Aboard the Train
The casual grace of train travel never goes out of style. From the moment you step aboard the renovated vintage train, you are whisked back to a time of luxurious and leisurely train travel. This 4-hour excursion takes you on a 20-mile journey through 110 years of history.
Powerful Iron Horses
The FP7 locomotives, two of only 10 remaining in North America, are the muscle that pulls the quarter-mile length of passenger cars. The classic iron horses, built in 1953 for the Alaska Railroad, debuted on Verde Canyon Railroad tracks on March 8, 1997. The meticulously-cared-for engines received a facelift in 2019 with an updated distinctive American bald eagle motif.
Locomotive Ride-Along
Verde Canyon Railroad offers an exclusive opportunity for one person each day to experience a Locomotive Ride-along with seating inside the cab of a powerful railroad engine. It’s a rare chance to experience 1500 horses under the hood while riding a surge of enormous power. You’ll rub elbows with Verde Canyon Railroad’s engineer and conductor as they prepare the train for the run before having lunch at the Copper Spike Café. After the excursion, you will leave as a member of an elite guild with a photograph celebrating your day aboard an historic FP7 locomotive.
Riding in Comfort
All passenger cars are climate-controlled and each one has a restroom. Comfortable seating, thoughtful décor and friendly, informative attendants add to the beauty of this remote wilderness without sacrificing the luxury of comfort. Each car has large panoramic windows and access to an open-air viewing car for 360-degree viewing and lots of fresh canyon air. The train also meets ADA requirements.
Throughout the trip, an insightful narration about the 4-hour, 40-mile roundtrip is paired with a great selection of classic railroad tunes selected to appeal to a wide range of musical tastes. Access to open-air viewing cars and narration are elite amenities which make our train experience unlike any other.
Seating Accommodations
Each car, whether the exclusively private Caboose or premium passenger cars, each has its own distinct decor, but all offer quality amenities, comfort and service. There are panoramic windows for remarkable viewing and all cars connect to open-air viewing platforms. Each passenger has two seats for the price of one!
What You Need to Know Before Riding:
FAMILIES RIDING TOGETHER – Can different families, with individually online-booked reservations, be seated together? Yes. These reservations can be booked separately online, but the “link” option must be activated OR someone must call 800-293-7245 to confirm the combined seating request. A request made the day of travel will be considered but cannot be guaranteed.
ODD-NUMBERED RESERVATIONS – What happens if you have an odd-number of people in your party? There are tables that accommodate two individuals, while couch areas accommodate four (two per loveseat facing each other). Parties made up of odd numbers are encouraged to purchase four tickets to have a guaranteed private couch area or to be exclusively seated together. Otherwise, someone from another odd-numbered party may be seated next to, or across from, you.
Passenger Cars
With welcoming accommodations, travelers relax in living-room style seating on any of 10 passenger cars while soaking up the scenery streaming past during this 4-hour journey through large panoramic windows. Other amenities include a Champagne toast upon boarding, full-service cash-bars, purchasable snacks or premium liquors, all provided through service at one’s seat as well as a variety of individually-packaged, complimentary appetizers.
**Please note that gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options are available for purchase at the Copper Spike Cafe` but the appetizers onboard the train contain meat, cheese and gluten.
Caboose
The exclusive caboose is designed for one private party of six or fewer adults. Its luxurious appointments include over-sized chairs, large picture windows, cupola seating for a birds-eye view, and two private outdoor viewing platforms. A personal valet pours your complimentary Champagne upon boarding and serves your freshly-prepared, individually-packaged, complimentary appetizers. Your choice of premium alcoholic beverages is available for purchase. Due to the historic nature of this car it is not ADA compliant.
Open-Air Viewing Cars
All cars access open-air viewing cars equipped with shaded canopies. Outdoor attendants, well-versed in the canyon’s history, geology and wildlife, share highlights and answer questions about our wilderness adventure. Being outdoors brings you face to face with the sounds and sights of the high desert that characterizes the Verde Canyon.
