Down South on the Rock Island 1940-1969 by Steve Allen Goen

$95.00

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Hard Cover

128 pages

TABLE OF CONTENTS

- Table of Contents -

Acknowledgements 4

Historic Dates of Principal ROCK ISLAND Passenger Trains "Down South" 6

"Down South" on the ROCK ISLAND 1940-19698

ROCK ISLAND Passenger Equipment 112

ROCK ISLAND Stations (Part 1) 114

Map Featuring the ROCK ISLAND LINES "Down South" Rear End Sheets

ACKNOWLEGEMENTS from the book:

Even though I had the honor of authoring the following historical essay, this effort would not have been completed without the photographic contributions of others who, like myself, share a common affection for the Rock Island Railroad. Even though individual photographers and/or collections are credited with each photograph, a special thanks must be included here to all who allowed use of their own personal collections so that this book could be possible. My sincerest appreciation goes out to: Rod Bennett, Ed Birch, Sr., Ed Bowers, Warren Caileff, John B. Charles, Robert Chester, Al Chione, R. D. Christal, Richard Fisher, R. I. Harris, Tom Hoffmann, Tom Hughes, Ron Kiser, Dick Kuelbs, Paul Moon, Kenneth W. Moore, Bill Pollard, Larry Reed, Ernie Robert, Louis Saillard, Ed Seay, Jr., Tom Shook, Bob Sinclair, Fred Springer, Ed Stoll, Joe Thompson, Philip Weibler, George Werner, and Jim Zwernemann.

In addition to the photographers, special thanks goes out to Dennis Hogan and Skip Waters for furnishing many of the vintage company ads, to Paul Schuch for creating the maps, and to Charles and Mary Woodward for proofreading this, my sixth volume featuring the railroads of Texas. Special credit also goes to Rodney Fraser who commissioned the fantastic artwork for use on the cover of the book and to John Winfield who created it. Last, but not least, I would like to once again express my appreciation to my publisher, Joe Shine, for his continued support of my Texas railroad series.

Although the CRI&P did not serve my hometown of Wichita Falls, Texas, its north-south mainline passed through nearby Waurika, Oklahoma, thirty miles to the east. As a result, many Wichitans routinely crossed the state line each night in order to catch the TWIN STAR ROCKET bound for Kansas City, the Twin Cities, or Chicago (via connections). Oddly, the Rock tried and failed on three occasions to reach Wichita Falls. The first being a short-lived branch leading southward from Lawton, Oklahoma, which stalled after reaching Grandfield (abandoned during World War II); the second being a proposed, but never constructed, 35 mile long line to run southwestward from Temple, Oklahoma; and a final attempt beginning in August 1954 when the Rock acquired a portion of the ailing Wichita Falls & Southern, a 165 mile long shortline that extended from its namesake city to the central Texas hamlet of Dublin. The Rock Island originally signed up to purchase the northern two-thirds of the WF&S from Wichita Falls to Breckenridge, and it should be noted that the potential new owners did operate several trains into Wichita Falls from Graham on an interim basis late that summer. However, after closer examination of the "Southern's" physical

plant, the CRI&P decided that the decrepit trackage between Graham and Wichita Falls was just too much to contend with. The Rock finally purchased the 39 miles of track between Graham and South Hanlon in addition to the line's pair of brand new EMD SW-8's which at least kept part of the old WF&S alive a little longer (see page 36).

But it wasn't the Rock's failed attempts to reach my hometown that initiated my love affair with the line. Instead, it was frequent visits during my childhood to Waurika, annual vacations during the early 1960's to Wilburton, Oklahoma, and occasional day trips to nearby Graham, Walters or Lawton, where I encountered the Rock at her best. Being only five or six years old at the time, I still remember seeing matched sets of black and red F-units leading long freights through Waurika; the CHOCTAW ROCKETTE's RDC as it sped past my aunt and uncle's appliance store in Wilburton; or a pair of maroon GP-7's leading the Royal American Shows circus train into Lawton.

Although much has already been written about the Rock Island, little if any coverage has ever been directed toward the southernmost part of its system. Obviously, when one thinks about the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, few would identify "the mighty fine line" with the Joint Texas Division or the Arkansas Division's branch to Eunice, Louisiana. Not even the famed TWIN STAR ROCKET or the lesser CHEROKEE would be automatic for most. However, the Rock Island that existed "Down South" was for the most part just as unique and colorful as its Mid-West counterpart. Up north the CRI&P crisscrossed Iowa with both north-south and east-west mainlines. To the south it did the same across Oklahoma. The Chicago area had its commuter trains. "Down South" was the stomping ground for the line's RDC's. The line's principal shop facility up north was at Silvis while "Down South" we had El Reno. For this reason alone, I decided to showcase this almost forgotten part of the Rock, its operations in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Tennessee.

Due to the sheer magnitude of the Rock Island's presence in the region, I was quickly faced with the reality that two volumes would be necessary in order to properly document the line's final four decades of operation. Published this year in order to commemorate the Rock Island's 150th anniversary, it is my most sincere wish that this Volume One will answer many questions regarding the Rock Island's colorful operations "Down South" during the period from 1940 until 1969. All Aboard!

Steve Allen Goen

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