| Pullman Court
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The southwest corner of the site, nearest to the La Plata depot is tiered, to create
three levels of track-mounted sleeping cars with unobstructed views to the BNSF
main line. The car interiors are divided into 48 suites to accommodate individuals,
couples, and families. The upper level of the tiered site affords surface parking, a
furnished clubhouse, and retail convenience stores for the use of Pullman guests.
Circulation between the cars, the clubhouse, the retail mall, and the parking area is
covered and climate-controlled.
It is the intent that these accommodations are offered for sale to private owners as
condominiums and when unoccupied, leased to visitors by Silver Rails on behalf
of the owners.
Both owners and guests would be conveyed to the suites at Pullman Court by
period station wagons or limousines and accorded VIP treatment throughout their
stay. Once in residence, they would have access to all of the Resort's facilities.
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| National Passenger Rail Center
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The 80,000-square foot National Passenger Rail Center (NPRC), just
north and east of Pullman Court, is the only such museum facility
devoted entirely to passenger rail travel. While featuring Amtrak history
and equipment, commemorative presentations would incorporate and
interpret many examples of past and present passenger rail travel. The
NPRC is however far more than a commemorative facility. Much of
the programmatic content would focus on the future of passenger rail
transportation through real-time and interactive learning experiences
that clearly demonstrate why rail transportation, with the benefit of
advanced technology, will ultimately prove to be the most cost-effective
and environmentally-responsible means of passenger travel in the
immediate and distant future.
The NPRC incorporates Tour-Train Station # 1, affording views into the
galleries. After glimpsing the interior, guests destined for lodging within
the resort will likely be motivated to make a thorough inspection later
during their stay. The NPRC and Tour-Train Station are also conveniently
accessible from the day-parking area to the east, for easy access by
school groups and dedicated destination visitors.
Rolling stock bound for the NPRC is off-loaded from the main line to
a spur south of the La Plata Depot and pulled or pushed on newlylaid
standard gauge track leading to the NPRC. A transfer table,
installed at the north end of the building, facilitates distribution of
locomotives and cars to the four parallel display tracks within the NPRC.
The NPRC also includes a large format multi-use theater, several exhibit
galleries, conservation, archival storage, rail-themed dining, and a
generously sized retail shop. The main galleries are available for rent
as event venues.
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| Depot Inn and Suites
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The newly expanded 80 room Depot Inn continues to provide beautiful, rail-themed accommodations,
as well as on-premise dining, indoor pool and fitness facilities and a variety of visitor amenities. The
Inn remains highly visible from Highway 63 and accessible by automobile from Brown Street. Now
however, for the first time, the Inn actually has a Depot! It is station #2 on the Tour-Train route. The
station also serves the Shopping Village and Entertainment Complex just west of the expanded Inn.
Access to and from the entertainment and shopping venues is climate-controlled, although exterior
transition and access via landscaped walks is encouraged under favorable climatic conditions.
While welcoming stays of any length, the Depot Inn and other venues in the south section of the
project are generally directed towards short-stay, overnight visitors.
In mind of that mission, the Inn offers ample parking along Brown Street, which may also be
utilized for tour and school bus arrival and staging.
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| The Resort Hotel
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The 250-room Resort Hotel is the hub of the northern
section of the project. It boasts the most elaborate of the
Tour-Train Stations (#3) and an Events Center that can
accommodate regional meetings and conventions for up to
1,500 attendees. The Hotel's unique dual entrance lobby is
designed to accommodate guests arriving by either rail or
road vehicles.
Dedicated valet parking is located close to the Hotel, but is
landscaped in such a way as to be visually screened from
hotel operations.
Fine dining and a full range of amenities are available
to all guests…and of course, with the Tour-Train at their
doorstep, the entire range of attractions at Silver Rails is
easily accessible.
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| The Spa and Spa Gardens
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Several selected acres just west of the Resort Hotel are home to
a classic restorative retreat for those in search of a refreshing
pause in their stressful lives. The Spa offers all of the
personnel and facilities equal to the task of nurturing physical
and spiritual needs. The Spa Gardens provide a magnificently
landscaped interlude, with sculpted walks and oases, quiet
streams, and filtered sunlight... all under translucent cover
and always comfortably climate-controlled.
The Spa and Spa Gardens are complete with a modest number
of guest rooms and full-service cabins, as well as restaurants
and retail shops tailored to the health and wellbeing of their
clientele.
Although tastefully secluded from other Silver Rails attractions,
the Spa is quite close to the Resort Hotel and within walking
distance in pleasant weather. It is, of course, always accessible
by train at Tour- Train Station # 4, nestled under the all-weather
canopy that soars overhead.
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| The Energy Farm and Pavilion
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Separated from the Spa by the many acres of landscaped terrain
through which train passengers experience the true essence
of rail excursion, the Energy Farm and Pavilion are clearly
defined by the tall wind-turbines and solar arrays spanning the
northernmost reaches of the site. This benign looking complex
is the source of energy that provides electricity for the entire
project. The alternative energy system takes full advantage
of the prevailing winds. Together with the cutting-edge solar
panels and photovoltaic applications, it is a model for study
in a world that must free itself from the tyranny of fossil fuels
and non-renewable resources if we are to maintain our everincreasing
global appetite for a mechanized society.
The Energy Pavilion interprets that rising demand and the
consequences of resource depletion and lack of conservation
on the future of mankind. The Pavilion employs a variety of
interactive and experiential media to make the point.
The Energy Pavilion incorporates Tour-Train Station # 5.
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| The Water/Air Park And Activities Center
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Station #6 on the Tour-Train route is very likely to be the
primary destination for the younger set. This unique multiacre
activities park, including almost five acres under cover,
raises the bar for traditional water parks by adding two
additional components associated with locomotive operation:
pneumatics that drive the pistons, translating vertical motion
to horizontal force and traction that moves the vehicle forward
on the tracks. The participatory, hands-on activities assembled
here are each a demonstration of those principles - from the
simple mechanics of the watering tower to wave pools, and
from pneumatically driven mechanical rides to wind-streams
of moving air that “float” you above the ground and provide
forced-air sailing across a lake. All of these activities express
the principles of physics that drive the railroad train.
There's something for everyone here,
including sophisticated computer games
and simulations... all rail-themed!
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| Shopping Village and Entertainment Complex
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Some six acres of land are dedicated to a balanced configuration of boutique shops and cafés
offering upscale goods and locally-produced craft and products, responsive to the culturally diverse
community attracted to Kirksville by Truman State and the College of Osteopathy, the
rural communities surrounding the site and the culturally homogeneous Amish society.
An indoor theater, outdoor amphitheater, and informal performing venues dominate the
landscape between the expanded Depot Inn and the Shopping Village. They offer a wide-ranging
program of family entertainment throughout the year designed to appeal to all ages, tastes and
interests. While certainly contributing to the varied menu of opportunity for Resort guests, the
combined Shopping Village and Entertainment Complex will be particularly attractive to local
residents and visitors. The conceptual site plan anticipates that eventuality by providing direct
vehicular access from Owneby Street to on-site, dedicated short-term parking.
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| Missouri Pavilion of Arts And Culture
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Completing the family of venues in the southern section of the Resort,
this 60,000-square foot combination of cultural museum and sculpture
gardens is specifically dedicated to the myriad notable Americans
associated with the region. Some, like Samuel Clemens, Walt Disney,
and General “Black Jack Pershing,” are widely celebrated figures. Others,
perhaps less well known, are significant contributors to the nation's
affluence and wellbeing and a source of pride to their communities. The
Pavilion incorporates Tour-Train Station #7 and, like all of the project
venues, offers dining and retail opportunities. The Pavilion also offers a
full range of participatory and educational programs, including tours to
heritage destinations throughout the region.
Other than the Museum of Westward Expansion within the St. Louis
Arch, Missouri does not have a major, stand-alone museum of cultural
history. We therefore anticipate broad support from both public and
private sources, in which case the Pavilion might well be publicly
financed and operated.
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