By Railfan & Railroad Staff

The Grand Canyon Railway will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the construction of its 2-8-2 locomotive 4960 with a series of excursions this month and a party this weekend, the railroad announced recently. 

Locomotive 4960 was built in 1923 by Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. In the 1960s, it became famous as one of the CB&Q locomotives used on the railroad’s popular steam excursions. In 1989, it was purchased by the Grand Canyon and went into service in 1998. While most Grand Canyon excursions are diesel led now, the railroad still uses 4960 for special occasions. 

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the locomotive’s construction, the Grand Canyon will have it lead the “French Fry Express” on August 12 and 19. The train is named in honor of what the locomotive burns: A few years ago, the locomotive was modified to burn waste vegetable oil. The fuel makes the operation of 4960 carbon natural. The Grand Canyon is also the first tourist railway in the U.S. to receive ISO 14001 third-party certification of its environmental management system. It’s estimated that the GCR reduces the number of cars in the national park to the tune of around 70,000 per year.

The railroad plans on hosting a special party for the locomotive on August 12. For more information, visit the railroad’s website at TheTrain.com.