GRAND CANYON RAILWAY - PAGE 3

Railfan Weekend, October 1998.  This time #18 pulled a photo freight, complete with a caboose on the rear.  I managed to hitch a ride in the caboose and shot this from the cupola, headed northbound up Apex hill. Dedicated Railfans will go to great lengths for those perfect shots.  I had worked until 4 am the night before, gotten 2 hours sleep, then caught this train at 7:00 am.  I did manage a 45 minute nap onboard.  After arrival at the Canyon, I returned to Williams by van, starting my next work shift that afternoon.  Who says I didn't learn anything in College? The caboose is a former ATSF Extended Vision #999727.  Built in the 1970's it is the most modern piece of equipment on this train, let alone the entire Railroad!  It's now owned by the Grand Canyon Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and on display at the Williams Depot.  GCR occasionally uses it for work trains.

DoubleHeader at Pitt, Railfan Weekend 1997. This was the first runby of the morning (there would be 20 total at 10 different locations before the day was through).  When we got off the train in the middle of nowhere I thought "This is a dumb place for a runby".  However, after these 2 beasts stormed by at near 40 mph, I thought differently.

#4960 returning from a test run in May 1999.  Here it is on the North Leg of the Williams Wye.  The NRHS Caboose is on the rear.

#18 at Red Lake Northbound with Train #2, Bill Williams Mountain in the background. This was taken on a Railfan Expedition with Tom Moungovan.  This location was his suggestion, since he had never shot the train here before.  I wasn't too excited about it, but obliged since he was the guest.  After seeing the photo, I'm glad I did.