Richie Kennedy | route56.com

Welcome to route56.com

Welcome to my anchor point on the web. For over 20 years, I have shared various subjects regarding highway, railways, local radio, and more.

I chose the name “route56” in honor of the green and white variant of the US Highway shield that the Kansas Department of Transportation and its predecessor agency used specifically to mark US 56 from the designation of US 56 in 1956 until KDOT elected to adopt the standard black-and-white design in the mid-1980s

Click on the links above to access the pages devoted to the history of local radio and Kansas Highways, along with other creative outlets.

You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, and Flickr.

Latest Blog Posts

  • Running Behind….

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    The bad news… I haven’t made a new post to this blog in a while. The good news… I’ve at least found something to do (and get paid for it). It’s a contract job involving a computer and printer deployment for various offices in Northeast Kansas and Northwest Missouri. Those trips have also netted me…

  • Somehow, I got some road and train pictures

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    Being unemployed and with a dying car means I don’t get out as much. However, I still volunteer at the Amtrak Depot, and the Union Pacific Steam train made an appearance in the area. I also attend the Job Club events in KC (as well as the occasional job interview.) Here’s what I got for…

  • Road Videos

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    OK, time to get away from the political crud. I’ve got three road videos up and rolling: I-70 from Lawrence to 435:L I-435 from I-70 to K-10: K-10:

  • The Sandra Fluke Contraversy

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    A major talk show host got caught up in the debate over contraceptive coverage. Here is my somewhat whimsical thoughts on the matter.

  • Time to get ready for the show

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    Yesterday, I had this section, or module, of the Lawrence Model Railroad clubs HO scale layout pulled from storage. I had decorated this module for the past few years, along with, to some extent, the adjacent corner module. This year, the club has plans to refurbish and make better use of the corner. I had…

  • December 2011 photos

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    Here are my photos for December of 2011. Most of the shots are from the newly-remodeled BNSF/Amtrak station and its environs, including two late #4 trains.

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    New Photos and video

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    Last Saturday, I made a trip into KC to help promote the upcoming show of the Lawrence Model Railroad Club, as well as the ribbon-cutting for the Platform at the Amtrak Station in Lawrence. Meanwhile, I got some shots of some road signs of interest, particularly the re-routing of US 169 in Johnson County. Also,…

  • Video of Amtrak special plus my first two episodes of “Roadgeek-Cam”

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    Of course, where would we be without video… I-70 from East Lawrence to Lecompton and K-10 from I-70 to US 59 US 59 from the Douglas/Franklin County Line to K-68 Amtrak extra 71 east.

  • November already?

    November already?

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    For being without a day job, it seems I’ve been rather busy…. October brought a pair of “Special” Amtrak trains, and a new interchange on K-7 in Johnson County.

  • Lawrence Depot Antics

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    I’m sure there’s been more than a fair share of antics about railfans being scrutinized for, well, being railfans. This weekend, I bring to you a couple of stories First off, on Saturday, there was a young person with 2 suitcases, a backpack, and several smaller bags (including a sewing machine). There is no checked…