Rock Island info

[Anonymous]

The RI Choctaw line is in limited use between Howe, OK and McAlester, OK . It is operated by a short line, A-OK Railroad. The rails are still in place McAlester to at least Holdenville; I saw them myself last summer. I am pretty sure they are in place all the way to OKC, as there is talk of reviving this segment to connect to the UP at McAlester. This portion would require considerable expense to make it active. As for west of OKC, I don't know.

wboatner

[SALfan]

Most of the line between Oklahoma City and Memphis is gone, too. After The Rock abandoned, the portion from Memphis to one of the lines in eastern Arkansas (Cotton Belt, I think) was bought by that railroad to provide an entry, or a better entry, to Memphis. A stretch of line west of Little Rock for some distance (30 to 60 miles, I think) was sold to an industry which wanted to preserve rail service. The Little Rock and Western was set up to run the line; it was originally Alco-powered. As far as I know, those were the only portions between OKC and Memphis that had a life after CRIP. The Santa Fe wanted to buy the line or most of it to get to Memphis, but the project was dependent on Federal and state money and was basically stillborn.

Updates on the status of the line in Arkansas would be appreciated. From 1982 to 1986 I drove the highway beside the part west of Little Rock periodically, and always wished some other railroad would buy it and put it back into service.

[Anonymous]

Doggy:

Most of that line is gone west of El Reno OK. Years ago, when I traveled more in those parts, I noticed them tearing up the track.

[Anonymous]

In 1948 (I was 12 yrs old) I rode the RI McAlester to Tucumcari on a pass. We left around 7 am. I found on the internet a 1948 timetable. Seems my train was # 111. In 1950 I rode the RI McAlester to Memphis. I boarded about 8 pm and rode all night. This was probably # 112. They were regular trains, I can't remember the power, probably steam in 1948. Being on a pass, I rode in the chair car.

Oldtimer wboatner

[Anonymous]

Is that line abanodned? I think it is but not sure?

DOGGY

[Anonymous]

Thanks !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Actually, Trains 51 and 52 were called the Choctaw "Rockettes" because they were equipped with Budd rail diesel cars (kind of like WP's Zephyrette). It ran on a daytime schedule, leaving Memhis at 10 am and arriving OK City at 10 pm. Eastbound, it departed OKC at 7 am arriving Memphis 630 pm. The 1955 official guide also shows trains 51 and 52 continuing west as far as Amarillo TX, apparently using conventional equipment (coaches only but with pillow service!). Years ago in an old Trains mag, I once saw a pix of an old gas-electric pulling a streamlined coach. The caption read something like "Oklahoma City's connection for the Twin Star Rocket". This might have been Nos 51 and 52. There was a second train on this line, the Cherokee, Nos 111 and 112. In 1955, this train included a through heavy weight 10 sec, 2 Compartment,1 Drawing Room sleeper as well as a through coach to LA CA via the Imperial. There was also a dining car from McAlester to Tucumcari where the Cherokee connected with the Imperial. This train left Memphis at 730 pm arriving Tucumcari 730 pm the next day. Eastbound it departed 810 pm and arrived Memphis 715 pm. Hope this helps.

John Baie

[Anonymous]

type in "rock island timetables" on google and you will get a site with RI passenger timetables for the choctaw division

[Anonymous]

I would like to build a modle railroad of the Rock Island's east-west line through Oklahma between Oklhoma City and El Reno in the 50's. I was wondering what trains ran there and at what time ? I know there was the Chowtaw Rocket and a connecting train for the Twin Star Rocket but thats all I know. I was just wondering what trains ran on this line and the order ( time of day ) Thanks !!