Night Train Rides in Arizona

STARLIGHT BRIGHTENS THE NIGHT IN THE VERDE CANYON!

CLARKDALE, Ariz. While the sun paints the high desert floor with late afternoon shadow, excursion trains depart the Clarkdale depot promptly at 5:30 bound for tunnels, trestles and other unexpected treats on the Verde Canyon Railroad’s own Starlight Express. Passengers on the open-air cars are refreshed with canyon breezes that cool the Arizona heat. From inside the luxuriously appointed, beautifully decorated, climate controlled passenger cars, excursioneers discover the Verde Canyon’s natural beauty through panoramic windows, one rail at a time.

Beginning with a May 12 departure and then running consistently every Saturday June 23 through September 15, 2007 passengers are treated to a wonderful evening ride aboard the historic Verde Canyon line. The soothing sight of the cool, clear Verde River framed in towering stands of cottonwood, sycamore and willow trees is complemented by expert narration. Car attendants are quick to point out a Great Blue Heron wading in the shallows, awaiting an unsuspecting trout, or an eagle soaring far overhead, searching for dinner.

Towering granite, basalt and red rock cliffs cast ever-lengthening shadows in the remote wilderness of the Verde River Canyon as the train powers toward twilight at the Perkinsville Ranch turnaround spot. Horses and cows are likely to be grazing on the verdant meadows as the rare FP7 engines, hand painted with the noble visage of the American Bald Eagle, cruise past waving passengers, preparing for the journey back to Clarkdale.

Enjoyable as the previous two-hour journey has been, an even greater delight arrives as the sun departs, and countless stars steal the show on the return trip. The canyon walls border the brilliant banner of the high desert night sky. Nature really turns up the wattage in this undisturbed, unpolluted wilderness setting!
As lights from the engine play across monolithic canyon walls, the train’s whistle may elicit a howling response from a coyote choir. Jerome’s streetlights twinkle high on Cleopatra hill, welcoming the train back to the Clarkdale depot.

A star-spangled ride on Verde Canyon Railroad’s historic route from Clarkdale to the ghost ranch of Perkinsville and back - into Arizona’s other grand canyon - is truly an unforgettable experience. To see Mother Nature’s timeless Artistry and the prolific Verde Canyon ecosystem firsthand, call 1-800-293-7245, or visit the Railroad’s website at www.verdecanyonrr.com.

The Verde Canyon Railroad is located at 300 N. Broadway, Clarkdale, Ariz. Ideally situated below the cold of the mountains, and above the heat of the desert, the train depot is 25 minutes from Sedona, two hours north of Phoenix, and one and one-half hours south of Flagstaff. Passengers are encouraged to arrive approximately one and one-half hours prior to departure.