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A few years back my wife and I took the MRR from KWD to KCY and connected with the SWC, destination Wiliams Junction. We wanted to see the Grand Canyon (a bucket list item). I submitted a report to Rail Forum about our trip. But in reference to the news of the closing of Williams Junction I have mixed feelings. No doubt the Flagstaff change is for the better but stopping in the dark and "wilderness" and being picked up by a shuttle was adventurous. The east bound connection was quaint. We arrived at the station predawn and a lantern or lamp was lit on a pole to signal the train to stop. Soon we saw the Chief approaching and it stopped. We happily got aboard and retired to our roomettes. The experience seemed anachronistic in this high tech age. Glad we had the experience.
yukon11 Member # 2997
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Considering the arrival times into Williams Junction, I think Flagstaff is a better town for detrainment. You could then, the next morning, catch a shuttle to the historic, old train station at Williams for boarding the Grand Canyon Railway. I would guess there is a bus from Flagstaff directly to the Grand Canyon (?). Lots of motels in Flagstaff. I always liked the Flagstaff version of the Little America motel. Plenty of gas pumps, outside.
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