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
Category: Railroad
El Garces may reopen as soon as March as a depot
The historic El Garces Hotel in Needles, Calif., may reopen as early as late March as an intermodal transportation facility -- but not as a hotel -- after a long rehabilitation, according to a recent report by the Needles Daily Star. According to the newspaper: Linda Kidd, city council woman and project committee member, said the hope … Continue reading El Garces may reopen as soon as March as a depot
La Posada owner may buy another Harvey House
Allan Affeldt, owner of the historic La Posada along Route 66 in Winslow, Ariz., posted this Facebook message today: In Las Vegas new mexico today to open escrow to buy the Castaneda - another long-neglected fred harvey hotel, one of the loveliest and most famous in the southwest. Now i have until 8 april to … Continue reading La Posada owner may buy another Harvey House
Historic hotel in Seligman receives grant
A group that wants to turn the century-old Cottage Hotel in Seligman, Ariz., into a visitors center and museum received a $9,000 grant from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, according to The Associated Press and a news release from the agency. The Seligman Historical Society will use the grant to survey the property for potentially harmful asbestos … Continue reading Historic hotel in Seligman receives grant
Sapulpa tourism advocate named Citizen of the Year
Russell Crosby of Sapulpa, Okla., on Thursday was named the city's 2013 Citizen of the Year for his work on the famed trolley car on Route 66 and other tourism attractions over the years, according to the Sapulpa Daily Herald. His list of accomplishments is impressive: His contributions in Sapulpa include the transformation of an … Continue reading Sapulpa tourism advocate named Citizen of the Year
3rd Rail Bar heavily damaged by fire
A fire on New Year's Day heavily damaged the 3rd Rail Bar & Grill along Route 66 in Pacific, Mo., and will remain closed indefinitely until it is renovated, according to the Washington Missourian newspaper. Pacific Fire Chief Rick Friedmann said the fire, which was reported about 4 a.m., damaged about 45 percent of the bar. … Continue reading 3rd Rail Bar heavily damaged by fire
Station to Station in Winslow
Station to Station, the arts and music festival that rolled across America by train, put together this montage from its stop at La Posada Hotel in Winslow, Ariz. You'll see Jackson Browne performing "Take It Easy" around the four-minute mark. STS - The Winslow Happening from Station to Station on Vimeo. Earlier coverage of Browne's … Continue reading Station to Station in Winslow
City of Amarillo votes to buy historic Santa Fe depot
The Amarillo City Commission voted Tuesday to buy the historic Santa Fe Depot in downtown for $2.6 million, including renovations, despite some objections from residents over the cost, reported the Amarillo Globe-News. The newspaper said: Commissioners spoke of important factors considered in the purchase real estate — its relatively large size, proximity to the Civic … Continue reading City of Amarillo votes to buy historic Santa Fe depot
Mojave water company wants to build museum, tourism train
A water-mining company in California's Mojave Desert wants to build a museum and offer rides in an antique steam train. However, environmentalists says this proposal is a ploy to avoid federal scrutiny of its water project, reported The Press-Enterprise last week. The museum and locomotive would be in the desert settlement of Cadiz, about three … Continue reading Mojave water company wants to build museum, tourism train
Businessman wants bicycle trail near Route 66 from Baxter Springs to Joplin
Steve Bolek, a business owner in Baxter Springs, Kan., is organizing a fundraiser to build a bicycle and pedestrian trail near Route 66 from Baxter Springs to Galena, Kan. -- maybe even to Joplin, Mo., reported the Joplin Globe. Bolek said Friday he has been working on finding grants and support for the trail for … Continue reading Businessman wants bicycle trail near Route 66 from Baxter Springs to Joplin