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| AT&L Railroad |
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Click here to go directly to the photos.
Based in the small town of Watonga, this Oklahoma grain hauler operates a 40 mile line which
begins at a connection with the UP's Enid Subdivision in El Reno and extends west through Calumet,
Geary, and Greenfield to Watonga. AT&L (reporting marks "ATLT") also owns a 10-mile
branch from Geary to Bridgeport. AT&L is owned by Wheeler Brothers grain. The heritage
of the line dates to the 1880s when it was constructed as part of the Choctaw Coal &
Railway Company. Prior to AT&L's startup, the line was a long-time Rock Island branch.
Please click on any of the following pictures to see a larger image:
Interestingly, the initials "A", "T", and "L" do not represent the towns
through which the line operates but instead stand for Austin, Todd, and Ladd, grandsons of the
railroad's owner. How many other railroads can make THAT claim?
As one might expect, this granger line is busiest during wheat harvest season, and the
AT&L's four road units (3 geeps and a CF7) keep a healthy flow of C-6's moving to and from
the grain elevators at Greenfield and Watonga. Based on my observations from two different
trips to the AT&L, tack speed appears to be 10 mph. Paved highways run parallel -- and
in most cases, quite close -- to the tracks; use US 270 to follow the tracks between Calumet
and Geary, and combined US 270/281 between Geary and Watonga.
AT&L's operations are conducted on
an "as-needed" basis, but
venture out there during the month of June (harvest time for the spring crop) and chances
are, you'll find the AT&L hard at work, whether it's a trio of geeps lugging several
dozen empty hoppers toward Watonga, or switcher 1127 spotting Watonga's Wheeler Brothers
elevator.
I took the following photographs during two separate visits to the AT&L: one in
June 1997 and the second in June 2000. I hope you enjoy this look at one of Oklahoma's
most obscure shortlines.
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AT&L's letters grace the side of a locomotive in Watonga, Oklahoma. June 20, 2000. |
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AT&L's oval logo is displayed on the side of a caboose in Watonga, Oklahoma. June 20, 2000. |
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AT&L GP9 1948 was photographed at Watonga, Oklahoma on June 20, 2000. |
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AT&L CF7 2491 (ex-ATSF, same number) was at Watonga, Oklahoma on June 20, 2000. |
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AT&L SW1200 1127 was photographed at Watonga, Oklahoma on June 20, 2000. This locomotive appears to be captive to Watonga, as a switch engine for the Wheeler Brothers grain elevator. I have never seen it out on the road. |
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A "going away" shot of AT&L GP9 1948 and CF7 2491 near Calumet, Oklahoma on June 27, 1997. |
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An AT&L westbound approaches Geary, Oklahoma on June 27, 1997. |
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AT&L GP9 1948 / CF7 2491 / GP7 2165 lead westbound grain empties between Geary and Greenfield, Oklahoma on June 27, 1997. |
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AT&L westbound grain empties pass through Greenfield, OK on June 27, 1997. |
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An AT&L westbound approaches the Greenfield, Oklahoma station sign on June 27, 1997. |
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AT&L GP10 8102 displays its McCoy Elkhorn paint job at Watonga, Oklahoma on June 20, 2000. |
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Here's a look at the McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corporation logo on the cabside of AT&L GP10 8102. |
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AT&L 8102 works the grain elevator in Greenfield, OK on June 20, 2000. |
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AT&L 8102 works the grain elevator in Greenfield, OK on June 20, 2000. |
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AT&L ex-ATSF GP7 2165 leads a 3-car train between Greenfield and Watonga, Oklahoma on June 20, 2000. |
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On June 20, 2000, AT&L GP7 2165 leads a 3-car westbound local between Greenfield and Watonga, Oklahoma. |
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AT&L GP7 2165 leads a westbound between Greenfield and Watonga, OK on June 20, 2000. |
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AT&L GP7 2165 leads a westbound through a curve as it approaches Watonga, OK on June 20, 2000. |
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This AT&L grain train awaits more power (returning from Greenfield on a local) at Watonga, Oklahoma on June 20, 2000. |
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AT&L SW1200 1127 switches the Wheeler Brothers grain elevator in Watonga, OK on June 20, 2000. |
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Here's a side view of AT&L 1127 at Watonga, Oklahoma on June 20, 2000. |
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AT&L 1127 works the Wheeler Brothers grain elevator in Watonga, OK on June 20, 2000. |
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All images on the Southwest Railfan © 2000 - 2004 by Wes Carr.
All rights reserved.
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