Media Contacts:
Chelsey Hamilton: chelsey.h@verdecanyonrr.com or 480-417-8844
Brandon Hamilton: brandon.h@verdecanyonrr.com or 623-986-9908
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Verde Canyon Railroad Celebrates 35 Years and Kicks off The Magical Christmas Journey®
Clarkdale, Arizona — [November 20, 2025] — Verde Canyon Railroad celebrates a major milestone, its 35th anniversary—coinciding with the season launch of its beloved holiday event, The Magical Christmas Journey®.
35th Anniversary:
The story of Verde Canyon Railroad began in 1988, when owner Dave Durbano purchased the Drake-to-Clarkdale line from the ATSF based solely on freight projections, unaware of the breathtaking wilderness it traversed. His first trip through the Verde Canyon was on the front of a GP9 locomotive. This was the birth of Clarkdale Arizona Central Railroad (AZCR), but the narrative was far from complete. That ride revealed to him a corridor of untouched beauty, ancient ruins, and dramatic red-rock formations. Inspired, he sought a way to share that experience with others.
On November 23, 1990, the first Verde Canyon Railroad excursion departed the Clarkdale depot—not with freight cars, but with passengers eager to witness the Canyon’s rugged splendor. Thirty-five years later, the train continues to carry travelers through one of Arizona’s most striking landscapes, preserving a legacy of railroading, history, conservation, and outdoor discovery. Each year, the Railroad celebrates its anniversary the day after Thanksgiving, as it was for the maiden voyage of the excursion.
The Magical Christmas Journey®:
Today, that legacy meets holiday magic. The Magical Christmas Journey®, based on a storybook, is a one-hour round-trip journey to the North Pole and runs select dates and various times between November 28 (the day after Thanksgiving) through Christmas Eve. Come witness this event’s signature festive atmosphere, beginning at the decorated and holiday-lit depot where families meet characters from the book like Princess Noel and Flurry the bald eagle. Explore the Bird’s-Eye Village, where kids can try on eagle wings to fly through the townof kid-sized buildings. It’s also a great area to snap a Christmas card photo for the family with Flurry. Also at the depot, enjoy a reading of the storybook at The Story Station, dinner, holiday treats and more before boarding the train. Once onboard, the journey continues through an enchanted tunnel onto Santa’s Secret Tracks, guided by glowing Canyon animals all the way to the North Pole, where Santa, Mrs. Claus and elves await. The train stops, Santa then climbs aboard and offers kids a gift on the ride back to the depot.
In addition, Verde Canyon Railroad offers the VIP Kids’ Club. Parents can purchase this feature to have their children receive a video message from Santa himself, and the kids receive a swag bag upon arrival at the depot with things like: The Magical Christmas Journey® storybook, two Reindeer Bucks to be used toward purchases, a cookie kit, a little stuffed animal eagle and more—all for only $25. When you book your tickets online for The Magical Christmas Journey, be sure to select that add-on feature. Get the best price online. It will also be available in person at the depot.
Please join us for The Magical Christmas Journey® Aboard Verde Canyon Railroad.
For details, schedules, and tickets, visit
https://verdecanyonrr.com/magical-christmas-journey/
For more information about Verde Canyon Railroad’s history, visit:
https://verdecanyonrr.com/history-of-verde-canyon-railroad/
For more information about Verde Canyon Railroad, visit verdecanyonrr.com
For all public relations, media, marketing, and social media inquiries, please contact Chelsey and/or Brandon Hamilton directly.
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About Verde Canyon Railroad
People travel from all over the world to ride the rails into the Verde Canyon to experience Arizona’s longest-running nature show. Over 120,000 people per year enter the depot doors to learn more about the Railroad and the ride, a scenic 40-mile, four-hour roundtrip journey that immerses passengers in breathtaking scenery alive with vibrant flora, diverse fauna, and captivating geology. The Railroad’s mission is linked to the beautiful Canyon through which it passes, including the preservation of the environment, conservation of wildlife, protection of historic equipment and artifacts, and sharing with others the red-rock wilderness that makes this train ride a governor-designated “Arizona Treasure.” Learn more at verdecanyonrr.com.
