Grand Canyon Railway
Edward Jones Spirit of Enterprise Award
Max and Thelma Biegert have been partners in business and marriage for nearly 60 years.
Revival of the Grand Canyon Railway is the latest of their bold initiatives. In earlier years, as aviators, these entrepreneurs pioneered novel methods of combating crop pests, forest fires and oil spills from the air. Then in the 1970s, they responded to the fundamental needs of America's new wave of working mothers by creating a regional network of clean, safe, affordable and educational day care centers for children.
The Biegert's latest and greatest venture rescued a national treasure, coming out of retirement and using their own money. From ruins they restored two historic train stations, rebuilt 64 miles of mountainous railroad track, renovated vintage locomotives and coaches and returned daily passenger service to the crown jewel of America's national parks, The Grand Canyon.
Company Profile
Name of Business: Grand Canyon Railway
Nature of Business: Passenger rail service, hospitality
Address: 1201 W. Route 66, Suite 200
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Web: www.thetrain.com
Founded: 1988
Employees: 480
"Entrepreneurs need inquiring minds to learn what the market needs. You need economic stayinjg power and determination so that you don't give up."
-Max Biegert
Grand Canyon Railway
This rail alternative over the past 18 years has transported 3 million visitors while unburdening them and the national park of the environmental costs, traffic woes and parking demands of their 1 million personal vehicles.
Max and Thelma's belief in free enterprise as a foundation of a free nation more than once tested the Biegert's willingness to risk their all.
For years they forewent luxury to live in a mobile home to manage the development of the 300-room destination hotel and trackside restaurant. From scratch, they fashioned jobs for more than 500 Arizonans, many of them young professionals.
Where do Max and Thelma find their strength and inspiration? Says Thelma: "Over the years, we've been blessed with excellent employees. We've had the support of our family, our friends, our faith and of course…for 60 years…one another."
