The Grand Canyon Limited!

After a 10 year absence, the AT&SF 3751 once again traveled to Arizona and the Grand Canyon.

Scroll down to see all of the photos...there are quite a few here. All photos are digital, and this was the first chase that I did not shoot any film. I have sold all of my remaining film gear and am now 100% digital.

Many many thanks to all of the people who worked hard to get this train on the road - especially the SBRHS, the Grand Canyon Railway, the PV owners and car hosts and the railroads involved.

Need more steam?? Here are my photos from the Union Pacific 844's trip across Arizona last November.

On this trip I shot 975 frames (plus 22 heavers that I deleted account operator error) and edited them down to about 315 images for my digital slide show (I use ProShow Gold) and for this page edited down more to the best 63 images.

All Photos are copyright © 2012 and may not be used for any reason without permission. Prints are available as well....please inquire for details at Desert-Rails.com!

	-----Tuesday-----May 15, 2012----- After waiting in the 100+ heat for an hour or so at Hope the 3751 curves around some cuts and fills on its way eastward. May 15, 2012.
	A carload of foamers! Hope, AZ - May 15, 2012.
	Further east the train is at Aguila, Arizona. May 15, 2012.
	Account the train was running several hours late, this would be the last runby of the day. Near Flores, AZ which is just south of Congress. May 15, 2012.
	-----Wednesday-----May 16, 2012----- Ex Lake Superior & Ishpeming 2-8-0 No. 29 is on display at the Grand Canyon Railway's Station in Williams. May 16, 2012. Here is how the engine looked in 1969 in a dead line in Marquette, Michigan.
	The Grand Canyon Limited is about to depart - the steam engines would be added at the shop account the train was too long and having the steam engines at the station would have meant blocked road crossings. Williams, AZ - May 16, 2012.
	Nice to see one of the Amtrak Heritage engines. Williams, AZ - May 16, 2012.
	At Red Lake there is a nice wooden bridge that makes for a good photo. The bushes have been greatly trimmed - they used to be rather high and got in the way at times. Red Lake, AZ - May 16, 2012.
	Going away view at Red Lake - and yes, I did photoshop in the burnt out right hand marker light.
	Line up of foamers at Willaha.
	Despite the high sun the photo is decent. Willaha, AZ - May 16, 2012.
	The Williams Flyer is backing into the station tracks at the Grand Canyon.
	Foamers are blasting away at the train. Grand Canyon, AZ - May 16, 2012.
	The Grand Canyon Limited is arriving at the park. Grand Canyon, AZ - May 16, 2012.
	More foamers! Grand Canyon, AZ - May 16, 2012.
	And still more foaming....Grand Canyon, AZ - May 16, 2012.
	The Special was turned on the wye and then backed into the station. Grand Canyon, AZ - May 16, 2012.
	Later the passenger cars were left in a siding and the 2 steamers were brought back to the station and then parked side by each for servicing and photos. Grand Canyon, AZ - May 16, 2012.
	I wonder if this scene will ever be repeated....let's hope so. Grand Canyon, AZ - May 16, 2012.
	The engines are being serviced and watered. Grand Canyon, AZ - May 16, 2012.
	Of course I had to go look into the big ditch as long as I was there :). Grand Canyon, AZ - May 16, 2012.
	Certainly one of the greatest natural wonders on earth. Grand Canyon, AZ - May 16, 2012.
	It was a very pleasant sunny day and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Grand Canyon, AZ - May 16, 2012.
	The Williams Flyer is just south of the Park on its southbound run to Williams. Grand Canyon, AZ - May 16, 2012.
	Just behind the Flyer was the Limited. Again just a little ways south of the Park. Grand Canyon, AZ - May 16, 2012.
	One of the better scenes I got on this trip. Grand Canyon, AZ - May 16, 2012.
	The late afternoon light is really great at Willaha.
	The 4960 stands out in that crisp golden light at Willaha as it heads south.
	Last runby of the day at Red Lake. May 16, 2012.
	The tail end car just arriving at the station. Williams, AZ - May 16, 2012.
	-----Thursday-----May 17, 2012----- Next morning was bright and clear, and here are 3 of the GCR's MLW/Alco FA/FB units stored and apparently for sale. Williams, AZ - May 17, 2012.
	The Williams Flyer is rounding the curve by the shop and is headed north to the Grand Canyon. Williams, AZ - May 17, 2012.
	Seeing as how the 3751 was not going anywhere this day, we decided to head west out along the BNSF Transcon. Here is an eastbound at West DoubleA meeting a westbound. Account track work the DS was single tracking between West DoubleA and West Eagle Nest. May 17, 2012.
	Further west I got this hot westbound at West Eagle Nest, AZ. May 17, 2012.
	The eagle has landed and the nest is (still) clear.....this was the first time I had been to the 'nest' at West Eagle Nest. This is a spot that is perfect for train watching, and years ago I shot several hours worth of S-VHS video before the Santa Fe-BN merger. May 17, 2012.
	Herzog was distributing ties with this equipment, shown here at West Eagle Nest westbound to tie up for the day at Seligman. May 17, 2012.
	Another eastbound at West Eagle Nest - May 17, 2012.
	The afternoon light at West Eagle Nest is just outstanding - too bad there weren't any westbounds!! There was a lot more traffic than what I have posted here, but I would assume that most visitors here are more interested in the steam! May 17, 2012.
	-----Friday-----May 18, 2012----- The next morning the Limited is being backed into the east leg of the wye at Williams to clear up for the northbound Williams Flyer. May 18, 2012.
	Certainly was an impressive looking train. Williams, AZ - May 18, 2012.
	The Williams Flyer is backing into the Williams Station to load passengers. May 18, 2012.
	The 3751 is headed from the shops to its train. Williams - May 18, 2012.
	Nothing like perfect light for a roster shot of a very interesting engine. Williams - May 18, 2012.
	After coupling up to the Grand Canyon Limited it will wait for the Flyer to clear. Williams - May 18, 2012.
	The Flyer is on its way north. Williams - May 18, 2012.
	Too bad they aren't using the MLW/Alco power anymore, but the F40's have a larger cab, dynamic brakes and of course much better parts availability. Williams - May 18, 2012.
	Now that the Flyer has cleared, the Limited can spot at the station for loading. Williams - May 18, 2012.
	This is some old equipment that will be on display in the future Arizona State Railroad Museum that is to be built in Williams. May 18, 2012.
	And here is what tight cropping and enlarging of the above photo can do! Williams May 18, 2012.
	This is an eastbound at Corva, otherwise known as the "Upper Horseshoe". The Limited would meet this train at Williams. May 18, 2012.
	The 3751 and train is headed down a fairly steep grade and around the horseshoe at Corva. May 18, 2012.
	The engine certainly has been 'weathered' so to say....Corva - May 18, 2012.
	Storming up the hill south of Ashfork. May 18, 2012.
	Backed off on the zoom lens. Ashfork.
	Coming around the curve at Date. May 18, 2012.
	Again the light was perfect at Date. May 18, 2012.
	Headed south towards Matthie and the A&C RR. Date, AZ - May 18, 2012.
	About to duck under the US 93 overpass near Flores, which is just south of Congress. May 18, 2012.
	Just enough dirt on the 3751 to make a good photo. Flores - May 18, 2012.
	And for the last runby of the trip I was able to find a large cactus to get in the photo as the train heads west towards Parker. Hope, AZ - May 18, 2012.
	It was just a few minutes before sunset. Hope, AZ - May 18, 2012.
	It certainly was a great time chasing and photographing this train. Hope you enjoyed the photos!

All Photos are copyright © 2012 and may not be used for any reason without permission. Prints are available as well....please inquire for details at Desert-Rails.com!

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