With the fate of the Napier-Gisborne railway in the news, this line in Arizona from Williams to the Grand Canyon is worthy of mention as an example to emulate.
This branch line, 65 miles (105 km) from Williams, was completed by the Santa Fe in 1901 and after the original freight traffic from ore and mining fell away, Santa Fe continued to operate the line for tourist passenger traffic. By the 1960s that too had diminished and the last Santa Fe train ran in July 1968. Unused, in 1988 Santa Fe abandoned the line forever... but it was bought by Max and Thelma Biegert who announced redevelopment of the railway route to the Grand Canyon and the rehabilitation of the historic Fray Marcos Hotel and Williams Depot. On 17 September 1989 the Williams Depot re-opened under Grand Canyon Railway’s ownership. Today it is is a thriving operation. More history on their website
Lessons for what could be done with Napier-Gisborne.
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