The Great Western Railroad depot in Springfield, Illinois, was named to the National Register of Historic Places effective Aug. 25, according to an email a few days ago from the National Park Service. The depot at 930 E. Monroe St. (map here) sits barely a block east of the classic Ninth Street alignment of Route … Continue reading Railroad depot in Springfield named to National Register
Category: Railroad
A closer look at Tulsa’s Route 66 Village
Explore Tulsa recently uploaded this informative clip about the Route 66 Village in southwest Tulsa. Mike Massey, train project manager, explains the vintage Frisco Meteor 4500 locomotive, rail cars and the Red Fork commemorative oil derrick on the site. https://youtu.be/9SDBcLIgjgs I do hope the volunteers can renovate the inside of that circa-1929 passenger car so … Continue reading A closer look at Tulsa’s Route 66 Village
Red Oak II now offering overnight stays
Red Oak II, a vivid re-creation of a now-vanished town by folk artist Lowell Davis, recently started offering overnight stays in cabins reclaimed from a former Route 66 motel in Duquesne, Missouri, reported the Joplin Globe in a feature story about Davis and his complex near Carthage, Missouri. Also, a former mayor who resides at Red Oak II … Continue reading Red Oak II now offering overnight stays
Albuquerque’s most popular filming locations
KRQE-TV in Albuquerque produced this fascinating story about the city's most popular filming locations for movies, television series and commercials. Not surprisingly, several exist on Central Avenue, aka Route 66 -- Lindy's Coffee Shop and Loyola's Family Restaurant. The station reported: So why are Lindy’s and Loyola’s attractive for filmmakers? “They’re still period, they still … Continue reading Albuquerque’s most popular filming locations
La Posada owner commits to buying Plaza Hotel
Allan Affeldt, co-owner of the historic La Posada hotel in Winslow, Arizona, announced Tuesday night in a Facebook post that he signed a contract to buy the historic Plaza Hotel in downtown Las Vegas, New Mexico. Affeldt's wish to own the Plaza Hotel had been known for weeks. He had said owning the Plaza would … Continue reading La Posada owner commits to buying Plaza Hotel
Grand Canyon Railway bringing out steam engine for Father’s Day weekend
The Grand Canyon Railway, based in the Route 66 town of Williams, Arizona, will bring back a 1923 steam locomotive and Pullman cars for special displays and excursions on Father's Day weekend, June 14-15. It's part of the railroad's first Williams Train Days festival, which, according to the news release, will have other goodies that … Continue reading Grand Canyon Railway bringing out steam engine for Father’s Day weekend
El Garces reopens Saturday
The City of Needles, California, has planned an 11 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday for the remodeling and reopening of the long-closed El Garces intermodal transportation facility, reported the Mohave Valley Daily News. In addition to public speakers, the event at the former Harvey House will feature: A farmers market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. … Continue reading El Garces reopens Saturday
La Posada owner completes purchase of Hotel Castaneda
As expected, Allan Affeldt, co-owner of historic La Posada in Winslow, Ariz., on Monday closed on his purchase of the long-closed Hotel Castaneda, aka La Castaneda, in Las Vegas, N.M. Affeldt said in a Facebook post: Purchased Fred Harvey's 1898 Hotel Castaneda today. It closed as a hotel in 1948 so we have one week … Continue reading La Posada owner completes purchase of Hotel Castaneda
Ribbon-cutting set for El Garces on May 3
The long rehabilitation of El Garces in Needles, Calif., will be capped with a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 3, reported the Needles Desert Star. According to the newspaper, the city manager said renovations will finish by the end of this month, and the city will receive the keys to the property April 1. El Garces will … Continue reading Ribbon-cutting set for El Garces on May 3
Eastern Flyer train passes by Rock Creek Bridge
Passenger rail service returned for the first time in many years last week with the Eastern Flyer train that starts in the Route 66 town of Sapulpa, Okla., and goes to Oklahoma City suburb of Midwest City and back again. Other trips in February are already sold out. The idea was to generate interest in … Continue reading Eastern Flyer train passes by Rock Creek Bridge