The legendary Big Boy No. 4014 steam locomotive owned by the Union Pacific Railroad will make stops in several Route 66 towns in Oklahoma and Missouri in August during its 2021 tour. The Big Boy will make scheduled stops at these Mother Road cities: Aug. 12, Vinita, Oklahoma, at East Flint Avenue crossing; 9:45 a.m. … Continue reading Big Boy locomotive will make several stops in Route 66 towns in Missouri, Oklahoma
Category: Railroad
City of Santa Fe to repair historic railroad depot
After more than a decade of tentative plans, the City of Santa Fe, New Mexico, recently agreed to spend $1 million to rehabilitate its long-decaying railroad depot in the Railyard. According to an article in the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper, the city had been discussing a face-lift for the century-old depot since 2009. And … Continue reading City of Santa Fe to repair historic railroad depot
Century-old Webb City streetcar rolling again after being sidelined during pandemic
The No. 60 streetcar, built in 1916, is rolling again around King Jack Park in Webb City, Missouri, after a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. King Jack Park probably is best-known for its Praying Hands Memorial on the north side of the grounds. The Southwest Missouri Electric Railway trolley runs on the park's … Continue reading Century-old Webb City streetcar rolling again after being sidelined during pandemic
City of Barstow gets $5M grant to help replace historic First Avenue Bridge
The City of Barstow, California, recently received a $5 million state grant to help replace the First Avenue Bridge that leads to the Harvey House and its Route 66 Mother Road Museum. According to a news release Sunday from city manager James Hart: The City of Barstow requested $5,000,000 million dollars from the Railroad Grade … Continue reading City of Barstow gets $5M grant to help replace historic First Avenue Bridge
First Avenue Bridge in Barstow scheduled to be torn down
The historic First Avenue Bridge in Barstow, California, that leads to the Harvey House and one of its tenants, the Route 66 Mother Road Museum, will be demolished after a new bridge is built because it's a liability to the city. If the old bridge fell onto the BNSF railroad tracks, the railroad could bill … Continue reading First Avenue Bridge in Barstow scheduled to be torn down
Forthcoming “Bands of Enchantment” TV music show filming in Tucumcari
In the past week and a half, a film crew has been shooting performances by all sorts of music artists at various locations in Tucumcari, New Mexico, for a forthcoming "Bands of Enchantment" series on television. Elkhorn Entertainment, which is producing the series with the help of the city's motel tax funds, envisions the show … Continue reading Forthcoming “Bands of Enchantment” TV music show filming in Tucumcari
Train derailment near Ludlow closes Route 66 indefinitely
The derailment Wednesday of a freight train east of Ludlow, California, has closed National Trails Highway (aka Route 66) "for an unknown duration" due to a hazardous liquid spill. The Victorville Daily Press reports the accident just east of town shortly after noon involved 25 to 35 railcars. San Bernardino County Fire Department spokesperson Tracey … Continue reading Train derailment near Ludlow closes Route 66 indefinitely
Train planned for Red Oak II complex near Carthage
One of the part-owners of the Red Oak II complex near Route 66 near Carthage, Missouri, plans to add a rideable train to the complex in the coming years. This revelation is tucked into a story about Red Oak II by Thrillist. The reporter didn't talk to its creator, Lowell Davis, because he was in … Continue reading Train planned for Red Oak II complex near Carthage
Construction begins on Route 66 Village Train Depot in Tulsa
Construction has started on a $3 million Route 66 Village Train Depot at the Route 66 Village in southwest Tulsa. According to a news release from the city of Tulsa, the 5,000-square foot depot will be built next to the existing locomotive on the site at 3770 Southwest Blvd. (aka Route 66). The depot will … Continue reading Construction begins on Route 66 Village Train Depot in Tulsa
Fire destroys 120-year-old railcar slated for restoration in Galena
A purported arson fire Tuesday destroyed an 1899 passenger railcar in Galena, Kansas, slated to begin restoration as a future tourist attraction along Route 66. Former Galena mayor Dale Oglesby stated in a Facebook post the former presidential railcar from the Kansas City Southern Railway contained hand-laid mosaic tile showers, a kitchen, a dining room, … Continue reading Fire destroys 120-year-old railcar slated for restoration in Galena