FRISCO, TX — The Museum of the American Railroad (MAR) had a showing in December of a 1:32 scale model of the historic Hotel Settles in Big Spring, TX, that was built for TrainTopia, the museum’s massive G-scale layout at the Frisco Discovery Center.

The model, produced by B&T Model Railroad Design, rises to six feet above the busy streetscape of TrainTopia and was delivered in November after 10 months of research and construction. It will be a permanent part of the 2,500-square-foot operating model train exhibit.

The hotel opened Oct. 1, 1930, and was built by Will R. and Lillian Settles. At 15 stories and 150 rooms, it was the tallest structure between El Paso and Dallas and featured a restaurant and pharmacy.

Among its guests were Elvis Presley, Lawrence Welk and President Herbert Hoover, as well as Big Spring native Jerry Allison, who drummed for Buddy Holly and the Crickets.

The encore to the revival of Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 is well underway on a multi-state tour through 12 states west of the Mississippi that kicked off in late September.

The world’s largest operating locomotive came back to life and showed off its renewed chuff in the Great Race Across the Midwest to much fanfare earlier this year.

The Great Race Across the Southwest – a round-trip tour of Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah – began in Cheyenne on Sept. 27. The massive locomotive is currently touring California and will be on display today and tomorrow in Bloomington, a suburb of San Bernadino.

From California, the tour dips into southern Arizona and near New Mexico’s panhandle before arriving in El Paso late in the afternoon on Oct. 20 to start a 23-day run across Texas. After a two-day public display, the Big Boy will be idled until Nov. 1 when it leaves for Fort Hancock, TX.

Some toys and scale models got a temporary reprieve Tuesday from tariffs to be imposed on goods from China arriving on U.S. shores beginning Sept. 1.

The United States Trade Representative delayed imposing 10 percent tariffs on some Chinese imports until Dec. 15. The announcement came a few days after two major model railroad manufacturers said they were raising prices for products currently on the water due to arrive Sept. 1 or later.

The Trump administration, responding to fears that deteriorating trade relations with China are hurting the economy, delayed a 10 percent tariff on only a portion of $300 billion in goods earmarked in May. USTR said that certain products were being removed from the list based on health, safety, national security and other factors. Among them are toys, including riding toys other than bicycles, puzzles and reduced-scale models.

Other items on the list are cellphones, laptop computers, video game consoles, computer monitors and certain items of footwear and clothing that typical are on holiday shopping lists.

Meeting at Ogden Union Station

Big Boy No. 4014 and Living Legend No. 844 have met.

On Thursday the iconic steam locomotives faced head-to-head for Union Pacific’s celebration marking the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad’s completion. The two met like Jupiter and No. 119 did at Promontory Summit on May 10, 1869, when the UP and Central Pacific Railroad connected.

A ceremony was held at Ogden Union Station about 50 miles from where the Golden Spike was originally tapped into place. Union Pacific removed its tracks near Promontory Summit to support the scrap metal projects during World War II.

“This celebration is Union Pacific’s way of reflecting on our ancestors’ remarkable achievements that connected the nation while reminding us of the enormous responsibility we have for our nation’s future,” said Scott Moore, senior vice president – Corporate Relations and chief administrative officer. “We are proud our employees live and work in thousands of the communities we serve, delivering steel to construct schools and stores, lumber to build homes, the food we eat, clothes we wear and electronics we rely on.”

Union Pacific announced today the commemorative tour schedule for its historic steam locomotives, Big Boy No. 4014 and Living Legend No. 844. The iconic steam locomotives will unite for the first time in a public display May 9 in Ogden, UT, during UP’s celebratory event marking the transcontinental railroad’s 150th anniversary.

The festivities include recreating the iconic photo taken May 10, 1869, when the last spike was tapped into place at Promontory Summit, creating America’s first transcontinental railroad. UP no longer has tracks near Promontory Summit (they were removed to support the scrap metal projects during World War II).

“Completing the transcontinental railroad was a major feat that united America and laid the foundation for the country’s growth, economic progress and improved the way of life,” said Scott Moore, senior vice president – Corporate Relations and chief administrative officer. “The restored steam engines are rolling pieces of history that take us back in time as we celebrate this momentous anniversary. We’re excited to share No. 844 and No. 4014 with our communities, and invite generations to join us along the tour.”

No. 844 will leave Cheyenne, WY, April 27. It will make several brief whistle-stops in communities along the way and arrive in Ogden on April 28. The Living Legend will be on display at Ogden Union Station through May 11.

GALVESTON, TX – On May 10, 1869, two steam locomotives met on a far corner in Utah on freshly laid track. A golden spike was driven into a tie, and for the first time in history the United States was connected coast to coast by the Transcontinental Railroad.

Richard Luckin, noted rail historian, has produced a documentary film, “Journey to Promontory,” to commemorate the 150th anniversary of this historic event. The film will have its Texas premier at the Galveston Railroad Museum March 30 and will be broadcast on PBS nationwide later this year.

Luckin will introduce the film, which is free and begins at 6 p.m., and field questions from the audience afterward. Reservations are not required, but seating is limited. The museum is located at 2602 Santa Fe Place, Galveston, TX 77550.

Luckin is a prominent author and documentarian of railroad history. He wrote “Dining on Rails: An Encyclopedia of Railroad China” and his documentaries include “Amtrak: The First 40 Years: 1971-2011” in 2011, “20th Century Limited: America’s Most Famous Passenger Train” in 2016 and “Selling Sunshine: The Florida Trains” last year. In addition to his work with PBS, Luckin has also produced training and informational films for the United States Air Force’s Air Mobility Command.