Set On Location:  Main Street crossing, at the Harrah Museum in the old Rock Island Depot, Harrah, OK. Directions:  Main Street runs east/west, 1 block east of Business US 270 the major street through Harrah in the heart of the downtown area.   This is a side street and though the crossing is two lanes with very low use, flaggers will be needed for safety issues while off loading and on loading our equipment.  As of now, we have permission to park our trucks and trailers in the parking lot at N&R Feed and Supply on the east side of the facility which is just south of the crossing.  DO NOT BLOCK THE MILL SINCE THEY SERVE CUSTOMERS ON SATURDAY MORNING.

 

Schedule Information

Start Set On:               8:00 AM

Safety Meeting:          8:50 AM

Departure:                   9:00 AM

Approximate Return:  4:00 PM

 

From the set on location in Harrah (mile post 466.1) we will go west towards Oklahoma City to (mp 480.0), where we will have a turn-around point.  We will then return east to Choctaw, OK for a very short rest stop.  There are several places across the street from the tracks for this quick break. After the break we will proceed east back through Harrah and on to Shawnee, Oklahoma (mp 448.0).  There we will turn around and have a break/lunch at one of the local restaurants in downtown Shawnee.  There are also a few stores close to the tracks where you can purchase a snack.  Afterward, we will proceed back to Harrah. Since this is a Saturday, many urban and rural crossings, may have heavier than normal traffic so be alert.

 

Motel Information:

There are many places to stay in Midwest City, OK, along I-40, which is approximately 12 miles from the set on point.   Hampton Inn of Midwest City, 1833 Center Dr., 405-732-5500; Comfort Inn, 5653 Tinker Diagonal, 405-733-1444; Super 8, 6821 SE 29th Street, 405-737-8880 are a few.

 

Arkansas-Oklahoma Railroad – McAlester, Oklahoma

Sunday, October 8, 2023

 

Excursion Coordinator in Training Tom Harrington trainman1970@hotmail.com Home: 918-683-8751; Cell 623-476-6694

Excursion Coordinator:  Drake Rice  drake.rice@cox.net  Cell: 405-808-7516.

 

This trip will be on the Arkansas-Oklahoma Railroad (A-OK).  We will travel eastward on the ex-Rock Island Railroad trackage that A-OK operates, McAlester, OK to Red Oak, OK. Total mileage for Sunday will be 92 miles.  The track parallels US 270.

 

Set On Location:  5^th Street Crossing, between E. Choctaw Ave and E. Chickasaw Ave. McAlester, OK. Directions:  5^th street runs north/south 1 block south of US 270 (Carl Albert Pkwy) that is the main east/west street in downtown McAlester.  The crossing is four lanes but only two are used and this is not a major north south street in McAlester.  Flaggers will be needed for safety issues while off-loading and on loading our equipment.  We will be able to park our trucks and trailers on the railroad right of way or the parking lot, which can be seen from the set on location which is south and west of this point and behind the building at 10 S 3rd Street in McAlester.  Permission has been given by the lot owner to use their lot.

 

Schedule Information:

Start Set On:               8:00 AM

Safety Meeting:          8:50 AM

Departure:                   9:00 AM

Approximate Return:  5:00 PM

 

From the set on location in McAlester (mile post 366) we will go east towards Wilburton (MP 335.6), where we will have a rest stop. Wilburton where the A-OK offices and shops are located, we will continue on east to Red Oak (MP 322.8) for lunch.  In Red Oak, across the highway from the small rail yard is a service station that has lunch items (best fried fish).  The lunch break will be 1 hour.  Then we will proceed back to Wilburton for a short stop and then return to McAlester.  We should return around 4:00 PM and be clear of the tracks by 5:00 PM.

 

Motel Information:

AmericInn Lodge, Breakfast is included in this cost), 918-426-1300, 609 S. George Nigh Expy; Motels-Hiway Inn & Suites, 918-423-7170, 419 S. George Nigh Expy; 69 Hwy Holiday Inn Express, 918-302-0001, 650 S. George Nigh Expry.  Four miles further south Days Inn, 918-426-5050, 1217 S. George Nigh Expy.  There are a number of other motels like Hampton, Comfort, etc.

 

Other information common to both days:

Cost for one or both days: $70.00, check Payable to the Oklahoma Railway Museum

 

Other Requirements:  Must be a member of ORM

                                       Valid NARCOA insurance card and operator’s certificate required

                                       NARCOA rulebook 8.3 in effect for this event

                                       Please bring the following completely filled out and signed

                                       Narcoa forms:

• Narcoa and Affiliate Release Form (one page front and back)
• Narcoa Rail Vehicle Car Inspection Form.

 

If you need ORM membership information, go to the website; www.oklahomarailwaymuseum.org where it is available.  Mail ORM membership form and payment  to:  Charles Price, Treasurer; Oklahoma Railway Museum, 3400 NE Grand Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73111. This membership will be for 2023.

 

Please e-mail Tom Harrington and let him know if you are coming.