(Article) The Verde Canyon Railroad: A Western Tradition Lives on in Northern Arizona

The Verde Canyon Railroad: A Western Tradition Lives on in Northern Arizona

The Verde Canyon Railroad once hauled valuable copper ore from the Jerome mines. Today, visitors are finding that the restored railway carries something just as valuable….. a remarkable “bucket-list” experience.

While attending the 1884 World’s Fair in New Orleans, Montana businessman William A. Clark was impressed enough by the exhibited copper ore sample from the United Verde Mine in Jerome that he invested $60 million to purchase a majority share. It turned out to be a wise move as the Cleopatra Hill deposit was soon to be realized as one of the richest ever found. The only problem was its location. Clark had the solution. He knew the value of rail lines through his previous experience supplying Montana miners. The die was cast. Clark soon replaced the primitive wagon roads connecting the remote outpost with an “iron road”. The 26 mile United Verde & Pacific Railway was finished in 1895 and brought the valuable ore efficiently to the company’s smelter in Clarkdale. By 1912 Clark had finished the north/south connecting line through Verde Canyon to Drake via Perkinsville where the popular excursion line runs today.

When Dave Durbano purchased the rail line from Clarkdale to Perkinsville in 1988 sight-unseen he could not imagine how the railway would eventually be transformed into its designation as one of “Arizona’s Treasures.” It wasn’t until his first ride through the Verde Canyon on a GP7 locomotive that he would become “mesmerized” by the wonderful confluence of natural beauty, wildlife, geology, and history found alongside the winding canyon-hugging route.

Tens of thousands of visitors each year venture into the winding canyon aboard the Verde Canyon Railway where Bald Eagles soar above the high-walled canyon and ancient Sinagua cliff dwellings can be seen from your choice of an open-air viewing car or a more luxurious passenger coach. The vintage rail cars are individually named after prominent Arizona towns and themed in unique interior motifs that reflect the varied regions found in the “Copper State.” You don’t have to give up modern comforts while being transported into the past aboard the train.

The 40 mile round-trip to the ghost town of Perkinsville takes you over restored trestles and through hand-carved tunnels. You might recognize scenery from John Ford’s iconic 1960’s western How the West Was Won featuring Debbie Reynolds and Jimmy Stewart filmed at and around the depot.

Each fully-restored passenger car is climate-controlled, has its own restroom and allows passengers to access the covered open-air viewing cars where you can stretch your legs or capture a photographic memory. The knowledgeable and attentive staff is available throughout the train to ensure that all of your needs are met with all of the nostalgia and panache of a by-gone era.

First-class passengers take in the majestic scenery from living room-styled seating and enjoy complimentary appetizers and premium beverages served to you at your seat. There is a champagne toast upon departure and large panoramic windows from which to comfortably take in the ever-changing views of the canyon.

Many passengers enjoy the more-traditional Pullman-style seating in Coach. There is more of a passenger-train feel without sacrificing any of the scenic grandeur available from whatever package you choose. 

You can also arrange for your own group’s private caboose complete with a personal valet, private outdoor viewing platform and cupola seats prompting one recent rider to describe the experience as “being treated like royalty.”

For those rail fans seeking a more interactive experience, the Verde Canyon RR offers a ride-along option. You can don railroad safety gear, assist the engineer and conductor with pre-trip preparations and have lunch at the Copper Spike Café before taking your seat up front in the General Motors EMD FP7 locomotive. Take the four-hour trip to Perkinsville and back in the cab and upon your return you’ll received a framed photo of you and the crew and a certificate of completion to commemorate your perfect day. Commenting on his experience “up in the cab,” Daniel O’Conner shared “This was a great introduction to all the workings under the skin and how they operate.”

The Verde Canyon Railroad departs from the depot complex in Clarkdale once a day Wednesdays through Sundays. Departure times vary so call ahead or consult the on-line calendar for complete information. Make sure to arrive early so you can preface your trip with a historical context in the John Bell Railroad Museum housed appropriately in a converted boxcar. Open 8a.m.-5p.m. daily, the museum is filled with historic artifacts from the personal collection of local historian and railroad enthusiast John Bell.

Better yet, have a meal at the Copper Spike Café at the depot where you can enjoy locale fare while waiting to begin your special day. Walk it off along the quarter-mile depot platform while learning interesting facts about the region’s people, wildlife and history from the storyboards installed along the way.

Find a souvenir, some home décor, local artwork and jewelry or even clothing available at the Boxcar Gift Store. Across the patio, you can indulge your more eclectic taste. Filled with private label wines, brews and specialty food items, the Whistle Stop @ Milepost 38 is well-supplied to provide you with that perfect take-home gift.

          Many special events are showcased throughout the year that complements the standard train tour with seasonal celebrations, wildlife migrations, and

-The popular Chocolate Lover’s Valentines Celebration each February allows you to treat that special someone to the scenic tour while indulging on mouth-watering desserts. Enjoy dipping a strawberry under the flowing chocolate fountain or share a glass of champagne on one of the open-viewing cars as you take each new view around every winding turn.

 -April 16^th this year makes for “the hoppiest celebration” around aboard the Easter Bunny Express. Children will enjoy the face painting, bunny photo-op or jellybean counting contest as much as adults will enjoy a spring-fresh Bloody Mary or Prickly Pear Margarita.

-Summer visitors can take a Saturday Night Starlight Tour where they can watch the interplay of disappearing sunlight wash across the high canyon walls. The return trip in darkness affords a breath-taking celestial journey where earth and sky meet in grand fashion.

-Wildlife lovers will enjoy Eagle Watch rides running December through May. The Bald Eagles return to the canyon each winter to breed and the railroad offers an exclusive viewing experience of our national symbol in its natural habitat.

-Nothing highlights Northern Arizona in autumn better than the railroad’s Fall Color Tour during October and November. The riparian interface along the Verde River is awash in seasonal glory as the Cottonwoods, Willows and Sycamores turn their leaves. No needs to worry about the chill as all of the cars are heated allowing you to view the colorful spectacle in comfort.

The Verde Canyon Railroad has something for everyone. Railroad enthusiasts come from all over to step back in time to a period where the west was tamed by the “iron horse.” Wildlife lovers are never disappointed as the canyon area along the Verde River is filled with over 74 species of waterfowl, raptors, and mammals. If photography is more to your liking, you’ll need plenty of film or memory cards for this trip as every turn along the route affords ample opportunity for that perfect shot. You can hold your wedding or family reunion aboard the train by arranging with the line. Regardless of the time of year or reason for your tour, upon your return to the Clarksdale depot you’re likely to agree with this honeymooner from Kansas City, “I must tell you it was fantastic! We truly enjoyed the experience.”

Contact the Verde Canyon Railroad for more information at 1-800-582-7245 or visit their website at https://verdecanyonrr.com