I’m going to Arizona later this summer and will probably be spending one night in Williams (en route to the Grand Canyon). Do any of you have either personal experience photographing that area or know of any good Web sites that profile the area?
I’m hoping to spend one of the mornings out along the BNSF, but would also consider venturing out to shoot the Grand Canyon Railway as it heads from Williams to the south rim. (Unfortunately, as much as I’d like to ride that train, it doesn’t fit our schedule. A family friend is a ranger at the Grand Canyon, so we need to take advantage of that.)
I would advise going east out of Williams as there is lots of access. The road from Williams to the Grand Canyon parallels the GCR for a short distance. You could do some pre trip googling to find the necessary side roads.
Bergie: On this forum, talk to diningcar, he had a hand in how the current allignment got the way it is today from his work on the linechange in the mid-60’s…
Been in the same situation on a family vacation Bergie. Might want to look at spending time at Williams Junction where the main and the Phoenix line come back together just east of town. Spent some time out there in the morning and evening with good results. Get yourself an Arizona Gazetteer by DeLorme or some sort of navigation device.
The next two exits off I-40 east of Williams are also pretty good–Chandler and Maine. You should have no problem finding a good shot at either of those locations.
I like the area around Flagstaff too–take time to check out around there too.
Take some time to shoot the Grand Canyon Rwy too–nice curve as they turn to the north after leaving the downtown Williams depot on the morning departures.
There’ve already been a couple of threads about that area here - one about 3 - 6 months ago, and another maybe last fall or so - though the inquiries were about other towns on the BNSF main such as Flagstaff, Winslow, Seligman, or maybe Phoenix. If no one else provides the links, I’ll see if I can find them sometime tomorrow.
Williams is one of my favorite cities to visit in our nation. Last there in '05 and may try to get back in '11 or '12. US 66 is dotted w/ many great eating places in town. I would suggest to take part of a day or evening to partake in non rail activities while there. Across the tracks from the depot is good home cooking @ Pine Country Restaurant. Across from them is a mexican cafe w/ a outdoor seating area and live music in the eve. On the east side of town is Twisters Soda Fountain and another good diner next door. In the middle of town is a little mom/pop nook & cranny eating hole which serves a great breakfast at less than $5.00. If you leave Williams hungry, its your own fault! Have fun.
La Posada in Winslow is the rehabbed former ATSF station/ Harvey House, now a hotel w/ dining room. Woman architect did a heckuva job with it. Now on Nat’l. Register Historic Places, I believe.
I was in Wms. recently and tried to access the line change from Airport Rd. BNSF now has a gate there. Too many trespassers doing the wrong things I suppose because that road along the line change has been available for years.
The line change west from Wms. has many great spots for photography and so if you can use your credentials with BNSF to gain access at Airport Rd I recommend it. If you get Google Satelite maps you will see several Forest Service roads west of Wms. which intersect the Transcon and should let you get all the photo opportunities you will desire.
Others have given info about the Transcon east of Wms. and they are OK, alright good, but the deep cuts and spectacular background along the line change will make your photgraphic day.
Lance: Chalender not Chandler. G. P. Chalender was a former Albuquerque Division Superintendent, Chandler Bing was on Friends. The road at Chalender is also known as Bootlegger Crossing to the locals.
Bergie: Get a Forest Service Map. See http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/kai/ and check out the map section of this Kaibab National Forest website. The Forest Service map will show which local roads are open to the public and where they intersect with the BNSF mainline. If you won’t have a high ground clearance vehicle don’t go off road.
Follow the sun, the tracks are generally east-west, but note the locations where they are north-south. The sun is always south, sometimes southeast or southwest, etc. Plan your day accordingly.
Never been out that way myself yet - but the odds are now leaning very strongly towards being there for a week or a little more there around Chrstmas and New Year’s this year (daughter and son-in-law in Phoenix), hence my interest.
Abra - Skull Valley line change construction began in 1961 and opened for operation in April 1962. This new line to Phoenix shortened the distance by 14 miles and lowered maximum elevation by 1000 feet.
Williams - Crookton construction began in Sept. 1959 and opened for operation December, 1960. The distance of 44 miles was the same as the old line but grade and curviture reduction, plus elimination of helper service and tunnel clearance problems, made this a a very worthwhile project. Today’s Transcon would not be nearly as competive without Wms. - Crookton.
I spent a couple nights in Williams, and rode the train to the canyon. We also rode horeseback into the canyon at the Havasupai Reservation.
“America’s Finest Railroad” (cover story of Trains; October, 1974) is the Black Mesa and Lake Powell Railroad, which runs 78 miles from a coal mine to a power plant in the Four Corners area. It is built with concrete ties and electrified to 50 kV.
Lonely railroads of the Four Corners Trains, October 2000 page 50 coal-hauling railroads in northeast Arizona and northwest New Mexico ( ARIZONA, BLKM, BNSF, COAL, “DIVEN, WILLIAM P.”, EW, NEWMEXICO, TRN )