Railroad attraction for Blythe California?

technoty · **Joined:** Sat Jan 28, 2012 7:38 pm **Posts:** 37

The town lost its railroad (It was abandoned by the Arizona and California railroad) on the end of May last year. From what I heard on city officials, they received a road's crossing signals and some track (including a switch) from a donation. Railcars might be needed for the track. The story's here: http://paloverdevalleytimes.com/main.as ... leID=15806

It's a nice accomplishment the town had done!

What do you think will be an appropriate addition?

(Removed image HNI_0015.JPG on May 6, 2015)

technoty · **Joined:** Sat Jan 28, 2012 7:38 pm **Posts:** 37

Did anyone knew this article? http://paloverdevalleytimes.com/main.as ... ID=747&S=1

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Sun Jan 29, 2012 11:55 pm

A quick perusal shows the following: The line in question was a former Santa Fe branch (originally the California Southern, built in 1916) from Rice to Ripley (seven miles south of Blythe) off the present-day Arizona & California regional. Looks to be an old agricultural branch through a flat desert valley.

Capsule history--not unlikely to be by the original poster: http://www.paloverdevalleytimes.com/mai ... leID=15673

Blythe's depot burned in May 2008: http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/r ... ?1,1161104

Blythe's main function seems to be a waystop on I-10 these days. I'd like to be optimistic and hope they can add something, but with more serious rail museums about elsewhere, I don't have much hope for a "middle of nowhere" rail attraction that's installed just to attract tourists. Does there exist a credible historical society in the region? Freight cars and cabooses are not that hard to come by, but passenger stock, locomotives, etc. are more difficult, both logistically and financially.

technoty · **Joined:** Sat Jan 28, 2012 7:38 pm **Posts:** 37

Yes, that letter/history was written by me. The image on it is NOT that line. The editors of the newspaper got a different image, which I discourage to represent it.

There are few historical societies around the valley, with the most prominent one being the Palo Verde Valley Historical Museum and Society. The City of Blythe has a fair number of recreation options, and tourism is the city's biggest industry, as I am aware of. The site of the tracks is next to the town's main road. It was also next to the recreation center and an old theater currently renovated. I decided that it doesn't have to be a museum, but at least an attraction. The other stuff like artifacts and documents should go to another place like the main museum, my opinion.

The depot was burned in May 2, 2006, not 2008.

Fellow citizens are opting to make the roadbed a better trail, but I'm not sure how to do this as long it remain banked.

Alexander D. Mitchell IV wrote:

A quick perusal shows the following: The line in question was a former Santa Fe branch (originally the California Southern, built in 1916) from Rice to Ripley (seven miles south of Blythe) off the present-day Arizona & California regional. Looks to be an old agricultural branch through a flat desert valley.

Capsule history--not unlikely to be by the original poster: http://www.paloverdevalleytimes.com/mai ... leID=15673

Blythe's depot burned in May 2008: http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/r ... ?1,1161104

Blythe's main function seems to be a waystop on I-10 these days. I'd like to be optimistic and hope they can add something, but with more serious rail museums about elsewhere, I don't have much hope for a "middle of nowhere" rail attraction that's installed just to attract tourists. Does there exist a credible historical society in the region? Freight cars and cabooses are not that hard to come by, but passenger stock, locomotives, etc. are more difficult, both logistically and financially.