The very first tracks were put down over 100 years ago to transport local workers and ore mined from the surrounding jerome mountains and are still in use today. The wonders of sedona and the grand canyon are well known, but few visit these locales via scenic and historic railway. When planning your sedona vacation, add to the beauty of the area by taking a ride on our worldfamous train. Experience the wonders of sedona and the grand canyon via two historic railways as you join experts to learn about the local history, culture and charm of these iconic landscapes. They are on the verde canyon railroad in cottonwood arizona on a classic railroad ride.
The verde canyon railroad has its depot, headquarters, and a railway museum in clarkdale, about 25 miles southwest of sedona. The verde canyon railroad is a heritage railroad running between clarkdale and perkinsville in the u. Enjoy the historic surroundings, learn about the sedona area railroad history, grab a. The fourhour excursion requires no laborious effort or. According to the history of the mine and railroad in the john bell museum a room adjoining the gift shop the original owner of mine, smelter, and railroad was such a rightwing conservative that, refusing to work for a democrat, he shut down everything and eventually moved to canada after fdr became. Things to do near verde canyon railroad on tripadvisor. Below, youll see the route youll need to travel to get to the train from sedona. Postcardperfect scenery is only part of the magic of verde canyon railroad. Its now where a railroad museum should be inside a renovated boxcar. His writings on historical geography and the railroads of northern arizona. The verde canyon railroad is a heritage railroad running between clarkdale and perkinsville in northcentral arizona.
The verde canyon railroad offers the natural splendor of verde canyon. Verde canyon railroads southwesternstyle depot, grounds and museum located in an old boxcar are open daily. You can spend a laidback day checking out the sights and exploring the area. Outside, storyboards trace the history of the verde canyon railroad line, and a memorabilia shop carries local art and books.
It took 250 men using 200 mules, picks and shovels and lots of. Verde canyon railroad train ride in clarkdale arizona. The passenger excursion line operates on 20 miles 32 km of tracks of the clarkdale arizona central railroad azcr, a shortline. Hop aboard the verde canyon railroad for a 4hour rail journey through the untouched and unspoiled verde valley. The verde canyon railroad formerly the verde valley railroad, operated by the santa fe, prescott and phoenix railroad, was financed by senator william a.
The john bell railroad museum at verde canyon railroad in clarkdale has been moved and expanded. The 10 best things to do near verde canyon railroad, clarkdale. On the verde canyon railroad passengers have a unique opportunity to view sinagua indian ruins, a monocline fold, pass through a 680 ft. We would be happy to help you plan your canyon expedition. Verde canyon railroad train, sedona arizona alltrips.
Don strack has been researching the railroads and mining in bingham canyon for over 35 years, assembling a large library of information and images. Welcome to railsnw train tours, train vacations, train. Filming for great scenic railway journeys 78 photos and 2 videos 191 views. In consideration of the recent virus outbreak additional sanitizers and disinfectants have been added to each train car, restrooms and food prep areas. Verde canyon railroad sedona verde valley tourism council. Wind river canyon trains magazine trains news wire. Gerbers the railroad and the canyon is a historical expedition into the events that led to the building of the railroad and its impact on the canyon. Verde valley area, arizona, had a booth that combined both the verde canyon railroad and the blazin m ranch. From the first deadly attempts to run trains through the canyon to the industries that sprouted up alongside its tracks, this story of mans quest to conquer the canyon by train is both. For most people, that means coming in through cottonwood. Train buffs come to the verde valley to catch the 22mile verde canyon railroad, which follows a dramatic route through the verde canyon, the remains of a copper smelter, and much unspoiled desert. Verde canyon railroad clarkdale 2020 all you need to.
I enjoyed talking with teresa propeck of the verde canyon railroad in clarksdale, arizona, and lori mabery of the blazin m ranch in nearby cottonwood, arizona. Tradition meets comfort and adventure with friends for the whole family. Verde canyon railroad is the only excursion train in the southwest which offers every guest two seats for the price of one. The verde canyon railroad has its depot, headquarters, and a railway museum in clarkdale, about 25 miles 40 km southwest of sedona. The verde canyon railroad in clarkdale is just a short distance from sedona. Gloves will continue to be worn when preparing and serving all food products. We show you what it was like to travel in style in the 40s and 50s. The verde canyon railroad tells the story of arizonas rowdy past. This traveling mom recently took a train ride with her family on the verde canyon railroad, and discovered that not only was it a great way to explore some of the beautiful sights that arizona, and verde canyon, have to offer, but it was also very family friendly. A lively river habitat, the lifeline to a variety of wildlife and waterfowl unique railroad structures including the s.
Bear right onto broadway, cross the onelane bridge and park in the designated parking across the street from the depot. Today the train functions as a tourist destination, bringing more than 100,000 passengers in to the verde valley each year. The verde canyon adventure starts at the depot on the north side of clarkdale. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our. So, if you are visiting sedona, or arizona in general i would very much recommend a visit to the verde canyon railroad, especially since you can often witness bald eagles on the journey and it is the only way to see arizonas breathtaking verde canyon.
Delicious snacks and drinks in a comfortable setting as you roll along the river. Verde canyon railroad a southwestern adventure taking passengers through azs backcountry, only accessible from the comfort of this train. Verde canyon railroad clarkdale, arizona blazin m ranch. The verde canyon railroad depot is located a 40 minute drive from sedona at 300 north broadway clarkdale, arizona 86324. What makes the lesson even more compelling is that almost no one comes for the history. The verde canyon railroad travels north from its station in clarkdale 18 miles to its turn around point at perkinsville. This fourhour rail trip takes passengers on a 20mile journey through exciting geology swathed in railroad history. A great overview of images of arizonas longest running nature show, the verde canyon railroad. Booking a verde canyon railway tour is an excellent way to celebrate a special occasion for singles or groups of travelers. For many years the verde canyon railroad in clarkdale has been pleasing arizona residents and visitors with its magnificent views, unique environment, and historical perspective. The train is the perfect venue from which to discover its history and see the canyon, whose intrinsic beauty is. Turn right and continue on main street through old town cottonwood, past the turnoff for tuzigoot national monument until you see a sign on the corner that says verde canyon railroad.
With first class seating, you will enjoy unobstructed views of arizonas geological wonders, wildlife, and archaeological finds of the ancient sinagua people who once lived in the area. Restored f units, natural rock formations, indian cave dwellings, iron trestles, a tunnel and a rare sunshower in the home of the bald eagle. Each season is a new reason to ride the verde canyon railroad while a few features remain constant. He has written 10 books and contributed to an additional five books, all about utah railroads and union pacific. Verde canyon railroad has always practiced a high standard of cleanliness. Most people associate arizona with the grand canyon, and rightfully so. If youre looking for a great place to disconnect from your daily tasks and get your vacation on, arizona central railroad in clarkdale is a prime choice. The train travels through an area that was once rich in mining activity, and even prior to that, was the home of the ancient sinagua people, whose cliff dwellings can still be seen. The railroad is climatecontrolled for a comfortable journey no matter the season. The verde canyon railroad is a tourist railroad operating over exsanta fe trackage in central arizona, near the very popular tourist destination of sedona.
An essential part of the verde canyon railroad journey is time at the depot. The first excursion train of the verde canyon railroad rolled out of the clarkdale depot on november 23, 1990. There is a choice of amtrak trains you can take to the verde canyon railroad at clarkdale, arizona the southwest chief or the sunset limited. They were not seeking a better way of life, but the beauty of a wild rivercarved canyon where eagles nest among high cliffs and wind makes music in the cottonwoods. Verde canyon railroad is a mustdo for families traveling with kids and history buffs. Superior interpretation by onboard staff of the history of the railroad and ancient cultures of the verde valley and flora and fauna of the area. The verde river canyon is a living, natural jewel at the edge of the mogollon rim in central arizona the real beauty of the canyon, its resistance to change, is best experienced while traveling the verde canyon railroad at a gentle speed of about 12 miles per hour. Take a journey through 110 years of history while enjoying climate control, comfortable seating, thoughtful decor and aweinspired scenery. A miracle of engineering, the 38mile line was built in just one year, from 1911 to 1912. Learn more relating to the history of the train on this page.
The verde canyon railroad offers guests a trip through arizonas spectacular. This legendary boutique attraction allows for an uncommon view of a wildlywonderful redrock canyon. An excursion train also runs on the line through verde canyon and is operated by the same owners under the verde canyon railroad. Ho scale special runs page 1 intermountain railway company. A lively river habitat, the lifeline to a variety of wildlife and waterfowl. The verde canyon railroad and the grand canyon railroad were the answers, since both are open year round.
Birthday parties, wedding parties, company retreats or educational tours are events that can be hosted on board. This legendary boutique attraction allows members of groups an uncommon view of a wildlywonderful redrock canyon. As the train passes through a grand canyon, both vantages celebrate incomparable. The train provides a quiet sanctuary as it travels a leisurely four hours from the charming clarkdale depot through the red rock sedona area. Verde valley railroads gives a good overview of what it took to get the ore out of jerome and to take it where it needed to go. Verde canyon railroad built in 1912 to bring copper ore from jerome, az to a copper smelter in clarkdale located 25 miles from sedona. And like sedona the verde canyon has become a popular tourist attraction itself since it began operations in the early 1990s. Technically, the train doesnt turn around, but thats getting ahead of the story. He has also authored or coauthored 33 magazine articles.
This working shortline railroad runs right along the verde river gourge, also known as arizonas other grand canyon. Should one get the opportunity, one should ride the verde canyon train from clarkdale. Showcased everywhere is human history and ageless geology. The railroad carries hundreds of passengers to and from the canyon every day, totaling about 225,000 people per year. The verde canyon railroad is a heritage railroad running between clarkdale and perkinsville. The restored santa fe railway station in williams serves as the southern terminus for the grand canyon railway and the grand canyon depot, owned by the national park service, is the northern terminus for passengers of the line. Enjoy the historic surroundings, learn about the sedona area railroad history, grab a delicious bite to eat with friends, or stop by the gift shop. Some railroad cars are accessible to manual wheelchairs and are equipped with americans with disabilitiescompliant ada restrooms. Verde canyon railroad southwest of sedona in clarkdale. If you want to find things to see and do in the area, you might want to stop in and see out of africa wildlife park and cathedral rock. Dust off your boots and settle in for a spell as you ride behind one of the vintage locomotives of the verde canyon railroad.
Trains magazine offers railroad news, railroad industry insight, commentary on todays freight railroads, passenger service amtrak, locomotive technology, railroad preservation and history, railfan opportunities tourist railroads, fan trips, and great railroad photography. The passenger excursion line operates on 20 miles of tracks of the clarkdale arizona central railroad, a shortline. It is a retreat into the heart of the land, and the mood on the train suits the spirit of the journey. Firstclass cars boast comfortable seating, complimentary appetizers and a. The clarkdale arizona central railroad reporting mark azcr is an arizona shortline railroad that operates from a connection with the bnsf railway at drake, arizona. From the arizona copper art museum, we will tour to the historic verde canyon railroad for a chance to enjoy incredible views of the verde valley. Amarillo railroad museum and missouri pacific historical society date. Passengers enjoy a funfilled ride in vintage cars of an historic train that winds through the verde river canyon, one of the most beautiful wild canyons in the world, hugging the lush green banks of the verde river all along the way. Texas state railroad has always practiced a high standard of cleanliness.
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