Just curious where I could find photo's of trains on the Choctaw Route and the Liberal to Amarillo lines. I saw a photo of a freight in 1977 near Groom, TX on eBay and it renewed my interest. Of particular interest are the Morse Junction, Fritch, Sanford, Stinnett, and Shamrock areas of Texas. Since it was a little before my time, I would like to see what it was like before the rails were gone! I also have memories of a few trains travelling to Stinnett with blue and white GP's and grain hoppers. I do remember the last ROCK train to Stinnett (had no idea at the time that it was though) and the days of the Texas North Western (which due to a bad bridge or something) never made a run to Stinnett. Any discussion on the topic would be appreciated!
Where's all the ROCKETTEERS?!? Come on you guys, we need some help here. I don't need any info on the Rock in Texas and if I had some, I'd pass it on. I'm looking for info about the Rock where it traded cars with the Santa Fe. I have gleened a little info but I need more. Wade needs your help too!
Wade, You might want to check the Texas Panhandle Railroad Historical Society. While they don't have many photos on their website, I'm sure they would gladly direct you to appropriate resources either online or in print. Their email is info@tprhs.org . Dwight
Found the answer to my own question. Check out Steve Goen's Down South on the Rock Island. Great pic's of the southern routes including the ACR line. Hopefully, the part 2 book will have more of the same great pictures of THE ROCK in the 70's era. Now, could someone tell me how to get a membership to the RITS. I sent $$$ and a letter to someone but apparently got the wrong place as I never heard back. I would like to receive the Rock Island Digest yearly as well as it always has outstanding information on THE ROCK!
You might be able to find some membership or contact information here: http://www.simpson.edu/~RITS/ Boxcab E50
Further point of reference: The Choctaw Route thru the Texas Panhandle from Elk City, OK west is gone. There is a little bit of track around Amarillo still intact, and until a few years ago part of the line west from Amarillo to Bushland was still there (operated by BN on an intermittent basis), but it's abandoned now. You can see parts of the original ROW parallel to I-40 going west, and also when the terrain goes from flat to plateau-y. Don't know if there's anything left at Tucumcari......... The Texas North Western is still in action- to see pics of this shortline, check out Wes Carr's Southwest Shorts website.
New Message Back again. Thanks for all of the responses. Just to update, the Stinnett, Texas Rock Island depot is no more. There is a new house on the site where the depot used to be. Have not been out there in some time but have been busy recreating the area in G scale. After a move next month, there will be another Rock Island line abandoned...my G scale outdoor layout. Hope to do it up right this time though after the move with depots, long trains, etc. Just curious when Steve Goen is coming out with his second "Down South on the Rock Island" book. If anyone knows or hears, please let me know so that I can get a copy. The first book was great. Super photo's by K. Moore at trackside slides of the old ACR route. Slowly I am getting to see what operations were like and this has helped tremendously in my layout efforts. Also check out the Remember The Rock magazine. It is a must for old ROCK hounds. Hope to hear or see more on the ACR line and to download some old pic's in the near future. Just to clarify wade@wpcs.net is now routerock68. Thanks again!
Speaking of Steve Goen, do you have the video he put out? Done back in the 1990's. Definitely worth while. Boxcab E50
when i can get some rock island stuff i will be more then happy to share with you guys . as a matter of fact there is still a abandon rock island tracks in the lawton area that has been abandoned for several years . plus i think that the ole rock island depot in Warrika (sorry i cant remeber how to spell this town ) but i thought i would throw that out thre.
:thumbs_up: Cool! I am a fan of depots. So any views of those would be swell. Believe that spelling is Waurika. Boxcab E50
