Choctaw Rocket facts for kids
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Inter-city rail |
| Status | Discontinued |
| Locale | Southwestern United States/Southeastern United States |
| First service | 1940 |
| Last service | 1958 |
| Former operator(s) | Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad |
| Route | |
| Start | Memphis, Tennessee |
| End | Amarillo, Texas |
| Distance travelled | 762 miles (1,226 km) (1949) |
| Service frequency | Daily |
| Train number(s) | Westbound: 51 Eastbound: 52 |
| On-board services | |
| Seating arrangements | Chair cars (1957) |
| Sleeping arrangements | Sections, roomettes, double bedrooms and compartments |
| Catering facilities | Dining car |
| Observation facilities | Buffet lounge parlor car with radio and club lounge car |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
The Choctaw Rocket was a special named passenger train. It was operated by the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. This train connected cities like Memphis, Tennessee, Little Rock, Arkansas, Oklahoma City, and Amarillo, Texas. It was known as train No. 51 (westbound) and No. 52 (eastbound). The Choctaw Rocket was the first streamliner train in Memphis. It was also the first streamliner service in Arkansas.
History of the Choctaw Rocket
The Choctaw Rocket used a railway line built earlier. This line was created by the Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad. It was built between 1900 and 1902. People often called this route the "Choctaw Route." The Rock Island railroad bought this railway in 1902.
A train called the Chocktaw Limited ran on this same route in the 1930s. It also used the numbers #51 and #52. The Choctaw Rocket began regular service on November 17, 1940. Before this, it toured cities along its route.
The first Choctaw Rocket trains had special equipment. They used E6 locomotives. These were powerful diesel engines. The trains also had modern railway post office cars. These cars were used to sort mail while the train moved. There were also comfortable coach cars for passengers. These cars were named after cities like Amarillo and Oklahoma City.
The train also had sleeper cars for overnight trips. These were named Seminole and Wewoka. For meals, there were dining cars. There were also special parlor cars for relaxing. These cars were called Memphis and Little Rock. All the passenger cars were streamlined. They were built by the Pullman Standard company. These cars were made just for the Choctaw Rocket.
The Choctaw Rocket first ran between Memphis, Tennessee, and Amarillo, Texas. In 1949, its route changed. It then ran only between Memphis and Oklahoma City. Another train connected Oklahoma City to Amarillo. The Choctaw Rocket never went to Tucumcari, New Mexico. However, other Rock Island trains did go there.
Mail Service on the Train
The Railway Mail Service used the Choctaw Rocket. This service helped transport and sort mail across the country. Mail was sorted right on the train. One group of mail workers worked between Memphis and McAlester, Oklahoma. Another group worked between McAlester and Amarillo. This made mail delivery faster.
Changes to the Train's Name
By 1952, the Choctaw Rocket lost its "Rocket" name. "Rocket" was a special name for Rock Island's best trains. This change showed that the route was no longer a top train service. In August 1953, the train changed again. Regular locomotives were replaced by special self-propelled cars. These were called Budd rail diesel cars. The train was then renamed the Choctaw Rockette. This name lasted until mid-1958.
The Choctaw Rockette route was very long. It was the longest rail diesel car route in the United States for a while. However, fewer people rode the train over time. The Rock Island company also wanted to close small train stations. Because of this, the train service ended. The last runs were on August 8, 1964.
