Clovis Train Station to Become Restaurant

(Eastern New Mexico News) What's now enveloped in dust and times past may soon be a local staple where eastern New Mexico residents will be immersed in New Mexico history while getting a taste of local culture - literally. 

Brothers Jordan and Tate Nichols of Farwell said they wanted to bring something unique to Clovis. And unique it would be, with residents enjoying fine dining from local farmers and ranchers as they watch trains go by.  

The brothers, who bought Clovis' historic train depot on U.S. 60/84 in 2016, began construction in March to turn the historic treasure into a restaurant. Continued

Railroad Station: Friona, Texas

The station has been moved from the tracks to the park.

Pantex ‘White Train’ on display at Amarillo Railroad Museum to be restored

 

(KFDA) Pantex is remembering a train used during the Cold War to transport military warheads across the country.

For 30 years beginning in the 1950′s, the Department of Energy considered the White Train the safest transit for military cargo out of the Pantex Plant.

The White Train cars were sandwiched between escort coaches for armed guards.

It moved at only 35 miles per hour and seven-person crews spent weeks on guard traveling across the country. Continued

The Rock Island Rail Trail

The Choctaw Rocket was a luxury train that once travelled
between Memphis, Tennessee and Tucumcari, New Mexico. 

Once upon a time, the Rock Island Railroad used to travel between Tucumcari and Amarillo. It shut down in the early 80’s, but the Right-of-Way (ROW) is still there.
If you look at Google Maps, in satellite mode, you can see where it parts from the existing Union Pacific tracks, just northeast of Tucumcari (northeast of the lake), not far from Route 54.
The right of way seems almost entirely intact from there to the tunnel under I-40, a distance of about 3 miles. The Tucumcari area could use some more hiking trails and the old ROW looks like just the spot.
There are several advantages to rail trails. For one, they combine history with outdoor recreation. Railroad lines are graded to be as flat as possible, meaning a large portion of the population can walk the trail with ease. They are already partially constructed. Trails, by law, can revert to railroad use, if need be. Rail trails have proved to be enormously popular throughout the country, not only providing recreation, but economic stimulus to local businesses.
For more information, check out the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

Highlights of the trail could include the Tucumcari Wildlife Management Area
and this tunnel.

Harvey House Arch

Belen, NM

AT&SF Station: Kenna, New Mexico

Now a private residence.

Committee approves movement on railroad park

Old Clovis ATSF station

(Eastern New Mexico News)  Efforts to beautify and promote education of the historic downtown railroad district are making progress.
The city of Clovis Parks, Recreation and Beautification Committee approved moving forward in finalizing designs for the Historic Railroad Park on Monday.
The park will be located by the former Clovis Depot Model Train Museum, which was sold to new owners Jordan and Tate Nichols from Farwell in August. Continued

AT&SF Station: Las Vegas, NM

Railroad Museum struggling through tough times

Old depot, don't know if any of it remains.

(Times Record News) ... The Wichita Falls Railroad Museum is going through tough financial times, with its board noting a loss of donor and sponsorship money, fewer grants and family memberships, and an aging volunteer base. "Here, a couple of months ago, we realized we only had enough funds to stay open for six months," organization secretary Susie Cain said. Continued

1944 steam locomotive almost ready to roll again

Albuquerque railroad shops c1944, Jack Delano/Library of Congress.

(abqjournal.com) A steam whistle was blowing, a bell clanging, a jazz trio playing and scores of people cheering as the big, dark lady known as Santa Fe 2926 emerged at a slow, stately pace from her new house. Continued

The B&O Holly Tree: Jackson Station (East Aiken), Maryland

This one's from when I lived in the east. The B&O Holly was decorated every year by the railroad, accompanied by caroling and other festivities. Though the B&O is long gone, the tradition is carried on by the locals.

Local hopes to find a way to restore Harvey House

(Clovis News Journal) Phil Williams cares about all things railroad.
He operates the Clovis Depot and Model Train Museum at 221 W. First St., and he had a lot to do with restoring the 1906 locomotive that sits in front of his building, last used as a switch engine in the Clovis rail yard in 1954.
Now Williams is working with city and Clovis-Curry County Chamber of Commerce officials to find a way to restore the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe’s Harvey House in Clovis. Continued

Tucumcari Railroad Days This Weekend

(Tucumcari Chamber of Commerce) Traveling photo display, railroad artifacts, refinished Locomotive Control Stand, Locomotive Play Station, active Model Train Clubs, on the mainline of the UP- great place to view passing trains. Free Admission Saturday 9AM-5PM Link

Fort Sumner Station

The station at Fort Sumner is not an easy catch, not if you want to stay off railroad property, this view is from the bottom of the road to the station. It is much like the station at Mountainair, both built in 1908.

Railroad Station: Littlefield, Texas

More Lost Boxcars

Melrose, NM

Belen Harvey House

Santa Fe CF-7 Fuel Gauge

 

Took this picture of an AT&SF fuel gauge, on a MA&PA locomotive in York, Pennsylvania. CF-7's are former EMD F-units that were converted for general freight use by the AT&SF back in the 70's. As the Santa Fe replaced these with newer units, some were sold off to short lines such as the MA&PA (now the York Railway Company or YRC).

 

A MA&PA CF-7, York, Pennsylvania.