Rock Island Railroad in Arkansas
A program delving into the history of the Rock Island Railroad in Arkansas, the stories of its employees and operations. For nearly 80 years, the Rock Island was one of the major railroads in the state transporting passengers and freight. The bankrupt railroad was abruptly shut down in 1980, but its legacy continues.
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Decades after the Rock Island Railroad was shut down by a bankruptcy judge in 1980, former employees in Arkansas continue getting together for annual reunions. Unlike many railroads, they say the Rock Island was a family operation. They share stories, get caught up on what's happening with one another, and pay tribute to employees who have died since their previous gathering. On this episode, we'll hear from participants of a 2017 reunion, and hear highlights from a 1988 interview I recorded with former conductor Leonard Tillman Walker, who helped start these reunions after the railroad was no more.