Where You Can Ride the Rails Around Arkansas on National Train Day
From the friendly cartoon engine on television to the little locomotive at the Little Rock Zoo, trains are a hot topic for youngsters. And for good reason—the development of railroads shaped the history of the entire country, including the state of Arkansas. Many of the Natural State’s current towns sprung up around new train depots and burgeoning railroad lines in the late 1800s—in 1941, near the end of the golden age of railroads, there were approximately 4,700 miles of railroad track in Arkansas, according to the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program publication, “Historic Railroad Depots of Arkansas, 1870-1940.”
Whether you’re interested in state history, feats of engineering or super sightseeing, here are a few Arkansas activities and sights to indulge your family’s train obsession.
Arkansas Railroad Museum in Pine Bluff
Housed in an old machine shop for the Cotton Belt Railroad, this Pine Bluff museum impresses with a restored Steam Locomotive 819—the last steam engine built in the Cotton Belt Shops. The museum is run by the nonprofit Cotton Belt Rail Historical Society and also features multiple diesel engines, three cabooses, a snow plow, passenger car, model train sets and more artifacts.
The Arkansas Railroad Museum is located at 1700 Port Road, Pine Bluff. Hours are 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Admission is free; donations accepted. For info: (870) 535-8819, ArkansasRailroadMuseum.org.
All Aboard Restaurant and Grill in Little Rock
Although All Aboard Restaurant and Grill may not be a part of Arkansas’ history (yet!), it will celebrate its fourth birthday on National Train Day (May 9). The family-friendly restaurant in Little Rock is a hit with young train lovers. Why? Because burgers, chicken nuggets and other kid favorites are delivered to tables by toy trains that travel on two separate tracks around the restaurant. You’ll hear the conductor whistling and yelling “all aboard” upon arrival of the food. During the celebration on May 9, visitors can enjoy free train rides all day, strike a pose in the photo booth, play games, and enter to win a 132-piece train set and other train toys.
All Aboard Restaurant & Grill is located at 6813 Cantrell Road, Little Rock. Hours are 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. For info: (501) 975-7401, All-AboardRestaurant.com.
Junction Bridge and Clinton Presidential Park Bridge
Walk along railroad history in downtown Little Rock, which boasts two former railroad bridges that have been repurposed as pedestrian walkways. The Junction Bridge was built in the late 1800s by the Choctaw and Memphis Railroad and carried trains across the Arkansas River until 1984. Now, it links Little Rock’s Riverfront Park to downtown North Little Rock, and provides gorgeous views of the sister cities.
Further down the river at the Clinton Presidential Park stands another converted railroad bridge—the former Rock Island Railroad Bridge. Developed as a pedestrian pathway by the Clinton Foundation, the bridge closes the Arkansas River Trail loop, and overlooks downtown Little Rock’s skyline and the 13-acre William E. ”Bill” Clark Wetlands. Also in the Presidential Center complex, you’ll see the renovated 1899 Choctaw Station, now home to the Clinton School of Public Service.
Both bridges are located in downtown Little Rock and North Little Rock. For info: ArkansasRiverTrail.org.
Union Pacific Jenks Shop and Baring Cross Bridge in North Little Rock
A short detour to North Little Rock’s Baring Cross neighborhood reveals that trains aren’t only a part of Arkansas’ past. The Jenks Shop locomotive complex is an overhaul and maintenance facility for Union Pacific. Locomotives still pull in here for paint jobs, turbo repairs, rewiring, inspections, cleaning, wheelset reconditioning and much more. Drive by the facility’s entrance on Pike Ave. and you’re in for a treat—the Centennial, No. 6939, parked out front is a beauty. Only 47 of the powerful locomotives were ever built, and they weigh in at 278 tons and can run 90 miles per hour. Next, head toward the Arkansas River and scope out downtown’s only bridge that still serves train traffic—the Baring Cross Bridge. The Arkansas River Trail passes right underneath the bridge, so you can walk or bike to the perfect vantage point and watch trains rumble over the river.
Union Pacific Jenks Shop is located on Pike Ave., North Little Rock. For info: UP.com.
Sightseeing Train Tours
Ready to ride on a real train? Several companies still offer passenger train rides in Arkansas, from Amtrak’s cross-country travel options to local, scenic day trips. The ES & NA Railway in Eureka Springs recreates rail travel from the turn of the 20th century. Visitors can explore historic depot and steam locomotive exhibits before boarding a real train. The Excursion Train takes passengers on a 4.5-mile ride through the hills of the Ozarks ($14.50, ages 4-10 $7.50, children under 4 free), or book a trip on the lunch train for an extra special treat ($24, children under 8 $14). For round trip tours through the Ozark Boston Mountains, the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad offers various scenic itineraries throughout the year. In the spring and summer, families can experience the day-long Springdale to Van Buren trip or a three-hour excursion from Van Buren to Winslow (prices vary by seating), which traverses three valley trestles and zooms through the 1,700-foot long Winslow tunnel.
For info, hours and more: Amtrak.com | ESNARailway.com | AMRailroad.com.
Historic Railway Depots
“The historic railroad depots that were once an element of virtually every small town and community in Arkansas have become rarities, fragile reminders of the pivotal role of the railroad in the development of the state and the nation,” states “Historic Railroad Depots of Arkansas, 1870-1940,” a publication from the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. The AHPP publication lists Arkansas depots that are on the National Register of Historic Places—an architecture- and train-enthusiast’s dream. Families can easily visit the three depots in Pulaski County: the 1899 Choctaw Route Station, 1921 Mo-Pac Station (Union Station) and 1913 Rock Island Argenta Depot.
For more info and the full list of historic depots: ArkansasPreservation.com.
Train Track Trails
One way to experience the old railways of Arkansas’ past is not by pedestrian bridge, train ride or historic depot. The national Rails-to-Trails movement transforms abandoned railroad tracks and lines and converts them to walking, running and cycling trails for pedestrians. You may have enjoyed a “rail-to-trail” without even knowing it—the Medical Mile in Riverfront Park is one and so is a short section on the Ouachita Trail on the west side of Lake Maumelle. Some trails’ histories are more noticeable—a growing trend is to build trails in the right-of-way of active or abandoned rail lines. The Frisco Trail in Fayetteville is a popular example: It follows both the defunct St. Louis & San Francisco Railway as well as the active Arkansas & Missouri Railroad. In the southern part of the state, an ambitious project, the Delta Heritage Trail State Park, is being completed in phases. When finished, the trail will measure 84.5 miles—73 of which will stretch along a donated Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way. A visitor center is located on Route 49 in Barton, where you can pick up maps, picnic and rent bicycles.
For more info on Rails-to-Trails in Arkansas: www.TrailLink.com.
Little Locomotives
Little locomotive lovers can get their fix at one of these miniature trains around central Arkansas.
Dickey-Stephens Park: Young Arkansas Travelers fans can now chug-a-chug around the concourse on a trackless train, brand-new for the 2015 baseball season. For info: Travs.com.
Funland Amusement Park: Spend a sunny afternoon at this small amusement park in North Little Rock’s Burns Park—the attractions include a family-friendly train. For info: NLRPR.org.
Little Rock Zoo: The shiny new Arkansas Diamond Express debuted at the zoo last summer, and zips visitors back and forth across the grounds. For info: LittleRockZoo.com.
River Rail Streetcar: The yellow, vintage-replica streetcars in downtown Little Rock are a must-ride attraction for tourists and young Little Rockers. For info: CAT.org/River-Rail.
Toy Trains
The tiniest of trains can be just as exciting as the biggest of locomotives! In Heber Springs, families can visit the Ruland Junction Toy Train Museum (401 South 12th St., Heber Springs; Facebook.com/RulandJunction), a collection of toy trains and related memorabilia housed in a replica of a rural train depot.
In Conway, the Central Arkansas Model Railroad Club, now in its 25th year, replicated Conway’s railroad history in a model that can be viewed at the Faulkner County Museum (Faulkner County Courthouse Grounds, Conway; FaulknerCountyMuseum.org). The club also hosts frequent events for the community, including two train shows a year at the McGee Center in Conway. The holiday-themed event in December is a favorite, and the upcoming open house on Saturday, June 20 will entertain, too.
In fact, the CAMRC recently developed a new way to get the whole family involved. Parents or grandparents are encouraged to sponsor their youngsters in the club; after a six-hour training course, kids become certified Junior Engineers and have the chance to operate the club’s train layouts at events. The Thomas Toy Train Tabletop Race Contest allows teams consisting of a parent/grandparent and their Junior Engineer to operate three Thomas series trains in a race against the clock. Prizes are awarded, with the champion receiving at Lionel train set. Events are free; donations accepted. For info: Trains.buzz.