The Territorial-style town of Williams has long been a starting point for canyon tours. The Atchison-Topeka-Santa Fe Railroad operated between here and the canyon from 1901 to 1968; service was re-established in 1989. Today the restored Grand Canyon Railway runs daily trips from the 1908 Williams Depot. The one-way trip takes 2hrs 15min, and is made even quicker by strolling musicians and the antics of Wild West characters on board. It is a worthy alternative to driving and parking at the South Rim, a potential problem any time of year.