Halloween Train on the Verde Canyon Railroad

GHOSTS AND GOBLINS OFFER TREATS, NOT TRICKS,
ABOARD THE VERDE CANYON RAILROAD

CLARKDALE, Ariz. It’s never a spooky ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad where passengers are ‘treated’ with pleasure not ‘tricked.’ On Tuesday, October 31, ghosts and goblins, witches and warlocks--pint-sized and full-grown--are invited to join in the Railroad’s frightening good fun.

In addition to the spectacular fall foliage on the scenic excursion through Arizona’s other grand canyon; a costume contest will be featured. Prizes will be awarded for the best, funniest and scariest costumes worn by a child and adult. Other than the great service extended to all passengers from depot and train personnel, they won’t be recognizable behind their fearful or funny disguises in celebration of this ghoulish holiday.

Passengers are encouraged to share ghost stories as the train starts up the tracks under the watchful eye of spirits past, which hover over the abandoned copper smelter. The mining activity was the reason these historic tracks were laid nearly a century ago. Perhaps the Sinagua Indian ruins, visible from the train, harbor phantoms of an even more distant past. The perfect Halloween moment, however, is when the train, powering towards Perkinsville on its four-hour journey, plunges into complete darkness as it passes through a 680-foot man-made tunnel blasted through rock back in 1911. Long shadows cast by the late afternoon sun may make the return journey just a bit spooky.

Present day inhabitants of the Verde Canyon soon steal the scene, as passengers and hosts alike excitedly point out the amazing variety of wildlife such as deer, javelina, fox, wild burros, or maybe even a bear. Migratory birds are finding their way back for a comfortable winter in the canyon, joining resident bald eagles, Black and Decker.

The brilliant backdrop of autumn leaves, blue skies and the clear green water of the life-giving Verde River, one of the few remaining wild and scenic waterways of the West, enhance the startling beauty of the soaring red rock cliffs of this wall-to-wall wonderland.

For more information on the Haunted Halloween Express and to reserve passage, call 1-800-293-7245, or visit the Railroad’s website at www.verdecanyonrr.com. Take advantage of an overnight package offered by our fine hotel partners to make this a truly memorable weekend.

The Verde Canyon Railroad is located at 300 N. Broadway, Clarkdale, Ariz. Ideally situated below the cold of the mountains, and above the heat of the desert, the train depot is 25 minutes from Sedona, two hours north of Phoenix, and one and one-half hours south of Flagstaff. Passengers are encouraged to arrive approximately one and one-half hours prior to departure.