Reader Railroad

Through the years, thousands of persons from all over the world have traveled to Reader, Arkansas to ride the Reader Railroad, also known as The Possum Trot Line. This renowned steam-powered short-line railroad is the last exclusively-steam-powered common carrier standard gage railroad left in North America.  This short-line railroad started in 1880 when Lee Reader came to Nevada and Ouachita Counties in Arkansas to erect a sawmill.  It's long and rich history continues today as the reader continues its steam only operations.

Hot Track

Local News Clip

Reader Railroad was in the news recently with its ties to major motion pictures in 2007. The steam locomotive No. 2 and miscellaneous rolling stock appeared in both the Oscar winning "There Will be Blood" and Oscar nominated "3:10 to Yuma."

Recognizing a great story, the Little Rock ABC affiliate - KATV 7 - filmed new footage at Reader. They added their archived video of the last days of the Reader Railroad common carrier train in the 1970's and created a nice segment on "All About Arkansas". It was aired immediately following the Academy Awards on February 24th and again the following day. Click the arrow to watch this insightful and complimentary story of Reader Railroad past, present, and future here:

http://www.katv.com/news/stories/0208/498800.html

"3:10 To Yuma"

We at Reader Railroad are celebrating the release of "3:10 to Yuma." This blockbuster movie starring Russell Crowe and Christian Bale has earned $48.5 million in the U.S. "3:10 to Yuma" includes railroad footage of a locomotive and rolling stock from Reader Railroad. We provided the railroad equipment on location at Santa Fe, New Mexico in January 2007.

More Info. Enjoy :)

"There Will Be Blood"

In June of 2006, Reader Railroad's efforts were dedicated to the production of the Paul Thomas Anderson film "There Will Be Blood."  Due for January 2008 release, the railroad footage was filmed on location at Presidio, Texas.

Read More... Enjoy :)

RIP Track

Working on the Railroad

Today, Reader Railroad is Recovering from the filming of the Ed Harris movie "Appaloosa." Staring Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, and Renée Zellweger.  With filming wrapping up in late October in New Mexico, we are Just returning home and regrouping.  After several months of activities, we are preparing for routine maintenance and local projects.

“More to come.”

©2008 Reader Railroad. All Rights Reserved