The Verde Canyon Railrpad, Through Arizona's Spectacular Verde Canyon

The Verde Canyon Railroad is a tourist railroad operating over ex-Santa Fe trackage in central Arizona, near the very popular tourist destination of Sedona. And like Sedona the Verde Canyon has become a popular tourist attraction itself since it began operations in the early 1990s. Today the railroad offers several different excursions and special trains for visitors and although prices average a little higher than what you might find on other tourist railroads the scenery afforded of Verde Canyon in climate-controlled, comfortable coaches is well worth the cost! 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 Arizona’s breathtaking Verde Canyon.

The Verde Canyon Railroad actually dates back to a railroad by a very similar name the Verde Canyon Railway, which was chartered in November of 1911 and built by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (the Santa Fe), opening in 1912. The purpose of the railroad was to haul copper from the rich deposits found around Jerome along with supplying the region with coal.

The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, distinctively known as the Santa Fe, likely is not only this country’s but also the world’s most recognized and famous railroad. It has had its own movie, song, and numerous model trains and other purchasable gifts created in its honor. The railroad’s renowned Warbonnet livery has been made in several variations ranging from the more popular silver and red with yellow trim to the blue and yellow. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, albeit no longer an operating company, is truly a railroad whose name is as common as that of Coca Cola or General Electric.

At its largest the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway would own well over 13,000 miles and the routes which made up its system would become some of the most heavily and strategically used throughout the West that remains so to this day. Even before the intermodal revolution the Santa Fe’s system was very important in allowing for fast movement of goods in transit from Chicago and other gateway cities to the west coast and vice versa. Coupled with this business the Santa Fe also served a number of manufacturing centers throughout the south and southwest.

The Verde Canyon Railway, as part of the Santa Fe, remained owned as a branch line of its parent until 1989 when the Santa Fe sold the line to the Durbano Family, which named the new route the Verde Canyon Railroad. Today, the railroad takes you on a 40-mile roundtrip from Clarkdale to the ghost town of Perkinsville, along the way passing through two national forests and the spectacular Verde Canyon. However, passenger trains aren’t the only trains running on the line. Also owned by the Durbano Family is the freight hauling, Arizona Central Railroad, which operates between Clarkdale and Drake, Arizona where it connects with the BNSF Railway.

As for the train ride itself you can take the journey either in first class coach or standard coach, which departs from the railroad’s rebuilt depot in Clarkdale (designed in the Southwest, adobe style). The railroad also operates special trains which include Chocolate Lovers and Grape Train Escape. Lastly, be sure and ask about their caboose rentals available during trips!

For power the Verde Canyon Railroad usually employs one of two streamlined EMD FP7 diesel locomotives, originally owned by the Alaska Railroad. So, if you’re ever in central Arizona or vacationing near Sedona you might want to consider stopping by to visit and ride aboard the Verde Canyon Railway, it is honestly one of the best ways to see Arizona in all of its splendor.

For more information on tourist railroads like the Verde Canyon Railroad you might want to consider the book Empire State Railway Museum's Tourist Trains 2006 from the Empire State Railway Museum. Given excellent reviews this guidebook covers nearly all of the tourist railroads and museums operating in the country in fine detail. So, if you’re interested in locating a tourist train or railroad near you, or simply want to know more about a particular one, you will certainly not be disappointed in Empire State Railway Museum’s guidebook to tourist railroads and museums. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit The Railroad Diamond by clicking the tab in the menu to your left marked "TRD Store".