The Grand Canyon Rails to the Rim was the top reason we chose to stay in Williams as opposed to Sedona. We thought it would be a different experience to ride the train into the Grand Canyon. We purchased first class tickets for myself and my 2 children. My husband drove so that we can visit other places in the park more conveniently.
Sadly the experience was very disappointing in that everyone got their photos taken by the staff photographer but us. The hostess went by to collect trash from all passengers except from my kids. Then when we finally go to the Grand Canyon, I wanted to take a picture of my kids at the caboose engine. I asked the young blonde female attendant if they could stand on the back caboose platform for a quick picture, she preceded to ask if we rode the train. I said yes. She said, “Coach?” I said no, first class and she still said, “no.” I think that was the last straw in this unpleasant trip on the Grand Canyon Railway. We have been all over the United States and to other countries and I’m not one to claim racism often, but it sure felt like it in this case. After reading some other reviews here, I’m more certain of it now. What a disgrace to the tradition of the railway. I’d suggest the management relook at their employee training, it’s 2019, this should not be happening, especially in multiple incidences.
We ended up not returning on the train, we would rather forfeit our tickets than stand for this type of treatment.