When I saw the ads for the Bachmann Roadside USA HO models, I immediately recognized one that I drive by almost daily. The Airplane Gas Station is modeled after the one here in Knoxville, TN and is located on Highway 25-W. It is currently being restored with government and private funds. The gas pumps are gone and I don’t know if they plan to replace them, but it would look better if they did. I took some photos yesterday and though I would share them with you all. Glad to see some of the Americana is being reproduced and in effect being preserved in model form.
Well, not exactly near but I have driven past the teapot gas station many times. It is between Yakima and Sunnyside, Washington, a few hours away from where I now live.
There is a TeePee Motel open for guests at Wharton, Texas, about 2 miles NE of town on US59 Business (the old highway). Built 1942, shut down early 1980s, but now reopened. I have been noticing it, made a point while driving to Houston in October 2012 to go past and photograph it. Approx. 1 hour from Houston.
Notice a difference between (this) prototype and Bachmann model. The cone of Bachmann’s teepee is a constant slant from ground to top. This prototype has shallower slope at first floor level (not as slanted), sharper slope higher up.
Wharton is a town with a picturesque downtown courthouse square, a few grand old houses. ATSF “Cane Belt” tracks through town pulled up.
The ice cream stand seems to be based on one in Pflugerville(?), TX. I think it is the one shown in the opening credits of that TV show “Friday Night Lights”.
