Western Railroad Discussion > Kingman perspective revisited

A followup to yesterdays Kingman thread, a poster asked about the track on the right side of the first two pictures.  Ask and ye shall receive:

BNSF 7232 West,  S-KCKSCO1-26V descends down Track 1 (north track) past the Kingman depot about to enter Kingman Canyon a short distance from the depot.

 

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Thats a neat angle on Kingman. 
Always enjoy stopping in Kingman when traveling.  In addtion to the historic ATSF depot--with museum inside--there are some other museums, interesting old buildings, the ATSF 4-8-4 #3759 in the city park, reasonably priced lodging and any services you might need.  Not sure about the current situation, but there used to be a couple of restaurants near the depot where you could have lunch or dinner and watch the trains out the front window.  Also it doesn't have the sketchy feeling of cities like Needles. I mean one should be "situationally aware" 100% of the time, but the threat level doesn't usually feel high in Kingman.  Its not what i would think of as a "destination" for a trip, but its always worth a visit if you are passing through.

hotrail Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
 Not sure about the current
> situation, but there used to be a couple of
> restaurants near the depot where you could have
> lunch or dinner and watch the trains out the front
> window. 
The best place to eat around there is Mr. D'z 50's diner, great view of the tracks, its across the street from the park where 3759 resides. I think there was a Mexican restaurant nearby that was pretty good, but I don't remember the name.

Also it doesn't have the sketchy feeling
> of cities like Needles. I mean one should be
> "situationally aware" 100% of the time, but the
> threat level doesn't usually feel high in
> Kingman.  Its not what i would think of as a
> "destination" for a trip, but its always worth a
> visit if you are passing through.

Never really had a bad experience around the area trackside, and Kingman is definitely  more "family friendly".

Tom

Kingman is a safe town and like most places just be aware of your surroundings.  There is a good Mexican restaurant across the street from the depot with window seating. Just a block away from the tracks on the main drag East Beale St there are a number of good brew pub bar restaurant types of places.  I agree Needles is a bit more sketchy but mainly due to lack of amenities like Kingman.  It's safe around the railroad but never gas up in Needles (always 5 to approaching 6 bucks per gallon) and maybe don't wander around town after dark.

Railfan4Christ Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> hotrail Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>  Not sure about the current
> > situation, but there used to be a couple of
> > restaurants near the depot where you could have
> > lunch or dinner and watch the trains out the
> front
> > window. 
> The best place to eat around there is Mr. D'z 50's
> diner, great view of the tracks, its across the
> street from the park where 3759 resides. I think
> there was a Mexican restaurant nearby that was
> pretty good, but I don't remember the name.
>
> Also it doesn't have the sketchy feeling
> > of cities like Needles. I mean one should be
> > "situationally aware" 100% of the time, but the
> > threat level doesn't usually feel high in
> > Kingman.  Its not what i would think of as a
> > "destination" for a trip, but its always worth
> a
> > visit if you are passing through.
>
> Never really had a bad experience around the area
> trackside, and Kingman is definitely  more
> "family friendly".
>
> Tom

The Love's on I-40 East of Needles will be a couple bucks cheaper and it's an easy on and
off at the Lake Havasu exit.

Out