After many months of delays, it appears the restoration of the historic El Garces Hotel in Needles, Calif., will begin soon. According to a story Monday in the Needles Desert Star, the City Council approved a $188,000 bid from a glass contractor to install windows as a part of the restoration's second phase. The newspaper … Continue reading El Garces restoration may begin in earnest
Category: Railroad
1927 locomotive will steam into San Bernardino
A former Santa Fe Railroad steam locomotive, Engine No. 3751, dating to 1927 will make a rare appearance in the Route 66 town of San Bernardino, Calif., during San Bernardino Railroad Days on April 27-28. According to a news release from "Route 66 Railway" author Elrond Lawrence: The steam special will be operated from Los … Continue reading 1927 locomotive will steam into San Bernardino
City of Carthage prods railroad to fix Whee Bridge
https://youtu.be/l5F-VnJt-kM The City of Carthage, Mo., is taking a more assertive approach with the Union Pacific railroad to shore up two bridges, including the historic "Whee" Bridge on Route 66, reported the Carthage Press. City Administrator Tom Short said the recent closing of the nearby Sycamore Street bridge due to cracks in its supports prompted … Continue reading City of Carthage prods railroad to fix Whee Bridge
Route 66-inspired rail bridge over Arcadia freeway is finished
The distinctively styled Gold Line Bridge for light rail over Interstate 210 in Arcadia, Calif., finished construction Saturday, according to a news release from the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority. The 584-linear-foot sculptured bridge is the largest single public art/transit infrastructure project in California. Guests at the dedication ceremony Saturday were allowed to walk on … Continue reading Route 66-inspired rail bridge over Arcadia freeway is finished
Indian marching band reunites after a half-century hiatus
Something remarkable occurred during the recent annual Winslow Christmas Parade on Route 66 in Winslow, Ariz. -- the Santa Fe All-Indian Marching Band reunited after a hiatus of 49 years. The Arizona Daily Sun reports that the band started in 1923 -- several years before U.S. Highway 66 was commissioned -- and disbanded in 1963 after … Continue reading Indian marching band reunites after a half-century hiatus
Route 66 Trailhead Park dedicated
The Route 66 Trailhead Park, which includes a new, Route 66-themed overpass for pedestrians and cyclists on the Pacific Electric Trail, was dedicated Wednesday on Foothill Boulevard (aka Route 66) in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. The event also marked the completion of widening that road from four to six lanes. David Allen, in a report for … Continue reading Route 66 Trailhead Park dedicated
Tulsa’s Route 66 Village would get Vision2 funding
The Route 66 Village along old Route 66 in west Tulsa would receive $549,000 from potential Vision2 sales-tax funding, reported the Tulsa World after a Thursday meeting of the City Council. Councilors parceled out about $158 million in quality-of-life projects if the Vision2 tax package is approved by voters on Nov. 6. Vision2 is a $748 million, … Continue reading Tulsa’s Route 66 Village would get Vision2 funding
Big train a’movin’
Yesterday, historic Engine 765, owned by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, made its return trip from the west St. Louis suburbs to Decatur, Ill. Here, you'll see cool footage of the train moving at a not-so-lumbering speed, including near the Route 66 town of Litchfield, Ill., about the 5:00 mark. https://youtu.be/ibzEn75t1n8 The 1944 steam … Continue reading Big train a’movin’
Steam train will pass through several Route 66 towns in Illinois
Those of you who live near or are traveling through central Illinois on Monday might want to check this out -- a 1944 steam locomotive will pass through several Route 66 towns that day. Engine 765, a steam locomotive maintained by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, currently is in the northwest suburbs of St. … Continue reading Steam train will pass through several Route 66 towns in Illinois
Rail museum in Kingman will likely open in late July
A room at the Amtrak Train Depot in Kingman, Ariz., will be devoted toy trains and other railroad memorabilia when when a local train club opens it later this month, reported the Kingman Daily Miner newspaper. The Whistle Stop Railroad Club repaired some broken-down toy trains and railcars, and now have them operating. More about … Continue reading Rail museum in Kingman will likely open in late July