Well "express" it is not! I'm sure most of these historic railway operations must be limited to 20 mph or else they would derail! Condition of the ancient rolling stock and especially track conditions would make higher speeds dangerous. However it's more about the journey and no one needs to speed along the beautiful Sycamore and Verde valley but simply enjoy the red rock canyons and mountains, the Verde river, trestle bridges, tunnel, leafy canyons and the Coconino National Forest. We traveled first class and had an exclusive adjoining open viewing car we could move between the two easily. Opened in 1912 to serve copper mines we traveled a round trip of 20 miles of the 38 mile track boarding at Clarkdale to turn around at Perkinsville which is really nowhere in particular except scenes from How the West Was Won were filmed here! I was expecting a ghost town but I was disappointed there really was nothing to see! The narrator and waitresses described the main scenery enroute and generated a lot of spirit and were very much into promoting alcoholic drinks and I suppose that was the antidote for a four hour slow rail journey up the canyon to nowhere! I really prefer live steam locomotives but sice this railroad was 5 miles from our camp we decided to enjoy the ride!
