Farmrail is an employee-owned shortline railroad operation which includes both the Farmrail system (which stretches east/west between Weatherford and Erick, Oklahoma and north-south roughly between Custer City and Elmer) as well as the Grainbelt Railroad, which operates between a connection with the BNSF Railway at Enid, south to Frederick. With trackage rights Farmrail reaches as far south as Quanah, Texas. While the shortline predominantly hauls traffic based in agriculture it has connections with two Class Is (BNSF and Union Pacific) and three shortlines which gives the railroad an added advantage.
The history of the Farmrail system is comprised of granger branch lines once belonging to the Santa Fe, Rock Island, and Frisco. To give a brief history about all three fabled lines, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, distinctively known as the Santa Fe, likely is not only this country’s but also the world’s most recognized and famous railroad. It has had its own movie, song, and numerous model trains and other purchasable gifts created in its honor. The railroad’s renowned Warbonnet livery has been made in several variations ranging from the more popular silver and red with yellow trim to the blue and yellow. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, albeit no longer an operating company, is truly a railroad whose name is as common as that of Coca Cola or General Electric.
The St. Louis-San Francisco Railway, commonly known as simply the Frisco has a storied history of two halves. During the railroad’s first 60 years it had a very interesting and tumultuous history going through a number of name changes and bankruptcies (resulting in so many names). However, after its final name as the St. Louis-San Francisco, the railroad did quite well and prospered for its last 60+ years of operation before becoming part of the large Burlington Northern system in the very early 1980s.
And finally, the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, better known as simply the Rock Island was a legend even during its own time (the railroad even had a song named after it!). And perhaps this is what makes it’s ending so depressing. For all of the railroad’s fame and recognition, this did not translate into wealth and power. Several times throughout the railroad’s history it would go into receivership, its last in 1975 when it would be liquidated five years later in 1980.
Also, it should be noted that along with freight operations Farmrail also operates an excursion train which takes passengers up to the Quartz Mountain Resort. For more information about riding Farmrail's excursion train please click here. Lastly, for more information about the Farmrail system please click here to visit the railroad's official website.
For more reading on shortlines like the Farmrail system 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.
