Arkansas Railroads:Past and Present Part 1

[arkansasrailfan]

Down at Pine Bluff, there is the only two surviving steam locomotives from the Cotton Belt (St. Louis Southwestern) The 819 was the second part of group of Northerns, which that part was homebuilt( the first came from Baldwin, they ended their lives in California on the SP)and was built in !942. The 819 was put on display until in the 1980s, it was restored to operation. The engine ran many excursions until the UP bought the SP and said they couldn't ran it on thier track. To date, the engine is being slowly rebuilt because a lack of people. One other steam locomtive is along side the 819. The 336, a 2-6-0 built by Baldwin in 1909, is in bad shape since it was exposed to the elements for a couple of decades. Right now it's being cosmetically restored. Other locomotives are:UP Alco C-630 #2907-operable; LSI GE U23 #2300-operable, but most cab equipment is gone or knocked over; SSW EMD GP30 #5006-inoperable, prime mover removed; Rescar Plymouth or GE 25-tonner-operable, but parts stolen; West Tennesee Alco RSD12 #2054-operable; Indiana Hi-Rail 443 Alco RSD15 #443-operable; MRAX EMD E8/9 #513-inoperable, IS BURNED OUT, missing prime movers and is a shell, sides rusting out- bad condition; Wabash Alloys GE 25-tonner-is on way to be operable. The tender of 819 sister 814 is at the museum, and is to be used a water car. Also there is countless MW, passenger, and freight cars.  The building id the old shop building, where the 819 was built, along with a still used wheel shop, everything else is gone.

PART TWO: THE MISSOURI AND ARKANSAS

[SSW9389]

Wyoming the 819 is not the only remaining Cotton Belt steam locomotive. The #336 that you mentioned is the other existing Cotton Belt steam locomotive. The #336 is a D-3 Class Mogul built by Baldwin in 1909. It was sold on 1-1-1947 to a gravel operation in Lewisville, AR. It stayed in Lewisville until it was rescued by the Cotton Belt Rail Historical Society in 1994.

The #819 was outshopped at Pine Bluff on February 8th, 1943.  

The number on the Union Pacific C630 is the  #2907. It is not operable at this time as it has a problem with its engine and alternator being out of alignment after a trip over the Englewood Hump. The Society is going to try and block and tackle the thing back into alignment.

There are two GE 25 Tonners. One is operable as you said. One 25 Tonner is from Wabash Alloys and the other from Rescar. 

The West Tennessee RSD-12 is the ex-SP7012 and it will be repainted someday.

The RSD-15 is ex-Santa Fe #843 and it is due painting soon back to original colors.

The MRAX 513 is owned by Ed Bowers and was formerly a C&NW unit. Conflicting unit history is on LocoNotes.

Also at Pine Bluff are:

SSW 96005 a 200 Ton Industrial Brownhoist Steam Relief Crane.

SSWMW 5682 Boom Car

SSWMW 98501 Generator Flat Car 

SSWMW 94129 Kitchen Car

SSWMW 96216 Tool Car

SSWMW 96209 Crew Sleeper

1942 Tool Car ex-SP Baggage car St. Louis Car Co.

1944 Power Car ex SP Baggage 6616  

G56 Guard Car ACF hospital car from WW2

SN87 Jordan Snow Plow U S Army

306 Lark 13 Bedroom Pullman Standard ex-SP9356

1947 Apple Blossom ex-GN 1121

SSW 2214 Wood Cupola Caboose

SSW 83 Bay Window Caboose 

SP 125 Bay Window Caboose built 11-66

AM 1410 60' Mechanical Reefer ex-EL

3480 Pegasus Baggage Dorm ex-AT&SF Budd 1938 Transition Car 

CBHS 819336 Tank Car

The above list was compiled from a roster that Mr. Lyle Smith had at the Arkansas Railroad Museum on April 13 and 14. Mr. Smith is a volunteer at the Museum. Coincidentily this is my 819th post to this forum.  

Ed Cooper

Cotton Belt Rail Historical Society