Here's the latest abandoned gas station along Route 66 in Tucumcari, N.M., that received a new coat of decorative paint. It's the gas station at the Paradise Motel on the west end of town, given a Sinclair Oil decor. The repainting was finished over the weekend. Richard Talley, owner of the Motel Safari in town, said … Continue reading Newest gas station face-lift in Tucumcari
Category: Railroad
Ozark Trail cruise
Here's a video I made about the old Ozark Trail alignment of Route 66, west of Sapulpa, Okla. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQfAYLI9BWY This 3.3-mile section of highway (map here) predates Route 66, and it served as the Mother Road from 1926 to 1952. Highlights include the 1921 Rock Creek Bridge, ruins of the Tee Pee Drive-In theater, a … Continue reading Ozark Trail cruise
Harvey House in Barstow marks 100 years
The landmark Harvey House in Barstow, Calif., is marking its centennial, and a celebration is planned in the coming weeks, according to the Desert Dispatch newspaper. [T]he Chamber is planning a community-wide carnival style celebration of the Harvey House’s 100th anniversary in the spring, although details have yet to be worked out. The current Harvey … Continue reading Harvey House in Barstow marks 100 years
Renovated Kingman depot set to open in spring
The historic Kingman Train Depot in Kingman, Ariz., has been renovated and is set to reopen after Amtrak moves in during March or April, according to the Kingman Daily Miner. Part of the depot will be used by Amtrak customers, but the other portion will be turned into a museum. The 103-year-old train depot had … Continue reading Renovated Kingman depot set to open in spring
Galena bridge reopens to traffic
A few days ago, Melba Rigg at 4 Women on the Route in Galena, Kan., passed along good news -- the historic Front Street Bridge that was closed to traffic for repairs has reopened. The bridge, which actually is a 216-foot-long railroad viaduct, was built in the early 1920s, and incorporated as Route 66 when … Continue reading Galena bridge reopens to traffic
Streetcar Diner’s new home
I received this e-mail today from Route 66 preservationist John Weiss: The Streetcar Diner that was behind the Riviera has been moved onto its new space on the grounds of the two-cell jail in downtown Gardner. Before the move it was stripped down, sanded and primed by members of the Illinois Route 66 Preservation Committee. The major … Continue reading Streetcar Diner’s new home
Train may be moved to Route 66 Station this month
Volunteers may move a historic steam locomotive to Route 66 Station park in the 3700 block of Southwest Boulevard in Tulsa later this month, according to the Tulsa World. The operative word is "may," because the group of railroad buffs has blown a number of self-imposed deadlines before. Later this month, a steam locomotive, a … Continue reading Train may be moved to Route 66 Station this month
Two New Mexico towns compete for Route 66 museum
The New Mexico towns of Tucumcari and Santa Rosa are trying to woo Johnnie Meier to establish a Route 66 museum -- the first such museum in the state, reported the current print issue of the Guadalupe County Communicator, based in Santa Rosa. Meier, former president of the New Mexico Route 66 Association, has amassed … Continue reading Two New Mexico towns compete for Route 66 museum
Kingman may convert rail depot into museum
The under-renovation railroad depot in Kingman, Ariz., may be converted into a local railroad museum, according to the Kingman Daily Miner today. The Kingman City Council today will consider authorizing the city to enter into a formal agreement with the Mohave County Historical Society to fund the development and operation of a railroad museum at … Continue reading Kingman may convert rail depot into museum
The cutest little town in Carburetor County
Roy Martinez Jr. began in January 2009 to build a miniature version of the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs, as depicted from the hit 2006 animated film "Cars," as part of a model train set. Except for some shrubbery and foliage he'll add later, Martinez reports that his own version Radiator Springs is … Continue reading The cutest little town in Carburetor County