Plains Division, by Keel A. Middleton

By Keel A. Middleton

This is the first of two volumes the author has written. This book covers the history and operations of what was the classic Plains Division, with 788.1 miles of main and branch line extending from the yard at Waynoka, Oklahoma, to the east end of Clovis, New Mexico, via Amarillo, Texas. It also covers the Borger, Buffalo, Clinton, Dumas, Shattuck and Skellytown Districts. The second volume will cover the Panhandle Division.

In late 1907, Santa Fe opened the Belen Cut Off and the bulk of transcontinental freight traffic was soon routed over the new Southern Mainline. Initially grain was the primary on line source of revenue, but soon oil was discovered in Western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle and Santa Fe built branch lines to reach this new traffic. Not known for its passenger traffic, the last passenger train was discontinued on the division in 1971. On the other hand, the Plains Division saw increasing volumes of freight traffic over the years. In the late 1970s, traffic had grown to an average of 26 trains daily on the mainline. After 1985 intermodal traffic increased to the point that within a few years over 90 trains passing over the division in a 24-hour day was not uncommon.

The story of the Plains Division is told by a veteran railroader who, with camera in hand, retired with over 45 years of service on the Santa Fe. Richly illustrated, this 352-page hard bound book has 721 photos, 538 which are in color, 66 maps, timetable reproductions and other ephemera.