ARKANSAS & MISSOURI
The all Alco powered Arkansas & Missouri began operations in 1986 on a 140 mile long ex Frisco secondary route acquired from the BN. The line runs from Monett, MO and a connection with the BNSF south to Fort Smith, AR where connections are made with the UP and Ft. Smith RR. The road features the largest fleet of C420's currently in operation and all are maintained in meticulous condition. Springdale, AR about halfway down the line is the shop and operational headquarters of the line from which trains originate.The northbound run to Monett is made at night, but all other trains run during the day.
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The morning of May 14, 1999 finds C420 #58 and T-6 #16 headed for the yard for the Fayetteville local, with C420 #68 being readied for a sand extra. In the background is the power for the southbound road train. |
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C420 #52 is switching a local industry at Rogers, AR on May 14, 1999. This is train RBLO, the Rogers-Bentonville local. |
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C420's #48,50,66,60 & 46 have the Ft. Smith turn (FSTN) southbound at Rudy AR on May 14, 1999. |
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The FSTN is nearing Van Buren, AR. At Copp Siding on the north side of town the train will exchange cars with the Fort Smith Switcher (FSSW1). |
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C420 #46 is now leading the northbound FSTN and have reached the summit of the line as the rear of the train exits Winslow Tunnel on May 14, 1999. |
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The northbound FSTN continues downhill through the small town of West Fork, AR. C420 #46 was built as the L&N #1354. |
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FSTN is northbound through Greenwood AR on May 14, 1999. The rest of the run to Springdale will be through the more urban and busy Fayetteville area. |
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C420's #60,44,48,62 and T-6 #14 are southound approaching the north portal of Winslow Tunnel on September 18, 1992. The switcher is being ferried to Ft.Smith for local duty there. |
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The southbound FSTN cruises through Rudy, AR on 9-18-92. Lead C420 #60 is the ex Lehigh Valley #405 and also saw service on the D&H. |
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C420 #60 powers the FSTN across the lift bridge over the Arkansas River and into Ft. Smith, AR on 9-18-92. Today the road train only goes as far as Van Buren on the north side of the river and exchanges cars with the Ft.Smith Switcher there. |
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RS-1 #22 (along with #20) were used for passenger excursions out of Van Buren. The #22 is at the shops in Springdale, AR on Sept. 18, 1992. |
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A&M's one and only RS-32 #42 is working some industries on the FSSW2 (Ft.Smith Switcher #2) at Ft.Smith on May 14, 1999. This unit was built for the NYC and went to PC and later Conrail. |
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T-6's #12 & 18 are on train FSSW1 (Ft.Smith Switcher #1) at Van Buren, AR on May 14, 1999. |
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T-6 #18 shows off her Alco lines in the yard at Ft.Smith, AR on September 18, 1992. The A&M's four T-6's all came from the N&W. |
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T-6 #14 has a string of sand hoppers at Ft. Smith AR on 9-18-92. This unit was the ex N&W #43. |