–to the south rim of the Grand Canyon, and back. While the ride is not as scenic as the Verde Canyon’s (mentioned below), the prize is waiting at the final destination where you can do the walking tour at the rim of the Grand Canyon and visit historic buildings from the early 1900s. The ride includes on-train musical entertainment. Food available on board. TIP: Plan to stay overnight at the historic depot’s Fray Marcos hotel in Williams and do the historic walking tour downtown. Visit: www.thetrain.com.
Verde Canyon Railroad In Clarkdale, this tour by rail takes you along the course of the Verde River, through canyons, and onto the ghost ranch at Perkinsville, where the train’s engine turns around for the ride back. Special adult and family packages provide unique opportunities to see Arizona’s “other Grand Canyon.” A museum and gift shop at the depot offers food and more ways to experience rail life. Food available on board. TIP: Opt for the first class tickets. Visit: www.verdecanyonrr.com.
(Photo used with permission by Jackie Dishner.)
| Related posts: |
Phoenix, AZ
January 2nd, 2009 at 11:23 am
I love this! I think CA’s efforts to build high speed rail will create a ripple effect in this part of the country in terms of connecting major metropolitan areas by rail. My family lives in SoCal. I tried taking the train back here to Phoenix after a visit home. I can’t believe the only way from LA or OC to PHX is through Flagstaff! And even then, you have to take a bus to Phoenix!
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Was that the Amtrak you took? I forgot to list that one: http://tinyurl.com/6ezrsd.
It could be a fun ride, if you don’t mind the bus ride from Phoenix, or if you can hitch a ride from friends in Flagstaff and leave your car with them.
The entire train ride on Amtrak’s Southwest Chief runs from Chicago to Los Angeles, and parallels Route 66, as I understand it. Stops in Arizona include Winslow, Flagstaff, Williams and Kingman. I’ve thought about going from Kingman to Albuquerque and back. You could stop in Winslow and stay at the historic La Posada hotel, because the train stops there. I think that would be fun.
We’ll see where this goes, right.
Jackie