Gun museum in Claremore to host railroad exhibit as Big Boy locomotive arrives on Oct. 14

The J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, will open a temporary railroad history exhibit the same day Union Pacific's historic Big Boy locomotive stops in the city on Oct. 14. According to the Claremore Progress newspaper, the Claremore museum will host "American Treasures: The Railroad Museum of Oklahoma," displaying about 150 artifacts … Continue reading Gun museum in Claremore to host railroad exhibit as Big Boy locomotive arrives on Oct. 14

Train added to Red Oak II complex near Carthage

Fulfilling the dreams of its late founder, a small train recently was added near the replica railroad depot at the famed Red Oak II complex near Carthage, Missouri. According to the Joplin Globe, Larry Sernyk, who owns several buildings in Red Oak II and also lives there, worked with a crew to install the train … Continue reading Train added to Red Oak II complex near Carthage

Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum closed permanently due to flood damage

The Bartsow Route 66 Mother Road Museum, located in a Harvey House on the north side of Barstow, California, will remain closed "indefinitely" after flooding from monsoon rains damaged part of the facility. The museum stated on its webpage that the city is repairing the damage and that no funds are needed. Deb Hodkin, longtime … Continue reading Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum closed permanently due to flood damage

City of Barstow hosting a special walk over North First Avenue Bridge before new bridge opens

The City of Barstow, California, is hosting a special walk tomorrow over the historic North First Avenue Bridge before it is demolished and makes way for a new bridge in the coming weeks. The special walk will be at 9 a.m. local time Wednesday, according to an announcement from the city. The old bridge also … Continue reading City of Barstow hosting a special walk over North First Avenue Bridge before new bridge opens

New markers erected on Route 66 in Chicago

Choose Chicago, the city's tourism department, recently placed new Route 66 signs to celebrate the highway's upcoming centennial. According to WGN-TV in Chicago, the signs were placed near the Art Institute of Chicago, plus at 1969 W. Ogden Ave., 3100 W. Ogden Ave. and 3801 W. Ogden Ave. Ogden is a main alignment of Route … Continue reading New markers erected on Route 66 in Chicago

Bristow’s Town Square being revitalized as part of Route 66 project

The Town Square of Bristow, Oklahoma, is being revitalized by the town's historical society as part of a Route 66 Landmark Renovation Project. News on 6 in nearby Tulsa reported the society is building a new roof for the nearby historic depot. So far, all tiles have been removed for new roofing and the structure … Continue reading Bristow’s Town Square being revitalized as part of Route 66 project

Consultant estimates the cost of redeveloping Joplin’s Union Depot at $6.7M

The Downtown Joplin Alliance in Joplin, Missouri, this month will ask for redevelopment proposals for the city's long-closed Union Depot and assess them in February. A consultant estimated the cost of restoring the century-old site would be $6.7 million, though others have estimated it as high as $10 million. Among the ideas for the depot … Continue reading Consultant estimates the cost of redeveloping Joplin’s Union Depot at $6.7M

Historic Santa Fe Depot reopens after extensive renovations

The 114-year-old Santa Fe Depot in Santa Fe, New Mexico, recently reopened to the public after going through two years and $1.6 million in renovations. The depot is just a couple of blocks west of the 1926-1937 alignment of Route 66 in Santa Fe. And because many Route 66 fans also are railroad buffs, many … Continue reading Historic Santa Fe Depot reopens after extensive renovations

County approves engineering agreement for a segment of Route 66 bike trail near Funks Grove

The McLean County, Illinois, board recently approved an engineering contract to build a 4.5-mile addition to a Route 66 bicycling trail south of Funks Grove. According to the Bloomington Pantagraph, the county was chosen to receive state funds for the Route 66 bike trail starting in McLean and ending at an existing trail near Funks Grove. … Continue reading County approves engineering agreement for a segment of Route 66 bike trail near Funks Grove

Multi-use concept unveiled for Joplin Union Depot in hopes of enticing developers

Two consultants presented a multi-use concept, including railcars as hotel rooms, a microbrewery and a Route 66 room, for the long-abandoned Union Depot in Joplin, Missouri, in the hope of drawing developers that can resurrect the declining historical site. The consultants from Kansas State University and South Dakota State University gave the concept in front … Continue reading Multi-use concept unveiled for Joplin Union Depot in hopes of enticing developers