Written by Diana Patterson | 27 May 2010

Travel like Francoise and see the high desert change from desert to prairie and prairie to pine toward a spectacle that defies the imagination and humbles even the greatest of mankind.

• Grand Canyon Railway departs daily from Williams, Arizona, the "Gate to the Grand Canyon" and travels almost due north to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
• The trip measures 65 miles and takes 2 hours and 15 minutes each way. This is 45 minutes faster than in 1901 when the train made its first trip.
• Williams and the Grand Canyon are at near 7,000 feet elevation in the largest stand of Ponderosa Pine forest in the world.
• The temperature is typically about 25 degrees cooler than the desert so bring layers of clothing.
• There are four railway car classes: Coach, First, Observation Dome and Luxury Parlor class.
• Western musicians stroll from car to car playing tunes from yesteryear. And witness an old fashioned train robbery.
• The train is pulled by vintage diesel locomotives or its Steam Locomotive fueled by recycled vegetable oil.
• There are two lodges: the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel adjacent to the historic depot and Maswik Lodge inside the Grand Canyon National Park.
• The Grand Depot Cafe is a all buffet restaurant and Spenser's Pub is a signature room in the hotel with its 19th century handcrafted mahogany bar.
• Grand Canyon get-a-ways range from $39 per night at the RV park to one, two and three night packages as well as weekly rates also available.
• Save 20% on Coach Rail Fare when you stay with the Grand Canyon Railway serving the Grand Canyon since 1901.