We decided to give our driver (Dave) a day off from trying to drive and sightsee all at the same time. We decided to catch a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad and enjoy the afternoon. We arrived around 11am and walked around the depot and admired the beautiful Eagle artwork that was painted by wildlife and landscape artist, Doug Allen on the side of the engine. Next we entered into the Boxcar Gift Shop to browse around. They have everything you can think of from hatpins to collectible engines and rail cars to videos and music. Of course they have the usual children’s items that they enjoy too. We still had an hour before the train would leave so we ordered our picnic lunch from the Copper Spike café and enjoyed sitting at the picnic tables set up along the track.
There are two classes of tickets, coach or first class. Both classes have access to an open air-viewing car with historic narration in all cars. We decided to take the coach class since we planned on spending all our time on board in the open air-viewing car. We hear the sound of the train horn and we hear the engine whine as we get ready to pull out of the depot. Our afternoon delight has started. In the beginning we learn that the first rail line, the Atlantic and Pacific, was completed in 1882, connecting Jerome and Ashfork. The railroad was also referred to as the "Verde Mix" because of a diverse mixture of both product and people. The old United Verde Mining Company that the train provided service for went out of business in 1952 putting an end to the railroad in the immediate area. However, in 1997 the train and depot was purchased and turned into the Verde Canyon Railroad excursion train.
I guess you could say we where there during the winter season. It was early March but the weather was spectacular. We where told to keep an eye out for the bald eagles that make their winter home in the canyon. As we round the corner low and behold there’s what we’re all looking for. We spot an eagle sitting in a tree along the Verde River and across the river high on the side of the canyon wall we spot another eagle sitting on the nest. Now we’ve seen eagles at Dollywood in Tennessee at her eagle habitat, but what an awesome sight to see them in their natural habitat. As we meandered along the countryside we saw wild boar and cows grazing along the path and river. As the train snakes around curves, over trestles, and through a 680-foot man-made tunnel what beautiful pictures you can take. In some places, the canyon walls are so close it's hard to believe that there's room for the tracks, what with the river right next to you on the other side.
There are no stops on this train ride until you arrive at your destination of Perkinsville Ranch. At one time there were 10 families living in the immediate area. It finally became a ghost town in the early 1950s when the locomotives switched from steam to diesel and the train no longer needed to stop to refuel at the water station there. The engines detach from the rest of the train at this point and actually come down along side of you and rehook to the other end of the rail cars. Then you head back the same way you came but it all looks completely different from a new angle and a different time of day.
The trip was fantastic. The sights in the canyon where excellent and the staff was friendly and courteous.
During our ride, we had the opportunity to see some of the most awesome landscape and wildlife and waterfowl imaginable.
To make reservations or get more info on group or special events Verdecanyonrr.
Check out Verde Canyon RR.
No coolers or hard-pack containers, strollers or large carry-ons are allowed. The train and the depot are non-smoking facilities.
Personal vehicle is best way. But there are also many tour companies that can bring you in to the depot. Some of the hotels, motels and resorts in the area also offer "Room and Ride" packages with shuttle service to the depot.