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Re: (rshsdepot) Kingman, AZ
This would be a wonderful place to watch trains, I have spent many hours
sitting in my truck on this very spot (now mostly a dirt parking lot)
watching the constant parade of BNSF trains roll by. This part of "old
town" Kingman is slowly being cleaned up and targeted towards tourism.
The only downside is that one is facing into the sun most of the
afternoon from this vantage, with the track running SSE to NNW, which
sometimes makes for marginal pictures. This is also only one route of
the double track main, the other is a mile south. On the plus side is
the fact that right across the street is a city park with the well
preserved steam engine ATSF 3759, a 4-8-4 Mountain type with a caboose
attached. Here is a picture of the static display:
http://www.trainweb.org/tomfassett/azrail/ATSF3759_Kingman.JPG
Here is a picture of the Depot taken from the NE:
http://www.trainweb.org/tomfassett/azrail/Depot_Kingman.JPG
One other note: Kingman has had an ongoing motel "price war" for some
time (years), making it possible to get a good room in a Motel 6, Days
Inn, Super 8, Comfort Inn or many others of this type for around $29.00,
year round. The Holiday Inn Express and Ramada are generally in the
$49.00 range. If one stays on the "far" side of town on hotel row,
there are 20 - 30 hotels within walking distance of each other as well
as dozens of restaurants of all price range (fast food to Steak and
Lobster). This area is at the junction of Andy Devine Avenue and
Interstate 10, a mile or so East of the depot. This location
complements the depot location as it is a good spot to get photographs
in the afternoon. Note: If you stay here, the BNSF split mainline
merges right up the block and one is "forced" to suffer constant train
traffic right behind one's hotel or just across the street. In some of
the hotels, you can get a room in the back and sit on your hotel room
patio, sipping a cold drink and watch the trains go by less than 100
feet away. With Kingman's mild climate, who could ask for more... :- )
- ----- Original Message -----
From: Bernie Wagenblast
To: Rail Depot List
Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2002 6:17 AM
Subject: (rshsdepot) Kingman, AZ
Kingman plans railroad park downtown
By Marvin Robertson
Kingman Daily Miner Staff Writer
A park between the Powerhouse Visitor Center and the railroad depot
could
become a reality if Kingman's grant application is approved.
The vision is to link the visitor center and the renovated Burlington
Northern Santa Fe Railway depot with a park that will encourage
tourists to
stay downtown longer.
"Tourists do stop at the Powerhouse Visitor Center for information,"
Rob
Owen, Kingman principal planner, said. "If we can encourage them to
watch
the trains from the benches and walk to the depot, we have a good
chance to
keep them in Kingman."
City officials expect the restored train depot to attract tourists,
especially "train buffs" who want to know more about the history of
train
travel through Kingman. A portion of the loading dock could become a
viewing
platform and a place for photos of the trains.
Kingman grants administrator Bill Shilling said an agreement between
the
railroad and Amtrak is near completion. Amtrak's waiting room would be
moved
back into the depot, and Kingman would sublease the other part of the
depot
for office use, possibly for the public transit coordinator.
Owen will take the plans to the Kingman City Council in August for
approval
of the application. The Western Area Council of Governments then would
review the $486,540 grant application before sending it on to the
Arizona
Department of Transportation. The grant is federally funded
Owen said a decision on the Kingman Railroad Pathway Landscaping
Project,
estimated to cost $486,540, would likely come in February.
The federal grant would pay 94.3 percent of the construction and
acquisition
costs. The city share would be $22,732, according to project
estimates.
Owen said the city would be negotiating with a property management
representative of BNSF to acquire the land. The railroad would specify
the
distance and kind of fencing needed for safety and for maintenance of
the
tracks.
A $450,000 federal grant already has been approved for the depot
renovation.
A study of the historic features and structural condition of the depot
has
been completed.
The next step in the depot renovation project is a meeting July 23 for
public comment and suggestions prior to drawing plans. Historic
architect
Bill Otwell will share design concepts and ideas at that time.
Owen said representatives from BNSF, Amtrak, ADOT and the State
Historic
Preservation Office have been invited to the July 23 meeting.
"We want interested residents to come, look at the plans and help
shape the
future of downtown Kingman," Owen said.
Bernie Wagenblast
Transportation Communications Newsletter
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications/
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of
existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org
=================================
The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org
------------------------------
End of RSHSDepot Digest V1 #427
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=================================
The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org