I rode on the GCRR When I was all but 9 it was amazing! I Also got to do the Day out with Thomas two years later. I loved the Railway I got to see the Steam yard. I also Love The NNRW Northern Nevada Railway I got to ride in the cab of the Steam engine there ah how I miss those times.
The reason why they got rid of steam is because GCR was using too much of Williams water, because when Xanterra took over the town said "Your using too much of our water!" So GCR quit steam because that town is in the west and there is so little water there! I'm just glad they still use steam every once in a while!
I think that the railroad should belong to the National parks service instead of Xanterra I believe Xanterra is only in it for the money just my personal opinion correct me if i am wrong or leave a comment bellow about your opinion
@orangetrain66 I doubt 539 will ever have anything done to it. I work at GCR as a coach attendant, and I will tell you that both 29 and 4960 have things needed within the next couple years that will take priority over a total rebuild of 539.
@azbobbybooshay10 then pleaseee sell her GCRY doesnt deserve here she doesnt deserve to just sit outside exposed to the elements shes in good shape she shouldve been restored the second they got her
@joshmeister4449 Steam will go to the Canyon twice this summer, on June 4th and September 17th. Also, the Cataract Creek Rambler will run May 7th & 8th, May 28th & 29th, June 18th & 19th, and July 2nd & 3rd. All runs will be using engine 4960.
@ThomasFan3751 If you mean Xanterra apologizing to its customers, rail fans, and locals who live nearby the GCRY (which I am proud to be a part of) for shutting down completely then limiting the number of runs made by the steamers, then yes. They DO owe US an apology.
It's awesome that they outfitted 4960 to be environmentally-friendly, but to replace them on a daily basis with something that resembles Amtrak is another thing. The historic feel of the railway is lost...
@Flagpiper I generally agree but it still makes complete sense to run steam only occasionally. Flue time wears on the boiler even when operated correctly and that means more money spent sooner. What I don't like is that a for-profit company like Xanterra, and a prime tourist railroad like the GCRY already have two (or three) steamers in good condition. They could definitely afford to run steam locomotive once a month and alternate engines to save on wear. They just don't do it.
I just posted a new video on my page of 4960 from last month when they were running the "Cataract Creek Rambler". Much better than the other vid I had up, this one was taken with an actual video camera.
watch?v=h784OUScUWw
Add that on if you want to view it, please check it out!
Actually, the current word is that 4960 is only being brought back for special occasions; there hasn't been any confirmation of plans to restore a regular steam-program, so Xanterra still deserves some heat. Additionally, I don't trust a company like Xanterra to properly manage operating steam locomotives; they'll probably wear them out and mechanically run them into the ground, and then throw them on display.
I have a video on my Channel showing 4960 running today, they ran a special "Photographers Run" at 6pm just after the Grand Canyon train pulled back out from the depot. What a sight, that thing is ridiculously awesome......
Did they ever give a reason? I know a lot of railroads can't anymore because of rising insurance costs, but those are non for profit groups. This a multi million dollar company building resorts. Push those alcos into the canyon and theyll have no choice but to run steam.
Are you serious? Steam engines pollute as much as an eighteen wheeler because they can pull 100x as much!They are pieces of our histry that must be preserved.
A coal burner does, but not an oil burner or wood burner. I totally agree, steam locomotives are a huge part of our lives, and need to be perserved by operating on tourist railroads. We need to work now, and save our beloved steam locomotives. We have the technology to make em environmentally friendly by doing what the Grand Canyon Railroad did to their engines before they were retired. By doing this, steam locomotives would be doing no harm.
uh its kind of obvious that #20 is gunna run the slrg said and everyone knows about the restoration its gonna cost 1,000,000 though but it will be worth it to see runnen again in about 2 years it will run again
A logging engine is NOT FIT FOR TOURIST TRAINS (With Mt. Rainier, Cass Scenic and those that have terrain suitable for geared engines).... Arizona Eastern tried running a Heisler with their trains and look at what happened!!!
they will, they already have a CP 4-6-2 in service, but i doubt they will get to restore her, and it's crown sheet is beat to hell because of a bunch of dumbasses who thought they could run a railroad "Gettysburg", and the firebox is probably destroyed because ot that, but lets thank god 1278 had extra stay bolts to keep itself from getting destroywd
yeah i hope they do cuz i have worked and driven 1293 OHCR sister to 1278, and she is a great engine. Plus Jerry has the money now to do a full rebuild of 1278.
Have you talked to the CEO of the OCRR? did he say that he was going to work on 1278? i thought they were restoring NKP 2-8-4 763? but if they can restore 1278, let him.
yes i have i know him personally and he is working on 763. small parts are off and work has begun. 1278 should be next since it was going to be after 6325.
Well JJJ Jerry Jacobson hopes to restore it back to operating condition soon, or once they are done with 763 and the move to Sugarcreek. Hopefully 1278 will be the next steamer restored, and i doubt anything would go haywire after a rebuild by OHCR since they have run 1293 for so long without very many problems.
Well thanks to those bozos at Gettysburg who knows what shape 1278's firebox is in now? I wouldn't go near that engine for nothing, I'd rather be riding her sister 1293 because I'd feel more safer
Yes i have driven 1293 myself, great engine. When i talked to OC steam crew they said the firebox and crown sheet where all in okay condition but she will need a lot of work.
This is a very upsetting site to see. They shouldn't have done that. Xanterra is fucking going pay, and i mean PAY! Xanterra is not taking another RR away from us.
My grandpa worked for the SP&S and was SO excited when I told him GCRY was restoring 539. This will be hard to tell him now. At least we still have the 700!
you mean to tell me that they bought the Gettysburg RR? what would they do with that piece of shit they call a railroad, after the boiler explosion? i know I'll get thumbs down for my comment, but it's true, they went to hell after what happened to 1278 because the crew was a bunch of lazy fucktards that let a beauty like 1278 go to hell in a hand basket. Also, xanterra are a bunch of tards to do that to the GCR, my brother visited that railroad when i was 9 oh well, at least he got to see it.
dear Xanterra, i know youre not reading this but you will one day. go out of buisness and we'll laugh in your face, as for the steamers... if you are going to be greedy and stuck up and wont run them give them to a museum that will love and care for them and will run them instead of sitting on your dinky little siding. You dont know how many museum orginizations would love to run these. you are sad sad people xanterra.
this is so sad! For the last few years I was going to see them but never got the chance! great music choice! they used to own the world and then one day it all goes away! atleast not without a fight from steam fans!
i guess xanterra is gonna lose alot of cash from this...good. i hope a WORTHY railway gets 4960, 539 and 29. btw the alco diesels are the only good ones in the railroading world.
It's times like this that really bring a tear to my eye. Damn xantarra ruins everything, now these 2 great legendary machines may never run again. I gotta donate all the money in my savings NOW to get 2 great steamers running again. By the way why was 18 retired early?
Boycotting Xanterra will make it worse. If you want the steam back, you'll have to ride the GRCY more so that they'll get enough money to run the steamers. Theres a magic word that explains why I support this ECONOMY
I rode on the GCRR When I was all but 9 it was amazing! I Also got to do the Day out with Thomas two years later. I loved the Railway I got to see the Steam yard. I also Love The NNRW Northern Nevada Railway I got to ride in the cab of the Steam engine there ah how I miss those times.
Ultramarine 6 months ago
The reason why they got rid of steam is because GCR was using too much of Williams water, because when Xanterra took over the town said "Your using too much of our water!" So GCR quit steam because that town is in the west and there is so little water there! I'm just glad they still use steam every once in a while!
steampower2001 8 months ago
Last I checked, #29 began work on the Grand Canyon Railway in 1990.
ThomasFan3751 9 months ago
Epic music.
Iceburg91366 10 months ago 2
I think that the railroad should belong to the National parks service instead of Xanterra I believe Xanterra is only in it for the money just my personal opinion correct me if i am wrong or leave a comment bellow about your opinion
SantaFe5central 11 months ago
any news of #539
orangetrain66 1 year ago
@orangetrain66 I doubt 539 will ever have anything done to it. I work at GCR as a coach attendant, and I will tell you that both 29 and 4960 have things needed within the next couple years that will take priority over a total rebuild of 539.
azbobbybooshay10 1 year ago
@azbobbybooshay10 then pleaseee sell her GCRY doesnt deserve here she doesnt deserve to just sit outside exposed to the elements shes in good shape she shouldve been restored the second they got her
TheDeputation 5 months ago
they dont use the steam engines any more do thay?
joshmeister4449 1 year ago
@joshmeister4449 Steam will go to the Canyon twice this summer, on June 4th and September 17th. Also, the Cataract Creek Rambler will run May 7th & 8th, May 28th & 29th, June 18th & 19th, and July 2nd & 3rd. All runs will be using engine 4960.
azbobbybooshay10 1 year ago
wondering. um uh oh yeah. why cant the rio grande scenic purchase 18's sisters (besides 20) to the railroad for operation
Strasburg1991 1 year ago
AMAZING! Just AMAZING!!
Jayko249 1 year ago
i have 2 question's the deisel at :18 and the steamer in the back ground and what there numbers
288jh 1 year ago
that would be slrg ex grand canyon #18 and sp #1744 FOR A MAJOR BOILER OVERHAUL STILL NOT DONE
orangetrain66 1 year ago
Number 18 just turned 100 today. Happy steaming GCRY #18.
Chris9017 1 year ago
I think Xanterra deserves a big time appology. Don't you agree?
ThomasFan3751 1 year ago
@ThomasFan3751 If you mean Xanterra apologizing to its customers, rail fans, and locals who live nearby the GCRY (which I am proud to be a part of) for shutting down completely then limiting the number of runs made by the steamers, then yes. They DO owe US an apology.
It's awesome that they outfitted 4960 to be environmentally-friendly, but to replace them on a daily basis with something that resembles Amtrak is another thing. The historic feel of the railway is lost...
Flagpiper 1 year ago
@Flagpiper I generally agree but it still makes complete sense to run steam only occasionally. Flue time wears on the boiler even when operated correctly and that means more money spent sooner. What I don't like is that a for-profit company like Xanterra, and a prime tourist railroad like the GCRY already have two (or three) steamers in good condition. They could definitely afford to run steam locomotive once a month and alternate engines to save on wear. They just don't do it.
DaftStrings 1 year ago
I think this is the best video on YouTube! What is Xanterra anyway?
Weiberts 1 year ago 2
Resort company that owns GCRy.
NCStL576 1 year ago
I just posted a new video on my page of 4960 from last month when they were running the "Cataract Creek Rambler". Much better than the other vid I had up, this one was taken with an actual video camera.
watch?v=h784OUScUWw
Add that on if you want to view it, please check it out!
azbobbybooshay10 2 years ago
Actually, the current word is that 4960 is only being brought back for special occasions; there hasn't been any confirmation of plans to restore a regular steam-program, so Xanterra still deserves some heat. Additionally, I don't trust a company like Xanterra to properly manage operating steam locomotives; they'll probably wear them out and mechanically run them into the ground, and then throw them on display.
SR722 2 years ago 6
This is one hell of a vid none the less, but it is interesting having 4960 burn vegetable oil, thats a lot of french fries there
trainboy94 2 years ago
u kan kind of understand why they stopped steam. I costs a lot of mney to run these things, plus the FRA rules. But im glad their back!!!
Thenews72 2 years ago
I have a video on my Channel showing 4960 running today, they ran a special "Photographers Run" at 6pm just after the Grand Canyon train pulled back out from the depot. What a sight, that thing is ridiculously awesome......
azbobbybooshay10 2 years ago
It's great that the 4960 is coming back again!! I plan on seeing her run!!!
trainkids 2 years ago 4
I hate that they were stupid enough to sell #18 in 2007.
Weiberts 2 years ago
actually it wasnt stupity.
the 18 cant even pll 6 cars.
thats y 4960 came in the mid 09s and 18 was a back up.
and wen the 29 was done....
well the 18 was no longer needed
bnsf261 2 years ago 4
Well, they spent 1 million on #29, so we know they aren't joking!
Weiberts 2 years ago
hey weilberts are you talking about wen she was finished in 2005?
not present uno
and it was 1.5
traingirl4501 2 years ago
they spent 3 million on #4960
orangetrain66 2 years ago
dont forget #20 she was cool
orangetrain66 2 years ago 2
GCRY IS BRINGING BACK STEAM SEPTEMBER 19!!!!!!!!!
Sadly, for special events only, but its better than nothing.
Trainfanatic192 2 years ago 2
also 5&6th but i dont think the caterak creek rambler is anythin special.
but atleast the 4960 will run.
cant wait til the all day run on the 19th.
bnsf261 2 years ago
Hey, NCStL576, I sent you a friend invitation.
atsf3415dbr 2 years ago
Thank goodness in the article that 4960 is going to be restored again.
736berkshire 2 years ago
I heard that someone else is going to buy xanterra and the GCR. Maybe he'll have some common sense and bring ALL the steamers back.
85mariafer 2 years ago
Too bad the greenie weenies are wrecking the world. You can partly thank Al "Frankenstein" Gore for this, with his bogus video.
pilgrim4truth 2 years ago
Did they ever give a reason? I know a lot of railroads can't anymore because of rising insurance costs, but those are non for profit groups. This a multi million dollar company building resorts. Push those alcos into the canyon and theyll have no choice but to run steam.
thetrainking 2 years ago 2
Are you serious? Steam engines pollute as much as an eighteen wheeler because they can pull 100x as much!They are pieces of our histry that must be preserved.
DanielVolker 2 years ago 2
They may polute as much as an 18 Wheeler, but the exhaust is not as bad.
Chris9017 2 years ago
A coal burner does, but not an oil burner or wood burner. I totally agree, steam locomotives are a huge part of our lives, and need to be perserved by operating on tourist railroads. We need to work now, and save our beloved steam locomotives. We have the technology to make em environmentally friendly by doing what the Grand Canyon Railroad did to their engines before they were retired. By doing this, steam locomotives would be doing no harm.
Chris9017 2 years ago
uh its kind of obvious that #20 is gunna run the slrg said and everyone knows about the restoration its gonna cost 1,000,000 though but it will be worth it to see runnen again in about 2 years it will run again
wippydobo321 2 years ago
so what will happen to #539 or the #5 shay at the depot
wippydobo321 2 years ago 2
The 5 is stored by the shops with the 539, the 29, and an RS-3.
atsf3415dbr 2 years ago
o ok thanks i saw a video of where #5 is but not #539
wippydobo321 2 years ago
why didnt they restore the shay
wippydobo321 2 years ago
A logging engine is NOT FIT FOR TOURIST TRAINS (With Mt. Rainier, Cass Scenic and those that have terrain suitable for geared engines).... Arizona Eastern tried running a Heisler with their trains and look at what happened!!!
trainmaster844 2 years ago
well they should have restored the shay for yard switchen
wippydobo321 2 years ago
1:20-1:30 Looks like the train to heaven!!!
874947 2 years ago 3
Better yet, run him over with the both his Alco, and Baldwin Mikado together.
Chris9017 2 years ago 3
id run over that bitch who came up with the idea to replace the steamers not in a car with those alcos
tweetsiefan1 2 years ago 9
sad last time i went there they had the 18 still chugging along the tracks thats crule preserve our steamers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tweetsiefan1 2 years ago 4
You tell him.
Chris9017 2 years ago 4
my first time to the grand canyon will be my last for sere thanks a lot xanterra becaus all they care about is liting cicares with 1000 dollar bills.
TIMBO729 2 years ago 3
What's going to happen to the engines, particually 4960?!?!?!?!
ravenhawk6910 2 years ago 4
yeah and if ohcr keeps 1278, then maybe sometime within my grandchilds life it will be restored. remember i am only 15.
traindude666 3 years ago
they will, they already have a CP 4-6-2 in service, but i doubt they will get to restore her, and it's crown sheet is beat to hell because of a bunch of dumbasses who thought they could run a railroad "Gettysburg", and the firebox is probably destroyed because ot that, but lets thank god 1278 had extra stay bolts to keep itself from getting destroywd
fenderpwnage 3 years ago
yeah i hope they do cuz i have worked and driven 1293 OHCR sister to 1278, and she is a great engine. Plus Jerry has the money now to do a full rebuild of 1278.
traindude666 3 years ago
Have you talked to the CEO of the OCRR? did he say that he was going to work on 1278? i thought they were restoring NKP 2-8-4 763? but if they can restore 1278, let him.
fenderpwnage 3 years ago
yes i have i know him personally and he is working on 763. small parts are off and work has begun. 1278 should be next since it was going to be after 6325.
traindude666 3 years ago
which reminds me, why have you guys quit running 6325? it was a pretty cool locomotive :)
fenderpwnage 3 years ago
the relationship between the drivers and the rods where off and it ruined them, plus the barring where overheating.
traindude666 3 years ago
Well, what will become of 6325? and when will 1278 get restored?, i hope 1278 doesn't go haywire again on the CEO of OCRR.
fenderpwnage 3 years ago
Well JJJ Jerry Jacobson hopes to restore it back to operating condition soon, or once they are done with 763 and the move to Sugarcreek. Hopefully 1278 will be the next steamer restored, and i doubt anything would go haywire after a rebuild by OHCR since they have run 1293 for so long without very many problems.
traindude666 3 years ago
Well thanks to those bozos at Gettysburg who knows what shape 1278's firebox is in now? I wouldn't go near that engine for nothing, I'd rather be riding her sister 1293 because I'd feel more safer
fenderpwnage 3 years ago 2
Yes i have driven 1293 myself, great engine. When i talked to OC steam crew they said the firebox and crown sheet where all in okay condition but she will need a lot of work.
traindude666 3 years ago
Well, at least the idiots at Gettysburg still don't have her, am i right?
fenderpwnage 3 years ago
yes very true. i am glad they dont have any steam anymore who know what would have happened to 76 or the other steamers they ran.
traindude666 3 years ago
I didn't know they did anything to 76, i just know that they're a bunch of idiots that ruined a good steam locomotive :)
fenderpwnage 3 years ago
i don't think they did anything to 76 either but they ran her so who really knows?
traindude666 3 years ago
Well, at least the guys who own 1225 will restore her :)
fenderpwnage 3 years ago
when they get the money maybe
traindude666 3 years ago
Well, they gotta worry about trainfest2009 first :)
fenderpwnage 3 years ago 2
true but we still will not know when they will get to 76.
traindude666 3 years ago
So sad they dropped the program. I am never gonna ride the train now. Those engines should go to Rio Grande where 18 is.
Chris9017 3 years ago
Will they run them again? If not they should send them to another scenic railroad
david245611 3 years ago
Now I'll never see GCY steam, as well as many more people.
Damn Xanterra.
engineer6325 3 years ago
Maravilhoso, parabéns, belo vídeo!
gibiliz 3 years ago
This is a very upsetting site to see. They shouldn't have done that. Xanterra is fucking going pay, and i mean PAY! Xanterra is not taking another RR away from us.
xxxDeath9572xxx 3 years ago
well good news: AZ gets a new seamer but its not like 29 and 4960 its a hiesler but oh well god damned xanterra
ATSFME 3 years ago
I love those steamers in the sky. It makes me wanna cry.
736berkshire 3 years ago 2
My grandpa worked for the SP&S and was SO excited when I told him GCRY was restoring 539. This will be hard to tell him now. At least we still have the 700!
DanielVolker 3 years ago
you mean to tell me that they bought the Gettysburg RR? what would they do with that piece of shit they call a railroad, after the boiler explosion? i know I'll get thumbs down for my comment, but it's true, they went to hell after what happened to 1278 because the crew was a bunch of lazy fucktards that let a beauty like 1278 go to hell in a hand basket. Also, xanterra are a bunch of tards to do that to the GCR, my brother visited that railroad when i was 9 oh well, at least he got to see it.
fenderpwnage 3 years ago 3
Wonderful video, thanks for making it!
pnwr1853 3 years ago
bring back all 5 steam locomotives back to life in the future please!!
Strasburg1991 3 years ago
dear Xanterra, i know youre not reading this but you will one day. go out of buisness and we'll laugh in your face, as for the steamers... if you are going to be greedy and stuck up and wont run them give them to a museum that will love and care for them and will run them instead of sitting on your dinky little siding. You dont know how many museum orginizations would love to run these. you are sad sad people xanterra.
thetrainking 3 years ago 2
Hell yeah I agree with you
Lapeer9 3 years ago
There are so many orginizations that would kill for steamers in top noch condition like thesee!
thetrainking 3 years ago
Yes! 18 runs during the summer on the San Luis & Rio Grande RR out of Alamosa, CO. Roundtrip is over 120 miles, with 17 miles of 3%.
slrg18 3 years ago 2
dosent the railroad also have the SP 1744?
theUP844 3 years ago
SL&RG does.
NCStL576 3 years ago
I dont mean to be rude Brian but thats the railroad I was asking about. BTW nice video.
theUP844 3 years ago
this is so sad! For the last few years I was going to see them but never got the chance! great music choice! they used to own the world and then one day it all goes away! atleast not without a fight from steam fans!
gw90isback 3 years ago 2
That is very sad to see steam locomotions go to waste good byb to steam engine No.18, No.29, No.4960, No.539. Long live Steam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
trainlover467 3 years ago
i guess xanterra is gonna lose alot of cash from this...good. i hope a WORTHY railway gets 4960, 539 and 29. btw the alco diesels are the only good ones in the railroading world.
Trainguymike1293 3 years ago 2
R.I.P. such fine locomotives gone to waste
courtneydavis433 3 years ago
It's times like this that really bring a tear to my eye. Damn xantarra ruins everything, now these 2 great legendary machines may never run again. I gotta donate all the money in my savings NOW to get 2 great steamers running again. By the way why was 18 retired early?
trainkids 3 years ago
Yeah. It was 2002 when the speed limit went up and it became too fast for 18.
NCStL576 3 years ago
Not only that, but #18 could only handle 6 cars by herself to the Canyon... compare that to 8-10 for 4960 and 29...
trainmaster844 3 years ago
@NCStL576 Huh. That's interesting. I wonder why they would cut it just because of that.
Weiberts 11 months ago
what we need to do is convince some big shot moneyman to donate to the GCRY specifically FOR their steam program.
And I know just how to do it. *Pulls out Mr. 12-guage*
ronthecyborg 3 years ago
This pisses me off. I'm canceling my future trips to Williams. If they bring steam back, I'll book asap. My grandfather worked on 539!!
camduckfootball 3 years ago 2
Boycotting Xanterra will make it worse. If you want the steam back, you'll have to ride the GRCY more so that they'll get enough money to run the steamers. Theres a magic word that explains why I support this ECONOMY
MrDaylight844 3 years ago
Finances had nothing to do with the axeing of the steam program.
Trainfanatic192 3 years ago
Not a theme park, please....
trainmaster844 3 years ago
What's wrong with a theme park? Dollywood, Tweetsie, and the Disney parks are known for their exeptional care.
Trainfanatic192 3 years ago
Here's the reason why... GCRY is Standard Gauge, Dollywood, Tweetsie and Disney are 3ft. NARROW GAUGE Operations!
trainmaster844 3 years ago
I didn't say take them to those places specifically. I just said theme parks aren't bad places for steamers.
Trainfanatic192 3 years ago
Why?
HexRails3751 3 years ago
Xantarra Sucks!
RichardSwayne 3 years ago 3
veering away from the fact that everyone is upset about the GCRY axing it's steam program...
Anybody notice that 29 and 4960 look like miniature 1522s?
ronthecyborg 3 years ago
Well, like I said, economy. Less people travelling = less people traveling = less money going into supplies. There is no railroad Walmart
MrDaylight844 3 years ago 2
I hate this, my plans to go there are shattered, and so is my heart, as it is everytime the fire is dropped on a steam locomotive.
trainboy94 3 years ago 3
man I heard about this. why in fricks name did they axe the steam program?
steamboy51 3 years ago 2
Economy
MrDaylight844 3 years ago
this is terrible, why shut down such a great railroad?!
donaldengine9 3 years ago
No no no. Only the steam engines were axed. The railroad itself is still running (not for long).
NCStL576 3 years ago
Damn modernization, damn it all to hell.
donaldengine9 3 years ago
Well, the economy doesn't help
MrDaylight844 3 years ago