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I thought it might be time to lighten it up a bit rather than dwell on the latest misfortunes at Amtrak.
This is a link to the resoration of La Castañeda Hotel in Las Vegas, NM. It is the first Harvey House hotel built for the Santa Fe in 1898 and has been abandoned for many years.
Alan Affeldt and his wife restored La Posada in Winslow, also a Harvey House, and it is our favorite hotel in the U.S. Of course it is on the Transcon of the BNSF with non-stop trains, and the hotel has been lovingly restored just as Mary Colter envisioned it in the 20’s (she designed El Tovar in the Grand Canyon). Aside from that the food is excellent, especially so for my wife who is particular about her southwestern meals. This isn’t any Taco Bell. Most of the food is sourced locally by the restaurant Owner/Chef, a former Brit, and is outstanding.
But I digress. On one of our auto excursions we stayed at the Plaza hotel (also owned by Affeldt) in Las Vegas and inspected the La Castañeda that was derelict at the time. I can’t wait until it opens next year. But to bring us back to reality, one of the comments in the article is:
“Hall (Chamber of Commerce) said he would like to see Winslow and Las Vegas work out a cross promotion between the two hotels so railroad travelers could visit one for a day or two and then train on down to the other.”
I don’t think he realized how poignant his comment is.
yukon11 Member # 2997
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Thanks for the information on the La Castaneda Hotel, Mr. Palmland, and thanks for posting. Yes, it does bring a refreshing and uplifting change of pace from the discouraging Amtrak LD train news.
I would like to visit the hotel if I ever get a chance to take the Cumbrus & Toltec out of Chama, NM. I read that AT&SF had a special refrigerator car to bring in fresh meat and poultry to their Harvey House restaurants. I also read where they had a dedicated dairy in Las Vegas, NM.
Was the La Castandeda the first Harvey House HOTEL restaurant? I believe the 1st railroad depot restaurant may have been in Topika, KS, in 1876.
Another old Harvey House that I wish they would they had restored to a Harvey House restaurant, is the Casa del Desierto in Barstow, Calif. It is now a chamber of commerce and visitor center.
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Richard, thanks for the link on the Alvarado. Wish that had survived. But just a block a way is the Hotel Andaluz I highly recommend it for your trip to the Cumbres and Toltec. Better do it now while you can ride the SWC. I do think I like that operation better than the Silverton.
But, don’t forget the nearby Alamosa operation of the much maligned Ed Ellis’ Rio Grand Scenic operation. It’ s a great ride and his train to his music venue in Fir, CO (which I haven’t seen) promises to keep them afloat. What a shame his mismanagement curtailed other operations. He had some good ideas; just not very good on the practical side.
I’m not sure of the Harvey House history; bet that would be a good book. Wouldn’t it be nice if it was still around and Amtrak contracted with them for food service. Maybe that’s where we’ll wind up: ‘Next stop Grand Junction. All out for a 20 min meal stop”.
MargaretSPfan Member # 3632
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Mr. Palmland --- Thank you very much for that interesting report on the La Castañeda Hotel. It sounds like a great place to stay and have an excellent meal at. SO glad the owners did a restoration that ws faithful to what Mary Couldter designed.
This is, indeed, good new, and much appreciated in this time of far too much bad news about poor old Amtrak.
Ahhhh...the Harvey Houses.....Those were the days.... Glad some survive!
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