ABOVE: BNSF has trackage rights on most of the UP lines throughout Arkansas. This oil train, powered by BNSF AC4400CW No. 5621 and CSX SD70M No. 4827, is coming off the Van Buren Subdivision and will run south to Pine Bluff and continue on ex-MP trackage to Louisiana. STEVE JESSUP RIGHT: Coming off the Hoxie Subdivision, a UP manifest approaches North Little Rock on February 22, 2014. The train is powered by NS SD70Ms Nos. 2612 and 2601. Norfolk Southern and CSX represent the most common foreign units here, but locomo- tives from every Class I railroad will show up weekly and sometimes daily. JAMES R. DOUGHTY
& Western Railway join the main at the north end. As for Amtrak trains, the Texas Eagle
runs daily between Chicago and San Antonio and makes its Little Rock stops at 11:30 p.m. (northbound) and 3:10 a.m. (southbound). The waiting room and ticket office is only open at night. Union Station is now owned by Bailey Properties, LLC, having been purchased by John Bailey in 1991. At the time, the building was falling apart and would only survive through restoration efforts boosted in part with an initial invest- ment from the city.
Lights, Camera, Action The heartbeat for Little Rock train
action is right at Union Station. Morn- ing through afternoon lighting is pretty good, and better during the low sun-an- gle seasons. Signals on both ends fac- ing each other indicate when trains are lined up for southbound and northbound
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moves. At North Little Rock, the northwest
line (Van Buren Sub) joins the original C&F main behind the Jenks Shop. Trains can swing right to continue south or turn to the left to enter the yard. Freights leaving or entering the Van Buren Sub are often found waiting for a signal indication on either side of West 13th Street. Southbound trains from the Van
Buren Sub or those heading that direction off the Hoxie Sub or coming out of the yard will make their way across the double track bridge and pass Union Station. After passing under Interstate
630, the White Bluff Sub splits off at Little Rock Junction, located just a few steps south of West 16th Street. The original line continues south to Malvern and Texarkana with double track ending south of Benton. The single track line to Pine Bluff peels eastward to enter Biddle Yard on the south side of Little Rock. It swings southward at the west end of the airport for a 43-mile run to Pine Bluff. Trains running south to Pine Bluff will either enter the yard or continue south on the ex-Mopac route toward McGehee and points south on the McGehee Sub. Outside of the traffic plying the ex-Cotton Belt route, Little Rock sees
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