The Streetcars Of Arkansas

Central Arkansas Transit; June 17, 2014

We're continuing our two-week foray into the upper midwest, turning back east from the National Railway Historical Society convention in Springdale, Ark. So far we have ridden a photo freight charter on the Arkansas & Missouri, visited tourist railroads in the Ozarks, chased the Amtrak display train behind A&M Alco diesels, and headed south along the Kansas City Southern in three states. We are now in Little Rock, Ark., home to the decade-old River Rail Streetcar of Central Arkansas Transit.

Central Arkansas Transit; Little Rock, Ark.; June 17, 2014

The River Rail Streetcar opened in November 2014 and operates 3.4 miles of track in Little Rock and North Little Rock. The original line operated 2.5 miles between the downtowns of the two cities. In 2006 an extension was opened to the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library. Three replica trolleys were used when the line initially opened and two more were added with the extension. The cars, built by Gomaco Trolley Company, resemble the Birney cars that operated in Little Rock (which previously had electric streetcar service between 1891 and 1947); the original Birneys were numbered 400-407 and the five replicas continue that series, numbered 408-412.

Central Arkansas Transit; Little Rock, Ark.; June 17, 2014

The line is broken down into two "routes," the Green Line and the Blue Line. The Green Line operates a loop through downtown, and continues on to the Clinton Library (except in the evening). The Blue Line covers the exact same loop downtown, but also crosses the Arkansas River to make a loop in North Little Rock; it also goes to the Clinton Library during the day. This two-route system means that North Little Rock only gets half the service that Little Rock gets. All the above photos were taken on the primary loop in downtown Little Rock. The photo below takes us out near the Clinton Library.

Central Arkansas Transit; Little Rock, Ark.; June 17, 2014

All trackage is one-directional, running clockwise in Little Rock and counter-clockwise in North Little Rock. The Clinton Library extension is double-track with rail on both sides of the street. The exception to one-directional running is the bridge over the Arkansas River, where both northbound and southbound cars share a single track.

Central Arkansas Transit; Little Rock, Ark.; June 17, 2014

North Little Rock has a picturesque downtown, and the system's car barn is located here.

Central Arkansas Transit; North Little Rock, Ark.; June 17, 2014

Fort Smith Trolley Museum; Fort Smith, Ark.; June 12, 2014

This concludes our look at the River Rail Streetcar, but while we're on the subject of Arkansas streetcars let's backtrack to the other operation in the state, the Fort Smith Trolley. While River Rail serves as a means of transportation to tourists and residents, the Fort Smith Trolley is primarily a tourist ride. This is part of the Fort Smith Trolley Museum, and the trolley ride was inaugurated in 1991 on a quarter mile of track. Subsequent extensions now gives the line a distance of about 3,000 feet.

The car in use in Fort Smith is an actual Birney car (unlike Little Rock's replicas), built in 1926. It served Fort Smith in regular service until streetcar service was discontinued in 1933. Several more streetcars (including a couple of Little Rock Birneys that are being combined into one operable car) are undergoing restoration. Much of the collection is native to Fort Smith.

The museum also owns three locomotives of various types, the most notable being Frisco 2-8-2 No. 4003.

More photos of the River Rail Streetcar in Little Rock can be found here. More photos of the Fort Smith Trolley (and the NRHS convention train that went there on the Arkansas & Missouri) can be found here.

Fort Smith Trolley Museum; Fort Smith, Ark.; June 12, 2014

Tri-State Chase on Kansas City Southern

Kansas City Southern; Ginger Blue, Mo.; June 16, 2014

On the same day we chased the Amtrak display train behind Alcos on the Arkansas & Missouri (June 16, 2014), brother Bruce and I headed over to the Kansas City Southern for the afternoon looking for a southbound train to chase. Trains were fairly plentiful, but the hard part about the KCS proved to be finding trains with KCS power -- Union Pacific and BNSF power was predominant. We waited at the grain elevator in Anderson, Mo., looking for a southbound, but the first one had Union Pacific power. The second one had BNSF power, but we chased it south to the bridge over Indian Creek near Ginger Blue.

BNSF Railway (on KCS); Ginger Blue, Mo.; June 16, 2014

Kansas City Southern; Anderson, Mo.; June 14, 2014

The third time was a charm, however, as a southbound appeared with one of KCS's "Retro Belle" (a modified paint scheme used on the old KCS Southern Belle passenger train) SD70ACe units on the point and a second one halfway back in the train as a helper. Of course, the clean one was back in the train; the lead unit was a tad dirty.

The chase started at the elevator in Anderson (right). From there it was a quick drive south (except for the speed trap town of Lanagan) to the turn-off at Ginger Blue, then winding down the hill to Indian Creek at the Eagles Nest Campground. Timing was fortuitous here, as a group of kayakers were just making their way under the bridge as the train crossed (top photo of the post).

We then crossed the state line into Arkansas, setting up for a shot just south of the border at a concrete deck bridge on the outskirts of Sulphur Springs. The sun was starting to swing around, as it was getting late in the day, but it turned out to be a pretty good shot.

Kansas City Southern; Sulphur Springs, Ark.; June 16, 2014

The warm afternoon sun was back on the nose of lead locomotive No. 4037 as it made its way slowly through Gravette. It took so long to get here that we briefly thought we might have missed the train and it was long gone. After several anxious moments it appeared, however.

Kansas City Southern; Gravette, Ark.; June 16, 2014

Northbound rail traffic started to interfere, and while we were waiting at the former KCS F-unit on display in Decatur, Ark., a northbound showed up. By the time it met our train north of town and No. 4037 worked its way south, the shadows were really beginning to creep in.

Kansas City Southern; Decatur, Ark.; June 16, 2014

Getting ahead of the train once more, our next shot was off the overhead bridge at Gentry. While the low sun was making shooting difficult in tight quarters (like at Decatur), it was making for some really sweet light when you had open space to work with and weren't fighting shadows.

Kansas City Southern; Gentry, Ark.; June 16, 2014

We crossed another state line, putting us in Oklahoma as we chased. The shadows were definitely in play as we paused at the large feed mill in Watts. The train crawled through here and came to a stop in the small yard just south of the mill. That should do it for our day.

Kansas City Southern; Watts, Okla.; June 16, 2014

Or so we thought. As we consulted maps to see what the best way was to Van Buren, Ark., so we could grab a motel for the night, the train started moving again. The first few miles to Van Buren stayed with the tracks, so we ducked in at Westville where we found wide open spaces. This allowed for a pan shot of the mid-train helper to finish off a three-state chase.

Kansas City Southern; Westville, Okla.; June 16, 2014

More photos from this day can be found here.

Alcos On Amtrak

Arkansas & Missouri; Seligman, Mo.; June 16, 2014

We're working our way through photos taken on a two-week trip circling the upper Midwest (and beyond) in conjunction with the 2014 convention of the National Railway Historical Society. So far we have ridden a photo freight charter with NRHS and visited some tourist railroads in the Ozarks. As part of the convention, Amtrak sent its display train (originally the 40th Anniversary Train for the birthday in 2011) to Springdale, Ark. Once the convention was over, the train departed Springdale to head to interchange with BNSF Railway in Monett, Mo., over the Arkansas & Missouri. And what better way to get the train over the railroad than behind two of A&M's classic Alco locomotives!

The train was parked in the shop area of the A&M with the rear of the train right up against the south doors of one of the buildings. The first order of business was to send two of the railroad's C420s into the north end of the building to couple onto the rear of the display train. On the south end was C420 No. 44, built by the American Locomotive Company in May 1965 for the Louisville & Nashville. On the north end (and leading the train) would be No. 52, built by Alco in December 1965 for the Lehigh & Hudson River. No. 52 pushed back into the shop to couple up.

Arkansas & Missouri; Springdale, Ark.; June 16, 2014

Getting out ahead of the road freight to Monett, Mo., (appropriately known as the "Monett Turn"), the train raced through downtown Rogers.

Arkansas & Missouri; Rogers, Ark.; June 16, 2014

Coming into Selgman, Mo., the two Alcos framed up nicely between some trees. While the Alcos looked good, it was hard to tell they were pulling an Amtrak consist. However...

Arkansas & Missouri; Seligman, Mo., June 16, 2014

... the going away view was the "money" shot as it showed the entire Amtrak train on the curve leading into downtown. On the rear of the train was NPCU (Non-Power Control Unit) No. 406; this was originally an F40PHR but has had its prime mover removed, making it an unpowered cab car. Between No. 406 and the train was P42DC No. 42, painted in a special U.S. Veterans commemorative scheme by Amtrak.

Amtrak (on A&M); Selgman, Mo.; June 16, 2014

North of Seligman the train passed some nice white flowers (top photo of this post). Since the train needed to be pointing east for BNSF Railway, it paused south of Butterfield to turn on the wye. This put No. 406 on the point as it headed through the feed mill north of Butterfield. Since No. 406 has no engine, No. 42 was doing all the work.

Amtrak (on A&M); Butterfield, Mo.; June 16, 2014

Finally the train arrived at the BNSF yard in Monett. The A&M makes a sharp turn as it enters the yard.

Amtrak (on A&M); Monett, Mo.; June 16, 2014

At this point the Alcos were only along for the ride. Once in the yard they would uncouple from the Amtrak consist and await the following Monett Turn to pick them up and take them back to Springdale. A BNSF crew would board the Amtrak consist and ferry it towards Chicago on the next leg of its journey that would ultimately see it next displayed in Harrington, Del.

Arkansas & Missouri; Monett, Mo.; June 16, 2014

More photos of this move can be found here.

Train Rides In the Ozarks

Silver Dollar City; June 11, 2014

As part of the 2014 convention of the National Railway Historical Society, we had the chance to visit three tourist railroads in the Ozark Mountains of southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas, each one quite different from the others. First up was Silver Dollar City outside Branson, Mo., and its Frisco Silver Dollar Railroad. Silver Dollar City is a family theme park established in 1960, and the steam-powered railroad is one of the oldest rides in the park. The two-foot gauge railroad uses foreign-built steam power such as No. 13 (above), built by Orenstein & Koppel in Germany in 1934.

During the busy summer season two trainsets are in service making the loop through the park. We see No. 43, built by Orestein & Koppel in 1938, as it backs out of the shop to begin its daily duties.

Silver Dollar City; Branson, Mo.; June 11, 2014

The railroad has one U.S.-built locomotive, No. 76, which sits on display near the shop. This diminutive 4-4-2 was built by Davenport in 1922 and operated in New York state before coming to Silver Dollar City. Acquired in 1961, it was the park's first locomotive. It was retired in 1980.

Silver Dollar City; Branson, Mo.; June 11, 2014

The line forms a circle and features impressive grades, some over six per cent. The little locomotives are realy put to the test on the route.

Silver Dollar City; Branson, Mo.; June 11, 2014

Branson Scenic Railway; Branson, Mo.; June 11, 2014

Branson Scenic Railway; Branson, Mo.; June 11, 2014

Just a few miles away is a railroad that is an operational opposite of Silver Dollar City. the Branson Scenic Railway is a standard-gauge diesel-powered line that operates out of its namesake town using a streamlined passenger train.

The railroad operates over a freight short line, the Missouri & North Arkansas Railroad. Like many short lines, the M&NA was spun off from a bigger railroad, in this case the Missouri Pacific (later part of Union Pacific) in 1992. Depending on freight needs, the Branson Scenic can operate in either direction out of Branson. It can head north to Galena, but lucky riders will get a trip south over the much more scenic part of the line to Barren Fork Trestle. The decision on whether to go north or south is made usually about 15 minutes before departure, so it's always a guessing game for both the rider and the chaser.

To facilitate moves in both directions, the train operates in pull-pull mode. On the north end is Electro-Motive Division F7 No. 98 (above crossing the White River). It was built in January 1951 as No. 369 for the Baltimore & Ohio, and later operated in commuter service for Maryland Area Commuter Rail (MARC) out of Washington, D.C. Interestingly, it has the nose from a Canadian National F9 after the original nose was damaged in a wreck. On the south end is EMD GP30 No. 99. This is also a former B&O locomotive, built as its 6973 in January 1963.

We finish off our tour of the Ozarks in north Arkansas at Eureka Springs on the appropriately named Eureka Springs & North Arkansas. This tourist operation was establisjed in 1981 on a branch line that was never part of a major rail system. Primary power for the railroad is EMD SW1 No. 4742, built by EMD in 1942.

Eureka Springs & North Arkansas; Eureka Springs, Ark.; June 11, 2014

Three steam locomotives are scattered around the property, none of them serviceable. One of those locomotives is 2-6-0 No. 201, built by the American Locomotive Company in Paterson, N.J., in 1906. Among its claims to fame is it worked on the Panama Canal and is one of only three survivors from that service.

Eureka Springs & North Arkansas; Eureka Springs, Ark.; June 11, 2014

Another steam locomotive on the property is a German-built 0-4-0T (Buescher & Sons, 1935).  This locomotive is mounted on top of a pedestal adjacent to the historic Eureka Springs depot. Reportedly, the locomotive can spin on its mount.

Eureka Springs & North Arkansas; Eureka Springs, Ark.; June 11, 2014

In addition to the SW1, a 1951 Chevrolet track inspector's car is functional and can carry a passenger or two on special occasions.

Eureka Springs & North Arkansas; Eureka Springs, Ark.; June 11, 2014

The ride covers about 2.5 very slow miles. Passengers are carried in  former Rock Island P70 coaches, of which there are six on the property. At the north end of the serviceable trackage the train takes one leg of a wye just before it finishes its journey. Both legs of the wye feature timber trestles.

Eureka Springs & North Arkansas; Eureka Springs, Ark.; June 11, 2014

That concludes our look at three Ozark tourist railroads. Additional photos of all three lines can be found here.

The Scenic Arkansas & Missouri

Arkansas & Missouri; Winslow, Ark.; June 10, 2014

The 2014 Convention of the National Railway Historical Society was based out of Springdale, Ark., in early June, with most of the activity centered on the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad. Trips covered almost every inch of the line, but perhaps the most impressive was the afternoon trip on the convention's first day, June 10. Two of the A&M's diesels built by the American Locomotive Company led a mixed freight/passenger train south from Springdale, with several photo stops made in the scenic heart of the railroad between Winslow and Mountainburg.

The trips were planned by NRHS rail operations coordinator Bart Jennings, who really picked some good locations. Your writer assisted in keeping the photo lines organized. Despite a day that was 95 percent cloudy, most of the photo stops had the sun pop out at just the right time to make for some well-lit scenes.

The first stop of the trip was at Winslow Tunnel just south of its namesake town. Alco No. 44 led the train, a C420 built in May 1965 for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. The train was spotted in three different locations to give different perspectives of the train and tunnel (below).

Arkansas & Missouri; Winslow Tunnel, Ark.; June 10, 2014

The second photo stop was at the first of three large bridges below Winslow. The sun came out nicely for this shot (top photo). As the passengers were reboarding the train, the clouds moved in and a slight drizzle started. By the time the train was moving, it was a full-blown gully washer. But as the train slowed for the next photo stop, at the second large bridge, the rain slowed to a drizzle. It stopped as passengers unloaded and by the time the train was backed into position on the bridge the sun was back out again.

Arkansas & Missouri; Winslow, Ark.; June 10, 2014

All the photo stops up to this point had been just that -- stops for still photography. But with videographers on board, there was a need to do a full-blown runby with the train moving. This was accomplished at the location known as Schaberg, north of Chester. The first runby was zoinked by a cloud, but with plenty of time in the schedule a second runby was held in nice sunlight.

Arkansas & Missouri; Schaberg (Chester), Ark.; Juen 10, 2014

Not done with bridges yet, another stop was made at a lower bridge north of Chester. This was a "going away" view that allowed trailing unit No. 68 to be seen better. No. 68 is a C420 built in November 1964 for the Lehigh Valley. After the stop, the train was backed up for yet another video runby.

Arkansas & Missouri; Chester, Ark.; June 10, 2014

The train continued on to Mountainburg where some passengers were dropped off and others added for the return trip. The train pushed back to Chester, where the locomotives ran around the consist so No. 68 could lead north. With darkness falling, a night photo opportunity was held at Winslow Tunnel with No. 44 poking out of the south portal.

Arkansas & Missouri; Winslow Tunnel, Ark.; June 10, 2014

The train then proceeded through the tunnel, with the final stop of the day just north of the north portal in Winslow. No. 68 posed next to a retaining wall for the final scene. From here, all the passengers were put on a bus for the return to Springdale.

Arkansas & Missouri; Winslow, Ark.; June 10, 2014

Thanks to the folks at NRHS and the A&M for making this trip possible. It was a great chance to capture scenes that are well off the beaten path. More photos from the trip can be found here.

Cool Chromes -- 20 Years Ago On the Arkansas & Missouri

Arkansas & Missouri; Springdale, Ark.; April 9, 1993

The Arkansas & Missouri Railroad, located in the northwest corner of Arkansas, has long been a railfan favorite. Most of the excitement comes from the fact that -- until recently -- the railroad only operated locomotives built by the American Locomotive Company. While many photographers have made many visits to the A&M, I have only spent one day on the line, and that was back in 1993. In this edition of Cool Chromes we'll chase a southbound train from the railroad's headquarters in Springdale down to Van Buren, starting with the train coming out of Springdale (above).

The power on the train on this day is three Alco C420 diesels -- Nos. 60, 50 and 62. We next catch the train near Chester, where you can apparently rent a backhoe.

Arkansas & Missouri; Chester, Ark.; April 9, 1993

Winslow Tunnel is the scenic highlight of the line, but I was faced with a decision -- the shot of a train emerging from the south end of the tunnel is a long walk-in shot and would mean forsaking most of the chase. I opted for a more aggressive chase to catch the train multiple times, and thus settled for this shot taken from the north portal of the tunnel as the train is about to enter.

Arkansas & Missouri; Winslow, Ark.; April 9, 1993

I did catch the train a few more times than what is pictured here. The train arrived in Van Buren and I headed across the Arkansas River where I shot Alco T6 No. 12 working. I will be returning to the A&M in June, as it is the host railroad for most of the activities at this year's convention of the National Railway Historical Society. While the line is no longer 100 percent Alco powered (some diesels from General Motors' Electro-Motive Division have joined the roster), there are still plenty of the classics running and it should be a great event!

Arkansas & Missouri; Fort Smith, Ark.; April 9, 1993