GUTHRIE
Passenger Rail Oklahoma Statement:  Guthrie could easily be the anchor for the Heartland Flyer.  Its tourism potential already attracts over 300,000 visitors per year without passenger rail service.  Guthrie was the state capital of Oklahoma from 1907 to 1911.  When the capital moved the 40 blocks of Victorian downtown buildings lapsed into a 70 year decline.  In the 1980's a local movement created what today is a form of Heritage Tourism unique in the Southwest. 
 
Guthrie has officially requested Amtrak service from the state and special tourist trains for city festivals.

Guthrie Old Santa Fe Depot Link

NEWS:  OCTOBER 2, 2005

At 10:30pm on September 29th, 2005, Guthrie experienced its first Amtrak arrival in over 25 years.  Amtrak's Heartland Flyer continued past its northern terminal, Oklahoma City, smashing the bureaucratic barrier that was placed there in 1999 by its original designers.  The six special trains were a great success with approximately 300 tickets sold to and from Oklahoma's tourism capital.  The city is excited about the prospect of more festival trains in the future and is also working to secure a permanent stop with servicing facilities bringing the train permanently one step closer to the Kansas connection with the Southwest Chief.

Guthrie Flyer about half an hour after arrival on September 30th.

Guthrie Flyer Moving to a siding just south of the depot for a shorter than usual nights rest.  The train is moving toward the camera despite the position of the locomotive.  The Heartland Flyer operates as a push-pull train and therefore has locomotives on both ends.

 

September 30, 2005 First Southbound run out of Guthrie in some 25 years.

Sunrise at Seward October 2nd as the last miles of the special click off

Edmond Siding, October 2nd.

Britton Siding, October 2nd

Heartland Flyer sign on I-235

The Oklahoma Capitol Building.  While the Heartland Flyer stops in the capitol city, it has never been this close to the government hall that will decide its fate in 2006.

 

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