For the first time in more than a century, trains now will go through the Route 66 town of Flagstaff, Ariz., without sounding their warning horns, reported the Arizona Daily Sun. On Tuesday, trains went through Flagstaff for the first time without blasting their horns. It took several years and hundreds of thousands of dollars, … Continue reading The silence of the trains — for real
Category: Railroad
The silence of the trains
James Chilton of the Kingman Daily Miner takes a look at a railroad "quiet zone" that soon will take effect in the fellow Route 66 town of Flagstaff, Ariz. The rule will require train engineers to put a sock in their whistles when going through town. "The hotel guys are the ones who are most … Continue reading The silence of the trains
Harvey House in Barstow to mark centennial
The historic Harvey House in Barstow, Calif., is set to mark the 100th anniversary with a series of events and celebrations this year, according to the Desert Dispatch. The celebration is expected to kick off with a Harvey House Farmer’s Market Day on the third Saturday of every month until September, according to Sielski. Sielski … Continue reading Harvey House in Barstow to mark centennial
Joplin museum may move to Route 66
The Joplin Museum Complex in Joplin, Mo., asked the City Council on Monday night to move its cramped operations to Memorial Hall on Seventh Street, aka Route 66, and levy a sales tax to help pay for it, renovations and operating expenses, reported the Joplin Globe. Brad Belk, director of the museum complex, told the … Continue reading Joplin museum may move to Route 66
A visit to Devil’s Elbow
The Southeastern Missourian has quite an essay and photos about attractions along Route 66 in Devil's Elbow, Mo. The most intriguing are things of which I was unfamiliar -- The Trestle, which is a massive wooden railroad trestle that was built around World War II, and another large wooden trestle at the Big Piney River. … Continue reading A visit to Devil’s Elbow
The silence of the trains
Flagstaff, Ariz., has long sought to establish its city as a Quiet Zone to the numerous trains that go through town. City officials predict the Quiet Zone will happen sometime in 2010, reports the Arizona Daily Sun. Trains currently sound their horns as they approach the city's five at-grade crossings. If the crossings are upgraded, … Continue reading The silence of the trains
A closer look at the Grand Canyon Railway
The Payson (Ariz.) Roundup published an interesting article about the history and features of the Grand Canyon Railway. Embarking from the Route 66 town of Williams, Ariz., it's a popular and scenic way to head to the Grand Canyon. A few interesting things about the railway that I didn't know: This year marks its 20th … Continue reading A closer look at the Grand Canyon Railway
Refurbishing old vehicles
The Tulsa World had a couple of articles last week about old vehicles being restored to as good as new in Oklahoma. The first was about the Maggie M, an electric trolley that served the Route 66 town of Sapulpa from 1919 to 1933. After it was taken out of service, the trolley sat decaying … Continue reading Refurbishing old vehicles
What’s happening with El Garces?
While in the Route 66 town of Needles, Calif., this summer, it appeared there was little recent activity in the restoration of the historic El Garces Hotel. A sign said the century-old Harvey House would have a "limited" opening by winter 2008, and the hotel's Web site hadn't been updated since last year. El Garces' … Continue reading What’s happening with El Garces?
Derrick is done
Driving near Southwest Boulevard, aka Route 66, in west Tulsa earlier today, I noticed that the commemorative oil derrick in the under-construction Route 66 Station park appeared to be finished. And it is, according to KOTV in Tulsa. More photos of the derrick's construction can be seen here. The 154-foot-tall derrick is part of a … Continue reading Derrick is done