ENVIRONMENT
In recognition of Earth Day, a 100-year-old steam engine will chug into Grand Canyon National Park powered by french fry oil.
On Saturday, April 22, 2023, The Grand Canyon Railway — which may be the last daily standard gauge U.S. railroad to run steam engines in scheduled regular service — will use waste vegetable oil and biodegradable lubricants to show that ingenuity can thrive for future generations.
On Earth Day and other select days from now through October, GCR Locomotive No. 4960, a massive steam engine built in 1923, will use recycled oil to fuel its daily running from Williams, Arizona, to South Rim, Grand Canyon.
Dubbed the French Fry Express, mostly due to the aroma passengers experience while riding, No. 4960 is a 1923 Baldwin Locomotive Works engine that was converted to run on recycled waste vegetable oil, like the oil used for fries, chicken wings, and funnel cakes (but minus the crispy bits) collected from restaurants in Williams and the South Rim ... read more.