The Apache Railway, Alco Heaven

The Apache Railway (APA) is a shortline operation based out of Snowflake, Arizona and operates nearly 40 miles of track between Holbrook, Arizona (location of a paper mill) to Snowflake. The Apache has been in operation for 90 years now and continues to haul traffic over much of the same trackage as when it started in 1917.

Today the railroad is famous for its rare all-Alco roster, consisting entirely of four-axle C420s and C424s. Perhaps the most dramatic recent change to the railroad occurred in 1999 when its former owner, Stone Container Corporation, sold the railroad to Abitibi Consolidated who still to own the line today.

The Apache Railway continues to haul wood and paper products, as it was originally intended and today its traffic base ranges from pulpwood, paper, woodchips and recycled fiber to coal, chemicals and grain.

If you are interested in railfanning the Apache, its schedule can be a bit tough although with a bit of patience catching a train usually pays off (the trip sure is worth it to see Alcos in regular freight service!).

Below is a current roster of the railroad courtesy of The Diesel Shop:

#81 - Alco C420: Ex-Louisville & Nashville

#82 - Alco C420: Ex-Louisville & Nashville, ex-Tennessee Central

#83 - Alco C420: Ex-Louisville & Nashville, ex-Monon

#84 - Alco C420: Ex-Norfolk & Western

#97 - Montreal Locomotive Works C424: Ex-CP Rail

#98 - Montreal Locomotive Works C424: Ex-CP Rail

#99 - Montreal Locomotive Works C424: Ex-CP Rail

The Apache's base of operations is in Snowflake (although its main yard and shops are several miles west of the town), which at one time was about mid-point on the system but after the section of main line from there to McNary was abandoned in 1984 the town has become the southern terminus on the system with the line's total length now standing at around 33 miles (at one time it reached a length of 72 miles).

Again, if you are able, it is very worthwhile to take a trip to the Snowflake area to catch these old Alcos in operation; you certainly will not regret it!

For more reading on shortlines like the Apache Railway consider the book American Shortline Railway Guide from author Ed Lewis. The book has gone through several updated editions to keep up with the ever-changing world of the shortline industry. Today, the publication highlights almost 600 shortlines across the country with general background information about each (such as roster information, rail line history, radio frequencies, etc.). If you have any interest in shortlines you will very likely enjoy this book. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit The Railroad Diamond by clicking the tab in the menu to your left marked "TRD Store".