Nostalgia & History > Friday Flashback

I accidentally stumbled across a binder of slides I had forgotten about. I'll post a few as I have a chance, and for a start here is the Rock Island's Choctaw Rockette from Memphis to Amarillo arriving in Little Rock on the last day of 1962 having just crossed the Arkansas River. The Choctaw Route depot is just behind me. The line is gone, the bridge is a pedestrian bridge and the depot is associated with the Clinton Library.

Gordon

P.S. I know its not quite Friday yet, but am leaving early tomorrow morning.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/27/17 19:09 by gbmott.

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Super find.
Bob

Memphis to Amarillo, how does that rate among high mileage RDC routes??

kpcmcpkva Wrote:
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> Memphis to Amarillo, how does that rate among high
> mileage RDC routes??

At 762 miles, I would have to say it rates right up there. Schedule WB was lv. Memphis 10:45am, Little Rock 1:40pm, Okla. City 11pm, ar. Amarillo 7am. EB lv. Amarillo 9:30pm, ar. Memphis 6:15pm next day. There was a 14+ hour layover at each end which I am sure facilitated maintenance, but I grew up in the area and there were no urban legends about repeated breakdowns or habitually late trains or anything so I have to assume that the Budd cars were reasonably reliable. Between Little Rock and Memphis there was frequently a Budd coach-observation (the Minnesota when I remember) from one of the early Rocket trains added to provide additional capacity.

Gordon

Very interesting photo. Thanks for posting.
ALLEN

kpcmcpkva Wrote:
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> Memphis to Amarillo, how does that rate among high
> mileage RDC routes??


The WP's Zephyrette ran 928 miles.

Are we ever glad you accidentally stumbled across this one!