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The Grand Canyon Railway (GCR) & FF OIL

PopsrrPopsrrOGR Forum Member

AN IRON HORSE SURVIVES ON A DIET OF FRENCH FRY OIL

A Green Tale of Ingenuity Saving History

 

An 90-year-old steam engine gets new life from recycled waste vegetable oil and guides passengers to the Grand Canyon May through September

WILLIAMS, ARIZONA (March 25, 2013) ---

This Earth Day on April 22, the Iron Horse is back and healthier than ever thanks to strictly oil used for french fries and chicken wings. While such a diet might be hazardous to the health of most, The Grand Canyon Railway (GCR) is using recycled waste vegetable oil as fuel on Locomotive No. 4960, a steam engine built in 1923. Beginning this May on the first Saturday of every month through September, all are welcome aboard for a memorable ride on the new-fangled steam engine for a 65-mile journey from Williams, Arizona to the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

The GCR is one of a few passenger railroads in the U.S. to service a restored steam engine for long trips and the first in the U.S. to utilize waste vegetable oil to power it.

But the memorable experience of riding an 18

th

century invention in modern days almost didn’t happen.

In 2008, the GCR put its stable of historic iron horses out to pasture due to environmental concerns about pollution while traveling to Grand Canyon National Park.

 

Inspired by the innovation of carmakers to run vehicles on waste vegetable oil, GCR General Manager Bob Baker and Chief Mechanical Officer Sam Lanter decided to apply the sustainable measure to a steam engine. Not only did it work, but it worked so well that the 90-year-old steam engine galloped along carbon-neutral on the Grand Canyon Railway and thus released fewer emissions than a diesel engine used today and became a green machine. The water used in the boilers are also earth-friendly; boilers contain reclaimed rain and snow melt collected during the winter and Northern Arizona’s rainy season for steam. The GCR is the first tourism railway in the US to receive ISO 14001 third-party certification of its environmental management system.

 

Xanterra owns and operates the Grand Canyon Railway as well as restaurants and lodges in several National Parks. In addition to Locomotive No. 4960, GCR offers daily trips aboard its duel-efficient diesel trains at 9:30 a.m. starting at $75 for adults and $45 for children ages 15 and younger. Trip highlights include a Wild West shootout at the 1908 Williams Depot prior to the morning departure, entertainment and live action aboard the train.

 

For more information about the Grand Canyon Railway, visit thetrain.com or call 1-800-843-8724.

 

Media interested in experiencing the Grand Canyon Railway or requesting interview, contact:

 

René Mack

 

Weber Shandwick for the Grand Canyon Railway

 

212-445-8123

 

rmack@webershandwick.com

 

 

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Mike CTMike CTOGR Forum Member
2008 photos of 4960 on display at Williams.













Current daily power.  Train from Williams to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

2006 pictures of Alco FPA 4's









2011 picture from the Grand Canyon.





When Xanterra Corp. purchased the railroad and facilities at Williams it became apparent how expensive it was to operate the old CB&Q steamer 4960 v.s. even the older Alco FPA4's. The 2008 pictures above show workmen with a "gas axe" (cutting torch) removing the front access steps. Trains still operate daily, steam on special occassions maybe if someone pays the extra fuel rate even if it is recycles vegetable. oil.  Newer power is rebuilt F40FH.  Earlier trips to the Canyon saw one F40FH running with the Alco FPA 4 B units for additional power. Also note the custom Power car.  Those old coaches require a lot of Heat/AC to operate in the desert.   Last trip to the Canyon 2011 the second F40FH was noted. Newer more efficient power dictated by a corporation running a business for a profit. IMO.
There is/were (3) smaller consolidations that came from the Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad #18, #21, #29  All Alcos at least one had Pittsburgh PA heritage. All were converted to oil, noting the fire hazzard as the train proceeds through the Kiabab National Forest to the South Rim of the Canyon.
A Picture of #29 on display at Williams 2010.

Additional pictures.


Last edited by Mike CT
PeterAPeterAOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

#4960 has been used during National Train Day for hourly, 45 minute runs pulling the GCR's classic Harriman coaches.  Two years ago, we heard on the radio that she had a mechanical problem during the return on the 11am run.  Although a relief diesel was being prepared to pull the train back to the station, the word came that Sam Lanter, the engineer, had her running and was heading in, albeit late enough to have to cancel the next run.

 

Turns out that Sam and fireman were able to free the fuel pump of the piece of a french fry that had clogged the pump!  (the recycler was quickly contacted about quality control)

PopsrrPopsrrOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by PeterA:

#4960 has been used during National Train Day for hourly, 45 minute runs pulling the GCR's classic Harriman coaches.  Two years ago, we heard on the radio that she had a mechanical problem during the return on the 11am run.  Although a relief diesel was being prepared to pull the train back to the station, the word came that Sam Lanter, the engineer, had her running and was heading in, albeit late enough to have to cancel the next run.

 

Turns out that Sam and fireman were able to free the fuel pump of the piece of a french fry that had clogged the pump!  (the recycler was quickly contacted about quality control)


Peter thanks for sharing that intresting story.

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