The Grand Canyon Railroad has a long history with Grand Canyon National Park. It was first envisioned in the late 1800s. In 1897 the Santa Fe and Grand Canyon Railroad was incorporated. By the time the final track was laid the company had gone through several changes and was acquired by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway.
The Grand Canyon Railway made its first journey to the Grand Canyon on September 17, 1901. The railroad’s northern terminus was at the south rim of the Grand Canyon at one of a very few log constructed railway stations ever built. The log station was constructed in the years of 1909-1910.
Because of the dependence on the automobile of the American tourist, the Grand Canyon Railway stopped service to Grand Canyon south rim in 1968. However, in an effort to restore the history of the area, the Grand Canyon Railroad was refurbished, reconditioned, and reopened in 1989. Its first passenger service in several years was re-established on September 17, 1989. Depending on the price you are willing to pay you may be riding in a typical railroad car or even in one of the several raised dome cars. I have ridden the railroad and thought it was certainly worth the time and money for a new adventure.
You can view this and many other panoramas of the Grand Canyon at GCPano.org where you will find more detailed descriptions along with topo maps and interactive movement from one panorama to the next.