Verde Canyon Railroad Luxury Caboose Charter

Verde Canyon Railroad Luxury Caboose Charter -- Enjoy your ride on the historic Verde Canyon Railroad aboard this private luxury class 1929 Caboose car. Caboose #999373 may be chartered for private parties of up to six (6) passengers. Travel the route from Clarkdale to the ghost ranch of Perkinsville and back into the OTHER grand canyon in Arizona in style!

It's not the destination. It's the journey.

Schedule Notes

-January: Wednesday & Saturday
-February: Daily except Tuesday; not available during Chocolate Festival February 10-14
-March: Daily except Tuesday
-April: Daily except Tuesday
-May: Daily except Tuesday
-June: Daily except Tuesday; not available on June 26 (Grape Escape Trains)
-July: Wednesday through Sunday; not available on July 24 (Grape Escape Trains)
-August: Daily except Tuesday; not available on August 21 (Grape Escape Trains)
-September: Daily except Tuesday; not available on September 18 (Grape Escape Train)
-October: Daily except Tuesday; two trains at 9:00 am and 2:30 pm on Saturdays
-November: Daily except Tuesday; no train on Thanksgiving Day
-December: Sunday, Wednesday & Saturday through December 22; daily from December 26-30

Caboose #999373

Until now, train travel may have lost one of its renowned elements, long bypassed by so-called progress and innovation in industry - the caboose. The Verde Canyon Railroad has resurrected rail elegance with the renovation and addition of Caboose #999373 to its rolling stock line-up.

For many years, the caboose and the conductor inside combined to be the "brains" onboard the train, overseeing the all-encompassing train routes that criss-crossed North America. In the early days of railroading, this crew was very important to the many businesses in the towns through which they passed. From the cupola seat to the rear platform, brakemen could assess the safety of speed around curves and gauge obstacles that might materialize during the trip.

Today, passengers who choose to charter this exclusive car will have the comfort and pampering that many of the rail line owners enjoyed when they claimed these luxury cars as their own private touring coaches. Caboose #999373 will hold up to 6 valued friends or colleagues in a private setting. Passage features a personal valet, sumptuous appetizers, premium beverage service and a private outdoor viewing platform. Imagine watching bald eagles, great blue heron and red-tailed hawks soar by from the birds-eye vantage point of the cupola seat! This unique travel experience offers the caboose passengers an exclusive view of the magnificent Verde Canyon filled with Arizona history, geology and archaeology.

General Information:

Home to the American national symbol, the majestic bald eagle, Verde Canyon is accessible only by rail. The historic route is nestled between two national forests and adjacent to a designated wilderness area. This unique geological wonderland features rugged, high desert rock faces and spectacular panoramic views. This distinctive confluence of desert and wetland is populated by a variety of wildlife, which strives among the indigenous trees, shrubs, cactuses and wildflowers.

Passengers on this popular excursion train are enthralled as the eagle-decorated vintage engines roll past towering, crimson cliffs; near ancient Indian ruins; over old-fashioned trestles and through a 680-foot manmade tunnel on a four-hour round trip to deserted Perkinsville Ranch and back.

Expert narration and guides leave passengers with a sense of history, archaeology, geology, wildlife and the Indian lore of the Verde Canyon. Original music also is an integral part of the excursion that takes passengers through the longest-running nature show in Arizona.

Verde Canyon Railroad, nestled in the heart of the expansive Verde Valley is ideally located above the heat of the desert and below the cold of Arizona high country.

Changing leaves add new color to many parts of Arizona each fall but nowehere do the branches blaze quite as brilliantly as they do along the Verde River. Photo opportunities are endless, or one may breathe in the crisp autumn air to appreciate the beauty of nature's dazzling display.

The Verde Canyon Railroad (formerly the Verde Valley Railroad, operated by the Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railroad), was financed by Senator William A. Clark for a hefty $1.3 million. A miracle of engineering, the 38-mile line was built in just one year, from 1911 to 1912. It took 250 men using 200 mules, picks and shovels and lots of Dupont black powder explosives to lay these rails. Today, the same railroad would cost in excess of $38 million.

The smelter, which initiated the construction of the town of Clarkdale, named after Senator Clark, was located just below the Jerome mines. Used until 1952, the smelter had its final 400-foot high stack blown in 1962, signaling the end of an era and an industry on which a community had been built and prospered. Vintage FP7 engines; two of only 12 such models remaining in North America, power all of Verde Canyon Railroad trains. Wildlife artist Doug Allen painted the bald eagle artwork on the engines. All passenger cars are climate-controlled with restrooms. All cars have panoramic windows and provide access to open-air viewing cars. Music and narration are provided throughout the excursion. The train and depot both meet ADA requirements.

Schedule is subject to change without notice and departure times are dependent upon weather.

Tour IncludesPrivate Luxury Caboose Car round-trip train ride featuring great sightseeing and your private valet serving complimentary hors d'ouevres and champagne.

7 DAYS MINIMUM ADVANCED BOOKING REQUIRED. No hotel pickups are available for this tour. This rate includes sales tax. Train Depot is located in Clarkdale, Arizona, which is approximately 25 miles from Sedona and approximately 100 miles from Phoenix. Reserve online or call us toll-free at 888-811-9250.