Steam trains have been taking visitors from Williams, Arizona, to the rim of the Grand Canyon since 1901. But it’s only been since 2008 that these historic steam engines have been converted to run on chip fat rather than diesel.

The work has been carried out by railroad company Xanterra.

As well as using recycled vegetable oil, the company harvests 90,000 gallons of snowmelt and rainwater each year to produce steam in its veteran engines.

Steam trains have been taking visitors from Williams, Arizona, to the rim of the Grand Canyon since 1901. But it’s only been since 2008 that these historic steam engines have been converted to run on chip fat rather than diesel.

The work has been carried out by railroad company Xanterra.

As well as using recycled vegetable oil, the company harvests 90,000 gallons of snowmelt and rainwater each year to produce steam in its veteran engines.

Away from the railway, the company runs hotels, restaurants and tour buses within the National Park – all along strictly green lines.

The buses around the Rim are gas-powered. The restaurant roof is covered in solar panels and in two years, the company has reduced its water use by almost 60 per cent.

The steam trains run excursions on high days and holidays (check the website thetrain.com). This year, the railway plans a special Earth Day steam train ride to the Canyon. Toot toot!