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 Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad) 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 railroad museums and tourist lines available to tour.

During the railroad industry’s golden era the state would be home to several now-classic fallen flag railroads which include Missouri Pacific Railroad; Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad; St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco); and Kansas City Southern (still operating). Of these railroads the Missouri Pacific by far had the most trackage in the state and the Union Pacific Railroad 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.

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 Railroad; Arkansas & Missouri Railroad; Delta Valley Southern; Arkansas, Louisiana & Mississippi Railroad; Dardanelle & Russellville Railroad; DeQueen & Eastern; Fordyce & Princeton Railroad; Fort Smith Railroad; Little Rock & Western; and the Texas, Oklahoma & Eastern Railroad.

For more reading on railroad history you might want to consider picking up one of the following books. First is Trains across the Continent, Second Edition: North American Railroad History by author Rudolph Daniels. The book gives a general history of the industry and has received excellent reviews. The second book is entitled The Complete Book of North American Railroading put together by several noted railroad authors such as Mike Schafer, Jim Boyd, and Steve Glischinski (the others are Kevin EuDaly, Steve Jessup, and Andrew McBride). Filled with more than 350 pages of excellent photography and information the book generally covers the industry from its earliest beginnings, through the "Golden Age," and finally to today. In any event, if you're interested in perhaps purchasing one, or both, of these books please visit the links below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.