Volunteer crew aims to have Santa Fe 2926 steaming again by 2019

A group of volunteers in Albuquerque has labored for years to restore a Santa Fe 2926 steam locomotive that hasn't rolled down a set of tracks in 65 years. With more work and a bit of luck, the locomotive will chug into Las Vegas, New Mexico, about the time the long-closed Castaneda Hotel there reopens … Continue reading Volunteer crew aims to have Santa Fe 2926 steaming again by 2019

Pecos National Historical Park visitors center to receive an upgrade

The visitors center at Pecos National Historical Park in Pecos, New Mexico, soon will undergo a three-year, $1 million improvement plan. Becky Latanich, the park’s chief of interpretation and education, told the Albuquerque Journal she wants to make the visitors center more appealing to children and families. One of the most important changes for Latanich … Continue reading Pecos National Historical Park visitors center to receive an upgrade

Angels on the Route restaurant in Baxter Springs closes temporarily

The Angels on the Route restaurant in downtown Baxter Springs, Kansas, has closed at least temporarily until spring. Sue Gast, who helped revitalize the historic building into a restaurant more than 10 years ago, wrote in an email Thursday: My business is temporarily closed for the season and hoping to open in April. We will … Continue reading Angels on the Route restaurant in Baxter Springs closes temporarily

Formerly injured bald eagle released at lake near Litchfield

A female bald eagle that endured months of recovery after being injured in a fight in April with a male bald eagle at a Litchfield, Illinois, lake was released back into the wild Saturday. The release occurred with hundreds of spectators watching at Lake Lou Yaeger, just north of Litchfield. The lake lies about two … Continue reading Formerly injured bald eagle released at lake near Litchfield

Comedy tour seeks venues for Route 66 tour

A Route 66-themed comedy tour with one American and two Australian comics this summer seeks venues for them along the Mother Road. The Routed 66 tour will feature Dr. Brian King of the United States and Australian comics Jacci Pillar and Tim Read. The tour begins in Los Angeles on June 21 and ends in … Continue reading Comedy tour seeks venues for Route 66 tour

New Emma-Lee music video features a lot of Route 66

Emma-Lee, a Canadian singer-songwriter, this week released a new video for her song, "Drivin'," that features a slew of Route 66 sites in the Southwest. https://youtu.be/lKoo0pKGZPc I saw locations in Tulsa; Tucumcari, New Mexico; Winslow, Arizona; Oatman, Arizona; Santa Monica, California; Adrian, Texas; Amarillo, Texas; along with Meteor Crater and Grand Canyon National Park, both … Continue reading New Emma-Lee music video features a lot of Route 66

California Route 66 Museum temporarily closes after break-in

The California Route 66 Museum in Victorville closed temporarily Monday after a burglary earlier in the day damaged many of the museum's displays. The museum reported on its Facebook page Monday morning that San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies arrested a suspect. The break-in occurred early Monday, when the museum was closed and no one was … Continue reading California Route 66 Museum temporarily closes after break-in

Carthage chamber honors Camp Mi Casa for revamping once-decrepit property

The Carthage, Missouri, Chamber of Commerce honored two business owners for revitalizing a once-decrepit trailer park on Route 66 into a gleaming RV park. The Joplin Globe had the details about the honor: Stephanie and Dale Garber, owners of Camp Mi Casa on the Route, received the Spotlight Award for improvements made to their RV … Continue reading Carthage chamber honors Camp Mi Casa for revamping once-decrepit property

Government shutdown closes several sites on or near Route 66

The ongoing shutdown by the U.S. federal government shuttered National Park Service sites on or near Route 66 this weekend, with no resolution in sight. An exception is Grand Canyon National Park, which remains accessible because of a partnership with the state of Arizona. Businesses there that include lodging, restaurants and retail stay open. Within … Continue reading Government shutdown closes several sites on or near Route 66

Route 66 Village Visitors Center in Tulsa may be finished by spring

The Route 66 Village Visitors Center under construction in southwest Tulsa probably will be finished by springtime, according to a report on a variety of Route 66 projects in Tulsa. Tulsa World columnist John Klein reported the visitors center, designed to look like a vintage gas station, should be finished in a few months. According … Continue reading Route 66 Village Visitors Center in Tulsa may be finished by spring