Arkansas Railroading and Railfanning In "The Natural State"

Arkansas railroading, known for its beautiful, rugged topography and gorgeous rivers, has been ongoing since the mid-19th century when the Memphis and Little Rock Railroad (a future predecessor of the Rock Island) began operations that year. Over the years the state would become home to several railroads, which operated through or within its borders. Even today, Arkansas is still home to some twenty-two different railroads, large and small. Along with its railroads, the state also has a number of museums and tourist lines available to tour.

Railroading in the State of Arkansas kicked off in 1857 when the Memphis & Little Rock completed a 38-mile line connecting Hopefield, AK and Madison, AK (the railroad’s first train also pulled six bales of cotton). As the years progressed so did the state’s rail mileage, which quickly surpassed 800 by 1880.

During the railroad industry’s golden era the state would be home to several now-classic fallen flag carriers which include Missouri Pacific; Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific; Frisco; and Kansas City Southern (still operating). Of these carriers the Missouri Pacific by far had the most trackage in the state and the Union Pacific today operates nearly half of the state’s total route mileage thanks in large part to the MP’s heavy concentration in Arkansas.

For a more in-depth look at Arkansas's rail mileage over the years please refer to the table below.

Although Arkansas railroading has been reduced in its number of Class I systems through mergers and acquisitions the state is still home to three systems; Union Pacific, BNSF Railway, and Kansas City Southern. Today, while UP dominates much of the state BNSF has trackage rights on UP between Texas and Memphis and two lines between St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri. KCS’s mainline also runs along Arkansas’s western edge and is home to the railroad’s steepest grade at Rich Mountain.

As for major yards and facilities, the notable ones all belong to Union Pacific in North Little Rock and Pine Bluff, along with a locomotive repair facility also located in North Little Rock (Downing P. Jenks shop).

Arkansas used to be home to several well-known passenger trains including the MoPac’s Texas Eagle and KCS’s Southern Belle. Today, however, Arkansas is home to just one through passenger train, Amtrak’s continued Texas Eagle, which makes five different stops across the state.

Arkansas railroading is also home to twenty-two different smaller railroads! These include names like the Missouri & Northern Arkansas; Arkansas & Missouri; Delta Valley Southern; Arkansas, Louisiana & Mississippi; Dardanelle & Russellville; DeQueen & Eastern; Fordyce & Princeton; Fort Smith Railroad; Little Rock & Western; and the Texas, Oklahoma & Eastern.

Along with its railroads, Arkansas includes a number of tourist railroads and museums. So, if you are either a vacationer interested in something to do or someone interested in railroads you may want to check them out. These include the Arkansas & Missouri (it also hosts passenger trains along with its freight operations), Arkansas Railroad Museum and Cotton Belt Historical Society, Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway, and the Frisco Depot Museum.

With everything Arkansas railroading has to offer, from shortlines to Class Is, a trip to see the Natural State is well worth it!