Cuba, Missouri: 1870s Train Replica on a Wall

3D rendering of an old train inset into a brick wall. Reminds everyone that before there was Route 66, there was the railroad.

Address:: 101 W. Washington Blvd, Cuba, MO
Directions:: Downtown. On the northwest corner of Route 66/W. Washington Blvd and Hwy 19/N. Franklin St.

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Train replica.

1870s Train Replica

Cuba, MO is a town that owes its development to both the railroad and to Route 66. When Cuba celebrated its sesquicentennial in 2007, the sesquicentennial banners placed the Route 66 logo over the train tracks to highlight the importance of both to Cuba.

In 1857, the town was platted around the anticipated railroad, which did spur the new town's growth. Along with the development of the main line, there was the 1873 Cuba-Salem, MO branch of the road that brought goods and passengers from outlying towns of Viburnum, Cook Station, and Steelville to the mainline in Cuba.

To commemorate the impact of the railroad to the town, Viva Cuba, a beautification organization, commissioned a replica of the Cuba-Salem branch of the railroad to be installed in the Viva Cuba Garden that sits at the Route 66/Hwy.19 intersection. The steel train is 15' long and weighs approximately 325 pounds. Father and son team Glen and Curtis Tutterrow sculpted the train in three pieces, which were welded together on May 29 when the train was placed on a decorative brick wall.

[writeronthego, 07/06/2008]

This super-literal 3D rendering of a train -- note the "Cuba" water tower -- is much better than trying to install a real train. The history murals around town are also interesting.