Grand Canyon Railway’s 2-8-2 steam locomotive operates a National Model Railroad Association Pacific Southwest Region charter on June 10, 2023. A guest whistle and summer launch spotlights Grand Canyon No. 4960’s May-June excursions in 2024. Carl Swanson
WILLIAMS, Ariz. — Grand Canyon Railway steam locomotive No. 4960 has transitioned to its regular, once-a-month schedule after a busy April of public and private excursions [see “Grand Canyon No. 4960 concludes April operations…,” Trains News Wire, April 25, 2024]. The 2-8-2 was called on for two days of the “First Saturday” excursion in May and June, operating from Williams to the South Rim’s national park.
A new wrinkle to the May 4 run was a guest whistle that echoed across the former Santa Fe branch. The five-chime in question belongs to Texas & New Orleans No. 982, a Baldwin-built 2-10-2 in Houston, under the care of the Texas Railway Preservation Association. The non-profit organization and Grand Canyon Railway collaborated to have No. 4960 carry the whistle during the trip and offer a ticket raffle for a chance to ride aboard the train. Proceeds are expected to go into No. 982’s grease and lubrication system, in addition to fabricating parts needed to complete running gear work for both a relocation and eventual return to operation, according to a May 7 post on the TRPA Facebook page.
“We want to deeply thank the Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel and the team at Xanterra Travel Collection,” the post said. “The dedication, attention to detail, and care for experience was truly something to learn from.”
No. 4960 handled another large train on the June 1 “First Saturday” excursion, signaling the return of the busy summer season. Overall, the locomotive performed well on both days with no major issues to contend with before the next scheduled trip on July 6, according to chief mechanical officer Eric Hadder.