ANTIQUE PHOTOGRAPH TRAIN CHOCTAW OK GULF RAILROAD

Place your bids on this fantastic antique photograph of a Choctaw, Oklahoma & Gulf Railroad freight car in front of an ornate depot, c. early 20th century.  The photograph was taken by A.B. Mueller and shows Chief Dobby.  It is in excellent condition, with a tiny black spot near the upper edge.  It measures approximately 8" x 10" with the tan cardboard mount.  The following is stamped on the front of the mount: "A.B. Mueller," while "Chief Dobby and Tripe" is stamped on the photograph.

The image shows Car 512 of the Choctaw Route with its door open and cargo visible inside.  There are seven men in the photograph, including Chief Dobby: three sit stop the car, one climbs a ladder on the side and three more stand in front.  A loading platform with freight sits behind the tracks.  A portion of Car 10522 is seen at right.  The depot is a wood-frame structure with a central upper bay window, several brick chimneys and butresses supporting the overhanging roof.  A store, horses and wagons are visible behind the depot.  Some barrels are strewn beside the track.

The Choctaw, Oklahoma & Gulf Railroad, or Choctaw Route, ran through Tennessee, Arkansas and Oklahoma.  It was originally called the Choctaw Coal & Railway Company.  A line from Memphis to western Oklahoma was up and running by 1900.  In 1901, the CO&G chartered a subsidiary company, the Choctaw, Oklahoma & Texas Railroad, to build track west into the  Texas panhandle.  A year later, the line extended all the way to Amarillo.  The Railroad came under the control of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad (Rock Island) in 1902 and merged into the Rock Island in 1948.  The Memphis to Amarillo route remained an important main line for the Rock Island, transporting local and transcontinental freight, along with passenger trains, including the Choctaw Rocket.  Most of the Choctaw Route was abandoned after the dissolution of the Rock Island in 1980.  Some parts of the CO&G are still used by the Union Pacific and various short lines.  The old Choctaw Route passenger depot in Little Rock is now part of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center & Park. The old freight depot was demolished.

Reference: www.flickr.com/photos/robertlz/3487015363/

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