A centennial celebration for the Santa Fe Depot would not be complete without trains.
Three vintage rail cars arrived at the Norman Depot Thursday morning just in time for centennial week planned Saturday through Nov. 21 at the Santa Fe Depot, 200 S. Jones Ave.
Debra Levy Martinelli, executive director of the Performing Arts Studio, said rail cars will be on display Saturday, Sunday and through next week.
"The whole idea was to illustrate the history of the depot over the last 100 years," she said. "These cars represent the early years of passenger services."
Two passenger rail cars and one dining car are included in the display.
Greg Hall, City of Norman streets superintendent, serves on the Santa Fe Depot's centennial committee. He has always been interested in trains and was waiting for the train cars to arrive Thursday morning.
"The cars are coming out of Moore and coming to the Depot," he said.
Hall said the vehicles are part of a display housed at the Oklahoma Railway Museum in Oklahoma City. Bringing the rail cars to Norman is no easy process.
"It's an incredibly big process," Hall said. "The museum staff has to make sure it all meets railroad regulations and do repair work on the cars."
The display opens Saturday to the public.
"They are vintage Santa Fe cars built in the late 30s and it's worth noting Burlington North Santa Fe and Union Pacific donated moving the cars for free," he said.
He said a freight charge normally applies to trains.
The dining car, which is centered between the two other train cars was rebuilt in the 1940s, Hall said. It was once stationed in Norman.
"This car will be at home for the first time in many, many years," he said.
Meghan McCormick
366-3539
mmccormick@normantranscript.com
Local news
NEW: Vintage rail cars arrive in Norman for Depot centennial
- Local news
-
-
Bonds awarded at low interest
Norman residents most likely will not notice any property tax increase from bonds awarded to an underwriter by the Norman City Council on Tuesday night, city Finance Director Anthony Francisco said....
-
Police link man to multiple rapes
Cleveland County prosecutors are expected to file as many as 20 felony charges ranging from burglary to first-degree rape and forcible oral sodomy against a former OU student who police say confessed to sexual assaults on Norman college ...
-
Preliminary hearing set for former OU professor
By Joel Pruett On Tuesday, the preliminary hearing for a former University of Oklahoma professor suspected of rape and sexual abuse of and lewd acts with children was set for May 10....
-
School board results
The unofficial results of yesterday night’s election are in, with no close races and no reported complications with new machinery and ballots. Voters largely favored incumbents where applicable. Results are as follows: · Lexington ...
-
Pedestrian in serious condition
A 64-year-old Norman man improved from critical condition to serious condition Tuesday night. He remains in OU Medical Center after being struck Monday while crossing 12th Avenue Northeast, north of Main Street....
-
Pekingese becomes America’s top dog
NEW YORK — This Peke was at his peak. Malachy the Pekingese wobbled off with best in show Tuesday night at the Westminster Kennel Club, becoming America’s dog to the delight of an adoring crowd that called his name....
-
Castiglione speaks at All Saints
Earlier this month, Catholic schools nationwide celebrated Catholic Schools week with various themed activities and fundraisers....
-
NPS to purchase radios
The FCC killed the wideband star, and it’s about to cost Norman Public Schools Schools up to $200,000....
-
Marc Heitz raises nearly $32K for hungry children
Spinning around an ice skating rink, many Norman residents contributed to raising nearly $32,000 to benefit the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma during the past holiday season....
-
City council considers transportation bonds
Tonight at 6:30, the Norman City Council will vote on whether to approve bids on transportion bonds totaling $33 million. If approved, the bond package will go to voters on June 26. The council also will consider whether to commission a ...
- More Local news Headlines
-
Bonds awarded at low interest
