Ales on Rails Highlight October at the Verde Canyon Railroad

Ales on Rails is Verde Canyon Railroad’s way of toasting the German Oktoberfest tradition that has been interwoven into the American tapestry for over 200 years. It is a time to extol autumn’s flamboyance and bounteous harvest. An event to match nature’s exuberance begins before train time on the station’s patio with a lively band, raffle give-a-ways; and a hearty feast of brats, pretzels and strudel. Local breweries showcase ales as amber as the leaves drifting in the breeze.

The revelry continues aboard the train which pulls out of the station at 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 1:00 p.m. on Sundays throughout October for a four-hour round-trip to Perkinsville Ranch. The autumnal glory unfolds outside the panoramic windows of the deluxe climate-controlled coaches while passengers savor favorite picks of Arizona microbrewery ale. Jaunts to the open-air viewing cars with camera in hand are “a must” to capture wildlife amid this valley ablaze with gold, crimson and orange, and for a deep breath of clear fall air.

All who board the Haunted Halloween Express on Saturday, October 31st are swept into a vortex of spine-tingling fun. Young and old alike are gleefully riveted by spooky tales shared by train staff and passengers. A wart-nosed rail-witch or a fairy princess will be on the lookout for the scariest, funniest and many more costume categories worn by kids and adults, for which she’ll award creepy prizes. Ghoulish passengers of every sort enjoy munching on Halloween treats.

The Bride of Frankenstein may be telling tales of the canyon’s history and folklore, conjuring up images of the past.  The low whistling winds are perhaps ghostly whispers of ancient Sinagua Indian cliff-dwellers or of miners’ spirits restlessly roaming between the fallen timbers of Jerome’s abandoned copper mine shafts.

Leave the confines of city life for Ales on Rails and Haunted Halloween in favor of high-spirited fun and an unforgettable journey around every bend and over every bridge as the train winds through the red-rock canyon in autumnal brilliance.

Wednesday through Saturday, round off the day with a harvest feast at the Blazin’ M Ranch Chuckwagon Dinner Show. Both train ride and dinner show can conveniently be reserved at the same time by calling 1-800-293-7245 or book on-line at www.verdecanyonrr.com

It’s not the destination, it’s the journey!
The Verde Canyon Railroad depot is located at 300 N. Broadway in Clarkdale, 25 minutes from Sedona, 2 hours north of Phoenix and 90 minutes south of Flagstaff. Passengers are encouraged to arrive approximately one and one-half hours prior to departure.