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The Apache Railway, Realm Of The Alcos

The Apache Railway (APA) is a shortline operation based out of Snowflake, Arizona and operates over 30 miles of track between Holbrook, Arizona (location of a paper mill) to Snowflake. The Apache has been in operation for more than 90 years now and continues to haul traffic over much of the same trackage as when it started in 1917. Over the years the railroad has been owned by a number of different companies and at its peaked featured a system stretching over 70 miles. Today, the Apache still hauls a variety of timber-related products and is widely regarded in the railfan community for its use of venerable American Locomotive Company (Alco) diesel locomotives, notably C420 and C424 models. 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!).

The history of the Apache Railway begins on September 5, 1917 when it began construction from a connection with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway at Holbrook building southward to tap timber reserves for a paper mill. A year later, almost exactly to the day on September 6, 1918 the railroad completed its line as far south as Snowflake and two years after that in the summer of 1920 the route was open to McNary, a total of 72 miles (when it opened, and for many years, the railroad was listed as a Class II, regional). While the Apache has always based its traffic primarily on timber products it also provided passenger services along its line until the early 1950s. In the following years one could also find excursion services on the line when the White Mountain Scenic Railroad began providing steam-powered tourist trains. These remained until about 1976.

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. This company retained ownership of the railroad until 2008 when it was purchased by Catalyst Paper, which still owns the Apache 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. Of note, this list is somewhat dated so if the railroad has since lost or gained various freight please let me know so I can update this information accordingly.

The Apache's base of operations is in Snowflake (although its main yard and shops are several miles west of the town at Holbrook), 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). It should also be noted that the company at one time based its main offices at the southern terminus of McNary but, of course, moved from this location after the line was cut back.

Prior to 1984 the Apache Railway had essentially four main stops along its 72-mile main line, from north to south; Holbrook (Milepost 0.0), Snowflake (Milepost 33.0), Bell (Milepost 54.8), and McNary (Milepost 72.0). The railroad's original connection was with the historic Santa Fe although today that name has changed to the BNSF Railway. The historic Apache timetable through the late 1960s listed that trains could travel the entire line between McNary and Holbrook in about four to five hours although I cannot say what it takes a train to complete a run across over the line today. 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 on the Apache Railway please click here to visit a railfan page covering the railroad, which includes a nice selection of photographs. Below is a current roster of the Apache.

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The Apache Railway Locomotive Roster

Builder	Model Type	Road Number	Date Built	Quantity
Alco	C420	81-84	1964-1967 (Ex-L&N, Ex-Monon, Ex-N&W, Ex-Tennessee Central)	4
Alco	RS36	700, 800, 900	1962	3
Alco	RS11	901-904	1959 (Ex-SP)	4
Baldwin	S-12	600	1952	1
Fairbanks Morse	H10-44	100, 200	1947-1948	2
MLW	C424	97-99	1965 (Ex-CP Rail)	3

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 link below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.

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Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. Please note that while I strive to present the information as accurately as possible I am aware that there may be errors. If you have potential corrections the help is greatly appreciated.

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