VERDE CANYON RAILROAD

4 Hours / 20 miles / 110 Years of History

My last trip to Arizona found me at the Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport and I certainly was not disappointed.  

In addition to complimentary wi-fi and airport shuttle, it also offers a full breakfast buffet that included Belgian waffles/oatmeal/eggs/sausage/potatoes/fresh fruit/biscuits and gravy/cereals/breads/pastries plus much more. My favorite time was during the 5-7pm nightly slot as the hotel offers a “Kickback Experience”, providing up to 3 complimentary drinks along with a beautifully furnished buffet with items such as nachos/hot dogs/chicken fingers/potatoes/vegetables/soups and the like.

This property also offers discount rates for AAA/Seniors/Federal Government/Military/Law Enforcement and more so check out the link to see if you qualify. 

 

The Verde Canyon Railroad is a Southwestern adventure that will take you on a ride through Arizona’s back country, only accessible from the comfort of this train and the only excursion train in the Southwest which offers every guest two (2) seats for the price of one: inside viewing through large panoramic windows and 360-degree views from the open-air observation cars.  Both vantages afford scenery, high-desert flora and fauna, historic trestles, dramatic geology, unusual rock formations and a brief pitch black passage through a century-old 680-foot tunnel.

Observation Deck

Photo: Public Domain

The boarding location for the Verde Canyon Railroad is north of Phoenix airport in Clarkdale Arizona.  My GPS displayed a driving distance of 115 miles from the Drury Inn and would take me 1 hour and 56 minutes.

 

Traveling with my daughter-in-law Trista, we pulled out of the hotel parking lot at 10:00am.  We were asked to check-in at the train depot between 12:00p-12:30pm.  I’m sure they suggest that to encourage you to take advantage of their gift shop and café offerings as our check-in took less than 5 minutes.

 

As you stroll down the sidewalk bordering the outdoor dining area you will come to the John Bell Museum, a renovated boxcar packed with the interesting history of the train line, the Canyon and our neighboring communities all told through a collection of train memorabilia and historic artifacts spanning more than a century.

John Bell Museum boxcar

Inside John Bell Museum

Inside John Bell Museum

You can also find an outside bar area.

Outside bar area

Should you arrive early be sure to walk through the Boxcar Gift Store. 

Boxcar Gift Store

You can also enjoy lunch at the Copper Spike Cafe located inside the Depot.  The cafe has a varied menu of regional favorites, many prepared with locally grown and sourced ingredients. There is an entree to suit everyone’s taste, from the light eater to one with a heartier appetite, from a carnivore to a vegan. Check out the menu here.  

Photo: Public Domain

Our 1:00pm first class tickets had us seated in the Phoenix car, seats 6A and 6B.  The renovated vintage train sports 10 cars with an observation car sandwiched in-between every 2 cars.  Including the engines and caboose the train is ¼ mile in length.   

Observation car

 

Our car, named "Phoenix", was located 2 cars in front of the caboose.  

In front of our assigned Phoenix car

  

When sold to capacity the train seats 300.   

 

The layout and décor of each car is slightly different.  Our seats were on an elevated side at a table for 2.  The car was complimented with large picture windows for viewing. 

As we settled in we were delighted to see snack boxes and water awaiting us at our table. Each box was stuffed to the brim with grapes/cheese/deli slices/crackers and 3 bite sized decadent chocolate desserts. 

Trista with our snack boxes

Just before departure we were served a small pour of champagne for a group toast. 

 

Each individual car was serviced by an enthusiastic employee ready and willing to serve the drinks of your choice.  

As we slowly rolled along announcements were made to focus our attention on points of interest with music softly playing in the background  in-between announcements.   

Photo: Public Domain

Photo: Public Domain

Photo: Public Domain

Photo: Public Domain

Photo: Public Domain

Photo: Public Domain

Photo: Public Domain

Photo: Public Domain

 

My only complaint on this trip was the PA system.  We had a large family group sitting across from us that were very loud talkers.  This made it difficult to hear the narration.  I feel that individual headphones would remedy this.  Otherwise, a great memory. 

 

Check out the train schedule of the Verde Canyon Railroad