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AT&L Railroad

A T and L logo A, T, and L Railroad A T and L westbound - June 2000

AT&L Railroad

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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.

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.

Please click on any of the following pictures to see a larger image:

  A, T, and L letters AT&L's letters grace the side of a locomotive in Watonga, Oklahoma. June 20, 2000.
  AT and L logo - Watonga, Ok AT&L's oval logo is displayed on the side of a caboose in Watonga, Oklahoma. June 20, 2000.
  AT and L GP9 1948 AT&L GP9 1948 was photographed at Watonga, Oklahoma on June 20, 2000.
  AT and L CF7 2491 - Watonga, Oklahoma AT&L CF7 2491 (ex-ATSF, same number) was at Watonga, Oklahoma on June 20, 2000.
  AT and L 1127 - Watonga, Oklahoma 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.
  AT and L going away shot A "going away" shot of AT&L GP9 1948 and CF7 2491 near Calumet, Oklahoma on June 27, 1997.
  AT and L westbound near Geary, OK An AT&L westbound approaches Geary, Oklahoma on June 27, 1997.
  ATLT westbound grain empties - June 27, 1997 AT&L GP9 1948 / CF7 2491 / GP7 2165 lead westbound grain empties between Geary and Greenfield, Oklahoma on June 27, 1997.
  AT and L westbound grain empties at Greenfield, OK AT&L westbound grain empties pass through Greenfield, OK on June 27, 1997.
  AT and L westbound at Greenfield, OK An AT&L westbound approaches the Greenfield, Oklahoma station sign on June 27, 1997.
  AT and L GP10 8102 AT&L GP10 8102 displays its McCoy Elkhorn paint job at Watonga, Oklahoma on June 20, 2000.
  McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corp logo - ATLT 8102 Here's a look at the McCoy Elkhorn Coal Corporation logo on the cabside of AT&L GP10 8102.
  ATLT 8102 at Greenfield, OK AT&L 8102 works the grain elevator in Greenfield, OK on June 20, 2000.
  ATLT 8102 at Greenfield, OK AT&L 8102 works the grain elevator in Greenfield, OK on June 20, 2000.
  AT and L westbound local AT&L ex-ATSF GP7 2165 leads a 3-car train between Greenfield and Watonga, Oklahoma on June 20, 2000.
  ATLT westbound near Greenfield, OK On June 20, 2000, AT&L GP7 2165 leads a 3-car westbound local between Greenfield and Watonga, Oklahoma.
  ATLT 2165 near Greenfield, OK AT&L GP7 2165 leads a westbound between Greenfield and Watonga, OK on June 20, 2000.
  ATLT 2165 near Watonga, OK AT&L GP7 2165 leads a westbound through a curve as it approaches Watonga, OK on June 20, 2000.
  ATLT grain train at Watonga This AT&L grain train awaits more power (returning from Greenfield on a local) at Watonga, Oklahoma on June 20, 2000.
  ATLT 1127 at Watonga, OK AT&L SW1200 1127 switches the Wheeler Brothers grain elevator in Watonga, OK on June 20, 2000.
  ATLT 1127 at Watonga Here's a side view of AT&L 1127 at Watonga, Oklahoma on June 20, 2000.
  ATLT 1127 at Watonga, OK AT&L 1127 works the Wheeler Brothers grain elevator in Watonga, OK on June 20, 2000.

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