Bob Moore, executive editor of Route 66 Magazine, announced today that the summer issue will feature a cover from the upcoming Pixar movie "Cars" and contain an extensive feature story on the making of the film, including an interview with director John Lasseter.

It also will contain, Moore said, never-before-seen photos from when Michael Wallis led the Pixar crew down Route 66 in 2001.

Moore said the magazine should show up in newstands and bookstores by early June. 

I got word today from the city of Albuquerque that the appeal of Richard Gonzales, owner of El Vado Motel on Route 66, was denied.

He was seeking to overturn the Landmarks Commission's recommendation to designate El Vado a city landmark, thus giving the historic motel greater protection. Gonzales was wanting to tear down the motel and build luxury townhouses on the property. After much public outcry, the city intervened and put a halt to the project.

The rejection of the appeal wasn't surprising, given the shaky or nonexistent legal grounds that Gonzales cited.

I'm set to get a copy of the decision in a few days. I'll report more if there's anything interesting.

The answer: Maybe.

The City of Albuquerque has hired HDR Incorporated as an engineer for the city's Modern Streetcar Project. The idea is to run a street car line from Old Town to the Nob Hill district on Central Avenue, which is old Route 66 (an artist's rendering of the project is shown above). This news release from the city says construction is set to begin in 18 months, with the project being operational in 3 1/2 years.

“Having this new mode of transportation that will link to the commuter train and city bus lines will encourage economic development and further the revitalization of many areas along Albuquerque’s historic Route 66,” said ABQ RIDE Director Greg Payne. “The choice to embrace public transportation today will benefit the residents and visitors of our city for generations to come.”

A modern street car system is similar to light rail, but the vehicles are smaller and are much lighter without the same impact on some of the residential neighborhoods. The cost of a modern street car system is estimated to run about $30 million per mile while a light rail system can cost between $60 and $100 million per mile.

However, the Albuquerque Tribune notes that the city doesn't have the money for the full $240 million project.

Adams said the city hasn't determined how much the hiring of HDR will cost. In fact, the city is still trying to determine exactly how the project will be planned.

Adams said the city could choose a more traditional process, where HDR would design the entire project before the construction work is bid to a contractor.

Another process could include having HDR design less than half of the project before hiring a general contractor capable of finishing the design and constructing the system.

So the project might be piecemeal.

Here's my take on what's happening. I think the city is gambling that gas prices will remain high and go higher in the coming years, thus making a streetcar system more attractive to commuters and tourists. The Duke City is trying to be prepared.

The Mainichi Daily Times' ongoing series about the Geezer Riders' trek on Route 66 continues with the crew visiting Cadillac Ranch, visiting the Midpoint Cafe and heading into Tucumcari, Santa Rosa and Albuquerque.

It's amusing or irritating to read the errors in the story. Santa Rosa's Blue Hole is referred to as the Blowhole. It says former Blue Swallow Motel owner Lillian Redmon played the mother in the film "The Grapes of Wrath" (she didn't). It also says Billy the Kid was buried in Santa Rosa (the folks in Fort Sumner would be surprised to hear that). 

There also is a photo gallery from the trip. 

The Route 66 Association of Missouri will hold a dedication ceremony Friday, May 5, for Missouri's Route 66 being designated a national scenic byway. The 11 a.m. event will be at the southeast corner of Kearney and Glenstone in Springfield, Mo. Nearby parking is at the Kmart shopping center.

The site is significant because this was where then-Gov. John Ashcroft signed state legislation making Missouri's Route 66 a historic highway back in 1990. The first "Historic Route 66" sign also was installed there in 1991.

Byway status makes Missouri Route 66 eligible for more federal assistance and publicity.

For more information, call the Missouri Department of Transportation at (417) 895-7600.

Ace Jackalope of The Lope blog has informed me that an old Union Pacific steam locomotive is going to make a couple stops in Route 66 towns during its tour this spring.

On May 7, locomotive #844 will be in Tucumcari, N.M., at the old train depot at 100 Railroad Ave. from 9 to 9:30 a.m. It's also scheduled to be in Santa Rosa, N.M., from 10 to 10:30 a.m. the same day at Fourth Street and Route 66. (I have my doubts that it will arrive in Santa Rosa that quickly. Santa Rosa is at least a 45-minute drive from Tucumcari driving 75 mph on the interstate.)

The other Route 66 stop will be in Claremore, Okla., at 3 p.m. May 27 at Blue Star and Industrial avenues. It will depart at 8 a.m. the next morning.

No. 844 (pictured above) was the last steam locomotive delivered to UP in 1944 and is regularly used for goodwill tours.

This is part of Union Pacific's South Express History Tour. The train's schedule can be viewed here and will change as circumstances warrant.